BACKGROUND:Previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture at the governor meridian has precise efficacy in the treatment of ischemic stroke and can improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by attenuating pyroptosis,but the upstream regulatory mechanisms are not yet fully clarified.OBJECTIVE:To observe the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture in model rats of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.METHODS:Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham surgery,model,and electroacupuncture groups,with nine rats in each group.Modified suture method was used to establish cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model rats in the model and electroacupuncture groups.The electroacupuncture group was subjected to electroacupuncture at"Baihui,""Fengfu,"and"Dazhui"acupoints,20 minutes each,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.After treatment,neurological deficit scoring and pole test were performed to assess behavioral changes.Tri-phenyl tetrazolium chloride staining was used to assess cerebral infarction size in rats.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe morphological changes in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats.Immunofluorescence analysis was used to determine Iba-1 and reactive oxygen species levels in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats,ELISA method was used for measuring interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of thioredoxin interaction protein,nod-like receptor associated protein 3(NLRP3),Caspase-1 and interleukin-1β in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats respectively,and the interaction between thioredoxin interaction protein and NLRP3 was analyzed by immunoprecipitation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham surgery group,rats in the model group showed an increase in neurological deficit score,pole test score,cerebral infarction volume(P<0.05),the immunofluorescence expression of Iba-1 and reactive oxygen species(P<0.05),the levels of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α(P<0.05),and the mRNA and protein expression of thioredoxin interaction protein,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and interleukin-1β in cerebral cortex tissue(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining in the model group showed neuronal degeneration and necrosis,with fragmented and dissolved nuclei and cellular vacuoles.(2)Compared with the model group,rats in the electroacupuncture group showed a reduction in neurological deficit score,pole climbing test score,cerebral infarction volume(P<0.05),the immunofluorescence expression of Iba-1 and reactive oxygen species(P<0.05),the levels of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α(P<0.05),and the mRNA and protein expression of thioredoxin interaction protein,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and interleukin-1β in cerebral cortex tissue(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the pathological damage of neurons in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats in the electroacupuncture group was significantly attenuated,with significantly reduced cell necrosis and vacuolation.(3)Immunoprecipitation assay showed an interaction between thioredoxin interaction proteins and NLRP3 in the cerebral cortical tissues on the infarcted side of rats in the model group.To conclude,electroacupuncture has a significant therapeutic effect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,possibly by inhibiting the reactive oxygen species/thioredoxin interaction protein/NLRP3 cell pyroptosis signaling pathway and activation of microglia to reduce the release of inflammatory factors.

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BACKGROUND:Previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture at the governor meridian has precise efficacy in the treatment of ischemic stroke and can improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by attenuating pyroptosis,but the upstream regulatory mechanisms are not yet fully clarified.OBJECTIVE:To observe the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture in model rats of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.METHODS:Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham surgery,model,and electroacupuncture groups,with nine rats in each group.Modified suture method was used to establish cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model rats in the model and electroacupuncture groups.The electroacupuncture group was subjected to electroacupuncture at"Baihui,""Fengfu,"and"Dazhui"acupoints,20 minutes each,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.After treatment,neurological deficit scoring and pole test were performed to assess behavioral changes.Tri-phenyl tetrazolium chloride staining was used to assess cerebral infarction size in rats.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe morphological changes in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats.Immunofluorescence analysis was used to determine Iba-1 and reactive oxygen species levels in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats,ELISA method was used for measuring interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of thioredoxin interaction protein,nod-like receptor associated protein 3(NLRP3),Caspase-1 and interleukin-1β in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats respectively,and the interaction between thioredoxin interaction protein and NLRP3 was analyzed by immunoprecipitation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham surgery group,rats in the model group showed an increase in neurological deficit score,pole test score,cerebral infarction volume(P<0.05),the immunofluorescence expression of Iba-1 and reactive oxygen species(P<0.05),the levels of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α(P<0.05),and the mRNA and protein expression of thioredoxin interaction protein,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and interleukin-1β in cerebral cortex tissue(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining in the model group showed neuronal degeneration and necrosis,with fragmented and dissolved nuclei and cellular vacuoles.(2)Compared with the model group,rats in the electroacupuncture group showed a reduction in neurological deficit score,pole climbing test score,cerebral infarction volume(P<0.05),the immunofluorescence expression of Iba-1 and reactive oxygen species(P<0.05),the levels of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α(P<0.05),and the mRNA and protein expression of thioredoxin interaction protein,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and interleukin-1β in cerebral cortex tissue(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the pathological damage of neurons in cerebral cortex tissue on the infarcted side of rats in the electroacupuncture group was significantly attenuated,with significantly reduced cell necrosis and vacuolation.(3)Immunoprecipitation assay showed an interaction between thioredoxin interaction proteins and NLRP3 in the cerebral cortical tissues on the infarcted side of rats in the model group.To conclude,electroacupuncture has a significant therapeutic effect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,possibly by inhibiting the reactive oxygen species/thioredoxin interaction protein/NLRP3 cell pyroptosis signaling pathway and activation of microglia to reduce the release of inflammatory factors.

