ObjectiveTo study on the different therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma（RH） before and after steaming with wine on constipation model mice. MethodsFifty-four male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group， model group， lactulose group（1.5 mg·kg^-1）， high， medium and low dose groups of RH and RH steaming with wine（PRH）（8， 4， 1 g·kg^-1）. Except for the control group， the constipation model was replicated by gavage of loperamide hydrochloride（6 mg·kg^-1） in the other groups. After 2 weeks of modeling， each administration group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of drug solution， and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline， 1 time/d for 2 consecutive weeks. After administration， the feces were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing， the levels of gastrin（GAS）， motilin（MTL）， interleukin-6（IL-6）， γ-interferon（IFN-γ） in the colonic tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）， the histopathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion changes of CD4⁺， CD8⁺ and regulatory T cell（Treg） in peripheral blood. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed significantly decrease in fecal number in 24 h， fecal quality and fecal water rate（P<0.01）， the colon was seen to have necrotic shedding of mucosal epithelium， localized intestinal glands in the lamina propria were degenerated， necrotic and atrophied， a few lymphocytes were seen to infiltrate in the necrotic area in a scattered manner， the contents of GAS and MTL， the proportions of CD4⁺， CD8⁺ and Treg were significantly reduced（P<0.01）， the contents of IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly elevated（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the fecal number in 24 h， fecal quality and fecal water rate of high-dose groups of RH and PRH were significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the pathological damage of the colon was alleviated to varying degrees， the contents of GAS， MTL， IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly regressed（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the proportions of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ were significantly increased（P<0.01）， although the proportion of Treg showed an upward trend， there was no significant difference. In addition， the results of intestinal flora showed that the number of amplicon sequence variant（ASV） and Alpha diversity were decreased in the model group compared with the control group， and there was a significant difference in Beta diversity， with a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and an increase in the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter. Compared with the model group， the ASV number and Alpha diversity were increased in the high-dose groups of RH and PRH， and there was a trend of regression of Beta diversity to the control group， the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased， and the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter decreased. ConclusionRH and PRH can improve dysbacteriosis， promote immune system activation， inhibit the release of inflammatory factors for enhancing the gastrointestinal function， which may be one of the potential mechanisms of their therapeutic effect on constipation.

Objective:To explore the utility of applying low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the acute stage of ischemic stroke in terms of improving upper limb motor function.Methods:Eighty ischemic stroke survivors in the acute stage were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group, with 40 in each. In addition to routine rehabilitation, the experimental group was given low frequency rTMS, while the control group was provided with sham rTMS. Before and after 4-weeks of treatment, upper limb motor function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer rating scale (FMA), Wolf motor function tests (WMFTs), the modified Barthel index (MBI) and in terms of motor evoked potential (MEP) latency and amplitude.Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before the treatment. Afterward, however, the average FMA, WMFT, MBI scores had improved significantly more in the experimental group, on average, as had the average MEP amplitude.Conclusion:Low frequency rTMS in the acute phase of ischemic stroke can improve upper limb motor function and ability in the activities of daily living.

