Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions in model mice of ulcerative colitis(UC);To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving the intestinal mucus barrier.Methods Totally 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank group(12 mice)and modeling group(36 mice).The UC models were established in the modeling group using 3%dextran sulfate sodium free drinking.After successful modeling,mice were further randomly divided into model group,electroacupuncture group and sulfasalazine(SASP)group,with 12 mice in each group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"Guanyuan","Tianshu","Zusanli"and"Shangjuxu"acupoints for 20 minutes per day,the SASP group was administered sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet suspension(500 mg/kg)by gavage,the blank group received no intervention,the model group was only confined for continuous 7 days.The general conditions were observed and disease activity index(DAI)score were recorded,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue and evaluate the colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)score,AB-PAS staining was used to observe the number of goblet cells in colonic tissue,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of mucin 2(MUC2)protein in colonic tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and γ interferon(IFN-γ),and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of interleukin(IL)-4,signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)6 and epithelial specific transcription factor(SPDEF)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed mucous stool,bloody stool,reduced intake of food and water,reduced body mass,increased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.01),with intestinal villi shedding and necrosis,destruction of colonic crypt villi structure,accompanied by severe neutrophil infiltration,thinning of mucus layer,atrophy and reduction of goblet cells(P<0.01),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significant decreased(P<0.01),the contents of TNF-α and INF-γ in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF in colonic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture group and SASP group showed improved mucous stool,bloody stool,increased body mass,decreased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.05),the morphology of the intestinal epithelium was basically normal,the glandular structure has improved,there was a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and slight edema,the thickness of the mucus layer was restored,the atrophy reduced and number of goblet cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF protein in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can facilitate the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier and inhibit inflammation,potentially through the activation of IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions.

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)on learning and memory ability and nucle-ar factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1),reactive oxygen species(ROS)in hippocampus of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBI)and its anti-oxidative stress mechanism.Methods:A total of 76 neonatal rats were randomly divided into Sham opera-tion group(Sham),HIBI model group(HIBI),electroacupuncture group(HIBI+EA),and Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 group(HIBI+EA+ML385).The neonatal rat model of HIBI was established by classical Rice method.The HIBI+EA group was treated with electroacupuncture for 30 min/d for 14 consecutive days.In the HIBI+EA+ML385 group,30 mg/kg ML385 was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before each electroacupuncture intervention.Morris water maze test was performed on 21 days after modeling to test the learning and memory ability of neonatal rats in each group.Nissl staining and HE staining were used to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region,and DHE flu-orescent probe was used to detect the expression of ROS in the hippocampal CA1 region.The contents of Nrf2,GPX4 and NQO1 in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the Sham group,the HIBI group had severe pathological damage,a prolonged escape latency,a decreased number of platform crossings,a significantly increased expression of ROS,and a significantly decreased expression of Nrf2,GPX4,and NQO1(P<0.05).Com-pared with HIBI group,the pathological damage was significantly attenuated,the escape latency was shortened,the number of platform crossings was increased,the expression of ROS was decreased,and the expression of Nrf2,GPX4 and NQO1 was increased in HIBI+EA group(P<0.05).Compared with HIBI+EA group,the pathological damage was aggravated,the escape latency was prolonged,the number of crossing the platform was decreased,the expression of ROS was increased,and the expression of Nrf2,GPX4,and NQO1 was decreased in HIBI+EA+ML385 group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Electroacupuncture can effectively improve the learning and memory ability of hypoxic-ischemic neonatal rats,which is related to its effect in reducing oxidative stress in hippocampal neurons by regulating Nrf2 signa-ling pathway.

