The "4+4" Medical Doctor (MD) Pilot Program at PUMC: Implementation, Performance, and Prospects.

Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) launched the "4+4" Medical Doctor (MD) pilot program in 2018, admitting students with non-medical backgrounds from top universities, aligning with national medical talent training policies to foster diverse and eager learners in medicine. On the occasion of the graduation of the first class of the "4+4" MD pilot class at PUMC in 2023, we reviewed the teaching reform in the pilot program and carried out a systematic survey and interviews with students, faculties, and management staff of the pilot class. This article reports on the measures taken by the pilot class at PUMC in enrollment and curriculum setting, and demonstrates the achievements of the pilot class in terms of student academic background structure, knowledge acquisition and skill learning, scientific research ability, and course evaluation. The results indicated that the pilot class had met the national demand for the "Medicine + X" talent training model. More specifically, with a diverse academic backgrounds, the pilot class graduates had academic levels comparable to the eight-year medical education graduates, and their scientific research abilities were satisfactory. The pilot program at PUMC will optimize the curriculum setting, strengthen the construction of faculty, learning resources, and teaching facilities, and reform the academic evaluation methods, thus deepening the reform of medical education and improving the "4+4" MD program as a novel medical education model.

Does My Humor Touch You? Effect of Leader Self-Deprecating Humour on Employee Silence: The Mediating Role of Leader-Member Exchange.

Purpose: Silence is a typical negative behaviour exhibited by employees when they are faced with tension and stress and is influenced by a number of factors. Leaders have an important influence on employees' emotions and behaviour, but the research is not yet clear enough. In this paper, we focus on the research frontier of self-deprecating humour of leaders, aiming to analyse its effect on employee silence and discuss the mechanism of the role of leader-member exchange (LMX) in it, based on social exchange theory. Methods: We conducted a regression analysis and bootstrap test for mediating effects based on 2531 data from 151 financial institutions in mainland China. A simple random sampling was taken of the target population to ensure an unbiased sample. Using Harman's single-factor test to check the data for common method bias. Regression analysis and Bootstrap test were used to analyze the correlation between variables and mediating effect models. Findings: (a) Leader self-deprecating humour significantly reduces employee silence and effectively improves the quality of LMX; (b) There is a significant negative relationship between LMX and employee silence; (c) LMX plays a mediating role in the process of self-deprecating humour influencing employee silence and this mediating effect is complete; (d) Affective exchange between leaders and employees appears to be an essential factor in reducing stress from leaders and reducing employee silence. Originality/Value: We attempt to open the black box of the mechanism of action between leader self-deprecating humour and employee silence, enrich and expand the application of social exchange theory to negative employee behavior, and provide new theoretical knowledge and empirical evidence from developing countries. Practical Implications: The results of the study indicated that self-deprecating humor of leaders can significantly inhibit employee silence through high levels of LMX. Moreover, the mediating role played by LMX was complete. Therefore, organizations should not only focus on the role of leadership humor, but also to achieve mutual respect and trust between leaders and subordinates, and an emotional exchange that goes beyond economic relationships.

Finding the key to the black box of board diversity and firm performance: A mediating effect analysis of technological innovation.

A growing body of research has focused on the relationship between board diversity and firm performance. A series of empirical literatures have also examined a significant positive correlation between the two. But these results only demonstrate the relationship between the input of 'diversity' and the output of 'firm performance'. Such research is more of a black box because board diversity must act on certain strategies or decisions to affect firm performance. Some scholars try theoretical analysis with the purpose of opening the black box. In order to verify the relevant theoretical analysis results, this study uses the mediating effect analysis model in the field of psychology, through multiple regression, impulse analysis, variance decomposition and other methods, to thus empirically test the mediating effect of technological innovation in the process of board diversification promoting corporate performance. We found that board diversity can improve firm performance by enhancing the level of technological innovation. Among them, technological innovation has played a complete mediating role in the diversity of board members' functional and occupational background, and played a partial mediating role in the diversification of directors' part-time jobs. Technological innovation is a key indicator bridging board diversity and firm performance. This study can explore and explain the inner workings of the significant relationship between board diversity and firm performance, and link research findings on similar phenomena. The research results may make the existing board governance theories more systematic, expand the extension of theoretical research, and provide some empirical research references for academics and practitioners.

