Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding therapy on back-shu and front-mu points and external application on shenque(RN8)point for premature ovarian failure(POF).Methods A total of 62 patients with POF were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group,with 31 patients in each group.The observation group was treated with acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding therapy on back-shu and front-mu points and external application on shenque point,and the control group was treated with hormone replacement therapy.After three months of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,as well as the ovarian volume,number of antral follicle,and antral follicle diameter of the patients in the two groups before and after treatment were observed.The changes of serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH)and estradiol(E2)levels before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.Results(1)The total effective rate was 93.55%(29/31)in the observation group and 80.64%(25/31)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the serum FSH,LH and E2 levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,ovarian volume,number of antral follicle,and antral follicle diameter were significantly improved in the two groups(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The treatment of POF with acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding therapy on back-shu and front-mu points and external application on shenque point can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of the patients,conducive to the recovery of ovarian function,and significantly improve the sex hormone levels of the patients,with precise clinical efficacy.

Deficiencies in the clearance of peripheral amyloid β (Aβ) play a crucial role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that the ability of blood monocytes to phagocytose Aβ is decreased in AD. However, the exact mechanism of Aβ clearance dysfunction in AD monocytes remains unclear. In the present study, we found that blood monocytes in AD mice exhibited decreases in energy metabolism, which was accompanied by cellular senescence, a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and dysfunctional phagocytosis of Aβ. Improving energy metabolism rejuvenated monocytes and enhanced their ability to phagocytose Aβ in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, enhancing blood monocyte Aβ phagocytosis by improving energy metabolism alleviated brain Aβ deposition and neuroinflammation and eventually improved cognitive function in AD mice. This study reveals a new mechanism of impaired Aβ phagocytosis in monocytes and provides evidence that restoring their energy metabolism may be a novel therapeutic strategy for AD.
Animals ; Mice ; Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Monocytes ; Cognition ; Energy Metabolism ; Phagocytosis

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Anmeidan （AMD） on the learning and memory ability of sleep-deprived rats and the mechanism. MethodA total of 50 SD rats were randomized into control group， model group， low-dose AMD group （4.55 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose AMD group （18.18 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and estazolam group （0.09 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Insomnia was induced in rats with the self-made sleep deprivation box （21 days）. The learning and memory ability of rats was measured by Morris water maze. Immunofluorescence method was employed to detect the number of cells expressing N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 （NDRG2） and glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） in hippocampus of rats， real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） to determine the mRNA expression of hippocampal NDRG2， glial glutamate transporter-1 （GLT-1）， and GluNR2A and GluNR2B N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） receptor subunits， and Western blot to examine the protein expression of NDRG2 and GLT-1 in hippocampus. ResultCompared with control group， the model group showed increase in the latency to reach the platform and total swimming distance， significant decrease in the total distance moved in the target quadrant， time in target quadrant， and times of crossing the platform （P<0.01）， rise in the number of cells expressing NDRG2 and GFAP in the hippocampal CA1 region （P<0.01） and the mRNA level of NDRG2 and GluNR2B， reduction in the mRNA level of GLT-1 and GluNR2A， elevation in NDRG2 protein expression （P<0.01）， and decrease in GLT-1 protein expression （P<0.01）. In contrast to the model group， low-dose and high-dose AMD improved the learning and memory levels of sleep-deprived rats （P<0.01）， reduced the number of cells expressing NDRG2 and GFAP （P<0.01）， significantly decreased the mRNA expression of NDRG2 and GluNR2B， increased the mRNA expression of GLT-1 and GluNR2A， reduced NDRG2 protein level （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and raised GLT-1 protein level （P<0.01）. ConclusionAMD can improve the learning and memory ability of sleep-deprived rats. The mechanism is the likelihood that it regulates astrocyte activity， thereby affecting the neurotransmitter level and synaptic plasticity in the brain.

