Overview of "--" acupuncture, an acupuncture school of 's Zhuang medicine of Guangxi / 中国针灸

The theory of "--" of Zhuang medicine was explored and the academic achievements and experience of professor - were summarized to explain the theory and clinical characteristics of -- acupuncture, an acupuncture school of 's Zhuang medicine of Guangxi. This acupuncture method is guided by the theory of "three- synchronization" and "--" of Zhuang medicine, based on the theory of "three channels and two paths", with regulating as the method and regulating spirit as the basis. After the patient is calmed and resting, the micro needle shallow needling technique is adopted, mainly at the umbilical ring point, so as to achieve the purpose of regulating the mind and treating the root cause.

Umbilical ring acupoints and its clinical application in Zhuang medicine / 中国针灸

The theoretical basis, location, belonging of zang-fu, treatment function and indications, applying principle and manipulation of Umbilical Ring acupoints in Zhuang medicine are explained in this paper. According to Zhuang medicine, umbilicus is an epitome of the body and all the zang-fu and organs in the body have corresponding epitomes like a fetus in front-standing position. The umbilicus is not only a micro-diagnosis system, but also a window for illness treatment that could be divided into superficial, middle and deep layer to respectively communicate different zang-fu and organs. The umbilical inner ring and outer ring are collectively called Umbilical Ring acupoints, they could dredge paths, regulate the balance of qi and blood to regulate qi, expel poison, tonify deficiency and remove stasis to treat many types of diseases in the whole body.

Effects of cAMP-response element binding protein-1 (CREB-1) on transforming growth factor-b3 (TGFb3) mRNA expression and promoter activity in hepatic stellate cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of cAMP-response element binding protein-1 (CREB-1) on transforming growth factor-b3 (TGF b3) mRNA expression and promoter activity in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Freshly isolated HSCs from rats were divided into six groups: CREB-1 expression plasmid transfected group (C), siRNA-CREB-1 plasmid transfected group (S), negative control group (N), forskolin treated group (F), H-89 treated group (H), and blank group (B). Rats in each group were further sub-divided according to whether (+) or not (-) they were exposed to exogenous TGF b3. TGF b3 mRNA expression was measured by real time quantitative PCR. HSCs of the C, S, N, F, H and B groups were transfected with the TGF b3 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid (PGL3-TGF b3-P; W group), the TGF b3 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid with CRE mutation (PGL3-basic-TGF b3P-mCRE; M group) and the renilla luciferase control plasmid (pRL-SV40; control group). TGF b3 promoter activity was assessed by luciferase reporter assays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to N(-), the TGF b3 mRNA expression was reduced to 0.69+/-0.15 in S(-) (P less than 0.05) and increased to 4.68+/-2.76 in C(-) (P more than 0.05). Compared to B(-), the TGF b3 mRNA expression was reduced to 0.57+/-0.08 in H(-) (P less than 0.05). The differences between N(+) and N(-), S(+) and S(-), B(+) and B(-), and H(+) and H(-) were all significant (P less than 0.05). The values of TGF b3 promoter activity in S(W), N(W), and C(W) were 0.062+/-0.013, 0.122+/-0.011, and 0.165+/-0.016 (P less than 0.05), but the changes of TGF b3 promoter activity in S(M), N(M), and C(M) were not significant (P more than 0.05). The values of TGF b3 promoter activity in H(W), B(W), and F(W) were 0.154+/-0.010, 0.188+/-0.016, and 0.276+/-0.031 (P less than 0.05), but the changes of TGF b3 promoter activity in H(M), B(M), and F(M) were not significant (P more than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased levels of CREB-1 mRNA or p-CREB-1 up-regulate the TGF b3 mRNA expression and promoter activity in rat HSCs. The CRE site in the TGF b3 promoter is critical for this effect, and the gene's activity becomes significantly decreased when the site is missing. Exogenous TGF b3 enhances expression of endogenous TGF b3 in rat HSCs.</p>

Clinical research and preliminarily exploration of genetic basis on a hereditary hemochromatosis pedigree / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the clinical features of a hereditary hemochromatosis pedigree and to explore preliminarily the genetic basis of this pedigree.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Survey was carried out among the family members, including history taking, physical examination, laboratory examination (such as iron-biochemistry indexes, liver function, blood sugar), multiple-organs MRI scan, iron staining of liver biopsy tissues and making the pedigree chart. The blood samples of the pedigree were collected, the genomic DNA was extracted, the PCR amplification was made and finally the sequence analysis for several mutations of common hereditary hemochromatosis genes was done.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this pedigree, 7 members were found with iron overload and clinically diagnosed as hereditary hemochromatosis. The features are transmitted from generation to generation without gender difference and the gene penetrance is about 46%. The common mutations of SLC40A1 and HFE were not found in the family members.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cutaneous pigmentation and iron overload in liver and spleen are the most typical characters in this hereditary hemochromatosis pedigree, which corresponds with autosomal dominant inheritance. However, the genetic basis of this pedigree is unknown yet.</p>