OBJECTIVEImprovement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.

METHODSA COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; etiology ; immunology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of myopic retinopathy and its risk factors.

METHODSThe fundus of 1449 patients (2879 eyes) with myopia were retrospectively examined. The clinical relationship between myopic retinopathy and diopter, age, and sex was analyzed.

RESULTSMyopic retinopathy was detected in 413 eyes (14.35%). Posterior pole retinal lesions were detected in 22 eyes (0.76%). Peripheral retinal lesions were found in 396 eyes (13.75%). According to their diopters, the myopic patients were divided into four groups: low, medium, high and super high myopia The incidence of peripheral retinal lesions was 4.18%, 8.72%, 19.18%, and 37.44% in these four groups, which significantly different (chi2 = 178.594, P<0.001). By age these patients were divided into three groups: I group, age <25; II group, age 25-34; III group, age >34. The incidences of peripheral retinal lesions in these three groups were 8.11%, 15.34%, and 24.59%, which were significantly different (chi2 = 76.090, P<0.001). The incidence of retinal lesion in male and female was 9.32% and 16.07%, respectively, which was significantly different (chi2 = 24.886, P<0.001). Posteriorpole retinal lesions were only detected in the highly or super highly myopic patients, all of them were more than 25 years. The incidence of posteriorpole retinal lesions in the highly and super highly myopia group was 0.86% and 6.67% respectively, which was significantly different (chi2 = 31.898, P<0.001). The incidence of posteriorpole retinal lesions in group II and group III was 0.55% and 3.55% respectively, which was significantly different (chi2 = 22.523, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of retinal lesions in myopic patients is higher than that of emmetropia. The incidence of peripheral retinal lesions increases in patients with deeper diopters. Posterior pole retinal lesions usually occur in the myopic patients whose age are more than 25 years and diopter more than - 6.00 D. Careful examination of fundus is essential for early detection and timely treatment.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Myopia ; complications ; Retina ; pathology ; Retinal Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate clinicopathological features of multinodular and vacuolar neurodegenerative tumor (MVNT) of the cerebrum, and to investigate its immunophenotype, molecular characteristics and prognosis. Methods: Four cases were collected at the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China and one case was collected at the First People's Hospital of Huizhou, China from 2013 to 2021. Clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics of these five cases were analyzed. Follow-up was carried out to evaluate their prognoses. Results: There were four females and one male, with an average age of 42 years (range, 17 to 51 years). Four patients presented with seizures, while one presented with discomfort on the head. Pre-operative imaging demonstrated non-enhancing, T2-hyperintense multinodular lesions in the deep cortex and superficial white matter of the frontal (n=1) or temporal lobes (n=4). Microscopically, the tumor cells were mostly arranged in discrete and coalescent nodules primarily within the deep cortical ribbon and superficial subcortical white matter. The tumors were composed of large cells with ganglionic morphology, vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli and amphophilic or lightly basophilic cytoplasm. They exhibited varying degrees of matrix vacuolization. Vacuolated tumor cells did not show overt cellular atypia or any mitotic activities. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells exhibited widespread nuclear staining for the HuC/HuD neuronal antigens, SOX10 and Olig2. Expression of other neuronal markers, including synaptophysin, neurofilament and MAP2, was patchy to absent. The tumor cells were negative for NeuN, GFAP, p53, H3K27M, IDH1 R132H, ATRX, BRG1, INI1 and BRAF V600E. No aberrant molecular changes were identified in case 3 and case 5 using next-generation sequencing (including 131 genes related to diagnosis and prognosis of central nervous system tumors). All patients underwent complete or substantial tumor excision without adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Post-operative follow-up information over intervals of 6 months to 8 years was available for five patients. All patients were free of recurrence. Conclusions: MVNT is an indolent tumor, mostly affecting adults, which supports classifying MVNT as WHO grade 1. There is no tumor recurrence even in the patients treated with subtotal surgical excision. MVNTs may be considered for observation or non-surgical treatments if they are asymptomatic.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cerebrum/pathology* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe/pathology* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