Stakeholder governance and the CSR of banks: An analysis of an internal governance mechanism based on game theory.

Banks have an important social responsibility to serve the real economy and to maintain financial stability, and they also need to be responsible to borrowers and others. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the global economy and increasing financial risks, it is particularly important for banks to assume social responsibilities. This study theoretically analyzed the outstanding applicability of stakeholder governance theory. Using a two-stage game method, the optimal pressure intensity of the social responsibility stakeholders was calculated, and the dynamic performance of shareholders was deduced. We found that the establishment of the social responsibility stakeholder governance mechanism will prompt the bank to fulfill its social responsibilities; rational social responsibility stakeholders will not lead to poor bank management due to excessive behavior; and shareholders with social responsibility can self-consciously choose the investment projects with lower negative externalities. The conclusions can be summarized as follows: The participation of stakeholder and the establishment of the social responsibility function of the board of directors can help promote a bank's social responsibility performance. This work studied the social responsibility of banks from the new perspective of stakeholder governance, expands the theoretical boundaries, and puts forward relevant suggestions to enhance the application value of this research.

The Influence of Entrepreneurs' Online Popularity and Interaction Behaviors on Individual Investors' Psychological Perception: Evidence From the Peer-To-Peer Lending Market.

Inappropriate social interactions of entrepreneurs can generate negative effects in the peer-to-peer lending market. To address this problem and assist peer-to-peer entrepreneurs in customizing their online interaction strategies, we used the cutting-edge cognitive-experiential self-system conceptual model and studied the relationship between peer-to-peer entrepreneurs' interactions and financing levels. Online interactive information was categorized as emotional or cognitive, adding the moderator of entrepreneur popularity, and the effect of these interactions on individual investors was analyzed. We found that the entrepreneurs' online interactive information affected psychological perception of entrepreneurs and their corresponding brand image. The interaction between popularity and interactive information types was significant. The findings imply that less popular entrepreneurs should engage in emotional interactions, while more popular entrepreneurs should choose cognitive interactions. Online interaction created comparative advantages in the financing activities of peer-to-peer companies. These results expand understanding of the psychological facets of the consumer-brand relationship in the digital world, and extend the current literature. This study also highlights key areas of learning and application for both practitioners and scholars of organizational psychology.

Evaluating the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture in patients with antipsychotic-related constipation: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is known as a common adverse effect of antipsychotics. Advice for its management remains inadequate. This study is designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture (EA) for antipsychotic-related constipation. METHODS: This is a single-centric, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with blinded participants, outcome assessor, and statistician. One hundred twelve participants will be randomly assigned into the EA group or sham acupuncture (SA) group in a 1:1 ratio. The study will last for 22 weeks for each participant, including a 2-week baseline assessment period, an 8-week treatment period, and a follow-up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the change of mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) during weeks 1 to 8 from baseline. Secondary outcomes include the change from baseline of mean weekly CSBMs during the follow-up period, mean weekly spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), overall CSBM response rate, scores on Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), straining level, Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM), Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of life questionnaire (PAC-QOL), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Adverse events and medicine use will be recorded as well. DISCUSSION: The study is designed based on a rigorous methodology to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EA for antipsychotic-related constipation. The finding will be published in peer-reviewed journals as reliable evidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR2000032582. Registered May 3, 2020, with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