Objective To explore the effect of circular RNA(circRNA)transcription factor 25(TCF25)-targeting microRNA-128b(miR-128b)on the proliferation and apoptosis of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.Methods MCF-7 cells were cultured until the loga-rithmic growth stage.Cells were randomly divided into the blank(untransfected),si-NC(transfected si-NC),si-circRNA TCF25(transfected si-circRNA TCF25),pcDNA-circRNA TCF25(transfected pcDNA-circRNA TCF25),miR-NC(transfected miR-NC),miR-128b mimic(transfected miR-128b mimic),miR-128b inhibitor(transfected miR-128b inhibitor),and pcDNA-circRNA TCF25+miR-128b mimic(transfected with pcDNA-circRNA TCF25 and miR-128b mimic)groups.Each group included six multiple pores.Forty-eight hours after transfection,the expression of circRNA TCF25 and miR-128b in each group was determined using real-time reverse transcription-quanti-tative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).An RNase R enzyme digestion assay was used to identify circular RNA.Subcellular locali-zation of circRNA TCF25 was determined through cytoplasmic-nuclear separation.Cell proliferative activity was measured using the 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay.Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry.RT-qPCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN),proliferating nuclear antigen 67(Ki-67),andcaspase-3.Western blotting was performed to measure PTEN,Ki-67,caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression.The dual-luciferase reporter(DLR)assay was performed to analyze the relationship between circRNA TCF25 and miR-128b.Results Compared to the control group,the relative expression of circRNA TCF25 did not exhibit significant changes after RNase R enzyme treatment(P＞0.05),whereas that of linear TCF25 decreased after RNase R enzyme treatment(P＜0.05).The relative expression of circRNA TCF25 in the cytoplasm was higher than that in the nucleus(P＜0.05).Compared with the blank and si-NC groups,the cell proliferation activity of the si-circRNA TCF25 group decreased;the apoptosis rate increased;Ki-67mRNA and protein expression decreased;and PTEN,caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-3mRNA and protein expression increased.In addition,cell proliferation activity increased and apoptosis rate decreased in the pcDNA-circRNA TCF25 group.Ki-67 mRNA and protein expression were increased,and PTEN,caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression decreased,with statistical significance(all P＜0.05).Compared with the blank and miR-NC groups,the cell proliferation activity of the miR-128b mimic group decreased;the apoptosis rate increased;Ki-67mRNA and protein expression decreased;and PTEN,caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression were increased,whereas the cell proliferation activity increased and apoptosis rate decreased in the miR-128b inhibitor group.Ki-67mRNA and protein expression were increased,and PTEN,caspase-3,and cleavedcaspase-3mRNA and protein expression decreased,with statistical significance(all P＜0.05).Compared with the pcDNA circRNA TCF25 group,the cell proliferation activity of the pcDNA circRNA TCF25+miR-128b mimic group decreased;the apoptosis rate increased;Ki-67mRNA and protein expression decreased;and PTEN,caspase-3,and cleavedcaspase-3mRNA and protein expression increased,with statistical significance(all P＜0.05).The DLR assay results confirmed that circRNA TCF25 targets miR-128b.Conclusion CircRNAs may play a key role in promoting the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and inhibiting their apoptosis by targeting miR-128b expression;promoting Ki-67 expression;and inhibiting PTEN,caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-3 expression.

In response to the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Promoting the Inheritance， Innovation， and Development of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） and the spirit of the National Conference on TCM， Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of traditional Chinese and western medicine to discuss the clinical advantages of TCM and integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis （AR） and they reached a basic consensus. In recent years， the prevalence of AR has been on the rise， threatening the quality of life of patients and giving rise to a heavy burden to both the patients and the society. AR is resulted from immune imbalance rather than reduced immunity or hyperimmunity， and the imbalance is similar to the Yin-yang disharmony in TCM. In the treatment of this disease， western medicine features rapid onset. However， it is cost-intensive and causes severe surgical trauma， and the recurrence is common. TCM boasts diverse methods for AR， which can be used in all stages of this disease. It has advantages in controlling symptoms such as nasal congestion， runny nose， or dysosmia in the attack stage， preventing recurrence in the remission stage， and treating refractory AR or steroid-resistant AR. In particular， acupuncture enjoys a reputation in treatment of AR， which has been supported by evidence-based medicine and recommended by guidelines. While treating local symptoms of AR， TCM regulates the psychosomatic conditions， which facilitates chronic disease management and long-term follow-up. We should integrate the advantages of TCM and western medicine， give full play to the unique nonnegligible and irreplaceable advantages of TCM， formulate a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment scheme for learning and promotion， and summarize the research outcomes to promote the theoretical innovation of TCM on AR from the perspective of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of Grunenwald incision in cervicothoracic junction surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 25 patients with cervicothoracic junction tumor and 1 patient with cervicothoracic junction trauma in the single treatment group of Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2011 to September 2021 were analyzed retrospectively, including 19 males and 7 females, aged 9-73 years old. Among the 26 patients, there were 9 cases of upper mediastinal tumor, 6 cases of superior sulcus tumor, 4 cases of thyroid tumor invading the upper mediastinal, 4 cases of chest wall tumor, 2 cases of esophageal cancer combined with supraclavicular lymph node metastasis, and 1 case of foreign body penetrating injury at the cervicothoracic junction. Grunenwald incision or additional posterolateral thoracic incision, median sternal incision, neck collar incision were used in all patients. The degree of tumor resection was evaluated. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay were observed, and the postoperative follow-up was analyzed.Results:There was no perioperative death in the whole group. 14 cases were treated with Grunenwald incision alone, 6 cases with additional posterolateral chest incision, 4 cases with additional neck collar incision, and 2 cases with additional median sternal incision. The tumors were completely resection in 22 cases, palliative tumor resection in 3 cases, and complete foreign body removal in 1 case. Postoperative pathology included 4 cases of schwannoma; 3 cases of lung adenocarcinoma, thyroid cancer and myofibroblastoma, respectively; 2 cases of supraclavicular lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer and lung squamous carcinoma, respectively; 1 case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, metastatic carcinoma of the first rib after lung squamous cell carcinoma, ganglioneuroma, nodular goiter, hemangioma, well differentiated liposarcoma, vascular endothelial tumor and cavernous angioma, respectively. The operation time was 120-430 min, with a mean of(226.92±88.40)min. The intraoperative blood loss was 100-1 000 ml, with a mean of(273.46±196.34)ml. The length of hospital stay was 6-26 days, with a mean of(12.73±4.46 )days. 26 patients were followed up for 6-130 months, with a mean of(57.88±43.64) months. During the follow-up period, 6 patients died.Conclusion:Grunenwald incision can provide good exposure of the structures near the cervicothoracic junction, preserve the integrity of sternoclavicular joint, reduce shoulder deformity, and has advantages for patients with cervicothoracic junction tumors, high rib resection, and cervicothoracic junction trauma.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of percutaneous curved kyphoplasty in the treatment of old osteoporotic vertebral body with endplate fracture.Methods:Clinical data of 58 patients suffering from old osteoporotic vertebral bodies with endplate fractures from January 2018 to January 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had a single vertebral body fracture and were treated with bilateral injection of bone cement with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). According to the shape of the puncture device, the patients were divided into a curved needle group and a ordinary group. There were 28 cases in the curved needle group, including 7 males and 21 females, aged 60-84 years old, with an average age of 71.8±7.8 years. The distribution of vertebral bodies with fractures: T 11 3 cases, T 12 5 cases, L 1 6 cases, L 2 5 cases, L 3 3 cases, L 4 4 cases, and L 5 2 cases. In the ordinary group, there were 30 cases, 8 males and 22 females, with an average age of 73.2±8.4 years (range, 61-88 years). The vertebral body distribution of fracture: T 11 3 cases, T 12 5 cases, L 1 7 cases, L 2 4 cases, L 3 4 cases, L 4 5 cases, and L 5 2 cases. The surgery time, amount of bone cement injection, and bone cement leakage rate were compared between the two groups, as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) at 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative vertebral midpoint height and kyphosis Cobb angle were measured. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-24 months, with an average of 14.7±2.9 months. The bone cement leakage rate in curved needle group (18%, 5/28) was lower than that in ordinary group (23%, 7/30), but there was no significant statistical difference (χ 2=0.27, P=0.607). The amount of bone cement injection and surgery time in curved needle group (5.0±0.5 ml, 55.2±6.9 min) were significantly higher than those in ordinary group (3.4±0.6 ml, 42.9±3.6 min, P<0.05) . The scores of VAS (2.3±1.0, 2.6±1.5) and ODI (27.5%±9.7%, 28.7%±11.3%) in curved needle group were lower than those in ordinary group (2.7±1.0, 4.5±1.1 and 31.8%±10.5%, 43.1%±13.4%) at 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up after surgery. In the curved needle group, the Cobb angle was 25.5°±3.5° preoperatively, 18.4°±1.6° postoperatively, and 20.5°±4.9°at the last follow-up. The height of the vertebral body was 14.2±1.9 mm before surgery, 21.5±2.2 mm after surgery, and 20.1±3.6 mm at the last follow-up. Compared with the preoperative results, the kyphosis Cobb angle decreased and the height of the fractured vertebral body increased at the last follow-up, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). In the ordinary group, the Cobb angle was 24.4°±3.6° preoperatively, 23.1°±4.0° postoperatively, and 27.8°±2.9° at the last follow-up. The height of the vertebral body was 14.5±1.8 mm before surgery, 15.4±2.0 mm after surgery, and 12.7±1.0 mm at the last follow-up. At the last follow-up, the kyphosis Cobb angle increased and the height of the fractured vertebral body decreased compared with preoperative and postoperative 1 week, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At 1 week after surgery, 6 months after surgery and the last follow-up, the Cobb angle of curved needle group was lower than that of ordinary group ( P<0.05), the height of vertebral body was higher than that of ordinary group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Flexible application of percutaneous curved kyphoplasty in the treatment of old osteoporotic vertebral body with endplate fractures can effectively increase the riveting force of bone cement in the vertebral body, restore the height of endplate, and reduce the occurrence of kyphosis and chronic low back pain.