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)on learning and memory ability and nucle-ar factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1),reactive oxygen species(ROS)in hippocampus of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBI)and its anti-oxidative stress mechanism.Methods:A total of 76 neonatal rats were randomly divided into Sham opera-tion group(Sham),HIBI model group(HIBI),electroacupuncture group(HIBI+EA),and Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 group(HIBI+EA+ML385).The neonatal rat model of HIBI was established by classical Rice method.The HIBI+EA group was treated with electroacupuncture for 30 min/d for 14 consecutive days.In the HIBI+EA+ML385 group,30 mg/kg ML385 was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before each electroacupuncture intervention.Morris water maze test was performed on 21 days after modeling to test the learning and memory ability of neonatal rats in each group.Nissl staining and HE staining were used to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region,and DHE flu-orescent probe was used to detect the expression of ROS in the hippocampal CA1 region.The contents of Nrf2,GPX4 and NQO1 in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the Sham group,the HIBI group had severe pathological damage,a prolonged escape latency,a decreased number of platform crossings,a significantly increased expression of ROS,and a significantly decreased expression of Nrf2,GPX4,and NQO1(P<0.05).Com-pared with HIBI group,the pathological damage was significantly attenuated,the escape latency was shortened,the number of platform crossings was increased,the expression of ROS was decreased,and the expression of Nrf2,GPX4 and NQO1 was increased in HIBI+EA group(P<0.05).Compared with HIBI+EA group,the pathological damage was aggravated,the escape latency was prolonged,the number of crossing the platform was decreased,the expression of ROS was increased,and the expression of Nrf2,GPX4,and NQO1 was decreased in HIBI+EA+ML385 group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Electroacupuncture can effectively improve the learning and memory ability of hypoxic-ischemic neonatal rats,which is related to its effect in reducing oxidative stress in hippocampal neurons by regulating Nrf2 signa-ling pathway.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions in model mice of ulcerative colitis(UC);To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving the intestinal mucus barrier.Methods Totally 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank group(12 mice)and modeling group(36 mice).The UC models were established in the modeling group using 3%dextran sulfate sodium free drinking.After successful modeling,mice were further randomly divided into model group,electroacupuncture group and sulfasalazine(SASP)group,with 12 mice in each group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"Guanyuan","Tianshu","Zusanli"and"Shangjuxu"acupoints for 20 minutes per day,the SASP group was administered sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet suspension(500 mg/kg)by gavage,the blank group received no intervention,the model group was only confined for continuous 7 days.The general conditions were observed and disease activity index(DAI)score were recorded,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue and evaluate the colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)score,AB-PAS staining was used to observe the number of goblet cells in colonic tissue,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of mucin 2(MUC2)protein in colonic tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and γ interferon(IFN-γ),and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of interleukin(IL)-4,signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)6 and epithelial specific transcription factor(SPDEF)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed mucous stool,bloody stool,reduced intake of food and water,reduced body mass,increased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.01),with intestinal villi shedding and necrosis,destruction of colonic crypt villi structure,accompanied by severe neutrophil infiltration,thinning of mucus layer,atrophy and reduction of goblet cells(P<0.01),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significant decreased(P<0.01),the contents of TNF-α and INF-γ in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF in colonic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture group and SASP group showed improved mucous stool,bloody stool,increased body mass,decreased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.05),the morphology of the intestinal epithelium was basically normal,the glandular structure has improved,there was a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and slight edema,the thickness of the mucus layer was restored,the atrophy reduced and number of goblet cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF protein in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can facilitate the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier and inhibit inflammation,potentially through the activation of IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions.

Background::Given that seizures may be triggered by vaccination, this study aimed to evaluate the risk and correlative factors of seizures in patients with epilepsy (PWE) after being vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods::This study retrospectively enrolled PWE who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in the epilepsy centers of 11 hospitals in China. We divided the PWE into two groups as follows: (1) patients who developed seizures within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SAV (with seizures after vaccination) group; (2) patients who were seizure-free within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SFAV (seizure-free after vaccination) group. To identify potential risk factors for seizure reccurence, the binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Besides, 67 PWE who had not been vaccinated were also included for elucidating the effects of vaccination on seizures recurrence, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether vaccination would affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had drug reduction or withdrawal.Results::The study included a total of 407 patients; of which, 48 (11.8%) developed seizures within 14 days after vaccination (SAV group), whereas 359 (88.2%) remained seizure-free (SFAV group). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of seizure freedom ( P < 0.001) and withdrawal from anti-seizure medications (ASMs) or reduction in their dosage during the peri-vaccination period were significantly associated with the recurrence of seizures (odds ratio= 7.384, 95% confidence interval = 1.732–31.488, P = 0.007). In addition, 32 of 33 patients (97.0%) who were seizure-free for more than three months before vaccination and had a normal electroencephalogram before vaccination did not have any seizures within 14 days of vaccination. A total of 92 (22.6%) patients experienced non-epileptic adverse reactions after vaccination. Binary logistic regression analysis results showed that vaccine did not significantly affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had the behavior of ASMs dose reduction or withdrawal ( P = 0.143). Conclusions::PWE need protection from the COVID-19 vaccine. PWE who are seizure-free for >3 months before vaccination should be vaccinated. Whether the remaining PWE should be vaccinated depends on the local prevalence of COVID-19. Finally, PWE should avoid discontinuing ASMs or reducing their dosage during the peri-vaccination period.

