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Objective:To investigate the effect of Xidi Liangxue recipe on the proliferation and apoptosis of HaCaT cells through the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) /microRNA (miR) -485-5p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) regulatory network. Methods:HaCaT cells were induced by interleukin-17 (IL-17), and the mRNA and protein expression of lncRNA NEAT1, miR-485-5p and STAT3 was detected in IL-17-induced HaCaT cells and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. The location of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-485-5p in IL-17-induced HaCaT cells was observed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and the targeted regulatory relationship among lncRNA NEAT1, miR-485-5p and STAT3 was verified by double-luciferase reporter gene assay. Chinese herbs were decocted according to the Xidi Liangxue recipe, SD rats were divided into two groups to be gavaged with the above decoctions (medicated group) or physiological saline (control group) for 5 days, and then serum samples were collected from the above two groups of rats separately. The IL-17-induced HaCaT cells were divided into 4 groups: control group treated with the control sera, lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group transfected with lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression vectors and treated with the control sera, Xidi Liangxue recipe group treated with the medicated sera, and Xidi Liangxue recipe + lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group transfected with lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression vectors and treated with the medicated sera. qPCR, Western blot analysis, flow cytometry, and cell counting kit (CCK8) assay were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression of lncRNA NEAT1, miR-485-5p and STAT3, and to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis. The two independent samples t-test was used for comparisons between two groups, one-way analysis of variance for comparisons among multiple groups, and least significant difference (LSD) t-test for multiple comparisons. Results:The IL-17-induced HaCaT cell group showed significantly increased relative expression levels of lncRNA NEAT1 and STAT3 mRNA (1.84 ± 0.21, 2.20 ± 0.24, respectively) and significantly increased protein expression of STAT3 and p-STAT3 (1.27 ± 0.13, 2.43 ± 0.16, respectively), but significantly decreased expression level of miR-485-5p (0.32 ± 0.04) compared with the NHEK group (lncRNA NEAT1 and STAT3 mRNA: 1.00 ± 0.11, 1.00 ± 0.11, respectively, both P < 0.05; STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein: 1.00 ± 0.11, 1.00 ± 0.10, t = 2.54, 3.02, respectively, both P < 0.05; miR-485-5p: 1.00 ± 0.12, t = 2.94, P = 0.015). FISH demonstrated that miR-485-5p and lncRNA NEAT1 were co-located in the cytoplasm of HaCaT cells. The double-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the relative activity of luciferase was significantly lower in the miR-485-5p group than in the negative control group (both P < 0.05) after the transfection with wild-type lncRNA NEAT1 or STAT3 recombinant plasmids, while there were no significant differences between the miR-485-5p group and negative control group after the transfection with mutant lncRNA NEAT1 or STAT3 recombinant plasmids (both P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group showed significantly increased expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and STAT3 (including STAT3 mRNA, STAT3 protein, and p-STAT3 protein) in HaCaT cells (all P < 0.05), but significantly decreased miR-485-5p expression ( P < 0.05) ; the Xidi Liangxue recipe group showed significantly decreased expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and STAT3 (all P < 0.05), but significantly increased miR-485-5p expression compared with the control group ( P < 0.05) ; significantly decreased expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and STAT3, but significantly increased miR-485-5p expression was observed in the Xidi Liangxue recipe + lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group compared with the lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group (all P < 0.05). After 24-, 48-, and 72-hour intervention, CCK8 assay showed that the proliferative activity of HaCaT cells was significantly higher in the lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group than in the control group (all P < 0.05), as well as in the Xidi Liangxue recipe + lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group than in the Xidi Liangxue recipe group (all P < 0.05), and the cellular proliferative activity was significantly lower in the Xidi Liangxue recipe + lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group and Xidi Liangxue recipe group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate was significantly lower in the lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group (5.84% ± 0.28%) than in the control group (14.75% ± 0.83%, LSD- t = 3.48, P = 0.002), but significantly higher in the Xidi Liangxue recipe group (35.72% ± 3.62%) than in the control group (LSD- t = 5.34, P = 0.001) ; the Xidi Liangxue recipe + lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group showed significantly increased apoptosis rate (27.64% ± 2.82%) compared with the lncRNA-NEAT1 overexpression group (LSD- t = 9.06, P < 0.001) . Conclusion:The Xidi Liangxue recipe could inhibit the proliferation of IL-17-induced HaCaT cells and promote their apoptosis, which may be related to the intervention in the lncRNA NEAT1/miR-485-5p/STAT3 regulatory network.
