Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

BACKGROUND:Cervical rotation-traction manipulation is effective and safe in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,and has been widely used in clinical work.However,its effects on the biomechanics of cervical vertebra and intervertebral disc and the area of intervertebral foramen have not been systematically clarified. OBJECTIVE:Based on the finite element analysis technique,a relevant research and analysis were carried out to provide digital evidence for the mechanism of effect of cervical rotation-traction manipulation in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. METHODS:The CT image data of a volunteer with no neck diseases were selected as the finite element model material at its left-handed physiological limit position.The initial construction of the finite element model was completed by Mimics 19.0 software,Geomagic Studio 2013 software,Hypermash 14.0 software,and ANSYS Workbench 2020 R2 software,respectively.Based on the literature,the grid division of cervical structure and the assignment of elastic modulus and elastic coefficient were completed.Based on the previous work of the team,the mechanical effects of cervical rotation-traction manipulation were simulated on the model.Effects of cervical rotation-traction manipulation on the mechanical parameters of each vertebral body and intervertebral disc in C3-T1 segment and on the cervical lateral foramen area were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)During cervical rotation-traction manipulation,the stress of bone structure was significantly higher than that of soft tissue such as intervertebral disc.(2)When operating the technique,the stress at the top of each cervical vertebra was higher,the stress at the bottom was lower,and the stress at the facet joint and transverse process was lower.The stress at the top of the intervertebral disc was lower,the stress at the bottom was higher,but the highest point of the intervertebral disc stress was outside the top.(3)In addition,after loading the lifting force,the projected area of the C6/C7 intervertebral foramen increased significantly compared with that before loading.(4)It is indicated that the cervical rotation-traction manipulation has the mechanical characteristics of changing the stress structure of the cervical spine itself,and can expand the C6/7 intervertebral cervical foramen area on the opposite side of the patient's cervical rotation,so as to achieve the purpose of treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND:Recent research indicates that disc degeneration is closely related to abnormal stress load,and mechanotransduction proteins play a key role in it. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role and mechanism of mechanotransduction proteins in the mechanotransduction process induced by abnormal mechanical stimulation in disc degeneration,and to summarize the current treatment strategies targeting mechanotransduction to delay intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS:Using"intervertebral disc,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,cartilaginous endplate,cell,mechanics,signal transduction,protein,biomechanics"as Chinese search terms,and"intervertebral disc,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,cartilaginous endplate,cell,mechanical stimulation,signal transduction,protein,biomechanics"as English search terms,relevant literature in the PubMed and CNKI databases was searched.A total of 88 articles were ultimately included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Disc cells can sense external mechanical stimulation through various mechanotransduction proteins and convert it into biological responses within the cells.These transduction proteins mainly include collagen proteins in the extracellular matrix,cell membrane surface receptors(such as integrins and ion channels),and cytoskeleton structural proteins.Their regulation of mechanotransduction processes primarily involves the activation of multiple pathways,such as the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway,and Ca2+/Calpain2/Caspase3 pathway.Mechanotransduction proteins play a key role in the mechanotransduction of disc cells.Abnormal expression of these proteins or resulting changes in the extracellular matrix environment can disrupt the mechanical balance of disc cells,leading to disc degeneration.In-depth study of the expression and regulatory mechanisms of mechanotransduction proteins in disc cells,and identification of key pathological links and therapeutic targets,is of significant importance for developing treatment strategies for disc degeneration.Current strategies to delay intervertebral disc degeneration by targeting mechanotransduction mainly include regulation of transduction proteins and improvement of the extracellular matrix.However,research in this area is still in its early stages.As research continues,new breakthroughs are expected in the regulation of disc degeneration by mechanotransduction proteins.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a significant role in maintaining public health. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council proposed for the first time the establishment of a TCM registration and evaluation evidence system that integrates TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials (referred to as the "Three-in-One" System) to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Subsequently, the National Medical Products Administration issued several guiding principles to advance the improvement and implementation of this system. Owing to the complexity of its implementation, there are still differing understandings within the TCM industry regarding the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System, as well as the connotation and value orientation of the "personal experience." To address this, Academician WANG Qi, President of the TCM Association, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare and TCM master, led a group of academicians, TCM masters, TCM pharmacology experts and clinical TCM experts to convene a "Seminar on Promoting the Implementation of the ′Three-in-One′ Registration and Evaluation Evidence System for Chinese Medicinals." Through extensive discussions, an expert consensus was formed, clarifying the different roles of the TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials within the system. It was further emphasized that the "personal experience" is the core of this system, and its data should be derived from clinical practice scenarios. In the future, the improvement of this system will require collaborative efforts across multiple fields to promote the high-quality development of the Chinese medicinal industry.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with different frequencies on spermatogenic function, testicular morphology and oxidative stress in oligoasthenospermia (OAT) rats, and to explore the mechanism and the optimal parameters of EA for OAT. METHODS: Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a solvent control group, a model group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 100 Hz EA group and a 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the solvent control group, the other 4 groups were administered ornidazole suspension (800 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) by gavage for 28 d to establish the OAT model. Starting from the 1st of modeling, EA was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV4), "Qihai" (CV6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Zusanli" (ST36) in the 3 EA groups, continuous wave of 2 Hz, continuous wave of 100 Hz, and disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz were used in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group, and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, respectively, with current intensity of 1-3 mA, 30 min a time, once every other day, for 28 consecutive days. After intervention, the testicular index was calculated, epididymal sperm quality was assessed, and the fertility ability was observed; morphology of testicular tissue was observed by HE staining, and the Johnson score was calculated; the positive expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in testicular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue were measured by ELISA; the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in testicular tissue was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the solvent control group, in the model group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were decreased (P<0.01), the seminiferous tubules atrophied and the Johnson score decreased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological morphology of testicular tissue improved and the Johnson scores increased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 2 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility, as well as the CAT activity and HO-1 protein expression in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05); the positive expression of ROS was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the 100 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index was increased (P<0.01), the positive expression of ROS in testicular tissue was decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION EA with 2 Hz continuous wave, 100 Hz continuous wave, and 2 Hz/100 Hz disperse-dense wave can all improve the spermatogenic arrest and reduce the level of oxidative stress in testicular tissue in OAT rats, the mechanism may be related to up-regulating the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 and improving oxidative stress. EA with disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz shows the optimal effect.
Male ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogenesis ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Humans ; Testis/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Asthenozoospermia/genetics* ; Acupuncture Points ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

