Trans-anethole pretreatment ameliorates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury via regulation of soluble epoxide hydrolase.

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a risk factor for early graft nonfunction and graft rejection after liver transplantation (LT). The process of liver IRI involves inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis and other pathophysiological processes. So far, there is still a lack of effective drugs to ameliorate liver IRI. Trans-anethole (TA) is an aromatic compound. Many medications as well as natural foods contain TA. TA has multiple effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis. However, the mechanism of TA pretreatment in liver IRI is unclear. The mice hepatic IRI model was constructed after gavage pretreatment with TA (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days. Our study confirmed that TA pretreatment significantly improve liver function and reduce serum AST, ALT in hepatic IRI. HE staining showed that TA pretreatment alleviated liver injury. Meanwhile, TA (20 mg/kg) pretreatment attenuated hepatocyte apoptosis in hepatic IRI. In addition, TA (20 mg/kg) pretreatment reduced the inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and infiltration of CD11b positive cells in liver tissues during hepatic IRI in mice. TA pretreatment also alleviated oxidative stress in mice hepatic IRI. Our study further indicated that TA pretreatment attenuated mice hepatic IRI through inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via regulation of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). This study provides a novel and effective potential drug with few side effects for easing liver IRI.

Hypothermic machine perfusion alleviates ischemia-reperfusion injury of intestinal transplantation in pigs.

Background: Intestinal transplantation (IT) has become an important procedure for the treatment of irreversible intestinal failure. However, IT is extremely vulnerable to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Due to the limitations of static cold storage (SCS), hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) is rapidly gaining popularity. In this study, the intestinal HMP system is established and HMP is compared with SCS. Methods: An intestinal HMP system was built. Ten miniature pigs were randomly divided into the HMP and SCS groups, and their intestines were perfused using the HMP device and SCS, respectively, followed by orthotopic auto-transplantation. Analysis was done on the grafts between the two groups. Results: Operation success rates of the surgery were 100% in both groups. The 7-day survival rate was 100% in the HMP group, which was significantly higher than that of the SCS group (20%, P< 0.05). The pathological results showed that fewer injuries of grafts were in the HMP group. Endotoxin (ET), IL-1, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α levels in the HMP group were significantly lower than in the SCS group (P<0.05), whereas IL-10 levels were significantly higher (P<0.05).The intestinal expression levels of ZO-1 and Occludin were higher in the HMP group compared to the SCS group, whereas Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and caspase-3 were lower. Conclusions: In this study, we established a stable intestinal HMP system and demonstrated that HMP could significantly alleviate intestinal IRI and improve the outcome after IT.

Dense GAN and multi-layer attention based lesion segmentation method for COVID-19 CT images.

As the COVID-19 virus spreads around the world, testing and screening of patients have become a headache for governments. With the accumulation of clinical diagnostic data, the imaging big data features of COVID-19 are gradually clear, and CT imaging diagnosis results become more important. To obtain clear lesion information from the CT images of patients' lungs is helpful for doctors to adopt effective medical methods, and at the same time, is helpful to screen the patients with real infection. Deep learning image segmentation is widely used in the field of medical image segmentation. However, there are some challenges in using deep learning to segment the lung lesions of COVID-19 patients. Since image segmentation requires the labeling of lesion information on a pixel by pixel basis, most professional radiologists need to screen and diagnose patients on the front line, and they do not have enough energy to label a large amount of image data. In this paper, an improved Dense GAN to expand data set is developed, and a multi-layer attention mechanism method, combined with U-Net's COVID-19 pulmonary CT image segmentation, is proposed. The experimental results showed that the segmentation method proposed in this paper improved the segmentation accuracy of COVID-19 pulmonary medical CT image by comparing with other image segmentation methods.

The Prevalence, Coinfection, and Evolutionary and Molecular Characteristics of Prevalent Goose Circovirus in Guangdong, China.

