[Progress of researches on acupuncture treatment of allergic rhinitis].

Acupuncture therapy has been widely used in clinical treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR), and can induce a positive therapeutic effect through multi-targets and multi-aspects. In recent 10 years, the research on the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating AR mainly focused on humoral immunity, cellular immunity, cell apoptosis, inflammatory mediators and factors, neuropeptides, etc. By regulating the level of immunoglobulin in the blood, acupuncture intervention can restore the relative balance of cellular immune response, reduce the accumulation of eosinophils and promote apoptosis, down-regulate the expression of related inflammatory mediators and factors, regulate the excitability of related nerves, modulate the release of neuropeptides and other ways to diminish the inflammatory reaction of nasal mucosa, and enhance the repair and protection of nasal mucosa, relieve the nasal symptoms at last. On the basis of the existing studies, the follow-up research should make use of the advantages of acupuncture intervention, refine the treatment process, and deeply explore the feasibility of acupuncture treatment of AR, further promote the combination of mechanism study and clinical practice, provide references for clinical application. Moreover, some shortcomings exist, for example, the unknown correlation between the therapeutic effect and duration of treatment, the unknown correlation between the effect of acupuncture and various targets, and disconnection between experimental research achievements and clinical application, etc.

Combined System of Organic Substrate and Straw-Degrading Microbial Agents Improved Soil Organic Matter Levels and Microbial Abundance in a Rice-Wheat Rotation.

Rice-wheat rotation is one of the most intensive agricultural planting modes in China and is pivotal to develop optimized straw-returning management in situ to improve soil fertility and productivity in agricultural ecosystems. Previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of straw return with a single application of organic fertilizers. The integrated management of different fertilizers in improving the management of straw return in situ is not well known. In this study, a field experiment was conducted from 2017 to 2019 to explore the effects of a combined system of modified organic substrate (MOS) and straw-degrading compound microbial agent (CMA) on soil physiochemical properties, labile organic carbon, microbial activities, and soil microbial community composition under the background of direct crop straw return and chemical fertilizer utilization. Four treatments were designed: (1) control check; (2) CMA; (3) MOS; and (4) MOS + CMA. The results showed that the MOS + CMA treatment had the combined advantages of soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation, soil nutrient increase and soil microbial community alteration, which may be more suitable for improving the quality and fertility of sandy loam soil. This study provides novel insights for further understanding the effects of organic substrates and composite microbial agents on SOM changes and microbial community composition and function in the field, which has important implications for sustainable crop production and agricultural development.

Antibacterial and Fluorescence Staining Properties of an Innovative GTR Membrane Containing 45S5BGs and AIE Molecules In Vitro.

This study aimed to add two functional components-antibacterial 45S5BGs particles and AIE nanoparticles (TPE-NIM+) with bioprobe characteristics-to the guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane, to optimize the performance. The PLGA/BG/TPE-NIM+ membrane was synthesized. The static water contact angle, morphologies, and surface element analysis of the membrane were then characterized. In vitro biocompatibility was tested with MC3T3-E1 cells using CCK-8 assay, and antibacterial property was evaluated with Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis by the LIVE/DEAD bacterial staining and dilution plating procedure. The fluorescence staining of bacteria was observed by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope. The results showed that the average water contact angle was 46°. In the cytotoxicity test, except for the positive control group, there was no significant difference among the groups (p > 0.05). The antibacterial effect in the PLGA/BG/TPE-NIM+ group was significantly (p < 0.01), while the sterilization rate was 99.99%, better than that in the PLGA/BG group (98.62%) (p < 0.01). Confocal images showed that the membrane efficiently distinguished G+ bacteria from G- bacteria. This study demonstrated that the PLGA/BG/TPE-NIM+ membrane showed good biocompatibility, efficient sterilization performance, and surface mineralization ability and could be used to detect pathogens in a simple, fast, and wash-free protocol.

Effects of ectomycorrhizal fungus bolete identity on the community assemblages of endofungal bacteria.

Ectomycorrhiza-associated bacteria, especially endofungal bacterial microbiota (EBM) in the fruiting body, play important roles in driving the establishment and function of ectomycorrhizae. However, the influence of ectomycorrhizal fungus bolete identity on their EBM is still unclear. We analysed the EBM of three different bolete fruiting body species on Thousand Island Lake, including Tylopilus felleus, Tylopilus areolatus and Boletus queletii, and compared them with their corresponding mycosphere soil bacterial microbiota by high-throughput sequencing. The EBM was classified into Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and Stenotrophomonas genera. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Acidobacteria were predominant in the EBM of bolete fruiting bodies as well as their mycosphere soil, while Firmicutes was significantly higher in the EBM. Moreover, the core microbiome (342 operational taxonomic units) of the EBM was shared among the three bolete fungal species. The relative abundances of gene families related to cell cycle control and nucleotide, coenzyme and lipid metabolism were significantly higher in the EBM than in the corresponding mycosphere soil bacterial microbiota, but there was no difference among the three different boletes. The results suggested that the host identity of ectomycorrhizal fungus boletes could affect the EBM, which might be mainly due to the selection of host fungi for the different functional EBM needed.

