Standardized Jin's three-needle therapy for stroke: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of standardized Jin's three-needle therapy on limb motor function and nerve function defect in stroke patients, and to evaluate the placebo control method.@*METHODS@#A total of 66 patients with stroke were randomly divided into a Jin's three-needle group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a placebo needle group (33 cases, 4 cases dropped off). All the patients were treated with conventional medication and rehabilitation treatment. In addition, the patients in the Jin's three-needle group were treated with standardized Jin's three-needle therapy at temporal three points, spirit four points, hand three points, foot three points, upper extremity spasm three points, lower extremity spasm three points, etc.; while the patients in the placebo needle group were treated with placebo needling at identical points. All the treatments were given once a day, 5 days a week, and 3-week treatment was given with an interval of 2 days between weeks. The scores of Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) were observed before treatment, 10 d and 21 d into treatment, and the blind evaluation was conducted after treatment.@*RESULTS@#On the 10 d and 21 d into treatment, the FMA scores in both groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.01), and the NIHSS scores were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01). On the 10 d and 21 d into treatment, the FMA scores in the Jin's three-needle group were higher than those in the placebo needle group (P<0.05); on the 10 d into treatment, the NIHSS score in the Jin's three-needle group was were lower than that in the placebo needle group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on judging the type of treatment (P>0.05), and the consistency with the real situation was poor (Cohen's kappa coefficient<0.20).@*CONCLUSION@#The standardized Jin's three-needle therapy could effectively improve the limb motor function and nerve function defect in stroke patients. The placebo control method used in this study shows good clinical operability and masking effect.

Professor ZHUANG Li-xing's experience of mind-regulation acupuncture for psychosomatic disorders / 中国针灸

Professor ZHUANG Li-xing's diagnosis and treatment method and manipulation key points of mind-regulation acupuncture for psychosomatic disorders are summarized. Professor ZHUANG proposes that psychosomatic disorders can be subdivided into "mind-body disorder" and "body-mind disorder". The former requires treatment aimed at regulating the mind. The main acupoints are Sishenzhen, Shenting (GV 24), Yintang (GV 24+), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The additional acupoints are Suliao (GV 25), Shuigou (GV 26), Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3), etc. The latter requires treatment aimed at improving the original diseases, supplemented by regulating the mind (row acupuncture on the governor vessel). Acupoint selection is based on the theories of brain-mind, and the emphasis is placed on the governor vessel; in the meanwhile, regulating zangfu and qi-blood should be valued. After the arrival of qi, the Daoqi Tongjing method (the specific technique for directing qi and preserving essence) is applied, combined with auricular point sticking and fire needling at affected part to enhance the curative effect.

Calculation of the Paternity Index for the Alleged Father Related to the Child's Mother / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To derive the paternity index (PI) calculation formula of the alleged father (AF) when the AF is a relative (parent/child, siblings, grandparent/grandchild, uncle/nephew, first cousins) of the child's biological mother.@*METHODS@#For the case when the AF is related to the child's biological mother, the existence of the relationship in the numerator and denominator hypothesis of PI was considered. The genotype frequency of the AF was calculated by using the frequency formula in which the mother's genotype was considered, while the random male in the denominator was substituted as another relative of the mother's same rank. The PI calculation formula was derived to eliminate the effect of the relationship between AF and the child's biological mother.@*RESULTS@#When the AF and the biological mother have first, second and tertiary kinship, a more conservative PI was obtained from the PI calculation formula derived in this study compared with the PI calculation method which did not consider kinship.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The calculation method provided in this study can eliminate the effect of the relation of the AF and mother on the PI in incest cases, to obtain more accurate and conservative identification conclusions.

