Objective To investigate the effect of suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu(BL23) and Guanyuan(CV4) on the pituitary-adrenal axis and the pituitary-thyroid axis in rats with kidney yang deficiency. Method A rat model of corticosterone kidney yang deficiency was made by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone. The rats were randomized into model control and moxibustion treatment groups. A blank control group was set up. The moxibustion treatment group received suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu and Guanyuan 20 min once daily, for a total of 14 times. After the completion of treatment, serum CORT, ACTH, T3, T4 and TSH contents were measured by ELISA and pituitary expressions of ACTH and TSH mRNA were determined by RT-PCR. Result There was no significant difference in serum CORT (P>0.05), there were significant differences in serum ACTH, T4 and TSH and pituitary ACTH and TSH mRNA (P<0.05) and there was a very significant difference in serum T3 (P<0.01) between the moxibustion treatment and model control groups. There were no significant differences in the above indicators between the moxibustion treatment and blank control groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu and Guanyuan produces a therapeutic effect on rat kidney yang deficiency by decreasing serum TSH content, down-regulating pituitary TSH mRNA expression, increasing serum ACTH, T3 and T4 contents and up-regulating pituitary ACTH mRNA expression.

This article presents concepts related to Rho/ROCK signal pathway, and its effect on axonal regeneration and the mechanism of its action to provide a theoretical basis for the inhibition of this signal pathway to promote neural regeneration and functional recovery and further for clinical treatment of nerve injuries and other nervous system diseases.

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expressions of serum corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and its mRNA, to discuss the predominant and secondary factors that influence the efficacy of acupuncture, and to explore the optimal combination of acupuncture parameters.Method The rat model of kidney yang deficiency was made by muscular injection with hydrocortisone. Serum CRH, pituitary ACTH and its mRNA expressions were taken as the observation indexes, and 4 influential factors (i.e. selection of acupoints, angle of needle twisting, frequency of needle twisting, and time of needle twisting) plus 3 levels of each factor were arranged to L9(34) orthogonal table. A computer-controlled acupuncture manipulation device was used to treat the kidney yang rats. Serum CRH and pituitary ACTH were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and pituitary ACTH mRNA expression by real time fluorescent quantitative PCR, to illustrate the primary and secondary factors that affect the acupuncture effectiveness.Results Regarding the effect on acupuncture effectiveness, the time of needle twisting ranked the top, followed by frequency of needle twisting, angle of needle twisting, and selection of acupoints. Angle of needle twisting, frequency of needle twisting, and time of needle twisting should be the predominant factors or secondary factors in influencing acupuncture effectiveness (P<0.01 orP>0.05). Selection of acupoints should be an important factor or secondary factor in influencing acupuncture effectiveness (P<0.05 orP>0.05).Conclusion For rats with kidney yang deficiency, the optimal acupuncture parameters combination should be acupuncture at Shenshu (BL 23), with twisting angle by 90°, twisting frequency at 180/min, and needle twisting time 120 s. Different factors can produce different effects on the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture in treating rats with kidney yang deficiency; among the factors, the time of needle twisting produces the most significant effect, followed by frequency of needle twisting, angle of needle twisting, and selection of acupoints.

This article introduced the main biological mechanisms of acupuncture promoting nerve function recovery after spinal cord injury, which include inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, alleviation of neuropathic pain, increase of neurotrophic active sub-stance, regulation of cell survival/apoptosis gene and neural regeneration pathway.

