OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Fu's subcutaneous needling in the treatment of non-acute idiopathic facial paralysis and its effect on serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET). METHODS: A total of 76 patients with non-acute idiopathic facial paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group (38 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (38 cases, 2 cases dropped out). The patients in the control group received basic treatment (mecobalamin tablets orally, specific electromagnetic spectrum irradiation, facial muscle rehabilitation training). The patients in the observation group were treated with Fu's subcutaneous needling on the basis of the control group. The needling points included brachioradialis muscle, sternocleidomastoid muscle, trapezius muscle, etc., and the needling was inserted around the affected muscle, and the reperfusion activity was carried out at the same time, once every other day, 3 times a week. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The House-Brackmann (H-B) grade and H-B symptom score were observed before treatment, after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment in the two groups. The facial disability index (FDI) score [including physical function (FDIP) score and social life function (FDIS) score] and the serum levels of NO and ET were compared before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the two groups. The clinical effect and safety of the two groups were assessed. RESULTS: After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the H-B grade of the two groups was lower than that before treatment, and the H-B symptom scores were higher than those before treatment (P<0.001, P<0.05); the H-B grade of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the H-B symptom score was higher than that of the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the FDIP scores of the two groups were higher than those before treatment, and the FDIS scores were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05 ); the FDIP score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the FDIS score was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the serum level of NO in the observation group was higher than that before treatment, and the serum level of ET was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05); the increase of serum level of NO and the decrease of serum level of ET in the observation group were greater than those in the control group (P<0.05). The cure rate of the observation group was 55.6% (20/36), which was higher than 22.2% (8/36) of the control group (P<0.05). There were no serious adverse reactions in both groups. CONCLUSION Fu's subcutaneous needling combined with basic treatment can effectively improve the motor function of facial muscles in patients with non-acute idiopathic facial paralysis, which may be related to the regulation of serum NO and ET levels.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Facial Paralysis/physiopathology* ; Young Adult ; Nitric Oxide/blood* ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Endothelins/blood* ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the hotspots and related situations of pneumoconiosis research in China from 2001 to2017. METHODS: China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data were used to retrieve relevant literature on China's pneumoconiosis research from 2001 to 2017. Bibliometrics was used to analyze the distribution of publication time,regions,hotspots,authors and their institutions,carrier journals,keywords,etc. RESULTS: A total of 10 208 literature articles on pneumoconiosis research were screened. The number of published literature in 2001-2017 showed an upward trend year by year( P < 0. 01). Provinces in the Eastern area have the largest number of publications. The areas that have the largest number of publications were in Shandong Province,Beijing City and Hebei Province,followed by Anhui Province,Guangdong Province,Jiangsu Province,Liaoning Province,Shanxi Province and Henan Province. Beijing City,Hebei Province,Tianjin City,Liaoning Province,Anhui Province,Jiangsu Province,Hubei Province and Shanghai City are the hotspots for research on pneumoconiosis. The publications were seen in 1 173 journals. Five occupational medical professional periodicals such as Occupation and Health,Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases,China Occupational Medicine,Chinese Journal of Industrial Medicine and Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases publish' the most literature on pneumoconiosis research,accounting for 26. 99% of the effective literature.Occupational disease prevention institutions and hospitals are the main organizations for publishing literatures. The focuses of pneumoconiosis research are silicosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis,etc. CONCLUSION: Generally,the literature on the research of pneumoconiosis in China from 2001 to 2017 is increasing and is focus on some specific hotspots.Pneumoconiosis research has been specialized. An important carrier for publishing research results has been formed.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze transforming growth factor-β1( TGF-β1)-induced differentially expressed genes( DEGs) in human embryonic lung fibroblast( IMR-90) using microarray,and to screen the key genes and signaling pathways related to trans-differentiation of fibroblast.METHODS: The gene chip GSE17518,attained from TGF-β1 stimulated IMR-90 cells,was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.The DEGs were screened by GENE-E software.Then,the DEGs were imported into the DAVID online database for Gene Ontology( GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes( KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis.The proteinprotein interaction( PPI) network was constructed and the hub genes were screened using STRING database and Cytoscape software.RESULTS: A total of 394 DEGs related to TGF-β1 stimulation were identified,including 171 down-regulated genes and 223 up-regulated genes.The results of GO analysis showed that the DEGs were widely distributed in cytoplasm,cell membrane,extracellular matrix( ECM) and exosomes,regulating biological functions such as ECM organization,cell migration and adhesion,cell proliferation and apoptosis.The results of the KEGG pathway analysis indicated that most of DEGs were enriched in cell focal adhesion,ECM-receptor interaction and phosphoinositide 3 kinase-Protein kinase B( PI3K-Akt) signaling pathways.The PPI network screened 10 core genes,included nucleolar protein 2( NOP2),succinate dehydrogenase B,glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase( EPRS),FtsJ homolog 3( FTSJ3),prefoldin subunit 4,Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2,signal recognition particle receptor subunit beta,succinate-Co A ligase GDPforming beta subunit,pumilio RNA binding family member 3( KIAA0020),and general vesicular transport factor p115.NOP2,EPRS,FTSJ3,KIAA0020 were mainly distributed in M1 module.The NOP2 is the core gene with the highest number of nodes in M1 module.CONCLUSION: A total of 10 core differential genes and 7 signaling pathways related to TGF-β1 stimulation were screened.Among them,focal adhesion,ECM-receptor interaction,PI3K-Akt and NOP2,EPRS,FTSJ3,KIAA0020 may provide new direction for research of mechanisms of abnormal activation of fibrotic diseases including silicosis in incidence and development of multiple lung fibrotic diseases.

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects and the toxicity of intrapleural injection of natural growth factors (NGF, with main component of staphylococcal aureus enterotoxin C) in the treatment of patients with malignant pleural effusions. METHODS: Patients with histopathologically confirmed malignant pleural effusions were evaluated for treatment with NGF. Twelve patients with malignant pleural effusions received NGF pleural instilations until the end of the survey. Drugs were administered according to the following schedule: NGF 2000-2500 intrapleural injection twice weekly. The courses stopped when pleural effusions disappeared or severe toxic reactions occurred. RESULTS: A total of 12 objective responses were assessed, including 10 complete responses (83%), and 2 partial responses. Mean time of following up was 11.1 (3-25) months, 11 patients died during the visit, and the mean survival time was 10.2 months, significantly longer than that (