ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria（CSU） and to explore its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsSeventy CSU patients were randomly divided into loratadine group and acupuncture + bloodletting group， with 35 patients in each group. The loratadine group received oral loratadine tablets， 10 mg once daily in the evening. The acupuncture + bloodletting group received acupuncture at Zhongwan （CV 12）， Guanyuan （CV 4）， Tianshu （ST 25）， Zusanli （ST 36）， Sanyinjiao （SP 6）， Xuehai （SP 10）， Quchi （LI 11）， Hegu （LI 4）， Taichong （LR 3）， Baihui （GV 20）， and Shenting （GV 24）， once daily，along with bloodletting and cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） and Geshu （BL 17）， every other day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The 7-day urticaria activity score（UAS7） was assessed before and after the treatment， and levels of serum immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， eosinophil cationic protein （ECP）， plasma tissue factor （TF）， activated factor Ⅶ （FⅦa）， prothrombin fragment 1+2 （F1+2）， D-dimer （D-D） and complement component 5a （C5a） were detected. ResultsA total of 65 patients were included in the final analysis， 32 in the loratadine group and 33 in the acupuncture + bloodletting group. Before treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， ECP levels， or plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， C5a levels between groups （P＞ 0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， and plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， and C5a levels compared to those before treatment （P＜0.01）. However， after treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score and serum ECP， IgE， IL-4， IL-5 levels between groups （P＞0.05）. The acupuncture + bloodletting group showed lower plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D and C5a levels compared to the loratadine group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionAcupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping can effectively improve the skin symptoms of CSU patients and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors. The potential mechanism of action may involve the regulation of the coagulation-complement-mast cell activation axis， thereby inhibiting mast cell degranulation.

This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; China ; Consensus ; Sinusitis/surgery* ; Dermal Fillers

Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent sensory disorders affecting the human nervous system. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a physiological process that facilitates the reversible and dynamic assembly of biomolecular condensates. Increasing evidence suggests that LLPS plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of hereditary hearing loss. Nevertheless, there is a conspicuous lack of systematic investigations exploring the impact of LLPS abnormalities on the etiology of hereditary hearing loss. In this review, we examine the mechanisms by which dysfunctions in LLPS contribute to hereditary hearing loss, specifically focusing on its effects on mechanoelectrical transduction in hair bundles, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modifications, the actin cytoskeleton, ion homeostasis within the inner ear, and energy and redox homeostasis. Furthermore, we evaluate the considerable potential of targeting LLPS as a therapeutic approach for hearing loss and propose innovative perspectives on LLPS that may guide future research initiatives in the field of auditory disorders.
Humans ; Animals ; Hearing Loss/physiopathology* ; Phase Separation

Objective To analyze the risk factors and re-intervention strategies for mid- and long-term residual after arterial switch operation (ASO). Methods The clinical data of children with complex congenital heart disease who underwent ASO surgery in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center from January 2006 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected, and the risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO were analyzed. Results A total of 952 children undergoing ASO were enrolled in this study, including 654 males and 298 females with an average age of (102.9±90.1) d and weight of (4.6±1.6) kg. There were 421 patients with D-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (D-TGA/IVS), 357 patients with D-transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect (D-TGA/VSD), and 174 patients with right ventricle double outlet combined with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (Taussig-Bing malformation). Eighty-nine patients died early after the surgery, the mortality rate was 9.3%. The 746 surviving children were regularly followed up after the surgery (follow-up rate 86.4%), with a median follow-up time of 79.4 (12.0-188.0) months. During the follow-up, 53 children underwent surgical re-intervention due to residual, including 33 males and 20 females, with a median age of 62.5 (17.0-214.0) months. The median surgical weight was 19.0 (8.2-86.0) kg, and the mean time of re-intervention was 28.0-170.0 (77.5±45.4) months after the ASO. Residual problems included common trunk and branch stenosis of the pulmonary artery in 23 patients, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction in 11 patients, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in 6 patients, aortic arch restenosis in 5 patients, aortic insufficiency in 5 patients, residual shunt of ventricular septal defect in 2 patients, and tricuspid valve insufficiency in 1 patient. The