Application of acupuncture in the emergency department for patients with ileus: A pilot prospective cohort clinical study

Acupuncture can be conveniently used for pain control in patients with a variety of conditions, and it has obvious effects on various acute pains. In 2018, we implemented a program for emergency treatment with Chinese medicine to promote the integration of Chinese and Western medicine at the Emergency Department (ED). Ileus is a common cause of abdominal pain among patients in the ED, and it is an indication for emergency treatment with Chinese medicine. This study investigated the efficacy of acupuncture as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based treatment method for the treatment of patients with ileus in the ED. We analyzed data of patients with ileus, who visited ED between January and December 2019, and compared the length of ED stay between the Western medicine group and the Western medicine plus acupuncture group. Furthermore, pain intensity was measured by a visual analogue scale before and after acupuncture. We found that the length of ED stay was 10.8 hours lesser in the Western medicine plus acupuncture group than in the Western medicine group (P = .04), and the visual analogue scale score decreased by 2.0 on average from before to after acupuncture treatment (P = .02). Acupuncture treatment was effective and rapid in relieving the symptoms and discomfort in patients with ileus and in reducing their length of stay in the ED.     

Early Life Low-Calorie Sweetener Consumption Impacts Energy Balance during Adulthood

Children frequently consume beverages that are either sweetened with sugars (sugar-sweetened beverages; SSB) or low-calorie sweeteners (LCS). Here, we evaluated the effects of habitual early life consumption of either SSB or LCS on energy balance later during adulthood. Male and female rats were provided with chow, water, and a solution containing either SSB (sucrose), LCS (acesulfame potassium (ACE-K) or stevia), or control (no solution) during the juvenile and adolescent periods (postnatal days 26–70). SSB or LCS consumption was voluntary and restricted within the recommended federal daily limits. When subsequently maintained on a cafeteria-style junk food diet (CAF; various high-fat, high-sugar foods) during adulthood, ACE-K-exposed rats demonstrated reduced caloric consumption vs. the controls, which contributed to lower body weights in female, but not male, ACE-K rats. These discrepant intakes and body weight effects in male ACE-K rats are likely to be based on reduced gene expression of thermogenic indicators (UCP1, BMP8B) in brown adipose tissue. Female stevia-exposed rats did not differ from the controls in terms of caloric intake or body weight, yet they consumed more SSB during CAF exposure in adulthood. None of the SSB-exposed rats, neither male nor female, differed from the controls in terms of total adult caloric consumption or body weight measures. The collective results reveal that early life LCS consumption alters sugar preference, body weight, and gene expression for markers of thermogenesis during adulthood, with both sex- and sweetener-dependent effects.     

DNA结合抑制因子2在大鼠脑室管膜前下区神经干细胞发育中的表达

目的探讨DNA结合抑制因子2(Id2)在大鼠脑室管膜前下区(SVZa)神经干细胞(NSCs)发育分化中的作用。方法运用RT-PCR、Western blotting、免疫组织化学技术,观察Id2在不同发育阶段SVZa-喙侧迁移流(RMS)-嗅脑(OB)流通道中的时空表达模式。结果从空间上看,Id2在RMS表达始终最高,SVZa次之,在OB表达最弱;从发育的时间来看,Id2在各区域胚胎时期表达均比刚出生时强;在OB和RMS区,成年比刚出生时表达强,老年仍有较强表达;在成年SVZa表达比刚出生时弱。结论Id2在SVZa神经干细胞的发育学表达模式提示,Id2可能有促进SVZa神经干细胞增殖和抑制其在RMS迁移区分化的作用。     

慢性复合应激对大鼠海马生长休止蛋白7表达的影响

目的 探讨慢性复合应激对大鼠海马神经元中生长休止蛋白7(Gas7)的表达变化及意义.方法 36只大鼠随机分为慢性复合应激组和正常对照组.复合应激组动物进行6周的垂直旋转、睡眠剥夺、捆绑(6h/d)和夜间光照等慢性复合性应激试验;实验结束后,所有动物采用免疫组织化学和免疫印迹等方法 检测大鼠海马Gas7蛋白表达的变化和神经元凋亡情况.结果 Gas7在对照组和实验组大鼠海马各区均有表达,主要表达在海马神经元的胞质和突起内.其中在CA1区和齿状回呈较强阳性表达,CA3区表达则较弱;慢性复合应激组CA1区和齿状回阳性染色加深,平均吸光度明显上升(P<0.05),而CA3区则不明显(P>0.05).慢性复合应激组中部分切片在下托可见少量Caspase-3免疫反应阳性细胞.免疫印迹检测表明,慢性复合应激组大鼠海马Gas7表达明显增强,与正常对照组相比,差异具有显著性(P<0.05).结论 Gas7可能参与了在应激情况对神经元的保护作用,以及促进神经元的发生和发育.     

pitx3和nurr1基因在不同年龄大鼠不同脑区的表达变化

目的:探讨正常不同年龄SD大鼠不同脑区pitx3、nurr1基闪的表达变化.方法:使用RT-PCR、免疫印迹法和免疫荧光方法检测pitx3、nurr1基因在正常不同年龄SD大鼠不同脑区转录与翻译水平的表达.结果:RT-PCR、免疫印迹法检测显示,pitx3、nurr1基因在各年龄组火鼠中脑、大脑皮质、海马、纹状体、嗅球和下丘脑均有表达,其中在海马和中脑表达较高;在各年龄组中新生组表达最高,并随着年龄的增长表达呈下凋趋势;免疫荧光检测E16.5 d组和新生组的中脑和海马区观察到有大量Pitx3或Nurr1单标细胞和Pitx3/TH或Nurrl/TH双标细胞.结论:pitx3、nurr1基凶的表达小仅与中脑多巴胺能神经元,而且可能与儿茶酚胺类神经元的发育和生存维持有关;老年期pitx3、nurr1基因表达下降可能与脑老化和神经退行性变疾病.如帕金森病和老年性痴呆等有关.     

