Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on ionotropic purinergic receptor 4 (P2X4R)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway during spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.Methods:Thirty-six clean-grade healthy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 210-250 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham surgery group (S group), SCI group, and SCI+ EA treatment group (SCI+ EA group). The SCI model was established by the Allen′s method in anesthetized animals. In group S, only the spinous processes and vertebral laminae were resected, but the spinal cord was not injured. On the 7th day after developing the model, EA of Jiaji, Dazhui, and Mingmen lasting 30 min was performed once a day for 7 consecutive days, with a depth of 2 mm, intensity of 12-15 mV, frequency of 2 Hz, in SCI+ EA group. The mechanical paw withdraw threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before developing the model and 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model, and the motor function was assessed using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score. The recovery of motor function was assessed using footprint analysis at 28 days after developing the model. After the final behavioral testing, the rats were sacrificed, and spinal cord tissues were harvested to observe the pathological changes of the spinal cord tissues using hematoxylin-eosin staining, to detect the expression of P2X4R and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) (by immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot) and to determine contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with the baseline measured at 1 day before developing the model, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at each time point after developing the model in SCI group and SCI+ EA group ( P<0.05). Compared with S group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at each time point after developing the model, the expression of P2X4R and p-NF-κB p65 in spinal cord tissues was up-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased in SCI group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly increased and the TWL was prolonged at 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model, the expression of P2X4R and p-NF-κB p65 in spinal cord tissues was down-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage of spinal cord tissues was alleviated and footprints were reduced in SCI+ EA group. Conclusions:The mechanism by which EA alleviates SCI may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the P2X4R/NF-κB signaling pathway and the reduction in the inflammatory response in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on ionotropic purinergic receptor 4 (P2X4R)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway during spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.Methods:Thirty-six clean-grade healthy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 210-250 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham surgery group (S group), SCI group, and SCI+ EA treatment group (SCI+ EA group). The SCI model was established by the Allen′s method in anesthetized animals. In group S, only the spinous processes and vertebral laminae were resected, but the spinal cord was not injured. On the 7th day after developing the model, EA of Jiaji, Dazhui, and Mingmen lasting 30 min was performed once a day for 7 consecutive days, with a depth of 2 mm, intensity of 12-15 mV, frequency of 2 Hz, in SCI+ EA group. The mechanical paw withdraw threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before developing the model and 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model, and the motor function was assessed using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score. The recovery of motor function was assessed using footprint analysis at 28 days after developing the model. After the final behavioral testing, the rats were sacrificed, and spinal cord tissues were harvested to observe the pathological changes of the spinal cord tissues using hematoxylin-eosin staining, to detect the expression of P2X4R and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) (by immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot) and to determine contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with the baseline measured at 1 day before developing the model, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at each time point after developing the model in SCI group and SCI+ EA group ( P<0.05). Compared with S group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly decreased and the TWL was shortened at each time point after developing the model, the expression of P2X4R and p-NF-κB p65 in spinal cord tissues was up-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased in SCI group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI group, the MWT and BBB scores were significantly increased and the TWL was prolonged at 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model, the expression of P2X4R and p-NF-κB p65 in spinal cord tissues was down-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage of spinal cord tissues was alleviated and footprints were reduced in SCI+ EA group. Conclusions:The mechanism by which EA alleviates SCI may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the P2X4R/NF-κB signaling pathway and the reduction in the inflammatory response in rats.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical features and risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease, so as to provide reference for diagnosis and differentiation of severe tsutsugamushi disease as soon as possible. Methods The clinical data of 178 cases of inpatients with tsutsugamushi disease admitted to the Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from January 2016 to September 2021 were collected and analyzed according to their gender, age, underlying diseases, clinical characteristics at admission, laboratory examination results within 24 hours of admission and epidemiological history. The patients were divided into the severe group and the non-severe group according to the diagnostic criteria. The data of clinical characteristics, laboratory examination and prognosis of the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the variables with statistical significance and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn. Results A total of 178 patients were included in this study, with 37 in the severe group and 141 in the non-severe group. Compared with the non-severe group, the age of the severe group was older, the underlying diseases were more, the incidence of dyspnea and the levels of white blood cell, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, cystatin C, uric acid and serum creatinine were significantly increased, the levels of platelet and albumin were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The dyspnea [odds ratio (OR value)=8.