OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture methods in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at different stages. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with AS were treated with acupuncture at ashi points (tendon focus), triple acupuncture method was used in the acute phase, accompanied needling method was used in the remission phase, once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) score, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) score and TCM symptom grade quantitative standard score before and after treatment were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the BASDAI score, BASFI score and TCM symptom grade quantitative standard score were reduced compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), the effective rate was 96.9% (31/32). CONCLUSION Different acupuncture methods in the treatment of AS at different stages could improve signs and symptoms, such as pain, activity limitation and morning stiffness.
Humans ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the potential characteristic manifestations and application value of the Dynamic Visual Acuity Test（DVAT） in vestibular migraine（VM）. Methods:A total of 50 VM patients（case group） and 50 healthy subjects（control group） diagnosed at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between November 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, were enrolled. The case group underwent DVAT, video head impulse test（vHIT）, caloric test, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory（DHI） assessment, whereas the control group only received DVAT. Group-based analyses were conducted to examine the effect of age on Dynamic Visual Acuity Loss（DVALoss）, as well as the correlations of DVALoss with vestibular function tests and DHI scores. Results:DVALoss in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group（P<0.001）. In both groups, age was significantly and positively correlated with DVALoss（P<0.001）. Within the case group, DVALoss was strongly and positively correlated with DHI scores（r=0.807, P<0.001）; it was negatively correlated with the vestibulo-ocular reflex（VOR） gain in vHIT, though without clinical significance, and showed no significant association with the caloric test. Age and DVALoss collectively accounted for 71.3% of the variance in DHI scores（R²=0.713）, with age exerting a relatively minor actual impact. Conclusion:DVAT can sensitively identify the core functional impairments of VM. DVALoss, as a direct functional reflection of the pathological mechanism of VM, is strongly correlated with DHI scores. Incorporating DVALoss into standardized assessments may provide an objective basis for the diagnosis and management of VM.
Humans ; Migraine Disorders/diagnosis* ; Visual Acuity ; Case-Control Studies ; Head Impulse Test ; Vestibular Function Tests ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Vestibular Diseases/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Caloric Tests

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in male genitourinary system,and it is one of the main causes of male death in Europe and America.The incidence of prostate cancer in our coun-try is increasing,the key of treatment of prostate cancer is early diagnosis and early treatment.Endoglin also known as endothelial glycoprotein,is the most reliable marker of endothelial cell proliferation,which is over-expressed in neovascularization.Soluble Endoglin was found in the serum of tumor patients,which can be used as an auxiliary diagnosis.Inhibition of Endoglin receptor can inhibit the formation of tumor blood vessels,which provides a basis for targeted therapy.Microvessel density marked by Endoglin is of great significance in the clinical and pathological grading of solid tumors and can be used to evaluate the prognosis.This article re-views the role of Endoglin in the pathogenesis,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of prostate cancer.