Knowledge and intake of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects among pregnant women in urban China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in China declined during 2000-2017 with periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation, which is effective in reducing the risk of birth defects. We aimed to assess the knowledge and actual use of FA among Chinese pregnant women and to explore factors associated with FA use before pregnancy. METHODS: All data were collected in face-to-face interviews during health visits among pregnant women. We collected information about knowledge and use of FA supplements and demographic, socioeconomic, and health status. One maternity and childcare hospital was chosen in each of four cities: Beijing, Huaibei, Kunming, and Haikou. In total, 435 pregnant women were randomly recruited for interviews conducted from June to December 2016. RESULTS: A total of 428 pregnant women were included in this survey. Of these, 82.0% (351/428) knew that FA can prevent NTDs, and 75.9% (325/428) knew the correct time to take FA. Overall, 65.9% (282/428) of women knew both that FA can prevent NTDs and the recommended time to take FA before pregnancy. Approximately 95.1% (407/428) of women reported having ever taken FA, only 46.3% (198/428) had begun to take FA supplementation before conception, and 64.5% (109/169) of women from rural areas failed to take FA before pregnancy. Women living in northern China (odds ratio [OR] = 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.77), those with unplanned pregnancy (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.30-3.04), and highly educated women (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.45-3.88) were more likely to know about FA. Women who were homemakers (OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.21-3.11) and had unplanned pregnancy (OR = 6.18, 95% CI 4.01-9.53) were less likely to begin taking FA before pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey showed that most pregnant women knew about FA. Although preconception intake of FA can help to reduce NTDs, improving the rate of FA intake before pregnancy is needed in urban areas of China, especially among homemakers and women from rural areas or with unplanned pregnancy. Campaigns are needed to increase awareness about FA and FA use before pregnancy among rural women, homemakers, and those with unplanned pregnancy and lower education levels.

[Research progress in the integration of machine learning and acupunctology].

Machine learning is a newly emerged discipline. It develops rapidly and has been penetrated into all walks of life and made great achievements in medical field. The introduction of machine learning in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion should fully play the advantages of targeted therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion, optimize the resource allocation of traditional Chinese medicine and accurately serve the clinic rather than only limited to data mining and analysis. In the paper, through the analysis of the relevant literature in recent years, the combination of acupuncture-moxibustion with machine learning was discussed from the aspects of acupoint selection and prescription, clinical teaching application of acupuncture and moxibustion, the prediction on acupuncture curative effect, etc. Moreover, on the base of multidisciplinary intersection and by means of machine learning, the exploration was given on the future direction of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Effects of multi-phase inoculation on the fungal community related with the improvement of medicinal herbal residues composting.

Composting has become the most important way to recycle medicinal herbal residues (MHRs). The traditional composting method, adding a microbial agent at one time, has been greatly limited due to its low composting efficiency, mutual influence of microbial agents, and unstable compost products. This study was conducted to assess the effect of multi-phase inoculation on the lignocellulose degradation, enzyme activities, and fungal community during MHRs composting. The results showed that multi-phase inoculation treatment had the highest thermophilic temperature (68.2 °C) and germination index (102.68%), significantly improved available phosphorus content, humic acid, and humic substances concentration, accelerated the degradation of cellulose and lignin, and increased the activities of cellulase in the mature phase, xylanase, manganese peroxidase, and utilization of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the non-metric multi-dimensional scaling showed that the composting process and inoculation significantly influenced fungal community composition. In multi-phase inoculation treatment, Thermomyces in mesophilic, thermophilic, and mature phase, unclassified_Sordariales, and Coprinopsis in mature phase were the dominant genus that might be the main functional groups to degrade lignocellulose and improve the MHRs composting process.

Effect of Al alloying on cavitation erosion behavior of TaSi2 nanocrystalline coatings.