To understand the prevalence, coinfection with other viruses, underlying genetic evolution, recombination, and molecular biological characteristics of goose circovirus (GoCV) in Guangdong, China, from December 2019 to August 2020, 310 tissue samples of geese showing stunted growth and feather disorder syndrome were collected from this region and analyzed. GoCV, Tembusu virus, waterfowl paramyxovirus, avian influenza virus, fowl adenovirus type 4, and duck plague virus were detected with PCR or real-time PCR. Thirty-one complete GoCV viral genomes were obtained from 164 PCR-verified GoCV nucleotide-positive samples and subjected to phylogenetic analysis, gene recombination analysis, and genome secondary structure prediction. The results showed that more than half of the samples were GoCV positive, and 31.1% of the GoCV-positive samples were from coinfections with at least one of the other viruses. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the GoCVs could be divided into three genome types. The genes of most main epidemic strains now circulating in Guangdong belonged to the Ia subtype, and some strains gradually formed a new Ib subtype. The secondary structure of the viral genome was similar to that of other known circoviruses. Furthermore, B cell linear epitope prediction and protein structure homology modeling of the viral capsid protein were performed based on the viral amino acid sequences. The results showed that the spatial structure of the capsid protein of the 31 sequenced strains was similar to that of duck circovirus and consisted of two ß-sandwich conformations. A total of five B cell linear epitopes were predicted, and four of them were mapped on the predicted model of the capsid protein of GoCVs. This report provides a reference for the epidemiology of GoCV in Guangdong, understanding the elemental composition of the virus genes and proteins, selecting representative vaccine strains, constructing targeted immune preparations for GoCV, and strengthening prevention and control of the disease.

Prevalencia, coinfección y características evolutivas y moleculares del circovirus del ganso prevalente en Guangdong, China. Para comprender la prevalencia, la coinfección con otros virus, su evolución genética subyacente, la recombinación y las características biológicas moleculares del circovirus del ganso (GoCV) en Guangdong, China, de diciembre de 2019 a agosto de 2020, 310 se recolectaron muestras de tejido de gansos que presentaban retraso en el crecimiento y síndrome del trastorno de las plumas en esta región y fueron analizadas. Se detectaron mediante PCR o por PCR en tiempo real el circovirus del ganso, el virus Tembusu (TMUV), el paramixovirus de aves acuáticas (WFPV), el virus de la influenza aviar (AIV), el adenovirus del pollo tipo 4 (Fadv-4) y el virus de la enteritis viral del pato (DPV). Se obtuvieron 31 genomas virales completos del circovirus del ganso de 164 muestras positivas de nucleótidos de circovirus del ganso verificadas por PCR y se sometieron a análisis filogenético, a análisis de recombinación de genes y predicción de la estructura secundaria del genoma. Los resultados mostraron que más de la mitad de las muestras eran positivas para circovirus del ganso y el 31.1% de las muestras positivas para circovirus del ganso eran de coinfecciones con al menos uno de los otros virus. El análisis filogenético mostró que los circovirus del ganso podrían dividirse en tres tipos de genomas. Los genes de la mayoría de las principales cepas epidémicas que ahora circulan en Guangdong pertenecían al subtipo Ia, y algunas cepas formaron gradualmente un nuevo subtipo Ib. La estructura secundaria del genoma viral era similar a la de otros circovirus conocidos. Además, la predicción del epítope lineal de células B y el modelo de la homología de la estructura de la proteína de la cápside viral se realizaron basándose en las secuencias de aminoácidos virales. Los resultados mostraron que la estructura espacial de la proteína de la cápside de las 31 cepas secuenciadas era similar a la del circovirus de pato y consistía de dos conformaciones de tipo sándwich ß. Se predijo un total de cinco epítopes lineales de células B y cuatro de ellos se mapearon en el modelo predicho de la proteína de la cápside del circovirus del ganso. Este informe proporciona una referencia para la epidemiología de circovirus del ganso en Guangdong, entendiendo la composición elemental de los genes y proteínas del virus, seleccionando cepas de vacunas representativas, construyendo preparaciones de blancos inmunitarios para circovirus del ganso y fortaleciendo la prevención y el control de la enfermedad.

Glucose-Fueled Micromotors with Highly Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalytic Propulsion.

Synthetic micro/nanomotors fueled by glucose are highly desired for numerous practical applications because of the biocompatibility of their required fuel. However, currently all of the glucose-fueled micro/nanomotors are based on enzyme-catalytic-driven mechanisms, which usually suffer from strict operation conditions and weak propulsion characteristics that greatly limit their applications. Here, we report a highly efficient glucose-fueled cuprous oxide@N-doped carbon nanotube (Cu2O@N-CNT) micromotor, which can be activated by environment-friendly visible-light photocatalysis. The speeds of such Cu2O@N-CNT micromotors can reach up to 18.71 µm/s, which is comparable to conventional Pt-based catalytic Janus micromotors usually fueled by toxic H2O2 fuel. In addition, the velocities of such motors can be efficiently regulated by multiple approaches, such as adjusting the N-CNT content within the micromotors, glucose concentrations, or light intensities. Furthermore, the Cu2O@N-CNT micromotors exhibit a highly controllable negative phototaxis behavior (moving away from light sources). Such motors with outstanding propulsion in biological environments and wireless, repeatable, and light-modulated three-dimensional motion control are extremely attractive for future practical applications.

[Discussing the relationship among the ashi point, tender point and myofascial trigger point].

