Effect of precise tension-reducing suturing of skin incisions using buried guiding suture needles / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To explore the precise layered and tension-reducing sutures for skin pigmented mole surgery to promote tissue healing and reduce scar hyperplasia.Methods:From January 2019 to December 2021, the First Department of Surgery of the Civil Aviation General Hospital and Tenth Department of the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences treated 56 patients with skin pigmented moles aged 18-52 years, with an average age of 26 years, including 30 males and 26 females. All patients in this group underwent surgical resection of skin pigmented moles, which reached the subcutaneous fat layer. The dermis and subcutaneous tissue under the skin incision were precisely buried and guided suture by using the middle common hole equal-chord and equal-arc buried guide suture with scale marks on both ends of the needle tip.Results:The incision width of skin tissue defect in this group of patients was less than 30 mm. After the suturing was completed, the tension between the tissues on both sides of the incision and the close-fitting of each layer of tissue on both sides of the incision without dead space were realized immediately. 55 cases achieved primary incision healing. After two years of follow-up observation, there was no scar hyperplasia, and the effect was satisfactory. In only one case, local incision was red and swollen due to suture reaction, and a small amount of scar hyperplasia appeared later.Conclusions:This submerged guided suture method is an effective surgical technique for reducing skin incision scars, and it is more suitable for small incisions with a skin incision length of less than 10 mm, which is difficult to achieve layered suture of the deep tissue of the incision with ordinary suture needles.

Clinical study on the treatment of gastrointestinal neurosis with insomnia by combination of "stomach ten acupuncture" and domperidone tablets / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To study on the effect of "stomach ten acupuncture" combined with domperidone tablets on clinical symptoms and sleep quality of gastrointestinal neurosis patients with insomnia based on the theory of "stomach harmonious leading to restless".Methods:Randomized controlled trial. From March 2020 to March 2021, 98 patients with gastrointestinal neurosis and insomnia in our hospital who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, with 49 patients in each group. The control group took domperidone tablets orally, and the observation group was treated with "stomach ten acupuncture" on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, TCM syndromes were scored, the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms was assessed with Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), anxiety and depression were assessed with Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and sleep quality was assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI).Results:After treatment, the scores and total scores of epigastric pain, belching, abdominal distension, anorexia, noisy acid regurgitation, tiredness and asthenia, constipation and loose stools in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 19.61, 19.30, 23.10, 22.05, 20.43, 21.81, 20.51, 16.38, respectively, P<0.01); the scores and total scores of typical symptoms, abdominal pain symptoms, reflux symptoms, diarrhea symptoms, constipation symptoms were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 10.10, 11.14, 11.04, 9.31, 11.24, 5.30, respectively, P<0.01); HAMA and HAMD scores were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 6.96 and 6.85, respectively, P<0.01). The scores of time to fall asleep (1.15 ± 0.56 vs. 2.11 ± 0.75, t=7.18), time to sleep (0.92 ± 0.63 vs. 1.52 ± 1.12, t=3.27), sleep quality (1.02 ± 0.66 vs. 1.96 ± 0.80, t=6.35), sleep efficiency (0.86 ± 0.62 vs. 1.68 ± 0.85, t=5.46), sleep disorders (0.92 ± 0.36 vs. 1.48 ± 0.55, t=5.96), daytime dysfunction (0.96 ± 0.42 vs. 1.97 ± 0.87, t=7.32), hypnotics (0.98 ± 0.45 vs. 1.81 ± 0.62, t=7.58) and total scores (6.85 ± 1.47 vs. 12.73 ± 2.95, t=12.49) were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The "stomach ten acupuncture" combined with domperidone tablets can improve the clinical symptoms and sleep quality of gastrointestinal neurosis patients with insomnia.

Understanding the Relationship between Vaccine Supply Dead Space and Wasted COVID-19 Vaccine Doses

ABSTRACT Introduction: By July 2023, Brazil had administered approximately 540 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. This study aimed to quantify wasted doses resulting from dead space in vaccine supplies. Methods: The vaccine supply was initially weighed, filled with distilled water, and expelled to simulate administration. Weighing it again after the application determined the dead space volume. Descriptive analyses calculated the waste rate/wasted dose count. Results: The estimated total number of wasted vaccine doses using supplies with the lowest dead space was 62,097,338. Conclusions: Syringe dead space is a crucial factor in dose wastage, directly influencing the number of wasted doses.

