Molecular mechanisms of drought resistance using genome-wide association mapping in maize (Zea mays L.).

BACKGROUND: Drought is a critical abiotic stress that influences maize yield and reduces grain yield when it occurs at the flowering or filling stage. To dissect the genetic architecture of grain yield under drought stress (DS), a genome-wide association analysis was conducted in a maize population composed of diverse inbred lines from five locations under well-watered and DS conditions at flowering in 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: Using a fixed and random model circulating probability unification model, a total of 147 loci associated with grain yield or the drought resistance index (DRI) were identified, of which 54 loci were associated with a DRI with an average phenotypic variation explanation of 4.03%. Further, 10 of these loci explained more than 10% of the phenotypic variation. By integrating two public transcriptome datasets, 22 differentially expressed genes were considered as candidate genes, including the cloned gene ZmNAC49, which responds to drought by regulating stomatal density. Enrichment and protein interaction network showed that signaling pathways responded to drought resistance, including jasmonic acid and salicylic acid, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and abscisic acid-activated. Additionally, several transcription factors involved in DS were identified, including basic leucine zipper (GRMZM2G370026), NAC (GRMZM2G347043), and ethylene-responsive element binding protein (GRMZM2G169654). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we nominated several genes as candidate genes for drought resistance by intergrating association maping and transcription analysis. These results provide valuable information for understanding the genetic basis of drought tolerance at the mature stage and for designing drought-tolerant maize breeding.

Cardiac magnetic resonance-feature tracking technique can assess cardiac function and prognosis in patients with myocardial amyloidosis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To quantitatively assess cardiac functions in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using cardiac magnetic resonance-feature tracking (CMR-FT) technique and evaluate the prognostic value of CMR-FT in patients with CA.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively collected the data from 31 CA patients with systemic amyloidosis confirmed by Congo red staining and serum immunohistochemistry after extracardiac tissue biopsy undergoing CMR at our hospital from March, 2013 to June, 2021.Thirty-one age and gender matched patients with asymmetric left ventricular wall hypertrophy and 31 healthy individuals without organic or functional heart disease served as the controls.Radial, circumferential and longitudinal strains and strain rates of the left ventricle at the global level and in each myocardial segment (basal, middle and apical) were obtained with CMR-FT technique and compared among the 3 groups.The predictive value of myocardial strains and strain rates for all-cause mortality in CA patients was analyzed using a stepwise COX regression model.@*RESULTS@#The left ventricular volume, myocardial mass, ejection fraction and cardiac output differed significantly among the groups (P < 0.05).Except for apical longitudinal strain, the global and segmental strains were all significantly lower in CA group than in HCM group (P < 0.05).The global and segmental strains were all significantly lower in CA group than in the healthy individuals (P < 0.05).The basal strain rates in the 3 directions were significantly lower in CA group than in the healthy individuals (P < 0.05), but the difference in apical strain rates was not statistically significant between the two groups.Multivariate stepwise COX analysis showed that troponin T (HR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.01-1.10, P=0.017) and middle peak diastolic circumferential strain rate (HR=6.87, 95%CI: 1.52-31.06, P=0.012) were strong predictors of death in CA patients.@*CONCLUSION@#Strain and strain rate parameters derived from CMR-FT based on cine sequences are new noninvasive imaging markers for assessing cardiac impairment in CA and cardiac function changes in HCM, and provide independent predictive information for all-cause mortality in CA patients.