To broaden the scope of non-aerospace applications for titanium-based alloys, both hexagonal C40 binary TaSi2 and ternary Al alloyed TaSi2 nanocrystalline coatings were exploited to enhance the cavitation erosion resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy in acidic environments. To begin with, the roles of Al addition in influencing the structural stability and mechanical properties of hexagonal C40 Ta(Si1-xAlx)2 compounds were modelled using first-principles calculations. The calculated key parameters, such as Pugh's index (B/G ratio), Poisson's ratio, and Cauchy pressures, indicated that there was a threshold value for Al addition, below which the increase of Al content would render the Ta(Si1-xAlx)2 compounds more ductile, but above which no obvious change would occur. Subsequently, the TaSi2 and Ta(Si0.875Al0.125)2 coatings were prepared and their microstructure and phase composition were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both the two coatings exhibited a uniform thickness of 15 µm and a densely packed structure mainly composed of spherically shaped nanocrystallites with an average diameter of about 5 nm. Nanoindentation measurements revealed that Al alloying reduced the hardness (H) and elastic modulus (E) values of the TaSi2 coating. Ultrasonic cavitation erosion tests were carried out by immersing coated and uncoated samples in a 0.5 M HCl solution. The cavitation-erosion analysis of the tested samples was investigated by various electrochemical techniques, mass loss weight and SEM observation. The results suggested that both coated samples provided a better protection for Ti-6Al-4V against the cavitation-erosion damage in acidic environments, but the addition of Al further improved the cavitation-erosion resistance of the TaSi2 coating.

Stereospecific Iron-Catalyzed Carbon(sp2)-Carbon(sp3) Cross-Coupling with Alkyllithium and Alkenyl Iodides.

An efficient synthetic protocol involving iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions between organolithium compounds and alkenyl iodides as key coupling partners was achieved. More than 30 examples were obtained with moderate to good yields and high stereospecificity. Gram-scale and synthetic applications of this procedure are recorded herein to demonstrate its feasibility and potential utilization.

[Progress of Researches on Mechanisms of Acupuncture Therapy in Regulating Brain Plasticity].

Brain plasticity is referred to the ability of the brain to change in structure and functional activities from microscopic aspects (synapses) in individual neurons to larger-scale aspects such as cortical remapping, neuronal remodeling, etc. in response to injury. Acupuncture has a positive effect in the treatment of cerebral diseases, thus leading to an increasing research on its underlying mechanisms in regulating brain plasticity. The present paper reviewed recent development of studies on acupuncture treatment of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, cerebral ischemia, bone cancer pain, autism, etc. from 1) regulating synaptic plasticity (up-regulating the proportion of hippocampal synapses, increasing synaptic curvature, post-synaptic density, and numerical density, areal density, and lowering synaptic cleft); 2) increasing hippocampal post-synaptic potential slop, peak and peak area of population spikes to evoke long-term potentiation (LTP) by regulating the expression of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, and growth associated protein (GAP-43); 3) down-regulating the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) to suppress the activity of astrocytes in the ischemic cerebral area and hippocampus in cerebral ischemia rats, and in the spinal cord dorsal horns of bone cancer rats, etc. and promoting vimentin and connexin 43 expression; and 4) promoting neuronal remodeling, and repair and regeneration of the injured nerve in the central nervous system via regulating neuron-glia network, expression of nerve growth factor, brain derived neurotrophic factor, etc. The future studies should pay more attention to 1) the contribution of acupuncture intervention to the correlation between the initiation of the endogenous protective effect and the brain plasticity during the onset of nerve injury and repair of the injured nerve, and 2) standarization of stimulating quantity, manipulation and duration of acupuncture treatment, as well as the relationship between the stimulating quantity and efficacy.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Tandem Cycloisomerization of 1,5-Enyne Ethers by Hydride Transfer.

A novel gold-catalyzed tandem protocol, initiated by hydride transfer in the presence of catalytic (C6 F5 )3 PAuCl/AgSbF6 , for the formation of fused polycyclic ring systems has been achieved. This tandem reaction provides rapid access to various fused polycyclic species in a single chemical operation, leading to stereospecific formation of two carbon-carbon bonds and three rings.

Genetic screening and functional analysis of CASP9 mutations in a Chinese cohort with neural tube defects.

