Effect of electroacupuncture on liver Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway in rats with diabetic fatty / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on liver protein kinase B (Akt)/forkhead box transcription factor 1 (FoxO1) signaling pathway in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of EA on improving liver insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes mellitus.@*METHODS@#Twelve male 2-month-old ZDF rats were fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks to establish diabetes model. After modeling, the rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with 6 rats in each group. In addition, six male Zucker lean (ZL) rats were used as the blank group. The rats in the EA group were treated with EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3), and "Pishu" (BL 20). The ipsilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3) were connected to EA device, continuous wave, frequency of 15 Hz, 20 min each time, once a day, six times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) in each group was compared before modeling, before intervention and after intervention; the serum levels of insulin (INS) and C-peptide were measured by radioimmunoassay method, and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated; HE staining method was used to observe the liver tissue morphology; Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression of Akt, FoxO1 and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver.@*RESULTS@#Before intervention, compared with the blank group, FBG was increased in the model group and the EA group (P<0.01); after intervention, compared with the model group, FBG in the EA group was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the serum levels of INS and C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and the protein expression of hepatic FoxO1 and PEPCK were increased (P<0.01), while the protein expression of hepatic Akt was decreased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of INS and C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and the protein expression of hepatic FoxO1 and PEPCK were decreased (P<0.01), while the protein expression of hepatic Akt was increased (P<0.01) in the EA group. In the model group, the hepatocytes were structurally disordered and randomly arranged, with a large number of lipid vacuoles in the cytoplasm. In the EA group, the morphology of hepatocytes tended to be normal and lipid vacuoles were decreased.@*CONCLUSION@#EA could reduce FBG and HOMA-IR in ZDF rats, improve liver insulin resistance, which may be related to regulating Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway.

Effects of electroacupuncture on the glucose-lipid metabolism and the expression of ZAG and GLUT4 in the femoral quadriceps and adipose tissue in the rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the effects on the glucose-lipid metabolism and the expression of zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in the femoral quadriceps and adipose tissue after electroacupuncture (EA) at "Pishu" (BL 20), "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) in the rats with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), so as to explore the effect mechanism of EA in treatment of T2DM.@*METHODS@#Twelve ZDF male rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat fodder, Purina #5008 for 4 weeks to induce T2DM model. After successfully modeled, the rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with 6 rats in each one. Additionally, 6 ZL male rats of the same months age were collected as the blank group. The rats in the EA group were treated with EA at bilateral "Pishu" (BL 20), "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), with continuous wave, 15 Hz in frequency, and 2 mA in intensity. The electric stimulation lasted 20 min each time. EA was delivered once daily, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. Separately, the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured before modeling, before and after intervention, and the body mass of each rat was weighted before and after intervention. After intervention, the levels of the total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) in serum were detected using enzyme colorimetric method; and the levels of the serum insulin (INS) and ZAG were detected by ELISA. Besides, the insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-ISI) was calculated. With Western blot technique adopted, the protein expressions of ZAG and GLUT4 in the femoral quadriceps and adipose tissue were determined.@*RESULTS@#After intervention, compared with the blank group, the levels of FBG and body mass, and the levels of serum TC, TG, FFA and INS increased (P<0.01), while HOMA-ISI decreased (P<0.01); the level of ZAG in the serum and the protein expressions of ZAG and GLUT4 in the femoral quadriceps and adipose tissue dropped (P<0.01) in the model group. In the EA group, compared with the model group, the levels of FBG and body mass, and the levels of serum TC, TG, FFA and INS were reduced (P<0.01), and HOMA-ISI increased (P<0.01); the level of ZAG in the serum and the protein expressions of ZAG and GLUT4 in the femoral quadriceps and adipose tissue increased (P<0.01, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Electroacupuncture can effectively regulate glucose-lipid metabolism, improve insulin resistance and sensitivity in the rats with T2DM, which is associated with the modulation of ZAG and GLUT4 expression in the skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.

