Trends in the application of "omics" to Alzheimer's disease: a bibliometric and visualized study.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with an insidious onset. The widespread application of omics techniques in AD has attracted considerable attention. We aimed to make a comprehensive analysis of published omics articles on AD in order to determine the research profile and application trends of omics techniques in AD. METHODS: This study utilizes bibliometric and visual methods including a map collaboration map, co-citations, and keywords to identify knowledge structures, hot topics, and research trends based on 6,828 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that 5654 institutions from 91 countries published articles in this field. The USA, China, and the UK played a leading role in publishing numerous articles in relevant journals as well as prolific institutions and authors, respectively. This paper collects a large number of literatures on the application of AD omics technology from the WoSCC database and found the omics technology applied to AD is mainly based on genomics technology. The application of transcriptomics technology has shown an increasing trend in recent years, and the application of multi-omics technology will be the general trend in the future. CONCLUSION: The development status, frontier hotspots, and general trends of omics application technologies are reviewed. This article will provide intelligence support to researchers and institutions in the field of Alzheimer's omics research and applications from a practical perspective.

Transcriptomic Profiling of Electroacupuncture Regulating the Molecular Network in Hippocampus of Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture stimulation of the hand-taiyin meridian in regulating the molecular network of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury based on transcriptomics. Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and electroacupuncture (EA) group. Middle cerebral artery embolization/reperfusion injury (MCAO/R) was used to establish the model group and EA group. The sham operation group only performed sham operation without modeling and any intervention, and the model group was bound daily. The EA group received electroacupuncture to stimulate the acupoints of hand-taiyin meridian for 14 days. Then, neurological scores, pathomorphological observations, and Tunel staining were performed. Finally, the affected hippocampus of the rat was used for transcriptome sequencing and RT-PCR detection. Results: After electroacupuncture intervention in rats, neurological function scores were improved, and neuronal apoptosis was reduced. The results of transcriptomics showed that a total of 1097 differentially expressed genes were obtained, of which 422 were upregulated and 675 were downregulated. The bioinformatics analysis showed that those differentially expressed genes were related to axon development, neuron projection development, neuron projection morphogenesis, plasma membrane cell projection morphogenesis, cell part morphogenesis, notch signaling pathway, long-term potentiation, MAPK signaling pathway, Hedgehog signaling pathway, and so on. The results of RT-PCR showed that Caspase 9 mRNA increased and BDNF, Grin2a, and PlexinD1 mRNA decreased after electroacupuncture intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture intervention on hand-taiyin meridian may reduce neurological function scores, inhibit neuron apoptosis, and enhance neuronal repair neuroreparation in MCAO/R rats, which may be related to the regulation of genes such as Caspase 9, BDNF, Grin2a, and PlexinD1.

[Analysis on acupoint selection rules for impotence treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient based on data mining technology].

Based on the data mining technology, the rules of acupoint selection and prescription were analyzed for impotence treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient recorded in Zhonghua Yidian. By taking "yangwei" and "yinwei" as the searching terms, the database of Zhonghua Yidian (the 5th edition) were retrieved and the relevant information of impotence, such as prescription provision, acupoints and use frequency were extracted. Using the software, e.g. Microsoft Excel and Weka 3.8.4, the rules of acupoint selection and prescription for impotence treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient were analyzed. Fifty five provisions of acupoint prescriptions were in compliance with the requirements and screened. Of them, there were 17 compound prescriptions and the rest were the single-point prescriptions, with 24 acupoints involved. Regarding the use frequency of acupoints in treatment of impotence, the top 5 acupoints were Yingu (KI 10), Ququan (LR 8), Qichong (ST 30), Taichong (LR 3) and Rangu (KI 2). The cluster analysis found that Yingu (KI 10), Ququan (LR 8)-Qichong (ST 30), Taichong (LR 3)-Rangu (KI 2)-Xingjian (LR 2), and Mingmen (GV 4)-Zhongfeng (LR 4)-Yuji (LU 10)-Yanggu (SI 5) were formed the group prescriptions respectively. Multilayer correlation analysis discovered that the commonly used meridians were the liver meridian of foot-jueyin, the kidney meridian of foot-shaoyin, the stomach meridian of foot-yangming and the conception vessel. The acupoints selected were generally on the lower extremities, the abdomen and the upper extremities. Regarding the special points, the five-shu points and the convergent points were mostly involved. By the analysis on compound prescriptions, 3 patterns of acupoint combination were discovered, the prescription by taking Yingu (KI 10), Rangu (KI 2) and Zhongfeng (LR 4) as the key points, the one by taking Shenshu (BL 23) and Yanggu (SI 5) as the key points and the relevant fixed combination of 4 acupoints, including Taichong (LR 3), Xingjian (LR 2), Neiting (ST 44) and Xiangu (ST 43). By the analysis on the compound prescriptions, 3 common meridian combinations were found, including the combination with the kidney meridian predominated, the relevant fixed combination with the liver meridian and the stomach meridian and the one with small intestine meridian and the lung meridian.

