OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential mechanism by which electroacupuncture (EA) induces macrophage polarization to promote muscle satellite cell proliferation and differentiation, accelerating the repair of acute skeletal muscle injury. METHODS: Forty-two SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: a blank group (n=6), a model group (n=18), and an EA group (n=18). The model and EA groups established acute blunt contusion model of the right gastrocnemius muscle using a self-made striking device. From day 1 after modeling, rats in the EA group received EA at "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) on the right side, using disperse-dense wave with a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and a current of approximately 2 mA. The EA treatment was administered once daily for 30 minutes for 3, 7, or 14 days based on the designated sampling time points. Gait analysis was performed using the Cat Walk XT^TM system. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes in the gastrocnemius muscle. Masson staining was applied to evaluate collagen fiber content. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in muscle satellite cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression levels of CD68 and CD206, markers of macrophages. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-13) were detected using ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant reduction in average movement speed on days 3 and 7 after modeling (P<0.05), and a decrease in the right hind limb stride length on day 3 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group showed increased average movement speed and right hind limb stride length on day 7 (P<0.05). In the blank group, the gastrocnemius muscle on the right side showed uniform and consistent inter-fiber spacing, with neatly and regularly arranged muscle cells. In contrast, the model group exhibited enlarged inter-fiber spacing, edema, and significant infiltration of red blood cells and inflammatory cells, with progressively increasing fibrosis over time. By day 14 after modeling, the EA group showed a return to baseline levels of inflammatory cell infiltration, and the degree of fibrosis was significantly lower than that observed in the model group. Compared with the blank group, the ratio of collagen fibers in the gastrocnemius muscle of the model group increased significantly on days 3, 7, and 14 after modeling (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group exhibited a lower collagen fiber ratio on days 3, 7, and 14 (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, PCNA positive expression in the gastrocnemius muscle of the model group was significantly increased on days 3, 7, and 14 after modeling (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group exhibited significantly higher PCNA positive expression on days 3 and 7 (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in CD68-positive macrophage expression in the gastrocnemius muscle on day 3 after modeling (P<0.05), while CD206-positive macrophage expression increased on days 3, 7, and 14 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, CD68 expression was significantly lower in the EA group on day 3 (P<0.05), whereas CD206 expression was significantly higher on days 3 and 7 (P<0.05), peaking on day 7 with CD206 expression. Compared with the blank group, serum TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in the model group on days 3 and 7 after modeling (P<0.05), while serum IL-1β levels were increased on days 3, 7, and 14 (P<0.05). Serum IL-10 and IL-13 levels were significantly higher on day 7 after modeling (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group exhibited lower serum TNF-α level on day 3 (P<0.05) and reduced serum IL-1β levels on days 3 and 7 (P<0.05), while serum IL-10 and IL-13 levels were significantly increased on day 7 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA could promote the repair of acute blunt contusion-induced gastrocnemius muscle injury by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells. This process is closely related to macrophage polarization.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Cell Proliferation

Objective To investigate the mechanism of inducing macrophage polarization induced by acupoint effect of electroacupuncture to promote the repair of acute skeletal muscle injury.Methods 45 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,electroacupuncture group(EA group),sodium chrominate group (DSCG group) and electroacupuncture+sodium chrominate group (hereinafter referred to as EA+DSCG group),with 9 rats in each group. The rats in the EA group and the EA+DSCG group were subjected to EA intervention at the right "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan"(GB34),with a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz. The gait changes of rats were recorded by animal gait analyzer. The morphological changes of the right gastrocnemius were observed by HE staining. The changes of mast cell aggregation and degranulation in local skin muscles of "chengshan" point were observed by toluidine blue staining. The expressions of Pax7,MyoD and skin mast cells and 5-HT in the right gastrocnemius were detected by immunofluorescence method. The positive expressions of CD68 and CD206 in right gastrocnemius macrophage was observed by immunohistochemical staining.Results Compared with blank group,the wiggle time of the right hind leg in model group and DSCG group increased,stride length decreased,HE staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration,myocyte enlargement,degeneration and necrosis. The degranulation rate of local skin mast cells in "Chengshan" (BL57) area increased,and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD,CD68 and CD206 increased (P<0.05). Compared with model group,the wiggle time of the right hind leg in EA group and EA+DSCG group decreased,stride length increased,HE staining showed that inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced,muscle cells were uniform in size and arranged neatly. Mast cell degranulation rate increased significantly in EA group,and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD and CD206 increased (P<0.05),while CD68 expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with EA+DSCG group,the degranulation rate of mast cells and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD and CD206 increased (P<0.05),while CD68 expression decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion EA "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) can stimulate acupuncture points to locally induce mast cell degranulation,promote the polarization of macrophages,and then activate muscle satellite cells to play the regulatory process of repairing skeletal muscle injury.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with occupational melanosis. Methods Diagnostic data of 69 patients with occupational melanosis was analyzed using retrospective analysis. Results The main occupational hazards for the 69 patients with occupational melanosis were coal tar, petroleum and its fractionated products, pigments and dyes and their intermediates, rubber additives and rubber products. The median length of occupational exposure and disease latency were 8.0 and 6.0 years, respectively, with a highly positive correlation between them (Spearman correlation coefficients=0.962, P<0.01). Skin lesions were mainly found on exposed areas such as the face-to-neck and limbs, prevalence of 94.2% and 75.4% respectively. And 78.3% of patients had skin lesion on more than two sites. The lesions were mostly in the form of irregular flakes (59.4%), with a gray-black color (44.9%). About 43.5% of patients experienced skin itching. Complete blood count, liver function, and kidney function were all within normal ranges. Skin biopsy results showed that epidermal hyperkeratosis, thinning of the spinous layer, liquefaction degeneration of basal cells, increased superficial dermal melanocytes, and infiltration of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and melanocytes around the blood vessels. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) detection showed focal liquefaction degeneration of basal cells in the lesions, with a significant infiltration of melanocytes and inflammatory cells in the dermal papillae and superficial layers. Conclusion The primary target organ of occupational melanocytes is the skin, and no damage to other organs was identified thus far. Results from skin biopsies and RCM examinations can be used for differential diagnosis.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Omicron variant in Zhuhai City.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to compare the clinical characteristics of patients infected with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant (Omicron variant group, 39 cases) from January 13 to January 25, 2022, and those infected with 2019-nCoV non-Omicron variant (non-Omicron variant group, 98 cases) from January 17 to February 17, 2020, in the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Statistic methods were used by Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test and Fisher exact probability test. Results:Among adults, the age of 21 patients in Omicron variant group was younger than that of 93 patients in non-Omicron variant group (34.0(26.0, 40.5) years vs 50.0(36.0, 62.0) years, Z=-3.81, P<0.001). Patients with underlying diseases in Omicron variant group were fewer than those in non-Omicron variant group (4.8%(1/21) vs 31.2%(29/93), χ2=6.17, P=0.013). The clinical classification of the Omicron variant group was mainly mild (71.4%(15/21)) or common type (28.6%(6/21)), while the non-Omicron variant group was dominated with common type (57.0%(53/93)) and severe type (23.7%(22/93)), and the clinical classification of the two groups had statistically difference ( χ2=31.79, P<0.001). The time of positive nucleic acid in Omicron variant group was longer than that in non-Omicron variant group (14.0(10.5, 16.5) d vs 8.5(4.0, 12.0) d, Z=-3.56, P<0.001). The proportion of pneumonia in Omicron variant group was less than that in non-Omicron variant group (28.6%(6/21) vs 86.0%(80/93), χ2=30.52, P<0.001). Differences were all statistically significant. There was no significant difference of the clinical characteristics in pediatric patients, but the proportion of children infected with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant was significantly higher than that infected with 2019-nCoV non-Omicron variant (46.2%(18/39) vs 5.1%(5/98), χ2=33.65, P<0.001). Conclusions:Adults infected with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant in Zhuhai City present with milder clinical symptoms, less proportion of pneumonia, but the time of positive nucleic acid is longer. The clinical characteristics of children infected with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant are not specific, while the proportion of children infected with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant is significantly higher.