Effects of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue Decoction in Treatment of Patients with Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the therapeutic effect of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue Decoction BYHD) in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).@*METHODS@#A total of 180 patients with DOR diagnosed from December 2013 to December 2014 were equally assigned into progynova and duphaston (E+D) group, Zuogui Pill group and BYHD group with 60 cases in each by computerized randomization. Patients received E+D, Zuogui Pill or BYHD for 12 months, respectively. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume, endometrial thickness, and the resistance indices (RIs) of ovarian arteries and uterine arteries were observed before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#Nine women (4 from the E+D group, 3 from the Zuogui Pill group, and 2 from the BYHD group) withdrew from the study. After 6 months, Zuogui Pill and BYHD significantly decreased FSH and LH and increased endometrial thickness and AMH (all P<0.01). BYHD also resulted in E2 elevation (P<0.05), ovary enlargement (P<0.05), AFC increase (P<0.01), and RI of ovarian arteries decrease (P<0.05). After 12 months, further improvements were observed in the Zuogui Pill and BYHD groups (all P<0.01), but BYHD showed better outcomes, with lower FSH, larger ovaries and a thicker endometrium compared with the Zuogui Pill group (all P<0.01). However, E+D only significantly increased endometrial thickness (P<0.01) and no significant improvements were observed in the RI of uterine arteries in the three groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#BYHD had a favorable therapeutic effect in patients with DOR by rebalancing hormone levels, promoting ovulation, and repairing the thin endometrium. The combination of tonifying Shen (Kidney), benefiting qi and activating blood circulation may be a promising therapeutic strategy for DOR.

Balance and Stability for Patients with Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective:To observe the features of posture control in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Methods:From May, 2017 to May, 2018, patients with iNPH in our hospital (<italic>n</italic> = 13) and healthy controls (<italic>n</italic> = 15) were measured with sensory organization test on Balance Manager. The balance scores and strategy scores under six conditions were recorded and the comprehensive balance scores were calculated. Results:The balance scores decreased in the patients in the conditions of eyes-open/stable-support, eyes-close/stable-support, eyes-close/unstable-support and eyes-disturb/unstable-support compared with those of the controls (|<italic>Z</italic>| > 2.042, <italic>P</italic> < 0.05), as well as the comprehensive balance scores (<italic>Z</italic> = -3.617, <italic>P</italic> < 0.001); while the strategy scores increased in the conditions of eyes-close/stable-support, eyes-open/unstable-support, eyes-close/unstable-support and eyes-disturb/unstable-support (|<italic>Z</italic>| > 2.333, <italic>P</italic> < 0.05). Conclusion:There are balance disorders in the patients with iNPH, mainly associating with the disorders of proprioceptive and vestibular senses, and application of hip strategy.

Research advances of occludin in vascular endothelial injury / 生理学报

Endothelial tight junctions (TJs) serve as an important barrier in vascular endothelial structure and maintain vascular function homeostasis. Occludin, the most representative tight junction protein, is involved in sealing cell connections and maintaining the integrity and permeability of vascular endothelium. Recent studies have shown that alterations in the expression, distribution, and structure of endothelial TJs may lead to many related vascular diseases and pathologies (such as stroke, atherosclerosis, and pulmonary hypertension etc.). Here, we reviewed the research advances on the relationship between occludin and vascular endothelial injury, including the biological information of occludin, the signal pathways that occludin exerts the protective effect of vascular endothelium, and the relationship between occludin and vascular endothelial injury-related diseases.

