OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture (acupuncture for soothing the liver and regulating the mentality) combined with western medication on depression and sleep quality in the patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine, and investigate the potential mechanism from the perspective of cortical excitability. METHODS: Sixty patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a sham-acupuncture group, 30 cases in each one. The patients of both groups were treated with oral administration of sertraline hydrochloride tablets. In the acupuncture group, Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture was supplemented. Body acupuncture was applied to Yintang (GV 24⁺), Baihui (GV 20), Hegu (LI 4), Zhaohai (KI 6), Qihai (CV 6), etc. The intradermal needling was used at Xin (CO₁₅), Gan (CO₁₂) and Shen (CO₁₀). In the sham-acupuncture group, the sham-acupuncture was given at the same points as the acupuncture group. The compensatory treatment was provided at the end of follow-up for the patients in the sham-acupuncture group. In both groups, the treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week, for consecutive 8 weeks. The self-rating depression scale (SDS) and insomnia severity index (ISI) scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment (follow-up) separately. The cortical excitability indexes (resting motor threshold [rMT], motor evoked potential amplitude [MEP-A], cortical resting period [CSP]) and the level of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were measured before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment and in follow-up, SDS and ISI scores were decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05), and the decrease range in the acupuncture group after treatment was larger than that in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, rMT was reduced (P<0.05), while MEP-A and CSP were increased (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group compared with that before treatment. The levels of serum 5-HT in both groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). The rMT in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the sham-acupuncture group, while MEP-A and CSP, as well as the level of serum 5-HT were higher in the acupuncture group in comparison with the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture combined with western medication can relieve depression and improve sleep quality in the patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine, which is probably related to rectifying the imbalanced excitatory and inhibitory neuronal functions.
Humans ; Depression ; Quarantine ; Serotonin ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; COVID-19 ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Comorbidity

Objective: To explore the diagnosis, surgical management and outcome of jugular foramen chondrosarcoma (CSA). Methods: Fifteen patients with jugular foramen CSA hospitalized in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2002 to February 2020 were retrospectively collected,of whom 2 were male and 13 were female, aging from 22 to 61 years old. The clinical symptoms and signs, imaging features, differential diagnosis, surgical approaches, function of facial nerve and cranial nerves IX to XII, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Patients with jugular foramen CSA mainly presented with facial paralysis, hearing loss, hoarseness, cough, tinnitus and local mass. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) could provide important information for diagnosis. CT showed irregular destruction on bone margin of the jugular foramen. MR demonstrated iso or hypointense on T1WI, hyperintense on T2WI and heterogeneous contrast-enhancement. Surgical approaches were chosen upon the sizes and scopes of the tumors. Inferior temporal fossa A approach was adopted in 12 cases, inferior temporal fossa B approach in 2 cases and mastoid combined parotid approach in 1 case. Five patients with facial nerve involved received great auricular nerve graft. The House Brackmann (H-B) grading scale was used to evaluate the facial nerve function. Preoperative facial nerve function ranked grade Ⅴ in 4 cases and grade Ⅵ in 1 case. Postoperative facial nerve function improved to grade Ⅲ in 2 cases and grade Ⅵ in 3 cases. Five patients presented with cranial nerves Ⅸ and Ⅹ palsies. Hoarseness and cough of 2 cases improved after operation, while the other 3 cases did not. All the patients were diagnosed CSA by histopathology and immunohistochemistry, with immunohistochemical staining showing vimentin and S-100 positive, but cytokeratin negative in tumor cells. All patients survived during 28 to 234 months' follow-up. Two patients suffered from tumor recurrence 7 years after surgery and received revision surgery. No complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection occurred after operation. Conclusions: Jugular foramen CSA lacks characteristic symptoms or signs. Imaging is helpful to differential diagnosis. Surgery is the primary treatment of jugular foramen CSA. Patients with facial paralysis should receive surgery in time as to restore the facial nerve. Long-term follow-up is necessary after surgery in case of recurrence.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Facial Paralysis/etiology* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Jugular Foramina ; Retrospective Studies ; Cough ; Hoarseness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Chondrosarcoma/surgery*