[Observation of electroacupuncture intervention on cell apoptosis and Bax and Bcl-2 expression in cerebral and myocardial tissues in cerebral ischemia rats based on "heart-brain correlation" theory].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Neiguan" (PC6) of the Pericardium Meridian, "Shenmen" (HT7) of the Heart Meridian，"Shuigou" (GV26) of the Governor Vessel and "Zhaohai" (KI6) of the Kidney Meridian on myocardial and cerebral cell apoptosis in cerebral ischemia (CI) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of CI based on the theory of "Heart-brain Correlation". METHODS: Forty-eight SD rats (half male and half female) were randomly divided into normal control, model, PC6, HT7, GV26 and KI6 groups (n＝8 in each one). The CI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). EA (4 Hz/20 Hz, 1.5 mA) was applied to the right PC6, HT7, GV26 or KI6 respectively for 30 min, once every 12 h for 5 times. The cell apoptosis of the ischemic myocardial and cerebral tissues was detected by TUNEL method, and the expression of cerebral and myocardial Bax and Bcl-2 was determined by using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Following modeling, the cell apoptosis percentages and Bax-positive cells of both myocardial and cerebral tissues were significantly increased in the model group in comparison with the control group (P<0.01). After EA intervention, the cerebral apoptotic percentage and cerebral Bax-positive cells in the cerebral tissue of the PC6, HT7 and GV26 groups, and the myocardial apoptosis percentage in the PC6 and HT7 groups, as well as the myocardial Bax-positive cells in the PC6 group were obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the cerebral Bcl-2 positive cells in the PC6, HT7 and GV26 groups, and the myocardial Bcl-2 positive cells in the PC6 and HT7 groups were significantly increased relevant to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). No significant changes were found in the KI 6 group in the cell apoptosis index and percentages and Bax- and Bcl-2-positive cells of both myocardium and cerebral cortex tissues compared with the model group (P>0.05)．. CONCLUSION: EA stimulation of PC6 and HT7 can inhibit CI injury induced cell apoptosis of cerebral and myocardial tissues in CI rats, which is possibly associated with its effects in down-regulating Bax expression and up-regulating Bcl-2 expression of both myocardial and cerebral tissues.

