OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture combined with bloodletting on the expression of inflammatory factors in serum, the morphology of sensitized skin tissue and the mast cell degranulation in urticaria rats, and to explore the potential mechanism of this therapy for urticaria. METHODS: Among 42 SD rats of SPF grade, 6 rats were randomly collected for the preparation of sensitized antiserum; and the rest 36 rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, a positive drug group, an acupuncture group, a bloodletting group and a combined treatment group (acupuncture + bloodletting), 6 rats in each one. The rat model of urticaria was established by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. In the positive drug group, loratadine (1 mg•kg^-1) by gavage was administered once a day. In the acupuncture group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), acupuncture was delivered at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Zhongwan" (CV 12), and bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Xuehai" (SP 10) for 15 min, once daily . In the bloodletting group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), bloodletting was operated at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and bilateral "Geshu" (BL 17), around 0.1 mL of bleeding volume at each point, once daily. In the combined treatment group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), the interventions as the acupuncture group and the bloodletting group were adopted, once daily. All the interventions started on day 6 of modeling, lasting 2 weeks. After intervention completion, antigenic stimulation was performed in the rats of each group. Using ELISA, the levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), tryptase (TPS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected. The diameter of the blue spots of the sensitized skin on the back was measured with ruler in each rat. The morphology of sensitized skin tissue was observed using HE staining, and the degranulation of mast cells was observed using Toluidine blue staining. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the levels of serum IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α increased (P<0.01), the diameter of blue spot on the sensitized part of the rat back was larger (P<0.01), the degranulation rate of mast cells was elevated (P<0.01), and there were obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and edema in the dermis of sensitized skin tissue on the rat back. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α were reduced in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group (P<0.01, P<0.05); skin blue spot diameter was smaller in the positive drug group and the combined treatment group (P<0.05); the degranulation rate of mast cells decreased in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group (P<0.01); and the dermal edema, inflammatory infiltration were attenuated in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group. Compared with the acupuncture group and the bloodletting group, the serum levels of IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α, as well as the degranulation rate of mast cells in the sensitized tissue were lower in the positive drug group and the combined treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture combined with bloodletting effectively suppress mast cell degranulation in the sensitized skin tissue on the back of urticaria rats, and ameliorate the histopathological morphology. Its effect mechanism may be related to inhibiting the differentiation and proliferation of helper T cells 2 and regulating the humoral immune response.
Animals ; Rats ; Mast Cells/immunology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Cell Degranulation ; Humans ; Bloodletting ; Urticaria/immunology* ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Interleukin-4/blood* ; Interleukin-5/blood* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Immunoglobulin E/blood* ; Disease Models, Animal

Drug delivery with customized combinations of drugs, controllable drug dosage, and on-demand release kinetics is critical for personalized medicine. In this study, inspired by successive opening of layered structures and compartmentalized structures in plants, we designed a multiple compartmentalized capsular structure for controlled drug delivery. The structure was designed as a series of compartments, defined by the gradient thickness of their external walls and internal divisions. Based on the careful choice and optimization of bioinks composed of gelatin, starch, and alginate, the capsular structures were successfully manufactured by fused deposition modeling three-dimensional (3D) printing. The capsules showed fusion and firm contact between printed layers, forming complete structures without significant defects on the external walls and internal joints. Internal cavities with different volumes were achieved for different drug loading as designed. In vitro swelling demonstrated a successive dissolving and opening of external walls of different capsule compartments, allowing successive drug pulses from the capsules, resulting in the sustained release for about 410 min. The drug release was significantly prolonged compared to a single burst release from a traditional capsular design. The bioinspired design and manufacture of multiple compartmentalized capsules enable customized drug release in a controllable fashion with combinations of different drugs, drug doses, and release kinetics, and have potential for use in personalized medicine.

Objective:To investigate the differences of resting-state spontaneous neural activity between smoking addicted teenagers and healthy non-smokers.Methods:In the current study, the percent amplitude of fluctuation (perAF) approach was applied to explore the differences of resting-state spontaneous neural activity between smoking addicted teenagers and healthy non-smokers.Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationships between the altered perAF values and smoking years, fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and pack-years of smokers.Results:Compared with healthy non-smokers, smoking addicted teenagers showed increased perAF values in the parahippocampal gyrus (smoking addicted teenagers: 2.026 5±0.516 7, nonsmokers: 0.781 6±0.148 9), middle temporal gyrus (smoking addicted teenagers: 0.796 7±0.203 2, nonsmokers: 0.545 5±0.134 1), and superior frontal gyrus (smoking addicted teenagers: 2.734 5±0.372 8, nonsmokers: 1.962 4±0.416 8) (all P<0.001). It was noteworthy that the perAF values of the parahippocampal gyrus were negatively correlated with smoking years of smoking addicted teenagers( r=-0.6007, P=0.0084). Conclusion:Compared with healthy non-smokers, the resting-state regional neural activity in smoking addicted teenagers was altered, mainly manifested as increased perAF value in the parahippocampal gyrus, which is correlated with smoking years of smoking addicted teenagers.These findings may help us understanding neural mechanisms underlying nicotine addiction of smoking addicted teenagers.