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Objective:To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Ohkuma questionnaire.Methods:The Ohkuma questionnaire was translated and revised, before it was used to investigate 70 elderly patients. Cronbach′s alpha coefficient, Cohen′s kappa coefficient and Pearson correlation were used to evaluate the scale′s internal reliability, sub-item retest reliability and total score retest reliability. KMO and Bartlett tests were used to evaluate the validity. The correlation between the Chinese version of the Ohkuma questionnaire and ratings from video fluoroscopy before and after treatment was used to evaluate the scale′s discrimination ability.Results:The Cronbach′s alpha of the Chinese version of Ohkuma questionnaire was 0.831, with 0.814 in the initial evaluation and 0.808 in a second evaluation. The Cohen′s kappas of the 15 sub-items ranged from 0.728 to 1.000. The Pearson correlation coefficient of the total score was 0.914. The scale′s KMO value was 0.701. A t-test of the Ohkuma scores before and after treatment showed a statistically significant difference.Conclusion:The revised Chinese Ohkuma questionnaire has good reliability, validity and discriminatory power. It can be used to screen for dysphagia among the elderly.
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Objective:To explore the application of digital acoustic analysis in assessing the risk of aspiration among persons with dysphagia using the Praat speech analysis software.Methods:The swallowing of 46 stroke survivors with dysphagia was studied using video fluoroscopy. Each patient was required to pronounce " yi/i/" 3 times before and after taking each mouthful of food, and their voice samples were collected. The subjects were divided into a non-aspiration group of 16 and an aspiration group of 30 based on their penetration-aspiration scale scores. Fundamental frequency, relative average perturbation (RAP), jitter, shimmer, amplitude perturbation quotient and harmonic-to-noise ratio were compared between the two groups before and after taking food.Results:For the non-aspiration group, there was no significant difference in the acoustic data before and after eating. For the aspiration group there were significant differences in fundamental frequency, relative average perturbation and jitter before and after taking food. The average RAP and jitter of the non-aspiration group were significantly better than the aspiration group′s averages before eating. After eating, however, significant differences were observed only in average jitter.Conclusions:Analyzing perturbation and jitter can help to identify persons at risk of aspiration.
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Objective:To explore the value of flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in guiding the decannulation of neurological disease patients with dysphagia after a tracheotomy.Methods:The FEES results of 188 neurological disease patients with dysphagia who had undergone a tracheotomy were analyzed retrospectively. The utility of FEES evaluation indexes (including glottis activity, the classification of pharyngeal secretions and residues as well as penetration-aspiration grade) for predicting the success of decannulation was explored.Results:One hundred and nine of the patients (the success group) were decannulated successfully and 79 (the failure group) were not, a success rate of 57%. The abnormal glottis activity rate among the failure group was 55%, significantly higher than among the success group (21%). The pharyngeal secretion classifications and penetration-aspiration grades among the success group were also significantly lower than among the failure group, on average. The average course of recovery from the tracheotomy was 184 days in the success group, significantly shorter than that of the failure group (292 days). No significant differences in residues were observed.Conclusion:The glottis activity, secretions and intake aspiration evaluated using FEES are of great value for guiding the decannulation of neurological disease patients with dysphagia after a tracheotomy.
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Objective:To explore the effect of high-flow airway humidification on aspiration and residues in cases of dysphagia after a tracheotomy.Methods:Seventeen persons with dysphagia after a tracheotomy were asked to swallow 5ml of a thick liquid when their tracheal cannula was either connected to a high-flow airway humidification system or blocked, or the cuff was empty or full. Endoscopic evaluation was then used to grade the residue and aspiration in the different conditions.Results:There were significant differences in the residuals grading and aspiration among the four conditions. The average penetration-aspiration scale grade was significantly lower when the subject was connected to high-flow airway humidification than in the other three conditions. The grade of residuals was also significantly lower.Conclusion:High-flow airway humidification can effectively improve the swallowing of persons with dysphagia after a tracheotomy.
