1.Global health degree education in Europe: development, characteristics, and implications
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):712-718
After years of development, Europe has accumulated extensive experience in the discipline development and global health degree education, laying a strong foundation for cultivating professionals with a global perspective and practical competencies. European universities have continuously explored and innovated in curriculum development and resource integration, offering valuable insights into establishing a comprehensive global health degree education system. This study reviews global health degree programs at 13 representative universities (ranked approximately among the top 100 medical schools in the QS World University Rankings) and two university alliances in Europe. The results of analysis reveals several key features of global health degree education in Europe, such as a wide variety of program types with shorter program durations, strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral integration in teaching, resource sharing through university alliances, and extensive internship and employment opportunities. These findings offer the following implications for the development of global health degree education in China: providing diversified degree programs to meet the needs of different groups; strengthening interdisciplinary teaching to enhance the quality of practical education; and establishing platforms for shared teaching resources to promote international exchange and cooperation.
2.Application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in pathogenic diagnosis of sus-pected infected severe acute pancreatitis
Xiaoyue HONG ; Jiayan LIN ; Jiarong LI ; Caihong NING ; Zefang SUN ; Baiqi LIU ; Lu CHEN ; Shuai ZHU ; Gengwen HUANG ; Dingcheng SHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(5):720-725
Objective:To investigate the application value of metagenomic next-genera-tion sequencing (mNGS) in pathogenic diagnosis of suspected infected severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods:The prospective study was conducted. The clinical data of 25 patients with suspected infected SAP who were admitted to the Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from May to September 2023 were collected. Upper limb venous blood samples of all the patients were collected for both of mNGS and routine pathogen microbial culture. Observation indicators: (1) grouping situations of the enrolled patients; (2) comparison of the diagnostic efficiency of mNGS and routine pathogen microbial culture; (3) results of peripheral blood pathogen microbial testing and peri-pancreatic effusion microbial culture; (4) testing time and cost. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Results:(1) Grouping situations of the enrolled patients. A total of 25 patients were selected for eligibility. There were 18 males and 7 females, aged 48(40,59)years. The duration of hospital stay of 25 patients was 30(20,50)days. The etiologies of 25 patients included 14 cases of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis, 8 cases of biliary pancreatitis, 1 case of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis, and 2 cases of pancreatitis caused by other causes. Of the 25 patients, there were 17 cases with infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) including 7 cases of death, and 8 cases with sterile pancreatic necrosis including no death. (2) Comparison of the diagnostic efficiency of mNGS and routine pathogen microbial culture. The positive rates of mNGS and routine pathogen microbial culture in diagnosis of suspected infected SAP were 72.0%(18/25) and 32.0%(8/25), respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=8.01, P<0.05). The sensitivity and negative predic-tive value of mNGS and routine pathogen microbial culture in diagnosis of IPN were 94.1%(16/17), 35.3%(6/17) and 85.7%(6/7), 35.3%(6/17), showing significant differences between them ( χ2=12.88, 5.04, P<0.05). The specificity and positive predictive value of mNGS and routine pathogen microbial culture in diagnosis of IPN were 75.0%(6/8), 75.0%(6/8) and 88.9%(16/18), 75.0%(6/8), showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0, 0.82, P>0.05). (3) Results of peripheral blood pathogen microbial testing and peripancreatic effusion microbial culture. Of the 17 patients with IPN, 36 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected by mNGS, and 6 strains were detected by routine pathogen microbial culture. There were 16 of 17 patients with IPN showing positive mNGS pathogenic testing, of which 13 cases were consistent with the pathogenic testing results of peri-pancreatic effusion microbial culture, showing a consistency rate of 76.5%(13/17). There were 6 pati-ents with IPN showing positive routine pathogen microbial culture, with a consistency rate of 35.3%(6/17) to peripancreatic effusion microbial culture. (4) Testing time and cost. Testing time of mNGS and routine pathogen microbial culture were (43±17)hours and (111±36)hours, showing a signifi-cant difference between them ( t=9.31, P<0.05). Testing cost of mNGS was (2 267±0)yuan/case, accoun-ting for 1.7% of the hospitalization expenses of (133 759±120 744)yuan/case. Testing cost of routine pathogen microbial culture was (240±0)yuan/case, accounting of 0.2% of the hospitalization expenses. Conclusion:mNGS has important value for early pathogenic diagnosis of suspected infected SAP, and has a high timeliness.