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness（PPPD） is the most common chronic vestibular disease, the clinical manifestation is dizziness, unstable and non-rotational dizziness for three months or more. And the symptom is exacerbated by upright posture, active or passive movement, and complex visual stimuli. In addition, PPPD is a functional disease, so routine vestibular function tests and imaging tests are often negative. According to the diagnostic criteria established by the Barany Association, the diagnosis of PPPD often relies on history. This article provides a review of PPPD-related questionnaires.
Humans ; Dizziness/diagnosis* ; Vertigo/diagnosis* ; Vestibular Diseases/diagnosis* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Human fibroblast growth factor 21 (hFGF21) has become a candidate drug for regulating blood glucose and lipid metabolism. The poor stability and short half-life of hFGF21 resulted in low target tissue availability, which hampers its clinical application. In this study, the hFGF21 was fused with a recombinant human serum albumin (HSA), and the resulted fusion protein rHSA-hFGF21 was expressed in Pichia pastoris. After codon optimization, the recombinant gene fragment rHSA-hFGF21 was inserted into two different vectors (pPIC9k and pPICZαA) and transformed into three different strains (X33, GS115 and SMD1168), respectively. We investigated the rHSA-hFGF21 expression levels in three different strains and screened an engineered strain X33-pPIC9K-rHSA-hFGF21 with the highest expression level. To improve the production efficiency of rHSA-hFGF21, we optimized the shake flask fermentation conditions, such as the OD value, methanol concentration and induction time. After purification by hollow fiber membrane separation, Blue affinity chromatography and Q ion exchange chromatography, the purity of the rHSA-hFGF21 protein obtained was 98.18%. Compared to hFGF21, the biostabilities of rHSA-hFGF21, including their resistance to temperature and trypsinization were significantly enhanced, and its plasma half-life was extended by about 27.6 times. Moreover, the fusion protein rHSA-hFGF21 at medium and high concentration showed a better ability to promote glucose uptake after 24 h of stimulation in vitro. In vivo animal studies showed that rHSA-hFGF21 exhibited a better long-term hypoglycemic effect than hFGF21 in type 2 diabetic mice. Our results demonstrated a small-scale production of rHSA-hFGF21, which is important for large-scale production and clinical application in the future.
Animals ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents/metabolism* ; Methanol/metabolism* ; Mice ; Pichia/metabolism* ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism* ; Saccharomycetales ; Serum Albumin/metabolism* ; Serum Albumin, Human/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the regulation effects of baicalin on the behavior as well as extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK)and cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB) in chronic unpredictable mild stimulus(CUMS) model mice.Methods:Thirty ICR mice were randomly assigned to control(CON) group, model(CUMS) group, fluoxetine(FLU) group, baicalin high-dose(BA-H) group and baicalin low-dose(BA-L) group with 6 mice in each group.In addition to the CON group, the mice in the other four groups were modeled by CUMS method.The modeling was carried out for 42 days, and intragastric administration was carried out according to groups from the 21st day to the completion of modeling.After administration, the depression like behavior of mice was measured by sugar water preference test and water maze test.Western blot (WB) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the protein level and mRNA level of ERK and CREB in mouse hippocampus respectively.SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis.After normal test and variance homogeneity test, one-way ANOVA was used for multi group comparison, and Tukey test was used for pairwise comparison.Results:Results from the sugar preference experiment showed that compared with CON group, the sugar preference rate of CUMS group was decreased ((82.88±2.00)%, (64.49±1.24)%, t=19.11, P<0.05). Compared with CUMS group, sugar preference rate in FLU group ((81.90±1.19) %), BA-H group (77.86±2.51)%) and BA-L group ((67.98±2.56)%) increased ( t=24.83, 11.68, 3.00, all P<0.05). The results of water maze test showed that compared with CON group, the number of crossing platform ((6.33±0.82), (1.83±0.75), t=9.93, P<0.05) and the target quadrant residence time ((46.83±4.78)s, (24.25±6.12)s, t=7.13, P<0.05) of mice in CUMS group were decreased, but the the escape latency was prolonged ((14.88±3.00) s, (70.70±4.77) s, t=24.26, P<0.05). Compared with CUMS group, the number of crossing platform ((5.00±0.89)times, (5.17±0.75)times and (3.33±0.82) times, t=6.64, 7.67, 3.31, all P<0.05), and the residence time in the target quadrant ((36.80±2.66) s, (36.82±5.62) s, (33.28±3.56) s, t=4.61, 3.71, 3.13, all P<0.05) in FLU group, BA-H group and BA-L group increased, but the escape latencies were shortened ((23.37±4.86) s, (34.83±4.72) s, (62.15±5.30) s, t=17.02, 13.10, 2.94, all P<0.05). WB results showed that compared with CON group, the expression of ERK protein ((1.00±0.15), (0.36±0.10), t= 6.26, P<0.05) and CREB protein((1.00±0.12), (0.29±0.03), t=10.32, P<0.05) in hippocampus of mice in CUMS group decreased.Compared with CUMS group, ERK protein in hippocampus of mice in FLU, BA-H and BA-L groups increased ((0.87±0.05), (0.77±0.08), (0.67±0.03), t=8.25, 5.7, 5.39, all P<0.05), and CREB protein in FLU, BA-H and BA-L groups were also increased ((0.90±0.12), (0.84±0.14), (0.62±0.04), t=8.94, 6.59, 12.25, all P<0.05). qPCR results showed that compared with CON group, ERK mRNA ((1.00±0.03), (0.41±0.10), t=9.78, P<0.05) and CREB mRNA ((1.00±0.08), (0.61±0.12), t=4.62, P<0.05) were decreased in CUMS group.Compared with CUMS group, ERK mRNA in hippocampus of mice in FLU, BA-H and BA-L groups were increased ((0.71±0.08), (0.69±0.03), (0.59±0.04), t=4.15, 4.65, 2.84, all P<0.05), CREB mRNA in FLU group and BA-H group were increased ((0.87±0.08), (0.86±0.07), t=3.14, 3.19, all P<0.05). Conclusion:BA can improve the depression-like behavior of CUMS model mice.The mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of ERK and CREB proteins.

Objective To evaluate the short-term outcome of the Kelly procedure for bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex.Methods Kelly procedure was performed in 5 cases from December 2015 in our institute. Retrospective analysis was done including the surgery and follow up.Results Two bladder exstrophy boys had histories of primary bladder closure without bladder neck reconstruction during the neonatal period. Another three epispadias boys had sever urethral defects with full incontinence. All cases undertook Kelly procedure and were followed up for 7.8 months (2-12 months). No severe complications such as glanular necrosis, urethral stricture and urethrocutaneous fistula was observed. Four cases were fully continent and one epispadias case had stress incontinence.Conclusions Kelly procedure produced satisfactory urinary continence and phallic cosmetics in bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex in children. Proper identification of the pudendal neurovascular bundle and repair of the external sphincter by levatorplasty help improve the outcome.