ObjectiveTo unmask the psychological gaps related to suicide ideation in the elderly based on Social Reference Theory， so as to put forward countermeasures for psychological crisis intervention and management. MethodsFrom 2018 to 2019， purposive sampling was adopted to select 19 elderly people with history of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt from 37 geriatric nursing institutions in Ji'nan， Shandong province. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the elderly， and the collected data were processed by Colaizzi seven-step analysis method. ResultsThe qualitative analysis showed that the elderly with suicidal ideation often experienced strong psychological gaps， including physical condition and function gap， family role gap， socially isolated and lonely gap， filial expectation gap and the gap between the real self and ideal self. ConclusionThe psychological gaps serve as the main psychological motivator for suicidal ideation in the elderly， therefore， reducing the psychological gaps can be a new approach for the suicide intervention among the elderly.

【Objective】 To explore the effect of low levels of calcium on the biological characteristics of ameloblasts. 【Methods】 Rat primary ameloblasts were cultured in standard DMEM medium. After five days they were identified by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Then 0, 0.6 and 1.2 mmoL/L Ca²⁺ and 100 mL/L fetal bovine serum were added into DMEM medium without calcium. After 48 hours, the cell morphology was observed by inverted microscope. The proliferation and apoptosis of cells were separately examined by MTT and AnnexinV-PI. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression levels of amelogenin and KLK4 mRNA. 【Results】 After Five days in standard DMEM medium, the cells were shaped like the paving pattern. RT-PCR showed that both amelogenin and KLK4 were expressed in the cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed that most cells had positive staining for amelogenin. After 48 hours of calcium intervention, some cells in 1.2 mmoL/L Ca²⁺ group had higher nuclear density and poor light transmittance, and more high columnar cells could be observed in 1.2 mmoL/L Ca²⁺ group than those in 0 and 0.6 mmoL/L Ca²⁺ groups. With the decrease in calcium concentration in the medium, MTT showed that the proliferation activity of ameloblasts reduced (P<0.01). Annexin V-PI showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells decreased, and there was a significant difference between 1.2 mmoL/L and 0 mmoL/L Ca²⁺ groups (P<0.05). Real time-PCR showed that the expressions of amelogenin and KLK4 mRNA reduced (P<0.01). 【Conclusion】 Low-level calcium may inhibit the differentiation of ameloblasts, thereby affecting the formation of enamel mineralization.