The effect of "ten needles in the stomach" treatment on sleep perception for the patients with spleen-gastric damp-heat insomnia based on the theory of "stomach upset, sleep restlessness" / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of "ten needles in the stomach" on sleep perception of patients with spleen-gastric damp-heat insomnia based on the theory of "stomach discord, then sleep restlessness", to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The study subjects were 300 patients with insomnia from the sleep department and outpatient department of Shijiazhuang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. According to the random number method, they were divided into the stomach ten needle group, the diazepam group, and the stomach ten needle plus diazepam group, with 100 in each group. Among them, the stomach ten needles group received "stomach ten needles" acupuncture treatment, the diazepam group was given diazepam therapy, and the stomach ten needles plus diazepam group was given diazepam combined with "stomach ten needles" acupuncture treatment. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, the self-rating disease symptom scale (SCL-90) scores, nighttime polysomnography (PSG) monitoring indicators, and the mean sleep latency (MSL) values were compared before and after treatment in the three groups. The difference in clinical efficacy between the two groups were observed.Results:The total effective rate was 94.0% (94/100) in the combined group, 77.0% (77/100) in the diazepam group, and 85.0% (85/100) in the stomach ten needle group. There were significant differences among the three groups ( χ2=11.56, P<0.01). After treatment, the daytime dysfunction, hypnotic drugs, sleep disturbance, sleep efficiency, sleep time, sleep time, sleep quality score and total score of the combined group were significantly lower than those in the diazepam group and the stomach ten needle group ( F=5.70, 3.65, 5.23, 6.37, 3.66, 6.19, 7.54, 6.40, all Ps<0.01); The scores of SCL-90 and MSL were significantly lower than those in the diazepam group and stomach ten needle group ( F=8.97, 7.53, all Ps<0.01). In the combined group, NWAK [(1.36 ± 0.87) times vs. (2.69 ± 1.15) times, (2.11 ± 1.05) times, F=5.88], SOL [(13.62 ± 5.85) min vs. (25.06 ± 9.42) min, (19.78 ± 7.63) min, F=6.49], N1/TST [(5.69 ± 1.09)% vs. (12.65 ± 2.58)%, (8.49 ± 2.45)%, F=5.13], N2/TST [(51.07 ± 10 2.06)% vs. (58.36 ± 2.18)%, (55.61 ± 2.04)%, F=9.86] were significantly lower than those in the diazepam group and stomach ten needle group ( P<0.01), SE [(90.33 ± 2.89)% vs. (85.39 ± 2.75)%, (87.53 ± 2.69)%, F=8.36], TST [(449.32 ± 23.65) min vs. (421.66 ± 25.33) min, (431.26 ± 25.98) min, F=8.26], REM/TST [(23.87 ± 4.52)% vs. (14.52 ± 3.87)%, (18.36 ± 3.25)%, F=5.34], N3/TST [(18.69 ± 2.02)% vs. (10.31 ± 1.64)%, (14.89 ± 1.74)%, F=7.69] were significantly higher than those in the diazepam group and stomach ten needle group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Based on the "stomach discord, sleep restlessness" theory, the ten needles on the stomach can treat insomnia and improve psychological state and sleep quality, with the functions of clearing the damp and heat of the middle joker, regulating the lifting and lowering of qi in the middle.

Thumb-tack needles based on "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" for sequela of COVID-19 during recovery period / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of thumb-tack needles based on "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" on sequela symptoms, mental state and pulmonary ventilation function in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during recovery period.@*METHODS@#Fifty cases of COVID-19 during recovery period were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 25 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group were treated with thumb-tack needles at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taiyuan (LU 9). The patients in the control group were treated with sham thumb-tack needles at identical acupoints as the observation group. The treatment in the two groups was given once a day, 7-day treatment was taken as a course of treatment, and totally two courses of treatment were given. The TCM symptom score, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score, pulmonary function (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1], peak expiratory flow [PEF]), the severity of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction and pulmonary imaging changes in the two groups were compared before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the total scores and each item scores of TCM symptom scale, HAMA scores and HAMD scores in the two groups were reduced after treatment (P<0.05). Except for the symptom scores of dry throat and dry stool, the total score and each item score of TCM symptom scale, HAMA score and HAMD score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, FVC, FEV1 and PEF in the two groups were increased after treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The severity of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in the two groups was reduced after treatment (P<0.05), and the severity in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the lung shadow area in the two groups was decreased (P<0.05), and that in the observation group was smaller than the control group (P<0.05). The improvement of imaging change in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The thumb-tack needles based on "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" could significantly reduce the sequela symptoms, anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19 during recovery stage, and improve the pulmonary ventilation function.

