Background Recent advances in understanding the toxic effects of inorganic arsenic have revealed that arsenic exposure impacts multiple endocrine organs, thereby altering their functions. However, the mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced thyroid injury remain unclear. Objective To investigate the mechanisms by which sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) affects the proliferation and apoptosis of normal thyroid cells (Nthy-ori3-1) through the estrogen receptor (ER)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Methods Nthy-ori3-1 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the following groups: a control group (complete medium without drugs, 0 μmol·L⁻¹), and NaAsO₂-treated groups at 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹. Additionally, 1 μmol·L⁻¹ of the ER inhibitor ICI182780 was used to intervene in the NaAsO₂ exposure groups, resulting in the following combinations: 1 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780, 2 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780. The median lethal concentration of NaAsO₂ was determined using cell viability assay. Cell viability was assessed at 24, 36, and 48 h using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Colony formation ability was evaluated via plate cloning assay. Apoptosis was detected using Hoechst 33342 staining. Protein and mRNA expression levels of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bax, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT were measured using Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. Results The median lethal concentration of NaAsO₂ was determined to be 4.034 μmol·L⁻¹. CCK-8 assay at 24, 36, and 48 h revealed that, compared with the control group, the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups significantly inhibited Nthy-ori3-1 cell proliferation (P < 0.001). The plate cloning assays demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction in colony formation ability (P < 0.001). Following the ICI182780 intervention, the cell viability and colony formation ability in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups were significantly restored compared with the corresponding NaAsO₂-only groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). The Hoechst 33342 staining indicated that compared with the control group, the nuclear staining intensity and apoptosis levels in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups increased in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001). However, the ICI182780 intervention reduced the apoptosis levels in the NaAsO₂-treated groups compared with their NaAsO₂-only counterparts (P < 0.001). The WB analysis showed that, compared with the control group, the protein expression of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups decreased manner (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), while the Bax expression increased in a concentration-dependent (P < 0.001); the PI3K and AKT protein levels showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). In the ICI182780-treated NaAsO₂ groups, the ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-AKT protein expression increased (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), the Bax expression decreased (P < 0.001), and the PI3K and AKT levels remained unchanged (P > 0.05) compared with the corresponding NaAsO₂-only groups. The mRNA expression patterns of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, and Bax were consistent with the WB results. Conclusion NaAsO₂ inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in Nthy-ori3-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The underlying mechanism likely involves NaAsO₂-mediated suppression of the ER-PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which subsequently regulates downstream proliferation- and apoptosis-related genes.

Objective By studying the changes in the institutional distribution of curative care expenditure(CCE)of the elderly population before and after the comprehensive reform medical-pharmaceutical separation and linkage of medical consumption,it provided data reference for the next step of accurately optimizing the elderly patients flow.Methods A multi-stage stratified whole-group sampling survey was used to select the sample.A System of Health Accounts 2011 was used to calculate the CCE of elderly patients in medical institutions.Results The CCE of medical institutions for the elderly population in Beijing increased from 60.457 billion yuan to 797.54 billion yuan,with an average annual growth rate of 6.83%,the fastest growth rate of 24.04%for community-based health treat-ment center.The percentage of CCE in the community increased from 11.31%to 17.71%,while the percentage of CCE in tertiary hospitals decreased by 4.39 percentage points.The flow of CCE for outpatient patients was obviously opti-mized.Younger elderly outpatient patients are more willing to seek treatment in the community,but the flow di-rection of outpatient treatment for elderly patients is more optimized.The CCE fpr elderly outpatient patients with chronic diseases such as endocrine,nutritional and metabolic diseases and nervous system diseases have been substantially transferred to the community-based health center.Conclusion The reform has different impacts on the treatment of elderly patients with different genders,ages and diseases.It is necessary to strengthen the service capacity building of primary medical institutions,highlight the development characteristics of secondary hospitals,and accurately improve the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system for elderly patients.

