Objective To detect the quantity of Th17 cells and expressions of related cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22, in peripheral blood and skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and to analyze their correlation with disease severity and clinical course. Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from 44 patients with progressive psoriasis vulgaris and 28 normal human controls. Three-color flow cytometry was carried out to detect the quantity of Th17 cells, and ELISA to examine the levels of serum IL-17 and -22.Skin samples were obtained from 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 8 normal human controls, and a quantum dot-based double labled immumofluorescence method was used to determine the quantity of Th17 cells.Results The percentage of peripheral blood Th17 cells was higher in patients with psoriasis vulgaris than in normal human controls (4.71% ± 2.55% vs. 0.55% ± 0.39%, P ＜ 0.01 ). Elevated expressions of IL-17 and IL-22 were noted in the patients compared with the normal human controls (24.02 ± 12.31 ng/L vs. 7.16 ±4.04 ng/L, P ＜ 0.05; 18.32 ± 8.14 ng/L vs. 6.52 ± 4.15 ng/L, P ＜ 0.01 ). The percentage of peripheral blood Th17 cells and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were positively correlated with psoriasis area and severity index (r= 0.53, 0.47, 0.53, respectively, all P ＜ 0.01 ), but unrelated to the clinical course of psoriasis (r = 0.09,0.03, 0.19, respectively, all P ＞ 0.05). There was an infiltrate of Th17 cells in psoriatic lesions, which was mainly distributed around the blood vessels in superficial dermis, whereas there were only a small number of CD4+ T cells in the normal control skin with the absence of Th17 cells. Conclusions Th17 cells are involved in the development of psoriasis, and Th17 cell-secreted cytokines, such as IL-17 and IL-22, may serve as a new therapeutic target for psoriasis.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at point Zusanli (ST36) on gastric expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA in rats with stress gastric ulcer and explore the molecular mechanism of its prevention and treatment of gastric ulcer. Method Fifty-one SD rats were randomly allocated to normal control (normal), stress gastric ulcer (model) and electroacupuncture at point Zusanli (electroacupuncture) groups. A model of stress gastric ulcer was made by cold restraint. From the second day after model making, the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at point Zusanli 20 min once daily for three consecutive days, with left and right points Zusanli alternately needled; the model group, the same restraint treatment as in the electroacupuncture group; the normal group, no treatment. Gastric mucosal ulcer index (UI) was calculated using the GUTH’s method. The pathological morphology of gastric tissue was observed by HE staining. Gastric HSP70 mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. Result Different numbers and sizes of obvious gastric mucosal ulcers were observed, UI increased significantly (P<0.001) and HSP70 mRNA expression decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the model group compared with the normal group. The pathological change in gastric tissue improved somewhat, gastric mucosal UI decreased significantly (P<0.05) and HSP70 mRNA expression increased significantly (P<0.01) in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at point Zusanli can upregulate gastric HSP70 mRNA expression and promote the repair of gastric mucosa injuries in rats with stress gastric ulcer.

The Chinese and English published literature regarding the effects of acupuncture on microcirculation in recent years were analyzed, and it was found out that the theory of TCM meridian had subtle connection with microcirculation on structure and function, which could provide a possible breakthrough for the research of meridian essence. Acupuncture, through multiple links, multiple paths and multiple levels, could regulate microcirculation under physiological or pathological condition, which was a bidirectional benign adjustment function, and reflected the characteristic of acupoint specificity. Due to many shortcomings in the current studies, studies with rigorous design, large sample size and multicenter are expected in the further to make a standard systematized research.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Meridians ; Microcirculation

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of different acupoints on electroretinogram(ERG) and cerebral visual evoked potentials(VEP) in healthy subjects so as to evaluate the relative specificity of the function of acupoints.Methods A total of 33 healthy adult volunteers were observed in the present study.The subject was asked to lie on a testing bed for a while,two disk electrodes were respectively fixed to the suborbital region and the occiput(the crossing point,5cm apart from the right median line of the head and 5cm above the ear),and the reference electrode was fixed to the medial side of the earlobe for recording ERG and cerebral VEP separately.The testing room was asked to keep faint light during the whole recording process.A flash stimulation(frequency 1 Hz) was applied to the subject's eye(with a distance of about 50 cm between the light source and the tested eye,and the other eye was covered by an eyepatch).EA(0.5 Hz,0.2 ms and 3-4 V) was applied to Guangming(GB 37),Neiguan(PC 6) and Zusanli(ST 36) for 30 min respectively in different testing days(with the interval being 3 days at least).ERG and cerebral VEP were recorded by using Polygraphy(RM-6200).Results Following EA of Guangming(GB 37),Neiguan(PC 6) and Zusanli(ST 36),the changing values(increase and decrease) of the amplitude of b waves of ERG and P100 waves of cerebral VEP were(19.68?12.61)% and(12.84?14.08)%,(6.09?14.06)% and(5.61?8.01)%,(2.39?3.52)% and(5.43?8.22)%,respectively,while those of b waves of ERG and P100 waves of cerebral VEP of GB 37 were significantly bigger than those of PC 6 and ST 36(P