Neuroauriculotherapy: Framework and Remarks for a possible use in Voice Medicine / Neuroauriculoterapia: marco y observaciones para un posible uso en medicina de la voz

Aim. Neuroauriculotherapy (NAT) is a branch of medicine, which, thanks to its diagnostic and therapeutic value, is a powerful tool at the service of both physician and patient. In our experience, as it is discussed in this article, neuroauriculotherapy can have successful applications in voice science and in phoniatrics. The aim of this article is to open a discussion about possible applications of neuroauriculotherapy in voice medicine. Introduction. From the diagnostic point of view, it is possible to explore, with a palpeur (i.e., a tool that provides a constant pressure) or a "spot-hunter", the presence of a perturbation into a particular organ or area, and its return to normal during treatment. Indeed, at the level of the ear auricle, representations of an organ, its in-nervation, its muscular components, etc., are fixed. These spots or voxels correspond absolutely to the respective sensory, motor, visceral, among other spots. Therefore, if any abnormal potential comes from the periphery, it will illuminate the spots both at the cortical level and in the pavilion ­a real display with a constantly active touch screen. The spot can be treated with needles in the context of a neurophysiological strategy to send a message to the brain.Reflection. NAT appears to be a good method to improve the treatment of voice problems, enhancing the results of other therapies based on drugs or rehab and in-ducing relaxation. In neuroauriculotherapy, the ear is used to give the brain orders in a process which has a logical basis in neurophysiology.Conclusion. Diseases of the vocal tract can be dysfunctional or organic. According to our clinical experience, we can say that neuroauriculotherapy can be used in both cases. Neuroauriculotherapy is also extremely effective in voice therapy, both alone and in combination with other therapies, as there is no conflict among them

Objetivo. La neuroauriculoterapia (NAT) es una rama de la medicina que, gracias a su valor diagnóstico y terapéutico, constituye una poderosa herramienta al servicio del médico y del paciente. En nuestra experiencia, como se comenta en este artículo, la neuroauriculoterapia puede tener aplicaciones exitosas en la ciencia de la voz y en foniatría. El objetivo de este artículo es abrir una discusión sobre las posibles aplica-ciones de la neuroauriculoterapia en la medicina de la voz.Introducción. Desde el punto de vista del diagnóstico, es posible explorar, con un palpeur (i.e., una herramienta que proporciona una presión constante) o un "spot-hunter", la presencia de una perturbación en un órgano o área en particular, y su retorno a la normalidad durante el tratamiento. En efecto, a nivel del pabellón auricular se fijan representaciones de un órgano, su inervación, sus componentes musculares, etc. Estos puntos o vóxeles corresponden absolutamente a los respectivos puntos sensoriales, motores, viscerales, entre otros. Por lo tanto, si algún potencial anormal proviene de la periferia, iluminará los puntos tanto a nivel cortical como en el pabellón ­una pantalla real con una pantalla táctil constantemente activa. El punto se puede tratar con agujas en el contexto de una estrategia neurofisiológica para enviar un mensaje al cerebro.Reflexión. NAT parece ser un buen método para mejorar el tratamiento de los problemas de voz, potenciando los resultados de otras terapias basadas en fármacos o rehabilitación e induciendo a la relajación. En neuroauriculoterapia se utiliza el oído para dar órdenes al cerebro en un proceso que tiene una base lógica en la neurofisiología.Conclusión. Las enfermedades del tracto vocal pueden ser disfuncionales u orgáni-cas. Según nuestra experiencia clínica, podemos decir que la neuroauriculoterapia se puede utilizar en ambos casos. La neuroauriculoterapia también es extremadamente eficaz en la terapia de la voz, tanto sola como en combinación con otras terapias, ya que no existe conflicto entre ellas

Reflecting on activities over the past decade and considering future developments / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The safety committee has been undertaking activities, such as conducting regular workshops at the annual congresses, managing the "Safety Measures Website for Acupuncture and Moxibustion," researching the literature, conducting multicenter prospective studies on acupuncture and moxibustion-related adverse events, collecting information about medical accidents involving acupuncture and moxibustion in Japan, addressing the media pertaining to false information regarding the safety of acupuncture and moxibustion, and formulating the Safety Guidelines for Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Practice. At the 71st annual Tokyo congress workshop, activities conducted over the past decade were summarized.　Regarding the studies on acupuncture and moxibustion-related adverse events, a literature review of reports concerning acupuncture- and moxibustion-associated adverse events published globally from 2004 to 2019 was introduced. Furthermore, the results of a multicenter prospective study conducted by the safety committee were also introduced. Additionally, the Safety Guidelines for Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Practice were introduced, and the results of a questionnaire survey determining the degree of recognition of these guidelines were simultaneously reported. Moreover, regarding future developments, plans to create and publish a safety manual for acupuncture and moxibustion (provisional name) were reported.　In the second half of the workshop, reports on the past cases of needle breakage and retained needles were introduced under the topic "precautions and preventive measures regarding needle breakage and retained needles." Furthermore, the number of needle breakage claims filed under the liability insurance of acupuncture and moxibustion practitioners was reported. These details demonstrate that despite the common use of single-use acupuncture needles, accidents involving needle breakage still exist. Lastly, measures for reducing the difficulty in needle removal and preventing needle breakage were summarized, and opinions on the same were exchanged with the participants.