Effect of hepatic artery reconstruction techniques on prognosis of liver transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the effect of different techniques of hepatic artery reconstruction on postoperative hepatic artery complications and clinical prognosis in liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 140 liver transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. All recipients were divided into the conventional hepatic artery reconstruction group (n=123) and special hepatic artery reconstruction group (n=17) according to hepatic artery reconstruction methods. Intraoperative and postoperative clinical indexes, the incidence of postoperative hepatic artery complications and survival rate were compared between two groups. Results The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels at postoperative 1 d, total bilirubin (TB) at postoperative 7 d and prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR) at postoperative 30 d in special hepatic artery reconstruction group were higher than those in conventional hepatic artery reconstruction group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the operation time, anhepatic phase, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative transfusion volume of red blood cells, cold or warm ischemia time, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, the length of hospital stay and postoperative blood flow of liver allograft between two groups (all P > 0.05). In the conventional hepatic artery reconstruction group, 5 recipients developed hepatic artery complications, whereas no hepatic artery complications occurred in the special hepatic artery reconstruction group, with no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). In the special hepatic artery reconstruction group, the 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative survival rates were equally 82.4%, compared with 85.0%, 78.9% and 75.6% in the conventional hepatic artery reconstruction group, respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions When hepatic artery variations and (or) lesions are detected in donors and recipients, use of special hepatic artery reconstruction may effectively restore the hepatic arterial blood flow of liver allograft after liver transplantation, and will not affect the incidence of hepatic artery complications and survival rate of the recipients following liver transplantation.

Transabdominal pericardial anastomosis of suprahepatic vena cava and right atrium in liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome complicated with liver cancer: a case report with surgical video / 器官移植

Objective To summarize clinical experience of transabdominal pericardial anastomosis of suprahepatic vena cava of the donor and right atrium of the recipient in liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) complicated with liver cancer. Methods Clinical data of a BCS patient complicated with liver cancer undergoing transabdominal pericardial anastomosis of suprahepatic vena cava and right atrium in liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Results The hepatic vein and suprahepatic vena cava were partially occluded in the patient. Liver transplantation was completed by transabdominal pericardial anastomosis of suprahepatic vena cava and right atrium with beating-heart. In addition, due to pathological changes of the recipient's hepatic artery, splenic artery of the recipient was cut off, distal ligation was performed, and the proximal end was reversed and anastomosed with the common hepatic artery of the donor liver, and the reconstruction of hepatic artery was completed. The surgery was successfully performed. At approximately postoperative 1 week, the function of the liver allograft was gradually restored to normal, and no major complications occurred. The patient was discharged at postoperative 25 d. No signs of BCS recurrence was reported after 8-month follow-up. Conclusions It is safe and feasible to treat BCS by liver transplantation with transabdominal pericardial anastomosis of suprahepatic vena cava and right atrium. BCS patients complicated with liver cancer obtain favorable prognosis.

Rheumatoid arthritis and mitochondrial homeostasis: The crossroads of metabolism and immunity.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic symmetric synovial inflammation and erosive bone destruction. Mitochondria are the main site of cellular energy supply and play a key role in the process of energy metabolism. They possess certain self-regulatory and repair capabilities. Mitochondria maintain relative stability in number, morphology, and spatial structure through biological processes, such as biogenesis, fission, fusion, and autophagy, which are collectively called mitochondrial homeostasis. An imbalance in the mitochondrial homeostatic environment will affect immune cell energy metabolism, synovial cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling. These biological processes are involved in the onset and development of rheumatoid arthritis. In this review, we found that in rheumatoid arthritis, abnormal mitochondrial homeostasis can mediate various immune cell metabolic disorders, and the reprogramming of immune cell metabolism is closely related to their inflammatory activation. In turn, mitochondrial damage and homeostatic imbalance can lead to mtDNA leakage and increased mtROS production. mtDNA and mtROS are active substances mediating multiple inflammatory pathways. Several rheumatoid arthritis therapeutic agents regulate mitochondrial homeostasis and repair mitochondrial damage. Therefore, modulation of mitochondrial homeostasis would be one of the most attractive targets for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Piceatannol-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway inhibition contributes to the alleviation of oxidative injury and collagen synthesis during pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is characterized by oxidative injury and excessive collagen synthesis in lung fibroblasts, causing impaired pulmonary function and chronic lung injury. Piceatannol, a dietary polyphenol, possesses vital pharmacological effects in metabolic disorders, cancers, cardiovascular disease and infectious disease; however, its role in PF is still not completely elucidated. Mice (8 to 10 weeks old) were administered bleomycin (BLM) intratracheally (2 U/kg) to establish an in vivo PF model. Murine primary lung fibroblasts were isolated and stimulated with TGF-ß (10 ng/mL) for 48 h to induce its activation. Meanwhile, mice or primary lung fibroblasts were treated with different doses of piceatannol to observe its protective roles. Pulmonary function and arterial blood gas were detected to assess pulmonary physiological status. Collagen deposition and the mRNA levels of profibrotic genes were determined by H&E staining and RT-PCR. Meanwhile, the protein and mRNA markers, as well as end-product of oxidative stress were detected in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that pulmonary function was significantly impaired in BLM-induced mice, accompanied by elevated oxidative stress and excessive collagen synthesis. Piceatannol significantly improved pulmonary function and decreased oxidative injury as well as collagen synthesis in mice with PF. Mechanically, piceatannol treatment significantly inhibited the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in BLM-induced mice and TGF-ß-induced lung fibroblasts. Additional findings also demonstrated that coumermycin A1 (C-A1), an agonist of JAK2, could abolish the effects of piceatannol on TGF-ß-induced lung fibroblasts and reactivated the phosphorylation STAT3. Taken together, our study demonstrated that piceatannol could protect against oxidative injury and collagen synthesis during PF in a JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway-dependent manner.