Investigatation of Rehabilitation Human Resources in Shanghai, China / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the rehabilitation human resources in Shanghai. Methods:Based on World Health Orgnization Rehabilitation in Health Service System: Action Guide, Rehabilitation Information Collection Template of Supporting Tools for Systematic Assessment of Rehabilitation Status was implemented by Shanghai Rehabilitation Medical Association in accordance with the requirements of Shanghai Rehabilitation Treatment Quality Control Center to investigate the number and knowledge structure of rehabilitation-related practitioners in Shanghai. Results:Totally, 311 medical institutions were investigated and 254 institutions set up rehabilitation medicine department, accounting for 82.47%. There were 1414 rehabilitation practitioners and 528 registered rehabilitation physicians, accounting for 37.34%; among them, senior, intermediate and junior professional titles were 142 (26.89%), 262 (49.62%) and 124 (23.48%), respectively. There were 2668 rehabilitation therapists, among which the senior, intermediate and junior professional titles were 11 (0.41%), 461 (17.28%) and 2196 (82.31%), respectively. There were 1614 rehabilitation nurses, among which the senior, intermediate and junior professional titles were 13 (0.81%), 476 (29.49%) and 1125 (69.70%), respectively. There were 2.17 rehabilitation physicians, 11.11 rehabilitation therapists and 6.65 nurses per 100 000 population, which is nearly 1/5 of the international level. There were 121 institutions without rehabilitation medical practitioners and 40 multi-point rehabilitation medical practitioners. Conclusion:There is a big gap in rehabilitation physicians, therapists and nurses in Shanghai, compared with the international level. Based on the imperfect occupational series and qualification certification of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and other specialties, it is suggested to conduct targeted job training in multiple channels and forms, especially to strengthen standardized job training and rehabilitation transformation training for rehabilitation practitioners. It is needed to promote the standardized training of resident and specialist rehabilitation practitioners more quickly to meet the needs of clinical rehabilitation work.

Functioning Evaluation for Patients with Chronic Diseases Using World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To test the reliability and validity of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) for assessment of functioning for people with chronic diseases. Methods:From December, 2017 to June, 2018, 346 patients with chronic diseases who received rehabilitation interventions in Huadong Hospital-Jing'an District Rehabilitation Medical Association were selected and evaluated with WHODAS 2.0, and re-evaluated after two weeks. According to the actual use of clinical rehabilitation, in order to improve the accuracy of functional measurement, the items had been added in the second domain Getting Around including Handling, Moving and Manipulating Objects, while added in the third domain Self Care including Caring for Body Parts and Toileting, and added in the fourth domain Getting Along with People including Establishing Formal Social Interpersonal Relationship, with a total of 40 items. The content reliability and structural validity of the scale with four items added were verified by internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability and confirmatory factor analysis. Results:The Cronbach's α coefficient of the internal consistency reliability was 0.981, the Pearson coefficient of the test-retest reliability was 0.977 (P < 0.001). The final model of the scale with confirmatory factor analysis had good structural validity: the standardized factor loads between potential variables and corresponding measurement indicators were 0.710-0.960, and the standard errors were 0.023-0.066; Chi square degrees of freedom < 5, root-mean-square error of approximation < 0.1, standardized root mean square residual < 0.08, the comparatice fit index, normal of fit index, relative fit index, incremental fit index and Tucker-Lewis index all > 0.9; the reliability coefficients of the observed variables were > 0.5, the combined reliability of each potential variable > 0.6, and all the average variance extraction of each potential variable > 0.5, all P < 0.001, absolute value of the standardized residual < 3, Modification Index < 4. There was significant difference in the total score and scores of domains among the patients with different diseases (F > 10.21, P < 0.001) Conclusion:WHODAS 2.0 can be used as an assessment tool for the overall health and functioning for people with chronic diseases. Each item, including four new items added, had good content reliability and structural validity.

Survey and Suggestion for Ethical Review of Paediatric Clinical Trials / 中国医学伦理学

This article surveyed the protocols and informed consent forms of 15 paediatric clinical trials which had been reviewed by the hospital′s institutional research board from 2008 to 2013 .This survey reevaluated and made suggestions on the protocols and informed consent forms, focusing on the risk level, protocol design back-ground, risk minimization measures, the required elements as well as the language expressions of informed consent forms and finding out the shortage of informed consent and give appropriate advices.