Efficacy of Fire-Needle Therapy in Improving Neurological Function Following Cerebral Infarction and Its Effect on Intestinal Flora Metabolites.

Objective: This study was to investigate the mechanism of action and clinical efficacy of fire-needle therapy in improving neurological function in patients with acute cerebral infarction (identified as a wind-phlegm-blood stasis syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine). Methods: We included patients diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction (wind-phlegm-blood stasis syndrome) admitted to the Encephalopathy and Acupuncture Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine. We randomly allocated them into the treatment and control groups, with 45 cases in each group. Acupuncture treatments that focused on regulating the mind and dredging the collaterals were used in the control group, while the treatment group additionally received fire-needle therapy. Our indicators included the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale, peripheral blood tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-17 (IL-17), hypersensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and intestinal metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). We measured these indicators before treatment and 14 days after treatment. Results: The post-treatment NIHSS scores of the two groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the treatment group showed a more significant decline in the score when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The treatment group showing significant improvement in the domains of reflex activity, mobility, cooperative movement, and finger movement (P < 0.05). Both groups showed a significant decrease in the IL-17 and hs-CRP levels (P < 0.05), with the treatment group demonstrating a significant declining trend when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid all increased significantly in the two groups (P < 0.05), with acetic acid and butyric acid increasing significantly in the treatment group when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Clinical efficacy rate: 78.6% of patients in the treatment group had an excellent rate, whereas it was 30.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Fire-needle therapy was effective in upregulating the SCFA content in patients with acute cerebral infarction (wind-phlegm-blood stasis syndrome), inhibiting the level of the inflammatory response, and improving the recovery of neurological functions. Clinical registration number: Registration website link: https://www.chictr.org.cn. Registration date: 2022/9/27. Registration number: ChiCTR2200064122.

[Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs and livestock from Xinjiang production and construction corps].

The prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs and livestock was investigated in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps by stratified random sampling. A total of 5 391 dog feces were detected by double antibody sandwich ELISA, and the positive rate of dog coproantigen was 0.69% (37/5 391). The livestock were subjected to necropsy, inspection and palpation. The prevalence of E. granulosus infection in livestock was 3.88% (431/11 122).

[Development of a new biosensor for biochemical oxygen demand].

OBJECTIVE: To use a new kind of fixing material, i.e. Sol-Gel organic-inorganic hybridized material to immobilize bacterium to detect Biochemical oxygen demand quickly. METHODS: The biosensor was fabricated using a thin film in which Hansenula anomala was immobilized by sol-gel and an oxygen electrode. The optimum measurement for biochemical oxygen demand was at pH 7.0; 28 degrees C; response time 3 - 12 min. Pure organic compound, sewage and rate of recovery were detected with the biosensor. RESULTS: It shows that the BOD biosensor can be used to detect many organic compounds such as amino acid, glucide. It is suitable to monitor sewage and industrial waste water which has low level alcohols and phenols. The microbial membrane can work 3 months and remain its 70% activity. It is measured that the rate of recovery of BOD is between 90% to 105% in sewage. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the effectiveness and usefulness of BOD sensor, which is quick, convenient, low cost and reliable with little interference.