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Objective@#To explore the relationships among tongue pressure, hyoid composite movement and pharynx phase activity among stroke survivors with dysphagia.@*Methods@#Videofluoroscopy was used to observe the swallowing performance of 13 stroke survivors with dysphagia. Their tongue pressure was also measured. Correlations were sought among the tongue pressure, hyoid motion, the pharynx contraction ratio and the duration of upper oesophageal sphincter opening.@*Results@#Tongue pressure was found to be significantly positively correlated with the duration of upper oesophageal sphincter opening. The distance of forward movement of the hyoid and the pharynx contraction ratio were also significantly positively correlated.@*Conclusion@#The tongue muscle and hyoid activity can affect the activity in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing.
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Objective To explore the relationships among tongue pressure, hyoid composite movement and pharynx phase activity among stroke survivors with dysphagia. Methods Videofluoroscopy was used to observe the swallowing performance of 13 stroke survivors with dysphagia. Their tongue pressure was also measured. Correlations were sought among the tongue pressure, hyoid motion, the pharynx contraction ratio and the duration of upper oesophageal sphincter opening. Results Tongue pressure was found to be significantly positively correlated with the duration of upper oesophageal sphincter opening. The distance of forward movement of the hyoid and the pharynx contraction ratio were also significantly positively correlated. Conclusion The tongue muscle and hyoid activity can affect the activity in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing.
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Objective To observe the effect of combining acupuncture with transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating post-stroke dysphagia of oral stage.Methods Thirty-nine stroke survivors with dysphagia of oral stage were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=19) and a control group (n =20).Both groups were given basic supportive treatment and rehabilitation,including rTMS for 4 weeks.The experimental group additionally received acupuncture.Modified barium swallowing impairment profiles (MBSImPs) and oral transit time (OTT) were used to assess both groups after the intervention.Results There were no significant differences between the two groups before the treatment.After the treatment the average MBSImP score (8.26±2.92) and OTT (12.79±2.54)s were significantly better in the experimental group compared to before the treatment and compared to the control group's averages.In the control group a significant improvement was observed only in the average MBSImP score (10.60±4.09),but not in the average OTT.Conclusions Acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has positive effects on poststroke dysphagia of the oral stage.It is worthy of application and popularization.
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BACKGROUND:Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a good scaffold material, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) possesses a strong osteogenic ability, therefore, by which preparing a novel composite material wil be helpful for bone repair. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 microspheres on the osteogenesis and biomechanics of rabbit bone defects. METHODS:Forty-eight male healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n=16 per group), including composite, single and control groups. Radical defect models were prepared, and the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 and hol ow HA scaffolds were implanted into the composite and single groups, respectively. The control group received no treatment. At the 1st day of 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after implantation, the level of serum alkaline phosphatase was detected, and the bone healing was assessed through X-ray, three-dimensional CT, radionuclide bone scan and biomechanics testing, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The level of serum alkaline phosphatase, X-ray scale scores, osteogetic effect, region of interest volume, three-dimensional CT and biomechanical strength in the composite group were superior to those in the single group. In the meanwhile, the bone healing was unsatisfactory in the control group. Our findings indicate that the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 artificial bone exhibits a good osteogenic ability and mechanical strength, contributing to bone healing.