Objective To explore the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of neuroblastoma in children. Methods The clinical data of 36 children With neuroblastoma admitted to Department of Pediatric Surgery,Henan Pro﹣vincial People＇s Hospital betWeen August 2013 and August 2018,Were retrospectively analyzed. The patients included 22 males and 14 females With the age of 1 month－13 years old[( 20. 0 ± 18. 5)months]. TWenty－one cases of neu﹣roblastoma originated from the adrenal glands,the other 15 cases from the sympathetic ganglion( including 7 cases in retroperitoneum,6 cases in postmediastinum,and 2 cases in neck). Fifteen patients in loW risk and intermediate risk groups underWent primary surgery before multiple chemotherapy,While other 21 cases in high risk groups underWent chemotherapy until the mass could be removed completely,then continuely underWent multiple chemotherapy. Results Of the 36 patients,23 cases(63. 9%)had a radical resection,13 patients underWent palliative resection and 2 pa﹣tients Were treated With vascular repair during surgery(abdominal aorta in 1 patient,inferior vena cava in 1 patient). TWenty－seven patients had effective in formation and 16 patients survived,during folloW－up,12 patients belonged to stage Ⅰ－Ⅲ disease,2 patients stage Ⅳ disease and 2 patients stage Ⅳs disease,respectively. Four cases underWent re－operation due to disease recurrence,then they underWent chemothearopy,and 3 patients Were survival With tumor. Conclusions Neuroblastoma is a highly malignant pediatric cancer accompanied With a high rate of metastasis on ini﹣tial diagnosis. Radical resection is an effective therapeutic strategy for improving the survival rate. If radical resection is impractical,palliative resection combined With chemotherapy can significantly prolong patients＇ survival time. And a better prognosis is achieved if it can be early diagnosed and treated timely.

Objective To observe the growing shape and function of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells implanted on the polysilicon nanopore membrane by micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). Methods The polysilicon nanomembrane was made by silicon film processed via whirling photoresist, wet etching, electroplating and so on, and then it was coated by extracellular matrix and implanted with MDCK cells. The cell growth shape and function was observed or examined by scanning electron microscope or MTT test and Trypan Blue staining.Results The nanomembrane with regular slit pores was successfully fabricated. Extracellular matrix-coated nanomembrane, especially for collagen Ⅳ coating, was more suitable for MDCK cells to adhere and proliferate without membrane injury. The polysilicon nanomembrane coated with extracellular matrix did not induce the cell death and also not stimulate cells releasing the cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Under scanning electron microscope, MDCK cells formed a flat single-cell fusion with tight junction on the surface of polysilicon nanomembrane and there was a large number of microvillus on the top of cells.Conclusion The collagen-coated polysilicon nanomembrane made by MEMS techniques, with no cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility, is valuable to frame the artificial glomerular filtration membrane

Objective: To study the effect of enteral nutrition in the treatment of heart failure with hyponatremia.Methods: Forty patients sufferd from heart failure with hyponatremia were divided into two groups at random: control group(n=20) with regular therapy and treatment group(n=20) with enteral nutrtion on the base of regular therapy.Time intervals from hyponatremia to normal natremia of the two groups were compared.Results: Time interval from hyponatremia to normal in the treatment group was 5.30?1.82 days,and that in the control group was(8.85?2.44) days.Conclusion: The treatment with enteral nutrition can significantly shorten the clinical treatment time in heart failure with hyponatremia.

Objective:To determine whether ox-LDL (oxdized low-density lipoprotein) is highly deposited on the uremic vessel wall and its influence on the vascular remodeling. Methods: Segments of radial arteries were obtained from 21 uremic subjects during the operation of A-V fistula prior to hemodialysis. Segments of internal thoracic arteries of similar diameter were obtained from patients with benign chest tumors as control.The vascular lesions and ox-LDL, CD68,MCP-1, eNOS,ET-1, PCNA,FN on the vessel wall were determined by means of H-E stain and immunohistochemistry. Results： With H-E stain,atherosclerotic plaques were found in the radial arteries of 4 uremic patients. The middle layer of the arteries in uremic patients were obviously thickened, and the T/D　(thickness of the wall/external diameter) ratio was significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.01). ox-LDL,CD68,MCP-1, ET-1, PCNA,FN on the vessel wall in uremic patients were much higher than those in control group (P<0.01). Moreover, ox-LDL on the vessel wall was positively related to the expression of other above mentioned substances on the vessel wall (P<0.01). Whereas the expression of eNOS on the vessel wall was lower than control group (P<0.01),and was negatively related to ox-LDL on the vessel wall(P<0.01). Conclusion: ox-LDL is an important factor contributing to uremic vascular remodeling by increasing the migration,adhesion and infiltration of monocyte,the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell and dysfunction of endothelia.

10 mg/L) and group B(CRP