BACKGROUND:Pressing massage applied to myofascial trigger points(MTrPs)has shown clear effect in relieving pain.However,further research is needed to investigate the effects of different levels of pressure applied during the massage. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the different strength of pressing on MTrPs in rats with chronic pain. METHODS:Sixty SPF-rated male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group of 10 rats not involved in MTrPs modeling and 50 rats involved in modeling.The MTrPs model was established in the left medial thigh muscle of rats by blunt strikes combined with centrifugal exercise and 40 rats that met the evaluation criteria after modeling were randomly divided into model group,light press group,medium press group and heavy press group,with 10 rats in each group.The rats in the blank group and the model group were not intervened,while the rats in the light press group,the medium press group and the heavy press group were intervened with a homemade press stimulator with light force(0.3 kg),medium force(0.5 kg)and heavy force(0.7 kg)to MTrPs.The intervention time was 7.5 minutes per session,with one session every other day,totaling seven sessions.Electromyogram,soft tissue tension and mechanical pain threshold were detected by electrophysiological instruments,soft tissue tension tester,and pressure painmeter,respectively.After the intervention,in the blank group,muscle tissue was taken from the inside of the left thigh,while in the other groups,MTrPs tissue was taken.The pathological morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of cyclooxygenase-2,prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank group,the model group had lower mechanical pain thresholds,higher soft tissue tone,higher amplitude frequency of spontaneous electrical activity,significant pathomorphological changes,and increased levels of cyclooxygenase-2,prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the medium press group and the heavy press group showed increased mechanical pain thresholds,decreased soft tissue tension,decreased spontaneous potential frequency amplitude,and decreased levels of cyclooxygenase-2,prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin(P<0.05),and significant recovery on pathomorphological changes.No significant changes in the above indicators were observed in the light press group(P>0.05).Compared with the medium press group,the heavy press group showed better improvement in the above indicators(P<0.05).To conclude,moderate to heavy pressing is often required to alleviate MTrPs pain.

