ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the correlation between the quality of life （QOL） and different traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes in patients with myasthenia gravis （MG）， identifying potential influencing factors to provide new insights for clinical interventions and improving the QOL of patients with MG. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted on 93 adults with MG who visited the Department of Neurology at the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine from March 2023 to January 2024. Statistical analysis was performed on the clinical data collected using SPSS 24.0 software. ResultsAmong the 93 patients with MG， the average score for myasthenia gravis quality of life-15 （MGQOL-15） was 17.65±6.27， and that for the 36-item short form health survey （SF-36） was （106.13±11.83） scores. The QOL was rated as good for 16 patients and moderate for 77 patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the scores of MGQOL-15， SF-36， and their individual scales by gender or education level. Age showed statistically significant differences in MGQOL-15 and the role physical （RP） scale （P<0.05）， and occupational type showed significant differences in the vitality （VT） scale （P<0.01）. The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America （MGFA） classification had statistical significance on the total SF-36 score （P<0.01）， VT scale （P<0.01）， role emotional （RE） scale （P<0.05）， social functioning （SF） scale （P<0.05）， and physical functioning （PF） scale （P<0.01）. Among patients with different TCM syndromes， there were significant differences in MGQOL-15 scores （F=4.919， P<0.01）. Moreover， significant differences were observed in SF-36 scores （P<0.01）， VT scale （P<0.01）， RE scale （P<0.05）， mental health （MH） scale （P<0.01）， and SF scale （P<0.05）. ConclusionFactors affecting the QOL of patients with MG include age， occupational type， and clinical classification of MG. Specifically， a greater impact on the QOL of older patients is observed， while physical laborers have a poorer QOL compared to non-physical laborers. Patients classified as MGFA type Ⅱ and higher have a poorer QOL. Additionally， there is a potential correlation between the QOL and TCM syndromes， with patients presenting with spleen and kidney Qi deficiency having a lower QOL than those with spleen and stomach Qi deficiency or Qi and Yin deficiency， which is particularly evident in the VT， RE， MH， and SF scales.

AIM:To observe the anti-scarring effects and safety of triamcinolone acetonide(TA)-loaded hydrogel sustained-release sheeting on stab incision glaucoma surgery(SIGS)with “one-step tunnel method” in rabbit eyes.METHODS:A total of 48 healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly selected and divided into 4 groups(12 rabbits in each group), trabeculectomy(Trab)group, SIGS group, polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel(PVAH)sheeting was implanted under the conjunctiva flap during SIGS(PVAH group), and hydrogel sustained-release sheeting loaded with TA was implanted under the conjunctiva flap during SIGS(TA/PVAH group). On the 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk after surgery, the intraocular pressure, filtering bubble morphology, anterior chamber reaction, and other complications were observed and recorded in each group. Then animals were euthanized, and the surgery area tissues of right eye were taken for pathological tissue paraffin section. Masson staining, picric acid-Sirius rose red staining, as well as α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2)immunohistochemistry staining was performed on every section. The infiltration of inflammatory cells, proliferation of fibroblasts and synthesis of type I and type III collagen fibers in local tissues were observed. The average positive area ratio of α-SMA and FGF2 antibody immunohistochemical staining in each group was calculated and compared.RESULTS: The TA/PVAH group maintained diffuse and elevated functional filtering blebs, while flat filtering blebs appeared in Trab, SIGS and PVAH groups at 2 wk after surgery. Functional filtering blebs were present in 1 eye(33%), 2 eyes(67%)in the PVAH and TA/PVAH group at 4 wk after surgery, respectively, while the other filtering blebs were flattened. Masson staining showed that the hydrogels in PVAH and TA/PVAH groups did not degrade at 4 wk after surgery. Compared with the Trab and SIGS groups, the filtration passages were more obvious, with less collagen fiber proliferation. Sirius red staining showed that the expression of type I collagen and type III collagen in the TA/PVAH group was less than that in the Trab group, SIGS group and PVAH group at 4 wk after surgery. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the α-SMA expression in the TA/PVAH group was significantly lower than that in the Trab and SIGS groups at 1 wk after surgery(P<0.01). The α-SMA expression was the highest in the Trab and SIGS groups at 2 wk after surgery, while the α-SMA expression in the PHAP and TA/PVAH groups was significantly lower than that in the first two groups(P<0.01). Compared with the Trab group, the expression of FGF2 in the PVAH and TA/PVAH group was significantly increased at 1, 2, 3 and 4 wk after surgery(P<0.05). Compared with the SIGS group, FGF2 expression in the TA/PVAH group was significantly increased at 4 wk after surgery(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:In SIGS surgery of rabbit eyes, implanting hydrogel sustained-release sheeting loaded with TA under conjunctival flap can effectively inhibit the scarring of the filtering bleb, which may be the interaction of the anti-scar effect of TA and the stent function of hydrogel.

