OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with constipation. METHODS: A total of 80 PD patients with constipation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Additionally, 40 healthy individuals were recruited as a healthy control group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment for PD combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG), once daily for eight weeks. The observation group received additional ACE treatment at bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37), once every two weeks for eight weeks. The healthy control group received no intervention. The spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week and patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed at baseline and after treatment in the two groups. Fecal samples were collected at the end of treatment for the observation and the control groups and at baseline for the healthy control group. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed using 16S rRNA method, and SCFA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the observation group showed a significant increase in SBMs (P<0.01), and PAC-QOL scores including physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern, and total score were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment; the control group also showed a reduction in PAC-QOL total score after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group had significantly more SBMs (P<0.01), and lower PAC-QOL physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern scores, and total score (P<0.01), and higher PAC-QOL satisfaction score (P<0.01) than the control group. Compared with the healthy control group, the control group showed decreased Chao1 and Ace indices (P<0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Roseburia was increased (P<0.05), while that of Enterobacter and Ruminococcus torques (six species in total) was decreased (P<0.05) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the observation group had increased relative abundance of Dialister, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus torques (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Prevotella and Eubacterium ruminantium (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the control group had increased fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05); compared with the control group, the observation group had reduced fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were elevated in the control group (P<0.05); compared with the control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were decreased in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION ACE could increase spontaneous bowel movements and improve the quality of life in PD patients with constipation, which may be related to the regulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels.
Humans ; Constipation/metabolism* ; Male ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease/complications* ; Aged ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Catgut ; Feces/microbiology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Adult

Objective To observe the value of shear wave elastography(SWE)for evaluating hepatic iron overload in children with β-thalassemia major(β-TM),as well as the correlations of relative parameters with MR T2*value and serum ferritin.Methods Totally 96 children with β-TM and 100 healthy children(control group)were retrospectively enrolled.Children with β-TM were divided into hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)group(n=41)or non-HSCT group(n=55)according to underwent HSCT or not.SWE parameters were compared among groups.Spearman correlation was performed to observe the correlations of liver shear wave velocity with MR T2*value and serum ferritin,as well as Young's modulus with MR T2*value and serum ferritin in children with β-TM.Results Liver shear wave velocity(LSWV)and Young's modulus in HSCT group and non-HSCT group were all higher than those in control group(all P＜0.001).No significant difference of LSWV nor Young's modulus was found between HSCT group and non-HSCT group(both P＞0.05).SWE parameters of children with β-TM were moderately and negatively correlated with MR T2*value(r=-0.501,P＜0.05;r=-0.514,P＜0.05),while weakly and positively correlated with serum ferritin(r=0.488,P＜0.05;r=0.470,P＜0.05).Conclusion SWE was helpful for evaluating hepatic iron overload in children with β-TM,with parameters being negatively correlated with MR T2*value and positively correlated with serum ferritin.

Cryoablation (CRA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are two main local treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, which one is more curative and suitable for combining with immunotherapy is still controversial. Herein, CRA induced higher tumoral PD-L1 expression and more T cells infiltration, but less PD-L1^highCD11b⁺ myeloid cells infiltration than MWA in HCC. Furthermore, CRA had better curative effect than MWA for anti-PD-L1 combination therapy in mouse models. Mechanistically, anti-PD-L1 antibody facilitated infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells by enhancing the secretion of CXCL9 from cDC1 cells after CRA therapy. On the other hand, anti-PD-L1 antibody promoted the infiltration of NK cells to eliminate PD-L1^highCD11b⁺ myeloid cells by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) effect after CRA therapy. Both aspects relieved the immunosuppressive microenvironment after CRA therapy. Notably, the wild-type PD-L1 Avelumab (Bavencio), compared to the mutant PD-L1 atezolizumab (Tecentriq), was better at inducing the ADCC effect to target PD-L1^highCD11b⁺ myeloid cells. Collectively, our study uncovered the novel insights that CRA showed superior curative effect than MWA in combining with anti-PD-L1 antibody by strengthening CTL/NK cell immune responses, which provided a strong rationale for combining CRA and PD-L1 blockade in the clinical treatment for HCC.

Objective:To investigate the effect of O-6-methylguananine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter methylation status on the treatment and prognosis of elderly patients newly-diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM).Methods:Clinical data of 65 newly-diagnosed GBM patients admitted to Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from January 2012 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy after surgery and 49 patients received temozolomide (TMZ) monotherapy. All patients were divided into the MGMT(+ ) group and MGMT(-) group according to the methylation status of MGMT promoter. Kaplan- Meier method and log-rank test were used for univariate survival analysis, and Cox regression model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis. Results:The median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 18.0 months. The median OS was 27.0 months and 15.3 months in the MGMT(+ ) group and MGMT(-) group, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that tumor number, MGMT promoter methylation, postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy were significantly related to clinical prognosis ( P=0.029, P=0.001 and P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, tumor number and postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy were identified as significant prognostic factors for OS ( P=0.037, P=0.004). In the MGMT(+ ) group, the median OS was 27.0 months for patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy and 12.0 months for radiotherapy alone ( P=0.040). In the MGMT(-) group, the median OS was 17.0 months for concurrent chemoradiotherapy patients and 10.0 months for radiotherapy alone ( P=0.122). Conclusions:MGMT promoter methylation status is significantly associated with longer OS in elderly GBM patients. Conventional fractional radiotherapy combined with concurrent and sequential TMZ chemotherapy probably yields better survival benefits.