ObjectiveTo establish a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） method for rapid distinguishing Periplocae Cortex from Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex， so as to avoid the influence of genetic confusion on drug safety. MethodThe DSS-tagged sequences of Periplocae Cortex were obtained from the Chloroplast Genome Information Resource （CGIR） and analyzed to find the enzymatic cleavage sites that were different from those of Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex. The specific enzymatic cleavage site， Cla I， of Periplocae Cortex was selected， on the basis of which the primers for PCR-RFLP were designed. Furthermore， the factors such as annealing temperature， number of cycles， Taq enzyme， PCR instruments， and enzymatic treatment time that may influence PCR-RFLP were studied. The established PCR-RFLP method was applied to the identification of Periplocae Cortex， Acanthopanacis Cortex， and Lycii Cortex samples produced in different regions. ResultThe PCR-RFLP at the annealing temperature of 59 ℃ and with 40 cycles showed clear bands of the samples. When the enzyme digestion time was 30 min. The reaction produced the target bands at about 140 bp and 290 bp for both Periplocae Cortex and its original plant and only a band at about 430 bp for Acanthopanacis Cortex， Lycii Cortex， and their original plants. The method can accurately distinguish Periplocae Cortex from its confounders Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex. ConclusionThe PCR-RFLP method for distinguishing Periplocae Cortex from Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex was established. It has high stability， sensitivity， and applicability， providing a reference for the quality control of Periplocae Cortex， Acanthopanacis Cortex， and Lycii Cortex.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical effect on Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage between the staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion and western medication. METHODS: Sixty patients with Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were administered orally with prednisone acetate tablets and methylcobalamin tablets until the 28th day of illness. In the observation group, the staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion was adopted. On the affected side, Qianzheng (EX-HN 16), Yifeng (TE 17), Sibai (ST 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4) and Touwei (ST 8), etc. were stimulated. In the acute stage (Day 1 to 7 of illness), the routine acupuncture and the point-toward-point needle insertion were delivered, no any manipulation was exerted at acupoints, and the needles were retained for 30 min. In the subacute stage (Day 8 to 14 of illness), on the base of the treatment as the acute stage, the depth of needle insertion was adjusted at a part of acupoints and the even needling technique was operated by twisting needle. Besides, electroacupuncture (EA) was attached to Qianzheng (EX-HN 16) and Dicang (ST 4), with continuous wave of low intensity and high frequency, 100 Hz, for 20 min. In the recovery stage (Day 15 to 28 of illness), on the base of the treatment as the subacute stage, the heavy stimulation of acupuncture was given, in which, the sticking and lifting needle techniques were delivered after the needles were inserted from Sibai (ST 2) toward Dicang (ST 4), and from Dicang (ST 4) toward Jiache (ST 6), separately; warm needling was operated at Yifeng (TE 17), and EA changed to stimulate the acupoints with the intermittent wave of high intensity and low frequency, 2 Hz, for 30 min. Acupuncture-moxibustion was given once every other day until the end of the 28th day of illness. The level of House-Brackmann facial nerve function rating scale (H-B grade),the score of Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system (Sunnybrook), the score of facial disability index (FDI), the temperature difference in the infrared thermal imaging facial area and electromyogram (EMG) situation of the affected muscle group were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. Using musculoskeletal ultrasound,the facial nerve diameter was detected and the clinical effect was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the level of H-B grade, Sunnybrook score, the scores of physical function and social life function in FDI were improved when compared with those before treatment in the patients of either group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the results of these evaluations in the observation group were better than those of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the temperature difference of the frontal area, the eye area, the zygomatic area and the mouth corner was declined in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the temperature difference in each area in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).The root mean square (RMS) of the frontal muscle group, the zygomatic muscle group and the orbicularis muscle group on the affected side increased in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and RMS of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05) after treatment. Before treatment, the diameter of the facial nerve on the affected side was larger than that on the healthy side (P<0.01), and after treatment, the diameter on the affected side was reduced when compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01); the diameter of the facial nerve on the affected side in the observation group was smaller than that of the control group (P<0.05), while, the diameter on the affected side was larger when compared with the healthy side in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), higher than that of the control group (83.3% [25/30], P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion is clearly effective on Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage, which affirms the effectiveness of acupuncture-moxibustion for the acute stage of Bell's facial palsy in comparison with conventional western medication.
Humans ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bell Palsy/therapy* ; Face

Objective:By analyzing the curative cost of treatment for children in Beijing,it provided recommendations for further optimizing child health management policies in Beijing.Methods:The System of Health Accounts 2011(SHA 2011)was used to calculate the CCE of children in Beijing's medical institutions.Results:The CCE of children under the age of 15 in Beijing were 92.29 billion yuan,97.54 billion yuan,and 105.72 billion yuan in 2017-2019,with an average annual growth rate of 4.67%;the financing structure of children's CCE is dominated by family health expenditure,accounting for about 65%;children's outpatient and inpatient CCE primarily flew to secondary and tertiary hospitals;respiratory diseases account for the largest share of the disease categories of the CCE,with a share of 25.96%,followed by digestive diseases with a share of 10.26%.Conclusion:The financing structure needs to be optimized to lessen the financial burden of medical care on the families of child patients;the capacity of grass-roots pediatric services should be strengthened,and reasonably guide the flow of adolescent patients to institutions;financial investment should be increased for pre-pregnancy,prenatal screening and other preventive services.It needs to give careful consideration to children's safety education and encourage the implementation of children's commercial accidental injury insurance.

