BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder characterized primarily by cognitive impairment.Acupuncture is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine therapy for treating Alzheimer's disease,but its mechanism is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"on the Notch signaling pathway,β-amyloid protein(Aβ)and synaptic plasticity in 5xFAD mice. METHODS:Sixteen male,6-month-old 5xFAD mice,SPF-grade,were randomly divided into the electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"group(electroacupuncture group)and the model group,with eight mice in each group.Eight SPF-grade,male,6-month-old C57BL/6 mice were used as the wild control(wild)group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"intervention,5 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks.The model group and the wild group did not receive electroacupuncture intervention.The Morris water maze was used to preliminarily assess their learning and memory abilities.Thioflavin S staining was performed to detect Aβ plaque deposition.Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were used to measure the expression levels of transmembrane receptor protein Notch-1,Notch 1 intracellular domain(NICD),hairy and enhancer of split 1(Hes 1),hairy and enhancer of split 5(Hes 5),synaptophysin(SYN),postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD-95),and Aβ. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,the wild group and the electroacupuncture group showed shortened escape latency,increased platform crossing times,and longer target quadrant dwell time(P<0.05).Compared with the wild group,the model group had significantly increased deposition of Aβ plaques,while electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"inhibited the deposition of Aβ plaques in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice(P<0.05).Compared with the wild group,the model group had decreased mRNA levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue of mice,and increased mRNA levels of Aβ(P<0.05).Electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"increased the mRNA levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue,and decreased the mRNA level of Aβ(P<0.05).Compared with the Wild group,the model group had decreased protein expression levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue of mice,and increased protein expression levels of Aβ(P<0.05).Electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"upregulated the protein expression levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5,and inhibited the protein expression of Aβ(P<0.05).To conclude,electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"can improve the learning and memory abilities of 5xFAD mice,possibly by inhibiting the deposition of Aβ protein and activating the Notch signaling pathway in the hippocampus to enhance synaptic plasticity.

Objectives:To investigate the association between normal-weight central obesity with new-onset cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality risk. Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted,selecting a total of 93885 participants from the Kailuan Study who had their first physical examination in 2006-2007.According to waist circumference (central obesity:male waist circumference ≥90 cm,female waist circumference ≥85 cm;no central obesity:male waist circumference<90 cm,female waist circumference<85 cm) and body mass index (BMI,normal weight:18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<24.0 kg/m2;overweight/obesity:BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2),the participants were divided into 4 groups:normal weight no central obesity group (G1 group),normal weight central obesity group (G2 group),overweight/obesity no central obesity group (G3 group) and overweight/central obesity group (G4 group);Using the Kaplan-Meier method,the cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular diseases (including hemorrhagic stroke,ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction) and all-cause mortality in different groups was calculated,and the Log-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons.Furthermore,the associations between the different groups and the risk of new-onset cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality were analyzed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results:After a median follow-up of 14.97 (14.55,15.17) years,the cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular diseases in G1 group,G2 group,G3 group and G4 group was 7.62％,10.84％,8.67％,12.91％ respectively (log-rank P<0.05) and the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 12.83％,19.72％,10.65％,16.33％ respectively (log-rank P<0.01).After adjusting for confounding factors,Cox regression analysis showed that the HR (95％CI) of new-onset cardiovascular diseases in G2 group,G3 group and G4 group were 1.14 (1.04-1.25),1.07 (1.01-1.14),1.27 (1.21-1.34),respectively compared with G1 group (all P<0.05).The HR (95％CI) of all-cause mortality were 1.06 (1.00-1.14),0.90 (0.85-0.95),0.97 (0.93-1.01) compared with G1 group,and P values were 0.07,<0.01,0.15,respectively.The results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with the above major studies after excluding overweight/obesity and cancer participants during follow-up. Conclusions:Normal-weight central obesity increases the risk of new-onset cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality.