The conception and the history of ashi point, tender point and myofascial trigger point are described in the paper. All of three kinds of point are the reaction of musculoskeletal pain and visceral diseases. Theoretically, ashi point originates from the theory of muscle region of meridian, tender point from the theory of soft tissue and muscles and myofascial trigger point from the theory of muscular fasciae. Anatomically, ashi point is localized in the muscle region of meridian, on the boundary between muscles, tender point is on the muscular attachment to skeleton (the starting and ending points) and myofascial trigger point is on the motor point of neuromuscles. Pathologically, ashi point reflects the disorders of soft tissue and internal organ, tender point reflects the disorders of soft tissue and myofascial trigger point reflects the disorders of soft tissue and few disorders of internal organ. To identify the relationship among them is very significant in the target treatment with acupuncture.

[Relationship between needling layers and needling sensations in acupuncture].

Based on the sancai (literally three talents referring to "earth", "human" and "heaven") and wuti (literally five organs referring to skin, muscle, vessel, tendon and bone, which correspond to five internal organs: lungs, spleen, heart, liver and kidney respectively) in Neijing (Internal Classic), as well as the tissue structure theory of modern anatomy, and in combination with the clinical practice of acupuncture by the author in the past over 30 years, it is proposed that four layers are divided in needling depth of acupuncture. The different needling sensations are induced at different layers. The first layer is the skin. When the needle is inserted into the skin, the main sensation is "pain". The second layer is the subcutaneous layer (superficial fascia). The needle tip at this layer generates a strong "swelling" sensation, which radiates along a certain direction. The third layer is the deep fascia and muscle layer. If the needle tip touches the deep fascia, there is a "heavy" feeling. If the needle tip goes into the muscle, an "acid" sensation will occur. The fourth layer is the periosteum and bone layer, which produces a strong sensation of "pain" when touched by the needle tip. In addition, each layer has blood vessels and nerve distribution. When the needle tip touches the blood vessels, a sense of "pain" happens. If the needle tip touches the nerve, there will be a sensation of numbness, which spreads along the direction of nerve conduction. On the contrary, through the patient's needling sensations, we can roughly know which layer and direction the needle tip goes. Better understanding of the relationship between the needling layers and needling sensations contributes to the further study of needling techniques, therapeutic effects of acupuncture and patient's sensations. It is significant for the regulations of needling sensations in patients.

[Motion acupuncture for therapeutic target].

Motion acupuncture (MA) refers to a special acupuncture technique where a patient carries out body motions under supervision of doctors with needles inserted and retained in the points. The motions include active movement, allocinesis and load exercise. The technique of MA involves three major procedures,namely target examination (finding target), acupuncture techniques (motion allowed after acupuncture) and motion methods (needle-retaining motion), which are described in detail in this article. The target can be found by examining along meridians, along sinews, along muscles and along fascia. The targets are examined with the techniques of pressing along the points, sliding and pressing, smoothly pushing, grasping, and poking. Common acupuncture needles are used for MA. The needling methods include floating insertion, perpendicular insertion, oblique insertion, single insertion, and multi-insertion. The motions involve the flexion and extension, stretching, and resistance of the affected muscle(s). MA is mainly applied for the treatment of pain and various soft tissue injuries as well as relevant visceral disorders, which shows clinical efficacy.

[Introduction to "motion acupuncture" and target points].

Motion Acupuncture (MA) is a novel acupuncture technique characterized by accurate insertion, special needling, and needle-retaining motion. It refers to that patients continuously carry out active or passive motions of the body under supervision of doctors, with needles inserted and retained in the acupuncture points throughout the session. The therapeutic points of MA are pain points, ashi points, pressure points, trigger points and nodules of sinews. MA is mainly to release the subcutaneous fascia by needling; the key point of this therapy is to carry out motions of the body with the needles' retention; and the key technologies are the muscle flexion and extension, stretching and resistance. MA has shown a good efficacy for pain caused by soft tissue injury and relevant visceral disorders. The main mechanism of MA is through the treatment of target points to release the relevant fascial chains, and through the fascial chain transmission to restore the balance of body structures, so as to achieve the purpose of treating diseases.

MR imaging of an infiltrating spinal epidural angiolipoma.

Infiltrating spinal epidural angiolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor composed of mature adipose elements admixed with abnormal blood vessel, which tends to invade the surrounding soft tissue and may potentially be mistaken for an aggressive tumor. In this report, we present the MR imaging findings of a pathologically proved infiltrating spinal epidural angiolipoma that appeared largely hypointense on T1-weighted images and enhanced strongly with IV injection of contrast medium, features that suggested a malignant tumor.