The paper introduces Professor JI Laixi's academic thought and clinical experience in treatment of primary open angle glaucoma with "nape-eight-needle" acupotomy. Professor JI Laixi believes that the key pathogenesis lies in "occlusion of xuanfu (subtle orifices) within the eyes and obstruction of meridian pathways". Using the unblocking principle of treatment, taking meridian theory of traditional acupuncture as the core and based on the anatomical principles of structural acupuncture, Professor JI has proposed his academic thought, "treating eye diseases from the nape". In treatment, "nape-eight-needle" acupotomy is adopted, combined with filiform needle acupuncture. It is the advantageous compound therapeutic method, aiming to open xuanfu, restore brain-eye meridian connectivity, harmonize body, qi and mind through systemic regulation, address both the causative factors and symptoms and prevent from blindness. This therapeutic approach provides a new idea for clinical treatment of primary open angle glaucoma.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/therapy* ; Male ; Meridians ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Middle Aged ; Aged

OBJECTIVES: To reprogram human placental fibroblasts (HPFs) into chemically induced epithelioid-like cells (ciEP-Ls) using a combination of small-molecule compounds. METHODS: HPFs cultured under normoxic conditions were identified using immunofluorescence assay, PCR and chromosomal karyotyping. Under hypoxic conditions (37 ℃, 5% O₂), HPFs were cultured in a medium containing small-molecule compounds C6TSEDRVAJZ (CHIR99021, 616452, TTNPB, SAG, EPZ5676, DZNep, Ruxolitinib, VTP50469, Afuresertib, JNK-IN-8, and EZM0414), and the cell morphology was observed daily. The expression levels of epithelial cell markers in the induced cells were detected by immunofluorescence, Western blotting and PCR. Chromosomal karyotyping of the induced cells was performed and the induction efficiency was calculated. RESULTS: Before induction, HPFs showed positive expressions of fibroblast surface markers CD34 and vimentin and were negative for epithelial surface markers. PCR results showed high expressions of fibroblast-specific genes S100A4 and COL1A1 in HPFs with a normal human diploid karyotype. After one day of induction, the HPFs underwent morphological changes from a multinodular spindle shape to a round or polygonal shape, which was morphologically characteristic of ciEP-Ls. On day 4 of induction, the cells exhibited high expressions of the epithelial cell markers E-cadherin and Lin28A. RT-qPCR results also showed that the cells expressed the epithelial markers Smad3, GLi3, PAX8, WT1, KRT19, and KRT18 with significantly down-regulated expressions of all the fibroblast surface markers and a normal human diploid karyotype. The reprogramming efficiency of HPFs into ciEP-Ls ranged from (64.53±2.8)% to (68.10±3.6)%. CONCLUSIONS The small-molecule compound combination C6TSEDRVAJZ is capable of inducing HPFs into ciEP-Ls under hypoxic conditions with a high induction efficiency.
Humans ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Pyrimidines/pharmacology* ; Placenta/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Pyrazoles/pharmacology* ; Epithelial Cells/cytology*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application. Methods and. RESULTS: Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion, and consensus was reached following expert consultation. The consensus recommendations are comprehensive, covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation, surgical operation process, postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning. The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain, reduced the use of opioid drugs, and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients. Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications. CONCLUSIONS The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy. The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cancer Pain/therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Pain Management/methods* ; China