Application of MAGnetic resonance imaging compilation in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) MAGnetic resonance imaging compilation (MAGiC) is a new MRI technology. Conventional T1, T2, T2-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) contrast images, quantitative images of T1 and T2 mapping, and MAGiC phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) Vessel cerebrovascular images can be obtained simultaneously through post-processing at the same time after completing a scan. In recent years, studies have reported that MAGiC can be applied to patients with acute ischemic stroke. We hypothesized that the synthetic MRI vascular screening scheme can evaluate the degree of cerebral artery stenosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke. AIM: To explore the application value of vascular images obtained by synthetic MRI in diagnosing acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 64 patients with acute ischemic stroke were selected and examined by MRI in the current retrospective cohort study. The scanning sequences included traditional T1, T2, and T2-FLAIR, three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3D TOF MRA), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and synthetic MRI. Conventional contrast images (T1, T2, and T2-FLAIR) and intracranial vessel images (MAGiC PSIR Vessel] were automatically reconstructed using synthetic MRI raw data. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values of traditional T1, T2, and T2-FLAIR images and MAGiC reconstructed T1, T2, and T2-FLAIR images in DWI diffusion restriction areas were measured and compared. MAGiC PSIR Vessel and TOF MRA images were used to measure and calculate the stenosis degree of bilateral middle cerebral artery stenosis areas. The consistency of MAGiC PSIR Vessel and TOF MRA in displaying the degree of vascular stenosis with computed tomography angiography (CTA) was compared. RESULTS: Among the 64 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 79 vascular stenosis areas showed that the correlation between MAGiC PSIR Vessel and CTA (r = 0.90, P < 0.01) was higher than that between TOF MRA and CTA (r = 0.84, P < 0.01). With a degree of vascular stenosis > 50% assessed by CTA as a reference, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of MAGiC PSIR Vessel [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.906, P < 0.01] was higher than that of TOF MRA (AUC = 0.790, P < 0.01). Among the 64 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 39 were scanned for traditional T1, T2, and T2-FLAIR images and MAGiC images simultaneously, and CNR values in DWI diffusion restriction areas were measured, which were: Traditional T2 = 21.2, traditional T1 = -6.7, and traditional T2-FLAIR = 11.9; and MAGiC T2 = 7.1, MAGiC T1 = -3.9, and MAGiC T2-FLAIR = 4.5. CONCLUSION: The synthetic MRI vascular screening scheme for patients with acute ischemic stroke can accurately evaluate the degree of bilateral middle cerebral artery stenosis, which is of great significance to early thrombolytic interventional therapy and improving patients' quality of life.

Effect of resveratrol treatment on apoptosis and apoptotic pathways during boar semen freezing.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, RSV) has been widely used in mammalian cells, but whether it can be used during freezing boar semen is still unknown. The effects of RSV treatment during boar semen freezing on its anti-freezing ability, apoptosis, and possible apoptotic pathways were observed in this study. Sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic state, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of apoptotic genes involved in different apoptotic pathways after freezing with or without RSV treatment were tested. The results showed that: (1) Compared with fresh sperm, the motility, normal acrosome rate, and plasma membrane integrity rate of frozen boar sperm decreased significantly (P<0.05), and RSV did not significantly increase the sperm motility (0.44 vs. 0.40, P>0.05), but it did significantly improve the normal acrosome rate (57.65% vs. 47.00%, P<0.05) and plasma membrane integrity rate (46.67% vs. 38.85%, P<0.05). (2) After freezing, most boar sperm showed low mitochondrial ΔΨm. RSV treatment could increase the rate of high mitochondrial ΔΨm of boar sperm. (3) RSV treatment significantly decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (58.65% vs. 88.41%, P<0.05) and increased the ATP content (0.49 µmol/L vs. 0.25 µmol/L, P<0.05) of boar sperm during freezing. (4) The apoptotic rate of the freezing group (80.41%) with TUNEL detection increased significantly compared to the fresh group (9.70%, P<0.05), and RSV treatment greatly decreased the apoptotic rate (68.32%, P<0.05). (5) Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that not only the genes from the death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Fas ligand (FasL), and Caspase-8), but also the genes from the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway (manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and Caspase-9) were both significantly changed after freezing. RSV treatment during freezing greatly changed their expression levels. Although RSV treatment during boar semen freezing did not significantly increase motility after thawing, it still played an efficient antioxidant role, which could enhance the mitochondrial function and decrease the apoptotic level induced by both the death receptor- and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways.

HER2 overexpression in ductal carcinoma in situ is associated with ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence after conservative surgery.