Objective:By analyzing the curative cost of treatment for children in Beijing,it provided recommendations for further optimizing child health management policies in Beijing.Methods:The System of Health Accounts 2011(SHA 2011)was used to calculate the CCE of children in Beijing's medical institutions.Results:The CCE of children under the age of 15 in Beijing were 92.29 billion yuan,97.54 billion yuan,and 105.72 billion yuan in 2017-2019,with an average annual growth rate of 4.67%;the financing structure of children's CCE is dominated by family health expenditure,accounting for about 65%;children's outpatient and inpatient CCE primarily flew to secondary and tertiary hospitals;respiratory diseases account for the largest share of the disease categories of the CCE,with a share of 25.96%,followed by digestive diseases with a share of 10.26%.Conclusion:The financing structure needs to be optimized to lessen the financial burden of medical care on the families of child patients;the capacity of grass-roots pediatric services should be strengthened,and reasonably guide the flow of adolescent patients to institutions;financial investment should be increased for pre-pregnancy,prenatal screening and other preventive services.It needs to give careful consideration to children's safety education and encourage the implementation of children's commercial accidental injury insurance.

Objective:By analyzing the curative cost of treatment for children in Beijing,it provided recommendations for further optimizing child health management policies in Beijing.Methods:The System of Health Accounts 2011(SHA 2011)was used to calculate the CCE of children in Beijing's medical institutions.Results:The CCE of children under the age of 15 in Beijing were 92.29 billion yuan,97.54 billion yuan,and 105.72 billion yuan in 2017-2019,with an average annual growth rate of 4.67%;the financing structure of children's CCE is dominated by family health expenditure,accounting for about 65%;children's outpatient and inpatient CCE primarily flew to secondary and tertiary hospitals;respiratory diseases account for the largest share of the disease categories of the CCE,with a share of 25.96%,followed by digestive diseases with a share of 10.26%.Conclusion:The financing structure needs to be optimized to lessen the financial burden of medical care on the families of child patients;the capacity of grass-roots pediatric services should be strengthened,and reasonably guide the flow of adolescent patients to institutions;financial investment should be increased for pre-pregnancy,prenatal screening and other preventive services.It needs to give careful consideration to children's safety education and encourage the implementation of children's commercial accidental injury insurance.

Objective:By analyzing the curative cost of treatment for children in Beijing,it provided recommendations for further optimizing child health management policies in Beijing.Methods:The System of Health Accounts 2011(SHA 2011)was used to calculate the CCE of children in Beijing's medical institutions.Results:The CCE of children under the age of 15 in Beijing were 92.29 billion yuan,97.54 billion yuan,and 105.72 billion yuan in 2017-2019,with an average annual growth rate of 4.67%;the financing structure of children's CCE is dominated by family health expenditure,accounting for about 65%;children's outpatient and inpatient CCE primarily flew to secondary and tertiary hospitals;respiratory diseases account for the largest share of the disease categories of the CCE,with a share of 25.96%,followed by digestive diseases with a share of 10.26%.Conclusion:The financing structure needs to be optimized to lessen the financial burden of medical care on the families of child patients;the capacity of grass-roots pediatric services should be strengthened,and reasonably guide the flow of adolescent patients to institutions;financial investment should be increased for pre-pregnancy,prenatal screening and other preventive services.It needs to give careful consideration to children's safety education and encourage the implementation of children's commercial accidental injury insurance.

Objective:By analyzing the curative cost of treatment for children in Beijing,it provided recommendations for further optimizing child health management policies in Beijing.Methods:The System of Health Accounts 2011(SHA 2011)was used to calculate the CCE of children in Beijing's medical institutions.Results:The CCE of children under the age of 15 in Beijing were 92.29 billion yuan,97.54 billion yuan,and 105.72 billion yuan in 2017-2019,with an average annual growth rate of 4.67%;the financing structure of children's CCE is dominated by family health expenditure,accounting for about 65%;children's outpatient and inpatient CCE primarily flew to secondary and tertiary hospitals;respiratory diseases account for the largest share of the disease categories of the CCE,with a share of 25.96%,followed by digestive diseases with a share of 10.26%.Conclusion:The financing structure needs to be optimized to lessen the financial burden of medical care on the families of child patients;the capacity of grass-roots pediatric services should be strengthened,and reasonably guide the flow of adolescent patients to institutions;financial investment should be increased for pre-pregnancy,prenatal screening and other preventive services.It needs to give careful consideration to children's safety education and encourage the implementation of children's commercial accidental injury insurance.