Objective: To analyze the course of disease and epidemiological parameters of COVID-19 and provide evidence for making prevention and control strategies. Methods: To display the distribution of course of disease of the infectors who had close contacts with COVID-19 cases from January 1 to March 15, 2020 in Guangdong Provincial, the models of Lognormal, Weibull and gamma distribution were applied. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the basic characteristics and epidemiological parameters of course of disease. Results: In total, 515 of 11 580 close contacts were infected, with an attack rate about 4.4%, including 449 confirmed cases and 66 asymptomatic cases. Lognormal distribution was fitting best for latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period of confirmed cases and infection period of asymptomatic cases; Gamma distribution was fitting best for infectious period and clinical symptom period of confirmed cases; Weibull distribution was fitting best for latent period of asymptomatic cases. The latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period, infectious period and clinical symptoms period of confirmed cases were 4.50 (95%CI:3.86-5.13) days, 5.12 (95%CI:4.63-5.62) days, 0.87 (95%CI:0.67-1.07) days, 11.89 (95%CI:9.81-13.98) days and 22.00 (95%CI:21.24-22.77) days, respectively. The latent period and infectious period of asymptomatic cases were 8.88 (95%CI:6.89-10.86) days and 6.18 (95%CI:1.89-10.47) days, respectively. Conclusion: The estimated course of COVID-19 and related epidemiological parameters are similar to the existing data.
COVID-19 ; Cohort Studies ; Contact Tracing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The significant morbidity and mortality resulted from the infection of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) call for urgent development of effective and safe vaccines. We report the immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, KCONVAC, in healthy adults. METHODS: Phase 1 and phase 2 randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trials of KCONVAC were conducted in healthy Chinese adults aged 18 to 59 years. The participants in the phase 1 trial were randomized to receive two doses, one each on Days 0 and 14, of either KCONVAC (5 or 10 μg/dose) or placebo. The participants in the phase 2 trial were randomized to receive either KCONVAC (at 5 or 10 μg/dose) or placebo on Days 0 and 14 (0/14 regimen) or Days 0 and 28 (0/28 regimen). In the phase 1 trial, the primary safety endpoint was the proportion of participants experiencing adverse reactions/events within 28 days following the administration of each dose. In the phase 2 trial, the primary immunogenicity endpoints were neutralization antibody seroconversion and titer and anti-receptor-binding domain immunoglobulin G seroconversion at 28 days after the second dose. RESULTS: In the phase 1 trial, 60 participants were enrolled and received at least one dose of 5-μg vaccine (n = 24), 10-μg vaccine (n = 24), or placebo (n = 12). In the phase 2 trial, 500 participants were enrolled and received at least one dose of 5-μg vaccine (n = 100 for 0/14 or 0/28 regimens), 10-μg vaccine (n = 100 for each regimen), or placebo (n = 50 for each regimen). In the phase 1 trial, 13 (54%), 11 (46%), and seven (7/12) participants reported at least one adverse event (AE) after receiving 5-, 10-μg vaccine, or placebo, respectively. In the phase 2 trial, 16 (16%), 19 (19%), and nine (18%) 0/14-regimen participants reported at least one AE after receiving 5-, 10-μg vaccine, or placebo, respectively. Similar AE incidences were observed in the three 0/28-regimen treatment groups. No AEs with an intensity of grade 3+ were reported, expect for one vaccine-unrelated serious AE (foot fracture) reported in the phase 1 trial. KCONVAC induced significant antibody responses; 0/28 regimen showed a higher immune responses than that did 0/14 regimen after receiving two vaccine doses. CONCLUSIONS: Both doses of KCONVAC are well tolerated and able to induce robust immune responses in healthy adults. These results support testing 5-μg vaccine in the 0/28 regimen in an upcoming phase 3 efficacy trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx (No. ChiCTR2000038804, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=62350; No. ChiCTR2000039462, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=63353).
Adult ; COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Vaccines, Inactivated/adverse effects*