Effect of Monochromatic Energy Image Synthesized from Dual-layer Detector Spectral CT on Imaging of Inferior Vena Cava / 中国医学科学院学报

To evaluate the effect of monochromatic energy image on inferior vena cava imaging quality on dual-layer detector spectral CT. Totally 39 patients who were clinically suspected of abdominal disease and referred to perform contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)were prospectively enrolled and underwent abdominal examination using a single-source,dual-detector spectral CT.The delayed phase scan was performed 3 minutes after injection of 60 ml of iopamidol(320 mg/ml)at a rate of 3 ml/s.The raw images were reconstructed to obtain conventional mixed energy images and spectral based images(SBI).The 40,50,60,and 70 keV single energy images were obtained.The CT value,noise,and signal-to-noise(SNR)of inferior vena cava and the contrast-to-noise(CNR)of inferior vena cava relative to psoas major on conventional mixed energy images and the 40,50,60,70 keV single energy images were measured.The SNRs and CNRs on monoenergetic 40-70 keV images were compared with polychromatic 120 kVp images.ANOVA was used to compare the CT value,noise,SNR,and CNR among these five groups.The optimal monoenergetic image set was chosen. The differences in CT value,noise,SNR,CNR of inferior vena cava were statistically significant among five groups(all <0.05).The SNR and CNR in 40 keV group and 50 keV group were significantly higher than those in other groups(all <0.05).The SNR of 40 keV group was significantly higher than that of 50 keV group(=0.002).The CNR of 40 keV group was not statistical different compared with that of 50 keV group(=0.630). 40 keV is the optimal monoenergetic energy level for the inferior vena cava on dual-layer detector spectral CT and may be valuable for the diagnosis of inferior vena cava disease.

Multiple Extracarciac Complications of Infective Endocarditis: Report of One Case / 中国医学科学院学报

Infective endocarditis is a microbial infection of the endocardium and can easily affect heart valve.Its characteristic lesion is vegetation formation,and the shedding of vegetation results in arterial embolism and ischemic necrosis of corresponding tissues and organs.A case of infective endocarditis with multiple extracardiac complications was described in this article.The characteristic ultrasound finding was the vegetation formation in anterior mitral valve.CT and MRI scans revealed involvements in multiple organs and blood vessels,which were manifested as splenic infarction,renal infarction,cerebral infarction,splenic aneurysm,superior mesenteric artery aneurysms,renal artery aneurysms,and distal segment stenosis and occlusion of right middle cerebral artery.