Objective:To explore the reasons for revision of tumor prosthesis of knee joint and summarize the experience of revision surgery.Methods:We conducted a retrospective study of 33 patients who underwent revision surgery for tumor prosthesis of knee joint in Tianjin Hospital and the 960th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army Hospital from June 2004 to June 2018. There were 25 male and 8 female patients, the mean age was 45±13.1 years (range 19-64 years) at the time of revision. Histological diagnosis was giant cell tumor in 17 patients, osteosarcoma in 9 patients, malignant fibrous histiocytoma in 3 patients and one for each of chondrosarcoma, peripheral schwannoma, ligamentoid fibroma and bone metastases. The reasons for revision were aseptic loosening in 23 cases, dislocation, stem breakage and periprosthetic fracture in 2 cases, infection in 3 cases, and local recurrence in 1 case. The general outcome, oncological outcome, reasons for prosthesis revision, postoperative limb function, and complications were summarized.Results:The median follow-up of the 33 patients was 48.0 (24.0, 107.0) months. The most common reason for revision was aseptic loosening (88%, 29/33), followed by infection (9%, 3/33) and local recurrence (3%, 1/33). The MSTS of 32 patients with survival more than 1 year was 24.28±4.74 points (range 9-30 points), which was statistically different from preoperative 11.78±5.23 points (range 4-21 points) ( t=10.02, P<0.001). The postoperative median TESS score of 32 patients with survival more than 1 year was 86.67(80.00, 91.67) points, and the preoperative median score was 56.0(43.17, 65.33) points, which was statistically significant ( Z=6.78, P<0.001). Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients, most commonly mechanical problems (15%, 5/33) and infection (15%, 5/33), followed by local recurrence (6%, 2/33), with an overall complication rate of 36% (12/33). Conclusion:The main reason for revision of tumor prosthesis of knee joint is aseptic loosening. Revision surgery can achieve ideal postoperative function and should be the first choice for failure of prosthesis after initial replacement.

Objective:To investigate the changes of default network functional connectivity (FC) in resting state of patients with insomnia disorder (ID).Methods:Fifty-six patients with insomnia disorder and fifty healthy controls were recruited. All subjects were assessed with Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), insomnia severity index (ISI), Epworth sleepiness score (ESS) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17). All subjects were scanned with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). SPM12 and CONN18b were used to preprocess rs-fMRI data on MATLAB (R2013b).The medial superior frontal gyrus was defined as the seed point, and the differences in the functional connection strength of the two groups of subjects were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between the FC value of the brain area with statistical significance and scores of PSQI and ISI.Results:(1)FC analysis showed that compared with the control group, patients with ID had abnormal default mode network (DMN) connection, as follows: FC of left medial superior frontal gyrus and left central anterior gyrus (MNI: x, y, z=-30, -15, 51) and anterior cingulate gyrus (MNI: x, y, z=-6, 24, 36), FC of right medial forehead between the last gyrus and the left central anterior gyrus (MNI: x, y, z=-48, -6, 48), FC of left anterior cuneiform and the left central back (MNI: x, y, z=-54, -18, 54) and left superior occipital gyrus (MNI: x, y, z=-21, -69, 30), FC of right precuneus and left central posterior gyrus (MNI: x, y, z=-60, -21, 48) was enhanced. The FC of left anterior cuneiform lobe and the right middle frontal gyrus (MNI: x, y, z=42, 33, 42) and the right angular gyrus (MNI: x, y, z=54, -51, 45), FC of right precuneus and left inferior temporal gyrus (MNI: x, y, z=-51, -12, -42) was weakened. (2)With the left medial superior frontal gyrus as the seed point, FC values in anterior cingulate gyrus ( r=0.451, 0.338, both P<0.01) and left anterior central gyrus ( r=0.324, 0.402, both P<0.05) were positively correlated with PSQI and ISI scores. With the right precuneus as the seed point, FC value of left posterior central gyrus was positively correlated with PSQI( r=0.333, P=0.013) and ISI scores( r=0.418, P=0.008), while FC value of left inferior temporal gyrus was negatively correlated with PSQI( r=-0.662, P=0.001) and ISI scores( r=-0.402, P<0.01).With the left precuneus as the seed point, FC value of left superior occipital gyrus was positively correlated with PSQI( r=0.438, P=0.001) and ISI scores( r=0.495, P=0.011). Conclusion:Patients with ID may have changes in the functional connection of multiple networks. The decrease of FC in DMN may be one of the potential causes of insomnia. The increase in FC between DMN and the visuospatial attention network may be the core of the mechanism of damage to the brain function network of insomnia link.

