Objective: To investigate the ameliorative effect of vitamin D on sciatic nerve chronic compression injury(CCI) rats and its regulatory effect on nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)/cystathione-β-synthase(CBS)-hydrogen sulfide(H2S) system. Methods: Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group,model group,vitamin D group,activator group,and activator + vitamin D group,with 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group,the rats in the other groups underwent sciatic nerve ligation to establish the CCI model. The vitamin D group received intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg vitamin D,the activator group received intraperitoneal injection of10 mg/kg NF-κB activator lipopolysaccharide,and the activator + vitamin D group received intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg vitamin D along with 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide. The control and model groups received intraperitoneal injection of an equal volume of saline,once per day for 2 weeks. The following parameters were compared among the groups: paw withdraw thermal latency(PWTL),mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT),serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3]levels,H2S content,calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP),prostaglandin E2(PGE2) levels,and the expression of vitamin D receptor(VDR),NF-κBp65,and CBS proteins in the L4-L6 dorsal root ganglia of rats. Results: Compared with the control group，the model group showed decreased PWTL，MWT，25( OH) D3 levels and VDR protein expression，while H2 S content，CGRP and PGE2 levels，and NF-κBp65 and CBS protein expression significantly increased ( P＜0. 05) ．Compared with the model group，the vi- tamin D group exhibited increased PWTL，MWT，25 ( OH) D3 levels and VDR protein expression ( P ＜0. 05) ， while H2 S content，CGRP and PGE2 levels，and NF-κBp65 and CBS protein expression significantly decreased ( P < 0. 05) ．Compared with the activator group，the activator + Vitamin D group showed increased PWTL，MWT， 25( OH) D3 levels and VDR protein expression，and decreased H2 S content，CGRP and PGE2 levels and decreased NF-κBp65，CBS protein expression ( P＜0. 05) ．Compared with the vitamin D group，the activator + vitamin D group showed decreased PWTL，MWT，25( OH) D3 levels and VDR protein expression，while H2 S content，CGRP and PGE2 levels，and NF-κBp65 and CBS protein expression significantly increased ( P ＜0. 05) ． Conclusion Exogenous supplementation of vitamin D can relieve nerve pain and reduce pain sensitivity in CCI rats，possibly by inhibiting NF-κB / CBS-H2 S signaling pathway．

Due to advances in treatment methods, the survival rate and quality of life of cancer patients have been improved. Radiation-induced vascular injury (RIVI) is a common adverse reaction following radiotherapy, mainly manifested as capillary injury and atherosclerosis in the irradiated area. Radiotherapy induces RIVI in the cerebral vessels, carotid arteries, coronary arteries, and large arteries through mechanisms such as endothelial cell injury and senescence, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling. In this review research progress in the pathological features, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, prevention and treatment strategies of RIVI was summarized, aiming to provide insights for future research on RIVI.

Objective To observe the effect of Shaoyao Gancao decoction combined with electroacupuncture on poststroke spasticity in rats.Methods Healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,electroacupuncture group,baclofen group,electroacupuncture combined with high dose of Chinese medicine group,electroacupuncture combined with middle dose of Chinese medicine group,electroacupuncture combined with low dose of Chinese medicine group,high dose of Chinese medicine group,middle dose of Chinese medicine group and low dose of Chinese medicine group,with 10 rats in each group.Open field test and integrated electromyography of quadriceps femoris were tested before modeling and on the 1st,3rd and 6th day after modeling.The samples were taken on day 6.The expression of inflammatory factors in M1 cortex were detected by liquid phase factor technique.The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),synaptophysin(SYP),postsynaptic density 95(PSD95),Nestin and β-catenin in M1 cortex was detected by ELISA and Western blot.Results Compared with model group and other intervention groups,the electroacupuncture combined with middle dose of Chinese medicine group make best total distance(P=0.021)and average speed(P=0.021)in open field test on 6th day.make better in integrated electromyography of quadriceps femoris test(P=0.006)on day 3,have higher Ⅱ type fiber ratio,promote IL-10(P=0.006),GMcsf(P=0.045)secretion.ELISA and Western blot also showed that this group behave better in the test of BDNF,SYP,PSD95,Nestin and β-catenin.Conclusion Electroacupuncture combined with Shaoyao-Gancao decoction groups were effective in the treatment of poststroke spasticity in rats,and its mechanism may be to improve the inflammatory environment of the injured site,promote the proliferation of neural stem cells and synaptic regeneration.