Coronary CT Angiography with Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction for Assessing Coronary Arteries and Non-Calcified Predominant Plaques

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of iterative model reconstruction (IMR) on image quality for demonstrating non-calcific high-risk plaque characteristics of coronary arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 66 patients (53 men and 13 women; aged 39–76 years; mean age, 55 ± 13 years) having single-vessel disease with predominantly non-calcified plaques evaluated using prospective electrocardiogram-gated 256-slice CT angiography. Paired image sets were created using two types of reconstruction: hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) and IMR. Plaque characteristics were compared using the two algorithms. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the images and the CNR between the plaque and adjacent adipose tissue were also compared between the two reformatted methods. RESULTS: Seventy-seven predominantly non-calcified plaques were detected. Forty plaques showed napkin-ring sign with the IMR reformatted method, while nineteen plaques demonstrated napkin-ring sign with HIR. There was no statistically significant difference in the presentation of positive remodeling, low attenuation plaque, and spotty calcification between the HIR and IMR reconstructed methods (all p > 0.5); however, there was a statistically significant difference in the ability to discern the napkin-ring sign between the two algorithms (χ2 = 12.12, p < 0.001). The image noise of IMR was lower than that of HIR (10 ± 2 HU versus 12 ± 2 HU; p < 0.01), and the SNR and CNR of the images and the CNR between plaques and surrounding adipose tissues on IMR were better than those on HIR (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: IMR can significantly improve image quality compared with HIR for the demonstration of coronary artery and atherosclerotic plaques using a 256-slice CT.

The research of sleep staging based on single-lead electrocardiogram and deep neural network

The polysomnogram (PSG) analysis is considered the golden standard for sleep staging under the clinical environment. The electroencephalogram (EEG) signal is the most important signal for classification of sleep stages. However, in-vivo signal recording and analysis of EEG signal presents us with a few technical challenges. Electrocardiogram signals on the other hand, are easier to record, and can provide an attractive alternative for home sleep monitoring. In this paper we describe a method based on deep neural network (DNN), which can be used for the classification of the sleep stages into Wake (W), rapid-eye-movement (REM) and non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep stage. We apply the sleep stage stacked autoencoder to constitute a 4-layer DNN model. In order to test the accuracy of our method, eighteen PSGs from the MIT-BIH Polysomnographic Database were used. A total of 11 features were extracted from each electrocardiogram recording The experimental design employs cross-validation across subjects, ensuring the independence of the training and the test data. We obtained an accuracy of 77% and a Cohen's kappa coefficient of about 0.56 for the classification of Wake, REM and NREM.

MRI feature of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To discuss the MRI findings of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE).Methods MRI and clinical data of 8 EHE patients confirmed by pathology in PLA General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Results 8 patients included 3 male and 5 female.1 patient had single lesion and 7 patients had multiple lesions.A total of 162 lesions were detected and most of the lesions were in the peripheral liver.For T1WI,100 lesions (61.7％) showed slightly low signal,and 62 lesions (38.3％) showed lower signal intensity in the center of the lesion and appeared as "target sign".For T2WI,the center of 29 lesions (17.9％) showed two-loop "target sign",66 lesions (40.7％) showed three-loop "target sign",and 67 lesions (41.4％) showed slightly homogeneous higher signal.For DWI,116 lesions (71.6％) showed halo-like high signal and 46 lesions (28.4％) showed uniform high signal.For dynamic enhancement,the lesions showed slightly enhancement in the arterial phase,and persistent enhancement in portal venous phase,the center of 122 lesions (about 75.3％) showed enhancement and 40 lesions (24.7％) showed no enhancement in delayed phase.1 patient with hepatobiliary specific contrast was enhanced in hepatobiliary phase.“Hepatic capsule depression” was observed in 30 lesions.7 lesions appeared as “lollipop sign”,and were enveloped in 16 lesions.Conclusion MRI,DWI and dynamic contrastenhanced scanning of EHE in liver are characteristic,which is helpful for qualitative diagnosis before surgery.

