OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of acupuncture on improving ovarian hypofunction in aged rats from two perspectives: the overall regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis and the local ovarian follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway. METHODS: Six 3-month-old female SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected as the blank group. Another twelve 9-month-old female SD rats were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group, with six rats in each. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV20), "Guanyuan" (CV4), and bilateral "Ciliao" (BL32) for 20 min per session, once every other day, for a total of 10 sessions. Vaginal smear tests were performed daily to observe the estrous cycle of the rats. Ovarian morphology was observed using HE staining, and follicles at various stages were counted. ELISA was used to detect levels of serum FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E₂), anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), pituitary FSH and LH, and ovarian cAMP. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of ovarian cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, FSH receptor (FSHR), and P450. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA expression levels of FSHR and P450 in ovarian tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the model group showed an increased rate of estrous cycle disorder (P<0.01), reduced granulosa cell layers with blurred boundaries and disordered arrangement, decreased numbers of developing follicles at all stages, and increased numbers of atretic follicles (P<0.01); the serum levels of FSH and LH were increased (P<0.01), while E₂ and AMH levels were decreased (P<0.01); the hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary FSH and LH levels were elevated (P<0.01), and ovarian cAMP level was decreased (P<0.01); the positive expression and protein expression of ovarian P450, cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, and FSHR were reduced (P<0.01), and ovarian FSHR and P450 mRNA expression was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group showed a reduced rate of estrous cycle disorder (P<0.01), clear granulosa cell margins, increased numbers of primordial and secondary follicles, and decreased numbers of atretic follicles (P<0.01); the serum FSH and LH levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while E₂ and AMH levels were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary FSH and LH levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and ovarian cAMP level was increased (P<0.01); the positive expression and protein expression of ovarian P450, cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, and FSHR were elevated (P<0.01), and ovarian FSHR and P450 mRNA expression was increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Acupuncture could delay ovarian hypofunction in aged rats, possibly through regulating the HPO axis and the FSH/cAMP signaling pathway.
Animals ; Female ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/genetics* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Ovary/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Humans ; Cyclic AMP/metabolism* ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism* ; Aging/metabolism* ; Hypothalamus/metabolism* ; Pituitary Gland/metabolism* ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism*

Objective:To observe and analyze the correlation between ectopic foveal inner layer (EIFL) and the EIFL-based idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) staging system and the anatomic and functional prognosis of ERM eyes post pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).Methods:A retrospective study. From January 1, 2020 to October 30, 2023, 345 eyes of 330 patients diagnosed with idiopathic ERM in Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University People's Hospital and treated with standard transciliary flat three-channel 25G PPV combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane exfoliation were included in the study. Among them, 96 were males (111 eyes) and 234 were females (234 eyes). The mean age was (66.8±7.7) years. All study eyes received standard three-port 25G PPV combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling. All study eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. BCVA was performed using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart and converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity for statistical analysis. EIFL thickness and central foveal thickness (CFT) on OCT were measured. ERM eyes were grouped into stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ according to ERM staging scheme based on EIFL; disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) of study eyes were assessed and grouped into no, mild and severe groups. The correlation between ERM staging as well as EIFL thickness and the anatomical and functional prognosis 6 months post-PPV were analyzed.Results:Among 345 study eyes, 12, 87, 174 and 72 eyes were stage Ⅰ-Ⅳ ERM respectively, 63 with no DRIL, 216 with mild DRIL and 66 with severe DRIL. Among the 153 eyes with macular edema, the edema subsided in 66 eyes (43.1%, 66/153) 6 months after the operation. Eighty-seven eyes (56.9%, 87/153) did not regress. The edema subsided 6 months after the operation was not significantly correlated with the ERM stage before the operation ( χ2=3.331, R=?0.145, P=0.304) or the degree of DRIL ( χ2=0.655, R=?0.108, P=0.445). The results of the correlation analysis showed that logMAR BCVA 6 months after the surgery was positively correlated with the degree of DRIL before the surgery ( Tau-b=0.236), ERM stage ( Tau-b=0.194), CFT ( r=0.383), and EIFL thickness ( r=0.317) ( P<0.05). There was no significant correlation with the thickness of the outer nuclear layer before the operation ( r=0.004, P>0.05). Preoperative ERM stage ( Tau-b=0.303, P<0.001) and DRIL severity ( Tau-b= 0.238, P=0.001) were positively correlated with CFT at 6 months after surgery. Conclusion:The ERM stage and EIFL thickness before the operation are positively correlated with logMAR BCVA and CFT 6 months after the operation.