Exosomes secreted from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells promote pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma growth by transferring miRNAs / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To observe the effects of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, and to analyze the contents of exosomes and explore the mechanisms affecting pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: Exosomes extracted from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were added to pancreatic cancer cells BxPC3, Panc-1 and mouse models of pancreatic cancer, respectively. The proliferative activity and invasion abilities of BxPC3 and Panc-1 cells were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays. The expressions of miRNAs in exosomes were detected by high-throughput sequencing. GO and KEGG were used to analyze the related functions and the main metabolic pathways of target genes with high expressions of miRNAs. Results: The results of CCK-8 cell proliferation assay showed that the absorbance of BxPC3 and Panc-1 cells in the hucMSCs-exo group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(4.68±0.09) vs. (3.68±0.01), P<0.05; (5.20±0.20) vs. (3.45±0.17), P<0.05]. Transwell test results showed that the number of invasion cells of BxPC3 and Panc-1 in hucMSCs-exo group was significantly higher than that in the control group (129.40±6.02) vs. (89.40±4.39), P<0.05; (134.40±7.02) vs. (97.00±6.08), P<0.05. In vivo experimental results showed that the tumor volume and weight in the exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs-exo) group were significantly greater than that in the control group [(884.57±59.70) mm(3) vs. (695.09±57.81) mm(3), P<0.05; (0.94±0.21) g vs. (0.60±0.13) g, P<0.05]. High-throughput sequencing results showed that miR-148a-3p, miR-100-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p were highly expressed. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the target genes of these miRNAs were mainly involved in the regulation of glucosaldehylation, and the main metabolic pathways were ascorbic acid and aldehyde acid metabolism, which were closely related to the development of pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can promote the growth of pancreatic cancer cells and the mechanism is related to miRNAs that are highly expressed in exosomes.

An auxiliary device for double-blind placebo acupuncture research / 中国针灸

This device is an auxiliary device with reasonable design for placebo acupuncture research, so as to make double-blind placebo acupuncture control possible. This new auxiliary acupuncture device includes an acupuncture device and a placebo acupuncture device with exactly the same appearance. Both of them are composed of a hemispherical base and a telescopic tube. Through the rotation of the telescopic tube in the notch of the base, the insertion angle of needles can be adjusted from 15 degrees to 165 degrees. The operation of twisting and lifting and inserting can be carried out through the horizontal rotation and vertical sliding of the telescopic tube. A silicone needle pad is arranged in the base, which can simulate the blocking feeling of skin and muscle during needle insertion. The bottom of the base is attached with hydrogel, which has good fixity. The auxiliary device is applicable to multiple parts of the human body and can effectively reduce the risk of unblinding.

Genomics, epigenomics and pharmacogenomics of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FHBGEP): A study protocol

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. OBJECTIVES: The study protocol FHBGEP was design to investigate the main genomic, epigenomic, and pharmacogenomic factors associated with FH and polygenic hypercholesterolemia (PH). METHODS: FH patients will be enrolled at six research centers in Brazil. An exon-targeted gene strategy will be used to sequence a panel of 84 genes related to FH, PH, pharmacogenomics and coronary artery disease. Variants in coding and regulatory regions will be identified using a proposed variant discovery pipeline and classified according to the American College Medical Genetics guidelines. Functional effects of variants in FH-related genes will be investigated by in vitro studies using lymphocytes and cell lines (HepG2, HUVEC and HEK293FT), CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, luciferase reporter assay and other technologies. Functional studies in silico, such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and conformational analysis, will be used to explore the impact of novel variants on protein structure and function. DNA methylation profile and differential expression of circulating non-coding RNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs) will be analyzed in FH patients and normolipidemic subjects (control group). The influence of genomic and epigenomic factors on metabolic and inflammatory status will be analyzed in FH patients. Pharmacogenomic studies will be conducted to investigate the influence of genomic and epigenomic factors on response to statins in FH patients. SUMMARY: The FHBGEP protocol has the potential to elucidate the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of FH and PH, particularly in the Brazilian population. This pioneering approach includes genomic, epigenomic and functional studies, which results will contribute to the improvement of the diagnosis, prognosis and personalized therapy of FH patients.