Three new prenylated stilbenes, named as cajanusins A-C (1-3), and one new natural product cajanusin D (4), along with six known derivatives (5-10) were isolated from the leaves of Cajanus cajan. Their structures were fully elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic methods and comparison with data in the reported literatures. The new compounds of 1 and 2 were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against a panel of human cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the incidience of chromosome abnormality of the patients with oligozoospermia or azoospermia and male infertility, to discuss the relationship between the quantitative and structural abnormality of chromosome and to lay the foundation for the clinical diagnosis and consultation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted from January 1, 2015 to May 1, 2016, in the Center for Reproduction Medicine, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, with male reproductive abnormalities history excluded. In the study, 1 324 cases were included with 448 cases of azoospermia and 876 cases of oligozoospermia. All the patients through ultrasound examination, color Doppler ultrasonography, the seminal plasma Zn determination, their hormone level determination, chromosome karyotype (the perinatal blood samples were obtained from the 1 324 patients with oligozoospermia or azoospermia for lymphocyte culture, then chromosomal specimens were prepared, G-banding analyses combined with clinical data were used to statistically analyze the incidence of chromosomal abnormality), Y chromosome azoospermia factor [PCR technique was used to detect SY157 locus, SY254 locus, and SY255 locus in male Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) gene of the patients with oligozoospermia or azoospermia]. The relationship between chromosome abnormalities and oligozoospermia or azoospermia were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 876 cases of oligospermia patients, 78 cases were chromosome number abnormality and chromosomal structural abnormality, the abnormal number of sex chromosomes in 22 cases, and sex chromosomes and chromosome structural abnormalities in 56 cases; in the 448 cases of azoospermia patients, 91 cases were chromosomal structural abnormality and chromosome number abnormality, of them, 78 cases were of abnormal number of sex chromosomes, and 13 cases were of abnormal structure. In addition, 137 cases were of chromosome polymorphism in all the 1 324 patients, The incidence of Y chromosome abnormality in azoospermatism was higher than that of the 43 patients with Y chromosome AZF microdeletion. In addition, the asthenospermia and recurrent spontaneous abortion were closely related to Y chromosome abnormality and the chromosome translocations and inversions. CONCLUSION Oligozoospermia and azoospermia patients with abnormal chromosome karyotype have high incidence rate, and chromosome karyotype analyses were carried out on it, which is conducive to clinical diagnosis for the patients with abnormal chromosome karyotype. There is a close relationship between male infertility and abnormal karyotype. It is conducive to clinical diagnosis for the patients with infertility through chromosome karyotye analysis, which also provides evidence for genetic counseling.
Azoospermia/genetics* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Humans ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Male ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies

This paper introduces the pelvic inflammatory disease treatment characteristics of TCM Master Xia Guicheng.He emphasizes that comprehensive regulation is needed for pelvic inflammatory disease needs,and clearing heat and detoxifying, removing dampness and blood stasis are not the only methods for regulating internal disease resistance.For the acute stage,the treatment should be based on blood-heat of lower Jiao,clearing heat and detoxifying,removing blood stasis to stop pain should be used.For the chronic stage,reinforcing healthy qi should be taking as the root treatment which advocates menstrual cycle therapy under the regulation of heart-kidney-uterus axis,and heart-kidney interaction,removing blood stasis to stop pain should be used.

OBJECTIVETo probe into the mechanism and methods of needle knife relaxing therapy for treatment of osteoarthritis of knee from biomechanical view.

METHODSNeedle knife relaxing therapy was given to 92 pain points around the knee joint in 14 cases of osteoarthritis of knee, and the displacement of the local pain point under the stress of 500 g (L500 g) was measured and the VAS scores were recorded before and after treatment.

RESULTSL500 g of the pain point was (4.72+/-1.03) mm before treatment and (5.39+/-1.01) mm after treatment with a very significant difference before and after treatment (P<0.01), and VAS score was (7.10+/-1.49) points before treatment and (1.49+/-1.24) points after treatment with a very significant difference before and after treatment (P<0.01), and there was a linear correlation between the changes of L500 g and VAS scores.

CONCLUSIONThere was close connection between the local pain and tension of local soft tissue in knee osteoarthritis. The needle knife relaxing therapy can relieve the neurovascular compression or traction syndrome by relaxing the local contracted, adhesive soft tissue, so as to relieve tension pain and finally recover internal force equilibrium of the knee joint.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthralgia ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Pressure

Objective To study the clinical and laboratory features of the mild and severe hand-foot-mouth diseases (HFMD) in Shenzhen in 2008.Methods 145 cases were observed in East-Lake Hospital and Shenzhen Children's Hospital. Of the 145 cases,124 mild eases and 21 severe cases were involved. All the clinical data and Laboratory findings were collected and summarized. After collection of the acute and convalescent consecutive stools and peripheral bloods from the patients with HFMD,EV71 genes were amplified from these samples by RT-PCR. Enterovirus 71 were cultured and isolated using Veto cell line and R&D cell line. Results The WBC counts and blood glucose levels of the severe cases were significantly elevated,but the ages of the severe ones significantly decreased compared with those of the mild cases( P < 0.05). EV71 genes could be detected by RT-PCR with 35% positive rate in mild cases and 67% in severe eases.The EV71 gene detection rate of the severe cases was significantly increased in contrast to that of the mild ones. The EV71 were isolated and cultured from the stools of 9 patients,one specimens from the dead's stool. Two severe cases died of neurngenic pulmonary edema and brain-stem encephalitis. Conclusions EV71 mainly contributes to HFMD and is responsible for death of some severe cases. High fever,less rash,elevated white blood cell counts and blood glucose concentrations as well as age less than 4 years old should be used for prediction of severe cases.