Una nueva alternativa para la localización y la recuperación de agujas fracturadas durante la anestesia odontológica. Presentación de técnica y caso clínico / A new alternative for locating and removing a needle fractured during dental anesthesia. Technique and case report

Objetivo: Describir en un caso clínico una nueva técni- ca para la localización y la remoción de agujas fracturadas du- rante la anestesia odontológica mediante planificación virtual. Caso clínico: Una paciente de género femenino de 52 años de edad concurre a la Cátedra de Cirugía y Traumatolo- gía Bucomaxilofacial I de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires y relata que dos meses atrás, durante la atención odontológica, se produjo la fractura de la aguja durante la anestesia troncular mandibular. Se realiza diagnóstico y planificación virtual para conocer la ubicación exacta de la aguja y se confecciona un modelo estereolito- gráfico y una guía quirúrgica individualizada para removerla. El uso de una guía quirúrgica individualizada y confeccio- nada mediante planificación virtual permitió ubicar la aguja tridimensionalmente y con mayor precisión en espacios pro- fundos y disminuir tiempos operatorios (AU)

Aim: To describe in a clinical case a new virtual plan- ning technique for locating and removing a fractured dental anesthetic needle. Clinical case: A 52-year-old patient visited the De- partment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery I (School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires) with a retained den- tal needle in the pterygomandibular space. The needle had fractured during inferior alveolar nerve block two months previously. Virtual diagnosis and planning were performed to locate the needle and a stereolithographic model and a customized surgical guide were prepared. The use of cus- tomized surgical guides prepared by virtual planning ena- bled precise location of the dental needle in deep spaces and reduced operating times (AU)

Implementação do programa de prevenção de acidentes com materiais perfurocortantes: análise documental / Implementation of the program to prevent accidents with sharps: a documentary analysis / Implementación del programa de prevención de accidentes con objetos punzocortantes: análisis de documentos

OBJETIVO: descrever o processo de implementação do programa de prevenção de acidentes com materiais perfurocortantes em um hospital público. MÉTODO: estudo descritivo, com análise retrospectiva documental, desenvolvido a partir da leitura exploratória, seletiva e analítica dos conteúdos presentes em registros do Serviço Especializado em Engenharia de Segurança e em Medicina do Trabalho. A coleta de dados foi realizada com o preenchimento de um formulário semiestruturado e as análises foram baseadas nas adequações do programa às diretrizes da Portaria n° 1.748 do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego. RESULTADOS: o processo de implementação do programa foi concluído em oito etapas e atendeu às diretrizes da Portaria. O programa aperfeiçoou as medidas de controle convencionais e levou à adoção de medidas de engenharia. Pela avaliação da Comissão Gestora, o programa contribuiu para a redução dos acidentes. CONCLUSÃO: a implantação do programa foi bem-sucedida, servindo como modelo para outros hospitais brasileiros.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the implementation process of the program to prevent accidents with sharps in a public hospital. METHOD: a descriptive study, with retrospective documentary analysis, developed from the exploratory, selective and analytical reading of the contents present in records of the Specialized Service in Safety Engineering and Occupational Medicine. Data collection was performed by filling out a semi-structured form and the analyses were based on the program's adaptations to the guidelines set forth in Ordinance No.1,748 of the Ministry of Labor and Employment. RESULTS: the program's implementation process was completed in eight stages and met the directives set forth in the Ordinance. The program improved the conventional control measures and led to the adoption of engineering measures. According to the evaluation by the Management Commission, the program contributed to a reduction in the number of accidents. CONCLUSION: implementation of the program was successful, serving as a model for other Brazilian hospitals

OBJETIVO: describir el proceso de implementación del programa de prevención de accidentes con objetos punzocortantes en un hospital público. MÉTODO: estudio descriptivo con análisis documental retrospectivo, llevado a cabo a partir de la lectura exploratoria, selectiva y analítica de los contenidos presentes en los registros del Servicio Especializado en Ingeniería de la Seguridad y Medicina del Trabajo. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante la cumplimentación de un formulario semiestructurado y los análisis sebasaron en las adaptaciones del programa a las directrices de la Disposición nro. 1.748 del Ministerio de Trabajo y Empleo. RESULTADOS: el proceso de implementación del programa se completó en ocho etapas y cumplió con las directrices de la Disposición. El programa perfeccionó las medidas de control convencionales y condujo a la adopción de medidas de ingeniería. Según la evaluación del Comité de Gestión, el programa contribuyó a la reducción de accidentes. CONCLUSIÓN: la implementación del programa fue exitosa y sirve de modelo para otros hospitales brasileños.