“智教”+“慧学”混合式教学在中西医结合内科实习带教中的应用研究

目的 探究“智教”+“慧学”混合式教学在中西医结合内科实习教学中的应用效果。方法 按照随机原则,将2019级中西医临床医学专业一班的54名实习生纳入对照组,给予传统教学;另将2019级中西医临床医学专业二班的56名实习生纳入观察组,给予“智教”+“慧学”混合式教学。实习6个月后,比较两组实习生理论考核成绩（基础理论知识、专业理论知识）、临床实践能力[列斯特评估量表（Leichester assessment package,LAP）]、教学满意度。采用SPSS 17.0进行t检验和卡方检验。结果 实习结束时,观察组实习生基础理论知识[（41.53±3.42）vs.（38.71±3.38）]、专业理论知识[（39.49±3.14）vs.（37.85±3.07）],LAP评分总分[（84.32±6.65）vs.（78.46±6.17）]及各分项评分,以及教学满意度均高于对照组（P均<0.05）。结论 “智教”+“慧学”混合式教学能够加强中西医结合学科实习生掌握理论知识,提高实习生临床实践能力和教学满意度。     

雌激素促大鼠急性心肌梗死后心肌血管生成及受体介导机制

目的探讨雌激素对去卵巢大鼠心肌梗死后心脏雌激素受体表达及血管生成的影响。方法结扎去卵巢Sprague-Dauley(SD)大鼠左冠状动脉制作急性心肌梗死模型,给予不同剂量苯甲酸雌二醇干预治疗。放免法测定心肌梗死前和心肌梗死后4周血清雌二醇水平,免疫组化法测定心肌梗死4周后心肌组织中新生毛细血管的数量,Western blot测定心肌组织中细胞核蛋白雌激素受体α、β的表达。结果去卵巢后大鼠血清雌二醇水平显著降低,不同剂量雌二醇干预后各组血清雌二醇水平升高。去卵巢心肌梗死组新生血管数目显著低于保留卵巢急性心肌梗死组及去卵巢后雌激素干预各组,其中,雌激素替代组新生血管数目最高。各实验组雌激素受体α、β蛋白表达均有差异,雌激素替代组表达最高,去卵巢组表达最低。结论体内雌激素同心肌梗死后血管再生有关,雌激素替代治疗有助于增加去卵巢大鼠心肌梗死模型的心肌血管生成,其机制可能是调节心脏雌激素受体α、β介导来发挥作用。     

右美托咪定通过抑制脊髓星形胶质细胞活化改善甲醛诱导的急性炎性痛

目的探讨右美托咪定(DEX)在0.1%甲醛诱导的急性炎性痛中的作用。方法将30只ICR雌性小鼠随机分成生理盐水对照(NS)组、甲醛(F)组、右美托咪定+甲醛(DEX+F)组。向右后爪足底注射25μl 0.4%甲醛建立小鼠急性炎性痛模型,在甲醛注射前1 h,DEX+F组小鼠腹腔注射DEX,NS组和F组小鼠腹腔注射等体积生理盐水。以小鼠舔咬足累计时间评价自发痛行为。采用免疫组织化学法和Western blotting检测脊髓星形胶质细胞标记物胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的表达。结果自发痛评分结果显示,与NS组相比,F组小鼠出现典型的双相痛反应;与F组相比,DEX+F组小鼠的第Ⅰ时相痛(P<0.001)和第Ⅱ时相痛(P<0.001)累计时间明显减少。免疫组织化学结果显示,与NS组相比,F组小鼠脊髓后角GFAP阳性细胞数目明显增多(P<0.001);与F组相比,DEX+F组小鼠脊髓后角GFAP阳性细胞数目明显减少(P<0.001)。Western blotting结果显示,与NS组相比,F组小鼠脊髓GFAP表达明显增加(P<0.05);与F组相比,DEX+F组小鼠...     

人工智能驱动中西医结合发展——陈凯先院士访谈录

人工智能助力了科学的进步、医药学的发展。陈凯先院士提出,大数据在中西医结合领域未来前景光明,发展方向众多,包括新药研发、临床诊断、数据分析等,但同时面临着人才储备不足、布局与基础设施建设不足等瓶颈问题,针对这些问题有着一系列建议举措。人工智能技术可以助力中西医结合发展,帮助中医药走向现代化、走向国际化,为人类健康事业带来更大的突破。     

Burkholderia thailandensis Isolated from the Environment,United States

Burkholderia thailandensis, an opportunistic pathogen found in the environment, is a bacterium closely related to B. pseudomallei, the cause of melioidosis. Human B. thailandensis infections are uncommon. We isolated B. thailandensis from water in Texas and Puerto Rico and soil in Mississippi in the United States, demonstrating a potential public health risk.