The syndrome/pattern of defensive qi deficiency is a common basic syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice. However,there is a lack of standardized and operable diagnostic specifications in practical applications. Based on the previous literature,this study proposed the idea of starting from the elements of the syndrome,qualitative diagnostic criteria for the syndrome/pattern of defensive qi deficiency oriented to the entire region of the disease were constructed based on the two dimensions of " deficient defensive qi failing to consolidate the exterior" and " qi deficiency" and constructing a set of quantitative evaluation criteria as the supporting content for the diagnostic items. The core members of the research group attempted to formulate the draft standard,then reached a consensus through the Delphi method expert questionnaire consultation and the Nominal group technique,and finally evaluated the reliability and validity of the standard through clinical verification to provide ideas for the standardization and normalization of research on syndromes.

Malignant tumors pose a serious threat to human health and are one of the main causes of human death worldwide.In order to further improve the therapeutic outcomes of malignant tumors and prolong patients'survival time,clarifying the pathogenesis of malignant tumors and searching for new diagnostic and therapeutic targets become particularly important.It has been found that the occurrence and development of malignant tumors are the results of the interaction between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment(TME).Versican,encoded by the VCAN gene,is a type of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan belonging to the exogenous lectin proteoglycan family.It is a major component of the extracellular matrix and plays an important role in embryonic development and inflammatory responses.As an important component of TME,versican is abnormally expressed in various tumor tissues such as renal cell carcinoma,hepatocellular carcinoma,and gastric cancer,and is closely related to the clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis of the patients.It is a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of tumors.Further researches have shown that versican can promote tumor development in a number of ways,such as promoting tumor cell proliferation,invasion and metastasis,inhibiting tumor cell apoptosis,promoting tumor angiogenesis,and inhibiting anti-tumor immune responses.This article reviews the current research status of the expression and biological effects of versican in malignant tumors,aiming to provide reference for subsequent research,clinical diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

Humans ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ; Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Microbiota

Objective:To explore the effect of enriched environment on pain sensitivity, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior in selective nerve injury(SNI) rats model and its potential mechanism.Methods:A total of 36 male clean grade SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups( n=12 in each group): sham operation+ standard environment group (sham group), SNI+ standard environment group (standard environment group), SNI+ enriched environment group (enriched environment group). The rat model of neuropathic pain was established by SNI.The rats in the enriched enviroment group were placed in an enriched enviroment 7 days before operation until 21 days after operation.The paw withdraw threshold(PWT) and paw withdraw latency (PWL) were performed to assess hyperalgesia.The open field test, elevated plus maze test, novelty suppressed feeding test and forced swimming test were used to assess anxiety and depression like behavior.The expressions of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), p-CREB, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) and neuroligin 2 (NLGN2) were detected by Western blot.The expression of CREB and BDNF in contralateral ACC were measured by immunofluorescence.GraphPad prism 8.0 and SPSS 23.0 were used for data analysis.One way ANOVA was used for inter group comparison, repeated measurement ANOVA was used to analyze PWT and PWL results, and Tukey test was used for pairwise comparison. Results:(1) In PWT and PWL experiments, the interaction effect between group and time, group main effect and time main effect of PWT were significant ( F=13.4, 39.6, 369.6, all P<0.05), and the interaction effect between group and time, group main effect and time main effect of PWL were significant ( F=3.8, 10.3, 58.8, all P<0.05). Compared with sham group, PWT((8.0±3.5) g, (2.4±1.4) g, (2.3±1.1) g, (2.2±1.6) g, (1.6±0.5) g) and PWL((8.6±1.3) s, (7.3±1.5) s, (7.9±1.0) s, (6.6±1.1) s, (7.7±1.4) s) in standard environment group decreased at each time point (all P<0.05). (2) Compared with sham group, the number of entrying into the central area (1.3±1.7), the time of entrying into the central area((1.6±1.3) s), the proportion of entering open arms ((8.0±7.8) %) and the proportion of time in the open arms ((1.3±1.2) %) all significantly decreased in standard environment group ( t=4.585, 5.423, 4.682, 5.202, all P<0.05). The eating latency ((365.2±94.4) s) and immobility time ((127.6±24.3) s) dramatically increased ( t=6.008, 14.290, both P<0.05). The number and time of entrying into central area of enriched environment group were both higher than those of standard environment group(both