Objective: To investigate the relationship between plasma level of pro-protein convertase subtilisin kexin type9 (PCSK9) and coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods: A total of 380 consecutive chest pain patients without lipid-lowering therapy were enrolled. All patients received CT scan and coronary artery calcification (CAC) score measurement and were divided into 2 groups: CAC group, n=156 patients with CAC score>0 and Non-CAC group, n=224 patients with CAC score=0. CAC group was further classified in 3 subgroups as CAC score (1-100) subgroup, n=53, CAC score (101-400) subgroup, n=64 and CAC score>400 subgroup, n=39. Clinical data was collected, plasma levels of PCSK9 were measured in all patients and the relationship between PCSK9 and CAC score was investigated. Results: Plasma PCSK9 level in CAC group was higher than Non-CAC group (260.23±69.34) ng/ml vs (205.46±53.21) ng/ml, P<0.001; alone with CAC score increasing, PCSK9 level was elevating accordingly as in CAC score (1-100) subgroup, CAC score (101-400) subgroup and CAC score>400 subgroup, PCSK9 levels were (247.38±72.68) ng/ml, (264.87±57.63) ng/ml and (295.33±69.06) ng/ml respectively, all P<0.05. With adjusted traditional cardiovascular risk factors, multivariate regression analysis confirmed that plasma PCSK9 level was independently related to CAC score (β=0.584, P=0.002). In addition, the optimal cut-off value for PCSK9 predicting CAC was 228.58 ng/ml with sensitivity at 67% and specificity at 71%. Conclusion: Plasma PCSK9 level was related to CAC in chest pain patients without lipid-lowering therapy.

Objective: To investigate the cytotoxic effects and the potential mechanisms of crebanine N-oxide in SGC-7901 gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: The cytotoxicity of crebanine N-oxide was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay and cellular morphology was observed under a microscope. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. The expression levels of apoptotic-related proteins, cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome C, p53 and Bax, and autophagy-related proteins p62, beclin1 and LC3 were detected by Western blotting assays. Results: Crebanine N-oxide treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner via induction of G

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the commonly used bulk medicinal materials, which has significant effect on cardiovascular disease, and are heavy demanded in Asia, Europe, North America, Russia and Africa. Consequently, increasing the yield and quality of S. miltiorrhiza has become a major concern worldwide. With the current wild resources of S. miltiorrhiza gradually decreasing, cultivated products occupy most of the markets. However, the cultivation area is widely distributed and the cultivation techniques is different, which lead to the quality and yield of S. miltiorrhiza in consistent. This paper combined visiting survey with document analysis to carry out the cultivation situation of S. miltiorrhiza in main cultivation areas of Shandong, Henan, Sichuan, Shanxi and Hebei provinces. There exist big differences of the ecological environment, mode of cultivation, fertilization, pest control, harvesting processing among the producing areas. We should carry on the ecological suitability zoning analysis and suitable cultivation of each area study to form a pattern of high quality and high yield for the sustainable development of S. miltiorrhiza cultivation.
Agriculture ; methods ; Europe ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; growth & development

OBJECTIVEInflammation and lung function decline are the main pathophysiological features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Acupuncture can improve lung function in patients with COPD, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Orexins (OXs), which are found in peripheral plasma, are neuropeptides that regulate respiration and their levels are related to COPD. Therefore, we hypothesized that acupuncture might alter OXs, reduce lung inflammation and improve lung function in COPD.

