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@#Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) on brain functional activity and working memory of rats with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Methods Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were included, in which twelve rats were ligated bilateral common carotid arteries and six rats were not ligated (sham group). The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group (n = 6) and electroacupuncture group (n = 6). The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting for four weeks. They were assessed with Y maze and Morris water maze before and after intervention, and scaned with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging after intervention to calculate regional homogeneity (ReHo). Results Compared with the sham group, alternation rate of Y maze decreased (P < 0.001), and escape latency of Morris water maze increased (P < 0.05) in the model group and the electroacupuncture group before intervention. Compared with the model group, alternation rate of Y maze increased (P < 0.05), and escape latency of Morris water maze decreased (P < 0.05) after intervention in the electroacupuncture group. Compared with the sham group, ReHo of bilateral hippocampus, olfactory cortex, sensory cortex and auditory cortex, and left striatum decreased in the model group; compared with the model group, ReHo of bilateral prefrontal lobe, hippocampus and olfactory cortex, and left amygdala increased in the electroacupuncture group. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting can improve the memory function of VCI rats, which may be related to the functional activities of prefrontal lobes, hippocampus and amygdala.
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Stroke at the acute stage is a major cause of disability in adults, and is associated with dysfunction of brain networks. However, the mechanisms underlying changes in brain connectivity in stroke are far from fully elucidated. In the present study, we investigated brain metabolism and metabolic connectivity in a rat ischemic stroke model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) at the acute stage using F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Voxel-wise analysis showed decreased metabolism mainly in the ipsilesional hemisphere, and increased metabolism mainly in the contralesional cerebellum. We used further metabolic connectivity analysis to explore the brain metabolic network in MCAO. Compared to sham controls, rats with MCAO showed most significantly reduced nodal and local efficiency in the ipsilesional striatum. In addition, the MCAO group showed decreased metabolic central connection of the ipsilesional striatum with the ipsilesional cerebellum, ipsilesional hippocampus, and bilateral hypothalamus. Taken together, the present study demonstrated abnormal metabolic connectivity in rats at the acute stage of ischemic stroke, which might provide insight into clinical research.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Acute Disease , Brain , Diagnostic Imaging , Metabolism , Brain Mapping , Disease Models, Animal , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Glucose , Metabolism , Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery , Diagnostic Imaging , Metabolism , Neural Pathways , Diagnostic Imaging , Metabolism , Positron-Emission Tomography , Radiopharmaceuticals , Random Allocation , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
@#With the development of aging population, the morbidity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing. Electroacupuncture on several acupoints, especially Baihui (GV20), may improve the cognitive function, brain morphology, and reduceβ-amyloid deposition and tau protein phosphorylation, in AD models.
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Objective To investigate the relationship between learning and memory deficit and demyelination of the corpus callosum in twelve-month old APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Methods Twelve twelve-month old APP/PS1 transgenic mice were as AD group, and age-matched wild type (WT) littermates were as WT group. Learning and memory ability was tested with Morris water maze, and the mor-phology of nerve fiber of corpus callosum was detected with Luxol Fast Blue staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect myelin ba-sic protein (MBP) in the corpus callosum. Thioflavine S staining was used to detect amyloid plaque in the corpus callosum. Results Com-pared with WT group, the latency increased (Z>2.873, P<0.01) and the times crossing the location of the platform decreased (t=-7.339, P<0.001) in AD group. The nerve fibers were sparse and disorganized, with a lot of vacuoles in the corpus callosum of AD group. The positive expression of MBP in the corpus callosum was significantly decreased (t=-4.481, P<0.001) in AD group compared with WT group. There were amyloid plaques in the corpus callosum of AD group. Conclusion Twelve-month old APP/PS1 transgenic mice exhibit learning and memory deficit, which may be attributed to the deposition of the amyloid plaque mediated demyelinated injury of the corpus callosum.
