Transcutaneous electrical stimulation equipment is a kind of characteristic therapeutic devices developed on the basis of the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and modern science and technology, which is widely used in clinical practice. Significant breakthroughs have been made in the development of related devices such as transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) devices, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices, and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) devices in recent years. Although the market for these devices is vast, there are still limitations that need to be optimized in terms of electrode materials and power supply methods, bulky instrument size, cumbersome wiring, restricted applications, and inadequate intelligent functionality. In the future, it is still necessary to further build upon the theoretical foundation of TCM acupuncture, integrate a variety of modern scientific technologies to advance the intelligence and modernization of acupuncture equipment, and thereby improving its capabilities to support clinical practice and research.
Humans ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methods* ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

BACKGROUND: Previous research demonstrated that a homozygous mutation of g.136372044G>A (S12N) in caspase recruitment domain family member 9 ( CARD9 ) is critical for producing Aspergillus fumigatus -induced ( Af -induced) T helper 2 (T H 2)-mediated responses in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). However, it remains unclear whether the CARD9S12N mutation, especially the heterozygous occurrence, predisposes the host to ABPA. METHODS: A total of 61 ABPA patients and 264 controls (including 156 healthy controls and 108 asthma patients) were recruited for sequencing the CARD9 locus to clarify whether patients with this heterozygous single-nucleotide polymorphisms are predisposed to the development of ABPA. A series of in vivo and in vitro experiments, such as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and RNA isolation and quantification, were used to illuminate the involved mechanism of the disease. RESULTS: The presence of the p.S12N mutation was associated with a significant risk of ABPA in ABPA patients when compared with healthy controls and asthma patients, regardless of Aspergillus sensitivity. Relative to healthy controls without relevant allergies, the mutation of p.S12N was associated with a significant risk of ABPA (OR: 2.69 and 4.17 for GA and AA genotypes, P = 0.003 and 0.029, respectively). Compared with patients with asthma, ABPA patients had a significantly higher heterozygous mutation (GA genotype), indicating that p.S12N might be a significant ABPA-susceptibility locus ( aspergillus sensitized asthma: OR: 3.02, P = 0.009; aspergillus unsensitized asthma: OR: 2.94, P = 0.005). The mutant allele was preferentially expressed in ABPA patients with heterozygous CARD9S12N , which contributes to its functional alterations to facilitate Af -induced T H 2-mediated ABPA development. In terms of mechanism, Card9 wild-type ( Card9WT ) expression levels decreased significantly due to Af -induced decay of its messenger RNA compared to the heterozygous Card9S12N . In addition, ABPA patients with heterozygous CARD9S12N had increased Af -induced interleukin-5 production. CONCLUSION Our study provides the genetic evidence showing that the heterozygous mutation of CARD9S12N , followed by allele expression imbalance of CARD9S12N , facilitates the development of ABPA.
Humans ; Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary/complications* ; Aspergillus fumigatus/genetics* ; Asthma/genetics* ; Aspergillus ; Mutation/genetics* ; CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics*

To investigate the in situ intestinal absorption characteristics and pharmacokinetic behavior of metformin-resveratrol compound water-in-oil nanoemulsion (MRCE) in rats, the in situ intestinal perfusion model was constructed in rats to study the intestinal absorption characteristics of MRCE in different intestinal segments. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups. After intragastric administration of metformin and MRCE, blood was taken at a preset time point. The content of metformin in intestinal perfusion samples and blood samples at various time points was determined by HPLC. Plasma concentration-time profiles of free metformin and MRCE were calculated, and the main pharmacokinetic data were processed and analyzed by DAS 2.1.1 software. The absorption rate constant (Ka), the effective permeability (Peff) and the percentage of absorption (PA) of MRCE in each intestinal segment were significantly higher than those of metformin (P < 0.05). The area under the drug-time curve (AUC0-72 h), the half-life (t1/2) and mean residence time (MRT0-72 h) of MRCE were 1.68, 11.25 and 6.97 times of metformin, respectively (P < 0.01).The relative bioavailability of MRCE was 167.6%. The 90% confidence interval of AUC0-72 h was 156.9%-187.4%, which was not within the standard interval of bioequivalence. The intestinal absorption of MRCE was significantly better than that of free metformin; MRCE improved the oral bioavailability of metformin and was not bioequivalent to metformin.