Epidural needle fragment related low back pain. Case report / Lombalgia incapacitante causada por fragmento retido de agulha peridural. Relato de caso

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Facet syndrome has increasingly been recognized as one the most common causes of chronic low back pain, despite the significant diagnostic challenges imposed by its protean manifestations. Lumbar zygapophyseal degenerative changes are considered the main etiologic agent in cases of facet-associated lumbar pain, with iatrogenic causes rarely involved, particularly those related to retained foreign bodies following invasive medical or surgical procedures. Only three similar reported cases were found in the literature. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 36 years old, presented significant chronic low back pain due to a Tuohy needle fragment retained in upper part of left L1-L2 facet joint and adjacent tract of the medial branch of the dorsal nerve corresponding to the suprajacent level, following epidural anesthesia performed for elective cesarean section. Failure of conservative treatment and pain intensity led to invasive treatment, with surgical removal of the needle fragment as a stand-alone procedure. Clinical response was favorable, and no additional procedures were necessary thus far. Possible difficulties in diagnosing facet syndrome and the surgical strategy for such an uncommon case are discussed. CONCLUSION: In the case of a rare etiology of low back pain, a particularly accurate clinical and imaging correlation is important to achieve an adequate therapeutic plan. Such plan must encompass an optimal knowledge of spine anatomy and lumbar pain-related mechanisms. Foreign elements that could be responsible for mechanical injury or local inflammatory phenomena contributing to chronic pain should be considered for removal as part of the treatment strategy

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A síndrome facetária é reconhecidamente uma das causas mais comuns de dor lombar crônica, embora as suas manifestações bastante diversas coloquem importantes desafios diagnósticos. Atribui-se à doença degenerativa das zigapófises lombares a principal etiologia do quadro doloroso a elas associado, sendo as causas iatrogênicas relativamente raras, sobretudo as relacionadas com corpos estranhos retidos após procedimentos médicos. Existem unicamente três casos semelhantes reportados na literatura. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 36 anos, com dor lombar crônica importante relacionada com fragmento de agulha peridural quebrado e retido na região da articulação facetária L1-L2 e do ramo medial do ramo dorsal do nível suprajacente, durante o procedimento de anestesia pré-parto. A falha do tratamento conservador e a intensidade do quadro álgico fizeram com que se optasse por tratamento invasivo, nesse caso com remoção cirúrgica do fragmento retido, com boa resposta clínica e sem necessidade de procedimentos adicionais. Discutem-se as razões para possíveis dificuldades diagnósticas do quadro de síndrome facetário e a estratégia terapêutica num caso incomum. CONCLUSÃO: Numa situação de etiologia rara de dor lombar crônica, uma adequada correlação clínico-imagiológica é da maior importância. O plano terapêutico deve envolver um ótimo conhecimento da anatomia da coluna e dos mecanismos que podem contribuir para a dor lombar. A remoção de elementos estranhos que possam ser responsáveis por lesão mecânica ou fenômenos inflamatórios locais, como este corpo estranho, deve ser uma opção a ter em conta no tratamento.

Intoxicação por Taxus baccata: sol após a tempestade elétrica / Taxus baccata intoxication: the sun after the electrical storm

RESUMO O teixo europeu (Taxus baccata) é uma árvore com pequenos ramos alternados, agulhas verdes e casca marrom-avermelhada. A ingestão de uma alta dose de Taxus baccata com intenção suicida geralmente resulta em morte. A toxicidade sistêmica é principalmente cardíaca. Os autores descrevem o caso de uma jovem paciente que ingeriu uma alta dose de agulhas de teixo e foi trazida ao pronto-socorro com intoxicação grave, manifestada por arritmias malignas caóticas, tratadas com sucesso após exaustivos cuidados de suporte.

ABSTRACT European yew (Taxus baccata) is a tree with alternate branchlets, green needles and reddish-brown bark. A high-dose ingestion of Taxus baccata for suicidal purposes usually results in death. The systemic toxicity is mainly cardiac. The authors describe the case of a young patient who ingested a high dose of yew needles and presented to the emergency department with a serious intoxication, which manifested as a chaotic malignant arrhythmia that was successfully treated after exhaustive supportive care.