AIM: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are birth defects of the nervous system and are the second most frequent cause of birth defects worldwide. The etiology of NTDs is complicated and involves both genetic and environmental factors. CASP9 is an initiator caspase in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, which in Casp9-/- mice has been shown to result in NTDs because of decreased apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential genetic contribution of the CASP9 gene in human NTDs. METHODS: High-throughput sequencing was performed to screen genetic variants of CASP9 genes in 355 NTD cases and 225 matched controls. Apoptosis-relevant assays were performed on transiently transfected E9 neuroepithelial cells or human embryonic kidney 293T cells, to determine the functional characteristics of NTD-specific rare variants under complete or low folic acid (FA) status. RESULTS: We found significant expression of CASP9 rare variants in NTDs and identified 4 NTD-specific missense variants. Functional assays demonstrated that a p.Y251C variant attenuates apoptosis by reducing CASP9 protein expression and decreasing activity of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. From this, we conclude that this variant may represent a loss-of-function mutation. A 4-time recurrent p.R191G variant did not affect intrinsic apoptosis in complete medium, while it completely inhibited apoptosis induced by low FA medium. CONCLUSION: Our findings identify a genetic link for apoptosis in human NTDs and highlight the effect of gene-environment interactions in a complex disease.

Preoperative prostate health index predicts poor pathologic outcomes of radical prostatectomy in patients with biopsy-detected low-risk patients prostate cancer: results from a Chinese prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance of the prostate health index (PHI) in predicting pathologic outcomes of radical prostatectomy (RP) in Chinese patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Of all consecutive patients who underwent RP in one tertiary center from September 2013 to January 2017, we prospectively examined the data of 140 patients with low-risk PCa based on the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) criteria. All patients were eligible for active surveillance, but underwent RP. Clinical and pathological data were collected. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between the PHI and outcome of RP. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the accuracy of different models. Decision curve analysis was used to evaluate the potential clinical usefulness of making model-based decisions. RESULTS: Only 44 (31.4%) patients were finally confirmed to have organ-confined Gleason ≤6 PCa. A low PHI was significantly predictive of organ-confined Gleason ≤6 PCa (p = 0.001), while tPSA and f/tPSA were not associated with final pathology. In the multivariate analyses, addition of the PHI significantly increased the predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.767, 95% Cl 0.685-0.849, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The PRIAS criteria for active surveillance may not suitable for Chinese patients with PCa. Addition of the PHI to the PRIAS models improved the prognostic performance. If confirmed in future larger and multicenter studies, PHI may help us to identify patients eligible for AS in China.

[Exploration on an overview of history (from Chunqiu to Ming and Qing Dynasties) and species of Chinese exotic traditional medicine].

This paper collected and analyzed literatures about starting of traditional medicine and trading of different medicine from Chunqiu Zhanguo to Ming and Qing Dynasties, in order to preliminarily explore on an overview of specie of chinese exotic traditional medicine and trade of different country in different dynasty（from Chunqiu to Ming and Qing Dynasties）, as well as the amount of exotic medicine over two thousand years. (remove repeating and doubtful species), find peculiarity of exotic medicine, sreen species that used to develop the Silk Route and establish quality standards.Finally, We get conclusions are as follows. First, primary,.prosperous and declining stages of development of exotic traditional medicine are Qin and Han, Song-Jin-Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, respectively. Second, according to literature, the stage that has the most species of exotic medicine is song dynasty,approximately have 300. Removing repeating and doubtful species, the believable species are approximate 230 to 250. Meanwhile, the unknown species are approximate 30, which may be different name of one medicine or processed goods, now these medicines are named as "doubtful species". Third, the medicinal parts of exotic medicine are different from Chinese medicine of Han nation. The number of Resin, fruits and seeds kind are more than root and rhizomes kind,mineral medicines are more than animal. Fourth, the major producing area of exotic medicine is some countries and territories related to the Silk Route in the history. Ultimately, this paper preliminarily figure out basic information of exotic medicine of different dynasty in China,that provide reference for learning study and decision of industrial development.

Melatonin receptor 1B gene polymorphism rs10830963 and gestational diabetes mellitus among a Chinese population - a meta-analysis of association studies.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have been conducted to investigate the association between rs10830963 of MTNR1B and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but with inconclusive results. We aimed to clarify these controversies, especially with regard to the association in the Chinese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systemic literature reference search inclusive to August 12, 2016 yielded 35 articles, from which 11 studies met the inclusion criteria for the final meta-analysis, including 3889 patients with GDM and 6708 controls. RESULTS: We found statistically significant associations between rs10830963 and GDM using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) [GG genotype vs. CC genotype: OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.38-2.10; G allele vs C allele: OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.20-1.36; GG+CG vs. CC (dominant model): OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.20-1.44; GG vs CG+CC (recessive model): OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.26-1.58]. In subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity, we also observed rs10830963 to be associated with significantly increased risk of GDM in all genetic models in the Chinese population. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis indicated that the rs10830963 polymorphism might serve as a risk factor of GDM in the Chinese population.

[Role of Interim 18F-FDG PET/CT Scanning for Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma in Rituximab Era -Review].