The paper constructs the evaluation index system for novelty retrieval organizations according to the demand of quality evaluation in these organizations .This index system and its weight coefficients were determined using Delphi and Analytical Hierarchy Process ( AHP) methods.The whole evaluation index system based on novelty retrieval regulations , comprises of four first-level indicators and fourteen second-level indicators .The index system facilitates the construction of novelty retrieval organizations and the improvement of novelty retrieval quality .It also provides reference for setting evalua-tion standards of military medical novelty retrieval organizations .

Objective:The topographical mapping technique of cortical evoked potential was used to observe the changes of the functional activities in the primary somatosensory area of cortex (SI) during external stimulation,the immanent relation between external stimulation and topographical mapping of cortical somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP). Methods:33 healthy adult volunteers were under observation. Cerebral electric signal processing system was used to lead CSEP on the scalp. The external stimulation was applied as following:①A soft paintbrush was used to slightly brush the face only. ②Paintbrush was used to slightly brush the lower limb only. ③Paintbrush was used to slightly brush the trunk only. ④Paintbrush was used to slightly brush the lower limb or the trunk or the Gallbladder Meridian (GBM) and passing the upper arm by imitating the speed of meridian transmission phenomenon respectively. Results:①Evoking responses appeared in the foot areas in SI,without meridian transmission phenomenon when brushing the face,lower limb or trunk only. ②Healthy volunteers were offered imitation of sensation conduction along the GBM as well as brushing through the upper arm in addition,while,the results showed that the evoking responses appeared in the foot,the upper arm and the face representation area of SI simultaneously. Conclusion:The external stimulation along the meridian course was able to change the distribution of evoking responses in SI during stimulating acupoint. But the local stimulating on face,lower limb or trunk can not change the distribution of CSEP. The results provided experimental evidence for the supposition that 'activation in sequence in periphery'was the decisive factor for the formation of meridian transmission phenomenon.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Zhongwan(CV 12) on the energy metabolism along the conception vessel(CV) in volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution,and to explore the relationship of electroacupuncture regulation and body constitution.

METHODSEighteen volunteers with mild constitution and 18 volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution were collected out of 200 students of Fujian University of TCM by body constitution questionnaire. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) of CV were measured by a laser Doppler flowmetry in the normal condition and after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min.

RESULTS(1)Before treatment, (1)MBPU values at Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were lower than those in the mild constitution group,but there was no statistical significance (both P>0. 05) except Danzhong(CV 17) (P<0. 01). (Z)As for the three acupoints in the mild constitution group, MBPU level of Danzhong(CV 17) was higher than that of Xiawan(CV 10) without statistical significance(P->0. 05),and MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17) and Xiawan(CV 10) were higher than that of Qihai(CV 6) (both P<0. 01). (3About the three acupoints in the yang-deficiency constitution group, MBPU result of Danzhong(CV 17) was lower than the value of Xiawan(CV 10), but higher compared with Qihai(CV 6)(P<0. 05, P<0. 01). MBPU of Xiawan(CV 10) was higher than Qihai (CV 6) as well(P<0. 01). (2) MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) were increased apparently compared with those before treatment after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min in the two groups(all P<0. 01). (3) The rise rates of MBPU level about Danzhong(CV 17) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were higher than those in the mild constitution group without statistical significance after EA at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min(both P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe energy metabolism in CV of volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution is declined, especially Danzhong(CV 17). EA can rise energy metabolism in CV of mild or yang-deficiency constitution volunteers through regulating MBPU along meridian.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Microcirculation ; Skin ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Volunteers ; Yang Deficiency ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE:To study the purification technology of total flavonoids from Nelumbinis receptaculum by macropo-rous resin. METHODS:Using adsorption rate and desorption rate of total flavonoids from Nelumbinis receptaculum as index,the type of macroporous resin was selected by static adsorption-desorption tests;With adsorption rate of total flavonoids as index,sin-gle factor test was used to investigate the effects of the concentration of total flavonoids,adsorption time,adsorption speed, drug-loading amount,water amount,volume fraction and amount of eluant and other factors on the purification technology. The op-timal technology was validated. RESULTS:Among 10 kinds of resin,HPD-400 macroporous resin was found to have the best ad-sorption and desorption effects. The optimal purification conditions was as follows as the concentration of total flavonoids 7.00 mg/ml, adsorption time of 3 h,flow rate for sampling of 3 column volume (BV)/h,drug-loading amount of 8 BV,water amount of 6 BV,50% ethanol elution amount of 4 BV. In validation test,mass fraction of total flavonoids from purified Nelumbinis receptacu-lum were 63.88%,62.50% and 63.44%(RSD=1.11%,n=3). CONCLUSIONS:HPD-400 macroporous resin could purify total flavonoids from purified Nelumbinis receptaculum,and established purification technology is stable and practical.