[Clinical observation of warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method in the treatment of periarthritis with frozen period].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method in the treatment of periarthritis with frozen period. METHODS: Ninety patients with periarthritis who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a control group 1, a control group 2 and an observation group, 30 cases in each group. Warm acupuncture was applied in the control group 1 (Jianzhen (SI 9), Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), etc were selected), yoga posture method was applied in the control group 2, warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method were given in the observation group, the treatment was given once a day, 10 times as a course with 2 days between courses and continuous for 2 courses. After 2 courses of treatment, the shoulder joint pain score and shoulder function grading were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy, and the clinical efficacy was observed. RESULTS: ①The pain scores of the three groups were significantly lower after treatment (all P<0.01), and scores in the observation group was better than that in the control group 1 and the control group 2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the control group 1 and the control group 2 (P>0.05). ②After treatment, the functional classification of shoulder joints were significantly improved in the three groups (all P<0.01), and the functional classification of shoulder joint in the observation group and the control group 2 were better than that in the control group 1 (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the observation group and the control group 2 (P>0.05). ③After 2 courses of treatment, the effective rate of the observation group was 86.7% (26/30), which was better than 70.0% (21/30) in the control group 1 and 76.7% (23/30) in the control group 2 (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method can effectively relieve shoulder pain and improve dysfunction. The clinical comprehensive effect is better than simple acupuncture and yoga posture method.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Acupoints of Heart Meridian on Brain Connectivity in 27 Healthy Volunteer Subjects].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of brain rest-state functional connectivity following electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of right Xia-Jiquan (HT 1), Shaohai (HT 3), Lingdao (HT 4) and Shenmen (HT 7) of the Heart Meridian and non-acupoints in healthy volunteers so as to provide an imaging basis for clinical treatment of some related disorders. METHODS: A total of 20 healthy volunteers who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into HT-acupoint group (n=10 cases) and non-acupoint group (n=10 cases) according to the visiting sequence. EA (2 Hz, 2-5 mA) was applied to the right HT 1-HT 3, and HT 4-HT 7 (two outputs of the EA stimulator being connected to two acupuncture needle handles) and non-acupoints (4 spots on the imaginary mid-line between the HT and the Pericardium Meridian apart from the 4 acupoints HT 1-HT 3, and HT 4-HT 7) for 6 min. All the subjects underwent resting-state (rs) fMRI using an Achieva 1.5 T magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanner before and after EA stimulation. The bilateral posterior cingulate was used as the seed point and the functional connectivity data was analyzed by using DPARSF software and rs-fMRI data analysis toolkit. RESULTS: After EA stimulation of both acupoints and non-acupoints, a similar functional connectivity change was found in the bilateral postcentral gyrus, right inferior parietal lobule, and right inferior frontal gyrus. After EA of acupoints of the HT Meridian, an enhancement of brain functional connectivity was found in the left inferior temporal gyrus and right parahippocampal gyrus, and the newly activated brain regions were the left precentral gyrus, right precuneus, left angular gyrus, left inferior occipital gyrus and the left insula. After EA stimulation of non-acupoints, an increased functional connectivity was found in the left superior temporal gyrus, which was different from EA of acupoints of HT Meridian. CONCLUSIONS: EA stimulation of acupoints of the HT Meridian can enhance the rs functional connectivity in some brain regions as the postcentral gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, etc. which is related to mediating information of somatosensory, cognitive, affective, memory, cardiovascular activities, etc. in healthy volunteer subjects. The only difference between the two EA groups is an enhanced functional connectivity found in the left superior temporal gyrus after EA of non-acupoints.

Activating efficient room temperature phosphorescence of carbon dots by synergism of orderly non-noble metals and dual structural confinements.

Obtaining high efficiency room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) by employing non-noble metals poses two challenges: (1) strengthening spin-orbit coupling of excitons to improve the rate of intersystem crossing (ISC) by using non-noble metals with small-atomic-number; (2) employing structural confinement to enhance radiation relaxation because harsh conditions, including carefully selected matrices, rigid solid-state crystalline structure and low temperature, are commonly needed. Here, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with orderly non-noble metal arrangements were used as an inorganic matrix to activate RTP of carbon dots (CDs). The Zn orderly arranged on the LDH layer contributes to the enhancement in spin-orbit coupling of excitons and the decrease in the energy gap for the singlet-triplet state. The structural confinements of the LDH layer and nano-interlayer testify that the phosphorescence of CDs-LDHs originates from the suppressed radiationless relaxation processes. Using the high tunability of metal species and ratios on the LDH layer, this method can be widely applied to optimize ISC and phosphorescence properties.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of acupoints of pericardium meridian on serum VEGF content and cerebral VEGF expression in cerebral ischemia rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Electroacupuncture (EA) of "Quze" (PC 3) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) on cerebral angiogenesis in cerebral ischemia (CI) rats, so as to research its mechanisms underlying improvement of stroke. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomized into normal control, sham, model, EA-PC 3-PC 6, and EA-Hegu (LI 4)-Quchi (LI 11) groups. CI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. EA (2-4 V, 20 Hz) was applied to PC3, PC6, LI 4 and LI 11 respectively 6 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after modeling, 30 min for each time. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) content was assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cerebral VEGF immunoactivity was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared to the normal control group, serum VEGF content, cerebral VEGF expression level, and the number of VEGF-positive microvessels in the ischemic cerebral region in the model, EA-PC 3-PC 6 and EA-LI 4-LI 11 groups were increased significantly (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, serum VEGF content, cerebral VEGF expression level, and the number of VEGF-positive microvessels in the EA-LI 4-LI 11 and EA-PC 3-PC 6 groups were up-regulated further (P<0.01), and the effects of the EA-PC 3-PC 6 group were obviously superior to those of the EA-LI4-LI 11 group in up-regulating VEGF expression and the number of VEGF-positive microvessels (P<0.01). No significant difference was found between the EA-LI 4-LI 11 and EA-PC 3-PC 6 groups in serum VEGF levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of acupoints of both Large Intestine Meridian and Pericardium Meridian can up-regulate serum VEGF, cerebral VEGF expression and the number of VEGF-positive microvessels in CI rats, suggesting an increase of cerebral angiogenesis after the treatment. The effect of EA-PC 3-PC 6 is markedly superior to that of EA-LI 4-LI 11.