P<0.05), while the eating latency and immobility time of enriched environment group were both lower than those of standard environment group(both P<0.05). (3) Compared with sham group(CREB: (1.6±0.2), (0.8±0.5); BDNF: (0.8±0.5), (1.0±0.4)), the expression of CREB ((1.8±0.1), (1.5±0.2)), BDNF ((0.9±0.6), (1.4±0.3)) in spinal cord and ACC of standard environment group increased (spinal: t=3.283, 4.989; ACC: t=5.502, 4.257, all P<0.05). The expression of PSD-95 ((1.6±0.2), (1.0±0.2) and NLGN2 ((1.5±0.5), (1.1±0.2)) also increased in ACC of standard enviroment group ( t=4.257, 2.214, both P<0.05). Compared with standard environment group, the expression of CREB (1.3±0.3), BDNF (0.7±0.4), PSD-95(1.0±0.3) and NLGN2(1.1±0.4) in spinal cord of enriched environment group decreased ( t=5.007, 2.166, 2.358, 2.322, all P<0.05). The expression of PSD-95(1.2±0.3) and NLGN2(1.1±0.2) also decreased in ACC of enriched environment group ( t=2.674, 2.944, both P<0.05). However, the expression of p-CREB (1.7±0.6) and BDNF (2.4±0.2) increased in ACC ( t=4.180, 7.610, P<0.05). Conclusion:Enriched environment can improve neuropathic pain and anxiety- and depressive-like behavior in SNI rats, which may be related to the change of synaptic plasticity in spinal cord and ACC.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase (G9a) and sodium-dependent activation of potassium channel (Slack) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of rats with neuropathic pain (NP).Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 1 month, weighing 100-120 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) by a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), vector plus sham operation group (VS group), vector plus NP group (VN group), and G9a CRISPR/Cas9 knockout plus NP group (GN group). Sham operation was performed at the age of 2 months in group S. In group VS, AAV5 1 μl was microinjected into L 4 and L 5 DRG at the age of 1 month, and sham operation was performed at the age of 2 months.In VN group and GN group, AAV5 and G9a CRISPR/Cas9 knockout plasmid 1 μl were microinjected into L 4 and L 5 DRG at the age of 1 month, and NP model was established by spinal nerve ligation (SNL) at the age of 2 months.Six rats in each group were selected to measure the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) before microinjection (T 0), before SNL (T 1), and at 3, 5 and 7 days after SNL (T 2-4). The animals were sacrificed after the last behavioral testing, the DRGs of lumbar segment (L 4, 5) were removed for determination of the expression of G9a, dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9(H3K9me2) and Slack (by Western blot). At 7 days after establishing the model, 6 rats from each group were selected to culture the primary DRG neurons.The frequency and amplitude of Slack current in DRG neurons and miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents (mEPSCs) in the spinal dorsal horn were measured by whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results:Compared with group S, the TWL was significantly shortened and the MWT was decreased at T 2-4, the expression of G9a and H3K9me2 in the spinal dorsal horn was up-regulated, the expression of Slack was down-regulated, the amplitude and frequency of Slack currents in DRG neurons were decreased, and the frequency of mEPSCs was increased in group VN ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group VS ( P>0.05). Compared with group VN, the TWL was significantly prolonged and the MWT was increased at T 2-4, the expression of G9a and H3K9me2 in the spinal dorsal horn was down-regulated, the expression of Slack was up-regulated, the amplitude and frequency of Slack currents in DRG neurons were increased, and the frequency of mEPSCs was decreased in group GN ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism of NP is related to up-regulating the expression of G9a in DRG, thus inhibiting the expression and opening of Slack channels in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on pyroptosis in rats with endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI).Methods:Sixty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6 weeks, weighing 200-220 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=10 each) by a random number table method: control group (group C), ALI group and different doses of dexmedetomidine groups (D 1-3 groups). In ALI group and D 1-3 groups, LPS 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected to establish endotoxin-induced ALI model.Immediately after establishing the model, dexmedetomidine 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 μg/kg were intraperitoneally injected in D 1-3 groups, and the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in group C, once a day for 14 consecutive days.After the end of administration, the rats were sacrificed, the left bronchus was lavaged, and the left bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of the concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and the lung tissue was taken for determination of the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D ratio) and expression of cleaved-caspase-1, N-terminal of the spliceosome (GSDMD-N), IL-18 and IL-1β (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (with a light microscope). Results:Compared with group C, the W/D ratio of lung tissues was significantly increased, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were increased, the expression of cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissues