OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion (holistic treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion by adjusting the mind and consolidating the root) on comorbidity of depression and insomnia. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia were included and treated with Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Neiguan (PC6), etc. The refined moxibustion therapy was delivered at Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), bilateral Yongquan (KI1), etc. Subcutaneous embedding therapy with thumb-tack needle was adopted at bilateral Xinshu (BL15), bilateral Pishu (BL20), etc. The intervention was operated once every other day, 3 treatments a week, and for 6 consecutive weeks. Before and after treatment completion, and in 1 month after treatment, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD-17) were adopted to assess sleep quality and depression symptoms in the patients, respectively. Before and after treatment completion, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the functional connectivity (FC) of locus coeruleus (LC) in brain regions was evaluated; and the levels of serum norepinephrine (NE), cortisol (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the scores before treatment, PSQI and HAMD-17 scores after treatment completion and in 1 month after treatment were reduced (P<0.01); and strengthened FC was revealed between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus, as well as the lateral occipital lobe region. After treatment completion, serum NE was elevated (P<0.01), the levels of CORT, ACTH and CRH were reduced (P<0.01). Before and after treatment completion, the difference in FC between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus was negatively correlated with the differences in PSQI score (r = -0.484, P = 0.016) and HAMD-17 score (r = -0.233, P = 0.027). CONCLUSION Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively alleviate depression symptoms and improve sleep quality in the patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia, which is obtained probably through reducing the levels of serum CORT, ACTH and CRH, increasing serum NE, strengthening the FC of the right LC with the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus and the lateral occipital lobe region.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Depression/complications* ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Comorbidity

Objective:To analyze the correlation between nutritional status and frailty and sarcopenia in geriatric inpatients (GIPs) planning to receive major hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery.Methods:From December, 2020 to September, 2022, GIPs who were planning to receive major HPB surgery were recruited. Nutritional assessment was performed using nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS-2002) and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Frailty and sarcopenia assessment were performed using Fried frailty phenotype (FFP) and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 consensus on sarcopenia diagnosis and treatment. The prevalence and concurrence of malnutrition, frailty and sarcopenia were investigated, and the correlation between nutritional status and frailty and sarcopenia was analyzed.Results:A total of 144 participants at the mean age of (70.10±7.44) years were included. The prevalence of nutritional risk, malnutrition, and severe malnutrition were 73.6% ( n ?=?106), 68.1% ( n ?=?98), and 34.7% ( n ?=?50) respectively. The prevalence of frailty was 20.8% ( n ?=?30) and that of sarcopenia was 35.4% ( n ?=?51). The prevalence of severe malnutrition increased significantly in older participants and the prevalence of nutritional risk, malnutrition and severe malnutrition decreased significantly with higher BMI. The prevalence was 35.4% (51/144) for concurrent sarcopenia and malnutrition, 19.4% (28/144) for frailty and malnutrition, 14.6% (21/144) for sarcopenia and weakness, and 14.6% (21/144) for sarcopenia, malnutrition, and weakness. There was a positive correlation between nutritional risk and frailty ( r = 0.603, P < 0.001). The risk of pre-frailty and frailty in the nutritional risk group was higher than that in the non-nutritional risk group ( χ 2 = 31.830, P < 0.001). The risk of pre-frailty and frailty in the malnutrition group was higher than that in the normal nutrition group ( χ 2 = 36.727, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of frailty in patients with severe malnutrition was 12.303 times higher than that in patients with normal nutrition status (95% CI: 2.592 to 58.409, P = 0.002). The risk of sarcopenia in the nutritional risk group was higher than that in the non-nutritional risk group ( χ 2 = 13.982, P < 0.001). The risk of sarcopenia in the malnutrition group was higher than that in the normal nutrition group ( χ 2 = 37.066, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The prevalence and concurrence rate of malnutrition, frailty, and sarcopenia are high in GIPs undergoing major HPB surgery. GIPs with malnutrition are susceptible to frailty.

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by the continuous loss of skeletal muscle. The pathogenic mechanism of cancer cachexia remains unknown, and the effectiveness of routine nutritional therapy is limited. The mitochondrial disorder is demonstrated to play an important role in the mechanism of tumor-induced skeletal muscle atrophy, including alterations to the mitochondrial ultrastructure, biogenesis, dynamics, mitophagy, and functions. Interventions targeting mitochondrial alterations provide a potential solution to cancer cachexia and represent a new focus in this research field.