Objective:To investigate the clinical effectiveness of anastomosis fixation method of lifting the suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF) and fixing with the orbital septum and fat to correct eyelid bags with tear trough deformity.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients treated at Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University) from January 2019 to January 2021. The patients underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty via a sub-lower eyelid skin approach. During the surgery, the SOOF was lifted and fixed with the orbital septum and fat, correcting the eye bags, filling the tear troughs, and lifting the midface. Postoperative observations included incision healing and complications. The correction of eye bags, tear troughs, and midface sagging was followed up. Adobe Photoshop CS6 software was used to measure the vertical distance from the nasolabial and buccal fat prominent point to the lower eyelid margin before surgery and at the last follow-up to evaluate the correction of midface sagging. Data were expressed as Mean ± SD, and pre- and post-operative comparisons were analyzed using paired t-test, with P<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Patients’ and nurses’ satisfaction evaluations of surgical outcomes were classified into three levels: satisfied, basically satisfied, and dissatisfied, requiring consensus between the two evaluators. Results:A total of 132 patients (264 eyes) were included, consisting of 23 males and 109 females, with an average age of (50.3±6.0) years. Hirmand tear trough classification included 178 type Ⅱeyes and 86 type Ⅲ eyes. Postoperative wound healing was well, with no hematoma, infection, diplopia, corneal foreign body sensation, and discomfort from external eye corner tightness. Follow-up ranged from 6-12 months, with 252 out of 264 eye bags disappeared and 12 eye bags reduced. Among the 86 type Ⅲ tear trough eyes, 10 improved to type Ⅰ, while the remaining 76 type Ⅲ and 178 type Ⅱ tear troughs disappeared postoperatively. All 264 midface sagging cases showed improvement, with the vertical distance from the nasolabial fat prominence point to the lower eyelid margin significantly shortening postoperatively [(29.23±1.58) mm vs. (34.08±3.23) mm, t=22.88, P<0.001)]. Satisfaction evaluation result showed 118 cases were satisfied (satisfaction rate of 89.4%), and 14 cases were basically satisfied. Conclusion:The anastomosis fixation method of lifting the SOOF and fixing with the orbital septum and fat effectively removes eyelid bags, smooths tear troughs, and lifts the midface, achieving a rejuvenated appearance and renders a high patient satisfaction rate.

Objective:To establish a methodological system for reprogramming rat embryonic fibroblasts(REF)into chemically induced neurons(ciNCs)via small molecule compounds to provide safe and effective donor cells for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Methods:Based on the method established by PEI Gang's research group to directly reprogram human fibroblasts into neurons,the induction medium and maturation medium was optimized by replacing the coating solution,mitigating oxidative stress injury,adding neurogenic protective factors,adjusting the concentration of trichothecenes,performing small-molecule removal experiments,and carrying out immunofluorescence and Western blotting on cells at different stages of induction to validate the effect of induction.Results:When the original protocol was used for induction,the cell survival rate was(34.24±2.77)%.After replacing the coating solution gelatin with matrigel,the cell survival rate increased to(45.41±4.27)%;after adding melatonin,the cell survival rate increased to(67.95±5.61)%and(23.43±1.42)%were transformed into neural-like cells;after adding the small molecule P7C3-A20,the cell survival rate was further increased to(76.27±1.41)%,and(39.72±4.75)%of the cells were transformed into neural-like cells.When the concentration of trichothecene was increased to 30 μmol/L,the proportion of neural-like cells reached(55.79±1.90)%;after the removal of SP600125,(86.96±2.15)%of the cells survived,and the rate of neural-like cell production increased to(63.43±1.60)%.With the optimized protocol,REF could be successfully induced into ciNC through the neural precursor cell stage,in which the neural precursor cells were able to highly express the neural precursor cell markers SRY-related HMG-box gene 2(Sox2)and paired box 6(Pax6)as well as neuron-specific marker tubulin 1(Tuj1),while the expression of fiber-associated protein vimentin was reduced.After two weeks of induction of neural precursor cells in a maturation medium,most cells displayed neuronal-like cell morphology.The induced ciNCs were able to highly express the mature neuronal surface markers Tuj1 and microtubule-associated protein 2(MAP2),while the expression of vimentin was reduced.Conclusion:The small molecule combinations optimized in this study can reprogram REF to ciNCs under normoxic conditions.