Effects of Heat-reinforcing Needling on Synovial Tissues of Rheumatoid Arthritis Rabbits ;with Cold Syndrome / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To measure the endogenous metabolites in synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits with cold syndrome;To investigate the specificity mechanisms of heat-reinforcing needling for RA. Methods A total of forty healthy purple blue rabbits were randomly allocated to normal group, model group, reinforcing-reducing needling group (RRN), twirling-reinforcing needling group (TRN) and heat-reinforcing needling group (HRN) 8 rabbits in each group. Arthritis rabbits cold model was made with ovalbumin and freezing. Except for normal groupand model group, RRN was given acupuncture of reinforcing-reducing needling at Zusanli (ST36), TRN was given acupuncture of twirling-reinforcing needling at Zusanli (ST36), HRN was administrated acupuncture of heat-reinforcing needling at Zusanli (ST36), once a day and retaining 30 min, a total of seven days. Fresh synovial tissues of rabbits knee joints were extracted after the intervention, then GC-Q/TOF-MS technology were employed to evaluate metabolic profiles. Results The synovial tissues metabolites of TCA cycle, carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in model group mainly increased compared with normal group (P<0.05); The synovial tissues metabolites of various kinds above-mentioned decreased compared with model group in all intervention of acupuncture group (P<0.05), and the metabolites of TCA cycle and carbohydrate metabolism in HRN were obviously less than that of RRN and TRN (P<0.05). Conclusion The specificity of heat-reinforcing needling for RA manifests in regulation of TCA cycle and carbohydrate metabolism.

The heat-reinforcing needling for Kashin-Beck disease with cold-dampness blocking collaterals syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy differences between heat-reinforcing needling and conventional treatment of western medicine on Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) with cold-dampness blocking collaterals syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty KBD patients of cold-dampness blocking collaterals syndrome were randomly assigned into a heat-reinforcing needling group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. In the heat-reinforcing needling group, the heat-reinforcing needling was applied at local painful sites, combined with the acupoints based on the syndrome differentiation and the distal acupoints on the affected meridians. Acupuncture was given 30 min per time, once a day, the treatment of 5 days made 1 session; there was an interval of 2 days between two sessions. In the western medication group, sodium selenite tablets were prescribed for oral administration after meals, 2 tablets each time, once a day; ibuprofen sustained release capsules were prescribed for oral administration, 1 capsule each time, twice a day; vitamin C tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 2 tablets each time, three times a day. Four-week treatment was given in the two groups. The Western Ontaraio and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was adopted to assess the involved joints; the safety was assessed in the process of treatment; the efficacy was analyzed, and the follow-up visit was conducted 3 months and 6 months after treatment, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 4-week treatment, the total effective rate was 96.7%(29/30) in the western medication group, which was superior to 90.0% (27/30) in the heat-reinforcing needling group (<0.05). However, the safety in the heat-reinforcing needling group was superior to that in the western medication group (<0.05). The improvements of joint function in 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits in heat-reinforcing needling group were superior to those in western medication group (both<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The heat-reinforcing needling for KBD is safe and effective with less adverse reactions. The short-term effect of heat-reinforcing needling isinferior to western medication, but the long-term efficacy is remarkably superior to western medication.</p>

Effect of heat-reinforcing needling on serum metabolite profiles in rheumatoid arthritis rabbits with cold syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore heat-reinforcing needling for the metabolite profiling changes in serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits with liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) technique, and to investigate its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty clean purple blue rabbits were randomized into a normal group, a model group, a reinforcing-reducing needling (RRN) group, a twirling-reinforcing needling (TRN) group, and a heat-reinforcing needling (HRN) group, 8 cases in each group. RA rabbits with cold syndrome were made with ovalbumin and freezing except those in the normal group. No treatment was given in the normal and model groups. The corresponding manipulations for 7 days were applied at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the three acupuncture groups, 30 min a time, once a day. After intervention the pain threshold and the local skin temperature of each group were observed. Fresh serum from heart was collected for metabonomics detection. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were adopted. Several metabolites were screened by the variable importance in the projection values (VIP>1) andvalue (<0.05).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pain threshold and the local skin temperature in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (both<0.05). The pain threshold and the local skin temperature in the three acupuncture groups were higher than those in the model group after intervention (all<0.05), which were better in the HRN group than those in the RRN and TRN groups (all<0.05). The serum metabolites of carnitine, LysoPC (14∶0), LysoPC (18∶3), LysoPE (0∶0/20∶5), LysoPE (0∶0/22∶1), decylic acid, stearic acid and lactic acid in the model group increased compared with those in the normal group, and other metabolites decreased, including leucine, valine, glutamine, pyroglutamic acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, galactose, mannose. Those metabolites were correlated fatty acid, amino acid, citric acid cycle, and glucose metabolism. The metabolites above-mentioned in the three acupuncture groups were regulated in various degrees (all<0.05). Lactic acid decreased and succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, galactose, mannose increased more obviously in the HRN group than those in the RRN and TRN groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The specificity of heat-reinforcing needling for RA presents the regulation for citric acid cycle and glucose metabolism.</p>