Layered dissolving microneedles as a need-based delivery system to simultaneously alleviate skin and joint lesions in psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complicated psoriasis comorbidity with manifestations of psoriatic skin and arthritic joints, and tailoring specific treatment strategies for simultaneously delivering different drugs to different action sites in PsA remains challenging. We developed a need-based layered dissolving microneedle (MN) system loading immunosuppressant tacrolimus (TAC) and anti-inflammatory diclofenac (DIC) in different layers of MNs,

HIV infection prevalence and associated risk factors in people who inject drugs in Medellin / Prevalencia de infección por VIH y factores de riesgo asociados, en personas que se inyectan drogas en la ciudad de Medellín

Introduction: the availability of high purity and low-cost drugs has increased the use of intravenous substances, which makes it a public health problem due to its association with HIV infection. Objective: to identify the factors associated with HIV infection in people who inject drugs. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between December 2017 and January 2018 in Medellin, Colombia. We use the sampling conducted by the respondent (RDS). Results: They have recruited 224 subjects, 86.2% were men, 82.0% were single and 67.0% belonged to the subsidized or linked health system. The prevalence of HIV infection was 3.6%. This study found that 38.8% of consumers have shared needles and syringes with up to three people, representing a risk of infection of 5.07 times, compared to those who do not share (RPc = 5.07 95% CI: 1.19-21.55), and if this practice is carried out with a close friend, the probability increases to almost double (10.69) (RPc = 10.69 IC 95%: 2.26-50.61) (p <0.05). Conclusion: Given the low prevalence of HIV, it is vital to develop and implement public policies whose objective is to create prevention programs that ultimately lead to the reduction of infection in this population.

Introducción: La disponibilidad de drogas con una alta pureza y un bajo costo, ha aumentado el consumo de sustancias por vía intravenosa; llevándolo a ser considerado como un problema de salud pública, por su asociación con la presencia de infección por VIH. Se estima que existen aproximadamente 16 millones de consumidores de drogas intravenosas en el mundo y en Colombia, 15.000. Objetivo: identificar los factores asociados con la infección por VIH en personas que se inyectan drogas. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal, realizado (diciembre 2017/ enero 2018) Medellín - Colombia, se utilizó la metodología Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS). Resultados: Fueron reclutados 224 participantes, un 86,2% fueron hombres, el 82,0% eran solteros, el (67,0%) pertenecía al régimen de salud subsidiado o vinculado. Con relación a la prevalencia de infección por VIH esta fue del 3,6%. Este estudio encontró que el 38,8% de los consumidores había compartido agujas y jeringas con hasta tres personas, lo cual representa una probabilidad de 5,07 veces de contraer la infección comparado con aquellos que no comparten (RPc=5,07 CI95% 1,19-21,55), si esta práctica se hace con un amigo cercano dicha probabilidad aumenta a casi el doble 10,69 (RPc= 10,69 CI95% 2,26-50,61), (p<0,05). Conclusión: Ante la baja prevalencia de VIH, es necesario, el desarrollo e implementación de políticas públicas que tengan como objetivo la creación de programas de prevención que finalmente, lleven a la reducción de la infección en esta población.

Effect of “lumbar three needles” on expression of oxidative stress factors in rats with multifidus muscles injury / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Posterior lumbar spine surgery is currently the main surgical approach for many surgical operations such as discectomy and spinal canal decompression. However, 10%-40% of patients with posterior lumbar spine surgery can have low back pain and related dysfunctions soon after surgery, which is related to excessive stretching or blunt injury to the paraspinal muscles such as the multifidus muscle during the operation. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of “Lumbar Three Needles” on the expression of oxidative stress factors, including malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and phosphorylated protein kinase B, in rats with multifidus muscles injury. METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and “Lumbar Three Needles” group, with 8 rats in each group. An animal model of multifidus muscles injury was made by intramuscular injection of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride in the model and treatment groups in control and “Lumbar Three Needles” group, while normal saline was injected in the control group. No acupuncture intervention was given in the control group and model group, while Dachangshu, Shenshu and Weizhong acupoints were electroacupunctured in the “Lumbar Three Needles” group. Needles were then stimulated electrically using a Han's Acupoint Nerve Stimulator with density wave, frequency of 2 Hz/10 Hz and continuous current of 1 mA for 20 minutes, once daily for 7 days in total. The multifidus muscle was stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining to observe morphological changes, and kits were used to observe the expression of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, while western blot was applied to observe the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B. The study protocol was approved by the Animal Ethic Committee of Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital with an approval No. 048617. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hematoxylin-eosin staining results indicated that the muscle fibers were partially fixed in the model group and there were still a lot of macrophages after 7 days of intervention. Compared with the model group, more newborn muscle fibers and fewer macrophages could be seen in the “Lumbar Three Needles” group. After intervention, the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscles in the “Lumbar Three Needles” group was significantly bigger than that in the model group (P < 0.01). The expression levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in the model group were significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.01) and “Lumbar Three Needles” group (P < 0.01). The expression of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and phosphorylated protein kinase B in the “Lumbar Three Needles” group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Therefore, “Lumbar Three Needles” can significantly decrease the oxidative stress level after multifidus muscle injury, which may be related to the improvement of phosphorylated protein kinase B.