Objective:To explore the incidence and relevant risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI)after lung transplantation(LT).Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed for clinical data of 70 recipients of LT at China-Japan Friendship Hospital.Results:Among them, 61.4 % developed AKI within 3 days post-LT. As compared with non-AKI and AKI 1 groups, AKI 2~3 group had more plasma transfusion(median 0, 0, 200 ml, P=0.027) and more cardiovascular events during operation(0, 0, 14.3 %, P=0.023). As compared with non-AKI group, AKI 1 and 2~3 groups had lower postoperative hemoglobin in the first day(median 119, 106, 104 g/L, P=0.032). The duration of invasive mechanical ventilation was longer in AKI 2~3 group(median 56 h)than non-AKI group (median 49 h, P=0.034). The 3-month all-cause mortality post-LT was higher in AKI 2~3 (24.1 %)and AKI 1 recipients(21.4 %)than that in non-AKI counterparts(0)( P=0.034, P=0.007). Conclusions:Recipients with more blood transfusion and cardiovascular events during operation and those with more severe anemia in the first day post-LT might be at higher risks for postoperative AKI. Postoperative AKI prolongs the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation and increases 3-month all-cause mortality post-LT.

Objective:To explore the significance of multimodal monitoring in the monitoring and treatment of neurocritical care patients.Methods:104 neurocritical care patients admitted to the department of Critical Care Medicine of Fujian Provincial Hospital from March 2019 to January 2020 were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups, with 52 in each group. In the routine monitoring treatment group, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and the changes in consciousness and pupils were monitored after operation. The patients were treated with routine medicine to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP), maintain proper cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), balance fluid intake and output, and maintain the airway clear. Patients in the multimodal monitoring treatment group were treated with invasive ICP monitoring, ultrasound to assess brain structure, ultrasound to measure optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), transcranial color doppler (TCCD), internal jugular venous blood oxygen saturation monitoring, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), non-invasive cerebral blood oxygen saturation monitoring and quantitative electroencephalogram monitoring. According to the monitoring results, the patients were given targeted treatment with the goal of controlling ICP and improving brain metabolism. The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, the incidences of neurological complications (secondary cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, high intracranial pressure, etc.), and the incidences of poor prognosis [6 months after the onset of Glasgow outcome score (GOS) 1 to 3] were compared between the two groups. Spearman rank correlation analysis of the correlation between invasive ICP and the ICP value which was calculated by TCCD. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of invasive ICP and pulsatility index of middle cerebral artery (PI MCA) were used to predict poor prognosis. Results:The length of ICU stay in the multimodal monitoring treatment group was significantly shorter than that of the routine monitoring treatment group (days: 6.27±3.81 vs. 9.61±5.09, P < 0.01), and the incidence of neurological complications was significantly lower than that in the routine monitoring treatment group (9.62% vs. 25.00%, P < 0.05). In the multimodal monitoring treatment group, 37 cases had a good prognosis and 15 cases had a poor prognosis, while the routine monitoring treatment group had a good prognosis in 27 cases and a poor prognosis in 25 cases. The incidence of poor prognosis in the multimodal monitoring treatment group was lower than that of the routine monitoring treatment group (28.85% vs. 48.08%, P < 0.05). In the multimodal monitoring treatment group, the invasive ICP and PI MCA of patients with good prognosis were significantly lower than those of patients with poor prognosis [invasive ICP (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 16 (12, 17) vs. 22 (20, 24), PI MCA: 0.90±0.33 vs. 1.39±0.58, both P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference in resistance index of the middle cerebral artery (RI MCA) between the good prognosis group and the poor prognosis group (0.63±0.12 vs. 0.66±0.15, P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the invasive ICP and the ICP value which was calculated by TCCD ( r = 0.767, P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of invasive ICP for poor prognosis prediction was 0.906, the best cut-off value was ≥ 18 mmHg, the sensitivity was 86.49%, and the specificity was 86.67%. The AUC of PI MCA for poor prognosis prediction was 0.759, the best cut-off value was ≥ 1.12, the sensitivity was 81.08%, and the specificity was 60.00%. The AUC of invasive ICP was greater than PI MCA ( Z = 2.279, P = 0.023). Conclusion:Comprehensive analysis of multimodal monitoring indicators for neurocritical care patients to guide clinical treatment can reduce the length of hospital stay, and reduce the risk of neurosurgery complications and disability; invasive ICP can predict poor prognosis of neurocritical care patients.