Objective:To observe and analyze the correlation between ectopic foveal inner layer (EIFL) and the EIFL-based idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) staging system and the anatomic and functional prognosis of ERM eyes post pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).Methods:A retrospective study. From January 1, 2020 to October 30, 2023, 345 eyes of 330 patients diagnosed with idiopathic ERM in Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University People's Hospital and treated with standard transciliary flat three-channel 25G PPV combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane exfoliation were included in the study. Among them, 96 were males (111 eyes) and 234 were females (234 eyes). The mean age was (66.8±7.7) years. All study eyes received standard three-port 25G PPV combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling. All study eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. BCVA was performed using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart and converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity for statistical analysis. EIFL thickness and central foveal thickness (CFT) on OCT were measured. ERM eyes were grouped into stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ according to ERM staging scheme based on EIFL; disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) of study eyes were assessed and grouped into no, mild and severe groups. The correlation between ERM staging as well as EIFL thickness and the anatomical and functional prognosis 6 months post-PPV were analyzed.Results:Among 345 study eyes, 12, 87, 174 and 72 eyes were stage Ⅰ-Ⅳ ERM respectively, 63 with no DRIL, 216 with mild DRIL and 66 with severe DRIL. Among the 153 eyes with macular edema, the edema subsided in 66 eyes (43.1%, 66/153) 6 months after the operation. Eighty-seven eyes (56.9%, 87/153) did not regress. The edema subsided 6 months after the operation was not significantly correlated with the ERM stage before the operation ( χ2=3.331, R=?0.145, P=0.304) or the degree of DRIL ( χ2=0.655, R=?0.108, P=0.445). The results of the correlation analysis showed that logMAR BCVA 6 months after the surgery was positively correlated with the degree of DRIL before the surgery ( Tau-b=0.236), ERM stage ( Tau-b=0.194), CFT ( r=0.383), and EIFL thickness ( r=0.317) ( P<0.05). There was no significant correlation with the thickness of the outer nuclear layer before the operation ( r=0.004, P>0.05). Preoperative ERM stage ( Tau-b=0.303, P<0.001) and DRIL severity ( Tau-b= 0.238, P=0.001) were positively correlated with CFT at 6 months after surgery. Conclusion:The ERM stage and EIFL thickness before the operation are positively correlated with logMAR BCVA and CFT 6 months after the operation.

Objective To identify the main blood absorbed constituents from Youguiyin and elucidate the proliferative effect of Youguiyin and its main blood absorbed constituents on osteoblasts in rats.Methods Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS)technique was used to establish the analysis method for Youguiyin,individual herbal medicines and the medicated serum containing Youguiyin after oral administration in Sprague-Dawley rats.Osteoblasts of rats were isolated and cultured in vitro.The effect of Youguiyin,medicated serum,and its main blood absorbed components on osteoblast proliferation rate was evaluated by thiazole blue(MTT)assay.Results Ten components were detected in the blood serum of rats after oral administration of Youguiyin,namely aconitine,hypaconitine,mesaconitine,benzoylaconitine,benzoylhypaconitine,benzoylmesaconine from Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata,cinnamic acid from Cinnamomi Cortex,morroniside,loganin from Corni Fructus,and pinoresinoldiglucoside from Eucommiae Cortex,respectively.Youguiyin decoction and seven components from Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Cinnamomi Cortex showed a certain promoting proliferation effect on osteoblasts when the concentrations were 1 μg·mL-1,10 ng·mL-1,10 ng·mL-1,1 ng·mL-1,100 μg·mL-1,100 pg·mL-1,1 μg·mL-1 and 1 ng·mL-1,respectively.Besides,the effect onset was relatively rapid.The onset time of medicated serum containing Youguiyin was slow.Conclusions The ten chemical components absorbed in the blood from Youguiyin were identified.It was revealed that Youguiyin,medicated serum and the main components of Youguiyin absorbed in the blood can promote the proliferation of osteoblasts within a certain concentration range.