Acupuncture improves locomotor activity and learning-memory ability by improving hippocampal cellular autophagy in rats with fetal intrauterine distress / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of acupuncture stimulation of head acupoints "Jin San Zhen" (JIN's Three Acupuncture Needles Therapy) on behavior reactions, hippocampal neuronal autophagy and expression of autophagy associated proteins (Beclin-1 and light chain 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ [LC 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ]) in rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) due to fetal intrauterine distress, so as to reveal its underlying mechanisms in improving neonatal HIBD. METHODS: Pregnant SD rats were used in the present study. The HIBD model was established by delayed caesarean delivery and bilateral uterine arteries clipping for 10 minutes. The HIBD rats were randomly divided into model group and acupuncture groups (n＝9 rats in each group). The other 9 rats delivered naturally were used as the normal control group. On day 14 after delivery, the neonatal rats in the acupuncture group received acupuncture stimulation of head acupoints ("Nao San Zhen""Nie San Zhen" and "Zhi San Zhen") by twirling each needle leftward and rightward for 10 times, once a day for 14 d. The open field test and Morris water maze test were used to determine the locomotive activity and spatial learning-memory ability, respectively. The ultrastructure and autophagosomes in the hippocampal neurons were observed by transmission electron microscope. The contents and expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus tissues were detected by flow cytometry and Western blot, separately. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the time to go out of the central region of open field test, and the escape latency and duration of first platform-quadrant-crossing of spatial exploration of Morris water maze tests were significantly increased (P<0.01，P<0.05，P<0.001), and the total distance and number of activities in the central region, and the target quadrant resistance time and number of platform-cros-sing remarkably decreased in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05), suggesting a decline of both locomotor activity and learning-memory ability after modeling. The expression level (%) of Beclin-1 protein and ratio of LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ proteins were considerably increased in the model group (P<0.01). Following acupuncture interventions, the locomotor activity and spatial learning-memory ability were obviously increased (P<0.05，P<0.01，P<0.001), and the expression of Beclin-1 protein and ratio of LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ were further up-regulated relevant to the model group (P<0.001). Moreover, ultrastructural observation showed serrated change of nuclear membrane and widened perinuclear space, vacuolization in the mitochondria, dilation of endoplasmic reticulum and increase of autophagosomes in the hippocampal neurons in the model group. These situations were relatively milder in the acupuncture group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture of head acupoints of "JIN San Zhen" may increase locomotor activity and learning-memory abi-lity in rats with HIBD due to fetal intrauterine anoxia, which is closely with its effect in promoting hippocampal neuronal autophagy via up-regulating the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ.

A comparison of three different gauge Quincke’s spinal needles in patients undergoing elective surgery under spinal anaesthesia: a prospective randomized study

Background: The present study was conducted to compare three different Quincke’s spinal needles i.e. 23, 25 and 26 gauge in patients undergoing elective surgery under spinal anaesthesia (SA).Methods: The prospective randomized double-blind study was conducted on 150 male patients in the age group of 18-50 yrs., having physical status class I to II, scheduled for elective surgery under SA. Patients were randomly divided into three groups comprising 50 patients each. SA was administered using Quincke’s spinal needles of 23, 25 and 26 gauge in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Ease of insertion, number of attempts and time of appearance of CSF and incidence of PDPH was recorded in all the patients.Results: Ease of insertion was graded easy in 98%, 84% and 82% in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively. First attempt success rate was highest in group 1, (98%). Meantime for appearance of CSF beyond hub was maximum in group 3 i.e. 14.60±2.56 sec. Mild PDPH was reported in 6% and 2% patients after 24 hrs in group 1 and group 2 respectively.Conclusions: Finer spinal needle proved to be more dependable in generating less traumatic effect on the dura and preventing PDPH but are technically more difficult thus decreasing first attempt success rate.