Objective To evaluate the application value of golden angle radial sparse parallel(Grasp)sequence in contrast-enhanced MRI of liver.Methods The imaging data of 30 patients who underwent gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid contrast-enhanced MRI of liver were collected.With the same equipment,images were collected by Grasp sequence and breath-hold sequence separately,with an interval of less than 3 months.The subjective and objective scores of the late arterial phase and portal venous phase images were evaluated.Results There were no significant differences in all subjective scores of the late arterial phase and portal venous phase images between the two sequences(P＞0.05).The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of the late arterial phase images in the Grasp sequence was lower than that in the breath-hold sequence(148.4±52.8 vs 195.6±68.4),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).Although the SNR of the portal venous phase in the Grasp sequence was lower than that in the breath-hold sequence,the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).There was no statistical difference in the other objective scores between the two sequences(P＞0.05).Conclusion The image quality of Grasp sequence in contrast-enhanced MRI of liver can meet the diagnositic requirements,and it is suitable for patients with poor breath-hold capacity,which has important application value.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effectiveness of anastomosis fixation method of lifting the suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF) and fixing with the orbital septum and fat to correct eyelid bags with tear trough deformity.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients treated at Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University) from January 2019 to January 2021. The patients underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty via a sub-lower eyelid skin approach. During the surgery, the SOOF was lifted and fixed with the orbital septum and fat, correcting the eye bags, filling the tear troughs, and lifting the midface. Postoperative observations included incision healing and complications. The correction of eye bags, tear troughs, and midface sagging was followed up. Adobe Photoshop CS6 software was used to measure the vertical distance from the nasolabial and buccal fat prominent point to the lower eyelid margin before surgery and at the last follow-up to evaluate the correction of midface sagging. Data were expressed as Mean ± SD, and pre- and post-operative comparisons were analyzed using paired t-test, with P<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Patients’ and nurses’ satisfaction evaluations of surgical outcomes were classified into three levels: satisfied, basically satisfied, and dissatisfied, requiring consensus between the two evaluators. Results:A total of 132 patients (264 eyes) were included, consisting of 23 males and 109 females, with an average age of (50.3±6.0) years. Hirmand tear trough classification included 178 type Ⅱeyes and 86 type Ⅲ eyes. Postoperative wound healing was well, with no hematoma, infection, diplopia, corneal foreign body sensation, and discomfort from external eye corner tightness. Follow-up ranged from 6-12 months, with 252 out of 264 eye bags disappeared and 12 eye bags reduced. Among the 86 type Ⅲ tear trough eyes, 10 improved to type Ⅰ, while the remaining 76 type Ⅲ and 178 type Ⅱ tear troughs disappeared postoperatively. All 264 midface sagging cases showed improvement, with the vertical distance from the nasolabial fat prominence point to the lower eyelid margin significantly shortening postoperatively [(29.23±1.58) mm vs. (34.08±3.23) mm, t=22.88, P<0.001)]. Satisfaction evaluation result showed 118 cases were satisfied (satisfaction rate of 89.4%), and 14 cases were basically satisfied. Conclusion:The anastomosis fixation method of lifting the SOOF and fixing with the orbital septum and fat effectively removes eyelid bags, smooths tear troughs, and lifts the midface, achieving a rejuvenated appearance and renders a high patient satisfaction rate.

Objective:To investigate the interventional effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) transplantation with different doses of X-ray irradiation induced hepatic injury in mice.Methods:Eighteen female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 0, 2, and 3 Gy irradiation groups and 0, 2, and 3 Gy transplantation groups. The irradiation group was used as the control and injected with an equal volume of culture medium. The mice in the transplantation group were irradiated with different doses of X-ray irradiation, and BMMSCs were intravenously infused into the bone marrow. The mice were sacrificed for sampling at the end of the 21st day. Mice body weight changes were recorded daily. The changes in the content of peripheral blood lymphocytes, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin were detected by an automatic blood tester. The morphological changes in mice liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by a biochemical analyzer. The reduced glutathione contents in liver tissue were detected by the microplate method. The malondialdehyde content in liver tissue was detected by thiobarbituric acid. The content of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in liver tissue was detected by the hydroxylamine method. The expression of the F4/80 protein in liver tissue was detected by the immunohistochemistry method. