OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the pterygopalatine region on nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis and inflammatory factors in rats with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an acupuncture group and an electroacupuncture group, 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, OVA-induced AR model was established in the remaining groups. In the electroacupuncture group, the rats were treated with electroacupuncture at the bilateral pterygopalatine region, with disperse-dense wave, in frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and current of 0.5-1 mA, 15 min each time, once every other day, for 3 times. In the acupuncture group, the rats were treated with acupuncture at bilateral pterygopalatine region simply, without electrical stimulation. The rhinitis symptom score was observed, the pathomorphology of the nasal mucosa was observed by HE staining; the serum levels of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (OVA-sIgE), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were detected by ELISA; the mRNA expression of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1) and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was detected by real-time PCR; the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the rhinitis symptom score was increased (P<0.01), the serum levels of OVA-sIgE, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were increased (P<0.05), the nasal mucosa showed pathomorphology of inflammatory infiltration; the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the electroacupuncture group, the rhinitis symptom score was reduced (P<0.01), the pathology of the nasal mucosa was improved; the serum levels of OVA-sIgE, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were decreased (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at the pterygopalatine region can exerting the anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and inflammatory factor imbalance, thus alleviate rhinitis symptoms in AR rats.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhinitis, Allergic/physiopathology* ; Pyroptosis ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-18/immunology* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Caspase 1/immunology*

Objective:To develop a recombinase-aided amplification (RAA)-clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus with high specificity and sensitivity.Methods:RAA primers and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) were designed based on the known conserved regions of the monkeypox virus gene and synthesized, and specific crRNAs were screened using fluorescence detection. The sensitivity and specificity of the detection system were evaluated.Results:An RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus was developed with a sensitivity of 2.5 copies/reaction and high specificity without cross-reactivity with ectromelia virus and vaccinia virus.Conclusions:An RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus was established, which would provide a powerful tool for efficient, rapid and specific detection of monkeypox virus.

Objective T o observe the expression changes of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (H IF-1α) and vascular endothelial grow th factor-A (V E G F-A ) in rats w ith arrhythm ias, and to explore the differences of the expression pattern in the tw o indicators of acute m yocardial ischem ia caused by arrhythm ias and coronary insufficiency. Methods T he arrhythm ia w as induced by C aC l2, and the expression changes of H IF-1α and V E G F-A w ere detected by im m unohistochem istry, W estern blotting and real-tim e PC R w ithin 6 h after the arrhythm ia in rats. Results T he expression of H IF-1α and V E G F-A show ed diffuse in the m yocardial tissue of rats died from arrhythm ias. B oth of them increased in the early arrhythm ia, then decreased. E xtensive m yocardial ischem ia happened at the beginning of arrhythm ia occurrence and its range didn't expand w ith tim e. Conclusion T he expressions of H IF-1α and V E G F-A in m yocardium of the rats w ith arrhythm ia can provide evidence for the differential diagnosis of acute m yocardial is-chem ia caused by fatal arrhythm ia and coronary insufficiency.

MicroRNA (miRNA or miR) is a class of highly conserved endogenous non-coding RNA of 21~25nt, which is widely existed in organisms. Currently, miRNA has been proven to be associated with cardiovascular diseases in clinical research, but it has not been reported in the field of forensic medicine. This paper highlights recent findings about miRNA and its application in cardiovascular diseases, and the application aspect of miRNA in sudden cardiac death in forensic science.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a natriuretic peptide hormone, is mainly secreted by cardiomyocytes when they are pulled by mechanical force. BNP acts to increase natriuresis and decrease vascular resistance, thereby decreasing blood volume, systemic blood pressure and afterload. It is not only the main indicators of cardiac function which is widely used in clinical, recent studies have also shown that it has a very important value in identifying sudden cardiac death(SCD). However, the exact expression of the regulation mechanism is still unknown. This paper reviewed the structure, expression of the regulation mechanism of BNP, and the application progress in clinical and forensic.