was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was aggravated in ALI group and D 1-3 groups.Compared with group ALI, the W/D ratio of lung tissues was significantly decreased, and the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were decreased, the expression of cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissues was down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was significantly reduced in D 1-3 groups. Conclusion:The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine attenuates endotoxin-induced ALI may be related to inhibition of pyroptosis and reduction of inflammatory responses in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the role of spinal peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in protectin D1 (PD1)-induced reduction of neuropathic pain (NP) in rats.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) by a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), NP group, NP plus PD1 group (NP+ PD group), and NP plus PD1 plus GW9662 group (NP+ PD+ GW group). Neuropathic pain was induced by spared nerve injury in anesthetized rats.In NP+ PD and NP+ PD+ GW groups, PD1 900 ng (diluted to 20 μl in dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]) was intrathecally injected once a day for 8 consecutive days starting from 30 min before establishing the model.In NP+ PD+ GW group, the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 200 ng (diluted to 20 μl in DMSO) was intrathecally injected once a day for 8 consecutive days starting from 45 min before establishing the model.The equal volume of DMSO was intrathecally injected in Sham group.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured before establishing the model and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days after establishing the model.Six rats in each group were sacrificed on day 14 after establishing the model, and their lumbar enlargements were removed for determination of the expression of PPAR-γ, TNF-α and IL-6 by Weston blot.Six rats in each group were sacrificed on day 14 after establishing the model, L 4, 5 segments of the spinal cord were removed, and the co-expression of PPAR-γ with neuron-specific nucleoprotein (NeuN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) or serum calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Results:Compared with group Sham, PWT was significantly decreased at each time point after establishing the model, the expression of PPAR-γ was down-regulated, and the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was up-regulated in the other three groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group NP, PWT was significantly increased at 7-14 days after establishing the model, the expression of PPAR-γ was up-regulated, and the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was down-regulated in group NP+ PD, and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group NP+ PD+ GW ( P>0.05). Compared with group NP+ PD, PWT was significantly decreased at 7-14 days after establishing the model, the expression of PPAR-γ was down-regulated, and the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was up-regulated in group NP+ PD+ GW ( P<0.05). The results of immunofluorescence staining of the spinal cord showed that PPAR-γ was co-expressed with NeuN and GFAP. Conclusion:The mechanism by which PD1 mitigates NP is related to promoting the activation of PPAR-γ in spinal cord neurons and astrocytes and inhibiting inflammatory responses in rats.

Objective To evaluate the effect of desflurane-remifentanil anesthesia on balance between cerebral oxygen supply and demand during cerebral revascularization in the patients with moyamoya disease.Methods Forty patients of both sexes with moyamoya disease,aged 18-64 yr,with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m2,undergoing superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis,were allocated into 2 groups using a random number table method:desflurane-remifentanil group (D group) and propofol-remifentanil group (P group),with 20 cases in each group.Anesthesia was induced by intravenously injecting etomidate 0.3 mg/kg,sufentanil 0.4-0.5 μg/kg,and cis-atracurium 0.15-0.2 mg/kg.The patients were mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation,and the end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide was maintained at 35-45 mmHg.Anesthesia was maintained with propofol 4-6 mg · kg-1 · h-1 (group P),4％-6％ desflurane (group D),remifentanil 0.1-0.3 μg· kg-1 · min-1,remifentanil 0.1-0.3 μg · kg-1 · min-1 and intermittent intravenous boluses of cis-atracurium,and BIS value was maintained at 40-60.At 15 min after intubation (T1),30 min after skin incision (T2),immediately after opening the dura mater (T3),immediately after vascular bypass and patency (T4),and at the end of surgery (T5),blood samples were obtained from the radial artery and internal jugular bulb for blood gas analysis,jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) was recorded,and arteriovenous blood O2 content difference (Da-jvO2) and cerebral O2 extraction rate (CERO2) were calculated.Results Compared with group P,Da-jvO2 at T3-6 and CERO2 at T4-6 were significantly decreased,and SjvO2 was increased at T4-6 in group D (P＜0.05).Compared with the value at T1,Da-jvO2 was significantly decreased,and SjvO2 was increased at T5 in group D (P＜0.05).CERO2 was significantly lower,and SjvO2 was higher at T5 than at T3 in group P (P＜0.05).Compared with the values at T4,CERO2 was significantly decreased,and SjvO2 was increased at T5 in P and D groups (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Compared with propofol-remifentanil anesthesia,desflurane-remifentanil anesthesia can maintain the balance between cerebral oxygen supply and demand better during cerebral revascularization in the patients with moyamoya disease.