OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution characteristics of sensitization areas on the body surface in the rat models with functional constipation and diarrhea, explore the regulatory patterns of electroacupuncture (EA) of different intensities at "Tianshu" (ST25) on distal colon motility, and clarify the roles of the neurons of different subtypes in the enteric nervous system (ENS) displayed in the regulatory effect. METHODS: Of 90 SD male rats of SPF grade, 15 rats were randomized into a normal group, a constipation group and a diarrhea group, 5 rats in each one. The stool form and fecal water content, as well as the distribution of the Evans blue (EB) extravasation on the body surface after the intravenous injection with EB on the tails were observed. Eighteen rats were randomized into a normal +2 mA group, a normal +4 mA group and a normal + 6 mA group, 6 rats in each one. Using physiological signal acquisition system, the area under the curve and the average amplitude of colon peristalsis were recorded and analyzed, and the immediate effect on distal colon peristalsis observed after EA with different intensities at "Tianshu" (ST25). Thirty rats were randomized into a normal group, a constipation group, a diarrhea group, a constipation +2 mA group, and a diarrhea +6 mA group, 6 rats in each one, so as to observe the cumulative effect on colon motility disorder in the rat models of constipation and diarrhea after EA at "Tianshu" (ST25). Twelve rats were randomized into a constipation +2 mA group and a diarrhea +6 mA group, 6 rats in each one, to observe the immediate effect on colon motility disorder in the rat models of constipation and diarrhea after EA at "Tianshu" (ST25). Fifteen rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a constipation group, a diarrhea group, a constipation +2 mA group, and a diarrhea + 6 mA group, 3 rats in each one. Using the whole-mount staining technique, the expression of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)-positive neurons and nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive neurons in ENS was detected. According to the group divisions, the functional constipation models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride (10 mg/kg, once daily, for consecutive 7 days), and the functional diarrhea models were prepared by intragastric administration of folium sennae decoction (10 mL/kg, once daily, for consecutive 2 days). The interventions were delivered with EA of different intensities (the electric current of 2, 4 or 6 mA) at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25), separately, with the continuous wave and the frequency of 10 Hz used. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the fecal amount was decreased, and the fecal water content was reduced in the rats of the constipation group (P<0.001); and loose stool was presented and the fecal water content increased in rats of the diarrhea group (P<0.001). EB extravasation on the body surface happened in the region from T₆ to S₂ of the rats in the constipation and diarrhea groups, and it was more concentrated in the lower abdominal and the lower back regions from T₁₀ to L₃. Compared with the indexes before EA, in the normal +2 mA group and the normal +4 mA group, the areas under the curve and the average amplitude of the distal colon peristalsis were higher during EA delivery (P<0.01, P<0.05), showing a stimulatory immediate effect; and the post-effect was obtained after EA at 2 mA. Whereas, these two indexes were declined during EA in the rats of the normal +6 mA group (P<0.001), showing an inhibitory immediate effect. After many interventions with EA, when compared with those before EA, the above two indexes rose in the constipation +2 mA group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and they were dropped in the diarrhea +6 mA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The area under the curve of the colon peristalsis in the constipation +2 mA group was higher than that of the constipation group (P<0.001), and that in the diarrhea +6 mA group was lower compared with that in the diarrhea group (P<0.001). The stimulatory effect of EA on colon motility in the constipation +2 mA group was stronger than that of the normal + 2 mA group (P<0.05), and its inhibitory effect was not different statistically in comparison between the normal +6 mA group and the diarrhea +6 mA group (P>0.05). In ENS of the distal colon, after EA at 2 mA, the proportion of VAChT-positive neurons was higher than that of the activated nNOS-positive neurons (P<0.001); and after EA at 6 mA, the activated nNOS-positive neurons were dominant (P<0.001). CONCLUSION In the functional constipation and diarrhea rat models, the sensitization areas on the body surface are centralized in the lower abdominal and the lower back regions of T₁₀ to L₃. Electroacupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST25) has a bidirectional regulatory effect on distal colon motility, and this effect is coordinated with the intensity of electroacupuncture, and may be mediated by ENS neurons of different subtypes.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats ; Colon/innervation* ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Constipation/physiopathology* ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Humans ; Diarrhea/physiopathology*