Stroke is one of the most common cerebrovascular diseases， including hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. From a modern medical perspective， stroke is caused by cerebrovascular damage or embolism leading to impaired blood circulation. From the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） perspective， the pathogenesis of this disease is mainly due to the disorder of Qi and blood， which ascend to the brain， causing either blood extravasation or blockage of brain collaterals. Stasis is a pathological factor that runs throughout the entire course of stroke， and the method of promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis has been a core treatment for stroke for a long time. Hirudo， as a traditional insect drug， has shown good effects in promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that Hirudo contains anticoagulant components， which provide significant advantages in dissolving thrombi in ischemic stroke and facilitating hematoma absorption in hemorrhagic stroke. Hirudo and its related preparations have been proven to exert an anti-stroke effect through anticoagulation， anti-thrombosis， and protection of vascular endothelium. As a result， they have been widely used in the treatment of stroke. This article explored the theoretical basis and research status of using Hirudo for treating stroke based on its main active components and hemostatic properties and summarized the current research status of commonly used Hirudo-based formulations and preparations， aiming to provide references for the involvement of Hirudo in stroke treatment.

Stroke is a common cerebrovascular disease， characterized by high incidence， mortality and disability rate. Neuronal cells， the basic unit of the central nervous system， can be injured to varying degrees when stroke occurs. Neuronal cell injury after stroke is also the key cause leading to neurological dysfunction， affecting the prognosis and quality of life of patients. Therefore， reducing the neuronal cell injury and delaying the process of cell death are effective to decrease the nerve function injury in stroke patients and improve their prognosis， thus lowering the death and disability rate of stroke. Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death that has been widely concerned in recent years. Several studies have confirmed that there is ferroptosis in neuronal cells after stroke. Since ferroptosis is an adjustable form， its intervention can help regulate the injury and death of neuronal cells. Studies have shown that inhibiting ferroptosis plays a role in protecting neuronal cells. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with the multi-channel and multi-target treatment advantages， has been widely used in the whole stroke and has achieved good clinical efficacy. It might be a new direction taking TCM regulation of ferroptosis as the entry point for stroke treatment in the future. This review revealed the mechanism of ferroptosis， discussed the research status of TCM in intervening in neuronal cell ferroptosis， and provided reference for further improving the efficacy of TCM in stroke.

Objective:To study relationship among serum homocysteine (Hcy) level ,paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and carotid atherosclerosis .Methods:A total of 179 residents from a community of Shanghai ,who participated in cardiovascular risk factor screening from 2012 to 2014 ,were selected .They received carotid ultrasonic examination and measurements of serum Hcy ,PON1 and other biomarkers .According to serum Hcy level ,subjects were divided into elevated Hcy group (n=85) and normal Hcy group (n=94) .Results:Spearman correlation analysis indicated that serum Hcy level was significant inversely correlated with PON1 activity (r= -0.738 ,P=0.001) .Compared with normal Hcy group ,there were signifi‐cant rise in age [(60.66 ± 7.18) years vs .(64.57 ± 7.29) years] ,male proportion (27.66% vs .63.53% ) ,serum creati‐nine [(69.62 ± 12.76)μmol/L vs .(88.47 ± 20.86)μmol/L] ,uric acid [(267.85 ± 63.02)μmol/L vs .(307.51 ± 76.07)μmol/L] ,triglyceride [(1.33 ± 0.79) mmol/L vs .(1.76 ± 1.70) mmol/L]and systolic blood pressure [(134.93 ± 15.82) mmHg vs .(142.72 ± 17.86) mmHg] ,and significant reductions in levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL‐C , (1.17 ± 0.26) mmol/L vs .(1.06 ± 0.27) mmol/L]and PON1 [(288.58 ± 73.80) kU/L vs .(187.81 ± 16.31) kU/L]in el‐evated Hcy group , P<0. 05 or <0. 01. Incidence rate of carotid atherosclerosis in elevated Hcy group was significantly higher than that of normal Hcy group (64. 7% vs .44. 7% ) , P=0. 001 .Multi‐variate gradual Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum creatinine and Hcy levels were independent risk factors for serum PON 1 activity(OR=1.055 ,1.139 , P<0.01 ,<0.05);Hcy isn′t an independent risk factor (OR=1.020 ,P=0.497) for carotid atherosclerosis .Conclusion:Serum Hcy level is significant inversely correlated with serum PON 1 activity ,and both of them are related to occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis .

Objective:To study the morphologic standard values of craniofacial hard-tissue of the youths in Xi'an.Methods:CBCT scanned cephalometric data of 100 selected volunteers (50 males and 50 females)with individual normal occlusion were collected.31 landmarks and 31 measurements were compared between sexes and between 3D and 2D data with software InvivoDental 5.2,WinCeph 8.0.and SPSS 19.0.Results:1.In the 3D measurements,vertical growth of mandible in the females was more than that in the males. The values of torque of lower incisor,basis length,height of rumi mandibulae and length of corpora mandibulae in the males were bigger than those in the females.2.Compared with 2D measurements,there existed statistically significant differences in most parameters except U1-NA(mm).Conclusion:3D analysis with CBCT may provide more accurite morphologic data for craniofacial hard tissues.

BACKGROUND:Autologous stem celltransplantation to the heart is a research direction of heart failure treatment, but there are relatively few of studies about autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem celltransplantation targeting the cardiac conduction system. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the potential of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of heart block. METHODS:Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were induced by 5-azacytidine to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells. After thoracotomy, the left atrium-left ventricular anterior wal was sutured in 14 New Zealand white rabbits (8 in the experimental group and 6 in the control group). One month after the surgery, in the experimental group, autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by 5-azacytidine for 4 weeks were labeled with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and then injected into the suture area when opening the thoracic again. In the control group, cells cultured in medium were used. One month after celltransplantation, the third thoracotomy was done to insert electrodes into the left atrium and left ventricular anterior wal , for cardiac electrophysiological detection. Whether atrioventricular pathway formed in the suture area was observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After cells were transplanted into the sutured area, two rabbits in the experimental group were discovered to form the atrioventricular pathway in the sutured area through cardiac electrophysiological examination. After transplantation, transplanted cells were visible on the heart frozen sections under fluorescence microscope in the left ventricle and sutured area, but there was no cellin the control group. In the experimental group, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells expressed Cx43 and formed gap junction intercellular communication with cardiomyocytes, which was presented as formation of the atrioventricular pathway on cardiac electrophysiology examination. These findings indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can be used to treat cardiac conduction system block diseases.