Effects of heat-reinforcing acupuncture on urine metabolites in rheumatoid arthritis rabbits / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of different acupuncture methods on urine metabolites in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits, and to explore the specificity mechanism of heat-reinforcing acupuncture for RA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 40 clean purple-blue rabbits were randomly allocated to a normal group, a model group, a mild reinforcing-reducing needling (MRRN) group, a twirling-reinforcing needling (TRN) group and a heat-reinforcing needling (HRN) group, 8 rabbits in each one. Except the normal group, the rabbits in the remaining groups were treated with ovalbumin and freezing to establish RA model. The rabbits in the MRRN group, TRN group and HRN group were treated with MRRN, TRN and HRN at "Zusanli" (ST 36), respectively, 30 min per treatment, once a day for seven days. After treatment, 24-h urine was collected. The rabbits were sacrificed to collect synovial tissues of knee to perform morphology observation; the liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q/TOF-MS) was applied to measure urine metabolites. All the data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, the leucine-related metabolites, as main urine metabolites, were decreased in the model group (<0.05), while the purine-related metabolites and tryptophane-related metabolites were increased (<0.05). Compared with the model group, the leucine-related metabolites, as main urine metabolites, were increased in the three needling groups after treatment (<0.05), while the tryptophan-related metabolites andpurine-related metabolites were decreased (<0.05), moreover, the leucine-related metabolites in the HRN group were obviously higher than those in the MRRN group and TRN gruop (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MRRN, TRN and HRN can regulate the pathway of leucine metabolism (energy metabolism), purine metabolism (oxidative damage) and tryptophane metabolism (immune regulation) for RA, The specificity of HRN for RA focuses on regulation of leucine metabolism (energy metabolism).</p>

G-CSF is a key modulator of MDSC and could be a potential therapeutic target in colitis-associated colorectal cancers

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is an essential regulator of neutrophil trafficking and is highly expressed in multiple tumors. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) promote neoplastic progression through multiple mechanisms by immune suppression. Despite the findings of G-CSF function in colon cancer progression, the precise mechanism of G-CSF on MDSCs regulation and its blockade effects on tumor growth remains a worthy area of investigation. In this study we observed an overexpression of G-CSF in a mouse colitis-associated cancer (CAC) model, which was consistent with the accumulation of MDSCs in mouse colon tissues. Further in vitro studies demonstrated that G-CSF could promote MDSCs survival and activation through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. Moreover, compared with isotype control, anti-G-CSF mAb treatment demonstrated reduced MDSC accumulation, which led to a marked decrease in neoplasm size and number in mice. Our results indicated that G-CSF is a critical regulating molecule in the migration, proliferation and function maintenance of MDSCs, which could be a potential therapeutic target for colitis-associated cancer.

Comparative study on the effects between manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture for hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy differences between manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight patients of hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke were randomized into a MA group (34 cases) and an EA group (34 cases). The routine western medication and bilateral Dingnieqianxiexian (MS 6) were adopted in the two groups. The needles were retained for 30 min. In the MA group, the even-needling technique was used for 3 times during the needle retaining, 1 min each time. In the EA group, on the basis of manual stimulation, EA therapy was added, with disperse-dense wave, 5 Hz/20 Hz. The treatment was given once every day, 6 treatments a week, totally for 2 weeks. US National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, the simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function (FMA) score and Barthel index (BI) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NIHSS score was reduced apparently after treatment in the two groups (both<0.01). The score in the EA group was lower than that in the MA group (<0.05). After treatment, FMA score and BI score were all increased apparently in the two groups (all<0.01) and the scores in the EA group were higher than those in the MA group (both<0.01). The total effective rate was 94.1% (32/34) in the EA group and was 85.3% (29/34) in the MA group. The efficacy in the EA group was better than that in the MA group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EA acts on the rehabilitative effect on nerve defect function in the patients of hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke. It improves limb motor function and the ability ofdaily life activity. The efficacy is better than that of MA.</p>