Objective To explore the effect of clinical and pathological features on the incidence of Hyperuricemia (HUA) in renal glomerular disease.Methods A retrospective analysis was applied to review the clinical and pathological date collected from 3547 patients with renal glomerular disease.These patients were diagnosed as renal glomerular disease by renal biopsy from January 2007 to December 2011.Results (1) HUA incidence was 21.8％ (773/3547) in all of the patients,in which the incidence in secondary glomerular disease 27.2％ (240/882) was much higher than that in primary glomerular disease 20.7％ (552/2665),and the difference was significant (x2 =153.642,P ＜ 0.05).In primary glomerular disease,HUA incidence was the lowest in membranous nephropathy 14.4％ (96/665),while HUA incidence in lupus nephritis (LN) 45.3％(110/243) was the highest and small blood vessel infammation kidney damage 34.7％ (17/49) was the second in secondary glomerular disease.(2) With the increasing of glomerulosclerosis index,tubulointerstitial score,renal vascular lesions score and the stage of chronic kidney disease,HUA incidence increased (x2 =17.798-298.216,P =0.000).(3)Logistic regression analysis showed that high tubulointerstitial score,glomerulosclerosis index and renal dysfunction,male,overweight or obese,hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia were risk factors for hyperuricemia (OR:1.011-7.513,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The uric acid level is increased in nearly a quarter of patients with renal glomerular disease.Severe tubulointerstitial lesion,high glomerulosclerosis index,low glomerular filtration rate,male,overweight or obese,hypertension and hypertiglyceridemia were independent risk factors for HUA.

Aim To investigate the time-dependent effect of insulin on the expression of SREBP-1(sterol regulatory element binding protein-1),FAS(fat acid synthase)and lipid droplet formation in HKC cells(human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells line).MethodsHKC cells were respectively treated with 100 nmol·L~(-1) insulin for 0,2,4,6,12 h and 24 h.The analysis of SREBP-1 and FAS mRNA was performed by RT-PCR and the expression of SREBP-1 protein was detected by Western blot and immunocytochemistry.Furthermore,Oil Red O staining was used to determine cellular lipid droplet formation.ResultsCompared with HKC cells of 0 h group,there was no difference of SREBP-1 and FAS mRNA in HKC cells of 2 h group.However,the expression of SREBP-1 and FAS mRNA was significantly increased in HKC cells of 4,6 h and 12 h group.Further,the most expression of SREBP-1 and FAS mRNA was at 6 h group and was respectively increased by 3.578 and 4.272 times compared with 0 h group.The results of Western blot showed that the precursor and mature segments of SREBP-1 protein in 4,6 h and 12 h group HKC cells were increased and those of 6 h group HKC cells were the highest and about 4.106 and 5.167 times than those of 0 h group HKC cells.Immunocytochemistry presented the result that SREBP-1 protein was located in the plasma and the expression of 4,6 h and 12 h group HKC cells was significantly higher than that of 0,2 h and 24 h group HKC cells.The result of Oil Red O staining showed that lipid droplet markedly deposited in 6 h group HKC cells,contrarily,no lipid droplet was found in HKC cells of other groups.ConclusionAbove results suggested that insulin up-regulated SREBP-1 and FAS in time-dependent manner that led to cellular lipid droplet deposit,which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of renal lipid accumulation in metabolism syndrome.