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Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of 308-nm excimer laser combined with tazarotene gel for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.Methods Seventy-two patients with plaque psoriasis were randomly and equally divided into three groups according to a random number table:tazarotene group topically applying tazarotene gel once per night,308-nm excimer laser group treated with 308-nm excimer laser,combination group treated with both tazarotene gel and 308-nm excimer laser.Clinical efficacy was evaluated according to psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and response rate,and safety according to adverse reactions at week 2,4 and 8 after starting treatment.Results PASI score was significantly lower in the combination group at week 4 and 8 (4.75 ± 0.44 and 2.35 ± 0.37 respectively) than in the 308-nm excimer laser group (6.75 ± 0.57 and 4.67 ± 0.36 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05) and tazarotene group (8.75 ± 0.48 and 6.48 ± 0.45 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05),and significantly lower in the combination group at week 8 than at week 2 and 4 (both P ＜ 0.05).A significant increase was observed in the response rate at week 2,4,and 8 in the combination group (29.1％ (7/24),66.7％ (16/24) and 87.5％ (21/24) respectively) compared with the tazarotene group (12.5％ (3/24),41.7％ (10/24) and 62.5％ (15/24) respectively,all P＜ 0.05) and 308-nm excimer laser group (20.8％ (5/24),50.0％ (12/24) and 75.0％ (18/24) respectively,all P＜ 0.05).No systemic adverse reactions were observed in any of the 3 groups during the study,and there was no significant difference in the incidence of local adverse reactions between the combination group,tazarotene group and 308-nm excimer laser group (16.7％ (4/24) vs.12.5％ (3/24) vs.12.5％ (3/24),P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of 308-nm excimer laser combined with tazarotene gel is superior to that of tazarotene gel or 308-nm excimer laser alone in the treatment of plaque psoriasis.
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BACKGROUND:The treatment of severe rigid idiopathic scoliosis is the difficulty of clinical treatment. The studies in recent years have shown that the three-stage correction is a safe and effective treatment method. OBJECTIVE:To explore the efficacy of three-stage correction in the treatment of severe rigid scoliosis. METHODS:Retrospective analysis was performed on 10 severe rigid scoliosis patients undergoing three-stage correction, the mean age of the patients was 12 years. The average Cobb angle in the coronal plane was 140° (ranged 110°-180°), the average Cobb angle in the sagittal plane was 75° (ranged 50°-100°). The treatment was divided three stages:anterior release, Halo-plevic traction and third step with posterior osteotomy and fixation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al of the patients underwent the surgery safely without severe complications. After anterior release and Halo-plevic traction, the Cobb angle in the coronal plane was 90°, and the mean correction rate was 35.7%;the Cobb angle in the sagittal plane was 50° with correction rate of 33.3%. The mean Cobb angle in the coronal plane was 40° with the correction rate of 71.4%after osteotomy, and the Cobb angle in the sagittal plane was 35° with the correction rate of 53.3%. The results show that three-stage correction is a safe and effective method for the treatment of severe rigid scoliosis.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Xuebijing injection plus oral acitretin for the treatment of erythrodermic psoriasis.Methods Forty-eight patients with erythrodermic psoriasis were equally and randomly divided into two groups by a random number table:test group treated with Xuebijing injection once a day plus oral acitretin,and control group treated with oral acitretin.The dose of acitretin began at 0.5 mg per kilogram per day,and was modified according to the tolerance in and response of patients.After 8 weeks of treatment,clinical efficacy was evaluated by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score,response rate and recurrence rate.Adverse reactions were also recorded and evaluated.Results The difference in PASI score between pre-and post-treatment was significantly higher in the test group than in the control group (34.9 ± 2.2 vs.27.3 ± 1.7,t =3.37,P ＜ 0.05).The total response rate was 87.5％ in the test group and 62.5％ in the control group (x2 =4.87,P ＜ 0.05).There was a statistical decrease in the average onset time ((13.5 ± 2.4) d vs.(20.7 ± 3.1) d,t =3.67,P ＜ 0.05),daily dose and total dose of acitretin ((26.4 ± 3.3) mg vs.(34.7 ± 3.5) mg,(1854.5 ± 85.2) mg vs.(2768.8 ± 88.7) mg,t =3.07,4.32,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05) in the test group compared with the control group.The recurrence rate was 9.5％ (2/21) in the test group and 26.6％ (4/15) in the control group (x2 =5.23,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion In the case of erythroderma psoriaticum,Xuebijing injection combined with oral acitretin is superior to oral acitretin alone in clinical efficacy,onset time and reducing recurrence.