OBJECTIVE: To explore the peripheral neural mechanism underlying representation along the distribution of stomach meridian induced by intestinal inflammatory reaction using diarrhea predominant-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) mice. METHODS: Among 62 healthy male C57BL/6 mice of clean grade, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a control group and a model group, 6 mice in each group, additionally, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a Tianshu group, a Liangqiu group and a Zusanli group, 4 mice in each group. In the model group, citrobacter was administered orally to establish IBS-D model. In the control group and the model group, the visceral pain threshold was observed using fecal colorectal distension (fCRD) induced electromyography of external oblique muscle, the positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was detected by myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining, the number, location and distribution rule of Evans blue (EB) extravasation points were observed by injection of EB staining solution into the tail vein. In the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, fluorescent dye Dil was injected at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25), "Liangqiu" (ST34) and "Zusanli" (ST36) respectively, to observe the dye-positive cell number in different dorsal root ganglion (DRG) segments. In the control group and the model group, the activation of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in different DRG segments was observed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, in the model group, the area under curve of electromyography of external oblique muscle was increased at fCRD of 25, 50 and 75 μL distilled water (P<0.001, P<0.01); the MPO-positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was increased (P<0.01). Few EB extravasation points could be found in the control group, while there were much more EB extravasation points observed in the model group, which was specially distribution in the area of stomach meridian, from "Huaroumen" (ST24) to "Zusanli" (ST36), as well as the surface area dominated by L₂-L₅ segment of the spinal cord. The Dil-positive cells were mainly exhibited in the DRG of T₁₁, L₅ and L₄ segments in the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, respectively. Compared with the control group, the ratio of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)/glutamine synthetase (GS) co-expression was increased in the DRG of T₁₁, L₄ and L₅ segments in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The activation of SGCs within DRG of T₁₁, L₄ and L₅ segments may relate closely to the occurrence of the representation along the stomach meridian distribution in IBS-D mice.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Meridians ; Stomach/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Disease Models, Animal

【Objective】 To investigate the differences in efficacy and long-term prognosis between locally progressive low and intermediate rectal cancer patients receiving fluorouracil-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (mFOLFOX6/CapeOX) and neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and to compare the therapeutic efficacy in the two groups. 【Methods】 We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 118 patients with locally progressive low and intermediate rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy from January 2019 to December 2021 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and other clinicopathological parameters. The t-test, Mann Whitney test, chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the differences between the two groups of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone or neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in terms of short-term efficacy, lymph node manifestations and long-term prognosis, respectively. Survival rates were calculated and survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. 【Results】 In terms of efficacy, patients in the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group achieved better tumor regression (Z=-2.05, P=0.04) and solid tumor efficacy (Z=-2.42, P=0.015), but the difference between the two groups in terms of downstaging effect of clinical stage was not statistically significant. The number of lymph nodes detected was significantly lower in the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group (neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs. neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, 13.19±3.83 vs. 9.55±4.00, t=5.02, P<0.001), but the two groups did not differ significantly in the number of lymph node positives and lymph node positive ratio. In terms of long-term prognosis, there was no statistically significant difference in the overall survival rate or disease-free survival rate of the two groups. 【Conclusion】 Compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone, neoadjuvant radiotherapy showed better short-term efficacy in patients with locally progressive low and intermediate rectal cancer, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment regimens in terms of long-term prognosis.

The lung immune response consists of various cells involved in both innate and adaptive immune processes. Innate immunity participates in immune resistance in a nonspecific manner, whereas adaptive immunity effectively eliminates pathogens through specific recognition. It was previously believed that adaptive immune memory plays a leading role during secondary infections; however, innate immunity is also involved in immune memory. Trained immunity refers to the long-term functional reprogramming of innate immune cells caused by the first infection, which alters the immune response during the second challenge. Tissue resilience limits the tissue damage caused by infection by controlling excessive inflammation and promoting tissue repair. In this review, we summarize the impact of host immunity on the pathophysiological processes of pulmonary infections and discuss the latest progress in this regard. In addition to the factors influencing pathogenic microorganisms, we emphasize the importance of the host response.

