[Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and to preliminarily explore its action mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with CFS were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off, 1 case excluded) and an acupuncture group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the moxibustion group were treated with bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion, while the patients in the acupuncture group were treated with routine acupuncture. Both groups were treated once a day, 6 days as a course of treatment with 1 day interval, for a total of 2 courses of treatment. Before treatment, 1 and 2 courses into treatment and in the follow-up of 14 days after treatment, the fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) and somatic and psychological health report (SPHERE) scores were observed in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the contents of CD+3, CD+4, CD+8 of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were measured and CD+4/CD+8 ratio was calculated; the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the FS-14 and SPHERE scores in the two groups were decreased 1 and 2 courses into treatment and in the follow-up (P<0.01), and the FS-14 and SPHERE scores in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the contents of CD+3, CD+4 and CD+4/CD+8 ratio in the moxibustion group were increased after treatment (P<0.01). There was no significant difference of CD+3, CD+4, CD+8 and CD+4/CD+8 ratio between before and after treatment in the acupuncture group (P>0.05). After treatment, the contents of CD+3 and CD+4 in the moxibustion group were higher than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the moxibustion group, which was higher than 73.3% (22/30) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion could improve the physical and mental fatigue symptoms and psychological status in patients with CFS. Its effect may be related to regulating the contents of CD+3, CD+4 of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and CD+4/CD+8 ratio.

Descended Social Anxiety Disorder and Craving in Women Heroin Dependence Through Exercise Alerts Plasma Oxytocin Levels.

Purpose: This study explored the association between peripheral blood oxytocin (OT) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) and cue-induced cravings in female heroin addicts. The effect of exercise on alleviation of SAD and OT levels was also explored. Methods: A total of 72 females with heroin dependence were assigned to three groups based on SAD severity. The three groups were Non-SAD control, SAD control, and SAD exercise groups. Subjects in the SAD exercise group underwent aerobic exercise and resistance training for 8 weeks (60 min/day, 5 days/week). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) scores were used to determine plasma OT concentration and SAD, respectively. Cue-induced craving was assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ). Mixed-effect analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis were used to explore the effect and correlation between different parameters. Results: OT levels in the SAD exercise group were significantly high after exercise (p < 0.01). LSAS, VAS, and DDQ ("Desire and Intention" and "Negative reinforcement") scores in the SAD exercise group were significantly lower after exercise (p < 0.01). Plasma OT level was negatively correlated with LSAS score (r = -0.534, p < 0.001), VAS score (r = -0.609, p < 0.001), "Desire and Intention" score (r = -0.555, p < 0.001), and "Negative reinforcement" score (r = -0.332, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with the "control" score (r = 0.258, p < 0.05). LSAS was positively correlated with VAS score (r = 0.588, p < 0.001) and "Desire and Intention" score (r = 0.282, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicate that plasma OT is a potential peripheral biomarker for prediction of the severity of social anxiety in female heroin withdrawal patients. Aerobic exercise combined with resistance training plus incremental load for 8 weeks can increase plasma OT levels and significantly reduce severity of SAD and cue-induced cravings in female heroin addicts.

[Different stimulation methods on auricular points for primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To prove the therapeutic effect of auricular intradermal needling and auricular point sticking on primary dysmenorrhea (PD), and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with PD were randomized into an auricular intradermal needling group, an auricular point sticking group and a placebo group, 30 cases in each one. Neishengzhiqi (TF2), Neifenmi (CO18), Shenmen (TF4), Shen (CO10), Jiaogan (AH6a), Gan (CO12) and Pizhixia (AT4) were selected in the 3 groups, intradermal needling and cowherb seed sticking were applied respectively in the auricular intradermal needling group and the auricular point sticking group, adhesive tape without needle was stuck in the placebo group. Pressing and kneading for 3 to 4 times were required each day, 3 to 4 min each time, and the intervention was started 5 d before menstruation, once every other day, 4 times each menstrual cycle were as one course, and totally 3 courses were required in the 3 groups. The follow-up was adopted at the next menstruation after treatment. The Cox menstrual symptom scale (CMSS) score, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score before treatment, 1,2,3 courses into treatment and at follow-up were compared, the serum levels of PGF2αand PGE2 before and after treatment were detected, and the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in the 3 groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the scores of CMSS, VAS and SAS were decreased at each time point of treatment in the auricular intradermal needling group, 2, 3 courses into treatment and at follow-up in the auricular point sticking group and 3 courses into treatment in the placebo group (P<0.001, P<0.05). Compared with the auricular point sticking group, the CMSS scores at each time point of treatment and the VAS scores of 1, 2 courses and at follow-up were decreased in the auricular intradermal needling group (P<0.05). Compared with the placebo group, the CMSS scores were decreased at each time point of treatment in the auricular intradermal needling group and 3 courses into treatment and at follow-up in the auricular point sticking group (P<0.001, P<0.05); the VAS scores were decreased at each time point of treatment in the auricular intradermal needling group and the auricular point sticking group (P<0.001, P<0.05). After treatment, the serum levels of PGF2α were decreased (P<0.05) and the serum levels of PGE2 were increased (P<0.05) in the auricular intradermal needling group and the auricular point sticking group, and the serum levels of PGF2α were lower than the placebo group (P<0.05), the serum levels of PGE2 were higher than the placebo group (P<0.05) in the two groups. Compared with the auricular point sticking group, the serum level of PGF2 was decreased (P<0.05), the serum level of PGE2α was increased in the auricular intradermal needling group (P<0.05). The total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30) in the auricular intradermal needling group and 80.0% (24/30) in the auricular point sticking group, which were both superior to 63.3% (19/30) in the placebo group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Auricular intradermal needling and auricular point sticking can both improve the clinical symptom of primary dysmenorrhea, relieve the pain and anxiety, their mechanism may be related to regulating the serum levels of PGF2α and PGE2. The therapeutic effect of auricular intradermal needling is superior to auricular point sticking, and the placebo effect can be preliminarily excluded.