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Zhongwan （CV12） on gastric nociceptive response induced by gastric acid stimulation and explore the underlying mechanisms associated with nuclei of the medullary viscerosensory and visceral motor neurons. MethodsTwenty SD rats were given intragastric administration of 0.5 mol/L diluted hydrochloric acid （0.5 ml/100 g） to induce gastric nociceptive response induction. Eight rats were randomly selected to record the gastric slow wave （GSW） area under the curve， and extracellular discharge frequency of neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract （NTS） and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve （DMV） before intragastric administration and at 1， 5， 10， 15， 20， 25， 30， 35， 40， 45， 50， 55， and 60 minutes after intragastric administration. The remaining 12 rats received electroacupuncture intervention at Zhongwan within 5 to 25 minutes after intragastric administration of diluted hydrochloric acid， with a duration of one minute. The GSW area under the curve and extracellular discharge frequency of NTS and DMV neurons were compared between the 1-minute intervals before and after electroacupuncture intervention. ResultsCompared to the baseline before intragastric administration， the area under the curve of GSW significantly increased at 1， 5， 10， 15， 20， and 25 minutes after intragastric administration， and the extracellular discharge frequency of excitatory neurons in the NTS （accounting for 90%， 57/63） significantly increased at 1， 5， 10， 15， 20， 25， 30， 35， and 40 minutes， both reaching peak values at 1 minute after intragastric administration （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. The extracellular discharge frequency of inhibitory neurons in the DMV （accounting for 91%， 20/22） showed a non-significant increase at 1 minute after intragastric administration （P＞0.05）， but significantly decreased at other timepoints （P＜0.05）. Compared to the baseline before electroacupuncture intervention， the GSW area under the curve and the extracellular discharge frequency of excitatory neurons in the NTS significantly decreased （P＜0.05）， while the extracellular discharge frequency of inhibitory neurons in the DMV showed no significant difference （P＞0.05）. ConclusionElectroacupuncture at Zhongwan can improve gastric nociceptive response induced by gastric acid stimulation， possibly by reducing the transmission of visceral sensation and decreasing the excitability of NTS neurons in the medulla.

Background::Bladder cancer, characterized by a high potential of tumor recurrence, has high lifelong monitoring and treatment costs. To date, tumor cells with intrinsic softness have been identified to function as cancer stem cells in several cancer types. Nonetheless, the existence of soft tumor cells in bladder tumors remains elusive. Thus, our study aimed to develop a microbarrier microfluidic chip to efficiently isolate deformable tumor cells from distinct types of bladder cancer cells.Methods::The stiffness of bladder cancer cells was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The modified microfluidic chip was utilized to separate soft cells, and the 3D Matrigel culture system was to maintain the softness of tumor cells. Expression patterns of integrin β8 (ITGB8), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined by Western blotting. Double immunostaining was conducted to examine the interaction between F-actin and tripartite motif containing 59 (TRIM59). The stem-cell-like characteristics of soft cells were explored by colony formation assay and in vivo studies upon xenografted tumor models. Results::Using our newly designed microfluidic approach, we identified a small fraction of soft tumor cells in bladder cancer cells. More importantly, the existence of soft tumor cells was confirmed in clinical human bladder cancer specimens, in which the number of soft tumor cells was associated with tumor relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biomechanical stimuli arising from 3D Matrigel activated the F-actin/ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis pathways to enhance the softness and tumorigenic capacity of tumor cells. Simultaneously, we detected a remarkable up-regulation in ITGB8, TRIM59, and phospho-AKT in clinical bladder recurrent tumors compared with their non-recurrent counterparts.Conclusions::The ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis axis plays a crucial role in modulating tumor softness and stemness. Meanwhile, the soft tumor cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy after stiffening, that offers new insights for hampering tumor progression and recurrence.