Objective: To observe the root and root canal morphology of mandibular second molars in Western Guangxi by CBCT, to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: In total, 564 patients′ 1 128 mandibular second molars that satisfy the inclusion criteria were analyzed with a planmecaromexis CBCT machine and its own image analysis software. The patients′ gender, age and ethnic differences in the root and canal morphology and the symmetry of the bilateral root and canal were statistically analyzed. Results: Among the 1 128 mandibular second molars, 662 were the Zhuang ethnic group and 384 were the Han ethnic group, and 82 were other ethnic groups; the double root type and C-shaped root type accounted for a relatively high proportion: 73.94% and 24.47%, respectively. The detection rates of the double root type were higher in males than in females (P < 0.05); the detection rates of the C-shaped root type were higher in females than in males (P <0.05); the root type of the teeth was mainly double-rooted in the Zhuang ethnic group (P<0.01). The incidence of type IV in the mesial root of the double root type mandibular second molar was the highest (P < 0.01), and the incidence of type I in the distal root was the highest (P < 0.01). The C-shaped root canal is more continuous at the mouth of the root canal, more downward corresponds to a worse continuity: in three different levels of root canal orifice, root middle and root apex, the root canal orifice is dominated by the C1 type, and both root middle and root apex are mainly C3-type (P < 0.01). The difference in symmetry of bilateral roots and root canals was statistically significant among different gender groups, age groups, and ethnic groups (P < 0.05): there were more males than females, the results in the 18-35-year-old group and the Zhuang ethnic group were higher. Conclusion The root and root canal morphology of mandibular second molars in western Guangxi people are complex and changeable. The roots are mainly double root type in the Han ethnic group and the Zhuang ethnic group. C-shaped roots are also common. The detection rate of C-shaped roots in the Zhuang ethnic group was higher, and the symmetry rate of bilateral roots and that of bilateral root canals was higher in the Zhuang ethnic group than in the Han ethnic group.

Objective To investigate the effect of Santong electroacupuncture (EA) on mRNA and protein expression of p75 neurotroph-in receptor (p75NTR) in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods A total of 72 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham operation group (group A, n=8) and model group (n=64). In the model group, Allen's method was used to make SCI rats model, in which 48 survived model rats were further subdivided into model control group (group B, n=12), EA group (group C, n=12), inhibitor Nogo extra cellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) group (group D, n=12) and EA+inhibitor NEP1-40 group (group E, n=12) according to de-sign proposal. The treatment groups were electroacupunctured on Dazhui (GV14) and Yaoyangguan (GV3), bilateral Ciliao (BL32) and Zu-sanli (ST36) with loose-tight wave, for 20 minutes every day. After 7 and 14 days of treatment, injured spinal cord tissue was extracted for detecting. The mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization and Western blotting respectively. The hind limb motor function was assessed with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score. Results The BBB score increased in the treatment groups compared with group B, and was higher in group E than in groups C and D (P<0.05), as well as on the 14th day than on the 7th day in all the treatment groups (t>2.623, P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR in spinal cord tissues decreased in the treatment groups compared with group B (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found among the treatment groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Santong elerctroacupuncture treatment could improve the hind limb motor function, which may associate with inhibition of the mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR in rats after SCI.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on the histopathological changes and serum indexes of rats' liver, and to investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture in treating hepatic fibrosis of rats. Methods: The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was induced with carbon tetrachloride. Then, the rats were divided into electroacupuncture group, medicine group, and model group. The collagen of liver, and serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen (PⅢNP), and collagen Ⅳ (C-Ⅳ) were detected with morphologic methods and radioimmunoassay. Results: Compared with normal rats, the collagen was hyperplasia in the liver tissue, and the contents of the serum HA, LN, and PⅢ NP were higher in the model group. The collagen area of liver tissue, and the contents of the serum HA, and LN were lower in rats treated with electroacupuncture than model rats. The contents of serum of PⅢ NP, and C-Ⅳ changed little. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture had some effects of prevention and treatment, and the mechanism may relate to the effects of electroacupuncture in protecting liver cells, inhibiting synthesis of extracellular matrix, and promoting the breakup of collagen.