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in liver tissue was determined by the western blotting method. The mRNA expression of NLRP3, IL-6, and Nrf2 in liver tissue was detected by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The multiple-group comparisons were analyzed by factorial analysis of variance. The inter-group comparisons were analyzed by the LSD method for statistical analysis.Results:The contents of peripheral blood lymphocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, and hemoglobin were significantly decreased in the 3 Gy irradiation group than the 0 Gy irradiation group ( P<0.05), while the activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly increased ( P<0.05). The malondialdehyde content, F4/80 protein expression level, nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats, nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), and interleukin 6 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in liver tissue, while the contents of T-SOD and glutathione, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression levels, and Nrf2 mRNA expression level in liver tissue were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The contents of peripheral blood lymphocytes, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin were significantly increased in the 3 Gy transplantation group than the 3 Gy irradiation group ( P<0.05), while the activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The malondialdehyde content, F4/80 protein expression level, NLRP3 and interleukin-6 mRNA expression levels in liver tissue were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while the content of T-SOD and glutathione, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression levels, and Nrf2 mRNA expression level in liver tissue were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:X-ray irradiation at a dose of 3 Gy can induce liver oxidative damage in mice. BMMSC transplantation can improve X-ray irradiation-induced liver oxidative damage in mice, and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Yiguan Decoction(YGJD)on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages(M1-BMDMs)in the treatment of rats with liver cirrhosis induced by 2-AAF/CCl4.Methods BMDMs were isolated and induced into M1-BMDMs by lipopolysaccharide.A total of 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group with 5 rats and model group with 45 rats.The rats for modeling were given subcutaneous injection of 50%CCl4 twice a week.Since week 7,the rats for modeling were randomly divided into model group(M group),YGJD group,M1-BMDM group,M1-BMDM+YGJD group,and sorafenib(SORA)group,and they were given subcutaneous injection of 30%CCl4 to maintain the progression of liver cirrhosis and intragastric administration of 2-AAF.CCR2 inhibitors were added to the drinking water,and each group was given the corresponding intervention.Related samples were collected at week 9.The rats were observed in terms of serum liver function parameters,liver pathology,hydroxyproline(Hyp)content in liver tissue,hepatic stellate cell activation,hepatic fibrosis and inflammation factors,and the expression levels of molecules associated with the Wnt signaling pathway.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups.Results Compared with the M group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had significant reductions in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,and total bilirubin(TBil)(all P<0.05)and a significant increase in the content of albumin(Alb)(P<0.05),and compared with the M1-BMDM group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had a significant reduction in the serum level of TBil(P<0.05)and a significant increase in the serum level of Alb(P<0.05).Compared with the M1-BMDM group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had significant reductions in the expression levels of CD68 and TNF-α(P<0.05).Compared with the M1-BMDM group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had significant reductions in Hyp content and Sirius red positive area(P<0.05).As for the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway molecules,compared with the M1-BMDM group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had significantly lower mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt5a(P<0.05)and mRNA expression level of Fzd2(P<0.05),as well as significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of Wnt4,Wnt5b,and Fzd3(P<0.05),while there were no significant changes in the mRNA expression levels of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway molecules β-catenin,LRP5,LRP6,Fzd5,and TCF.Conclusion YGJD can enhance the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDMs on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by 2-AAF/CCl4,possibly by inhibiting the non-canonical Wnt5a/Fzd2 signaling pathway,which provides new ideas for the synergistic effect of traditional Chinese medicine on M1-BMDMs in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on microglia polarization in rats after cerebral ischemia reperfusion(IR)injury and explore the role of tyrosine kinase 2(J AK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)pathway in the process.Methods Forty-five clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equally divided into sham operation group,IR group and electroacupuncture preconditioning group.Rat model of IR injury was induced with thread occlusion of the internal carotid artery.Before modeling,electroacupuncture preconditioning was applied to Baihui acupoint for 5 consec-utive days in the preconditioning group,and exposure of the cervical blood vessels were inflicted in the sham-operation group.At 24 h after reperfusion,the severity of neurological deficit was observed by modified neurological deficit score(mNSS),and the cerebral infarct volume was observed by TTC staining.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of classical acti-vated type(M1)marker inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),alternative activated type(M2)marker arginase 1(Arg-1),JAK2 and p-JAK2,and STAT3 and p-STAT3,and q-PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expression of iNOS and Arg-1.The expression of TNF-α and IL-10 was measured by ELISA.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the mNSS,infarct vol-ume,protein levels of p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3,protein and mRNA levels of iNOS and Arg-1,and expression of TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly increased in the IR and electroacu-puncture preconditioning groups(P＜0.01).The preconditioning group had obviously lower mNSS,smaller infarct volume,decreased protein levels of p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3,re-duced protein and mRNA levels of iNOS,and declined TNF-α expression,but elevated expression of Arg-1 at protein(2.0±0.2 vs 1.5±0.1)and mRNA(4.2±0.8 vs 3.1±0.3)levels and increased IL-10 expression(49.1±7.1 pg/mg vs 27.9±5.9 pg/mg)when compared with the IR group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture preconditioning can promote the polarization of microglia to M2 and inhibit the polarization of microglia to M1 after cerebral IR injury,which may be relat-ed to the inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.