Male ; Humans ; Aged ; Sleep Duration ; Aging ; Testosterone ; China ; Sleep

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 in Wuhan City, China. The SARS-CoV-2 is genetically similar to the coronavirus derived from bat. The SARS-CoV-2, the SARS-CoV and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) all belong to beta coronavirus. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019, effective antiviral drugs have become a hot issue in the world. Very little about SARS-CoV-2 is known and there is no precedent for treatment. The National Health Commission has repeatedly revised the diagnosis and treatment guide for the coronavirus disease 2019. The latest guide is "New Coronary Virus-Infected Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Seventh Trial Version)"(short for Seventh Version of Diagnosis and Treatment Plan). But the use of antiviral drugs is still on trial and no rigorous clinical trials data is available. Hot anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs include interferon α, ribavirin, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine phosphate, abidol, as well as hydroxychloroquine sulfate and remdesivir. But the later 2 drugs aren't mentioned in the Seventh Version of Diagnosis and Treatment Plan.
Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Objeetive To investigate tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT) and its association with clinical symptom and sign in different types of dry eye patients.Methods A serial case-observational study was carried out.Three hundred and six eyes of 306 dry eye patients were included in Beijing Tongren Hospital from April to August 2016.Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire,eyelid slit lamp examination,the measurement of tear film lipid thickness (LLT),tear film break-up time (TBUT),Schirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t) and the infrared meibomian photography were performed on the patients.The 157 patients with OSDI ＞12 and eyelid score ≥2 served as the MGD group;53 patients with OSDI ＞12 and S Ⅰ t value ＜ 5 mm/5 minutes served as ADDE group;96 patients with OSDI＞12,eyelid score ≥2 and S Ⅰ t value ＜ 5 mm/5 minutes served as MGD/ADDE group.Tear film LLT was detected with LipiView(R) ocular surface interferometer and the association of LLT with clinical characteristics of the patients was analyzed.This study protocol was approved by Ethic Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital and written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any relative medical examination.Results Tear film LLT of the participants was normally distributed with the average was (60.41±18.57)nm.LLT in the MGD group,ADDE group,MGD/ADDE group were (57.04 ± 18.26),(63.52 ± 18.44) and (60.56 ± 18.71) nm,respectively,with a significant difference among the three groups (F =2.347,P =0.035),and the LLT value was significantly lower in the MGD group than that in the ADDE group (t =2.077,P =0.039).The LLT value showed negative correlations with the severity of dry eye symptom,S Ⅰ t and meibomian gland loss rate (r=-0.201,P=0.003;r=-0.146,P=0.005;r=-0.156,P=0.046).OSDI score was significantly correlated with LLT only in the MGD group (r =-0.285,P =0.000).No significant correlation was seen between LLT and S I t in all the groups (all at P＞0.05).In the MGD/ADDE group and MGD group,the correlation between LLT and meibomian gland loss rate was significantly greater than the overall correlation (r=-0.335,-0.248,-0.156).The dry eye symptoms in OSDI questionnaire like foreign body sensation,eye pain,discomfort when watching TV or computer showed significant correlations with LLT (r =-0.243,-0.205,-0.223,-0.258,all at P ＜0.05).Conclusions The tear LLT is appeared to be varied in different types of dry eye.The LLT is thinner in the dry eyes with MGD and thicker in the dry eyes with ADDE.There are association between tear LLT and foreign body sensation,eye pain,discomfort when watching TV or computer.

OBJECTIVETo judge whether algesia sensitization of some acupoints is existed and whether the acupoint algesia sensitization area is expanded in the patients of intestinal cancer.

METHODSTotally, 30 patients of intestinal cancer and 30 healthy subjects were included. The electronic Von Fray was used to determine the pressure-pain thresholds at 13 acupoints relevant with gastrointestinal disorders and the reference points at the sites 1and 2lateral to those points as well as the sites at the corresponding nerve segments. Compared with the pressure-pain thresholds at the reference points of the different segments, the relative value was calculated. The changes were analyzed in the pressure-pain thresholds at the relevant acupoints on the body surface in the patients of intestinal cancer as compared with the relative pressure-pain thresholds in the healthy volunteers.

RESULTSThe pressure-pain thresholds at Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), Quchi (LI 11) and Dachangshu (BL 25) in the patients of intestinal cancer were all significantly reduced as compared with those of the healthy subjects (<0.05,<0.01,<0.001). At the non-acupoint sites 1and 2lateral to those acupoints as well as at the sites of the same segments, the pressure-pain thresholds were reduced significantly as compared with the control group (<0.05,<0.01,<0.001). Particularly, the sensitization zone of Yinlingquan (SP 9) focused on the acupoint, the site 1lateral to it as well as the non-acupoint sites of the same segments (<0.01,<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint sensitization is displayed at Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), Quchi (LI 11), Dachangshu (BL 25) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) and the sensitization area is expended in the patients of intestinal cancer.