3.The clinical application value of next-generation sequencing technology based on metagenomics capture for identifying pathogens in infected pancreatic necrosis
Baiqi LIU ; Jiarong LI ; Xiaoyue HONG ; Jiayan LIN ; Caihong NING ; Zefang SUN ; Shuai ZHU ; Lu CHEN ; Dingcheng SHEN ; Yan YU ; Gengwen HUANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;33(9):1481-1487
Background and Aims:Accurate early pathogen diagnosis is a breakthrough for improving the prognosis of infectious pancreatic necrosis(IPN)patients.However,there is currently a lack of efficient methods for early identification of IPN in clinical settings.This study was performed to assess the application value of next-generation sequencing technology based on metagenomic capture(MetaCAP)in the pathogen diagnosis of IPN. Methods:A prospective study was conducted on 29 patients suspected of having acute necrotizing pancreatitis at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between January and July 2024.Blood samples were tested using MetaCAP and conventional pathogen culture.The results of peritoneal fluid pathogen culture were used as the gold standard to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the two methods. Results:Due to three cases lacking peritoneal fluid culture results,a total of 26 cases were included in the final analysis.The overall mortality rate was 23.1%(6/26).During hospitalization,9 cases(34.6%)were diagnosed with IPN.The sensitivity and negative predictive value of MetaCAP for diagnosing IPN were significantly higher than those of conventional pathogen culture(77.8%vs.11.1%,P=0.031;86.7%vs.65.2%,P=0.032),while the differences in specificity(76.5%vs.88.2%,P=0.689)and positive predictive value(63.6%vs.33.3%,P=0.347)between the two methods were not statistically significant.The average detection time for MetaCAP was 33(20-49)h,while microbial culture took 125(45-142)h,with a significant difference(P<0.001).The average cost for blood MetaCAP testing was 2 500 yuan per case,but it accounted for only 1.19%of the average hospitalization cost. Conclusion:MetaCAP has significant value in the early pathogen diagnosis of IPN,with a shorter detection time,good testing efficacy,and health-economic value,demonstrating a promising clinical application prospect.
4.Mechanism of quercetin in tuberculous ulcer treatment using network pharmacology
Dandan GUO ; Jiayan QIAN ; Yue CHEN ; Jiachen WENG ; Zihui HUANG
Journal of China Medical University 2024;53(6):509-515,524
Objective To explore the underlying molecular mechanism of quercetin in tuberculous ulcer treatment using network phar-macology and molecular docking.Methods We identified quercetin drug targets by searching the PubChem,SwissTarget,and TargetNet databases,then combining our results with those of previous tuberculosis ulcer gene sequencing in our group,thereby obtaining inter-section targets.Using the DAVID database,we performed intersection target gene ontology functional enrichment analysis and signaling pathway enrichment analysis of the Kyoto gene and genome database.We analyzed the intersection target using the STRING database and Cytoscape software and screened the hub node.We used PyMOL and AutoDockTolls software to complete quercetin molecular docking with the hub node,then screened the core drug target of quercetin.Finally,we constructed a macrophage model to verify the above-men-tioned core genes.Results We screened overall 54 drug targets.Our enrichment analysis indicated that the signaling pathways involved in quercetin-mediated tuberculous ulcer treatment were e.g.,metabolic pathways,lipid and atherosclerosis,or the MAPK signaling pathway.In addition,ALOX5,TNF,SRC,MMP9,and EGFRmight be the key genes in quercetin-mediated tuberculous ulcer treatment.Results of our cell culture experiment demonstrated that upon quercetin intervention,SRCand EGFRexpression increased significantly while that of MMP9decreased significantly in M1 and M2 macrophages.Conclusion Quercetin could potentially regulate macrophage polarization by influencing SRC,EGFR,and MMP9expression.