Three-dimensional analysis of the mandible with impacted mandibular second molar / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the developmental and morphological characteristics of the mandible in patients with impacted mandibular second molar and to predict the possible trend of mandibular development via three-dimensional (3D) measurement and analysis.@*METHODS@#A total of 88 cases of impacted group and 88 cases of control group were screened out. 3D measurements were performed by using Mimics software. A total of 23 landmark points and 17 measurements were determined. The measurements were analyzed by t-test.@*RESULTS@#The mandible length, the space between the first molars, the space between mandibular angles, and the width between the first molars in the impacted group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the value of the submandibular angle was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The impacted mandible of patients with mandibular second molar showed lack of sagittal and width development, and the impacted mandibular second molar was a manifestation of its degeneration.

Review of detection methods for neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) / 中国药理学通报

Neutrophil extracellular trap nets (NETs) are complex networks of proteins and DNA. Many studies have shown that NETs are important participants in the pathophysiological processes of various immune inflammatory diseases, thrombosis, cancer and so on. The dynamic changes of NETs at each stage can predict the course of the disease to a certain extent. This article systematically reviews the current detection methods for ef-fectively quantifying NETs in order to provide the latest theoretical reference for the early detection of chronic inflammation and targeted therapy of cancer.

Effect of Rong Huang granules of patients with non-dialysis kidney deficiency damp heat syndrome and chronic kidney disease mineral and bone metabolism disorder to serum OPG and RANKL levels / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To observe serum osteoprotegerin (OPG),receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) levels and the therapeutic effect of Rong Huang granules of patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease mineral and bone metabolism disorder (CKD-MBD) and kidney deficiency damp heat syndrome.Methods:70 cases of non-dialysis CKD-MBD with kidney deficiency damp heat syndrome,were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,the actual completion of 61 cases,30 cases in treatment group,31 cases in the control group;and a healthy normal group of 20 cases of patients was established.Two groups of patients were given symptomatic treatment,in addition,Rong Huang granules was plused in treating at treatment group and it was used three times a day,each time blunt one bag.The course of treatment was 8 weeks.The changes of kidney deficiency damp heat syndrome,blood urea nitrogen (BUN),serum creatinine (Scr),estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR),serum of calcium (Ca),phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),parathyroid hormone (iPTH),OPG and RANKL levels were observed in two groups of patients.Results:The total effective rate in treatment group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.01).The integral value of syndrome decreased more significantly with the course of treatment increased of two groups of patients(P<0.01).Compared with the same period of therapy,the descender in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group(P<0.01).The levels of BUN, Scr,eGFR,Ca,P,iPTH and ALP were improved in the treatment group after treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01),BUN and iPTH were improved in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),other indexes were not improved(P>0.05).After treatment,BUN,Scr,eGFR,Ca, P,iPTH,ALP of treatment group were significantly better than the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with the normal group,the levels of OPG and RANKL were significantly higher in CKD-MBD patients (P<0.01).After treatment,serum OPG level, serum RANKL level and OPG/RANKL ratio were significantly improved than before treatment in treatment group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and in the control group,only the OPG/RANKL ratio increased(P<0.01).After treatment,OPG,RANKL and OPG/RANKL ratio in the treatment group were obviously improved compared with them in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:The levels of OPG and RANKL in non-dialysis CKD-MBD patients with kidney deficiency damp heat syndrome were higher than those in healthy people,and the ratio of OPG/RANKL was lower than that in healthy people.Rong Huang granules can ameliorate clinical symptoms,prevent calcium and phosphorus metabolism,improve renal function,the mechanism may be related to the ameliorate of serum OPG and the decrease of serum RANKL level and the raise of ratio of OPG/RANKL.

Advancement of colloidal gold chromatographic technique in screening of ochratoxin A / 中国中药杂志

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic secondary metabolite mainly produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species, existing in a variety of foodstuffs and Chinese medicines. OTA is difficult to be detected in practice because of the characteristics such as trace amounts, toxicity, existing in complex matrices. In the numerous detection technologies, colloidal gold chromatographic techniques are highly sensitive, specific, cost-effective and user-friendly, and are being used increasingly for OTA screening. Recently, with the development of aptamer technology and its application in chromatographic technique, a newly colloidal gold aptamer chromatographic technique has been developed. This review elaborates the structures and principles of both traditional and newly colloidal gold chromatographic techniques, focuses on newly colloidal gold aptamer chromatographic technique, summarizes and compares their use in rapid detection of OTA. Finally, in order to provide a reference for better research of related work, the development trends of this novel technique are prospected.