Traditional Chinese medicines have demonstrated clinical efficacy in preventing and treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain(CIPNP).However,their specific clinical application and mechanism of action require further in-depth study and exploration.There is thus a need to develop more accurate and clinically relevant animal models that reflect the occurrence and development of human diseases as a tool for research.This review provides an in-depth analysis and discussion of the recent establishment and detection criteria of existing rat and mouse animal models of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathic pain.We also evaluate and explain the application of these models for the prevention and treatment of CIPNP in traditional Chinese medicine,thus providing a theoretical basis and reference for future experimental and mechanistic research on the subject.This research will benefit clinical practice and promotion,offering valuable insights into preventing and treating CIPNP using traditional Chinese medicines.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to predict the pharmacodynamic material basis and core targets of Bailing capsules in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） based on network pharmacology and molecular docking， which were further verified by cell experiments to explore the mechanism. MethodThe main active ingredients and related targets of Bailing capsules were screened in Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and SwissTargetPrediction. The main COPD targets were searched from GeneCards， DrugBank， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM） and Therapeutic Target Database （TTD）. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed by STRING and Cytoscape 3.6.1. Gene Ontology （GO） function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis were performed by the Database for Annotation， Visualization and Integrated Discovery （DAVID）. Molecular docking verification was carried out using AutoDock Vina. The cell viability was detected by 3-（4，5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-5-（3-carboxymethoxyphenyl）-2-（4-sulfophenyl）-2H-tetrazolium （MTS） assay， and the mRNA level of the targets was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultA total of 11 active ingredients of Bailing capsules such as cerevisterol， 270 related drug targets， and 1 020 COPD target proteins were obtained， with 74 intersection targets. The visualization analysis of the PPI network showed that the core targets of Bailing capsules in the treatment of COPD were tumor protein P53 （TP53）， catenin beta 1 （CTNNB1）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and insulin （INS）. Further， 20 signaling pathways were screened by KEGG enrichment analysis as the main pathways for Bailing capsules to treat COPD， involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， forkhead box O （FoxO）， TNF， and hypoxia inducible factor-1 （HIF-1） signaling pathways. Molecular docking validation demonstrated that four active ingredients had stable binding to IL-6， with the lowest energy. Bailing capsules could reduce the mRNA level of IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） （P<0.01） compared with the control group. ConclusionThe pharmacological mechanism of Bailing capsules in the treatment of COPD might be that its main active ingredients improved the inflammatory response by acting on TP53， CTNNB1， TNF， IL-6 and other targets and regulating PI3K/Akt， cAMP and other signaling pathways， thereby ameliorating COPD symptoms. This study provided experimental basis for subsequent in-depth research， and provided a diagnosis and treatment direction for disease-related clinical treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the value of implementing strict aseptic operation procedures in preventing central venous catheter-related infections.Methods:This retrospective cohort study consisting of non-surgical patients who underwent central venous catheterization from 2015 to 2019 were conducted.The patients were divided into 2 groups according to routine aseptic procedures and strict aseptic procedures, the patients between 2015 and 2017 served as routine aseptic procedure group (group C), and the patients between 2017 and 2019 served as strict aseptic procedure group (group E ). The occurrence of central venous catheter-related infections (local infection, bloodstream infection) was recorded within 6 days after catheterization.Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of central venous catheter-related local infection was significantly decreased (1.79% vs. 0.48%, P<0.001; the rate ratio being 0.27 ranged in 0.10-0.30), while no significant change was found in the incidence of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection in group E (0.29% vs. 0.19%, P>0.05). The cumulative incidence of central venous catheter-related infections was 0.67%(<1.00%) in group E. Conclusions:Implementation of strict aseptic procedures during central venous catheterization can further reduce the occurrence of central venous catheter-related infections, which has significant clinical value.