Objective:To investigate the application value of intrathoracic double-flap tech-nique (Kamikawa anastomosis) in combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical resection for esophagogastric junction cancer.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 10 patients with esophagogastric junction cancer who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University between July 2022 and April 2023 were collec-ted. There were 7 males and 3 females, aged 62(range, 53-71)years. All the 10 patients underwent combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical resection for esophagogastric junction cancer. Reconstruction was performed with an intrathoracic Kamikawa anastomosis. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (2) postoperative pathological examination; (3) follow-up and survival. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Intraoperative and postoperative situations. All the 10 patients underwent surgery successfully. The operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss were (347±41)minutes and (91±41)mL. The time to postoperative fluid diet intake, time to removal of postoperative abdominal drainage tube, time to removal of postoperative chest drainage tube, duration of postoperative hospital stay were (4.3±1.1)days, (5.0±1.6)days, (10.5±3.9)days, (13.3±3.8)days. Six patients had postoperative complications, including 1 case of Clavien-Dindo grade ⅢB, 3 cases of Clavien Dindo grade Ⅱ, 2 cases of Clavien Dindo grade Ⅰ. An upper gastrointestinal contrast at postoperative day 7 showed no anastomotic leak or anastomotic stricture in the 10 patients. (2) Postoperative pathological examination. Results of postoperative pathological examination in the 10 patients showed negative surgical margin. The number of lymph node dissected was 22±6. There were 3 patients with 5 positive lymph nodes. The tumor diameter and distance from center of tumor to squamocolumnar mucosal junction were (3.3±0.5)cm and (1.9±1.4)cm. One patient had tumor differentiation degree as high and moderate differentiation, 5 cases as moderate differentiation, 3 cases as moderate and low differentiation, 1 case as low differentiation. There were 5 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and 5 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. (3) Follow-up and survival. All the 10 patients were followed up for 7(range, 3?12)months, achieving disease-free survival. The visick quality of life grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ were observed in 7, 3, 0, 0 patients. Postoperative gastroscopy was completed in 7 patients, in which mild anastomotic strictures were noted in 2 patients, but no treatment was required. There was no reflux esophagitis.Conclusion:Intrathoracic Kamikawa anastomosis in combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical resection for esophagogastric junction cancer is safe and feasible, with satisfactory short-term efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided intrahepatic portal vein puncture through jugular vein implantation in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Methods:As research subjects, 5 beagle dogs were anesthetized, and EUS was placed through the jugular vein to observe the intrahepatic portal vein. Under real-time guidance, the portal vein was punctured and a stent was placed to complete the TIPS.Results:Among the 5 beagles, EUS was unable to be placed in 1 due to the small diameter of the external jugular vein, and it was implanted successfully in 4 others through the external jugular vein who underwent real-time guidance of portal vein puncture. Subsequent stent placement and balloon dilation were completed. All animals survived after the experiment.Conclusion:EUS-guided intrahepatic portal vein puncture through jugular vein implantation is safe and feasible in TIPS.

Objective:To evaluate the pancreatic subclinical dysfunction after intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for gastric cancer by analyzing biochemical indexes and pancreatic volume changes, and to reduce the dose of pancreas by dosimetric prediction and dose limitation.Methods:30 patients with gastric cancer who received 45 Gy postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy were retrospectively selected. The pancreas was delineated and its dose and anatomical relationship with planning target volume (PTV) were evaluated. Fasting blood glucose, serum lipase and amylase, and pancreatic volume changes before and after radiotherapy were analyzed. The correlation between the changes of biochemical indexes and volume and pancreatic dose was evaluated by Pearson analysis. The threshold of the dosimetric prediction was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Finally, the feasibility of dosimetric limitation in IMRT was assessed.Results:The pancreatic volume of 30 patients was 37.6 cm 3, and 89.0% of them were involved in PTV. D mean of the pancreas was 45.92 Gy, and 46.45 Gy, 46.46 Gy and 45.80 Gy for the pancreatic head, body and tail, respectively. The fasting blood glucose level did not significantly change. The serum lipase levels were significantly decreased by 66% and 77%(both P<0.001), and the serum amylase levels were significantly declined by 24% and 38%(both P<0.001) at 6 and 12 months after radiotherapy. Pancreatic volumes of 22 patients was decreased by 47% within 18 months after radiotherapy. ROC curve analysis showed that pancreatic V 45Gy had the optimal predictive value for the decrease by 1/3 of serum lipase and amylase levels at 6 months and serum amylase level at 12 months after radiotherapy, and the cut-off value was V 45Gy<85%. Pancreatic D mean yielded the optimal predictive value for the decrease by 2/3 of serum lipase level at 12 months after radiotherapy, and the cut-off value was D mean<45.01 Gy. After" whole pancreas" and" outside PTV pancreas" dose limit, V 45Gy of the pancreas was decreased by 11% and 7%, D mean of the pancreas was declined by 2% and 2%, and D mean of the pancreatic tail was decreased by 3%, respectively. Conclusions:Serum lipase and amylase levels significantly decline at 6 and 12 months after adjuvant radiotherapy for gastric cancer, and pancreatic volume is decreased significantly within 18 months after radiotherapy. Pancreatic V 45Gy<85% and D mean<45.01 Gy are the dose prediction values for the decrease of serum lipase and amylase levels. The dose can be reduced to certain extent by dosimetric restriction.