Objective Analyzes the condition of serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D (25OHD)level of partial middle and old age physical examinations in Yinchuan area.Methods Tested the level of serum 25OHD of 1 520 cases of senile medical with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)in October 2013 to September 2014 in Yinchuan,NingXia.exclusion of liv-er,kidney,cancer,diabetes and other diseases,and statistical analysis of each age group and one year 25-(OH)D distribution. Compared gender and 50~59,60~69,>70 years at different ages and spring,summer,autumn,winter four seasons 25OHD level distribution.Results All the mean level was 14.67±8.26 ng/ml.The lack and deficiency of Vitamin D account was 80.66%,and the female was 84.49% significantly higher than the male 74.96% (t=2.03,P<0.05).Used divide subjects into fore groups:the lack (42.76%),the deficiency (37.90%),nomal (13.68%)and good (5.66%)by the level of serum 25OHD.Vitamin D nutritional status was different in person of different ages.Fuither linear correlation analys showedgative correlation between the level of serum 25OHD and age (r=0.16,P<0.01).There was seasonal variation in the level of ser-um 25OHD (F=19.30,P<0.001).It was highest in summer,and lower in spring and winter.Conclusion Vitamin D of middle-aged and old people in Yinchuan was general deficiency,which should pay more attention and actively treatment to these patients.

Objective:To investigate the significance of 25 ( OH )-vitamin D in its diagnostic value of primary biliary cirrhosis. Methods:44 cases with PBC,41 cases with Hepatitis B cirrhosis and 110 normal people as control group were all analyzed bi-ochemical results and significance of serum 25 ( OH )-vitamin D. We Used receiver operator characteristic curve ( ROC ) to analyze serum 25(OH)-vitamin D in its diagnostic value of primary biliary cirrhosis. Results:Biochemical results of TBIL,DBIL,IBIL,GLB, AST,ALT,ALP,γ-GT were higher in PBC than that in normal people and Hepatitis B cirrhosis. While the serum 25(OH)-vitamin D of PBC was much more lower than that in normal and people and Hepatitis B cirrhosis. The difference between them were statistical difference(P<0. 05). The area under the ROC curve of PBC was 0. 926,it showed serum 25(OH)-vitamin D diagnosis for PBC had quite value. When the cut-off level of serum 25(OH)-vitamin D was 17. 275 ng/ml,the sensitivity for the diagnosis was 92. 8%,the re-spectively was 84. 1%. Conclusion:Serum 25(OH)-vitamin D diagnosis for PBC has quite value,the cut-off level of serum 25(OH)-vitamin D is 17. 275 ng/ml.

Objective To investigate the methods and internal quality control ( IQC ) leucorrhea routine examinationin clinical laboratories of medical institutions in Guizhou Province.Methods In 2009, 97 clinical laboratories were randomly selected for the first investigation.At the same time, staffs in theinvestigated laboratories were educated on the importance of IQC.The second investigation of the same items was carried out in 2011 inthe same laboratories.The results of the two investigations were analyzed byChi-square test.Results 2009 and 2011 numbers of laboratories thoseonly used normal saline suspension method for leucorrhea examination were 17and 16 (χ2 =0.037, P >0.05 ) respectively, used bothnormal saline and 10%KOH suspension methodswere 16and 2(χ2 =12.003,P<0.01), used staining method were 64and 79(χ2 =5.488,P<0.05), both used suspension and staining methods were 60and 73(χ2 =4.041, P<0.05), used normal salinesuspension method combined with Wright stain and Gram staining methods were3and 28(χ2 =23.996,P<0.01) respectively.Numbers of Laboratoriespracticing IQC were 2and 88in 2009 and 2011 respectivly(χ2 =153.293,P <0.01).Conclusions Currently, the most common used method for leucorrhea routine examination is suspension.Through the investigations and education, the quality ofleucorrhea routine examination was improved in Guizhou Province.