BACKGROUND: A few patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) after breast conservative surgery would develop ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence (IBTR), either invasive or non-invasive. Study of accurate predictive biomarkers for IBTR risk are warranted. We analyzed the association of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status with IBTR after conservative surgery. METHODS: We chose 213 cases of DCIS diagnosed between 2005 and 2010. Immunohistochemistry was performed for ER, PR, and HER2. The primary endpoint was IBTR. Kaplan-Meier plot was used for univariate survival analysis with log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: With a median follow-up 80 months, there were 29 IBTR events. In univariate analysis, patients with high grade, ER-negative, and HER2-positive breast cancers tended to have an increased risk of IBTR. In multivariate analysis, grade III and HER2-positivity were independent predictive factors for IBTR. HER2-positive DCIS had a 2.6-time risk of recurrence compared with those with HER2-negative tumors (HR=2.60; 95% CI, 1.02-6.98; P=0.044). For HER2-equivocal cases, the HR was 1.59 (95% CI, 0.40-6.34; P=0.50) compared with HER2-negative cases. Moreover, annual recurrence pattern according to HER2 status showed that HER2-positive DCIS had a recurrence peak at 3-5 years (0.3% per annum) while the annual recurrence rate of HER2-negative DCIS was very low (less than 0.1% per annum). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that of HER2-overexpression might contribute to IBTR in DCIS after breast conservation.

Role of Kelch-like ECH-associated Protein-1-Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor-2/Antioxidant Responsive Element Signal Pathway for Multiple Sclerosis (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, mainly due to the activation of the T cells, which makes oxidative stress reaction in brain and leads to demyelination finally. Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant responsive element (ARE) signal pathway is one of the most important endogenous antioxidant pathways, which promotes the expression of detoxification enzymes and antioxidant protein to eliminate oxygen free radicals and balance intracellular redox system. Activation of the Keap1-Nrf2/ARE may delay the progression of MS by drugs or rehabilitation.

Complicated prognostic values of CCL28 in breast cancer by subtype.

BACKGROUND: The expression of CCL28 and its relationship with clinical outcomes remain unclear in the setting of heterogeneous breast cancer. The purpose of the current study was to identify the expression characteristics of chemokine CCL28 in breast cancer, with a focus on its prognostic relevance to different subtypes. METHODS: First, we investigated the expression of CCL28 in 150 breast cancer patients immunohistochemically and assessed the impact of CCL28 on relapse-free survival (RFS) in the whole cohort and different clinical subtypes [defined by hormone receptor (HR), and HER-2 status] by univariate and multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the other two cohorts comprised of 863 patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and 1,764 patients from the Kaplan-Meier plotter database, respectively, were chosen to validate the prognostic values of CCL28 in breast cancer. RESULTS: Those with positive CCL28 expression had improved RFS in luminal-like (HR positive, any HER-2 status) subtype (P=0.052) but had impaired RFS in triple-negative cases (P=0.019), after adjustment with tumor size and lymph node status. Consistently, multivariate analysis in the TCGA cohort revealed improved disease-free survival (DFS) among patients with high expression of CCL28 in luminal-like subtype (P=0.043) and decreased DFS in patients expressing high CCL28 in triple-negative cases (P=0.010). The subsequent analysis of the Kaplan-Meier plotter cohort also demonstrated that CCL28 was a favorable prognostic factor for luminal-like cases [luminal A (P<0.001) and luminal B (P=0.031)], but a poor prognostic indicator for the patients with triple-negative phenotype (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CCL28 was a favorable prognostic factor for luminal-like cases and detrimental for triple-negative subtype, indicating that the same chemokine may play different or even opposite roles in the recurrence and metastasis of different molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus versus Cyclosporine A for Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy:A Network Meta-analysis / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus with those of cyclosporine in treating idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) via network meta-analysis. Methods Databases including PubMed,Embase,CENTRAL (Cochrane),Wanfang Database,CNKI,and VIP citation database were searched for relevant studies according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Package Meta 4.5.0 and Gemtc 0.8.1 in R 3.3.1 were used to analyze the included studies. Results In this network meta-analysis,the complete remission rate (RR=0.98,95% CI:0.70-1.40)and the total remission rate (RR=1.00,95% CI:0.90-1.20)of idiopathic membranous nephropathy did not differ significantly between IMN patients treated with cyclosporine A or tacrolimusand,nor did the incidences of hepatic dysfunction(RR=1.40,95% CI:0.52-4.00),infection(RR=0.75,95% CI:0.18-3.10),or gastrointestinal syndrome(RR=2.1,95% CI:0.36-28.00). Conclusion Cyclosporine A seems to have similar effectiveness and safety to tacrolimus in treating IMN.

