Objective To investigate the effects of abdominal tuina on the expression of PI3K and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR)subunit NR1 in spinal dorsal horn and the morphology of spinal dorsal horn neurons in ulcerative colitis(UC)rats;To explore its mechanism of action in treating UC.Methods Totally 36 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,abdominal tuina group,mesalazine group,PI3K stimulation group and PI3K stimulation + abdominal tuina group,with 6 rats in each group.The UC model in rats was simulated by drinking dextran sulfate solution freely.The abdominal tuina group and the PI3K stimulation + abdominal tuina group were given abdominal tuina intervention,the mesalazine group was given mesalazine solution for gavage,and the PI3K stimulation group and PI3K stimulation + abdominal tuina group were given intrathecal injection of PI3K agonist,once a day,for consecutive 15 days.Abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)score and acetic acid twist were used to observe the abdominal pain symptoms in rats.The expression of PI3K and NR1 in spinal dorsal horn were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot,and the morphological changes of spinal dorsal horn neurons were observed by Nissl staining.Results Compared with the normal group,AWR score and twisting times of rats in model group significantly increased(P<0.01),the expression of PI3K and NR1 protein in spinal dorsal horn significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the morphology of spinal dorsal horn neurons was disordered,forming a large number of vacuolar like structures,and the Nissl body structure was fuzzy and incomplete.Compared with the model group,AWR scores and twisting times of abdominal tuina group and mesalazine group significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of PI3K and NR1 protein significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the edema of spinal dorsal horn neurons was milder,with fewer vacuolar changes and an increase in the number of Nissl bodies;AWR scores and twisting times of PI3K stimulation group and PI3K stimulation + abdominal tuina group significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expressions of PI3K and NR1 protein increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),a large number of neurons underwent pyknosis and necrosis,and the number of Nissl bodies decreased,even dissolving and disappearing.Conclusion Abdominal tuina can effectively improve the symptoms of abdominal pain in UC model rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of PI3K and NR1 in spinal dorsal horn and improving the morphology of spinal dorsal horn neurons.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tuina at Weizhong （BL 40） for relieving sciatica from the perspective of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， Tuina group， MK-801 group， MK-801 plus Tuina group， 12 rats in each group. After lateral ventricular cannulation， rats model with chronic compression injury of the right sciatic nerve were prepared in all groups except the sham operation group. On day 4 after modelling， rats in the Tuina group start Tuina at Weizhong （BL 40） for 10 mins once a day for a total of 14 days； rats in the MK-801 group started injecting with 0.25 μg/μl of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B （NR2B） blocker， dizocycline （MK-801）， 0.5 μl of which was administered daily in the lateral ventricle for 14 days. Rats in the MK-801 plus Tuina group underwent Tuina after 30 mins when completing MK-801 injection in the lateral ventricle， in the same way as above； rats in the model group and the sham operation group did not undergo any intervention. Spontaneous pain behaviour scores and paw withdraw thresholds （PWTs） were examined on day 1 （base value） before modelling and on day 4， 10， 14 and 18 after modelling； and on day 19， the brain tissues of the rats in each group were sampled and the number and morphology of the Nysted-positive cells in the hippocampal CA3 region were observed using Nysted staining； and the number of synapses， the thickness of postsynaptic dense material， the length of active band and the curvature of synaptic interface in hippocampal CA3 region were observed by transmission electron microscopy； and the expression of synapse-associated proteins NR2B and postsynaptic density protein-95 （PSD95） in hippocampal CA3 was detected by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting. ResultsCompared with the same time in the sham operation group， spontaneous pain scores significantly increased and PWTs decreased on day 4， 10， 14， and 18 after modelling in the model group （P＜0.05）； compared with the model group， spontaneous pain scores in Tuina group of rats significantly decreased on day 10， 14， and 18 after modelling， and PWTs significantly increased on day 14 and 18 after modelling （P＜0.05）. Compared with Tuina group， spontaneous pain scores increased on day 10， 14， and 18 of modelling， and PWTs decreased at days 14 and 18 of modelling in the MK-801 plus Tuina group had higher spontaneous pain scores on days 10， 14， and 18 after modelling and lower PWTs on days 14 and 18 after modelling （P＜0.05）. Compared with the sham operation group， the neuronal arrangement in the hippocampal CA3 region of the rats in the model group was disordered， with decreased number of Nysted-positive cells and synapses， reduced thickness of postsynaptic densities， length of active bands， and curvature of synaptic interfaces， wider synaptic gaps， and decreased immunofluorescent positive expression of NR2B and PSD95 as well as the expression of immunoblotting proteins in hippocampal CA3 region （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， more dense arranged nerve cells， the number of Nysted-positive cells， the number of synapses， the thickness of postsynaptic dense material， the length of active bands increased， the synaptic gap became significantly narrower， and the positive expression of immunofluorescence and immunoblotting protein expression of NR2B， PSD95 increased in the rat hippocampal CA3 region of Tuina group （P＜0.05）. Compared with Tuina group， the neuronal morphology of the hippocampal CA3 region in MK-801 plus Tuina group was severely damaged， and the number of Nystrom's-positive cells， the number of synapses， the thickness of post-synaptic densities， the length of active bands， and the curvature of synaptic interfaces reduced， the synaptic gaps became wider， and the immunofluorescent positive expression of NR2B， PSD95， and the expression of immunostained proteins decreased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionTuina at "Weizhong" （BL 40） showed significant analgesic effect， and one of the possible mechanisms concluded as significantly increasing the levels of NR2B and PSD95 protein expression in hippocampal CA3 region and thus modulating the synaptic plasticity of the hippocampus.

