The paper introduces the experience of Professor LI Rui in treatment of diseases with bloodletting therapy. Regarding acupoint selection, the main acupoints are selected from the meridians containing excessive blood based on the identification of pathogenesis, and the back-shu points of the foot-taiyang bladder meridian are predominant. The acupoints (e.g. Geshu [BL17], Xuehai [SP10] and Weizhong [BL40]) acting on blood regulations are frequently selected, and the acupoints from the governor vessel (e.g. Dazhui [GV14], Zhiyang [GV9] and Yaoyangguan [GV3]) are specially used for regulating yang qi. Besides, the five-shu points and local points are combined in the prescriptions. This paper expounds the connotation of bloodletting therapy, explores the basis of acupoint selection and clinical application characteristics, and analyzes the clinical cases, so as to provide the approaches to acupoint selection for the clinical application of bloodletting therapy.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bloodletting ; Meridians

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a high-molecular-weight protein complex in the cytoplasm, is composed of three core components: the sensor protein NLRP3, the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) and the effector protein caspase-1. It plays a critical role in regulating host immune and inflammatory responses. Studies have shown that the NLRP3 inflammasome has increasingly become a focal point in tumor molecular biology field. A growing body of evidence indicates that the increased expression and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is closely associated with the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the tumor microenvironment (TME). It may promote tumor proliferation, invasion, migration, and other biological behaviors through various regulatory mechanisms while influencing tumor immune evasion and therapy resistance, which holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for patients. This review explores the current effect and mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its signaling pathways in head and neck cancer, providing insights into clinical targeted drug development and molecular immunotherapy.
Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Signal Transduction ; Animals

Objective To establish a smooth three-dimensional(3D)geometric model of the maxilla based on CT data using four dif-ferent software packages,to mimic the modified Le Fort Ⅰ osteotomy and its fixation scheme,and to perform a finite element analysis of the postoperative occlusion.Methods CT data were preliminarily processed using Mimics software to produce an STL 3D model.The model was then imported into Inspire Studio software to create a smoothed PolyNURBS geometric model.SpaceClaim software was used to model the surgical osteotomy and fixation schemes.Finally,ANSYS Workbench was used to conduct a 3D finite element analysis simu-lating the patient's occlusion after surgery.Results The simulation results showed that the connection relationship of the finite element model was accurately established under the molar occlusion condition.Under a total occlusal force of 6 N,the maximum equivalent stress of the titanium plate was 73 MPa.Conclusion The maxillary modeling and analysis method used in this study can produce a smooth geometric model suitable for finite element simulation.The results of this study can provide reference for various fixation schemes in orthognathic surgery.

ObjectiveTo explore whether miR-375 regulates the malignant characteristics of osteosarcoma (OS) by influencing the expression of MMP13. MethodsPlasmid DNAs and miRNAs were transfected into OS cells and HEK293 cells using Lipofectamine 3000 reagent. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure the expression of miR-375 and MMP13 in OS patients and OS cells. Western blot was performed to analyze the MMP13 protein in the patients with OS and OS cells. The targeting relationship between miR-375 and MMP13 was analyzed by luciferase assay. Migration and invasion were analysed by heal wound and transwell assays, respectively. ResultsmiR-375 expression in OS tissues was lower than that in normal tissues. The expression of MMP13 was upregulated in OS tissues. MMP13 expression was negatively correlated withmiR-375 expression in patients with OS. Migration and invasion were significantly inhibited in OS cells with the miR-375 mimic compared with OS cells with the miRNA control. MMP13 partially reversed the inhibition of migration and invasion induced by miR-375 in the OS cells. ConclusionmiR-375 attenuates migration and invasion by downregulating the expression of MMP13 in OS cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

In this study, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the current methods used to identify Bifidobacterium animalis, such as long time, complicated operation and low adaptability of experimental environment, specific primer probes were designed based on ERIC-PCR technology to identify and detect B.animalis.Based on the genomic DNA of B.animalis HP-B1124, the ERIC-PCR reaction conditions of B.animalis HP-B1124 were optimized, and the ERIC-PCR fragments were obtained one by one and sequenced.Two pairs of specific primer probes were designed.The accuracy, specificity, limitation and universality of the two pairs of primer probes were evaluated, and the two pairs of specific primer probes were used for testing the products containing B.animalis in the commercially published formula.The two pairs of specific primer probes designed in this study could be used for identified strains of B.animalis more simply, quickly and targeted.This method has optimized the current relatively traditional methods of pure culture and plate counting identification of B.animalis, and has solved the high requirements of SNP genotyping technology and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method for experimental equipment and reagents in the identification of B.animalis to a certain extent.It has the characteristics of low cost, high specificity and earn a broad market development prospect.