Objective:To investigate the current practice environment of male nurses in Qinghai province, and understand the professional environment and turnover intention of male nurses, provide ideas and theoretical basis for continuous improvement of the working environment of male nurses in hospitals.Methods:From September to October 2020, the practice environment and turnover intention of male nurses in Qinghai Province were investigated by using the method of convenience sampling and using the general data questionnaire, the Nurse Practice Environment Assessment Scale and the turnover intention table.Results:A total of 155 registered male nurses in Qinghai Province participated in this survey, and the overall evaluation score of the practicing environment of nurses in Qinghai Province was (74.38±22.63) points, among which the highest score was that nurses could write nursing records in time (85.24±20.99) points, and the lowest score was that nurses had the opportunity to participate in the internal management of the hospital (55.03±30.55) points. The total score of resignation intention was (14.34±4.35) points.Conclusion:The overall evaluation of the practicing environment of male nurses in Qinghai Province is fair, and their turnover intention is high. Nursing managers should attach importance to the cultivation of male nurses' feelings towards hospitals and professions, so as to reduce their turnover intention and stabilize the nursing team of male nurses.

Peking Union Medical College Hospital, as one of the most stressful medical institutions in China, is facing the problem of emergency department overcrowding. In order to effectively alleviate the emergency overcrowding, improve the medical quality and patients′ medical experience, the hospital firmly grasped the two incremental links of " throughput" and " output" factors, established a multidisciplinary and multi-department cooperation team, constructed a close medical alliance cooperation mode, and innovated and explored a harmonious emergency overcrowding relief mode with the goal of unblocking the " exit" of patients. The practice showed that the comprehensive measures could effectively alleviate the problem of emergency overcrowding, and improve the medical environment and medical quality.

Allografts ; COVID-19 ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects* ; SARS-CoV-2

OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a syndrome that excludes secondary causes such as intracranial space-occupying lesion, hydrocephalus, cerebrovascular disease, and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. If not be treated promptly and effectively, IIH can cause severe, permanent vision disability and intractable, disabling headache. This study aims to explore the clinical and image features for IIH, to help clinicians to understand this disease, increase the diagnose rate, and improve the outcomes of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 15 cases of IIH that were admitted to Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, during January 2015 to September 2020. The diagnosis of IIH was based on the updated modified Dandy criteria. We analyzed clinical data of patients and did statistical analysis, including age, gender, height, weight, medical history, physical examination, auxiliary examination, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: There were 10 females and 5 males. Female patients were 22 to 42 years old with median age of 39.5. Male patients were 27 to 52 years old with the median age of 44.0. The BMI was 24.14-34.17 (28.71±2.97) kg/m CONCLUSIONS IIH primarily affects women of childbearing age who are overweight. The major hazard of IIH is the severe and permanent visual loss. Typical image signs have high specificity in IIH diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are significantly important to improve the outcomes of patients.
Adult ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pseudotumor Cerebri/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt ; Young Adult

Exosomes are spherical microvesicles(30-100 nm)secreted by a variety of cells and contain a variety of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, and microRNAs.These molecules into exosomes can be transferred to adjacent cells and distant tissues or cells by exosomes to develop full effects.Exosomes-released microRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD)by regulating the abnormal expression of amyloid β-protein(Aβ)and p-Tau protein, initiating the inflammatory response by interacting with toll-like receptors.In addition, exosomal microRNAs can be used as a potential therapeutic target for AD.Exosomes as good carriers have great research values.This review summarized the literatures related to the role of exosomal microRNAs in the development of AD and the potential therapeutic effect on AD.A large amount of evidence indicates that expression disorder of exosomal microRNA plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD and can be used as a new potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the diagnosis and treatment of AD.

Objective:To investigate the influence of echinoside on the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in renal tissues of diabetic nephropathy rats.Methods:A total of 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, glibenclamide group and low-, medium-, high-dose echinoside treatment group. the rat model of diabetic nephropathy was established through the streptozocin induction and the glibenclamide treatment was applied as control. After molding, glibenclamide group was given 5 mg/(kg?d) of glibenclamide, and low-, medium-, high-dose echinoside treatment group was given 50, 100 and 200 mg/(kg?d) of echinacoside solution. The normal group and model group were intragastrically given equal volume of normal saline. After 4 weeks, the change rate of body weight, kidney weight/body weight, blood glucose, serum TC, TG, BUN, SCR and 24 h urinary protein levels were measured, and the NO release concentration in renal tissue cell culture medium was measured, the renal pathology was observed by HE staining, the expression of iNOS and TGF-β1 proteins in renal tissues was detected by Western blotting.Results:Compared with the model group, the body weight of rats in the medium-dose group significantly increased ( P<0.05); the weight change rate and kidney weight/body weight of rat in the medium-, high-dose group significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the NO release concentration in the medium-, high-dose group decreased ( P<0.05); the level of blood glucose, TC, TG, BUN, SCr, and 24-hour urinary protein in the low-, medium- and high-dose groups significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and iNOS in renal tissue of rats in the low-, medium- and high-dose groups was significantly lower ( P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the relative expression levels of TGF-β1 (1.35 ± 0.06, 1.15 ± 0.05, 0.91 ± 0.04 vs. 4.58 ± 0.09) and TGF-β1 (1.24 ± 0.04, 1.41 ± 0.05, 0.89 ± 0.04 vs. 3.04 ± 0.05) in the low-, medium- and high-dose groups significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The echinoside can prevent weight loss, reduce blood glucose and triglyceride, inhibit the production of NO in renal tissues, reduce the expression of iNOS and TGF-β1 among diabetic nephropathy rats. It has been proved to play a protective role in diabetic nephropathy pathological tissues.