ZHENG's gold hook fishing acupuncture for lumbar disc herniation: a clinical observation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy differences between Zheng's gold hook, fishing acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients of LDH were randomly allocated to a gold hook fishing acupuncture group and an EA group, 30 cases in each one. Lumbar Jiaji (EX-1 B 2), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Guanyuanshu (BL 26) and ashi points were selected in the gold hook fishing acupuncture group; after the needles were inserted, the manipulation of gold hook fishing acupuncture was applied at tendon junction points and ashi points. The identical acupoints were selected in the EA group and patients were treated with EA. The treatment was both given once a day; ten days of treatment were taken as one session, and totally 3 sessions were given. The clinical effective rate, visual analogue scale (VAS), low back pain score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used for efficacy evaluation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the gold hook fishing acupuncture group, which was superior to 86.7% (26/30) in the EA group (P < 0.05). The VAS, low back pain score and ODI were both significantly improved after treatment (all P < 0.05), which were more significant in the gold hook fishing acupuncture group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ZHENG's gold hook fishing acupuncture could effectively improve the symptoms and sings of LDH, reduce the disability index and improve the quality of life, which is superior to EA.</p>

Effects ofmethod for ankylosing spondylitis at early stage:a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy differences betweenmethod and twirling-reinforcing needling method for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at early stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight patients were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group, 34 cases in each one. The acupoint selection in the two groups was identical, taking Dazhui (GV 14) and Mingmen (GV 4) as the main acupoints. Patients in the observation group were treated withmethod, while patients in the control group were treated with twirling-reinforcing needling method. The treatment was given once a day, and seven treatments were considered as one course of treatment. The TCM symptom grading quantitative standard score, Barthel ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis ankylosing spondylitis function index (BASFI) were compared in the two groups before and after 3 treatment courses; also the efficacy was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total efficacy rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the observation group, which was superior to 79.4% (27/34) in the control group (<0.05); after treatment, the TCM symptom grading quantitative standard score, BASDAI and BASFI were significantly improved in the two groups (all<0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (all<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Themethod at Dazhui (GV 14) and Mingmen (GV 4) could effectively improve the symptoms of AS patients at early stage, which was superior to twirling-reinforcing needling method.</p>

Meta-analysis on Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Rheumatoid Arthritis / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Articles were searched from databases, i.e., CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, CBM, Embase, and PubMed. Articles about RCT on acupuncture and moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis and traditional medicine therapy were under meta-analysis. Results Totally 24 articles involving 2006 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis indicated that the overall effective rate of treatment in the group receiving acupuncture and moxibustion was higher than that in the drug group, with statistical significance [OR=2.73, 95%CI (2.18, 3.41), Z=8.78, P<0.000 01]. Sub-group analysis showed that:acupuncture and moxibustion showed statistical significance in decreasing serum RF levels compared with drug therapy [MD=-2.92, 95%CI (-5.60, -0.25), P<0.05]. Acupuncture and moxibustion showed statistical significance in decreasing serum ESR levels compared with drug therapy [MD=-2.99, 95%CI (-4.78, -1.21), P<0.05]. Acupuncture and moxibustion showed statistical significance in decreasing serum CPR levels compared with drug therapy [MD=-1.44, 95%CI (-2.44, -0.44), P <0.05]. Conclusion The overall effective rates of acupuncture and moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis and the decreasing levels of RF, ESR, CRP are superior to drug therapy, but it still needs larger samples, multi-center, and high quality RCT to verify.