Objective:To investigate the effect of gap junction protein Cx43 inhibitor carbenoxolone (CBX) on cognitive function and its possible mechanism in epileptic rats.Methods:One hundred and twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, epilepsy group, epilepsy+solvent group, and epilepsy+CBX group ( n=30). The models of temporal lobe epilepsy in the later three groups were prepared by injection of kainic acid in the hippocampus. Intraperitoneal injection of CBX (20 mg/kg) or equal amount of normal saline were given to the rats in the epilepsy+CBX group and epilepsy+solvent group 30 min before modeling. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of phosphorylated (p)-Cx43 and microtubule associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) in the hippocampus 6, 12, and 24 h after modeling; the protein localization of p-Cx43 and LC3 in the hippocampus and optical density of their positive cells were detected by immunohistochemistry 24 h after modeling; the learning and memory abilities of rats were tested by Morris water maze experiment 30 d after modeling. Results:Western blotting results showed that as compared with those in the sham-operated group, p-CX43 and LC3 protein expressions in the hippocampal CA3 regions of epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group were significantly increased at 6, 12 and 24 h after modeling ( P<0.05); as compared with the epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group, the epilepsy+CBX group had statistically decreased p-CX43 and LC3 protein expressions in the hippocampal CA3 regions at each time point ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that p-CX43 was localized at the cell membrane and cytoplasm of hippocampal astrocytes; LC3 was located at the cytoplasm of hippocampal neurons. As compared with those in the sham-operated group, the optical density values of p-CX43 and LC3 positive cells in hippocampal CA3 regions of epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group were increased ( P<0.05). As compared with those in the epilepsy group and the epilepsy+solvent group, the optical density values of p-CX43 and LC3 positive cells in the hippocampal CA3 regions of the epilepsy+CBX group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Morris water maze test results showed that as compared with that in the sham-operated group, the escape latency in the epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group was significantly prolonged ( P<0.05); as compared with that in the epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group, the latency in the epilepsy+CBX group was significantly shortened ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CBX can weaken the neuronal autophagy and reduce the damage to cognitive function by inhibiting the p-Cx43 protein expression in the astrocytes of the hippocampal CA3 regions.

Objective:To investigate the effects of microRNA-10a(miR-10a)on the proliferation and migration of tumor-associated fibroblasts(TAFs)in the liver microenvironment, as well as on the mRNA expressions of interleukin(IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-1β in TAFs.Methods:The normal liver tissues adjacent to cancer and focal tissues of metastatic colon cancer to the liver from the same patient were collected, and then primary normal fibroblasts(NFs)and the primary cell line of TAFs were established by tissue cultivation.The NFs and TAFs were identified by morphological observation and immunofluorescence staining, and their purity was determined by flow cytometry.The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to detect the expression of miR-10a in NFs and TAFs, and then miR-10a was over-expressed in the lower ones.Subsequently, the effects of miR-10a on cell proliferation, migration and the mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β were detected by the cholecystokinin(CCK-8)test, wound healing assay and RT-qPCR.Results:Immunofluorescence staining showed that human cytokeratin 18(CK-18)was neither expressed in NFs nor in TAFs, while fibroblast-specific protein 1(FSP-1)was expressed in NFs and TAFs, and alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)was weakly expressed in NFs but strongly expressed in TAFs.The results of flow cytometry showed that the positive rates of α-SMA in NFs and TAFs were 95.6% and 95.3%, respectively.The mRNA expression of miR-10a in TAFs was 0.65 times of that in NFs( P<0.01). After overexpression of miR-10a, the proliferation abilities at the 3th, 4th and 5th day were lower in TAFs than in NFs( P<0.05 and 0.01), the migration abilities at 24 h and 48 h were 25% and 15% lower in TAFs than in NF group( P<0.01 and 0.05), and the mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1 β were 54%, 27% and 42% lower in TAFs than in NFs, respectively( P<0.01, 0.01 and 0.05). Conclusions:The overexpression of miR-10a in TAFs inhibits the cell proliferation and migration and reduces the mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β, which may be an important factor for TAFs’ inhibiting liver metastasis.