5.Effects of Versican V0/V1 gene silencing on biological behaviors of mouse dental papilla cells
Jiayan WU ; Haiyan HUANG ; Chenyu SONG ; Beizhan JIANG
STOMATOLOGY 2024;44(5):349-355
Objective To investigate the effect of Versican V0/V1 on biological behaviors of mouse dental papilla cells(mDPCs).Methods mDPCs were isolated from C57BL/6J mice at embryonic day 16.5(E16.5).A small interfering RNA(siRNA)constructed specifically for Versican V0/V1 was transfected into mDPCs.The silencing efficiency was verified by quantitative real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and immunofluorescence staining.The proliferation rate of mDPCs was determined using EdU assay;the migration ability of mDPCs was evaluated by scratch test and transwell assay.Alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining and aliz-arin red staining were used to assess the mineralization capability of mDPCs.The molecules related to odontogenic differentiation and mineralization at mRNA levels were measured by qRT-PCR.Results After siRNA transfection,the mDPCs of si-Versican V0/V1 group showed weaker proliferation and migration abilities compared with si-NC group(P<0.01).An enhanced ALP staining intensity,miner-alized nodule formation and up-regulations of the molecules related to odontogenic differentiation and mineralization at mRNA levels(P<0.05)were observed in the mDPCs of si-Versican V0/V1 group.Conclusion Versican V0/V1 silencing inhibits the proliferation and migration of mDPCs,but enhances the abilities of odontogenic differentiation and mineralization.
6.A qualitative study of diet management in patients with colorectal cancer after stent-based diverting technique based on information-motivation-behavioral skills model
Xue WANG ; Dingyuan WEI ; Mengxing WANG ; Jiayan WANG ; Yuanyuan KUANG ; Binbin HUANG ; Didi XU ; Xuemei XIAN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(16):1268-1274
Objective:To investigate the current situation of diet management in patients with colorectal cancer after stent-based diverting technique, and to provide basis for formulating relevant nursing intervention strategies.Methods:Objective sampling method was used to conduct semi-structured interviews on 15 patients who underwent stent-based diverting technique for colorectal cancer and had the bypass tube removed from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Zhejiang University from March to July 2023. The interview outline was established based on information-motivation-behavioral skills(IMB) model, and the data were analyzed, summarized and extracted by Colaizzi 7-step analysis method.Results:There were 10 males and 5 females, aged 34-76 years old. According to the three elements of the IMB model, the current situation of diet management was summarized into nine themes. The information included the difficulty in obtaining effective diet guidance information, the lack of specific diet guidance content, the need for individualized diet information guidance mode, and the poor continuity of information exchange after discharge. The motivations included ignoring the importance of diet management, dislike the taste of oral nutritional preparations, and weak support from family members. Behavioral skills include inadequate tube care skills and lack of oral nutrition preparation skills.Conclusions:There are many problems in the diet management of patients after colorectal cancer stent-based diverting technique. Medical staff should optimize the diet education information of colorectal cancer patients after surgery, provide multi-level, multi-time and multi-form continuous care, mobilize the active participation of family members, improve the motivation of patients′ diet management, refine the nursing process of the bypass tube, strengthen the application guidance of oral nutrition preparation skills, and improve patients′ diet management ability.