METHODSCOPD was induced in rats by exposure to cigarette smoke for 8 weeks and injecting with lipopolysaccharide twice. Electroacupuncture (EA) was performed at Feishu (BL13) and Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 2 weeks. Rat lung function and morphology were assessed after EA. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and orexin A and B levels in the lung tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. OX receptor mRNA levels and immunopositive cells were assessed with real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical methods, respectively. The relationships among lung function, cell factors, and OX levels were analyzed by Pearson correlation analyses.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, lung function was significantly decreased in the rats with COPD (P<0.05). There were increases in TNF-α and IL-1β levels in BALF (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), orexin A level in lung tissue (P<0.01; but not orexin B) and mRNA expressions of OX (OXR1) and OX 2 (OXR2) in lung tissue (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively); the integrative optical densities (IODs) of both receptors were greater in the COPD group (P<0.05). For rats with COPD subjected to EA, lung function was improved (P<0.05). There were notable decreases in TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.05 and <0.01, respectively) in BALF. Orexin A, but not orexinB, levels in lung tissue also decreased (P<0.01), as did mRNA expression of OX1R and OX2R in lung tissue (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Receptor IODs were also reduced after EA treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, orexin A levels and ratio of forced expiratory volume in 0.3 s to forced vital capacity were strongly negatively correlated (P<0.01), and orexin A was positively correlated with TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONEA at Zusanli and Feishu improved lung function of rats with COPD and had an anti-inflammatory effect, which may be related to down-regulation of OXA and its receptors.

Animals ; Down-Regulation ; Electroacupuncture ; Interleukin-1beta ; analysis ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neuropeptides ; analysis ; genetics ; Orexin Receptors ; analysis ; genetics ; Orexins ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

In order to judge the future development trend of science and technology, plan ahead and lay out the frontier technology fields and directions, China Association of Chinese Medicine(CACM) has launched consultation projects for collecting "major scienti-fic issues and engineering technology difficulties in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)" for the industry for three consecutive years since 2019. Up to now, 18 projects have been selected as major issues for research, and some experience and achievements have been made. These projects have been applied in important scientific and technological work such as scientific and technological planning and deployment at all levels of national, local, and scientific research institutions, the selection and cultivation of major national scientific and technological projects, and the construction of innovation bases, giving full play to the role of the think tank advisory committee of CACM. This study reviewed the selection of major issues for the first time, systematically combed its application in the national layout of science and technology, and put forward the existing problems and improvement suggestions, aiming to provide new ideas for further improving the selection of major issues and research direction, providing a theoretical basis and decision support for the national scientific and technological layout in the field of TCM, and promoting scientific and technological innovation to facilitate the high quality development of TCM.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Inventions ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Humans ; Nutrition Surveys ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/chemically induced* ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Environmental Monitoring ; Phthalic Acids/toxicity* ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*

OBJECTIVEAcupuncture has a definite therapeutic effect on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) has been shown to be involved in regulation of inflammation. In this study, we investigated whether electro-acupuncture (EA) affects the CAP in COPD.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were induced into COPD through exposure to cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide. EA treatment was applied at Zusanli (ST36) and Feishu (BL13) points for 30 min/d for 7 d. Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into six study groups, including normal, normal + EA, normal + α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT) (the antagonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit (α7nAChR)) + EA, COPD, COPD + EA, and COPD + α-BGT + EA. Lung function, pathology and vagus nerve discharge were tested. The levels of acetylcholine (ACh), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA and protein expression and immunoreactivity of α7nAChR and its postreceptor inflammation signal pathway, including janus kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), were observed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with normal rats, there were a significant decline in lung function and discharge of the vagus nerve (P < 0.01), a marked sign of lung inflammation and an increase of ACh, AChE, IL-6 and TNF-α level in BALF or lung tissue (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and higher expression of α7nAChR, JAK2, STAT3 and NF-κB (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the COPD rats. In rats receiving EA, the lung function and vagal discharge were enhanced (P < 0.01), lung inflammation was improved and the levels of ACh, AChE, IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased (P < 0.01). Further, the expression of α7nAChR, JAK2, STAT3 and NF-κB was downregulated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). However, the above effects of EA were blocked in rats injected with α-BGT (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEA treatment can reduce the lung inflammatory response and improve lung function in COPD, which may be related to its involvement in the regulation of CAP.