Objective To observe the effect of Shaoyao Gancao decoction combined with electroacupuncture on poststroke spasticity in rats.Methods Healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,electroacupuncture group,baclofen group,electroacupuncture combined with high dose of Chinese medicine group,electroacupuncture combined with middle dose of Chinese medicine group,electroacupuncture combined with low dose of Chinese medicine group,high dose of Chinese medicine group,middle dose of Chinese medicine group and low dose of Chinese medicine group,with 10 rats in each group.Open field test and integrated electromyography of quadriceps femoris were tested before modeling and on the 1st,3rd and 6th day after modeling.The samples were taken on day 6.The expression of inflammatory factors in M1 cortex were detected by liquid phase factor technique.The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),synaptophysin(SYP),postsynaptic density 95(PSD95),Nestin and β-catenin in M1 cortex was detected by ELISA and Western blot.Results Compared with model group and other intervention groups,the electroacupuncture combined with middle dose of Chinese medicine group make best total distance(P=0.021)and average speed(P=0.021)in open field test on 6th day.make better in integrated electromyography of quadriceps femoris test(P=0.006)on day 3,have higher Ⅱ type fiber ratio,promote IL-10(P=0.006),GMcsf(P=0.045)secretion.ELISA and Western blot also showed that this group behave better in the test of BDNF,SYP,PSD95,Nestin and β-catenin.Conclusion Electroacupuncture combined with Shaoyao-Gancao decoction groups were effective in the treatment of poststroke spasticity in rats,and its mechanism may be to improve the inflammatory environment of the injured site,promote the proliferation of neural stem cells and synaptic regeneration.

Due to advances in treatment methods, the survival rate and quality of life of cancer patients have been improved. Radiation-induced vascular injury (RIVI) is a common adverse reaction following radiotherapy, mainly manifested as capillary injury and atherosclerosis in the irradiated area. Radiotherapy induces RIVI in the cerebral vessels, carotid arteries, coronary arteries, and large arteries through mechanisms such as endothelial cell injury and senescence, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling. In this review research progress in the pathological features, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, prevention and treatment strategies of RIVI was summarized, aiming to provide insights for future research on RIVI.

Objective:To analyze the safety of reduced clinical target volume (CTV) irradiation of suspicious positive lymph nodes in IIa region in patients with N 0-N 1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the protective effect of submandibular gland and long-term resting dry mouth, and to explore the diagnostic value of multimodal imaging for suspicious cervical lymph nodes. Methods:Clinical data of T 0-4N 0-1M 0 stage NPC patients admitted to Jiangsu Cancer Hospital from July 2015 to April 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical, radiation therapy planning, multimodal imaging and other relevant data were collected. All patients were treated with an optimized regimen of IMRT with a prophylactic radiation dose of 50.4 Gy (named as CTV50) for IIa region. Imaging characteristics and treatment response of suspicious lymph nodes were monitored by MRI, MRI-DWI, PET-CT and repeated enhanced positioning CT, etc. The dosimetry of the submandibular gland between optimized and standard dose plans (CTV50 vs. CTV60) was compared by paired t-test. The long-term dry mouth degree of the patients was evaluated using advanced radiation injury from Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), Jiangsu Cancer Hospital Multi-dimensional Dry Mouth Evaluation Scale and summated xerostomia inventory (SXI). The difference of dry mouth degree was analyzed by rank-sum test. Results:A total of 106 patients were included in this study, including 149 cervical lymph node negative sides, 73 sides of which had ≤3 recognizable lymph nodes, and 76 of which were>3 in Ⅱa region. Among patients with N 1 stage, 63 patients underwent contralateral single neck area optimization, and 43 patients (N 0 stage and N 1 stage patients with retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis) underwent double-neck area optimization. A total of 109 suspicious lymph nodes with a short diameter of >5 mm were found on the largest cross section, of which 105 had clear portal structure. The ratio of long to short diameter was ≥1.5 in 93 cases, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) in PET-CT was ≥2.5 in 76 cases. No lymph node recurrence was found in the CTV optimized area. There was no significant difference in the average dose of GTV in tumor target area after optimization ( P>0.05), and the D mean and V 39 Gy in submandibular gland were significantly lower than those in unoptimized plan (both P<0.01). There was no significant difference in long-term dry mouth and resting dry mouth between patients with unilateral and bilateral optimization of submandibular gland (both P>0.05). Conclusions:The optimal program of CTV50 reduction irradiation in Ⅱa area of N 0-N 1 NPC patients is safe and effective. The submandibular gland has obvious dosimetric advantages, and patients have a good subjective response to resting dry mouth. The multimodal imaging tools such as enhanced CT, MRI-DWI and PET-CT should be performed to deliver individual evaluation and treatment for suspicious lymph nodes.