Objective To observe the effect of tuina on glutamate uptake and synaptic cleft in the spinal dorsal horn of rats with neuropathic pain through astrocyte NDRG2/GLT-1 pathway,and to explore the potential analgesic mechanism of tuina on neuropathic pain.Methods A total of 54 SD rats were randomly divided into naive group,model group and tuina group(n=18).The CCI model was established in the model group,and the tuina group was treated with acupressure at"Weizhong"(BL 40)from the 4th day after CCI model was successfully established for 14 days.The changes of paw withdrawal threshold at different time points were observed to evaluate the analgesic effect of tuina.Immunofluorescence was used to observe the co-expression of NDRG2?GLT-1 and astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn.The mRNA levels of NDRG2 and GLT-1 in astrocytes were detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction.The concentrations of glutamate in synaptic cleft were measured by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.The width of the synaptic cleft was observed by transmission electron microscopy.Results Compared with the naive group,the paw withdrawal threshold in the CCI group decreased continuously(P<0.01).The number of NDRG2 and GFAP co-labeling positive cells in the spinal dorsal horn increased significantly(P<0.01),and the number of GLT-1 and GFAP co-labeled positive cells was significantly reduced(P<0.01).NDRG2 mRNA expression was up-regulated and GLT-1 mRNA expression decreased in astrocytes(P<0.01).The concentrations of glutamate increased significantly(P<0.01);The synaptic cleft was significantly narrowed(P<0.05).After tuina intervention,the above trend was significantly reversed.Compared with the model group,the paw withdrawal threshold of the tuina group increased from 11 days after CCI(P<0.01),the number of NDRG2 and GFAP co-labeling positive cells in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the number of GLT-1 and GFAP co-labeled positive cells increased significantly(P<0.01);down-regulated the expression of NDRG2 mRNA and restored GLT-1 mRNA expression in astrocytes(P<0.01);decreased glutamate concentration in synaptic cleft(P<0.05),the synaptic cleft was relatively widened(P<0.05).Conclusion Tuina alleviates pain in CCI rats at the spinal cord level possibly by promoting the uptake of glutamate by NDRG2/GLT-1 pathway in astrocytes,restoring the width of synaptic cleft and reversing synaptic plasticity.

Background::Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is the commonest pediatric sellar tumor. No effective drug is available and interpatient heterogeneity is prominent. This study aimed to identify distinct molecular subgroups of ACP based on the multi-omics profiles, imaging findings, and histological features, in order to predict the response to anti-inflammatory treatment and immunotherapies.Methods::Totally 142 Chinese cases diagnosed with craniopharyngiomas were profiled, including 119 ACPs and 23 papillary craniopharyngiomas. Whole-exome sequencing (151 tumors, including recurrent ones), RNA sequencing (84 tumors), and DNA methylome profiling (95 tumors) were performed. Consensus clustering and non-negative matrix factorization were used for subgrouping, and Cox regression were utilized for prognostic evaluation, respectively.Results::Three distinct molecular subgroups were identified: WNT, ImA, and ImB. The WNT subgroup showed higher Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity, with a greater number of epithelial cells and more predominantly solid tumors. The ImA and ImB subgroups had activated inflammatory and interferon response pathways, with enhanced immune cell infiltration and more predominantly cystic tumors. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MEK/MAPK) signaling was activated only in ImA samples, while IL-6 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers were highly expressed in the ImB group, mostly consisting of children. The degree of astrogliosis was significantly elevated in the ImA group, with severe finger-like protrusions at the invasive front of the tumor. The molecular subgrouping was an independent prognostic factor, with the WNT group having longer event-free survival than ImB (Cox, P = 0.04). ImA/ImB cases were more likely to respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy than the WNT group ( P <0.01). In the preliminary screening of subtyping markers, CD38 was significantly downregulated in WNT compared with ImA and ImB ( P = 0.01). Conclusions::ACP comprises three molecular subtypes with distinct imaging and histological features. The prognosis of the WNT type is better than that of the ImB group, which is more likely to benefit from the ICB treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of total laparoscopic surgery vs. open surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods:The clinical data of 45 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and 42 patients by open surgery from Mar 2017 to Mar 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:There was no significant difference in demographics, Bismuth classification and excision extension between the two groups (all P>0.05). The laparoscopic surgery used longer time ( t=-1.366, P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node dissection and postoperative hospital stay favored laparoscopic method( t=0.043, t=0.026, t=-1.852, P<0.05). R 0 radical resection rate，postoperative complications were also in favor of laparoscopic surgery ( χ2=3.216, χ2=2.566, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative pathology and in hospital expenses (all P>0.05). The 1- and 3-year survival rate of the laparoscopic group was superior (all P<0.05). Conclusions:In spite of longer operational time，patients in laparoscopic hilar cholangiocarcinoma radical resection group have shorter postoperative in hospital stay and longer postoperative survival time.