[Observation of the therapeutic effect on COPD of cold phlegm blocking the lung type at stable stage treated with acupoint sticking therapy in different season].

OBJECTIVE: To systematically observe the clinical effect on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the stable stage, differentiated as cold phlegm blocking the lung type, treated with acupoint sticking therapy during the dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice so as to propose the latest clinical idea and theoretic evidence for the treatment of COPD. METHODS: One hundred and fifty cases of COPD at stable stage, which were in accordance with the inclusive standard were randomly divided into three groups, named group A (treatment in dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice), group B (treatment in dog days) and group C (treatment in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice), 50 cases in each group. The ingredients (Semen Brassicae, Euphoribia Kansui, Asarum, Rhizome Corydalis, Cinnamon, ginger juice) and doses of herbal medicine plaster were same in each group. The herbal plaster was applied to Feishu (BL 13), Shenshu (BL 23), Dazhui (GV 14), Tiantu (CV 22), Danzhong (CV 17) and Zhongfu (LU 1). In group B, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each dog-day period, totally 3 treatments were included. In group C, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each nine-day periods after the winter solstice, totally, 3 treatments were involved. In group A, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each dog-day period and each nine-day periods after the winter solstice separately, totally 6 treatments were required. The therapeutic effect was evaluated in 4 aspects, named comprehensive clinical efficacy, survival quality (the scores for symptoms, activity limitation and influence on daily life), the attach frequency and pulmonary function. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 88.0% (46/50) in group A, which was superior to 76.0% (38/50) in group B and 70.0% (35/50) in group C separately (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The results of the attack frequency, clinical symptom score and pulmonary function indices after treatment were all improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in each group (all P < 0.01). All the above indices in group A were improved much apparently as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Except for the level of forced vital capacity (FVC), the results of clinical symptom score and the other pulmonary function indices in group B were all improved significantly as compared with group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Acupoint sticking therapy during different season of the year achieves a superior clinical efficacy for the patients with COPD at stable stage. This therapy can reduce the attack frequency and improve the survival quality and pulmonary function for the patients. It is concluded that the efficacy of the treatment in dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice is superior to simple dog-day treatment and the treatment in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice, and the efficacy of dog days treatment is better than that in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice.

[Study on the risk factors of injuries among children at school age, from the families of migrant workers in Hangzhou city].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of injuries among school aged children from migrant workers' families, in Hangzhou. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on 3582 students from eight separate schools in which, four were set for migrant workers' families and the other four were for families of permanent residents. Stratified cluster random sampling method was used. Data was analyzed by unconditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods under SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: The incidence rate of injury did not show statistical difference between children of migrant workers or from the permanent residents. The incidence rate of multiple injuries was higher in children from the migrant workers' families. The incidence rates on electric shock occurred at the primary school, drowning among boys at the secondary school and scald/crash/cutting by knives in girls at secondary schools were seen higher among children from the of migrant workers. Results from multivariate analysis showed that factors as gender (OR = 1.20), age (6 - 9 years: OR = 0.70, 10 - 12 years: OR = 1.45), fond of playing Pingpong (OR = 1.35), history of injuries by pets (OR = 1.41), skills on swimming (OR = 1.22), no history of being threatened (OR = 0.68), having harmonious family relations (OR = 0.69) and owning a house by family (OR = 0.76) appeared to be the major one that related to the occurrence of injury. CONCLUSION: Personal behavior as well as family and social environment seemed to be factors affecting the occurrence of injuries among children from the migrant workers' families.