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), we performed HSCT in 30 patients with hematologic maligancies. Of the 30 patients, 10 underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT), 13 underwent myeloablative allogeneic HSCT while 7 underwent nonmyeloablative allogeneic HSCT, which were designated as autologous group, myeloablative group and nonmyeloablative group, respectively. All patients except the one who underwent cord blood transplantation, were successfully engrafted. Median time for the granulocytes > or = 0.5 x 10(9)/L and platelets > or = 20 x 10(9)/L were 12 days and 13 days respectively in autologous group, 16 days and 19 days in myeloablative group, 15 days and 12 days in nonmyeloablative group. In myeloablative group, acute graft-versus-host diseases (aGVHD) was observed in 3 patients, all of which were I-II grade. Oral mucous cGVHD was observed in 1 patient. In nonmyeloablative group, 1 patient developed intestinal aGVHD grade IV and cutaneous cGVHD was induced by donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) in 3 patients. 1 patient had hematological relapse in autologous group. 1 patient had cytogenetic relapse in myeloablative group. In nonmyeloablative group 3 patients had cytogenetic relapse and were cured by DLI, 1 patient had hematological relapse. 4 of the 30 patients died of infection (2 patients), grade IV aGVHD (1) and relapse (1) respectively. 26 patients are still alive. 3 years overall survival (OS) and 3 years disease free survival (DFS) were 100% and 64.81% respectively in autologous group, 78.75% and 63% respectively in myeloablative group while both 66.67% in nonmyeloablative group. In conclusion, autologous group had less transplant-related complications and mortality. Active prophylaxis of relapse could significantly promote DFS. The transplant-related mortality limited DFS in myeloablative group. More relapses occurred in nonmyeloablative group, but could be cured by DLI.
Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft vs Host Disease ; epidemiology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Leukemia ; surgery ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; surgery ; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic ; surgery ; Lymphoma ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

The effects of ligustrazine on the expression of LFA-1, ICAM-1 in bone marrow tissue and the mechanism promoting hematopoietic reconstitution following bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were investigated. The 150 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal group, saline group and ligustrazine group. The normal group received no treatment, while in the saline group and ligustrazine group, the mice were subjected to normal saline (0.2 ml, twice a day) and ligustrazine (0.2 ml, twice a day) respectively through a gastric tube. At the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after BMT, survival rate, colony forming unit of spleen (CFU-S), peripheral blood cells and bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) were measured, histological changes in bone marrow tissue were observed and the expression level of LFA-1, ICAM-1 was detected. In ligustrazine group CFU-S counts on the 10th day and the peripheral blood WBC, PLT, BMMNC counts, hematopoietic tissue volume as well as the expression level of LFA-1 on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th day after BMT were higher than in saline group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Mature RBC volume and the expression level of ICAM-1 were significantly lower in the ligustrazine group than in the saline group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the ligustrazine group, fat tissue volume was higher on the 7th, 14th day after BMT (P<0.01) and was lower on the 21st, 28th day (P<0.01) after BMT than in the saline group. It was concluded that Ligustrazine could improve bone marrow microenvironment and promote hematopoietic reconstitution.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), we performed HSCT in 30 patients with hematologic maligancies. Of the 30 patients, 10 underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT), 13 underwent myeloablative allogeneic HSCT while 7 underwent nonmyeloablative allogeneic HSCT, which were designated as autologous group, myeloablative group and nonmyeloablative group, respectively. All patients except the one who underwent cord blood transplantation, were successfully engrafted. Median time for the granulocytes > or = 0.5 x 10(9)/L and platelets > or = 20 x 10(9)/L were 12 days and 13 days respectively in autologous group, 16 days and 19 days in myeloablative group, 15 days and 12 days in nonmyeloablative group. In myeloablative group, acute graft-versus-host diseases (aGVHD) was observed in 3 patients, all of which were I-II grade. Oral mucous cGVHD was observed in 1 patient. In nonmyeloablative group, 1 patient developed intestinal aGVHD grade IV and cutaneous cGVHD was induced by donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) in 3 patients. 1 patient had hematological relapse in autologous group. 1 patient had cytogenetic relapse in myeloablative group. In nonmyeloablative group 3 patients had cytogenetic relapse and were cured by DLI, 1 patient had hematological relapse. 4 of the 30 patients died of infection (2 patients), grade IV aGVHD (1) and relapse (1) respectively. 26 patients are still alive. 3 years overall survival (OS) and 3 years disease free survival (DFS) were 100% and 64.81% respectively in autologous group, 78.75% and 63% respectively in myeloablative group while both 66.67% in nonmyeloablative group. In conclusion, autologous group had less transplant-related complications and mortality. Active prophylaxis of relapse could significantly promote DFS. The transplant-related mortality limited DFS in myeloablative group. More relapses occurred in nonmyeloablative group, but could be cured by DLI.
China/epidemiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft vs Host Disease/*epidemiology ; *Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects ; Leukemia/*surgery ; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/surgery ; Leukemia, Nonlymphocytic, Acute/surgery ; Lymphoma/surgery