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Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Shenting (GV24) on learning-memory function and ultrastructure in hippocampal CA1 region of rats after cerebral ischmeia-reperfusion. Methods A total of 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=6) and operation group (n=19). The operation group was occluded the left middle cerebral arter-ies with modified Longa's methods for 90 minutes and reperfused, and twelve qualified rats of them were randomly divided into model group (n=6) and electroacupuncture group (n=6), the later accepted electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting for seven days. They were as-sessed with Longa's scores, and tested with Barnes maze. Their cerebral infarct volume was tested with magnetic resonance imaging T2-weighted image. The ultrastructure of synapse in hippocampal CA1 region was observed with transmission electron microscope. Results Compared with the model group, the Longa's score improved (P<0.05), the infarct volume decreased (P<0.01), the average escape latency decreased (P<0.01) and the times entering the wrong hole decreased (P<0.001) in the electroacupuncture group. Under the transmission elec-tron microscope, the number of synapse decreased in the model group, with the structure damage and vesicles sparse;compared with the model group, the number of synapse increased in the electroacupuncture group, with clear and complete structure and rich vesicles. Conclu-sion Electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting can improve the learning-memory function in rats after cerebral ischmeia-reperfusion, which may relate to improvement of synaptic plasticity and ameliorating ultrastructure in hippocampal CA1 region.
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@#Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on motor behaviors, the axonal integrity and nerve bundle of motor cortex and striatum in rat model of ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham opera-tion group (sham group), ischemia control group (model group) and electroacupuncture treatment group (EA group) with twelve rats in each group. The later two groups were occluded their middle cerebral arteries for two hours. Twenty-four hours after modeling, EA group re-ceived electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on the paralyzed limb, once a day, for 14 days. They were assessed with modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS) and Rota-rod test, and scanned with small animal magnetic resonance imaging system for T2-weighted image (T2WI) and DTI, the infarct size, related fractional anisotropy (rFA) and related number of tracks of motor cortex and striatum were recorded. Results Compared with the sham group, the score of mNSS increased in the model group and EA group after model-ing, and was lower in EA group than in the model group seven days and 14 days after intervention (P<0.05). Rota-rod test showed that the retention time was significantly longer in EA group than in the model group (P<0.05). T2WI showed that the infarct size was smaller in EA group than in the model group (P<0.05). DTI showed that rFA in motor cortex and striatum was higher in EA group than in the model group (P<0.05), as well as the related number of tracks (P<0.05) in motor cortex. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints could improve the motor function in rats with ischemic stroke, which may be related to the recovery of nerve bundle of motor cortex and stri-atum in ischemic side.
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There are two phenotypes of microglia, M1 and M2. Microglia in M2 polarization may associate with the phagorytosis of be-ta-amyloid and inhibition of Tau hyperphosphorylation, as well as in other pathology. Electroacupuncture can impact the phenotypes of mi-croglia, which may play a role in the treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
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Objective To test the effectiveness, reliability and acceptability of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-STO22 scale in gastric cancer patients in China. Methods One hundred and twenty-eight cases were collected in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine of Central South University from September 2014 to April 2015. All the patients completed the EORTC QLQ-STO22 and EORTC QLQ-C30 scales and given the Zubrod-ECOG-WHO (ZPS) score. Karen Bach coefficient and Pearson correlation test were used for statistical analysis while using ZPS score to detect EORTC QLQ-STO22 in validity. After score was standardized, P<0.05 represented the difference had statistical significance. Results The Karen Bach coefficient was 0.607-0.830, confirming that the EORTC QLQ-STO22 scale had good reliability. A number of enhanced analysis showed that the scale had good convergent validity and divergent validity. In the same or similar dimension, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-STO22 scales had good correlation and the correlation scores were higher than 0.400. The patients were divided into four groups according to ZPS score, with ZPS score increase, the overall quality of life scores were decreasing and entries associated with symptoms were increasing, showing difference between different groups(P<0.05). Conclusion The EORTC QLQ-STO22 scale shows high reliability and validity that can be used for assessing the quality of life of patients with advanced gastric cancer in China.
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Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11), Zusanli (ST36) on differentiation of neural stem cells after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=12), model group (n=12) and electroacupuncture group (n=12). The latter two groups were occluded the left middle cerebral arteries for 90 min-utes and reperfused. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints for 21 days. They were evalu-ated with modified Neurological Severity Scores 7, 14 and 21 days after electroacupuncture. Their infarct volumes were tested with MRI T2WI 21 days after electroacupuncture, while the differentiation of neural stem cells was observed with double-immunopositive BrdU/Dcx and BrdU/NeuN. Results Compared with the model group, the neurological deficits score improved in the electroacupuncture group in all the time points (P<0.05). The infarct volumes decreased in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), with less number of BrdU+/Dcx+cells in subventricular zone (P<0.001) and more number of BrdU+/NeuN+ cells in peri-infarct cortex (P<0.001) 21 days after electroacupuncture. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints can improve neurological function and decrease the infarct volumes in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which may be associated with promoting differentiation of neural stem cells to neurons.