Short-segment fixation with a cement-augmented pedicle screw for Kummell disease: Case report.

RATIONALE: Kummell disease is described as avascular necrosis of a vertebral body that occurred in a delayed fashion after a minor trauma. Anterior, posterior, and anterior-posterior approaches have been reported. Nevertheless, there is no standard treatment for patients with Kummell disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported a successful cement-augmented pedicle screw placement in a patient with Kummell disease. A 63-year-old woman with serious osteoporosis complained persistent back pain with progressive lower extremities weakness for almost 2 years. DIAGNOSES: The diagnosis of Kummell disease was mainly depended on clinical symptoms and imaging examinations. INTERVENTIONS: The application of a cement-augmented pedicle screw was designed to treat this illness. OUTCOMES: The operation was successful without any complications. The patient stated that symptoms were obviously improved in 1 week after operation. LESSONS: The application of a cement-augmented pedicle screw is an effective treatment option for Kummell disease.

Dosimetric Study of Biliary Stent Loaded with RadioactiveI Seeds / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>A novel radioactive 125I seed-loaded biliary stent has been used for patients with malignant biliary obstruction. However, the dosimetric characteristics of the stents remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to describe the dosimetry of the stents of different lengths - with different number as well as activities of 125I seeds.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The radiation dosimetry of three representative radioactive stent models was evaluated using a treatment planning system (TPS), thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) measurements, and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. In the process of TPS calculation and TLD measurement, two different water-equivalent phantoms were designed to obtain cumulative radial dose distribution. Calibration procedures using TLD in the designed phantom were also conducted. MC simulations were performed using the Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended version 2.5 general purpose code to calculate the radioactive stent's three-dimensional dose rate distribution in liquid water. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the factors influencing radial dose distribution of the radioactive stent.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The maximum reduction in cumulative radial dose was 26% when the seed activity changed from 0.5 mCi to 0.4 mCi for the same length of radioactive stents. The TLD's dose response in the range of 0-10 mGy irradiation by 137Cs γ-ray was linear: y = 182225x - 6651.9 (R2=0.99152; y is the irradiation dose in mGy, x is the TLDs' reading in nC). When TLDs were irradiated by different energy radiation sources to a dose of 1 mGy, reading of TLDs was different. Doses at a distance of 0.1 cm from the three stents' surface simulated by MC were 79, 93, and 97 Gy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TPS calculation, TLD measurement, and MC simulation were performed and were found to be in good agreement. Although the whole experiment was conducted in water-equivalent phantom, data in our evaluation may provide a theoretical basis for dosimetry for the clinical application.</p>

Intratumoral expression of CCR3 in breast cancer is associated with improved relapse-free survival in luminal-like disease.

PURPOSE: The association chemokine receptor CCR3 with breast cancer subtypes and relapse-free survival is unknown. RESULTS: The overall expression (either intratumoral or peritumoral) of CCR3 was not associated with tumor size, lymph node status, age, and subtype. When we confined the analysis in samples without peritumoral stromal CCR3 expression, intratumoral expression of CCR3 was associated with breast cancer subtype (P=0.04). Tumors with high expression of CCR3 were more likely to be luminal-like rather than TNBC or HER2-enriched cancers. Moreover, high mRNA expression of CCR3 was related with improved relapse-free survival in luminal-A/B (P<0.001). The subsequent sensitivity analysis using the systemically untreated patients confirmed that higher mRNA expression of CCR3 was a robust prognostic factor for luminal-A (P=0.0025) and luminal-B (P=0.088), but not for HER2-enriched (P=0.21) and TNBC (P=0.86). In the independent cohort, the positive association between increased expression of CCR3 and improved distant relapse-free survival was also observed. METHODS: We determined the expression level of CCR3 in 150 cases with breast cancer by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay, for both intratumoral and peritumoral stroma, and investigated the effect of CCR3 expression on relapse-free survival according to subtype using cases from publicly available datasets, in the whole group (N=3557) and in the patients without adjuvant systemic treatment (N=1005), respectively. Moreover, the survival outcomes were validated in another independent cohort including 508 breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that intratumoral expression of CCR3 in breast cancer is associated with improved relapse-free survival in patients with luminal-like disease.