early postoperative mortality rate was 3.8% (2/53), with the causes of death being acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery injury and acute left heart failure, respectively. The mean follow-up time of the surviving children was (52.4±28.6) months, and no mid- and long-term death occurred. Two patients underwent the third operations due to pulmonary restenosis. The multivariate analysis result showed that combined aortic arch surgery and early postoperative RVOT velocity>3 m/s were independent risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO. Conclusion ASO is an ideal procedure for the treatment of D-TGA/IVS, D-TGA/VSD and Taussig-Bing malformations. Combined aortic arch surgery and early postoperative RVOT velocity>3 m/s are independent risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of right midaxillary straight incision surgery in the treatment of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect. Methods The clinical data of children with doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect who received surgeries in our hospital from August 2020 to July 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. All the children underwent surgical repair and were divided into two groups according to the incision position, including a right midaxillary straight incision group and a median incision group. The outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 187 patients were enrolled. There were 102 patients in the right midaxillary straight incision group, including 55 males and 47 females with a median age of 26.0 (5.0, 127.0) months and a median weight of 12.5 (5.1, 32.8) kg at surgery. There were 85 patients in the median incision group, including 37 males and 48 females with a median age of 4.0 (2.0, 168.0) months and a median weight of 6.7 (4.8, 53.9) kg at surgery. No mortality occurred in the study. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the cardiopulmonary bypass time [(50.0±18.4) min vs. (46.1±15.7) min] or aortic cross-clamping time [(31.3±18.6) min vs. (26.3±17.5) min] (P>0.05). Compared to the median incision group, the time from the end of cardiopulmonary bypass to the closure of chest [(22.3±15.6) min vs. (37.1±13.4) min, P<0.001], postoperative hospital stay [(6.9±3.9) d vs. (8.6±3.6) d, P=0.002], the length of incision [(4.3±2.7) cm vs. (8.5±3.2) cm, P<0.001], drainage volume [(79.0±32.2) mL vs. (100.2±43.1) mL, P<0.001], and the pain score on the 2nd and the 3rd day after the operation were statistically better in the right midaxillary straight incision group (P<0.05). The medical experience and incision satisfaction scores at discharge of the right midaxillary straight incision group were higher (P<0.05). During the follow-up of 21.0 (1.0, 35.0) months, no residual shunt was detected and all patients in both groups had a normal cardiac function and mild or less valve regurgitation. Conclusion Compared to the median incision, minimally invasive right midaxillary straight incision for the repair of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect offers comparable efficacy and reliability, with the added advantages of being minimally invasive, cosmetically superior, and promoting faster postoperative recovery.

Objective To analyze the predictive value of serum levels of procalcitonin(PCT)and cytokines on the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 at admission.Methods From November 2022 to February 2023,patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were admitted to Beijing Chest Hospital were enrolled.Chemiluminescence was used to detect serum PCT levels,and flow microsphere array was used to detect serum cytokines IL-1β,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-12p70,IL-17A,IL-17F,IL-22,TNF-α,TNF-β,IFN-γ level.ICU admission,mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death were defined as poor prognosis.After excluding patients with bacterial infection,the relationship between serum PCT and cytokine levels at admission and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients was analyzed.After excluding patients with bacterial infection,the relationship between serum PCT and cytokine levels at admission and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients was analyzed.Results A total of 176 patients with complete data were included,including 134 in the PCT-normal group and 42 in the PCT-elevated group,with a median age of 71.50 years and 71.59%males.Patients in the PCT elevated-group had significantly higher rates of ICU admission(38.41%vs.13.11%,P<0.05),mechanical ventilation(76.92%vs.24.59%,P<0.001)and in-hospital mortality(38.46%vs.6.56%,P<0.001)were significantly higher than those in the PCT-normal group.Serum levels of cytokines IL-6(7.40 pg/mL vs.4.78 pg/mL,P = 0.033 4)and IL-8(10.97 pg/mL vs.5.92 pg/mL,P<0.001)were significantly higher in patients with poor prognosis than in those with good prognosis.The area under the curve for PCT,IL-6,and IL-8 to predict poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients was 0.687,0.660,and 0.746,respectively;sensitivity was 52.78%,55.17%,and 72.41%,respectively;and specificity was 81.58%,74.19%,and 74.19%,respectively,as calculated from the ROC curve.When PCT,IL-6 and IL-8 jointly predict the prognosis of COVID-19 patients,the area under the curve is 0.764,the sensitivity is 70.00%,and the specificity is 80.00%.Conclusion Serum PCT and cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 could be used as predictive markers for poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19.