Objective To study the effect of practicing traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)guidance on the health in weightless conditions based on the examination results of the TCM diagnostic instrument.Methods 6 subjects in weightless conditions practiced TCM guidance for 14 consecutive days,once a day for 8 minutes each time.The Digital TCM Diagnostic Instrument and TCM Syndrome Diagnosis Scale were used to collect information before and after their practice of TCM guidance through diagnostic methods of observation,palpation and inquiry according to TCM theory.The data such as the degree of virtual-reality,pulse rate,and characteristic parameters of pulse diagrams h3/h1,h4/h1,t1,h1/t1 were processed and analyzed,and the changes before and after the practice were compared.Results Compared with before the practice,the degree of deficiency syndrome was significantly reduced after practicing TCM guidance(P<0.05),the pulse rate was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the pulse diagnosis parameters h3/h1 and t1 were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while h4/h1 and h1/t1 showed no significant changes.Conclusion Practicing TCM guidance in weightless conditions is helpful for enhance cardiovascular regulatory function,correcting symptom bias,adjusting the body's balance state,and has a positive effect on health.

Objective To evaluate the changes of bronchial mucosa observed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy after bronchial arterial embolization(BAE)treatment.Methods A total of 176 patients,who received BAE at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University of China from May 2019 to March 2024,were enrolled in this study.The pre-BAE and post-BAE bronchial mucosa was checked by fiberoptic bronchoscopy.Results Of the 176 patients,fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed no abnormal findings in 143 and showed abnormal findings in 33.All the abnormal findings were mucosal congestion and oedema,in some cases coexisting vascular bulge was seen,but no manifestations of ischemia or necrosis of the bronchial mucosa could be found.In 22 patients,the preoperative and postoperative 7-day fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed that both preoperative and postoperative examinations showed no obvious abnormalities of the bronchial mucosa in 13 patients,preoperative examination had abnormalities of the bronchial mucosa in 9 patients,postoperative examination showed no obvious abnormalities of the bronchial mucosa in 3 patients,and in one patient the postoperative degree of bronchial mucosal congestion and oedema was significantly improved when compared with its preoperative degree.Conclusion BAE does not cause ischemic necrosis or shedding of bronchial mucosa,and BAE can reduce the degree of bronchial mucosal congestion in some patients.

ObjectiveTo dynamically observe the clinical symptoms and pathological changes in a rat model of vinorelbine-induced phlebitis via injection into the dorsalis pedis vein. MethodsTwenty-eight 11-week-old male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a model group (n=20) and a control group (n=8). The model group received a single injection of 0.1 mL vinorelbine solution (4 mg/mL) via the right hind limb dorsalis pedis vein, while the control group received an equal volume of normal saline via the same method. The occurrence and grading of phlebitis in both groups were observed and recorded daily. The volume of the injured limb was measured by the drainage method to calculate the swelling rate. The weight-bearing ratio of the injured limb was assessed using a bipedal balance pain meter, and the skin temperature of the injured limb was measured by infrared thermal imaging. These measurements were conducted for 9 consecutive days. Starting from day 1, three rats from the model group were euthanized every other day. A 1-cm segment of the vein extending proximally from the injection site was collected. Pathological changes in the vein tissue were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and ultrastructural changes of the vascular endothelium were observed using scanning electron microscopy. ResultsCompared to the control group, the injected hindlimb of model rats showed redness and swelling on day 1, with the swelling rate peaking at (81.89±15.75) % on day 3 (P<0.001), then gradually alleviating and decreasing to (15.41±0.33) % by day 9 (P<0.01). Pain was observed in the affected limbs of model rats on day 1 and worsened markedly on day 3, with the weight-bearing ratio decreasing to (36.35±4.91)% (P<0.001). Meanwhile, the skin temperature of the lesion site increased, reaching (36.36±0.40) ℃ on day 5 (P<0.001). Both pain and fever returned to near normal levels by day 9. Phlebitis grading in the model group showed that 75.0% of rats were grade Ⅱ on day 1; grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ each accounted for 37.5% on day 3; from days 5 to 9, most rats exhibited cord-like veins, predominantly grade III. Venous tissue showed peripheral edema and inflammatory cell infiltration on day 1, which gradually progressed to intimal rupture, vessel wall thickening, and even lumen narrowing from day 3 to 9. The venous intima exhibited destruction of tight junctions between endothelial cells and adhesion of blood cells, progressing to roughened, wrinkled, and protruding intimal surfaces. ConclusionThe vinorelbine-induced phlebitis of dorsal foot vein in rat model is characterized by local redness, swelling, warmth, and pain from days 3 to 5, which largely resolve by day 9, although cord-like veins can still be observed. With disease progression, venous tissue develops edema, vessel wall thickening, and lumen narrowing. The venous intima shows rupture, roughening, and in some cases, complete loss.

