Effect of moxibustion at "Mingmen" (GV 4) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on immune function in healthy rats based on intestinal flora / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Mingmen" (GV 4) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on immune function and intestinal flora in healthy rats, thereby investigating the underlying mechanism of moxibustion on immune function.@*METHODS@#Twenty 8-week-old SD rats were randomly divided into a young blank group and a young moxibustion group, with 10 rats in each group. Similarly, twenty 8-month-old SD rats were randomly divided into a middle-aged blank group and a middle-aged moxibustion group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the two moxibustion groups received moxibustion at "Mingmen" (GV 4) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4), 15 min per session, once daily, five times a week, for a total of four months. The rats in the two blank groups were fed under normal conditions. After the intervention, thymus and spleen indexes were calculated; the morphology of thymus and spleen tissues was observed using HE staining; the flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of CD and CD T lymphocytes and the CD/CD ratio was calculated; ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-17 (IL-17); 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the intestinal flora. Additionally, the correlation between the relative abundance of intestinal flora and serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the young blank group, the young moxibustion group exhibited an increase in the cortical area of thymus tissue with tighter lymphocyte arrangement; compared with the middle-aged blank group, the middle-aged moxibustion group showed an increase in thymus index (P<0.05) and an increase in the cortical area of thymus tissue. There were no significant differences in spleen index between the 2 moxibustion groups and the 2 blank groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the expression of CD, CD, and CD/CD ratio between the 2 moxibustion groups and the corresponding blank groups (P>0.05). Compared with the young blank group, the young moxibustion group had elevated IL-6 level (P<0.05); compared with the middle-aged blank group, the middle-aged moxibustion group had decreased IL-10 and IL-17 levels (P<0.05). Compared with the young blank group, the young moxibustion group exhibited increased Sobs index, Ace index, and Chao index (P<0.01, P<0.05), as well as increased relative abundance of Spirochaetota, Treponema, Turicibacter, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Dubosiella (P<0.05). Compared with the middle-aged blank group, the middle-aged moxibustion group had increased relative abundance of Spirochaetota, Treponema, norank_f_Peptococcaceae (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Allobaculum, and Faecalibaculum (P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that relative abundance of Eubacterium_xylanophilum_group and unclassified _f_Lachnospiraceae was negatively correlated with serum TNF-α level (r=-0.39, P=0.03; r=-0.24, P=0.04), while relative abundance of norank_f_norank_o_Clostridia_UCG-014 and Lactobacillus was positively correlated with serum TNF-α level (r=0.37, P=0.04; r=0.43, P=0.02). The relative abundance of Roseburia and Monoglobus was negatively correlated with serum IFN-γ level (r=-0.40, P=0.02; r=-0.44, P=0.01), while relative abundance of Lactobacillus was positively correlated with serum IL-10 level (r=0.43, P=0.02).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could improve immune function in healthy rats, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of relative abundance of intestinal flora.

Molluscicidal effect of immersion with 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt against Oncomelania hupensis on the soil surface and inside the soil layer in winter / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt (WPNES) against Oncomelania hupensis on the soil surface and inside the soil layer by immersion method in winter. Methods O. hupensis snails were placed on the soil surface and 2, 5 cm and 10 cm under the soil layer outdoors in winter, and then immersed in 50% WPNES at concentrations of 1 mg/L and 2 mg/L for 1, 3 d and 7 d, while dechlorinated water served as controls. Snail mortality was observed following immersion with 50% WPNES on the soil surface and inside the soil layer. Results Following immersion with 50% WPNES at concentrations of 2 mg/L and 1 mg/L outdoors in winter, the 3-day corrected snail mortality rates were 98.0% and 76.0% on the soil surface, and the 7-day corrected snail mortality rate was both 100.0%. Following immersion with 50% WPNES at concentrations of 2 mg/L and 1 mg/L outdoors in winter, the 7-day corrected snail mortality rates were 95.5% and 85.6% 2 cm below the soil layer, 66.0% and 6.4% 5 cm below the soil layer. However, the 7-day snail mortality rate swere comparable between the 50% WPNES treatment group (at 2 mg/L and 1 mg/L) and controls 10 cm below the soil layer (both P > 0.05). Conclusion Immersion of 50% WPNES at a concentration of 2 mg/L for 7 days presents a high molluscicidal efficacy against O. hupensis on the soil surface and 5 cm within the soil layers in winter.

Evaluation of physical and neurocognitive development of infants conceived from frozen embryo transfer / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective • To evaluate the physical and neurocognitive development of infants conceived from frozen embryo transfer (FET). Methods • Two hundred and forty-eight infants (1.5-4 years old) conceived from FET and natural conception (NC) were recruited as the follow-up cohort of FET offspring, and their physical and neurocognitive development were followed up and evaluated. Multiple Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the potential risk of cognitive retardation in FET offspring. Results • There was no significant difference in composition ratio of Z score for height, weight and body mass index between the FET group and the NC control group. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the NC control group, the risk of neurocognitive development abnormalities and retardation was higher in the FET group, especially in fine motor (OR=3.01, 95%CI 1.48-6.11) and social development domains (OR=3.76, 95%CI 1.63-8.69); and in the FET group, the social development risk of female infants was higher than that of male infants. Conclusion • FET may exert a negative impact on the early neurocognitive development of infants.