Objective:To investigate the application effect of the teaching model of massive open online course (MOOC)+small private online course (SPOC) in the undergraduate clinical teaching of Fundamentals of Surgery.Methods:A total of 30 undergraduate medical trainees in the five-year program were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 15 trainees in each group. With the chapter of basic surgical procedures as an example, the trainees in the control group received traditional teaching, and those in the experimental group received MOOC+SPOC teaching. Theoretical assessment and surgery simulation were performed at one week after the course to evaluate the teaching effect. SPSS 17.0 was used for the t-test and the chi-square test. Results:The experimental group had a theoretical assessment score of (92.5±6.4) points and a basic skill operation score of (91.7±2.2) points, while the control group had a theoretical assessment score of (85.3±7.3) points and a basic skill operation score of (83.6±6.4) points. The experimental group had an excellent rate of 60% (9/15) in theoretical assessment and 66.7% (10/15) in basic skill operation test, while the control group had an excellent rate of 40% (6/15) in theoretical assessment and 33.3% (5/15) in basic skill operation test. The experimental group had significantly higher scores and grades than the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:MOOC+SPOC teaching can significantly enhance the understanding of theoretical knowledge and the mastery of operational skills among trainees and improve teaching effect, and therefore, it has a good application prospect.

Objective To explore the application of 3D printing technology in clinical apprenticeship teaching in spinal surgery. Methods 38 eight-year clinical medical students admitted to the Department of Spine Surgery were randomly divided into experimental group (19 patients) and control group (19 patients). Taking odontoid fracture as an example. The traditional method is used for teaching, and the experimental group is taught with traditional teaching method combined with 3D printing technology . After the apprenticeship, the students of the two groups were tested in theory and simulated operation to evaluate the teaching effect. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis. The measurement data was expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and the t-test was used to compare the measurement data between two groups. Results The results showed that the scores of immediate examination and one month after class in the control group were (82.23 ±7.52) and (72.36 ±6.39) points respectively. The scores of immediate examination and one month after the class in the experimental group were (85.58 ±6.32), (80.87 ±6.23). The scores of the two examinations in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group , and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The 3D printing technology can significantly improve the teaching effect in the clinical apprenticeship teaching of spine surgery, and it has a bright prospect for application.