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@#Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on rats with focal cerebral ischemia, and whether it was mediated by microRNA- 9 (miR- 9) regulating neural stem cells proliferation in subventricular zone. Methods Fifty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into sham group (n=12), model group (n=12), EA group (n=12), EA+dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) group (n=8) and EA+miR-9 mimics group (n=8). The middle cerebral artery occlusion model was induced. DMSO and miR-9 mimics were performed by intracerebroventricular injection 30 minutes before modeling. The EA group, EA+ DMSO group and EA+miR-9 mimics group were electroacupunctured at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints the next day after modeling. All the groups were intraperitoneally injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The BrdU co-localized with Nestin was observed by immunofluorescence. The expression of miR-9 in subventricular zone was detected by real time qPCR. Results The neurological deficit score was lower (t=9.600, P=0.006), and the infarct volume was smaller (t=14.080, P=0.024) in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group. The expression of Nestin and BrdU co-localizated with Nestin increased; while the expression of miR-9 decreased in subventricular zone (P<0.05) in the electoacupuncture group. However, the expression of Nestin, BrdU and BrdU co-localizated with Nestin was lower in the EA+miR-9 mimics group than in the EA+ DMSO group. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints may promote the neural stem cells proliferation in subventricular zone by downregulating the miR-9 expression.
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@# Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) acupoints on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning and memory function, and its possible mechanism in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Thirty-two male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=8), model group (n=8), electroacupuncture (EA) group (n=8) and non-acupoint group (n=8). The model group, EA group and non-acupoint group were performed with left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The EA group received electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui, while the non-acupoint group received electroacupuncture at two fixed non-acupoints from bilateral ribs, for fourteen days. Then they were tested with Morris Water Maze test, and their synaptic structure of hippocampal neurons was observed with transmission electron microscope. The level of total LIM-domain containing protein kinase 1 (T-LIMK1) and LIM-domain containing protein kinase 1 phosphorylation (p-LIMK1) were detected with Western blotting. Results Compared with the sham group, the latency increased (t>6.789, P<0.01) and the frequence crossing platform decreased (t= 8.695, P<0.001) in the model group, while the number of synapse in hippocampal neurons decreased, and the level of T-LIMK1 (t=7.568, P< 0.01) and p-LIMK1 (t=8.874, P<0.001) decreased. Compared with the model group, the latency decreased (t>4.938, P<0.01) and the frequence crossing platform increased (t=- 7.891, P<0.001) in the EA group, while the number of synapses increased, and the level of T-LIMK1 (t=-6.473, P<0.01) and p-LIMK1 (t=-6.579, P<0.01) increased. There was no significant difference between the the non-acupoint group and the model group in all the indices (P>0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui can improve the ability of learning and memory in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which may relate with the increase of LIMK1 phosphorylation and hippo-campal synaptic plasticity.