Antegrade Knuckle technique assisting reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking technique for caleified or tortuous chronic total occlusion recanalization / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

Objective To demonstrate the efficiency and safety of the modified reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking(CART)technique for chronic total occlusion(CTO)recanalization.Methods Thirteen patients with CTO underwent this modified reverse CART technique.Based on the traditional reverse CART,the technology advocated the use of antegrade guidewire Knuckle technology to promote access to the subintimal space.With the use of a strong penetrating and well controllable retrograde guidewire,balloon was inflated in the CTO lesion in favor of advancing the retrograde guidewire through the lesion to reach the proximal true lumen.Results The occlusion site was located in the RCA in 10 patients and in the LAD in 3 patients.Among the 13 lesions,2 had J-CTO score = 1,4 had J-CTO score = 2,6 had J-CTO score = 3,and 1 had J-CTO score=4.Nine cases were considered as the Werner`s Collateral Connection grade 1 and other 4 cases were grade 2.All 13 cases had achieved technical success.1 case needed pericardiocentesis due to collateral branch perforation.Conclusions CTO lesions can be efficiently and safely recanalized using this modified reverse CART technique.

Application of GuidezillaTM extension catheter in retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention of coronary arteries chronic total occlusion / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of Guidezilla TM guide extension catheter in retrograde technique for chronic total occlusion (CTO) recanalization. Methods We retrospectively collected 119 CTO cases from the 2nd Cardiology Department of Guangdong General Hospital who had received retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention( PCI). The Guidezilla TMguide extension catheters were applied in 39 cases from October 2015 to November 2016. 80 CTO cases without using the Guidezilla TMguide extension catheter during PCI admitted between January 2015 and October 2015 were collected as the control. Results The overal success rate of the 2 group was 84.0%. The group using the Guidezilla TMguide extension catheter had a higher success rate(100% vs.76.2%,P<0.05).The baseline clinical characteristics of the two groups showed no statistical diff erence. In terms of CTO crossing diffi culty by J-CTO score, patient in the Guidezilla TMguide extension catheter group had higher percentage of diffi cult lesions(35.9% vs.15.0%,P<0.001)and very difficult lesions(61.5% vs.32.5%,P<0.001).Patients in the Guidezilla TMguide extension catheter group had more longer lesions(89.7% vs.72.5%,P=0.035),blunt proximal occlusion(53.8% vs.32.5%,P=0.030)and tortuosity lesions(84.6% vs.63.8%,P=0.020). More cases in the control group needed a second operation(63.8% vs.25.6%,P<0.001)and more ostial/bifurcation lesions(62.5% vs.30.8%,P=0.002).All cases had no target vessel revascularization or in-hospital death. Conclusions Guidezilla TMguide extension catheter is convenient and safe for complicated CTO retrograde PCI.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus among multiparae / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To investigate the risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among multiparae. Methods?·?Women who had two consecutive pregnancies records in the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital from January 2012 to January 2017 were included into this study. The case group (116 cases) and control group (464 cases) were matched at the ratio of 1:4 according to the pre-pregnancy age in index pregnancy. Clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and lipid profiles were took into consideration by virtue of their medical records. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to compute the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95%CI so as to identify the risk factors. Results?·?Compared with the control group, the case group was associated with greater body mass index (BMI) change between pregnancies (aOR=1.35, 95%?CI=1.07-1.69), greater postprandial 1 h glucose load (aOR=1.99, 95%?CI=1.55-2.55) and 2 h glucose load (aOR=2.02, 95%?CI=1.51-2.70) at OGTT in index pregnancy, and greater first-trimester fasting plasma glucose (aOR=1.96, 95%?CI=1.16-3.32), total cholesterol (aOR=1.37, 95%?CI=1.06-1.77) and triacylglycerol (aOR=1.53, 95%?CI=1.10-2.14) in subsequent pregnancy. Conclusion?·?The elevated BMI change between pregnancies, the abnormal glucose and lipid profiles persisting from index to subsequent pregnancy lead to the occurrence of GDM.

Parkin promotes proteasomal degradation of p62: implication of selective vulnerability of neuronal cells in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

Mutations or inactivation of parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, are associated with familial form or sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD), respectively, which manifested with the selective vulnerability of neuronal cells in substantia nigra (SN) and striatum (STR) regions. However, the underlying molecular mechanism linking parkin with the etiology of PD remains elusive. Here we report that p62, a critical regulator for protein quality control, inclusion body formation, selective autophagy and diverse signaling pathways, is a new substrate of parkin. P62 levels were increased in the SN and STR regions, but not in other brain regions in parkin knockout mice. Parkin directly interacts with and ubiquitinates p62 at the K13 to promote proteasomal degradation of p62 even in the absence of ATG5. Pathogenic mutations, knockdown of parkin or mutation of p62 at K13 prevented the degradation of p62. We further showed that parkin deficiency mice have pronounced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons and have worse performance in motor test when treated with 6-hydroxydopamine hydrochloride in aged mice. These results suggest that, in addition to their critical role in regulating autophagy, p62 are subjected to parkin mediated proteasomal degradation and implicate that the dysregulation of parkin/p62 axis may involve in the selective vulnerability of neuronal cells during the onset of PD pathogenesis.