Changing laws of serum high mobility group box 1 protein in septic rats and the intervention effect of xuebijing / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changing laws of serum high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in septic rats and intervention effect of Xuebijing on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg BW) was intravenously injected into the tail vein of healthy male Wistar rats to prepare the sepsis rat model. In Experiment 1: 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the normal group (A, n=10); the LPS model group (B, n=10), the LPS +Xuebijing treatment group (C, n=30). Rats in the C group were further divided into three subgroups, i.e., 2 h before LPS injection (group C1), 2 h after LPS injection (group C2), and 8 h after LPS injection (group C3), 10 in each group. Blood samples were collected from the caudal vein to detect serum HMGB1 levels by Western blot at 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after LPS injection. Experiment 2: 30 Wistar rats were equally divided into the LPS model group (D) and the LPS + Xuebijing treatment group (E), 15 in each group. They were treated as rats in the B group and the C1 group respectively. Five rats were sacrificed at 12, 24, and 48 h after LPS injection in the two groups. Blood as well as the tissue samples were harvested to measure such indices as ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN, as well as pathological changes of liver, lung, and kidney.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with the A group, serum HMGB1 levels were higher at various time points in the B group (P < 0.05). Compared with the B group, serum HMGB1 levels at 12,24,48, and 72 h decreased in the C1, C2, and C3 groups. Besides, the decrease was more obvious at 24 h and 48 h.The decrement in the C3 group was less than that in the C1 and C2 groups (P < 0.05). (2) In the D group, ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN were significantly higher than those in the A group and reached the peak at 24 h (P < 0.05). Compared with the E group, AST, Cr, and BUN at 24 and 48 h, and ALT at each time point decreased significantly in the E group (P < 0.05). (3)The results of pathological section of liver, lung, and kidney showed local congestion and hemorrhage, cell edema/necrosis/degeneration, infiltration of inflammatory cells, damage of characteristic structures and so on; particularly serious lesion occurred at 24 and 48 h in the D group. The microscopic lesion was obviously alleviated in the E group than in the D group at corresponding time points.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The serum HMGB1 levels increased in septic rats, with late occurrence of peak value and longer duration of the high value. HMGB1 played an important role in excessive inflammatory response and multiple organ dysfunction. Xuebijing could reduce the serum levels of HMGB1, improve biochemical parameters, and attenuate severe inflammatory response of liver, lung, and kidney tissues in septic rats. Besides, the earlier use, the better effect obtained.</p>

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treated with scalp acupuncture and EEG biofeedback therapy in children: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in clinical efficacy on children attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) between the combined therapy of scalp acupuncture and EGG biofeedback and the simple EEG biofeedback therapy so as to search the better therapeutic method for ADHD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. In the control group, the simple EEG biofeedback therapy was adopted. In the observation group, on the basis of biofeedback therapy, scalp acupuncture was added and applied to Dingzhongxian (MS 5), Dingpangyixian (MS 8), Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), etc. The ten treatments made one session. After four sessions of treatment, FIQ value in Wechsler intelligence scale, CIH score in Conners children behavior questionnaire, the ratio of 0 wave and p wave in EEG, FRCQ and FAQ in the integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test (IVA-CPT) and clinical comprehensive efficacy were observed before and after treatment in the two groups separately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three cases were dropped out in the observation group and 2 cases were out in the control group. In the two groups, FIQ, FRCQ and FAQ were all increased after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the increases in the observation group were much more significant than those in the control group after treatment (all P < 0.05). In the two groups, CIH score and the ratio of 0 wave and p wave were all reduced after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the reduction in the observation group were much more apparent as compared with those in the control group (both P< 0.05). The total effective rate was 91.5% (43/47) in the observation group and better than 83. 3% (40/48, P < 0.01) in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of scalp acupuncture and EEG biofeedback achieves the superior efficacy on children ADHD as compared with the simple biofeedback therapy. This combined therapy rapidly relieves the essential symptoms of ADHD and improves EEG waveform in children patients. Importantly, this therapy obtains and consolidates the significant efficacy.</p>

The Signaling Mechanism of TGF-ß1 Induced Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cell Apoptosis.