ObjectiveTo characterize delayed visits of elderly patients with tuberculosis aged ≥60 years in Anji County， Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2021， and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of tuberculosis in elderly population. MethodsData of elderly patients with tuberculosis in Anji County from 2010 to 2021 were collected through the Tuberculosis Management Information System of National Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the influencing factors of delayed visits. ResultsA total of 1 191 cases of elderly tuberculosis were reported in Anji County from 2010 to 2021， with an average annual incidence of 112.43/10⁵， showing a decreasing trend （χ²_trend=11.297， P=0.001）. The male-to-female ratio was 2.29∶1， the active detection rate was 0.34%， and the pathogen-positive rate was 50.63%. There were 718 cases of delayed hospital visits， with a median delay time of 19 days and a delayed visit rate of 60.29%， showing an increasing trend （χ²_trend=6.651， P=0.01）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that local household registration status was a risk factor affecting the delayed visits for elderly tuberculosis patients （OR=1.944， 95%CI：1.388‒2.729）. ConclusionThe elderly patients with tuberculosis are a key population for tuberculosis prevention and control. It is necessary to strengthen early diagnosis and treatment， improve the active detection rate， reduce delayed hospital visits， so as to lower the risk of community transmission.

ObjectiveTo observe the recovery of proprioception of the affected ankle over time after lateral ankle sprain accepting routine rehabilitation. MethodsFrom June, 2020 to June, 2022, 18 patients with lateral ankle sprain in Kunshan Rehabilitation Hospital underwent routine rehabilitation for twelve weeks. They were measured active and passive position sense of bilateral ankles using an isokinetic dynamometer before treatment, and four, eight and twelve weeks after treatment, respectively. ResultsThe active presentation difference of affected ankle reduced after treatment (F = 22.533, P < 0.001), but it was more than that of the healthy ankle at the same time (t > 4.419, P < 0.001). No significant improvement was found in passive presentation difference of affected ankle after treatment (F = 1.175, P > 0.05), and it was not significantly different from those of the healthy ankle at the same time (|t| < 0.646, P > 0.05). ConclusionProprioception of affected ankle has been impaired after lateral ankle sprain, and it can be recovered after rehabilitation, but cannot achieve the healthy level even after three months of training. Passive position sense as an index of proprioception needs more researches.

Objective To explore the value of UF-5000 urinary sediment analyzer in assistant examination of urinary tract infections by comparing the results of bacteria and white blood cells for UF-5000 with those of routine laboratory methods.Methods A total of 1 021 clean mid-stage urine samples suspected urinary tract infection were collected from the inpatients and outpatients of the Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from October to December 2017.All specimens were detected by UF-5000 to evaluate the repeatability,linearity,carrying contamination rate,stability and efficiency of review flag by the instrument.Urine bacterial culture and clinical diagnosis were used as reference standards to calculate the coincidence rate of bacterial test results with purified bacteria,coincidence rate with bacterial culture,and agreement rate with cultured colonies.The urinary fungal culture and clinical diagnosis were used as reference standards to calculate the coincidence rate,sensitivity and specificity of the fungal test.Based on the results of bacterial culture and clinical diagnosis,UF-5000 was used to detect the efficacy of white blood cells and bacteria for the diagnosis of UTI.The results of UF-5000 detection,the results of urinary dry chemistry analyzer UC-3500,and the results of bacterial smear microscopy were compared with the results of urinary bacterial culture to determine the sensitivity,specificity and sensitivity of each method,and the coincidence rate of with the culture method.Statistical analysis was performed using variance analysis,Wilcoxon rank sum test,coincidence rate test (Kappa test),and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve).Results UF-5000 was used to detect bacteria and white blood cells,UC-3500 was used to detect neutrophil esterase and nitrite with good repeatability,which met the EP5-A requirements;the linear relationship between bacteria was very good in the range of 0-10 000/ml,R=0.999;the contamination rate of UF-5000 was 0.00％ for bacteria,0.01％ for white blood cells.The rate of UC-3500 was qualified;the bacteria was stable for 2 hours at room temperature and 6 hours at 4 ℃,and the white blood cells were stable for 4 hours at room temperature and 4 hours at 4 ℃.Compared with UF-1000i,the review flag rate of UF-5000 reduced about 77.8％.The coincidence rate of detection and purification of UF-5000 bacteria was 100.0％(16/16),that of Gram-negative bacteria (G-) was 94.0％ (110/117),that of Gram-positive bacteria (G+) was 82.2％(37/45).The agreement rate of compared with bacterial colonies was 95.1％(216/227),and that of fungi culture was 77.1％ (749/972),that of sensitivity was 81.9％(118/144),and that of specificity was 76.2％(631/828).UF-5000,UC-3500,and bacterial smear microscopy showed that the ability of bacterial infection of urinary tract was compared with the results of traditional bacterial culture.The UF-5000 urinary tract infection flag (UTI) had the highest agreement rate,reaching 84.1％ (180/214).The sensitivity was 70.3％ (52/74),the specificity was 91.4％ (128/140);the coincidence rate of UC-3500 was 73.8％ (158/214),the sensitivity was 25.7％ (19/74),and the specificity was 99.3％ (139/140);the consistency of bacterial smear microscopy was 66.4％ (142/214),the sensitivity was 82.4％ (61/74),and the specificity was 57.9％ (81/140).Conclusion The total number of bacteria and white blood cell counted by UF-5000,the flag of bacterial and the UTI information,have partial clinical significance in the rapid detection of urinary tract infection.