Objective To evaluate the use of intercostal trocars (ICS) and transthoracic trocars in laparoscopic resection of liver segments 7 and 8.Method From November 2015 to June 2017,20 patients who underwent laparoscopic S7 or 8 segmentectomy for liver tumors in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital,Guangxi Medical University were analyzed retrospectively.Results Ports were inserted at the 8th or 9th ICS,respectively,in addition to the conventional abdominal ports.The mean operation time was 225.0 min (110.0 ～ 486.0 min).Anatomical resection was completed in 1 patient,and non-anatomical resection in 19 patients.The conversion rate was 0％.Pringle's maneuver was used in 9 patients.The mean blood loss was 85.0 (25.0 ～410.0) ml,and the mean length of hospital stay was 7.0 (5.0 ～ 12.0) days.The complication rate was 10.0％.Pathologic findings revealed that 17,2,1 patient(s) had HCC,hemangioma,and inflammatory nodule,respectively.The mean tumor size and tumor free margin were 33.8 (15.0 ～ 74.0) mm;and 15.0 (1.0 ～ 30.0) mm,respectively.There was no HCC recurrence on follow-up,expect for one patient who developed tumor recurrence at 20 months after laparoscopic liver resection.Conclusions In selected patients,laparoscopic liver resection using intercostal trocars was useful and safe for tumors located in liver segments 7 and 8.The long-term oncologic outcomes need to be further evaluated.

By sorting out the literature on circling acupuncture manipulation in past dynasties’ acupuncture books and famous doctors’ treatises and selecting representative doctors and works, this article summarizes, sorts out and analyzes the definition, performance, action and application of circling acupuncture manipulation and explores its essence in order to promote the inheritance of circling acupuncture manipulation as old and very effective therapy and better its clinical application.

From the point of view of ethics review work situation of our country, the existing capacity of our review of ethical problems in development are analyzed, a preliminary summary of the Chinese medicine ethics review ca-pacity development, systematically analyzes the Assessment Human Research Protection System of TCM and Chinese medicine clinical research ethics review platform evaluation work, and to improve the ethical review system to perfect supervision system, improve the medical ethics review standards and guidelines, carrying out the innovation and con-struction of ethical review professional knowledge training, to promote Chinese medicine ethics review certification and accreditation system construction work and Chinese medical ethics review of the clinical research objective, the practice of ethical review management of Chinese medicine are discussed.

OBJECTIVETo prepare curcumin-loaded poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres and study its release characteristics in vitro.

METHODCurcumin-loaded poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres were prepared by W/O/W emulsification solvent-evaporation process. The microspheres were characterized in terms of morphology, size, encapsulation efficiency, the rate of drug loading and in vitro drug release.

RESULTThe formed microspheres were spherical with smooth surfaces. The distribution of particle size was uniform and average size was 1 151 nm. The rate of drug loading was (1.98 +/- 0.14)% and the encapsulation efficiency was (59.44 +/- 4.05)%. In vitro release study revealed that the 71-hour accumulative release percentage reached 77%.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin loaded poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres are prepared successfully and show good sustained-release characteristics.

Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Curcumin ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Polyglactin 910 ; chemistry

Hypermethylation in the promoter region is an important epigenetic mechanism for the transcriptional repression of a number of cancer-associated genes, and over-expression and/or increased activity of DNA methyltransferases are considered to be the main cause of promoter hypermethylation. In order to explore the roles of two methyltransferase members (DNMT1 and DNMT3b) in the cholangiocarcinoma tumorigenesis, antisense eukaryotic expression plasmid of DNMT1 and DNMT3b gene was constructed respectively, and were co-transfected into the human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939 to observe their biological effects on the cell growth and proliferation ability, apoptosis, cell cycle alteration, and the tumorigenesis ability in the subcutaneous tissue of nude mouse. The results demonstrated that co-transfection with antisense eukaryotic expression plasmid of DNMT1 and DNMT3b gene and single transfection with antisense eukaryotic expression plasmid of DNMT1 gene can suppress the growth and proliferation of QBC-939, block the cell cycle at G1 phase, increase the apoptosis rate, minimize the tumor size in the subcutaneous tissue of nude mouse. The suppressing biological effect of co-transfection is stronger than single transfection with antisense DNMT1. Meanwhile, single transfection with antisense eukaryotic expression plasmid of DNMT3b gene has no effects on the biological characteristics of QBC-939. This study suggests that DNMT1 gene plays a key role in DNA methylation and DNMT3b gene may act as an accessory to support its function in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Combination DNMT1 and DNMT3b will inhere their biological effects and have the synergistic effect on suppressing the growth of human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC-939.