7.Dosimetric analysis of CBCT imaging frequency and matching strategy in prostate cancer radiotherapy
Yan GAO ; Xianshu GAO ; Mingwei MA ; Xueying REN ; Jiayan CHEN ; Lin MA ; Lei HUANG ; Shiyu SHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2024;33(8):733-739
Objective:To evaluate the effects of different imaging frequencies and matching strategies of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) on dose-volume parameters in target and organs at risk (OAR) during image-guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer.Methods:A total of 561 sets of CBCT images from 21 patients treated with radical prostate radiotherapy who were admitted to Peking University First Hospital from June 2022 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy (VMAT) at a prescribed dose of 70 Gy divided into 25 times, 2.8 Gy per time. Clinical target volume (CTV) and OAR were delineated by the same oncologist on each CBCT image. The planned CT (pCT) was rigorously registered to CBCT after calibration of positioning errors according to different image guidance modes and frequencies, and CT values and structures were propagated to CBCT through deformable image registration (DIR). The daily dose was mapped to pCT according to the deformation vector field (DVF) for dose accumulation. The actual cumulative dose of daily online CBCT validation was compared with the weekly CBCT validation regimen (days 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 16 and 21 online imaging). The dosimetric comparison was also made between bone-based matching and soft tissue-based matching (after automatic bone-based matching, manual prostate-based matching was performed and fine-tuning was made regarding the anterior wall of rectum). Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test was utilized to analyze dose-volume parameters between planned and cumulative doses that exhibited non-normal distribution, while paired t-test was employed for assessing shift values and average dose parameters that demonstrated normal distribution. Results:Compared with daily CBCT image guidance, the CTV_D 98% in weekly CBCT was significantly reduced [(69.08±1.58) vs. (65.24±3.64) Gy, P<0.001]. The CTV_D 98% of bone-based matching was (69.27±2.14) Gy, but the high-dose volume of the rectum were significantly increased: V 60 Gy was 3.18%±3.10%, V 65 Gy was 0.77%±1.23%. The target area coverage using soft tissue-based matching is sufficient, with a CTV_D 98% of (69.08±1.58) Gy. And the percentage volume of high-dose volume of the rectum was significantly reduced, with V 60 Gy being 2.02%±2.42% and V 65 Gy being 0.34%±0.68%. Conclusions:In prostate cancer patients undergoing moderately-fractionated radiotherapy, daily CBCT image guidance demonstrates superior target coverage compared to a weekly scheme. Soft tissue-based matching, which is automatic bone-based matching followed by manual soft tissue-based matching and fine-tuning according to the anterior rectal wall, offers better rectal protection while maintaining target coverage.
8.Therapeutic Effect of Compound Wufengcao Liquid on Tuberculous Ulcer from Perspective of Macrophages
Jiayan QIAN ; Zihui HUANG ; Jiayue SUN ; Feiyun XU ; Yuling WANG ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(4):86-96
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of compound Wufengcao liquid (CWL) on tuberculous ulcer and the influence on macrophage polarization. Method① Clinical experiment: A total of 145 patients with tuberculous ulcer who were treated in Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital were randomized into observation group, control group Ⅰ, and control group Ⅱ according to the random number table method. In addition to the basic anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, CWL, Kangfuxin liquid, and isoniazid solution (local external application) were respectively used in the observation group, control group Ⅰ, and control group Ⅱ. The treatment lasted 4 weeks for each group. The total effective rate in wound healing, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome score, and histopathological morphology of wound were observed and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 (Arg-1) in wound tissue was measured. ② Cell experiment: RAW264.7 cells were cultured in DMEM (10% fetal bovine serum, 1% double-antibody solution) in a cell incubator (37 °C, 5% CO2). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to induce the differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was employed to stimulate polarization of macrophages into M1 type and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to induce the polarization into M2 type. Kangfuxin solution, isoniazid solution, and CWL were respectively applied to the above cell model for 36 h. The cell supernatant was collected and centrifuged. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), iNOS, and Arg-1, and flow cytometry (FCM) to detect the expression of CD86 and CD206. Result①Clinical experiment: The total effective rate in the CWL group [98.0% (48/49)] was higher than that in the control group Ⅰ [87.5% (42/48), χ2=3.962, P<0.05] and control group Ⅱ [83.3% (40/48), χ2=6.162, P<0.05]. After 28 days of treatment, compared with control group Ⅰ and control group Ⅱ, CWL decreased the TCM syndrome score (P<0.05) and obviously improved the histopathological morphology of the wound. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the iNOS expression in local focus tissue was lower (P<0.05) and the expression of Arg-1 was higher (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the CWL group than in the control group Ⅰ and control group Ⅱ after 28 days of treatment. ② Cell experiment: Western blot assay showed that the expression of iNOS and TNF-α in LPS group increased compared with that in the M0 group (P<0.01) and the expression in the LPS+ isoniazid group, LPS+ Kangfuxin group, and LPS+CWL group was lower than that in the LPS group (P<0.05). The expression of iNOS in LPS+Kangfuxin group and LPS+ CWL group was lower than that in the LPS+isoniazid group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of TNF-α in LPS+ CWL group was lower than that in LPS+isoniazid group (P<0.01). The expression of TNF-α in LPS+ CWL group decreased compared with that in the LPS+ Kangfuxin group (P<0.05). The expression of Arg-1 and TGF-β in IL-4 group was higher than that in the M0 group (P<0.01), and the expression in the IL-4+isoniazid group, IL-4+Kangfuxin group, and IL-4+ CWL group was higher than that in the IL-4 group (P<0.05). The expression of Arg-1 and TGF-β in the IL-4+ Kangfuxin group and IL-4+CWL group was higher than that in the IL-4+isoniazid group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression was higher in the IL-4+CWL group than in the IL-4+Kangfuxin group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The FCM result showed that the expression of CD86 and CD206 in LPS group and IL-4 group was higher than that in M0 group (P<0.01). CD86 expression in LPS+isoniazid group, LPS+ Kangfuxin group, and LPS+CWL group was lower than that in the LPS group (P<0.01). The expression of CD86 in LPS+Kangfuxin group and LPS+ CWL group increased compared with that in the LPS+isoniazid group (P<0.01), and the expression was higher in the LPS+ CWL group than in the LPS+Kangfuxin group (P<0.01). CD206 expression in IL-4+ isoniazid group, IL-4+Kangfuxin liquor group, and IL-4+ CWL group was increased compared with that in the IL-4 group (P<0.01). CD206 expression in IL-4+Kangfuxin liquid group and IL-4+ CWL group was decreased compared with that in the IL-4+isoniazid group (P<0.01). CD206 expression in IL-4+CWL group was lower than that in the IL-4+ Kangfuxin group (P<0.05). ConclusionCWL can promote the healing of tuberculous ulcers, and the mechanism is that it inhibits the expression of iNOS, TNF-α, and CD86 and promotes the expression of Arg-1, TGF-β, and CD206, thereby regulating M1/M2 polarization balance.
9.Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography for differentiating mass-forming pancreatitis from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a meta-analysis.
Jie YANG ; Jiayan HUANG ; Yonggang ZHANG ; Keyu ZENG ; Min LIAO ; Zhenpeng JIANG ; Wuyongga BAO ; Qiang LU
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(17):2028-2036
BACKGROUND:
Patients with mass-forming pancreatitis (MFP) or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presented similar clinical symptoms, but required different treatment approaches and had different survival outcomes. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in differentiating MFP from PDAC.
METHODS:
A literature search was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu (VIP), and WanFang databases to identify original studies published from inception to August 20, 2021. Studies reporting the diagnostic performances of CEUS and CECT for differentiating MFP from PDAC were included. The meta-analysis was performed with Stata 15.0 software. The outcomes included the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (+LR), negative likelihood ratio (-LR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves of CEUS and CECT. Meta-regression was conducted to investigate heterogeneity. Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to indirectly compare the overall diagnostic performance.