Objective To compare the clinical curative effect of allogeneic bone ring and titanium mesh in repairing adolescent spinal tuberculosis kyphosis.Methods Forty-four cases of kyphosis after adolescent spinal tuberculosis operation in this hospital from January 2012 to January 2015 were selected as the study subjects and divided into the control group and observation group ac-cording to the treatment types,22 cases in each group.The control group was repaired with titanium mesh,while the observation group was given allogeneic bone ring fusion repair.Postoperative follow up lasted for 2 -5 years.The perioperative indexes,repair material and vertebral fusion and neurological score,preoperative and postoperative Cobb angle,ESR,CRP and postoperative com-plications occurrence were compared between the two groups.Results There was no statistically significant difference in periopera-tive indexes between the two groups(P>0.05).The fusion time,occurrence rate of local pain and motion limitation had statistical differences between the two groups(P<0.05).The occurrence rate of material loosening had no statistical difference(P>0.05). No grade A and B spinal injury appeared in both groups.The incidence rate of grade D and E in the observation group was signifi-cantly lower than that in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The postoperative Cobb angle, ESR and CRP had no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05),moreover no significant adverse reactions and post-operative tuberculosis recurrence occurred.Conclusion Allogeneic bone ring and titanium mesh have satisfactory effect for repairing juvenile spinal tuberculosis kyphosis,allogeneic bone ring fusion time is longer,early stability is worse than the titanium mesh,the brace protection is needed in the early time,but the clinical effect of patients is more significant,which is worthy of being promoted and applied in clinical treatment.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) with high-viscosity bone cement in treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods This study involved 176 patients with severe OVCF treated by PVP with high-viscosity bone cement between January 2013 and January 2015.There were 61 male and 115 female patients,aged 58-78 years (mean,67.7 years).Ninety-four patients were injured in a fall,31 patients in a bumping condition,and 61 patients with no obvious causes.A total of 204 vertebrae were involved,including 23 T10,22 T11,49 T12,43 L1 and 29 L2.Thirty patients suffered vertebral posterior wall damage.All the vertebral bodies were compressed more than 2/3.Vertebral height,kyphotic Cobb angle,visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded.Bone cement filling and leakage were detected.Results Bone cement leakage was detected in 64 patients,with a leakage rate of 36.3％.Seven patients were found with cement leakage in paravertebral veins,38 patients in intervertebral spaces,and 19 patients in prevertebral soft tissues.Five patients with back pain got partial remission.Four patients experienced burning sensation in the lower extremity 5 minutes after bone cement filling and were relieved 10 minutes later.No severe adverse events were observed,including spinal cord compression,epidural hematoma,pulmonary infection,pulmonary embolism,bedsores,and cerebrovascular accident.After operation,improvements were observed in ODI [(31.73 ± 7.98) ％ vs.(75.40 ± 8.17) ％] and VAS [(2.33 ±0.91)points vs.(7.23 ±0.88) points] (P＜0.05).Conclusion PVP with highviscosity bone cement can significantly relieve pain and improve motor function and hence is effective in the treatment of patients with severe OVCF.

objective To investigate the value of NT-proBNP in assessing the volume status in maintenance hemodialysis patients with non-dominant edema.Methods One hundred and forty-five patients were recruited.Bioimpedance measurements were performed for overhydration (OH).NT-proBNP was detected by colloidal gold method.Patients were divided into three groups by levels of OH variability (△ OH,equal to OH minus weight increase) as group H (hypervolemia,n=90); group N (normovolemia,n=36) and group L (hypovolemia,n=19).Hemoglobin,albumin,blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were assayed,blood pressure and body mass increase were recorded.Dry weight of patients in Group H were adjusted in 3 months,the relationship between NT-proBNP and volume change were assessed.Results (1) At baseline,overall plasma NT-proBNP levels were higher than normal range.The median NT-proBNP levels in group H and group N were [1318.50(IQR 717.00,3154.25) pg/ml] and [703.50 (IQR 873.00,450.50) pg/ml],respectively.NT-proBNP was positively correlated with △OH value (r=0.801,P ＜ 0.001).(2) After 3 months,NT-proBNP levels in group H was significantly lower than baseline.Forty-one patients reached normal volume range (group H1),49 patients were resistant hypervolemia (group H2).The median NT-proBNP levels in group H1 and group H2 were [685.00 (IQR 422.50,988.50) pg/ml] and [1569.00 (IQR 982.50,2500.50) pg/ml],△ OH in group H1 and group H2 were [(0.63±0.23)L] and [(1.75±0.71)L],respectively.NT-proBNP and △ OH value in two groups had significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).NT-proBNP was positively correlated with △ OH value (r=0.684,P ＜ 0.001).(3) The area under ROC curve for NT-proBNP was 0.818,95％CI (0.733～ 0.904),P ＜ 0.001,since the absolute value of normovolemia was defined as ≤ 1.The cut off value of plasma NT-proBNP was set at 962.50 pg/ml in MHD patients with non-dominant edema,the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity were 79.6％ and 73.2％.Conclusion NT-proBNP could be used to assess volume status in MHD patients with non dominant edema.