The lung immune response consists of various cells involved in both innate and adaptive immune processes. Innate immunity participates in immune resistance in a nonspecific manner, whereas adaptive immunity effectively eliminates pathogens through specific recognition. It was previously believed that adaptive immune memory plays a leading role during secondary infections; however, innate immunity is also involved in immune memory. Trained immunity refers to the long-term functional reprogramming of innate immune cells caused by the first infection, which alters the immune response during the second challenge. Tissue resilience limits the tissue damage caused by infection by controlling excessive inflammation and promoting tissue repair. In this review, we summarize the impact of host immunity on the pathophysiological processes of pulmonary infections and discuss the latest progress in this regard. In addition to the factors influencing pathogenic microorganisms, we emphasize the importance of the host response.

In order to meet the fertility needs of infertile patients as much as possible during the pandemic of COVID-19 Omicron strain, this expert group reviewed global and domestic literature, combined with the current epidemic situation and prevention and control policies, fully considered the service procedures and characteristics of assisted reproductive institutions and sperm banks in China, and then put forward specific recommendations on institutional prevention and control management, and treatment and surgical management of COVID-19 infected patients, so as to guide and standardize the related practices in assisted reproductive institutions and sperm banks. In the practical application process, assisted reproductive institutions and sperm banks in various provinces and cities should develop personalized institutional prevention and control measures and patient management procedures based on local prevention and control requirements and the actual situation of their own institutions.

In order to meet the fertility needs of infertile patients as much as possible during the pandemic of COVID-19 Omicron strain, this expert group reviewed global and domestic literature, combined with the current epidemic situation and prevention and control policies, fully considered the service procedures and characteristics of assisted reproductive institutions and sperm banks in China, and then put forward specific recommendations on institutional prevention and control management, and treatment and surgical management of COVID-19 infected patients, so as to guide and standardize the related practices in assisted reproductive institutions and sperm banks. In the practical application process, assisted reproductive institutions and sperm banks in various provinces and cities should develop personalized institutional prevention and control measures and patient management procedures based on local prevention and control requirements and the actual situation of their own institutions.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of domestic recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (r-hCG) for injection in Chinese women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).Methods:In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, positive, parallel controlled clinical trial, the infertile women with normal ovarian reserve who received COH in seven reproductive medical centers from July 2017 to October 2018 were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (domestic r-hCG, n=112) and control group (imported r-hCG, n=116). Interactive web response system was used to randomize. The total number of oocytes obtained, cleavage cells, two pronuclei fertilization, mid-division oocytes rate, positive serum hCG rate, early embryo loss rate, clinical pregnancy rate, sustained pregnancy rate and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups during the cycle of COH. Results:During the initiation cycle of ovulation induction therapy, the total number of oocytes obtained in experimental group and control group were (12.1±5.6) and (12.0±6.7) respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the rate of mid-division oocytes, the number of cleavage cells, the number of double pronuclear fertilization, the positive rate of serum hCG during the transplantation cycle, the loss rate of early embryo, the clinical pregnancy rate, and the sustained pregnancy rate between the two groups (all P>0.05), and the 90% confidence interval ( CI) of the difference between the two groups fell within the preset equivalence threshold (-3, +3). The difference in immunogenicity assessment between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and other adverse reactions in treatment period were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05), which were known adverse reaction occurred in the imported r-hCG. Conclusion:In the COH cycle of Chinese infertile women with normal ovarian reserve, the effectiveness and safety of domestic r-hCG are equivalent to imported r-hCG.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of domestic recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (r-hCG) for injection in Chinese women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).Methods:In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, positive, parallel controlled clinical trial, the infertile women with normal ovarian reserve who received COH in seven reproductive medical centers from July 2017 to October 2018 were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (domestic r-hCG, n=112) and control group (imported r-hCG, n=116). Interactive web response system was used to randomize. The total number of oocytes obtained, cleavage cells, two pronuclei fertilization, mid-division oocytes rate, positive serum hCG rate, early embryo loss rate, clinical pregnancy rate, sustained pregnancy rate and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups during the cycle of COH. Results:During the initiation cycle of ovulation induction therapy, the total number of oocytes obtained in experimental group and control group were (12.1±5.6) and (12.0±6.7) respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the rate of mid-division oocytes, the number of cleavage cells, the number of double pronuclear fertilization, the positive rate of serum hCG during the transplantation cycle, the loss rate of early embryo, the clinical pregnancy rate, and the sustained pregnancy rate between the two groups (all P>0.05), and the 90% confidence interval ( CI) of the difference between the two groups fell within the preset equivalence threshold (-3, +3). The difference in immunogenicity assessment between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and other adverse reactions in treatment period were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05), which were known adverse reaction occurred in the imported r-hCG. Conclusion:In the COH cycle of Chinese infertile women with normal ovarian reserve, the effectiveness and safety of domestic r-hCG are equivalent to imported r-hCG.