Advances of colloidal gold chromatographic technique and its application in rapid detection of exogenous harmful residues / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To review the development of colloidal gold chromatographic technique and its application in rapid detection of exogenous harmful residues.

Determination of ochratoxin A in human urine by HPLC-FLD after cleaned-up by molecularly imprinted polymer solid phase extraction column / 药学学报

A method was developed for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in human urine by HPLC-FLD after molecularly imprinted polymer solid phase extraction (MIP-SPE) column. After the pH being adjusted to 2.5 with 0.1 mol x L(-1) HC1, sample was cleaned up with MIP-SPE column for ochratoxin A, the analyte was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD), and finally all the positive results were confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Recoveries from urine samples spiked with OTA at levels ranging from 2 to 20 ng x mL(-1) were 90.6%-101.9%, and RSDs were 0.1%-1.6%. Sixty-five volunteers living in Beijing took part in the study, of which 5 were found containing OTA in their urine and the highest value was 0.091 ng x mL(-1). The MIP-SPE column was firstly applied to purify and concentrate OTA in human urine, this method is simple, rapid and reliable and can be used to determine the contents of OTA in human urine.

Effect of various oxygen concentrations on biological function of human bone marrow hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

Hypoxia in bone marrow is suitable for the perfect preservation of biological functions of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (BM HSC). It is deserved to study whether the biological functions of BM HSC are influenced when being exposed to environment of oxygen at various concentration during amplification of BM HSCs in normal oxygen condition in vitro and process of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). This study was purposed to investigate the effects of various oxygen concentrations on biological functions of human BM HSCs. The BM HSCs were amplified in vitro, the amplification level of CD34(+) HSCs and CD34(+)AC133(+) HSCs were detected by flow cytometry, the apoptosis and cell cycle distribution of CD34(+) HSCs amplified in various oxygen concentrations were assayed by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double staining as well as PI and Ki-67 antibody, respectively, the differentiation of amplified CD34(+) HSCs in vitro was determined by direction differentiation assay, the migration ability of amplified CD34(+)AC133(+) HSCs was measured by migration test. The results indicated that the oxygen environment below normal oxygen, especially hypoxia, could amplify more primitive CD34(+)AC133(+) HSCs and CD34(+) HSCs with activity, arrest more HSCs in G₀/G₁ phase, promote the generation of BFU-E, CFU-GM, CFU-GEMM, and better preserve the migration ability of HSCs. While the above functional indicators of BM HSCs were poor when HSCs exposed to normoxia, oxygen-unstable and oxygen-severe changeable environments. It is concluded that the biological functions of BM HSCs in PBSCT are related with oxygen concentration and its stability, the culture of BM HSCs in lower oxygen environment may be more beneficial for PBSCT.

CT guided ozone injection for the ablation treatment of cervical spondylosis / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the value of CT guided ozone(O_3)injection in the ablation treatment of cervical spondylosis.Methods All 86 patients with cervical spondylosis including 37 myelopathy type,30 radiculopathy type,and 16 sympathetic type were treated with O_3 injection under CT guidance.The puncture rout was from the anteroparaline of neck to the disk.A total of (4?3)ml of O_3 with concentration 60?g/ml was injected into the disk and 10 ml of O_3 with concentration 40?g/ml was injected to the paraspinal tissue.Results After injection CT scan showed that O_3 was distributed within the disk and the protruding part as low-density air shadow in 37 myelopathy type and 30 radieulopathy type patients.O_3 was observed to spread in the anterior epidural space of spinal canal and the paraspinal tissue.Three months after 03 injection,67 patients (78% )showed excellent clinical efficacy,14 (16% )had good clinical efficacy,and 5 (6%)were poor respectively.Conclusion CT guided O_3 injection is an accurate,safe, and effective method in the treatment of cervical spondylosis.