This study aimed to explore the effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins(GPs) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet in rats and reveal the underlying mechanism. The NAFLD model rats were prepared with high-fat diet. Forty male Sprague Dawley(SD) rats were randomly assigned into the control group, model group, and low-, moderate-, and high-dose GPs(50, 100, and 150 mg·kg~(-1), respectively) groups. After intragastric administration for 8 continuous weeks, we determined the body weight, liver weight, the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in serum, and the levels of TC, TG, malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), and interleukin 6(IL-6) in the liver. Furthermore, we observed the pathological changes of liver tissue by oil red O staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, sequenced the 16 S rRNA of the intestinal flora in rat feces, and determined the content of short-chain fatty acids in rat feces. The results showed that GPs inhibited the excessive weight gain of high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in rats, reduced the liver weight, lowered the TC, TG, LDL-c, AST, and ALT levels in serum(P<0.05), and rose the HDL-c level in serum(P<0.01). GPs relieved the liver damage caused by high-fat diet, mainly manifested by the lowered levels of TC, TG, MDA, and IL-6 in the liver(P<0.01) and elevated levels of CAT and SOD in the liver. Furthermore, GPs reversed the intestinal flora disorder caused by high-fat diet, restored the diversity of intestinal flora, increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides, and reduced the relative abundance of Firmicutes and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides. Moreover, GPs promoted the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides, and inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria such as Desulfovibrio, Escherichia-Shigella, and Helicobacter. GPs increased the content of short-chain fatty acids(acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid)(P<0.01). These findings indicate that GPs can alleviate the high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in rats via regulating the intestinal flora and short-chain fatty acid metabolism.
Alanine Transaminase/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cholesterol, LDL/pharmacology* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Gynostemma ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Liver ; Male ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: There is less clinical data on multiple myeloma (MM) in China, and the aim of this study was to collect and analyze the clinical data of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients in Hunan Province during 1 year, to understand the real clinical features and treatment outcome for Hunan Province patients with MM, and to strengthen the understanding of the standardized diagnosis process and treatment plan of MM. METHODS: The clinical data of 529 patients with NDMM in 12 large-scale general hospitals in Hunan Province from January 1 to December 31, 2019 were collected and analyzed, including baseline data, treatment regimens, duration of treatment, and adverse reactions. The clinical characteristics, treatment, and safety of patients were analyzed by SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: Among the 529 NDMM patients, the age was 33-90 (median 64) years and the male-female ratio was 1.38꞉1. The clinical features ranged from high to low were as follows: Bone pain (77.7%), anemia (66.8%), renal insufficiency (40.6%), hypercalcemia (15.1%). Typing: IgG 46.5%, IgA 24.6%, IgD 2.6%, IgM 0.8%, light chain 15.7%, double clone 3.0%, no secretion 0.6%, absence 6.2%. Staging: Durie-Salmon stage I, II, and III were 4.5%, 10.6%, 77.3%, respectively, and 40 cases (7.6%) missed this data. International Staging System (ISS) stage I, II, and III were 10.4%, 24.4%, and 47.6%, respectively, and 93 cases (17.6%) were missing. Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) stage I, II, and III were 5.5%, 27.0%, 23.1%, respectively, and 235 cases (44.4%) missed this data. Among the 98 NDMM patients in the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Durie-Salmon (DS) stage missing 2.0%, ISS stage missing 12.3%, and R-ISS stage missing 12.3%.Treatment: Among the 529 patients,475 received treatment, the rate of treatment was 89.8%; 67.4% of the patients were able to complete four courses of chemotherapy at induction phase, 90.3% of the patients received proteasome inhibitor based combination chemotherapy regimen more than once, 67.2% received immunomodulator based regimen more than once, and 59.8% of the patients received proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulator based combination chemotherapy regimen more than once. Curative: Overall response rate (ORR) and high quality response rate (HQR) of the 4-course group were better than those of the 2-course group (ORR: 85% vs 65%, P=0.006; HQR: 68.3% vs 24.0%, P<0.001). The HQR of the standard chemotherapy group was better than that of the non-standard chemotherapy group (65.1% vs 48.2%, P=0.035). Adverse reactions during treatment included hematologic toxicity (17.5%), peripheral neuropathy (24.8%), gastrointestinal adverse events (23.8%), pulmonary infection (25.9%), herpes zoster (4.6%), and venous thrombotic events (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS In 2019, the missed diagnosis rate of MM patients was high, the medium age of diagnosis was older, and the accuracy of patient diagnosis was not high. There is a great difference among medical centers, especially in the stage and risk stratified, nearly half of NDMM patients are not diagnosed with R-ISS stage; the lack of cytogenetic data needs to be supplemented by follow-up studies. A high proportion of patients with NDMM present with bone pain and anemia.Patients received treatment have higher use of chemotherapy regimens containing proteasome inhibitors and/or immunomodulators, but there is a significant gap among different medical centers, and standardized treatment needs to be strengthened. The safety during chemotherapy is controllable.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pain ; Prognosis ; Proteasome Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