Clinical efficacy evaluation of a traditional Miao technique of crossbow needle therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) seriously reduces quality of life and is a major threat to the health of the middle-aged and elderly. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Miao crossbow needle therapy vs. acupuncture for KOA therapy. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized controlled trial was performed at three hospitals between April 2016 and December 2016. The patients were randomized to receive crossbow needle (CN) or acupuncture (AT). All treatments were completed within 46 days. Evaluation of treatment was conducted on the 46th, 62nd, and 77th days. The primary endpoint was change of Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score on the 46th day. The secondary endpoints included WOMAC score, the Lysholm knee score, the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) knee score, visual analog scale (VAS), and the MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), on the 46th, 62nd, and 77th day. RESULTS: Finally, data of 301 participants were analyzed for the efficacy of treatment. Compared with AT, there was a larger change of WOMAC score in the CN group after treatment [- 25.0 (95% CI - 27.0, - 23.0) vs. - 18.8 (95% CI - 20.8, - 16.9), P < 0.001]. In the CN group, the WOMAC score was lower at all three time points (P = 0.008, P = 0.003, P < 0.001 respectively), while the Lysholm knee score (P = 0.03) and JOA score (P = 0.013) were higher and the VAS score (P = 0.011) was lower on the 77th day. CONCLUSION: Both Miao crossbow needle therapy and acupuncture reduced the WOMAC score. Miao crossbow needle therapy can be an alternative method for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR, ChiCTR-INR-16008032. Registered on 12 March 2016.

Plasma BDNF and TrkB mRNA in PBMCs Are Correlated With Anti-depressive Effects of 12-Weeks Supervised Exercise During Protracted Methamphetamine Abstinence.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential neurotrophic factors and expression of neurotrophin receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells linked with the antidepressant action of exercise intervention during protracted methamphetamine (METH) abstinence. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 male METH addicts, including 47 individuals with depression and 25 individuals without depression, were recruited in this study. Individuals with depression were divided into the depression control group and the depression exercised group. Consequently, 12 weeks of supervised exercise intervention was applied. Depression and anxiety were analyzed; plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neuronal growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), NT-4, and proBDNF levels were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the mRNA expressions of TrkA, TrkB-FL, TrkB-T1, TrkCB, and P75NTR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: NT-4 plasma levels were correlated with depression (r = -0.330, p = 0.005), which remained significant after Bonferroni correction. In addition, the BDNF and NT-3 levels in the plasma were significantly correlated with depression (r = -0.268, p = 0.023; r = -0.259, p = 0.028), but did not reach significance after Bonferroni correction. The BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4 plasma levels were significantly different between the depressive control group and the depressive exercise group using pre-exercise values as the covariate. The fold changes in TrkB-FL and TrkB-T1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells between the post-exercise and pre-exercise demonstrated a remarkable decrease (fold change = -11.056 and -39.055). Conclusions: Exercise intervention can alleviate depression and anxiety during protracted METH abstinence. Decrease in BDNF and the expression of TrkB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells occur following the exercise intervention.

[Influence of Cryopreservation on Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Immunocompetence].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for isolation, cryopreservation and recovery of the highly viable human peripheral blood monomuclear cells (PBMNCs) so as to achieve the long-term preservation of PBMNCs. METHODS: A total of 80-100 ml peripheral blood were collected from the healthy volumteers aged over 50 years old. The PBMNCs were isolated by the Ficoll density gradient technique and cryopreserved gradually by program control method in liquid nitrogen freezer of -196 °C. The serum-free medium and autoloqous plasma medium were test for preservation of PBMNCs. The cell viability was assessed at time point of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 months after thawing. Finally, the proliferation ability, purity and cytotoxicity were compared between the autologous immune lymphocytes (AIL) induced from cryopreserved PBMNCs and AIL as control from fresh PBMNCs. RESULTS: After separating, the cell viability was 99.6%±0.4%, and the recovery rate of lymphocytes was 58.4%±6.52%. The cell recovery rate of lymphocyte was 89.7%±3.82% at 24 months. The quality assurance program was reliable within 2 years of running. The AIL cells induced with cryopreserved PBMNCs were not significantly different from those induced from fresh PBMNCs in terms of proliferative action, purity and cytotoxicity(CD3(+)CD8(+) ≥45%,CD3(+)CD56(+) NKT≥10%,CD4(+)CD25(+) NKT≤10%). CONCLUSION: Manual separation of lymphocytes in vitro can get enough high-quality PBMNCs. The long-term cryopreserved PBMNC still maintain their high viability. The reinfusion of the clinical autologous immune cells would be advantageous for early tumor immunotherapy. Human AIL induced from cryopreserved PBMNC maintain their anti-tumor ability. These findings have the important implications for the application of these cells to adoptive cellular therapy.