Objective To compare the differences of energy spectrum CT between small cell lung cancer(SCLC)with mediastinal lymph node metastasis and mediastinal sarcoidosis.Methods Twenty-five SCLC patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis(SCLC group)and 26 patients with mediastinal sarcoidosis(sarcoidosis group)confirmed by bronchoscopy and biopsy in Tangshan People's Hospital from January 2018 to June 2019 were selected as the research objects.The CT value,iodine concentration,water concentration and energy spectrum curve slope under different single energy levels were compared between SCLC group and sarcoidosis group.Results The single-energy CT values of 40-80 keV segments in the arterial phase of the SCLC group were significantly higher than those in the sarcoidosis group(all P <0.05).The single-energy CT values of 90-140 keV segments were not significantly different from those in the sarcoidosis group(all P >0.05).The single-energy CT values of 40-90 keV segments in venous phase of the SCLC group were significantly higher than those of the sarcoidosis group(all P <0.05),and the single-energy CT values of 100-140 keV segments were not significantly different from those of the sarcoidosis group(all P >0.05).The concentrations of iodine in the arterial phase and venous phase of the SCLC group were(11.56±4.06)μg/cm
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Sarcoidosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective: The study aims to explore the epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis among students in Qinghai Province, to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of students tuberculosis. Methods: Data on tuberculosis among students from 2016 to 2019 in Qinghai province were collected and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed, the spatial distribution map were drawn by using ArcMap 10.8. Results: During 2016-2019, there were 2 691 reported cases of tuberculosis among students in Qinghai Province the reporting rate were 46.10/10 5, 68.50/10 5, 73.49/10 5, 85.96/10 5, increased year by year( χ 2=116.45, P <0.01). With a high incidence from March to September each year. The tuberculosis patients were mainly aged 18 years and above, with more reported female cases than male cases and more Tibetan cases. Most of students tuberculosis cases were reported in southern Qinghai, especially in Yushu and Guoluo areas, and sharp increase was observed in Xining during 2018 to 2019. Conclusion Students tuberculosis in Qinghai is still serious. Schools should strengthen education on tuberculosis prevention, especially those in southern Qinghai and Xining.

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of Sangsuyin on airway inflammation in asthmatic rats by regulating the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） pathway. Method:Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group （n=8） and an experimental group （n=40）. Asthma model was induced in the rats of the experimental group which were further divided into the following five groups according to a random number table： a model group， a dexamethasone group （0.005 g·kg^-1），and low- （2.1 g·kg^-1）， medium- （4.2 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose （8.4 g·kg^-1） Sangsuyin groups. The drugs were all dissolved in normal saline at 0.01 L·kg^-1. The rats in the model group and the normal group received normal saline （ig） at 0.01 L·kg^-1. The drug treatment was carried out once per day， for a total of 7 days. The grades of allergic reactions were compared among the groups after intervention. The levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β），tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）， and interferon-γ（IFN-γ） in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues，and the inflammatory cell infiltration scores of lung tissues were compared. The mRNA expression of TLR4 and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） was detected by quantitative real-time fluorescence-based reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The expression of TLR4，NF-κB， and the level of phosphorylated NF-κB （p-NF-κB） were detected by Western blot. Result:The success rate of modeling was 95.00%. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed a higher grade of allergic reaction and more severe pathological changes of lung tissues，and the groups with drug intervention exhibited relieved conditions. The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and BALF were higher in the model group than in the normal group，and lower in the groups with drug intervention than in the model group （P<0.01）. The level of IFN-γ in the serum and BALF was lower in the model group than in the normal group，and higher in the groups with drug intervention than in the model group （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The inflammatory cell infiltration score，mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB，and the mRNA level of p-NF-κB were higher in the model group than in the normal group，and lower in the groups with drug intervention than in the model group （P<0.01）. Conclusion:Sangsuyin could inhibit allergic reactions，lung tissue lesions， and airway inflammation in asthmatic rats. It is speculated that this effect is achieved by inhibiting the TLR4 pathway，down-regulating the mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB，and reducing the level of p-NF-κB.angsuyin can inhibit allergic reaction，lung tissue lesions and airway inflammation in asthmatic rats. It is speculated that this effect is achieved by inhibiting TLR4 pathway，down regulating the mRNA and protein expression of TLR4，NF-κB，and reducing the levels of p-NF-κB.