Objective To investigate the relationship between interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and miR-185-5p in the process of joint injury in acute gouty arthritis (AGA). Methods The serum miR-185-5p levels of 89 AGA patients and 91 healthy volunteers were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The correlation between miR-185-5p expression level and VAS score or IL-1β expression level was evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-185-5p in AGA. THP-1 cells were induced by sodium urate (MSU) to construct an in vitro acute gouty inflammatory cell model. After the expression level of miR-185-5p in THP-1 cells was upregulated or downregulated by transfection of miR-185-5p mimics or inhibitors in vitro, inflammatory cytokines of THP-1 cells, such as IL-1β, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), were detected by ELISA. The luciferase reporter gene assay was used to determine the interaction between miR-185-5p and the 3'-UTR of IL-1β. Results Compared with the healthy control group, the expression level of serum miR-185-5p in AGA patients was significantly reduced. The level of serum miR-185-5p was negatively correlated with VAS score and IL-1β expression level. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.905, the sensitivity was 80.17% and the specificity was 83.52%. Down-regulation of miR-185-5p significantly promoted the expression of IL-1β, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), while overexpression of miR-185-5p showed the opposite results. Luciferase reporter gene assay showed that IL-1β was the target gene of miR-185-5p, and miR-185-5p negatively regulated the expression of IL-1β. Conclusion miR-185-5p alleviates the inflammatory response in AGA by inhibiting IL-1β.
Humans ; 3' Untranslated Regions ; Arthritis, Gouty/genetics* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-8 ; Luciferases ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Objective:To summarize the clinical features,diagnosis and treatment of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after novel coronavirus infection(COVID-19),so as to improve the early recognition of MIS-C.Methods:The general information,clinical manifestations,treatment and length of hospital stay of fifteen children diagnosed with MIS-C and hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology,Children's Hospital,Capital Institute of Pediatrics from December 1，2022 to January 31，2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Fifteen children were divided into shock group( n=6) and non-shock group( n=9) according to the criteria of shock,and the differences in general conditions and laboratory examinations before treatment were compared between two groups. Results:The mean age of fifteen children were (3.28±2.48) years (ranging from 9 months to 7.9 years),with a male to female ratio of 4:1.The mean time interval from COVID-19 to the onset of MIS-C was (30.60±9.91) days.The novel coronavirus vaccination rate was 7%.Fever,enlarged lymph nodes,cracked lips and a strawberry tongue were present in all children,with just one exhibiting peeling of the hands and feet.Compared with the non-shock group,patients in the shock group were older,the level of platelet decreased significantly,the level of procalcitonin,interleukin-10,N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) and ferritin significantly increased,the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening decreased significantly,and the Z score of left ventricular end-systolic diameter significantly increased,and there were significant differences between two groups ( P<0.05).All 15 patients were treated with human intravenous immunoglobulin,and five patients with severe myocarditis and shock accepted combined high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy over a period of five days,with the doses gradually tapering off afterwards.The mean hospital stay of all patients was (11.00±4.80) days,while the mean shock correction time of six patients was (5.14±2.12) days.After six months of follow-up,15 patients showed excellent prognosis with coronary lesions recovered and without any new complications. Conclusion:Generally,MIS-C tends to occur 3-6 weeks after COVID-19,with more boys than girls.Older ones are more likely to suffer from shock.Focusing on NT-proBNP and cardiac function indicators could identify shock early.High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy may be effective and benefit for prognosis improvement in children complicated with both shock and severe myocarditis.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of limb motor rehabilitation program based on patient health engagement (PHE) model in patients with hemorrhagic stroke, and to provide reference for the limb motor rehabilitation management of hemorrhagic stroke patients.Methods:Through literature review and Delphi expert correspondence, a limb motor rehabilitation program for hemorrhagic stroke patients based on the PHE model was constructed. A non-contemporaneous controlled study was conducted, 45 hemorrhagic stroke patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurosurgery of Shanxi Bethune Hospital from March to August 2022 were selected by convenience sampling method as the control group, and routine exercise rehabilitation measure was given, 45 hemorrhagic stroke patients from September 2022 to February 2023 were selected as the intervention group, a limb motor rehabilitation program based on PHE model was implemented on the basis of control group. The functional exercise compliance, limb motor function, daily activity ability, emotional and social dysfunction of patients in the two groups were observed before intervention, 1 and 3 months