Objective:To investigate the treatment strategy and prognostic factors of nasopharyngeal necrosis after the first radical radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of 1020 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radical intensity-modulated radiotherapy in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Nasopharyngeal necrosis was confirmed by nasopharyngeal MRI, electronic nasopharyngoscopy and biopsy. Patients with nasopharyngeal necrosis were treated with electronic nasopharyngoscope irrigation debridement, combined with systemic anti-infection and nutritional support therapy. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival, and Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between clinical factors and patients' survival.Results:Nasopharyngeal necrosis occurred in 20 cases of 1020 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after the first radical intensity-modulated radiotherapy, with an incidence rate of 1.96%. Odd smell and headache were common in nasopharyngeal necrosis patients. All patients had locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma at initial treatment, including 2 (10%) cases of T 3 stage and 18 (90%) cases of T 4 stage. Nasopharyngeal necrosis occurred in the primary nasopharyngeal lesions. According to the stages of nasopharyngeal necrosis, there were 6 (30%) cases of stage I, 14 (70%) cases of stage II and no stage III. The occurrence time of nasopharyngeal necrosis was from 2 to 24 months after radiotherapy, and the median time was 5 months. All 16 cases of nasopharyngeal necrosis were cured clinically after debridement and irrigation under nasopharyngoscope, systemic anti-infection and symptomatic support treatment. Among them, 9 cases had no necrotic cavity and complete healing and 7 cases had residual necrotic cavity. Four patients died of massive nasopharyngeal hemorrhage or due to the inability to nasopharyngeal irrigation. The 5-year survival rates were 37.5% and 85.7% in patients with and without internal carotid artery involvement ( P=0.008), and 25.0% and 77.8% in patients with and without diabetes mellitus ( P=0.016). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that necrotic lesions involving internal carotid artery ( HR=5.80, 95% CI=1.14-29.38, P=0.034) and diabetes mellitus ( HR=10.24, 95% CI=1.19-88.04, P=0.034) were the influencing factors of overall survival. Conclusions:Nasopharyngoscope irrigation debridement combined with anti-inflammation and nutritional support treatment are effective interventions for nasopharyngeal necrosis after the first radical intensity-modulated radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The necrosis involving the internal carotid artery and diabetes mellitus are important factors affecting the survival of patients. Vascular invasion caused by vascular rupture is the main cause of death.

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavones of Dracocephalum moldavica L.(TFDM)on oxida-tive damage to retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)induced by high glucose(HG)and its mechanism.Methods RGCs of mice were taken as the research subjects.RGCs were inoculated in 24-well plates(with 2.5 × 104 cells in each well)and divided into control group(cultured with medium containing 10％fetal bovine serum for 48 h),HG group(cultured with medium containing 30 mmol·L-1 glucose for 48 h),HG+TFDM-L group(cultured with medium containing 30 mmol·L-1 glucose and 25 mg·L-1 TFDM for 48 h),HG+TFDM-M group(cultured with medium containing 30 mmol·L-1 glucose and 50 mg·L-1 TFDM for 48 h),HG+TFDM-H group(cultured with medium containing 30 mmol·L-1 glucose and 100 mg·L-1 TFDM for 48 h),miR-NC group(transfected with miR-NC and then cultured with medium containing 30 mmol·L-1 glu-cose for 48 h),miR-93-5p group(transfected with miR-93-5p mimics and then cultured with medium containing 30 mmol·L-1 glucose for 48 h),anti-miR-NC group(transfected with anti-miR-NC and then cultured with medium containing 100 mg·L-1 TFDM and 30 mmol·L-1 glucose for 48 h),and anti-miR-93-5p group(transfected with anti-miR-93-5p and then cultured with medium containing 100 mg·L-1 TFDM and 30 mmol·L-1 glucose for 48 h).Levels of RGCs oxidative stress indexes in each group were detected according to the kit instructions.The thiobarbituric acid method was used to measure the level of malondialdehyde(MDA),the colorimetric method was adopted to detect the levels of catalase(CAT)and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine(8-OHdG),apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry,the messenger ribonucleic acid(mR-NA)expressions were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,the targeting regulation of miR-93-5p and E2F transcription factor 1(E2F1)were verified by dual luciferase reporter assay,and the protein expressions were de-tected by Western blot.Statistical analysis was conducted on the data of each group.Results In the HG group,the lev-els of MDA and 8-OHdG,apoptosis rate and Bax protein expression of RGCs were higher than those in the control group(all P＜0.05);the CAT level and Bcl-2 protein expression were lower than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).In the HG+TFDM-L group,HG+TFDM-M group and HG+TFDM-H group,the levels of MDA and 8-OHdG,apoptosis rate and Bax protein expression of RGCs were lower than those in the HG group(all P＜0.05);the CAT level and Bcl-2 protein expression were higher than those in the HG group,and those indexes gradually tended to those in the control group with the increase of TFDM concentrations(all P＜0.05).In the HG group,the miR-93-5p expression in RGCs was lower than that in the control group,and the mRNA and protein expressions of E2F1 were higher than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).In the HG+TFDM-L group,HG+TFDM-M group and HG+TFDM-H group,the miR-93-5p expression in RGCs was higher than that in the HG group,and the mRNA and protein expressions of E2F1 were lower than those in the HG group(all P＜0.05).The protein expression of E2F1 in RGCs of the miR-93-5p group was lower than that in the miR-NC group,and the protein expression of E2F1 in RGCs of the anti-miR-93-5p group was higher than that in the anti-miR-NC group(both P＜0.05).In the miR-93-5p group,the miR-93-5p expression was higher than that in the miR-NC group,the levels of MDA and 8-OHdG,apoptosis rate,and protein expressions of Bax and E2F1 were lower than those in the miR-NC group,and the CAT level and Bcl-2 protein expression were higher than those in the miR-NC group(all P＜0.05).Con-clusion TFDM can inhibit oxidative stress and cell apoptosis,and then reduce the damage to RGCs induced by HG.The mechanism may involve the regulation of miR-93-5p/E2Fl expression.