Objective To evaluate the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation (LTx). Methods The clinical data of 18 patients with end-stage lung diseases was retrospectively reviewed, using ECMO as a bridge to LTx in intensive care unit of Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2017. Clinical parameters were obtained from these patients, including gender, age, primary disease, preoperative lactate level, preoperative leukocyte, operation modality (unilateral or bilateral), type of ECMO, ECMO support time as a bridge to LTx, ECMO support time after operation, total usage time of ECMO, ECMO associated complications, primary graft dysfunction (PGD), successful ECMO weaning, and survival. Patients were divided according to type of ECMO, whether successfully weaned from ECMO or not, and primary disease. Clinical data was compared, and the Kaplan-Meier survival of 180-day was studied. Results ① The overall situation showed: A total of 18 patients were enrolled, with 14 males and 4 females, age ranged from 23 to 78 years old. Primary disease included 6 cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 3 cases of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH), 8 cases of interstitial pneumonia and 1 case of silicosis. Nine patients received venous-venous (V-V) ECMO and 9 venous-artery (V-A) ECMO as a bridge to LTx; 15 patients received LTx successfully, and failed in 3 cases. The average bridge time was 57.5 (14.5, 116.5) hours. ECMO associated complications included 6 cases with bleeding, 12 cases with renal failure, 2 cases with thrombosis, 2 cases with oxygenator leak, and 1 case with leg ischemia. There were 7 unilateral (5 right lungs and 2 left lungs) and 8 bilateral LTx. Three patients died before LTx due to septic shock. Nine patients died after LTx, 4 for septic shock, 4 for multiple organ failure, and 1 for sudden cardiac death. Six patients survived after LTx.② Group comparison showed: There was no significant difference in gender, age, ECMO support time as a bridge to LTx, ECMO support time after operation, total ECMO usage time, incidence of PGD, successful weaning from ECMO, and 180-day survival rate between V-V ECMO group (n = 7) and V-A ECMO group (n = 8). There was no significant difference in gender, age, primary disease, type of ECMO, operation modality, preoperative leukocyte count between groups of successfully weaned from ECMO (n = 11) and the failed (n = 7). Lower level of preoperative lactate acid (mmol/L: 3.01±1.51 vs. 8.27±3.49, t = -3.770, P = 0.006), shorter total ECMO usage time (hours: 72.82±40.53 vs. 210.71±107.10, t = -3.907, P = 0.001), and higher 180-day survival rate (54.5% vs. 0, P = 0.038) were found in the group of successfully weaned from ECMO, when compared with the failed group. ③ Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that postoperative survival rates of 7, 30, 60, and 180 days of 18 patients was 72.2%, 38.9%, 33.3%, and 33.3%, respectively. Among them, the postoperative survival rates of 7, 30, 60, and 180 days in the group of successfully weaned from ECMO (n = 11) were higher than those in group of failed (n = 7; 81.8% vs. 57.1%, 63.6 % vs. 0, 54.5% vs. 0, 54.5% vs. 0, respectively; log-rank test: χ2= 8.009, P = 0.005). The postoperative survival rates of 7, 30, 60, and 180 days in IPF group (n = 6) were lower than those in non-IPF group (n = 12; 33.3% vs. 83.3%, 16.7% vs. 50.0%, 16.7% vs. 41.7%, 16.7% vs. 41.7%; log-rank test: χ2= 4.161, P = 0.041). Conclusions The use of ECMO as a bridge to LTx may provide survival benefit for LTx recipients. V-V ECMO provides effective life support for patients without severe heart failure, and V-A ECMO for patients with unstable hemodynamics. Preoperative lactate level and total ECMO duration time were closely related to ECMO weaning rate. Primary diagnosis may affect prognosis.