Objective: To investigate the analgesic mechanism of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) by observing the effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B)/postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) pathway on the dendritic structure of spinal cord dorsal horn in rats with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a Tuina group, a blocker agent group, and a blocker agent + Tuina group. The sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was prepared by the sciatic nerve ligation method. From the 4th day after modeling, rats in the Tuina group and the blocker agent + Tuina group were subject to daily Tuina intervention, and those in the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group were daily intrathecally injected with NR2B blocker agent (MK-801). The spontaneous pain score was used to observe the pain behavior of all rats. The expression levels of NR2B and downstream PSD-95 were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the dendritic structure changes were observed by Golgi staining for rat spinal cord dorsal horn after 14 d of continuous intervention. Results: Compared with the blank group, the degree of rat spontaneous pain after CCI was elevated in both the model and the Tuina groups (P<0.01) and was reduced in the Tuina group after the Tuina intervention compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the rat spontaneous pain level after blocking NR2B was reduced in both the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group (P<0.05). The NR2B and PSD-95 protein levels were significantly higher in the model group compared with the blank group (P<0.01); the total number of dendritic branches was increased (P<0.01), and the total dendritic length became longer (P<0.01) in the spinal cord dorsal horn. The rat NR2B and PSD-95 protein levels were significantly decreased in the Tuina group compared with the model group (P<0.01); the total dendritic branch number was reduced (P<0.01) and the total length was shortened (P<0.01) in the spinal cord dorsal horn. After blocking NR2B, the expression levels of NR2B and downstream PSD-95 protein were significantly lower in both the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group compared to the model group (P<0.01). The total branch number was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the total length was significantly shortened (P<0.01) of the dendrites in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Conclusion: Tuina may exert an analgesic effect by remodeling the dendritic structure in the spinal cord dorsal horn in rats with lumbar disc herniation, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NR2B/PSD-95 signaling pathway.

Aim To clarify the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect of Tibetan medicine Pulicaria insignis (P. insignis),sift out the active parts against rheumatoid arthritis,and investigate the mechanism. Methods Rat rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) model was established with bovine type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant. The effects of the total extract of P. insignis, macroporous resin eluted parts with different concentrations of ethanol and Tripterygium Glycosides (GTW) on the degree of foot swelling in CIA rats were observed,the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), intd rheumaerleukin-1β (IL-1β) antoid factor (RF) in serum of rats were detected, the pathological changes of synovial tissues were investigated, and the effects on MAPK/p38/NF-κB, TLR4/NF-κB protein expressions were explored by Western blot. Results Compared with the model group, the total extract of P. insignis and the eluted part of macroporous resin 60% ethanol could significantly reduce the degree of joint swelling in CIA rats, effectively improve the pathological changes of rats synovium tissues, and significantly reduce the levels of rat tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in serum inflammatory factors, and markedly decrease the expression of related inflammatory proteins (TLR4, NF-κB, Myd88, p-p38, p-IκBα, iNOS, etc) in synovial tissue. Conclusions (1) P. insignis can relieve the symptoms of joint inflammation in rats with rheumatoid arthritis, and the eluted part of macroporous resin 60% ethanol of P. insignis is the effective active part for anti-rheumatoid arthritis. (2) The total and partial extracts of P. insignis can relieve arthritis symptoms in CIA rats through inhibiting the MAPK/ p38/NF-κB and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.