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the long-term anxiety state after sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal rats and the role of different central subtypes of α2 receptors.Methods A total of 216 clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 4-6 days,weighing 8-15 g,were divided into 6 groups (n =36 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),sevoflurane group (group S),dexmedetomidine + sevoflurane group (group D+S),dexmedetomidine + α2 receptor antagonist atipamezole + sevoflurane group (group D+A+S),dexmedetomidine + α2A receptor antagonist BRL44408 + sevoflurane group (group D+B+S),and dexmedetomidine + α2C receptor antagonist JP1302 + sevoflurane group (group D+J+S).Anesthesia was induced by inhaling 6％ sevoflurane for 3 min and maintained by inhaling 2.1％ sevoflurane for 6 h.At 30 min before anesthesia induction,dexmedetomidine 25 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group D+S,dexmedetomidine 25 μg/kg and atipamezole 250 μg/kg were intraperitoneally injected in group D + A + S,dexmedetomidine and α2A receptor antagonist BRL44408 1.5 mg/kg were intraperitoneally injected in group D+B+S,and dexmedetomidine 25 μg/kg and α2C receptor antagonist JP1302 3 mg/kgwere intraperitoneally injected in group D+J+S.Twelve rats in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed after the end of anesthesia,blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis,and the serum corticosterone concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The elevated plus maze was performed when the left rats in each group were 60 days old,and 12 rats were selected when the they were 80 days old to perform the restraint stress test.Results Compared with group C,the percentage of time of staying at the open arm was significantly decreased,the total motion distance was shortened,and the serum corticosterone concentration was increased after the end of anesthesia and during the restraint stress test in S,D+A+S and D+B+S groups (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in D+S and D+J+S groups (P＞0.05).Compared with group S,the percentage of time of staying at the open arm was significantly increased,the total motion distance was prolonged,and the serum corticosterone concentration was decreased after the end of anesthesia and during the restraint stress test in group D+S and group D+J+S (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group D+A+S and group D+B+S (P ＞0.05).Compared with group D+S,the percentage of time of staying at the open arm was significantly decreased,the total motion distance was shortened,and the serum corticosterone concentration was increased after the end of anesthesia and during the restraint stress test in D+A+S and D+B+S groups (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group D+J +S (P＞ 0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce the long-term anxiety state after sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal rats,and the mechanism may be related to activating central α2A receptors and improving hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis hyperfunction.

Objective To evaluate the effect of bilateral thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) combined with general anesthesia on early recovery after Nuss procedure in patients with pectus excavatum.Methods Sixty patients of both sexes with pectus excavatum,aged 8-18 yr,with body mass index＜ 18.5-32.0 kg/m2,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,scheduled for elective Nuss procedure,were divided into 2 groups by using a random number table method:general anesthesia group (group GA,n=30) and bilateral TPVB combined with general anesthesia group (group TPVB+ GA,n=30).Bilateral TPVB was performed at the level of T5 under ultrasound guidance at 30 min before operation in group TPVB+GA.Anesthesia was induced by intravenous injection of fentanyl,propofol and rocuronium and maintained by inhalation of sevoflurane,intravenous infusion of remifentanil 0.1-0.5 μg · kg-1 · min-1,and intermittent intravenous boluses of rocuronium.Patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia after operation.Tramadol 1-2 mg/kg or dizocin 0.1 mg/kg was intravenously injected as rescue analgesic,maintaining visual analogue scale score ≤ 3 within 2 days after operation.The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil,postoperative consumption of snfentanil,requirement for rescue analgesia and development of nausea and retching/vomiting were recorded.Quality of recovery was assessed using the Quality of Recovery-15 at 1 and 2 days after operation.Results Compared with group GA,the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil,postoperative consumption of sufentanil,rate of rescue analgesia and incidence of nausea and vomiting were significantly decreased,and Quality of Recovery-15 scores were increased at 1 and 2 days after operation in group TPVB +GA (P＜0.05).Conclusion Bilateral TPVB combined with general anesthesia can reduce the perioperative consumption of opioids and is beneficial for the early recovery after Nuss procedure in patients with pectus excavatum.