ObjectiveTo comprehensively elucidate the potential mechanisms of Xiao Xumingtang （XXMT） combined with electroacupuncture （EA） collaboratively in alleviating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury. MethodThe rat model of cerebral I/R injury was established using the modified suture-occluded method. Seven days after modeling， rats in the XXMT+EA groups were administered XXMT at low （15 g·kg^-1）， medium （30 g·kg^-1）， and high （60 g·kg^-1） doses， alongside daily 20-min EA treatment （stimulating acupoints GV14 and GV20）. Cerebral infarction and neuronal damage were evaluated using the Zea Longa test score， TTC staining， and TUNEL staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of NOD-like receptor hot protein domain related protein 3 （NLRP3）， Gasdermin D （GSDMD）， cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） in the ischemic area of the cerebral cortex. ResultCompared with the sham group， the I/R group showed a significant increase in neurological deficit scores and infarct volume （P<0.01）， along with a higher apoptosis rate of cortical neurons and elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05）. In contrast， the medium- and high-dose XXMT combined with EA treatment significantly reduced neurological deficit scores and infarct volume （P<0.01）， and decreased the apoptosis rate of cortical neurons as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05）. The improvement showed a dose-dependent relationship with XXMT. ConclusionThe combined use of XXMT and EA can exert neuroprotective effects by modulating the NLRP3/GSDMD/Caspase-1 signaling pathway， thereby reducing neurological deficits， minimizing brain infarct size， and improving cortical neuronal damage.

Serum sialic acid (SA) levels were detected by neuraminidase method in 366 patients with malignant tumor, 40 patients with benign diseases and 40 healthy subjects.For 277 malignant tumor patients, serum SA levels were monitored before and after treatment.The serum SA levels in malignant tumor group were significantly higher than those in benign diseases and control groups (P ＜0.01 ), but there were no differences between normal and benign groups (P ＞0.05 ).Serum SA levels were decreased in malignant tumor patients with remission and stable disease after treatment.In remission or stable patients the decrease of serum SA levels occurred in the first three months and no changes were found from the fourth to sixth month; meanwhile SA levels were elevated in patients with instablc condition.

OBJECTIVE To study the three-stage reports method using in clinical diagnosis of urinary system infections,and its value in order to fasten the clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS A total of 3349 urines specimens used a sequential three-stage reports method to prospectively evaluate and determine the validity of direct antimicrobial agent susceptibility testing by traditional method and VITEK-32.The first report was by Gram stained,the second report by criteria for initiating direct susceptibility testing,and third report was by standardized disk diffusion method and VITEK-32.RESULTS From 3349 samples the Gram negativstained smears were 746(22.3%),Gram negative bacilli were 1365(40.7%) the Gram positive cocci were 1036(31.0%) and the fungi were 202(6.0%).Escherichia coli rated the top one(55.7%),followed with Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp saprophyticus 437(42.2%),Enterococcus faecalis 389(37.5%),Proteus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Pseudomones aeroginose,and fungi.Enterobacteriaceae were showed increasing drug resistance trend,but still sensitive to imipenem(100.0%).G+-cocci were also showed serious drug resistance trend,but still sensitive to vancomycin(100.0%)(except E.faesium).CONCLUSIONS Three-stage method using in clinical diepnosis of urinary system infections is very important.Enterobacteriaceae are the main infectious bacteria in urinary system infection.Rational use of antibiotics should be carried out according to urine culture result.