Objective To establish a fluorescent assay for rapid detection of Plasmodium falciparum based on recombinaseaided amplification (RAA) and CRISPR-Cas12a system,and to preliminarily evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of this system.. Methods The 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of P. falciparum was selected as the target sequence, and three pairs of RAA primers and CRISPR-derived RNA (crRNA) were designed and synthesized. The optimal combination of RAA primers and crRNA was screened and the reaction conditions of the system were optimized to create a fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system. The plasmid containing 18S rRNA gene of the P. falciparum strain 3D7 was generated, and diluted into concentrations of 1 000, 100, 10, 1 copy/μL for the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a assay, and its sensitivity was evaluated. The genomic DNA from P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovum, hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus and Treponema pallidum was employed as templates for the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a assay, and its specificity was evaluated. Fifty malaria clinical samples were subjected to the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a assay and nested PCR assay, and the consistency between two assays was compared. In addition, P. falciparum strain 3D7 was cultured in vitro. Then, the culture was diluted into blood samples with parasite densities of 1 000, 500, 200, 50, 10 parasites/μL with healthy volunteers’ O-positive red blood cells for the RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a assay, and the detection efficiency was tested. Results The Pf-F3/Pf-R3/crRNA2 combination, 2.5 μL as the addition amount of B buffer, 40 min as the RAA reaction time, 37 °C as the reaction temperature of the CRISPR-Cas12a system were employed to establish the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system. Such a system was effective to detect the plasmid containing 18S rRNA gene of the P. falciparum strain 3D7 at a concentration of 1 copy/μL, and presented fluorescent signals for detection of P. falciparum, but failed to detect P. ovum, P. malariae, P. vivax, T. pallidum, hepatitis B virus or human immunodeficiency virus. The fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system and nested PCR assay showed completely consistent results for detection of 50 malaria clinical samples (kappa = 1.0, P < 0.001). Following 6-day in vitro culture of the P. falciparum strain 3D7, 10 mL cultures were generated and the fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system showed the minimal detection limit of 50 parasites/μL. Conclusion The fluorescent RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a system is rapid, sensitive and specific for detection of P. falciparum, which shows promising value for rapid detection and risk monitoring of P. falciparum.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) of FOXP3 gene with susceptibility to systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Chinese Zhuang population.

METHODSAuthor analyzed the -2383 C/T and -3281 C/A two SNPs of the FOXP3 gene promoter in 120 patients with SLE and 160 age and sex matched controls in a Chinese Zhuang population, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) strategy and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThe distribution of the FOXP3 gene -3281 C/A polymorphism was not different between the two groups. However, the FOXP3 gene -2383 C/T polymorphism was significantly different (P<0.05) between the two groups. The relative risk of suffering from SLE of -2383T allele carriers was 1.715 times of the -2383C allele carriers (OR=1.715, 95%CI: 1.165-2.525). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, the FOXP3 -2383T/-3281A haplotype frequency in patients with SLE was significantly higher than that in controls (P<0.05). The -2383T/-3281A allele was associated with a significantly increased risk of SLE (OR=2.196, 95%CI: 1.165-4.142).

CONCLUSIONThe FOXP3 gene -2383C/T polymorphism is associated with SLE, and the -2383T allele is risk factor for SLE in the population studied.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; China ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Population Groups ; ethnology ; Risk Factors ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

AIMTo study the effects of different acute hypoxia on blood pressure, heart rate and microvessels and free radical in rabbits.

METHODSThe experiment model was carried out with acute hypoxia on two groups of rabbits, using artificial inspiration 12.5% O2 and 87.5% N2, 8.5% O2 and 91.5% N2 (equivalent to altitudes of some 4 000 m and 6 500 m) keeping hypoxia for 5, 10, 15, 20 min. During the course of it, the changes of blood pressure, heart rate and microvessels response, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) were recorded accordingly.

RESULTS(1) systolic pressure was slightly up, then down in 5 mins. Diastolic pressure was significantly down (P < 0.05) in 20 min. (2) Heart rate showed reduced and prolonged, particularly in 8.5% hypoxia group (P < 0.05). (3) Vas bores of microvessle expanded (P < 0.05) and the blood stream became slow gradually (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in following acute hypoxia time. (4) SOD was significantly down (P < 0.05), MDA was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in 20 mins.

CONCLUSIONAcute hypoxia could cause the blood pressure and heart rate to decrease, vas bore of microvessle to expand, the blood circulation to slow down and free radicals would increase.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Heart Rate ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Microvessels ; physiopathology ; Rabbits