As an important noninvasive diagnostic tool, the positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) plays a significant role in diagnosis and therapy of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). PET/CT, a standard imaging tool for initial accurate staging and response assessments, has replaced conventional CT in rituximab era. In this review, the definition, interpretation method, prognostic value and risk stratification of interim PET/CT are introduced to clarify the guiding significance of PET/CT in the diagnosis and theray of DLBCL, and the application of PET/CT scanning-guided prognostic factors and response-adapted therapy for DLBCL is summarized.

Emission behaviours of novel V- and X-shaped fluorophores in response to pH and force stimuli.

A family of novel fluorophores with V- and X-shaped skeletons is rationally designed and prepared. Due to the extended cross π-conjugation in the X-shaped ones, their emission wavelengths in both solution and the solid state exhibit considerable bathochromic shifts compared with those of the V-shaped ones. It is found that a heavy intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect is the primary element for the mechanofluorochromic (MFC) response of this family, and an appropriate crystallinity of the sample is also indispensible for it to be MFC-active. Additionally, most fluorophores in this family are responsive to pH stimuli and display diverse and reversible changes of emission features. Interestingly, a V-shaped fluorophore exhibits a unique size-dependent emission behaviour, which makes it a distinctive three-color emitter.

Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Affected by Promoter Hypermethylation Induces Aberrant Gli2 Expression in Spina Bifida.

GLI2 is a key mediator of the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway and plays an important role in neural tube development during vertebrate embryogenesis; however, the role of gli2 in human folate-related neural tube defects remains unclear. In this study, we compared methylation status and polymorphisms of gli2 between spina bifida patients and a control group to explore the underlying mechanisms related to folate deficiency in spina bifida. No single nucleotide polymorphism was found to be significantly different between the two groups, although gli2 methylation levels were significantly increased in spina bifida samples, accompanied by aberrant GLI2 expression. Moreover, a prominent negative correlation was found between the folate level in brain tissue and the gli2 methylation status (r = -0.41, P = 0.014), and gli2 hypermethylation increased the risk of spina bifida with an odds ratio of 12.45 (95 % confidence interval: 2.71-57.22, P = 0.001). In addition, we established a cell model to illustrate the effect of gli2 expression and the accessibility of chromatin affected by methylation. High gli2 and gli1 mRNA expression was detected in 5-Aza-treated cells, while gli2 hypermethylation resulted in chromatin inaccessibility and a reduced association with nuclear proteins containing transcriptional factors. More meaningful to the pathway, the effect gene of the Shh pathway, gli1, was found to have a reduced level of expression along with a decreased expression of gli2 in our cell model. Aberrant high methylation resulted in the low expression of gli2 in spina bifida, which was affected by the change in chromatin status and the capacity of transcription factor binding.

[Long Term Curative Effects and Prognostic Analysis of Stem Cell Transplantation for Treating Patients with Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and prognostic factors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). METHODS: The clinical records of 53 patients with PTCL were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The prognostic value of prognostic index PIT were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 53 cases of PTCL, 31 patients underwent hematopoietic autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT), 22 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), their median follow-up time was 62 (1-174) months, from them 1 patients was not engrafted in each group, 4 patients underwent allo-HSCT died within 1 month after transplantation. The 3-year overall survival rates in auto- and allo-HSCT groups were 42.3% (95% CI 24.1-60.5%) and 42.9% (95% CI 21.7-64.1%) respectively, 11 and 3 patients died of relapse after auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT, respectively, the treatment-related mortality (TRM) was 22.6% (95% CI 6.1%-39.0%) and 48.7% (95% CI 26.8%-70.7%), respectively. Univariate analysis showed that bone marrow involvement at diagnosis was associated with poor prognosis. In allo-HSCT group, PIT showed statistically significant difference in both OS and PFS between the patients without or with one risk factor and the patients with 3-4 risk factors. CONCLUSION: The relapse rate of relapse/refractory patients is high after auto-HSCT. The TRM is high after allo-HSCT, but long term survival is promising. The prognostic index for PTCL can reliably assess the prognosis of PTCL.

[Penile rehabilitation after radical pelvic surgery].

Prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and rectal cancer are common malignancies in the male pelvis. The incidence rate of erectile dysfunction (ED) following radical prostatectomy, cystectomy or rectal cancer surgery is about 25% - 100%. The main cause of post-surgery ED is mainly attributed to injury of neurovascular bundles, which may lead to reduced oxygenation in and fibrosis of the penile tissue. Early penile rehabilitation after surgery can improve or restore the erectile function of the patients. This article focuses on penile rehabilitation after radical pelvic surgery.