after intervention respectively.Results:A total of 85 patients with hemorrhagic stroke were included. There were 42 patients in the intervention group, 25 males and 17 females, aged (52.07 ± 9.91) years old, and 43 patients in the control group, 21 males and 22 females, aged (53.93 ± 10.52) years old. There were no significant differences in the functional exercise compliance, limb motor function, daily activity ability, emotional and social dysfunction of patients before intervention between the two groups. At 3 months after intervention, the functional exercise compliance score in the intervention group was (40.83 ± 7.92) points, higher than that in the control group (37.14 ± 6.44) points, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 2.36, P<0.05). At 1 and 3 months after intervention, the scores of limb motor function and daily activity ability in the intervention group were (27.12 ± 6.74), (33.67 ± 6.54) points and (61.31 ± 6.72), (74.40 ± 8.71) points, which were higher than (24.91 ± 6.03), (27.02 ± 6.59) points and (52.33 ± 9.78), (60.12 ± 10.03) points of the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.06-7.01, all P<0.05), the scores of emotional and social dysfunction were (75.52 ± 22.09) and (58.33 ± 18.88) points, which were lower than (86.02 ± 23.04), (78.51 ± 21.67) points of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t = - 2.14, - 4.57, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The limb motor rehabilitation program based on the PHE model could improve the exercise compliance of patients with hemorrhagic stroke, improve the limb motor function and daily activity ability of patients, alleviate negative emotions, and reduce the level of social dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture combined with bloodletting on the expression of inflammatory factors in serum, the morphology of sensitized skin tissue and the mast cell degranulation in urticaria rats, and to explore the potential mechanism of this therapy for urticaria. METHODS: Among 42 SD rats of SPF grade, 6 rats were randomly collected for the preparation of sensitized antiserum; and the rest 36 rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, a positive drug group, an acupuncture group, a bloodletting group and a combined treatment group (acupuncture + bloodletting), 6 rats in each one. The rat model of urticaria was established by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. In the positive drug group, loratadine (1 mg•kg^-1) by gavage was administered once a day. In the acupuncture group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), acupuncture was delivered at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Zhongwan" (CV 12), and bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Xuehai" (SP 10) for 15 min, once daily . In the bloodletting group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), bloodletting was operated at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and bilateral "Geshu" (BL 17), around 0.1 mL of bleeding volume at each point, once daily. In the combined treatment group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), the interventions as the acupuncture group and the bloodletting group were adopted, once daily. All the interventions started on day 6 of modeling, lasting 2 weeks. After intervention completion, antigenic stimulation was performed in the rats of each group. Using ELISA, the levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), tryptase (TPS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected. The diameter of the blue spots of the sensitized skin on the back was measured with ruler in each rat. The morphology of sensitized skin tissue was observed using HE staining, and the degranulation of mast cells was observed using Toluidine blue staining. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the levels of serum IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α increased (P<0.01), the diameter of blue spot on the sensitized part of the rat back was larger (P<0.01), the degranulation rate of mast cells was elevated (P<0.01), and there were obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and edema in the dermis of sensitized skin tissue on the rat back. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α were reduced in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group (P<0.01, P<0.05); skin blue spot diameter was smaller in the positive drug group and the combined treatment group (P<0.05); the degranulation rate of mast cells decreased in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group (P<0.01); and the dermal edema, inflammatory infiltration were attenuated in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group. Compared with the acupuncture group and the bloodletting group, the serum levels of IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α, as well as the degranulation rate of mast cells in the sensitized tissue were lower in the positive drug group and the combined treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture combined with bloodletting effectively suppress mast cell degranulation in the sensitized skin tissue on the back of urticaria rats, and ameliorate the histopathological morphology. Its effect mechanism may be related to inhibiting the differentiation and proliferation of helper T cells 2 and regulating the humoral immune response.
Animals ; Rats ; Mast Cells/immunology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Cell Degranulation ; Humans ; Bloodletting ; Urticaria/immunology* ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Interleukin-4/blood* ; Interleukin-5/blood* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Immunoglobulin E/blood* ; Disease Models, Animal