OBJECTIVE To determine the bacterial distribution and resistance status in urinary system infections among old patients with primary susceptibility testing on urine samples. METHODS A total of 990 urine specimens were examined over 3 years to determine the validity of direct antimicrobial agent susceptibility testing.A total of 1149 strains collected from inpatient urine specimens during Oct 2002-Oct 2005 were identified and the drug resistance test was performed. RESULTS Escherichia coli rated the top one(57.9%),followed with Enterococcus,Proteus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus and fungi.Enterobacteriaceae were showed increasing drug resistance trend,but still sensitive to imipenem(100%).G~+-cocci were also showed serious drug resistance trend,but still sensitive to vancomycin(100%)(except Enterococcus faecium). CONCLUSIONS Enterobacteriaceae are the main infectious bacteria in urinary system infection.Rational use of antibiotics should be carried out according to urine culture result.

OBJECTIVE To develop a prospective evaluation strategy to detect the first 3 days of incubation of the clinically significant isolates. METHODS With blood culture positive sample by BacT/Alert~3D and direct identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests by VITEK32 in clinics to compare with those obtained from cards(GPI,GPS-106,GNI+,GNS-506) incubated with standardized bacterial suspension obtained following subculture to chocolate agar plates and CHRMagarTM microbiology. RESULTS There were 3 strategy reports performed.The sensitivity was 99.18%,specificity was 99.62%,validity was 98.89%,incidence rate was 25.4%,positive predictive value was 99.18%,negative predictive value was 99.62%,positive likelihood ratio was 261,and negative likelihood rate was 0.008. CONCLUSIONS In the first 3 days of incubation,99.36% of the(1 701) clinically significant isolates were detected,suggesting that routine incubation for more than 3 days be not necessary for FA and FN bottles.These findings suggest that VITEK-32 cards inoculated directly from BacT/Alert culture positive bottles provide acceptable bacterial identification or susceptibility testing for Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus,and decrease the time lapse between initial inoculation of blood culture and the reporting of the results.

OBJECTIVE To study the distribution of the nonfermenter(NF) and the change in its resistance between 2002 and 2005 in our hospital ICU,and instruct clinical application of antibiotics reasonably.METHODS The(identification) of bacteria, antibiotic susceptibility and the detection by VITEK-32 of GNI~+、GNS-142 were used.Etest was applied for detection of metallo-?-lactamase.RESULTS The detective rate of the NF was 57.3%,(58.3%),67.5% and 69.8%,(respectively) from 2002 to 2005.Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PAE),Acinetobacter baumannii and (Stenotrophomonas) maltophilia accounted for 34.3%,11.1% and 4.0%,respectively.The highest distribution of the NF was in the sputum.The resistance rate of PAE to imipenem was lower,(however),it had rose from 0.0% to 17.8% in 2005.The resistance rate of S.maltophilia to sulfamethoxazole/(trimethoprim) was lower than the others,and rose from 0.0% in 2002 to 13.8% in 2005.The incidence rates of(metallo)-?-lactamase of PAE was 0.8% and of A.baumannii was 4.8%,respectively;the incidence rates of metallo-?-lactamase of A.baumannii and PAE were 0.8% and 4.8%,respectively.CONCLUSIONS The(detective) rates of PAE, and A.(baumannii) are gradually increased during the last four years.The incidence of(metallo)-?-lactamase of PAE and A.baumannii is also lower,and the other resistance is existed.