Increased elastic modulus of the synovial membrane in a rat ACLT model of osteoarthritis revealed by atomic force microscopy

This study aimed to explore changes in nanoscale elastic modulus of the synovium using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in addition to investigate changes in synovial histomorphology and secretory function in osteoarthritis (OA) in a rat anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham control and ACLT OA groups. All right knee joints were harvested at 4, 8, or 12 weeks (W) after surgery for histological assessment of cartilage damage and synovitis in both the anterior and posterior capsules. AFM imaging and nanoscale biomechanical testing were conducted to measure the elastic modulus of the synovial collagen fibrils. Immunohistochemistry was used to visualize the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the synovium. The OA groups exhibited progressive development of disease in the cartilage and synovium. Histopathological scores of the synovium in the OA groups increased gradually. Significant differences were observed between all OA groups except for the posterior 4W group. The synovial fibril arrangement in all OA groups was significantly disordered. The synovial fibrils in all ACLT OA groups at each time point were stiffer than those in the sham controls. OA rats displayed a significantly higher expression of IL-1β and MMP3 in the anterior capsule. In summary, synovial stiffening was closely associated with joint degeneration and might be a factor contributing to synovitis and increased production of proinflammatory mediators. Our data provided insights into the role of synovitis, particularly stiffening of the synovium, in OA pathogenesis.

Exploration on the characteristics of meridian points in the treatment of post-stroke disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion based on the data mining technology / 中国针灸

Using data mining technology to analyze the application characteristics and laws of the meridian points in the treatment of post-stroke disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion in modern times. On the basis of the collection of the modern literatures about the treatment of post-stroke disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion, the database of acupuncture-moxibustion prescription was established. The relevance rule method in the data mining technology was mainly adopted to analyze the application characteristics and laws of the meridian points in the treatment of post-stroke disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion. Totally, 682 prescription of acupuncture and moxibustion were collected, including 253 acupoints and 5395 application frequency. The selected acupoints were distributed in the fourteen meridians and 76.5% (4128/5395) of them were on the four limbs and 13.8% (744/5395) were on the head and neck. The total application frequency of the yang meridians accounted for 74.7% (4029/5395) and the specific acupoints for 83.8% (4522/5395). It was indicated that in the treatment of post-stroke disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion, the acupoint selection was basically along the involved meridians, which was focused on the local affected areas and combined with the distal acupoints. The acupoints of the yang meridians were the first option, distributed mainly on the four limbs. The combination of yangming meridian and shaoyang meridian was the most common. The specific acupoints were the major components of the prescription, especially the crossing acupoints and the specific acupoints located below the elbows and knee joints.

Exploration on the spectrum of disease and acupoints in post-stroke disorder treated with acupuncture and moxibustion on the basis of data mining technology / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Data mining technology is used to analyze the spectrum of disease and acupoints in the treatment of post-stroke disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion in modern times.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The literature resources are formulated, the name of disease and acupoint are standardized, the spectrum of acupuncture for disease that post-stroke disorder belonged to and their genealogical classification are collected, the spectrum of acupoints in the treatment of post-stroke disorder are summarized.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 652 modern clinical research papers are collected, including 9 classification systems in ICD-10 and 40 diseases; 143 nonacupoints are used and the application frequency are 737; 253 acupoints are used and the application frequency are 5395. According to application frequency, the points are divided into often used points(23 points), sometimes used points (100) and less used points (130).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lack of standardization is the common problem found in modern acupuncture literature in the treatment of post-stroke disorders and the spectrum of disease is in biased distribution. The selected acupoints are distributed in the fourteen meridians and acupoints of yang meridian are the first option. The most common used meridians are Yangming and Shaoyang.</p>