OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture at Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) on pain, anxiety, intrapartum blood loss, labor stage, and neonatal outcomes in primiparas. METHODS: One hundred primiparas were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (50 cases, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (50 cases). The conventional obstetrical nursing was given in the control group. On the basis of the intervention in the control group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) in the acupuncture group. The delivery mode and labor stage, the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) for uterine contraction pain and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) before and after acupuncture, the intrapartum/postpartum blood loss and massive hemorrhage, as well as the neonatal Apgar score after 1, 5, and 10 min of birth, were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: The cesarean section rate was 4.1% (2/49) in the acupuncture group, which was superior to 10.0% (5/50) in the control group (P<0.05). In the acupuncture group, the time of latent phase of 2-cm cervical dilation, active phase, first and second stages of labor, and total labor stage was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.001), the intrapartum blood loss and massive hemorrhage rate were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001, P<0.05). After acupuncture, the VAS and HAMA scores were decreased compared with those before acupuncture in the acupuncture group (P<0.001), the VAS and HAMA scores were increased compared with those before acupuncture in the control group (P<0.001). In the acupuncture group, the VAS and HAMA scores after acupuncture were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001), the changes of the VAS and HAMA scores before and after acupuncture were larger than those in the control group (P<0.001). There were no statistical differences in neonatal Apgar scores between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) can effectively alleviate the pain and anxiety, shorten the labor stage, reduce the intrapartum blood loss and incidence rate of massive hemorrhage, and promote spontaneous delivery, thereby enhancing maternal comfort and safety in primiparas.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Labor, Obstetric ; Parity

Combined with elastic network model (ENM), the perturbation response scanning (PRS) has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins. Here, we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks (DTNs), which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine. We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework, for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis (MS). First, the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes. Then, based on topological analysis and functional annotation, the neurotransmission module was identified as the "therapeutic module" of MS. Further, perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis, giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS. Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of serotonin 2B receptor (HTR2B). Finally, we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex. These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS. As a useful systematic method, our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.

Objective To explore the perioperative safety of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in Day Care Unit and the risk factors for delayed discharge under centralized management model. Methods The patients with VATS managed by the Day Care Unit of the Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School in 2021 were retrospectively collected. The patients’ postoperative data and risk factors for delayed discharge were analyzed. Results A total of 383 patients were enrolled, including 179 males and 204 females with an average age of 46.09±14.82 years. Eleven (2.87%) patients developed grade 3-4 postoperative complications during the hospitalization. Eighteen (4.70%) patients visited unscheduled outpatient clinic within 7 days, and 6 (1.57%) patients were re-hospitalized within 30 days after discharge. The remaining patients had no significant adverse events during the 30-day follow-up. The average length of hospital stay was 2.27±0.35 d. The length of hospital stay was over 48 h in 48 (12.53%) patients. The independent risk factor for delayed discharge was lobectomy or combined resection (OR=3.015, 95%CI 1.174-7.745, P=0.022). Conclusion VATS can be safely conducted under the centralized management in Day Care Unit. The risk factor for delayed discharge is the extent of surgical resection.

Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by continuous inflammation and ulcer formation in the intestinal mucosa.Its pathogenesis involves immune dysfunction,dysbio-sis of gut microbiota,and mucosal damage caused by inflammation.Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death regulated by disturbances in iron metabolism,lipid peroxidation,and depletion of glutathione(GSH).Studies have indicated that ferroptosis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of UC,particularly in regulating in-flammatory responses and damaging intestinal epithelial cells.This article reviews the regulatory mechanisms and roles of ferroptosis in UC and discusses the potential therapeutic strategies to alleviate UC symptoms by modulating iron metabolism,reducing lipid peroxidation,and maintaining GSH levels,providing new targets and directions for the diagnosis and treatment of UC.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and consistency of screening myopia, non-cycloplegic myopia and cycloplegic myopia in children and adolescents, and to provide references for exploring the factors affecting the consistency of different definition methods. Methods: A total of 3 868 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years from seven schools were included in a school based cross sectional study in Shandong Province in September 2020. The prevalence of screening myopia, non cycloplegic refraction, and cycloplegic refraction at different ages and all children and adolescents were analyzed. With cycloplegic spherical equivalent ≤-0.50 D as the gold standard for myopia, and Kappa test and area under the ROC curve were used to evaluate the consistency. Results: The prevalence of cycloplegic myopia and screening myopia were 36.7% and 38.3% among children and adolescents. The prevalence of non cycloplegic myopia was 62.4%, which was significantly higher than screening myopia and cycloplegic myopia two methods in primary and junior high schools. Among 3 868 subjects, there were 3 628 (93.8%) subjects with screening myopia and 2 862 (74.0%) subjects with non cycloplegic myopia who were consistent with the gold standard for myopia. The Kappa values of screening myopia and non cycloplegic myopia were 0.87 and 0.51, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.94 (95% CI =0.93-0.95) and 0.79 (95% CI =0.78-0.81). Compared with other groups, children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 years, in junior or high school, urban residence, better presenting distance visual acuity, and astigmatism ≤1.50 D had a higher consistency in the application of screening myopia ( P <0.05). Conclusion The consistency between screening myopia and cycloplegic myopia is high, and the consistency between non cycloplegic objective myopia is low.