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.200-66.424; P=0.032], total bilirubin (OR=1.091, 95%CI: 1.028-1.159; P=0.004) and serum creatinine (OR=1.052, 95%CI: 1.004-1.102; P=0.033) were independent risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease. The area under ROC curve of total bilirubin and serum creatinine were 0.777 and 0.764, respectively (both P<0.01), indicating high predictive value for severe tsutsugamushi disease. The optimal cut-off value for total bilirubin was 23.01 µmol/L, with a sensitivity of 54.10% and a specificity of 90.60%; the optimal cut-off value for creatinine was 126.45 µmol/L, with a sensitivity of 43.20% and a specificity of 100.00%. The case fatality rate of severe tsutsugamushi disease was 2.70%. Conclusions The patients with severe tsutsugamushi disease are older, and have more underlying diseases. Dyspnea, increased total bilirubin and elevated serum creatinine are independent risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease, which can help in the early identification of severe tsutsugamushi disease early.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with tsutsugamushi disease in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2021, and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment, scientific prevention and control of tsutsugamushi disease.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to collect the information of patients with tsutsugamushi disease admitted to Guangzhou Eighth Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University from 2016 to 2021, including the basic information, epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, complications, misdiagnosis at first diagnosis and treatment outcomes.Results:Among 155 patients with tsutsugamushi disease, there were 75 males (48.39%) and 80 females (51.61%), with an e age of (54.41 ± 13.78) years old, and 30 cases (19.35%) had other underlying diseases. The peak time of onset was from June to September. There were 97 local patients (62.58%) in Guangzhou, and 58 cases (37.42%) in other prefecture-level cities; 76.77% (119/155) had a history of field activities before the onset of the disease. 36.13% (56/155) were farmers. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (100.00%, 155/155), chills and/or shivering (77.42%, 120/155), headache and/or dizziness (74.19%, 115/155), fatigue (65.81%, 102/155), eschar or ulcer (92.90%, 144/155), and lymphadenopathy (49.68%, 77/155). The laboratory test results mainly showed a decrease in eosinophils (81.94%, 127/155), a decrease in hematocrit (78.71%, 122/155), a decrease in hemoglobin (52.26%, 81/155), a decrease in platelet count (50.97%, 79/155), a decrease in albumin (92.26%, 143/155), an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (90.32%, 140/155), an increase in adenosine deaminase (88.39%, 137/155), and an increase in alanine aminotransferase (85.16%, 132/155), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (85.16%, 132/155), and elevated procalcitonin (52.90%, 82/155); 30 cases (19.35%) were positive for the Weil-Felix Test. There were 95 cases (61.29%) with abnormal chest imaging results, and 34 cases (21.94%) with abnormal abdominal ultrasound or CT results. Common complications were toxic hepatitis, pulmonary infection, organ failure, and acute kidney injury, etc. The misdiagnosis rate of the initial diagnosis of this disease was 75.48% (117/155). Doxycycline and symptomatic and supportive therapy were given, 154 patients (99.35%) were cured or improved and discharged from hospital.Conclusions:Tsutsugamushi disease is prevalent in summer and autumn in Guangdong Province. Before the onset, most of the patients have a history of field activities. Farmers are susceptible people. Its clinical manifestations are diverse, and can affect multiple systems and organs. There are many complications, and doxycycline can be used for anti-infection treatment, with a high cure rate.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of imported malaria from Africa, and the correlation between blood lipids and disease severity.Methods:The clinical data of 172 imported malaria patients from Africa were collected from January 1, 2018 to January 31, 2021 in Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University. The general conditions, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. The independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and binary multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis when appropriate. Results:A total of 172 patients were divided into 39 severe cases and 133 non-severe cases in this study. The main infection species was Plasmodium falciparum, with a total of 153 cases (89.0%), and the severe cases were all falciparum malarias. Compared with the non-severe group, the white blood cell count and triacylglycerol level were increased in the severe group.The differences were both statistically significant ( Z=2.397 and 4.368, respectively; both P<0.05). The hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A (ApoA)Ⅰ and ApoAⅠ/apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were significantly decreased in the severe group. The differences were all statistically significant ( Z=-4.473, -4.464, -4.750, -4.826, -5.488 and -4.419, respectively; all P<0.01). The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also reduced in the severe group. The differences were both statistically significant ( t=3.817 and 5.285, respectively; both P<0.01). The area under receiver operator characteristic curve of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, ApoAⅠ, and ApoAⅠ/ApoB were 0.754, 0.727, 0.730, 0.789 and 0.733, respectively (all P<0.01). When the Youden index was at its maximum, the best cut-off value of ApoAⅠ was 0.535 g/L with sensitivity of the prediction for severe malaria of 79.5% and the specificity of 68.4%. ApoAⅠ had independent predictive value for severe malaria (odds ratio ( OR)=0.013, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.002 to 0.086, P<0.01), and stratified according to the best cut-off value, the risk of severe malaria when ApoA Ⅰ<0.535 g/L was 8.396 times of ApoA Ⅰ≥0.535 g/L ( OR=8.396, 95% CI 3.557 to 19.820, P<0.01). The case fatality rate of severe malaria was 2.6%(1/39). Conclusions:The imported malaria patients from Africa are mainly infected with Plasmodium falciparum and the case fatality rate of severe malaria is high. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, ApoAⅠ, ApoAⅠ/ApoB of blood lipids show higher predictive value for severe malaria, among which, ApoAⅠ has independent predictive value for severe malaria. Changes in blood lipids will help to identify severe malaria as early as possible, improve the cure rate, and reduce the risk of death.