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) at lower-sea points of stomach, large intestine, small intestine and gallbladder on interleukin-1β (IL-1β), high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB 1) and alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR α7) in rats with acute gastric mucosal lesion (AGML), so as to explore whether there is relative specificity in treating gastric viscera disease by stimulating Zusanli (ST 36).

METHODSSixty healthy SD rats were randomly assigned into a blank group, a model group, a Zusanli group, a Shangjuxu group, a Xiajuxu group and a Yanglingquan group, ten rats in each one (half male and half female). The WRS method was applied to induce the AGML model except the rats in the blank group. The rats in the blank group were treated with routine diet; the rats in the model group were treated with immobilization at rat platform, 30 min per time; the rats in the Zusanli group, Shangjuxu group, Xiajuxu group and Yanglingquan group were treated with acupuncture and connected with EA device (dilatational wave 10 Hz/50 Hz, positive electrode on the left side and negative electrode on the right side, intensity was appropriate when rat hind leg slightly shook), 30 min per time. The treatment was given once a day. After consecutive 10-day treatment, the gastric tissue was collected and the damage of gastric mucosa was evaluated; ELISA method was applied to measure the content of serum IL-1β and tissue HMGB 1; the Western blot method was applied to measure the expression of nAchR α7 receptor.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the model group, the ulcer index (UI) of gastric mucosa, serum IL-1β and tissue HMGB 1 were lower, and the expression of nAchR α7 was increased in the remaining groups (<0.05,<0.01). (2) Compared with the Zusanli group, the UI of gastric tissue, serum IL-1β and tissue HMGB 1 were higher in the Shangjuxu group, Xiajuxu group and Yanglingquan group (<0.05,<0.01), and the expression of nAchRα7 was reduced in the Yanglingquan group (<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS(1) EA at digestive system-related lower-sea points, through IL-1β, HMGB 1 and nAchR α7, could regulate immune response, lighten inflammatory reaction and reduce mucosal injury, which could realize the intervention effect on AGML rats. (2) From the comparison, it is concluded the intervention effect of Zusanli group is superior to the other groups, partly indicating the relative specificity between Zusanli and stomach.

Objective To compare the effects of electroacupuncture at points Shangjuxu(ST37), Zusanli(ST36), Xiajuxu(ST39) and Yanglingquan(GB34) on colonic expressions of interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor a7 mRNA (nAchRa7mRNA) in ulcerative colitis rats and investigate if large intestine lower He-Sea point Shangjuxu has relative specificity to fu organ diseases. Method Seventy healthy SD rats were randomized into blank, model, Shangjuxu, Zusanli, Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin groups, 10 rats, half male and half female, each. A rat model of ulcerative colitis was made by induction of 2-4-6 three nitrobenzene sulfonic acid/ethanol solution enema in every group except the blank group. After successful model making and ten days of treatment, rat colonic mucosal ulcers and inflammation were observed macroscopically, colonic IL-1bcontent was measured by ELISA and the expression of nAchRa7mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Result Compared with the model group, colonic lesions were reduced in varying degrees, colonic IL-1b content was significantly lower and the expression of nAchRa7mRNA was higher in every acupoint group (P<0.05, P<0.01);the colonic ulcer score was lower in the Shangjuxu and Zusanli groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the Shangjuxu group, colonic expression of nAchRa7mRNA was lower in the other four acupoint groups (P<0.01); colonic mucosal ulcers and inflammatory lesions were more severe and the colonic ulcer score and the IL-1bcontent were higher in the Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion The mechanism of electroacupuncture treatment for ulcerative colitis may be that it regulates abnormal immunologic function by modulating IL-1b and nAchRa7mRNA and reduces mucosal lesions. The overall therapeutic effect of Shangjuxu is better than those of Zusanli, Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin, indicating that Shangjuxu has relative specificity to fu organ large intestine.