The idea that Gypsum Fibrosum can release flesh has a long history， but its clinical popularization， application， and in-depth discussion are insufficient due to the problems of mineral drug dissolution and limited research means. Through the analysis of releasing flesh method （RFM）， this paper concluded that the RFM-targeted pathogenesis was deficiency of body fluid and disturbance in the exterior， and the core connotation of RFM of Gypsum Fibrosum was clearing heat to restore fluid and expelling pathogenic factors in the exterior. Based on the ancient and modern application of RFM and modern research on coordination chemistry， this paper enriched the connotation of RFM of Gypsum Fibrosum from compatibility with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） classical prescriptions recorded in the Treatise on Cold Damage （《伤寒论》） and Synopsis of the Golden Chamber （《金匮要略》） as examples. Specifically， in addition to muscle discomfort symptoms after external contraction， RFM of Gypsum Fibrosum could also affect the function of internal organs， thereby treating internal injuries and miscellaneous diseases. Moreover， a new idea， RFM of Gypsum Fibrosum by compatibility， was proposed， that the fresh-releasing effect of Gypsum Fibrosum could be markedly exerted through compatibility with Ephedrae Herba， Puerariae Lobatae Radix， Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Anemarrhenae Rhizoma， Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma， Paeoniae Radix Alba， Bambusae Caulis in Taenias， Rehmanniae Radix， Ophiopogonis Radix， and Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma by adjusting the expelling and heat-clearing intensity. A clinical case was presented to provide a reference for the clinical application of Gypsum Fibrosum and a direction for the study of drug mechanism of compatibility.

BACKGROUND: LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China. This study included 290 patients with prostate cancer who received either LY01005 or goserelin implants every 28 days for three injections. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percentage of patients with testosterone suppression ≤50 ng/dL at day 29 and the cumulative probability of testosterone ≤50 ng/dL from day 29 to 85. Non-inferiority was prespecified at a margin of -10%. Secondary endpoints included significant castration (≤20 ng/dL), testosterone surge within 72 h following repeated dosing, and changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels. RESULTS: On day 29, in the LY01005 and goserelin implant groups, testosterone concentrations fell below medical-castration levels in 99.3% (142/143) and 100% (140/140) of patients, respectively, with a difference of -0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.9% to 2.0%) between the two groups. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining castration from days 29 to 85 were 99.3% and 97.8%, respectively, with a between-group difference of 1.5% (95% CI, -1.3% to 4.4%). Both results met the criterion for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were similar between groups. Both treatments were well-tolerated. LY01005 was associated with fewer injection-site reactions than the goserelin implant (0% vs . 1.4% [2/145]). CONCLUSION: LY01005 is as effective as goserelin implants in reducing testosterone to castration levels, with a similar safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04563936.
Humans ; Male ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use* ; East Asian People ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/agonists* ; Goserelin/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Testosterone

Objective:To investigate the situation of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who re-engaging treatment after dropping-out during anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and the influencing factors of ART re-engagement in Yunnan Province.Methods:The total dropping-out cases of ART up to December 31, 2018, including cases of lost-of-follow-up and withdrawing medications in Yunnan Province were included. The status of drop-out and demographic data were collected from survey questionnaires and the extracted medical-visiting records from the China National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program Database of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Chi-square test was used in statistical analysis and logistic regression was applied in analyzing factors related with re-engagement.Results:Among the total 6 075 cases with HIV infection which were recorded with the status of drop-out during ART in Yunnan Province, 5 340(87.9%) cases were confirmed drop-out, 540(8.9%) cases were false dropping-out due to belated medical visiting records, 109(1.8%) cases provided invalid answers or had no response to survey questionnaire, and 86(1.4%) cases failed to report results. Among 5 340 confirmed drop-out cases, the findings showed that 923(17.3%) cases were tracked and successfully re-initiated ART, 2 327(43.6%) cases could not be contacted, 1 443(27.0%) cases refused ART, 100(1.9%) cases died, 39(0.7%) cases came back for treatment by self-willing, 91(1.7%) cases were detained, and 417(7.8%) cases were in other situations. Tracking the dropping-out cases were through the workers based on the health facilities including ART clinics, centers for disease control and prevention and the community-based organizations. They tracked the dropping-out cases by phone, through household visiting or face-to-face communication. Statistically significant differences were found in the proportion of patients re-engagement by gender, re-engagement age, route of infection, education level and time from entry to last loss ( χ2=6.14, 21.26, 8.24, 17.69, 12.75, respectively, all P<0.050). The logistic regression suggested that the protective factors related with the re-engagement included female (adjusted odds ratio (a OR)=1.34, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.12 to 1.61, P=0.002), re-engagement age≤30 year-old (a OR=1.78, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.55, P<0.001), age of 31 to 60 year-old (a OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.76, P=0.043), education level with primary school to high school or technical secondary school (a OR=1.56, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.01, P<0.001), the period>24 months between first initiating ART and dropping-out (a OR=1.37, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.70, P=0.004). Conclusions:The program of tracking and re-engagement for ART dropping-out patients in Yunnan Province needs multi-department participation and investing large resources, but the success rate of tracking and re-engagement is not high. The protective factors related with re-engagement are female, re-engagement age≤60 year-old, education level with primary school to high school or technical secondary school, the period>24 months between first initiating ART and dropping-out.