Objective:To compare the effects of ultrasound-guided dynamic needle tip positioning (DNTP) and long axis in-plane (LAX-IP) techniques for axillary vein puncture and catheterization.Methods:One hundred Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusⅠ-Ⅲ patients of both sexes, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 20-28 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective axillary vein cannulation, were divided into 2 groups ( n=49 each) using the random number table method: DNTP group and LAX-IP group.Axillary vein puncture was performed using DNTP technique and LAX-IP technique under ultrasound guidance in DNTP group and LAX-IP group, respectively.Successful puncture at first attempt, overall successful catheterization, the number of needle tip redirection, and axillary vein puncture time and catheterization time were recorded.The occurrence of complications such as axillary artery puncture, posterior wall penetration of axillary vein, hematoma formation, pneumothorax, and nerve injury was recorded. Results:Compared with group LAX-IP, the success rate of puncture at first attempt was significantly increased, the number of cases required needle redirection was decreased, and the puncture time was shortened ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the logarithm of the posterior wall penetration of axillary vein in group DNTP ( P>0.05). No complications such as arterial puncture, hematoma, pneumothorax, or nerve injury occurred in two groups. Conclusions:Compared with LAX-IP technique, ultrasound-guided DNTP technique can dynamically observe the position of the needle tip, the operation is simple and safe, and it is worthy of clinical promotion when used for axillary vein puncture and cannulation.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on pyroptosis in rats with endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI).Methods:Sixty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6 weeks, weighing 200-220 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=10 each) by a random number table method: control group (group C), ALI group and different doses of dexmedetomidine groups (D 1-3 groups). In ALI group and D 1-3 groups, LPS 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected to establish endotoxin-induced ALI model.Immediately after establishing the model, dexmedetomidine 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 μg/kg were intraperitoneally injected in D 1-3 groups, and the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in group C, once a day for 14 consecutive days.After the end of administration, the rats were sacrificed, the left bronchus was lavaged, and the left bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of the concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and the lung tissue was taken for determination of the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D ratio) and expression of cleaved-caspase-1, N-terminal of the spliceosome (GSDMD-N), IL-18 and IL-1β (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (with a light microscope). Results:Compared with group C, the W/D ratio of lung tissues was significantly increased, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were increased, the expression of cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissues was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was aggravated in ALI group and D 1-3 groups.Compared with group ALI, the W/D ratio of lung tissues was significantly decreased, and the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were decreased, the expression of cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissues was down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was significantly reduced in D 1-3 groups. Conclusion:The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine attenuates endotoxin-induced ALI may be related to inhibition of pyroptosis and reduction of inflammatory responses in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block in elderly patients undergoing hip replacement under subarachnoid block.Methods:Fifty patients of both sexes, aged 65-89 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with body mass index 20-30 kg/m 2, undergoing unilateral hip arthroplasty, were divided into 2 groups ( n=25 each) by a random number table method: PENG group and fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) group.In PENG group, 0.4% ropivacaine hydrochloride 20 ml was injected around the nerve innervating the hip joint capsule under ultrasound guidance.In FICB group, 0.4% ropivacaine 30 ml was injected around the nerve innervating the fascia iliaca compartment under ultrasound guidance.Subarachnoid block was performed in both groups.Visual analog scale scores and scores for satisfaction with analgesia at rest and during activity were recorded before blockade (T 0), at 10, 20 and 30 min after blockade (T 1-3) and when placed in the position for spinal anesthesia (T 4). The cumulative consumption of sufentanil, effective pressing times of analgesic pump, and development of related complications were recorded at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after operation (T 5-8). Results:Compared with FICB group, the VAS scores at rest and during activity were significantly decreased at T 1-4, and scores for satisfaction with analgesia during activity were increased in PENG group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the cumulative consumption of sufentanil and effective pressing times of analgesic pump ( P>0.05). One patient developed postoperative delirium in group FICB, and no patients developed puncture site infection and nerve damage after operation in two groups. Conclusion:PENG block produces better analgesic efficacy than FICB when used for elderly patients undergoing hip replacement under subarachnoid block.