OBJECTIVE：To prepare cell penetrating peptide PFV-modified paclitaxel （PTX）/artesunate（ART）co-loaded targeting micelles ，and to investigate in vitro anti-tumor activity. METHODS ：According to optimal technology ，PFV-modified PTX/ ART co-loaded targeting micelles were prepared by membrane hydration method ，and were characterized. Using blank micelle as blank control ，sulforhodamine B （SRB）method was used to evaluate the toxicity of PTX micelles ，ART micelles ，PTX/ART micelles and PFV-modified PTX/ART co-loaded targeting micelles to human gastric cancer BGC- 823 cells. The coumarin was used as fluorescent probe replacing PTX to prepare corresponding micelles. Then ，the uptake of BGC- 823 cells to corresponding micelles and targeting effect were observed and determined by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscope. The effects of PTX micelles ， ART micelles ，PTX/ART micelles and PFV-modified PTX/ART co-loaded targeting micelles on the invasion of BGC- 823 cells were investigated by Transwell chamber method. RESULTS ：Average particle size of PFV-modified PTX/ART co-loaded targeting micelles was （51.30±3.95）nm；PDI was 0.19±0.01，and Zeta potential was （0.21±0.02）mV. The encapsulation efficiency of PTX and ART were higher than 90％. The shape of micelles were spherical. The blank micelles had no obvious toxicity to BGC-823 cells. The IC 50 value of PTX micelles ，PTX/ART micelles and PFV-modified PTX/ART co-loaded targeting micelles to BGC-823 cells were （3.09±0.22），（1.93±0.24），（1.11±0.15）μmol/L，respectively. The distribution amount of different micelles in BGC- 823 cell nucleus in the descending order were PFV-modified coumarin/ART micelles ＞coumarin/ART micelles ＞coumarin micelles＞blank control. The order of inhibitory effect was PFV-modified PTX/ART co-loaded targeting micelles ＞PTX/ART micelles＞ART micelles ＞PTX micelles ＞blank control. CONCLUSIONS： Prepared PFV-modified PTX/ART No.81874347） co-loaded targeting micelles are in line with the quality of 1915286446@qq.com Chinese Pharmacopoeia . It shows strong cytotoxicity to BGC-823 cells，can improve the drug targeting and the cell uptake，and inhibit the inv asion and metastasis of BGC- 823 cells.

Objective To explore the rule of the Nrf2-ARE in renal interstitial fibrosis and the mechanism of butylphthalide on renal protective effect.Methods Seventy-two male CD-1 mice were divided into 4 groups,Sham group,UUO group,NBP group,ACEI group.The Sham group and UUO group were gavaged with physiological saline.The NBP group was gavaged with butylphthalide.The ACEI group was gavaged with benazepril.After 3,7,14 days,6 mice were executed and collection of kidney tissue.The expression of Nrf2,γ-GCS and type Ⅰ collagen were detected by immunohistochemisty,RT-PCR and Western blot.The correlation of Nrf2 and γ-GCS was assessmented by linear regression.Results The expression of type Ⅰ collagen in UUO group was increased compared with the Sham group,However,the expression of Type Ⅰ collagen in NBP group or ACEI group were reduced compared with the UUO group.Compared with Sham group,the expression of Nrf2mRNA,γ-GCSmRNA and type Ⅰ collagen mRNA in uuogroup were increased in 3,7,14 days after surgery.Compared with UUO group at 7th,14u day,the lelve of Nrf2 mRNA were apparently increased in NBP group (P＜0.05).It was a positive correlation between the Nrf2 and γ-GCS and negative correlation between the γ-GCS and Type Ⅰ collagen.Conclusion The renal protective effect of butylphthalide in the renal interstitial fibrosis was more predominant than benazepril.The roles maybe occurred through increased the expression of Nrf2 and γ-GCS and alleviated the expression of Type Ⅰ collagen in nephridial tissue.