ObjectiveTo dynamically observe the clinical symptoms and pathological changes in a rat model of vinorelbine-induced phlebitis via injection into the dorsalis pedis vein. MethodsTwenty-eight 11-week-old male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a model group (n=20) and a control group (n=8). The model group received a single injection of 0.1 mL vinorelbine solution (4 mg/mL) via the right hind limb dorsalis pedis vein, while the control group received an equal volume of normal saline via the same method. The occurrence and grading of phlebitis in both groups were observed and recorded daily. The volume of the injured limb was measured by the drainage method to calculate the swelling rate. The weight-bearing ratio of the injured limb was assessed using a bipedal balance pain meter, and the skin temperature of the injured limb was measured by infrared thermal imaging. These measurements were conducted for 9 consecutive days. Starting from day 1, three rats from the model group were euthanized every other day. A 1-cm segment of the vein extending proximally from the injection site was collected. Pathological changes in the vein tissue were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and ultrastructural changes of the vascular endothelium were observed using scanning electron microscopy. ResultsCompared to the control group, the injected hindlimb of model rats showed redness and swelling on day 1, with the swelling rate peaking at (81.89±15.75) % on day 3 (P<0.001), then gradually alleviating and decreasing to (15.41±0.33) % by day 9 (P<0.01). Pain was observed in the affected limbs of model rats on day 1 and worsened markedly on day 3, with the weight-bearing ratio decreasing to (36.35±4.91)% (P<0.001). Meanwhile, the skin temperature of the lesion site increased, reaching (36.36±0.40) ℃ on day 5 (P<0.001). Both pain and fever returned to near normal levels by day 9. Phlebitis grading in the model group showed that 75.0% of rats were grade Ⅱ on day 1; grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ each accounted for 37.5% on day 3; from days 5 to 9, most rats exhibited cord-like veins, predominantly grade III. Venous tissue showed peripheral edema and inflammatory cell infiltration on day 1, which gradually progressed to intimal rupture, vessel wall thickening, and even lumen narrowing from day 3 to 9. The venous intima exhibited destruction of tight junctions between endothelial cells and adhesion of blood cells, progressing to roughened, wrinkled, and protruding intimal surfaces. ConclusionThe vinorelbine-induced phlebitis of dorsal foot vein in rat model is characterized by local redness, swelling, warmth, and pain from days 3 to 5, which largely resolve by day 9, although cord-like veins can still be observed. With disease progression, venous tissue develops edema, vessel wall thickening, and lumen narrowing. The venous intima shows rupture, roughening, and in some cases, complete loss.

Microbial communities such as those residing in the human gut are highly diverse and complex, and many with important implications for health and diseases. The effects and functions of these microbial communities are determined not only by their species compositions and diversities but also by the dynamic intra- and inter-cellular states at the transcriptional level. Powerful and scalable technologies capable of acquiring single-microbe-resolution RNA sequencing information in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of complex microbial communities together with their hosts are therefore utterly needed. Here we report the development and utilization of a droplet-based smRNA-seq (single-microbe RNA sequencing) method capable of identifying large species varieties in human samples, which we name smRandom-seq2. Together with a triple-module computational pipeline designed for the bacteria and bacteriophage sequencing data by smRandom-seq2 in four human gut samples, we established a single-cell level bacterial transcriptional landscape of human gut microbiome, which included 29,742 single microbes and 329 unique species. Distinct adaptive response states among species in Prevotella and Roseburia genera and intrinsic adaptive strategy heterogeneity in Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens were uncovered. Additionally, we identified hundreds of novel host-phage transcriptional activity associations in the human gut microbiome. Our results indicated that smRandom-seq2 is a high-throughput and high-resolution smRNA-seq technique that is highly adaptable to complex microbial communities in real-world situations and promises new perspectives in the understanding of human microbiomes.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Bacteriophages/physiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods* ; Bacteria/virology*