The completion of many malaria parasite genomes provides great opportunities for genomewide characterization of gene expression and high-throughput genotyping. Substantial progress in malaria genomics and genotyping has been made recently, particularly the development of various microarray platforms for large-scale characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum genome. Microarray has been used for gene expression analysis, detection of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and copy number variation (CNV), characterization of chromatin modifications, and other applications. Here we discuss some recent advances in genetic mapping and genomic studies of malaria parasites, focusing on the use of high-throughput arrays for the detection of SNP and CNV in the P. falciparum genome. Strategies for genetic mapping of malaria traits are also discussed.
Animals ; *Chromosome Mapping ; DNA, Protozoan/*genetics ; Gene Dosage ; *Microarray Analysis ; Plasmodium falciparum/*genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongdu Xingshen needling method （通督醒神针刺法） on post-stroke cognitive impairment. MethodsSD rats were randomly divided into a normal group （n=12）， a sham surgery group （n=12）， a model group （n=12）， and a electroacupuncture group （n=13）. The rats in the model group and electroacupuncture group were subjected to the wire bolus method to establish the rats model with learning memory impairment after cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion. After successful modelling， the rats in the electroacupuncture group were given electroacupuncture interventions at “Shenting （GV 24）” and “Baihui （GV 20）” once a day for 30 minutes for 14 days. The other three groups did not receive other interventions but grasp. A 5-day localisation navigation experiment was conducted on the 9th day of intervention， and a spatial exploration experiment was conducted on the 14th day of intervention to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of the rats. After the spatial exploration experiment， hippocampal tissues were taken from each group of rats， and the changes in the volume of cerebral infarction were observed by TTC staining； the changes in the morphology of pyramidal neurons and the density of dendritic spines in the CA1 area of the hippocampus were observed by Golgi staining； protein immunoblotting was used to detect the relative protein expression of the subunits of the α-amino-3-carboxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid （AMPA） receptor including glutamate receptor 1 （GluR1）， glutamate receptor 2 （GluR2）， glutamate receptor 3 （GluR3） and auxiliary proteins TARPγ2， TARPγ8 in hippocampal tissues of rats in each group； the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect GluR1， GluR2， GluR3 mRNA levels in the hippocampal tissues of rats. ResultsIn the localisation navigation experiment， compared with the normal group and sham surgery group， the escape latency and total distance of rats in the model group were significantly extended （P＜0.05） at day 1， 2， 3， 4， and 5； and the escape latency and total distance of rats in the electroacupuncture group tended to be significantly shorter than those in the model group （P＜0.05）. In the spatial exploration experiment， compared with the normal group and the sham surgery group， the number of rats crossing the platform in the model group was significantly reduced （P＜0.05）， and the number of crossings of the platform in the electroacupuncture group increased significantly （P＜0.05）. The results of TTC staining showed that the volume of cerebral infarction increased clearly in the model group compared with the sham surgery group （P＜0.05）， and apparently decreased in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group （P＜0.05）. Golgi staining showed that the number of dendritic branches of pyramidal neurons and dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 region significantly decreased in the model group compared with the normal group and the sham surgery group （P＜0.05）. The number of dendritic branches of pyramidal neurons and the density of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 region significantly increased in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group （P＜0.05）. The protein relative expression levels of GluR1， GluR2， GluR3， TARPγ2 and TARPγ8， and the mRNA levels of GluR1， GluR2 and GluR3 in hippocampus decreased in the model group compared with the normal group and the sham surgery group （P＜0.05）. The protein relative expression levels of GluR1， GluR2， GluR3， TARPγ2 and TARPγ8， and the mRNA levels of GluR1， GluR2 and GluR3 in hippocampus increased in the electroacupuncture group compared with model group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe Tongdu Xingshen needling method can improve learning memory impairment after cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion， which may be related to up-regulation of the expression of AMPA receptor and their auxiliary protein TARP， and promoting the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal tissues.

Endodontic diseases are a kind of chronic infectious oral disease.Common endodontic treatment concepts are based on the removal of inflamed or necrotic pulp tissue and the replacement by gutta-percha.However,it is very essential for endodontic treatment to debride the root canal system and prevent the root canal system from bacterial reinfection after root canal therapy(RCT).Recent research,encompassing bacterial etiology and advanced imaging techniques,contributes to our understanding of the root canal system's anatomy intricacies and the technique sensitivity of RCT.Success in RCT hinges on factors like patients,infection severity,root canal anatomy,and treatment techniques.Therefore,improving disease management is a key issue to combat endodontic diseases and cure periapical lesions.The clinical difficulty assessment system of RCT is established based on patient conditions,tooth conditions,root canal configuration,and root canal needing retreatment,and emphasizes pre-treatment risk assessment for optimal outcomes.The findings suggest that the presence of risk factors may correlate with the challenge of achieving the high standard required for RCT.These insights contribute not only to improve education but also aid practitioners in treatment planning and referral decision-making within the field of endodontics.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of needle retaining after electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training and electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training in the treatment of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). METHODS: A total of 206 patients with PSCI were randomized into a needle retaining group (103 cases, 9 cases dropped out) and an electroacupuncture group (103 cases, 6 cases dropped out). In addition to the conventional basic medical treatment and the rehabilitation treatment, in the needle retaining group, electroacupuncture at Shenting (GV 24) and Baihui (GV 20) was applied, with continuous wave of 50 Hz in the first 15 min and with disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/50 Hz in the last 15 min, the needles were continuously retained for 1 h after electroacupuncture, during which cognitive training was adopted; in the electroacupuncture group, cognitive training was performed after the same electric stimulation exerted for 30 min, without additional needles retaining. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week for totally 8 weeks in the two groups. Before and after 8-week treatment, the TCM syndrome score was observed; before and after 4,8-week treatment, the scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and ability of daily living were observed in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated after 8-week treatment. RESULTS: After 8-week treatment, the TCM syndrome scores were increased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05); the TCM syndrome score in the needle retaining group was higher than that in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05).After 4,8-week treatment, the scores of MMSE, MoCA and ability of daily living were increased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05); MMSE, MoCA scores after 4,8-week treatment and ability of daily living score after 8-week treatment in the needle retaining group were higher than those in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 90.4% (85/94) in the needle retaining group, which was superior to 82.5% (80/97) in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both needle retaining after electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training and electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training can effectively treat PSCI, improve the clinical symptom, cognitive function and ability of daily living in PSCI patients. Needle retaining after electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training has a better therapeutic effect.
Humans ; Electroacupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cognitive Training ; Acupuncture Points ; Cognitive Dysfunction/therapy* ; Stroke/complications* ; Treatment Outcome