The present study showed that Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) can induce apoptosis of bovine mammary epithelial cells. This apoptosis was also observed with phosphorylation of Smad2/3 within 0.5-2 h. Afterwards the signal transferred into the nucleus. Moreover, intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration was significantly elevated as well as Caspase-3 activated and DNA lysised, thereby inducing the programmed cell death. This signaling pathway of TGF-ß1 was blocked by SB-431542 (10(-2) µM) via inhibiting ALK-5 kinase activity, which thus reversed the anti-proliferation and apoptosis effect of TGF-ß1 in mammary epithelial cells. These results indicated that TGF-ß1 induced apoptosis of bovine mammary epithelial cells through the ALK-5-Smad2/3 pathway, which plays an important role in inhibiting survival of mammary epithelial cells. Moreover, intracellular Ca(2+) also played a critical role in TGF-ß1-induced cell apoptosis.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of "Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) on cardiac function in acute myocardial ischemia rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Taichong" (LR 3) on mechnical activities of the heart in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rabbits. METHODS: Fifty chinchilla rabbits were randomized into normal control, model, EA-PC 6, EA-LR 3 and non-acupoint groups (n = 8/group). AMI model was duplicated by intravenous injection (femoral vein) of posterior pituitrin (3 U/kg). The maximal ascending velocity (+ dp/dt max), maximal descending velocity (-dp/dt max) and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) of the heart were recorded by using Biopac Bio-signal system. EA (1 mA, 2 Hz) was applied to PC 6, LR 3 and non-acupoint for 10 min. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, + dp/dt max, - dp/dt max and LVSP of the heart in model group reduced significantly (P < 0.01); while in comparison with model group, left ventricular + dp/dt max and - dp/dt max at 10 min after EA in EA-PC 6 and EA-LR 3 groups increased markedly (P < 0.01), and LVSP of EA-PC 6 group increased remarkably (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between EA-non-acupoint group and model group in the above-mentioned 3 indexes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both EA of PC 6 and LR 3 points can improve AMI induced reduction of the left ventricular myocardial mechanical activities in the rabbit, and the therapeutic effect of EA-PC 6 is superior to that of EA-LR 3.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Taixi" (KI 3) on cardiac sympathetic activities in acute myocardial ischemia rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoints on activities of the cardiac sympathetic nerve in rabbits with acute myocardial schemia (AMI). METHODS: A total of 40 Chinchilla rabbits were randomized into normal control, model, Shenmen (HT 7), Taixi (KI 3) and non-acupoint groups (n8/group). AMI model was established by intravenous injection of pituitrin (3 U/kg). EA (1.1 mA, 2 Hz) was applied to bilateral HT 7, KI 3 and non-acupoint (the bulge site of the triangular muscle) for 10 mm. The rabbit's cardiac sympathetic discharges were recorded by BIOPAC under anesthesia. RESULTS: In comparison with control group, the heart rate (HR) and the frequency of cardiac sympathetic discharges (CSD) decreased significantly after AMI (P < 0.01). At the moment of cease of EA, at 20 mm after EA, HR and 050 frequency in HT 7 group were significantly higher than those of model group (P < 0.01), suggesting a favorable inhibition of EA of HT 7 on the decreased HR and OSO. No significant differences were found between KI 3 and model groups, and between KI 3 and non-acupoint groups in both HR and OSD at any time courses (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of HT 7 can correct AMI-induced decrease of both HR and OSO in the rabbit, while EA of KI 3 and non-acupoint have not this effect, suggesting a relatively specific efficacy of EA of different acupoints on cardiac sympathetic activities.