Objective To investigate the speech recognition in noise in patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing impaired using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband.Methods A total of 12 patients (12 ears) with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss participated in the survey and fitted with Sophonotron Alpha 2.The aided hearing threshold test and speech recognition test in noise were evaluated in both unaided and aided conditions.Results The average aided hearing threshold using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband was 35.0±10.8 dB HL,showing significant improvement compared to that of unaided(P＜0.05).The average signal-to noise ratio loss was 5.9± 6.1 dB using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband in noise,showing a more significant benefit than that of the unaided (13.6±10.9 dB).Conclusion The Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband can significantly improve speech recognition in noise for the patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Implantable bone-conduction devices are characterized by the fact that the vibration is transmitted through bone conduction. The technology and surgical techniques in the application of implantable bone-conduction devices have developed considerably in recent years, experiencing a transformation from percutaneous to transcutaneous implantation. This article reviewed current developments in the types, surgical indications, and complications, as well as compared between the various bone-conduction devices to provid references for clinical application.

Objective:To study the influences of sucrose,citric acid and sodium bicarbonate on the adhesion of 3 kinds of adhesives.Methods:60 extracted tooth and 60 zirconia blocks (3 mm × 3 mm × 3 mm) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20),namely PULPDENT group,3M ESPE RelyxTM Veneer group and RelyxTM Luting group.Then,the samples of each group fell into 4 subgroups(n=5),namely subgroup A for artificial saliva,subgroup B for 10％ sucrose,subgroup C for 0.2％ citric acid,and subgroup D for 0.03 ％ sodium bicarbonate.After completing the adhesion of the specimens with corresponding adhesives,the specimens of subgroups A,B,C and D were submerged into artificial saliva(the control),sucrose,citric acid and sodium bicarbonate solutions for 2 times/day and 5 min/time,respectively.For the rest of time,all the specimens were submerged in artificial saliva.3 months later,shear bond strength of the specimens was tested,the fracture surface was observed under SEM,20 × microscope,and the fracture model was observed by stereoscopic microscope.SPSS 17.0 software was adopted for statistical analysis of the data.Results:The bond strength of PULPDENT,3M ESPE RelyxTM Veneer groups were higher than that of RelyxTM Luting group(P ＜ 0.05);the bond strength of subgroups B,C and D was lower than that of subgroup A(P ＜0.05);and the difference between the remaining groups was not statistically significant(P ＞0.05).SEM observation displayed that in group RelyxTM Luting,subgroups B,C and D showed increased crack depth,width and length when compared with subgroup A;there was no obvious difference between the remaining groups and the control group;in groups PULPENT,3M ESPE RelyxTM Veneer and RelyxTM Luting,all samples in their subgroups showed interface failure.Conclusion:Compared with PULPDENT and 3M ESPE RelyxTM Veneer adhesive,RelyxTM Luting is more susceptible to the influence of sucrose,citric acid and sodium bicarbonate,so it is not suitable for bonding zirconia blocks.