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine combined with erector spinae plane block on inflammatory responses and cellular immune function after thoracic interbody fusion in patients.Methods Ninety American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 18-60 yr,with body mass index of 19-25 kg/m2,scheduled for elective thoracic interbody fusion with the vertebral segments involved in the operation ＜6,were divided into 3 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table method:general anesthesia group (group G),dexmedetomidine group (group D) and dexmedetomidine plus erector spinae plane block group (group DE).In group D and group DE,dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused over 10 min at a loading dose of 0.5 μg/kg starting from 30 min before anesthesia induction,followed by continuous infusion of 0.5 μg · kg-1 · h-1 until 15 min before the end of operation.In group DE,bilateral erector spinae blocks were performed under ultrasound guidance at 20 min before anesthesia induction,and 0.25％ ropivacaine 30 ml was injected into each side.Patients received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after operation.The consumption of propofol was recorded.The patients were followed up for 48 h after operation,and the pressing times of PCA and consumption of sufentanil were recorded.The emergence time,extubation time and volume of blood loss were also recorded.Blood samples were collected from the radial artery immediately before induction (T1),at 30 min of operation (T2),and at 1 h and 1,3 and 5 days after operation (T3-6) for determination of plasma CD42+,HLA-DR+ and CD14+ concentrations,white blood cell (WBC) count (by electrical impedance method) and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (by latex-enhanced scattering turbidimetry assay).CD42+/CD14+ and HLA-DR+/CD14+ ratios were calculated.Results Compared with group G,the pressing times of PCA and consumption of sufentanil were significantly decreased,CD42+/CD14+ ratio was decreased,and HLA-DR+/CD14+ ratio was increased at T3-6 in group D,and the emergence time,extubation time,pressing times of PCA and consumption of sufentanil and propofol were significantly decreased,CD42+/CD14+ ratio was decreased,HLA-DR+/CD14+ratio was increased at T3-6,and the plasma CRP concentrations and WBC count were decreased at T2-6 in group DE (P ＜0.05).Compared with group D,the emergence time,extubation time,pressing times of PCA and consumption of sufentanil and propofol were significantly decreased,CD42+/CD14+ ratio was decreased at T5,HLA-DR+/CD14+ratio was increased at T3.4,and the plasma CRP concentrations and WBC count were decreased at T3-6 in group DE (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine combined with erector spinae plane block can reduce inflammatory responses and improve cellular immune function after thoracic interbody fusion in patients.

Objective To investigate the acceptance of HPV self-sampling mode in cervical cancer screening population and explore its feasibility. Methods From March 5 to 15, 2018, researchers investigated women who participated in cervical cancer screening organized by Beijing Shunyi Women＇s and Children＇s Hospital in the form of questionnaires. Questionnaires were conducted on their acceptance status and the factors that affect the self-sampling experience. The specific contents of the questionnaires were as follows: (1) the experience of using self-sampling included operability, comfortable, sample time-consuming, bleeding or not after sampling; (2) psychological changes after self-sampling, including the willingness to accept self-sampling again, the worrying problems during self-sampling process. According to whether or not have operating video guidance, the self-sampling experience and psychological changes after self-sampling were compared. Results (1) There were 1 375 women participated in the questionnaire survey, and 86.55% (1 190/1 375) of them thought the self-sampling was convenient, 78.40% (1 078/1 375) thought it was not uncomfortable, 88.58% (1 218/1 375) thought the sampling time was fast (less than 5 minutes), 94.04% (1 293/1 375) self-sampling without bleeding; and 83.27% (1 145/1 375) were willing to self-sampling for cervical cancer screening again, 85.82% (1 180/1 375) were afraid of inaccurate sampling. (2) Among the 1 375 women, 1 202 were in the video guidance group and 173 were in the non-guidance group. The self-sampling experience of women in video guidance group was better than those of non-guidance group in operability, comfortable, sampling time-consuming and bleeding after sampling. The proportion of women who willing to self-sampling again was higher than that of non-guidance group (86.69% vs 59.54%, respectively). The proportion of women who worried operating incorrectly was lower than that of non-guidance group (11.23% vs 32.37%, respectively). The differences were significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions Self-sampling for HPV testing in cervical cancer screening is easy to operate and has little discomfort complaint. It is feasible in cervical cancer screening. Operational video guidance during the screening process could effectively improve the women＇s experience and willingness to self-sampling again in the future.