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 investigate the solubility and stability of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) in different solvents, and the effect of temperature and pH on its stability. Methods Solutions of TTX in different matrices were prepared. Their concentrations at different temperatures and pH buffers were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and their solubility and stability were analyzed and calculated. Results TTX was most soluble at pH 3.5 and its solubility decreased as the pH increased. TTX degraded most rapidly under strong alkali conditions, with complete degradation after 20 min of reaction at 0.1 mol/L sodium hydroxide and 70 ℃. The stability test results similarly demonstrated that TTX was least stable under alkaline conditions. In a PBS buffered solution at 37 ℃, pH 7.4, TTX concentration began to decrease consistently at 1~10h, with a degradation rate of 88.07±0.27% after 28 days. Conclusion TTX is readily soluble in acidic aqueous solutions at pH 3.5 and almost insoluble in alkaline aqueous solutions. Its stability is closely related to the temperature and pH of the medium. It is more stable in acidic aqueous solutions and easily degrades under alkaline conditions, and its degradation process could be accelerated by increasing temperature.

Objective To determine risk factors of postoperative pulmonary complications within 1 month in patients undergoing thoracic surgery in Day Care Unit.Methods The total of 200 patients routinely scheduled for VATS under centralized management were enrolled in this study.On the postoperative day 1,lung ultrasound(LUS)was conducted by one physician in the ward.The patients received at least once Chest X-ray or CT in outpatient department within 30 days after discharge.The composite of out-of-hospital PPCs,and the value of LUSS in predicting the PPCs was appraised.Furthermore,we identified the perioperative risk factors associated with PPCs in VATS patients.Results Of 200 recruited VATS patients eligible in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,188 participants received LUS examination and finally completed the 30 days follow-up.Of whom,68 patients developed the varied types of PPCs.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis indicated that comorbidity of immune system disease(P = 0.021),lobar resection(P = 0.031)and the postoperative 24 hours LUSS(P = 0.002)were independent risk factors for PPCs within 30 days after VATS.Conclusion Comorbidity of immune system disease,lobar resection and the postoperative 24 h LUSS were independent risk factors for PPCs within 30 days after VATS.

In order to better control the quality of Flos Puerariae(FP),qualitative and quantitative analyses were initially performed by using chemical fingerprint and chemometrics methods in this study.First,the fingerprint of FP was developed by HPLC and the chemical markers were screened out by similarity analysis(SA),hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA),principal components analysis(PCA),and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA).Next,the chemical constituents in FP were profiled and identified by HPLC coupled to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry(HPLC-FT-ICR MS).Then,the characteristic constituents in FP were quantitatively analyzed by HPLC.As a result,31 common peaks were assigned in the fingerprint and 6 of them were considered as qualitative markers.A total of 35 chemical constituents were detected by HPLC-FT-ICR MS and 16 of them were unambiguously identified by comparing retention time,UV absorption wavelength,accurate mass,and MS/MS data with those of reference standards.Subsequently,the contents of glycitin,genistin,tectoridin,glycitein,genistein,and tectorigenin in 13 batches of FP were detected,ranging from 0.4438 to 11.06 mg/g,0.955 to 1.726 mg/g,9.81 to 57.22 mg/g,3.349 to 41.60 mg/g,0.3576 to 0.989 mg/g,and 2.126 to 9.99 mg/g,respectively.In conclusion,fingerprint analysis in combination with chemometrics methods could discover chemical markers for improving the quality control standard of FP.It is expected that the strategy applied in this study will be valuable for further quality control of other traditional Chinese medicines.

Objective:To investigate the expression of eukaryotic translation initiation 2α (p-elF2α) and activated translation factor 4 (ATF4) in liver tissues of patients with chronic hepatitis B and their correlation with liver fibrosis.Methods:From Jan.2016 to Jan.2019, 158 cases of chronic hepatitis B patients were enrolled in our hospital. The expression levels of p-elF2α and ATF4 in different stages of liver fibrosis were evaluated by hematoxy-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemical staining, and the correlation was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation.Results:The pathological results of liver specimens showed that there were 19 normal controls (S0), 29 S1, 42 S2, 35 S3 and 33 S4 in each stage of fibrosis. The levels of p-eIF2α and ATF4 in fibrosis group were significantly higher than those in normal control group ( P< 0.001). Additionally, the levels of p-eIF2α and ATF4 in different stages of fibrosis were significantly different. The grade of hepatic fibrosis was positively correlated with the scores of p-eIF2α and ATF4 staining in liver tissues, and the correlation coefficients were 0.473 and 0.422 respectively ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:Hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B is positively correlated with p-eIF2α and ATF4. p-eIF2α-ATF4 pathway may involve in the process of chronic hepatitis B-induced hepatic fibrosis.