Electroacupuncture at ST25 inhibits jejunal motility: Role of sympathetic pathways and TRPV1.

AIM: To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at ST25 affects jejunal motility in vivo and if so, whether a sympathetic pathway is involved. METHODS: Jejunal motility was assessed using a manometric balloon placed in the jejunum approximately about 3-5 cm away from the suspensory ligament of the duodenum in anesthetized animals. The effects of EA at ST25 were measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats, some of which were treated with propranolol or clenbuterol (EA intensities: 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 mA), and in male transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) (capsaicin receptor) knockout mice (EA intensities: 1, 2, and 4 mA). RESULTS: Anesthetized rats exhibited three types of fasting jejunal motor patterns (types A, B, and C), and only type C rats responded to EA stimulation. In type C rats, EA at ST25 significantly suppressed the motor activity of the jejunum in an intensity-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of EA was weakened by propranolol (ß adrenoceptor antagonist) and disappeared with clenbuterol (ß adrenoceptor agonist) induced inhibition of motility, suggesting that the effect of EA on motility is mediated via a sympathetic pathway. Compared with wild-type mice, EA at ST25 was less effective in TRPV1 knockout mice, suggesting that this multi-modal sensor channel participates in the mechanism. CONCLUSION: EA at ST25 was found to inhibit jejunal motility in an intensity-dependent manner, via a mechanism in which sympathetic nerves and TRPV1 receptors play an important role.

[Significance of plasmic homocysteine, folate and Vitamin B(12) in ulcerative colitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of plasmic homocysteine (Hcy), folate (FA) and Vitamin B(12) (VitB(12)) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Plasmic Hcy in 112 cases of UC patients and 110 controls were detected by HPLC-FD method. Plasmic FA, VitB(12) in 76 cases of UC patients and 12 controls were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: The level of plasmic Hcy in UC patients was(11.27±7.26) µmol/L, significantly higher than that in controls[(8.19±4.81) µmol/L, P<0.05], and was not significantly correlated with disease index, extent and duration of UC(P>0.05). The level of FA and VitB(12) in UC patients were (7.64±1.95) nmol/L and (108.64±32.22) pmol/L respectively, lower than those in controls[(9.14±1.23) nmol/L and (112.64±33.33) pmol/L, P<0.05]. The level of plasmic Hcy was negatively correlated with the level of FA and VitB(12) in UC patients(P<0.05). The level of plasmic FA decreased to some extent with UC disease duration. CONCLUSION: Plasmic Hcy is elevated in UC patients, which may be related to the decrease of FA and VitB(12).

[Seasonal dynamics of ecosystem services of grassland in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau].

Based on the theory of ecosystem services and by using RS and GIS techniques, the ecosystem services of grassland in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were analyzed and evaluated, with growth season as time unit. The results showed that the service of supplying biomass presented an up-down-up trend, and the peaks appeared in May and September. Its main affecting factors were PAR, soil moisture condition, and underground biomass. The service of carbon accumulation and oxygen release also presented up-down-up trend, which was related to the supplied biomass and its formation. As for the services of holding soil nutrients and water, the former had a peak in May, while the latter presented staggered variation due to the different water consumption characters of herbages at their different growth stages.

Ectopic expression of ThCYP1, a stress-responsive cyclophilin gene from Thellungiella halophila, confers salt tolerance in fission yeast and tobacco cells.

The halophyte Thellungiella halophila (salt cress) is an ideal model system for studying the molecular mechanisms of salinity tolerance in plants. Herein, we report the identification of a stress-responsive cyclophilin gene (ThCYP1) from T. halophila, using fission yeast as a functional system. The expression of ThCYP1 is highly inducible by salt, abscisic acid (ABA), H(2)O(2) and heat shock. Ectopic overexpression of the ThCYP1 gene enhance the salt tolerance capacity of fission yeast and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cv. Bright Yellow 2 (BY-2) cells significantly. ThCYP1 is expressed constitutively in roots, stems, leaves and flowers, with higher expression occurring in the roots and flowers. The ThCYP1 proteins are distributed widely within the cell, but are enriched significantly in the nucleus. The present results suggest that ThCYP1 may participate in response to stresses in the salt cress, perhaps by regulating appropriate folding of certain stress-related proteins, or in the signal transduction processes.