Avaliação histológica da redução do conteúdo melânico cutâneo após realização de microagulhamento na região anterior do colo / Histologic evaluation of the reduction of cutaneous melanin content after microneedling on the chest

Introdução: A região anterior do tórax constitui área fotoexposta que apresenta efeitos do fotodano. O microagulhamento é opção segura para rejuvenescimento dessa área, promovendo também a melhora de discromias. Objetivo: Avaliar a resposta histológica cutânea após três sessões mensais de microagulhamento para tratamento de discromias da região anterior do tórax. Métodos: Foram realizadas, três sessões mensais de microagulhamento com agulhas de 1,5mm de comprimento, e também biópsias cutâneas antes e 90 dias após o início do estudo. As amostras histológicas foram avaliadas com as colorações de HE e Fontana-Masson. O conteúdo de melanina foi mensurado com base em clusters dérmicos. Resultados: Seis pacientes com idades entre 38 e 67 anos, fototipos II-III, escala Glogau II-IV foram incluídos. Uma correlação positiva foi observada entre o tempo e o conteúdo dérmico de melanina (p= 0,029): três sessões de microagulhamento reduziram esse conteúdo no D90 em comparação com o tempo inicial (6.4 ± 1.7 MC em D0 versus 3.1 ± 0.4 em D90, p = 0.05). Três pacientes relataram melhora global da pele no D90. Conclusões: O mecanismo proposto do microagulhamento para promover clareamento inclui proliferação de fibroblastos e neocolagênese na derme superior. Esse é o primeiro estudo a avaliar histologicamente os achados associados ao clareamento da região do tórax decorrente do microagulhamento.

Introduction: The chest is a photoexposed area that shows effects of photodamage. Microneedling is a safe option for the rejuvenation of this area, also leading to improvement in dyschromias. Objective: To evaluate histologic cutaneous response after three monthly sessions of microneedling for the treatment of dyschromias on the chest. Methods: Three monthly sessions of microneedling, with 1.5mm length needles were performed, as well as skin biopsies before and 90 days after commencement of the study. Histologic samples were evaluated with H&E and Fontana-Masson stains. Melanin content was measured based on dermal clusters. Results: Six patients between 38 and 67 years of age, phototypes II-III, Glogau scale II-IV were included. A positive correlation was observed between the time and dermal content of melanin (p= 0.029): three sessions of microneedling reduced this content on D90 compared to the beginning (6.4 ± 1.7 MC on D0 versus 3.1 ± 0.4 on D90, p = 0.05). Three patients reported global skin improvement on D90. Conclusions: The proposed mechanism of microneedling to promote lightening includes fibroblast proliferation and neocollagenesis in the upper dermis. This is the first study to evaluate the histology of the findings associated to lightening of the chest due to microneedling.

Optimization of Extraction Technology of Osthole from Pine Needles of Cedrus deodara by Box-Behnken Design-response Surface Methodology / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To optimize the extraction technology of osthole from the pine needles of Cedrus deodara. METHODS： HPLC method was adopted to determine the content of osthole. Based on single factor test， ethanol volume fraction， extraction time and material-solvent ratio were selected as influential factors， and the content of osthole was selected as response value. Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction technology of osthole in pine needles of C. deodara. Validation test was conducted. RESULTS： The optimal extraction technology was as follows as ethanol volume fraction of 88％， material-solvent ratio of 1 ∶ 20 （g/mL）， extracting for 2 times， lasting for 57 min each time. Under this technology， average content of osthole was 0.675 7 mg/g （RSD＝1.78％， n＝3）， and the relative error of which to predicted value 0.680 9 mg/g was 0.59％. CONCLUSIONS： The optimal extraction technology is simple and feasible，and it can be used for the extraction of osthole from the pine needles of C. deodara.  

Consideration of Application of Insulin Pen Needles and Supervision / 中国医疗器械杂志

With the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus in China, hypodermic injection of artificial insulin to control blood sugar has been popularized. Insulin pen needles are widely used in hospitals, communities and families. This article attempts to explore and think about the harm and countermeasures brought about by the reuse of insulin pen needles from the perspective of medical device supervision.

Talking about the key factors to improve the therapeutic effect of acupuncture from "the arrival of ensures curative effect" / 中国针灸

"The arrival of ensures curative effect" reminds us that the key to acupuncture is "the arrival of ". And "arrival of " has the dual meanings of " arriving at the needles" (getting ) and " arriving at the pathogenic locations". " arriving at the needles" is the starting point, the nature and strength of the arrival of is closely related to the efficacy; " arriving at the pathogenic locations" is the end point, so the speed of the is an important part of the final effect. This paper mainly discusses the meaning of the above two aspects and its value in improving the efficacy of acupuncture.