BACKGROUND:Soft tissue engineering mainly includes seed cells,scaffolds,cytokines and bioreactors,among which,the scaffolds are the key link in the construction of tissue-engineered cartilage.OBJECTIVE:To prepare an articular cartilage extracellular matrix/human umbilical cord Wharton gel porous scaffold,and to evaluate its physicochemical properties and biocompatibility.METHODS:The articular cartilage extracellular matrix/human umbilical cord Wharton gel porous scaffold was prepared by freeze thawing drying method using porcine articular cartilage extracellular matrix and human umbilical cord Wharton glue as raw materials.The porosity,water absorption,tissue composition and longitudinal compressive elastic modulus of the scaffold were measured and histologically stained.Rabbit chondrocytes were co-cultured with the articular cartilage extracellular matrix/human umbilical cord Wharton gel porous scaffold for 7 days.Then,scanning electron microscopy,live-dead cell staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed.In addition,rabbit chondrocytes were cultured in the extract of the articular cartilage extracellular matrix/human umbilical cord Wharton gel porous scaffold and cell culture medium for 6 days,respectively;and MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The articular cartilage extracellular matrix/human umbilical cord Wharton gel porous scaffolds had a cross-section of uniform porous network structure and a vertical cross-section of the vertical tubular structure,and the pore wall was densely covered with cartilage fibers.The composite porous scaffold was positive for hematoxylin-eosin staining,safranin O staining and toluidine blue staining,and contained collagen and glycosaminoglycan ingredients.The water absorption,porosity and longitudinal compressive elastic modulus of the scaffolds were (17.418 8±0.909 0)％,(81.495 1±6.621 0)％ and (2.833 3±0.456 4) kPa,respectively.After 7 days of co-culture,rabbit chondrocytes adhered to the scaffold and proliferated,and further grew into the pores of the scaffold.Moreover,the scaffold was non-toxic to the rabbit chondrocytes.To conclude,the physiochemical properties and biochemical components of articular cartilage extracellular matrix/human umbilical cord Wharton gel porous scaffolds are similar to those of natural cartilage,and the scaffold has good biocompatibility.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupunctures variable with stages on lumbar intervertebral dise protrusion (LIDP). Methods 98 LIDP patients in our hospital from October, 2014 to July, 2015 were randomly divided into control group (n=49) and observa-tion group (n=49) according to the sequence of first diagnosis time. The control group received routine acupuncture, and the observation group acupunctured at Ouch point and Huantiao point (GB30) with different acupuncture according to manifestations and courses. Modified Yang acupuncture was adopted in acute phase, triple acupuncture was used in remittent phase, and lateral needling was used in the recovery phase. They were both treated once a day, 7 days as a course for 3 courses with 2 days of interval. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and clinical effects were assessed before and 1, 2, 3 courses after treatment. Results Both VAS and ODI scores im-proved after treatment (F>7.12, P<0.05), especially in the observation group (t>4.43, P<0.05). The efficiency was higher in the observation group than in the control group (χ2=5.594, P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with normal acupuncture, the acupunctures variable with stages is more effective on LIDP than routine.

Ranpirnase (onconase, ONC) is a new drug, with weak RNase activity and strong cytotoxicity to various tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. This study is to obtain recombination onconase (rONC) with high bioactivity. Based on the codon preference of Pichia pastoris, we designed and synthesized the gene according to cDNA sequences of ONC and the α mating factor's prepeptide. We screened positive clones after transforming the recombination plasmids into P. pastoris X-33, GSS115 and SMD1168. We screened the best combination of seven different vectors and host strains. Moreover, we optimized culture condition in shake flasks and 10 L bioreactor, and purified rONC from the supernatant after inducing it with 0.25% methanol by aqueous two-phase extraction coupling G50 molecular exclusion method. The highest rONC production was 13 mg/L in pPICZα-A/X-33/ONC combination under the condition of pH 5.5 and 23 degrees C in shake flasks for 7 d; and that the highest rONC production was 180 mg/L when the induction is performed in the lower basic salt medium with pH 5.5 in the 10 L bioreactor for 7 d. The yield of rONC is more than 90% at a purity of above 95%. rONC can kill various tumor cells in vitro. The expression and purification of rONC would be useful for further investigation of this new drug.
Antineoplastic Agents ; metabolism ; Bioreactors ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Codon ; DNA, Complementary ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Pichia ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Ribonucleases ; biosynthesis