[Objective]To explore the effects of electricity on sperm quality,sex hormone levels,and related proteins in TGF-β 1/smads signaling in testicular tissue.[Methods]Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,electroacupuncture group,and positive drug group.Adenine gavage method was used to establish the model,in the electroacupuncture group,rats received electroacupuncture treatment at the acupoints Zhongji,Guanyuan,Zusanli,and Sanyinjiao once daily for 30 minutes;in the positive drug group,rats were administered L-carnitine oral solution via gavage at a dosage of 10 mL/kg,both intervention groups underwent continuous treatment for 28 days.After treatment,the changes of sperm number,sperm motility rate,follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteizing hormone(LH)and serum sex hormone testosterone(T)were detected by HE staining,and the expression of TGF-β-1/smads signaling pathway in testicular tissue was examined by Western Blot.[Results]Compared to the blank group,the model group showed a significant decrease in sperm count and sperm motility rate(P<0.05),both the electroacupuncture group and the positive drug group exhibited significant increases compared to the model group(P<0.05).Compared to the blank group,the model group had a significant decrease in serum testosterone(T)levels(P<0.05),and significant increases in serum FSH and LH levels(P<0.05);in comparison to the model group,the electroacupuncture group and the positive drug group showed significant increases in serum T levels(P<0.05),and significant decreases in serum FSH and LH levels(P<0.05).The HE staining results showed typical pathological features of AR in the testicular tissue of model group rats,with varying degrees of improvement observed in electroacupuncture and positive drug group rats.Western Blot analysis revealed that in the model group,the protein levels of TGF-β,p-smad2,and p-smad3 in the TGF-β1/smads pathway in testicular tissue were significantly increased(P<0.05);in comparison to the model group,the electroacupuncture group and the positive drug group showed significant decreases in the protein levels of TGF-β,p-smad2,and p-smad3(P<0.05).[Conclusion]Acupuncture can improve the sperm number and sperm motility rate,regulate sex hormone level and improve the spermatogenic environment,and affect the spermatogenesis process via TGF-β 1/smads signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of individualized primary clinical target volume (CTV) delineation in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods:Clinical data of 87 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with lateralized NPC in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital between October 2016 and February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Lateralized NPC is defined as tumor invasion not exceeding the contralateral wall. According to the tumor spread, the primary CTV was optimized as follows: CTV2 only covered the medial part of the contralateral pterygopalatine fossa, whereas the contralateral foramen oval was not included; on the level of parapharyngeal space, the contralateral side of CTV only covered the posterior lateral lymph nodes, whereas the contralateral internal jugular vein was not regularly covered. Failure patterns and 5-year survival [local control rate (LCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)] were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method. Paired t-test and rank-sum test were used to analyze the dose variation in the optimized region and adverse reactions. Results:The median follow-up time was 59.5 months. The 5-year LCR, PFS, and OS were 98.9%, 86.5% and 92.1%, respectively. There was no local recurrence in the optimized area of CTV. Dosimetric comparison results showed that the doses of parotid gland, temporal lobe, cochlea and middle ear on the contralateral side were reduced by 13.45%, 9.14%, 38.83%, and 29.36%, respectively. Four cases (4.6%) developed grade 3 hearing loss, all on the ipsilateral side. The optimized scheme significantly alleviated the hearing loss on the contralateral side compared to that on the ipsilateral side ( P<0.001). Other grade 3 late adverse reactions included cranial nerve injury, subcutaneous fibrosis in the neck and visual impairment, with 1 case each. Conclusion:Individualized primary CTV for lateralized NPC is feasible and safe, with obvious dosimetric advantages and reduced adverse reaction rate, which is worthy of clinical promotion.