Objective To detect the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA load in vesicle fluid and peripheral blood,as well as plasma levels of S100β protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in patients with herpes zoster before and after treatment,and to explore their correlations.Methods Vesicle fluid samples were collected before treatment,and peripheral blood samples before and after treatment from 50 inpatients with acute herpes zoster in the Department of Dermatology of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University,and peripheral blood samplcs were also obtained from 20 heahhy controls.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to determine the viral load in the vesicle fluid and peripheral blood samples,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the plasma levels of S100β protein and NSE.Results VZV DNA was present in all the vesicle fluid samples,as well as in peripheral blood samples from 18 patients before treatment and 5 patients after treatment,but not found in any of the healthy controls.Positive correlation was found bctween the viral load in vesicle fluid and plasma levels of S 100β protein and NSE (r =0.535,0.430,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05) in the patients with acute herpes zoster.Before treatment,patients with VZV DNA in peripheral blood showed significantly increased plasma levels of S100β protein and NSE compared with those without (both P ＜ 0.05),and the viral load in peripheral blood was positively correlated with plasma levels of S100β protein and NSE (r =0.711,0.645,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion VZV DNA is present in some patients with herpes zoster,and increased VZV DNA loads in the vesicle fluid and peripheral blood are related to elevated plasma levels of S100β protein and NSE before treatment.

BACKGROUND:Studies have testified that nano-ultrasound contrast agents have a strong permeability, making it possible to image the targeted tissues outside blood vessels and overcome the limitation that micron contrast agents are only available for the blood pool imaging. OBJECTIVE:To construct the folate-modified nanoparticles targeting breast cancer as ultrasound contrast agents, as wel as to observe their ability to specifical y bind to cel s and imaging effect in vitro. METHODS:Both contrast agents, pegylated lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer wrapping liquid fluorocarbon formed nanoparticles (mPP/PFOB) and folate modified pegylated lactic acid-glycolic acid wrapping liquid fluorocarbon formed nanoparticles (mPPF/PFOB), were constructed by phacoemulsification-evaporation method. (1)Biocompatibility detection:HFF-1 and MCF-7 cel s in the logarithmic phase were cultivated with various concentrations (0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 1 g/L) of mPP/PFOB or mPPF/PFOB for 24 hours respectively, and then the cel viability was measured. (2)Targeting ability detection in vitro:HFF-1 and MCF-7 cel s in the logarithmic phase were divided into three groups. Cy5-labled mPP/PFOB and mPPF/PFOB were added into groups A and B, respectively;the cel s in group C were pretreated with folate for 2 hours, and sequential y Cy5-labled mPPF/PFOB was added into group C. Fluorescence intensity was detected by flow cytometry after 0.5 hours of culture. The distribution of contrast agents in cel s was observed using confocal microscopy after 20 minutes of culture. (3)Ultrasound imaging in vitro:there were three groups:saline was as group A;the suspension of saline and mPPF/PFOB nanoparticles was prepared as group B;MCF-7 cel s were resuspended with the mixture of saline and mPPF/PFOB nanoparticles to prepare the suspension of nanoparticles and cel s as group C. In each group, the suspension was added into latex gloves, that were then tightened and immersed in water. Final y, the ultrasound was use to detect the ultrasound imaging effect in vitro. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Neither nanoparticles were with significant cytotoxicity. The flow cytometry showed that the mean fluorescence intensity in MCF-7 cel s of group B was significantly higher than that of groups A and C. But there were no significant differences in the mean fluorescence intensity in HFF-1 cel s among the three groups. It was observed that mPPF/PFOB mainly gathered around the MCF-7 cel membrane, while mPP/PFOB randomly distributed in the cytoplasm. After mPPF/PFOB binding to MCF-7 cel s, they could enhance ultrasound echo in vitro. These findings indicate that the targeted nanoparticles mPPF/PFOB have good biocompatibility and can specifical y bind to breast cancer MCF-7 cel s in vitro and enhance the imaging capability.