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@#Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture on activation of microglia in peri-infarct cortex after cerebral isch-emia-reperfusion in rats. Methods 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=12), model group (n=12) and electroacupuncture group (n=12). The latter two groups were occluded the left middle cerebral arteries with modified Longa's method for 2 hours and reperfused. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints for 3 days. The nerve cell damage in peri-infarct cortex was observed with HE staining, while the expression of ED1 was determined with immunohisto-chemical staining, and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and IL-6 were determined with Western blotting. Results The neurological deficits score improved significantly in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), with less nerve cell dam-age, less number of ED1 positive microglia (P<0.05) and less levels of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 (P<0.05), compared with the model group. Conclusion The electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints can protect brain from ischemia-reperfusion injury, which might be associated with inhibiting the microglial activation and proinflammatory response in peri-infarct cortex.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy and safety of telbivudine for blocking mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in pregnant women with high viremia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 128 pregnant women with high HBV load (HBV DNA ≥ 1.0*10⁷ copies/ml and positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)) were enrolled in the study from January 2009 to January 2013 and divided into the following three groups:group A (n=42) treated with telbivudine at 12 weeks of gestation until postpartum 12 weeks; group B (n=41) treated with telbivudine at 20 to 28 weeks of gestation until postpartum 12 weeks; group C (n=45; control group) with no telbivudine treatment.All study participants were given compound giyeyrrhizin for liver protection. All infants born to the women from the three groups were vaccinated with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (200 IU) and the HBV vaccine (20 tg) ager birth. The mother-to-infant transmission of HBV was indicated by the presence of HBsAg in infants at 7 months after birth.The maternal HBV DNA levels of the women in the three groups were statistically compared with the HBsAg positive rates in their neonates.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences in the HBV DNA levels between the three groups before treatment (P more than 0.05). The pre-delivery level of HBV DNA in group A (0.553 ± 1.588 log10 copies/ml) and in group B (0.486 ± 1.429 log10 copies/ml) was significantly decreased compared to that in group C (7.698 ± 0.255 log10 copies/ml) (both P < 0.01).The post-delivery (12 weeks) level of HBV DNA in group A (0.381 ± 1.116 log10 copies/ml) and in group B (0.335 ± 1.073 log10 copies/ml) was significantly decreased compared to that in group C (7.728 ± 0.277 log10 copies/ml) (both P < 0.01).There were no significant differences in the HBV DNA levels between group A and group B (P > 0.05). No infants in group A or group B were HBsAg-positive,while the HBsAg-positive rote was 17.4% in group C (P=0.012; P=0.015).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Telbivudine treatment starting from the 12th week of gestation or from the 20-28th week of gestation can significantly decrease the serum HBV DNA level in peripheral blood of pregnant women with high viremia and reduce the infection rate of HBV in their neonates.</p>
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Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens , Hepatitis B Vaccines , Hepatitis B virus , Immunoglobulins , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Mothers , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Thymidine , ViremiaABSTRACT
@#Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on the ultrastructural structure of cortical neurons in peripheral area and the protein expression of caspase- 3, Bcl- 2, Bax in rats with cerebral ischemia- reperfusion injury. Methods 36 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. The model group and electroacupuncture group were performed with left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) according to the modified Longa' methods. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) on the paralyzed limb, for 30 minute. The neurobehavioral scores were recorded before and after treatment. The ultrastructural structure of cortical neurons was observed with transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein expression of caspase- 3, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting technique. Results The neurobehavioral score was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the chromatin of neurons was even relatively, and the number of mitochondria increased. The expression of Bcl-2 was higher and the expression of caspase-3 and Bax was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints can inhibit the neurons apoptosis in peripheral area through mitochondria-caspase-3 pathway.
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Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on the ultra-structural structure of cortical neurons in peripheral area and the protein expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax in rats with cerebral isch-emia-reperfusion injury. Methods 36 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. The model group and electroacupuncture group were performed with left middle cere-bral artery occlusion (MCAO) according to the modified Longa' methods. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Qu-chi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) on the paralyzed limb, for 30 minute. The neurobehavioral scores were recorded before and after treatment. The ultrastructural structure of cortical neurons was observed with transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein expression of cas-pase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting technique. Results The neurobehavioral score was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the chromatin of neurons was even relatively, and the number of mitochondria increased. The expression of Bcl-2 was higher and the expression of caspase-3 and Bax was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints can inhibit the neu-rons apoptosis in peripheral area through mitochondria-caspase-3 pathway.
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AIM: To establish a new quality standard for Kangbindu Oral Solution (Radix Isatidis, Gypsum Fibrosum, Rhizoma Phragmitis, Radix Rehmannia, etc.). METHODS: Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii and Fructus Forsythiae were identified by TLC. The forsythin content was determined by HPLC on Inertsil ODS column (4.6mm?250mm,5?m). The mobile phase was acetomitrile water(25∶75). The detection wavelength was set at 277nm. RESULTS: The linear range of forsythin was in the range of 4.24～21.2?g. The average recovery was 99.09%, and RSD was 0.4%( n =6). CONCLUSION: The method is simple and accurate, and can be used for the quality control of Kangbindu Oral Solution.