【Objective】 To analyze the causes and solutions of ABO forward and reverse grouping discrepancy, and to ensure the safety of blood transfusion in clinical. 【Methods】 Samples from 75 patients with discrepancy between forward and reverse grouping in December 2019 and March 2022 were tested and analyzed in combination with saline method(forward and reverse grouping), direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening, antibody identification, increasing plasma volume, incubation enhancement test at 4℃, absorption-eluation test and molecular biological tests. 【Results】 Causes for abnormal reverse typing were as follows : weak antibody in 11 cases(14.67%), unexpected antibody in 19 cases(25.33%), inverted albumin and globulin ratios in 9 cases(12.00%), increased white blood cells in 3 cases(4.00%), inadequate anticoagulation in 3 cases(4.00%), bone marrow transplantation in 2 cases(2.67%), multiple myeloma in 4 cases(5.33%), acute gastrointestinal bleeding in 3 cases(4.00%). Causes for abnormal forward typing were as follows: self-coagulating in 1 case(1.33%), acute leukemia in 7cases(9.34%), post-transplantation in 1 case(1.33%). Causes for abnormal forward/reverse typing: acute leukemia in 1 case(1.33%), condensin syndrome in 1 case(1.33%), autoimmune hemolytic anemia in 6 cases(8.00%), subtype in 4 cases(5.33%). Results of genotying in 7 cases were as follows: B(A) 04 for 1 case, B(A)02 2 cases, AB3 1case, A1 2 cases, and 1case with new genotype. 【Conclusion】 For patients with forward and reverse typing discrepancy for ABO blood group, several studying methods, such as clinical/serological tests inquiring, absorption-eluation tests and molecular biological tests, should be combined to ensure blood transfusion safety.

Objective To explore the effect of attachment wear on tooth movement in clear Aligner treatment, and to provide references for improving the efficiency of orthodontic treatment. Methods The tooth cone bean computed tomography (CBCT) scanning data were obtained, and the tooth model was established and assembled with the worn and complete attachment, respectively. When the appliance applied 2° distal torsion, 0.25 mm distal displacement, 0.1 mm depression displacement and 0.1 mm elongation displacement to the teeth, the changes of tooth displacement, periodontal ligament stress and root equivalent stress in the worn and complete attachment groups were compared. Results When the clear Aligner was used to apply distal torsion and elongation displacement to the teeth, the maximum tooth displacement decreased significantly, and the worn attachment caused the teeth to move obliquely when the distal translation and elongation displacement occurred. When the tooth was subjected to distal torsion, distal translation, depression and elongation, the maximum principal stress of periodontal ligament and the equivalent stress of tooth root decreased when the worn attachment caused the tooth to be subjected to distal torsion, distal translation, depression and elongation. Conclusions Attachment wear will affect the efficiency of tooth rotation and elongation.When the attachments are obviously worn, they should be replaced in time to ensure normal function of the attachments.