To investigate the differences in energy spectrum CT findings between anterior mediastinal lymphoma and thymic carcinoma. Twenty-two cases of anterior mediastinal lymphoma and 28 cases of thymic carcinoma confirmed by biopsy in Tangshan People's Hospital were selected.The CT values and changes of iodine content and water content in lesion sites were measured by energy spectrum analysis software.The differences between anterior mediastinal lymphoma and thymic carcinoma were compared. The single-energy CT value of 40-80 keV in thymus carcinoma was higher than that in anterior mediastinal lymphoma(=0.001,=0.037,=0.042,=0.034,=0.002;=0.016,=0.013,=0.018,=0.024,=0.012).The difference in the single-energy CT value of 90-110 keV between anterior mediastinal lymphoma and thymic carcinoma showed no statistical significance(all >0.05).The concentrations of water in the arterial and venous stages of thymic carcinoma were significantly lower than those in the anterior mediastinal lymphoma(=0.030,=0.037),whereas the iodine concentrations were significantly higher(=0.026,=0.000). Anterior mediastinal lymphoma and thymic carcinoma have remarkably different 40-80 keV single energy CT value and iodine concentration in arterial and venous phases,which may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of these two malignancies.
Humans ; Lymphoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Thymoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Thymus Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery*

Background:Clinical outcomes of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) are diverse,and only 40 ％ of patients with UA develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after 3 years.Discovering predictive markers at disease onset for further intervention is critical.Therefore,our objective was to analyze the clinical outcomes of UA and ascertain the predictors for RA development.Methods:We performed a prospective,multi-center study from January 2013 to October 2016 among Chinese patients diagnosed with UA in 22 tertiary-care hospitals.Clinical and serological parameters were obtained at recruitment.Follow-up was undertaken in all patients every 12 weeks for 2 years.Predictive factors of disease progression were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.Results:A total of 234 patients were recruited in this study,and 17 (7.3％) patients failed to follow up during the study.Among the 217 patients who completed the study,83 (38.2％) patients went into remission.UA patients who developed RA had a higher rheumatoid factor (RF)-positivity (42.9％ vs.16.8％,x2=8.228,P=0.008),anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodypositivity (66.7％ vs.10.7％,x2 =43.897,P ＜ 0.001),and double-positivity rate of RF and anti-CCP antibody (38.1％ vs.4.1％,x2 =32.131,P ＜ 0.001) than those who did not.Anti-CCP antibody but not RF was an independent predictor for RA development (hazard ratio 18.017,95％ confidence interval:5.803-55.938;P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion:As an independent predictor of RA,anti-CCP antibody should be tested at disease onset in all patients with UA.

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of MRI in the transient dislocation of the patella.

METHODSThe DR and MRI data of 35 patients with acute patellar transient dislocation from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, including 12 males and 23 females, ranging in age from 10 to 23 years old, with an average of 17 years old. The differences between DR and MRI diagnosis and surgical or discharge diagnosis were compared, and the difference between them in diagnosis of knee anatomical position, bone injury, signs and soft tissue injury were compared. The R statistical software WiLcoxon signed rank test (WiLcoxon signed rank test) was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSAll 35 MRI findings were completely consistent with postoperative or discharge diagnosis. According to MRI, 7 cases of high patella and 7 cases of patella subluxation were diagnosed. According to DR, 7 cases of high patella and 0 cases of patella subluxation were diagnosed. Fourteen dislocations were diagnosed by MRI and 7 dislocations were diagnosed by DR. There was statistically significant difference between the two methods in the diagnosis of abnormal position of patella(=10, <0.05). Total 112 cases of bone injuries were diagnosed by MRI, and 0 was diagnosed by DR. There was statistically significant difference between the two methods in the diagnosis of bone injuries(=16, <0.05). Total 43 cases of soft tissue injuries were diagnosed by MRI, and 0 was diagnosed by DR. There was statistically significant difference between the two methods in the diagnosis of soft tissue injuries (=21, <0.05). Total 35 cases of hydrops of the knee joint were diagnosed by MRI, and 30 were diagnosed by DR. There was statistically significant difference between the two methods in the diagnosis of hydrops of the knee joint(=32, >0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMRI is superior to DR in the diagnosis of acute temporal bone dislocation. MRI should be used as the first choice for imaging diagnosis of acute temporal bone dislocation. It can avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Acute spinal cord injury(ASCI)can be divided into primary injury and secondary injury.Spinal cord edema is important for the development of secondary injury after ASCI.Spinal cord edema can be mainly divided into cytotoxic edema and angioedema.The application of dehydrating agents in the treatment of acute spinal cord injury is obvious.This article de-scribed the application of mannitol,hypertonic saline,glycerol fructose,furosemide,human serum albumin,resveratrol and other dehydrating agents in the treatment of ASCI.