Objective:To observe the effects of salvianolic acid B on migration and tube formation of the retinal vascular endothelial cell (RVEC) in high glucose, and explore its mechanism with network pharmacology.Methods:The cells were divided into normal group, model group and 1.0, 0.5, 0.1 μg/ml salvianolic acid B group according to the random number table method. The cells of each group were added with 5.5 mmol/L glucose for intervention, and the salvianolic acid B group was added with 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1 μg/ml salvianolic acid B for intervention. After 72 h, the cell viability of each group was detected by the CCK-8 method. The cells were divided into normal group, model group and low-, medium-, and high-dose salvianolic acid B group according to the random number table method. Then the cells of the normal group were added with 5.5 mmol/L glucose; the model group was added with 25 mmol/L glucose; the low-, medium-, and high-dose salvianolic acid B group was added with 25 mmol/L glucose and 0.062 5, 0.1250, 0.250 0 μg/ml salvianolic acid B. Then by taking Transwell test to detect the number of cell migration, and Matrigel test to analyze the total length of cells tubes. The active targets of Salvianolic acid B were screened by SuperTarget and Swiss TargetPrediction. Then, the targets of diabetic retinopathy were obtained by searching the GAD database, pharmGkb database, TTD database, DiGSeE database and OMIM database. The effective targets of drug-disease interaction were screened, and the component-target-disease interaction network was constructed by Cytoscape. Finally, the effective targets were analyzed by DAVID for GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was performed by using Accelrys Discovery Studio Client 2.5 software.Results:The CCK-8 method showed that the cell absorbance values of 0.5 and 0.1 μg/ml salvianolic acid B group were not significantly different from those of the normal group ( P>0.05). The results of Transwell experiment and Matrigel experiment showed that compared with the model group, the relative number of migrating cells and the total length of tubule formation in each dose group of salvianolic acid B decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). The interaction network revealed that salvianolic acid B acted on 46 targets and 8 signaling pathways. Conclusions:Salvianolic acid B could inhibit the migrating and tube forming ability of RVEC cultivated by high glucose. The results suggest that salvianolic acid B may play roles in preventing diabetic retinopathy.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment of lumbar degenerative scoliosis.Methods:A retrospective study was performed in 116 patients with lumbar degenerative scoliosis and spinal stenosis, who were admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2015 to May 2018. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical method. Among them, 56 patients underwent the OLIF approach (OLIF group), consisting of 21 men and 35 women, with an average age of 65.2±8.7 years. According to Lenke-Silva classification, there were 41 cases of type II and 15 cases of type III in OLIF group. 60 cases underwent the TLIF approach (TLIF group), consisting of 19 men and 41 women, with an average age of 61.3±11.6 years. There were 43 cases of type II and 17 cases of type III in TLIF group. The preoperative and last follow up visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared between the two groups. The coronal and sagittal Cobb angle changing and the offset distance for apical midline of the lumbar vertebrae between pre-operation and last follow-up were measured. The respective complications of the two groups were collected.Results:For OLIF group, VAS decreased from 7.7±1.6 at pre-operation to 1.9±1.5 at the last follow up; for TLIF group, VAS decreased from 8.1±1.2 at pre-operation to 2.2±0.9 at the last follow up. Although there were obvious improve for both group compared pre-operation to last follow-up, there was no significant difference between the two groups. For OLIF group, ODI decreased from preoperative 47.5%±9.1% to last follow up 22.4%±6.7%; for TLIF group, ODI decreased from preoperative 52.6%±5.8% to last follow up 25.1%±8.4%. Obvious changes were foundin both group between pre-operation and last follow up, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. For sagittal lumbar cobb angle, OLIF group changed from preoperative 8.6°±5.7° to last follow-up 23.6°±4.3°. TLIF group changed from pre-operation 9.2°±4.2° to last follow-up 21.3°±4.8°. Obvious changes were found in both group between pre-operation and last follow up, while OLIF group had better improvement than TLIF group ( P=0.01). For lumbar coronal Cobb angle, OLIF group changed from preoperative 16.4°±9.6° to last follow-up 2.8°±2.1°, and TLIF group from preoperative 15.2°±7.8° to last follow-up 6.4°±2.7°. Obvious changes were found in both group comparing pre-operation to last follow up, while OLIF group had better improvement. The offset distance for apical midline of the lumbar vertebrae in OLIF group improved from preoperative 26.3±9.4 mm to 4.3±1.9 mm; TLIF group improved from preoperative 23.4±5.5 mm to 7.5±4.2 mm. Obvious changes were found between pre-operation and last follow up for both group, while OLIF group has better improvement compared to TLIF group ( t=-5.26, P=0.03). The fusion rate was 97.7% (127/130) in OLIF group, and 91.1% (164/180) in TLIF group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=1.15, P=0.097). The neural complication rate was 16.1% (9/56) in OLIF groupand 8.3% (5/60) in TLIF group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups ( χ2=1.63, P=0.201). The cage subsidence was 12.3% (16/130) in OLIF group and 21.9% (35/180) in TLIF group. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=4.53, P=0.03). Conclusion:OLIF can be considered as an effectivesurgical option for the treatment of lumbar degenerative scoliosis with spinal stenosis, since it can achieve similar clinical effects and better correction of coronal and sagittal imbalances compared to TLIF.