RESULTS:
Twenty-six studies with 2115 pancreatic masses were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CEUS for MFP were 82% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73%-88%; I2 = 0.00%) and 95% (95% CI, 90%-97%; I2 = 63.44%), respectively; the overall +LR, -LR, and DOR values were 15.12 (95% CI, 7.61-30.01), 0.19 (95% CI, 0.13-0.29), and 78.91 (95% CI, 30.94-201.27), respectively; and the area under the SROC curve (AUC) was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-92). However, the overall sensitivity and specificity of CECT were 81% (95% CI, 75-85%; I2 = 66.37%) and 94% (95% CI, 90-96%; I2 = 74.87%); the overall +LR, -LR, and DOR values were 12.91 (95% CI, 7.86-21.20), 0.21 (95% CI, 0.16-0.27), and 62.53 (95% CI, 34.45-113.51), respectively; and, the SROC AUC was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.90-0.94). The overall diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was comparable to that of CECT for the differential diagnosis of MFP and PDAC (relative DOR 1.26, 95% CI [0.42-3.83], P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
CEUS and CECT have comparable diagnostic performance for differentiating MFP from PDAC, and should be considered as mutually complementary diagnostic tools for suspected focal pancreatic lesions.
Humans
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Contrast Media
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Bayes Theorem
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*
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Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging*
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Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/diagnostic imaging*
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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Pancreatitis/diagnostic imaging*
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Ultrasonography/methods*
10.Effect of Electroacupuncture at Proximal and Distal Acupoints on Pain-inducing Substances, Macrophages and Related Inflammatory Factors in Myofascial Pain Syndrome Model Rats
Yueyue LIU ; Linyao ZHENG ; Jiayan CHEN ; Yuting HUANG ; Yanping FANG ; Tianyu RAO ; Kezhi LIU ; Xiubing TONG ; Yu KAN ; Xianghong JING ; Jun LIAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;64(17):1799-1806
ObjectiveTo explore the possible peripheral analgesic mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at promimal and distal acupoints in treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, proximal group, and distal group, with six rats in each group. MPS model was prepared by “strike combined with centrifugal exercise” in all groups except for the blank group. After modeling, the rats in the proximal group received EA at the local myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), namely the Ashi points, with dilatational waves of frequency of 2/100 HZ and voltage of 2-4 V, current intensity depending on a slight trembling of the left lower limbs, once a day, 15min each time,for 14 days. The rats in the distal group received EA at “Yanglingquan” (GB 34) and “Yinlingquan” (SP 9), with the same operations as the proximal group. The rats in the blank group and the model group were only grasped and hedged, without other interventions. After intervention, the paw withdrawl mechanical threshold (PWMT) was measured, and variability between the left and right hind paws was calculated. Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging and electromyography monitoring were performed on the left lower extremity vastus medialis. The morphological changes of vastus medialis muscle of the left lower extremity were observed by HE staining. The positive expression of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), CD68 and CD206 in muscle tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Abdominal aortic serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-8 (interleukin-8) were detected by ELISA. ResultsCompared to those in the blank group, the fibers of the vastus medial muscle of the rats in the model group were broken and distorted with thickness in variation, and the myofascia was broken, with fibrillation potential, enlarged muscle cells, inward moved nucleus, and widened muscle space; the variability of PWMT between the left and right hind paws significantly increased, as well as the levels of SP, CGRP, CD68, and CD206 in the vastus medialis muscle (P<0.01), and the serum IL-8 and TNF-αlevels were significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to those in the model group, the muscle fibers in the proximal and distal group were complete in shape and arranged in an orderly manner, with continued non-broken myofascia, regular shape of muscle cells, and significantly reduced level of IL-8 (P<0.01); the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous discharge in the proximal group significantly decreased, as well as the variability of PWMT between the left and right hind paws, and the levels of SP, CGRP, and CD68 in the vastus medialis muscle, while the CD206 level increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01 ); there was complex discharges in the distal group, with significantly decreased level of CD68 in the vastus medialis muscle and increased level of CD206 (P<0.01). Compared to the proximal group, the level of IL-8 in the distal group was significantly higher (P<0.05). ConclusionsEA at proximal acupoints can significantly improve the pain threshold and local muscle tissue morpho-logy in rats, and its mechanism may be related to reducing the levels of pain-causing substances and related inflammatory factors and promoting the polarization of macrophages. The analgesic effect of EA at distal acupoints is not obvious, and the mechanism is still unclear.

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