OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), tissue morphology, and the expression of Fc epsilon RI (FcεRI) pathway proteins spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and membrane spanning 4-domain A2 (MS4A2) in rat model of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and to explore the potential mechanism by which this therapy alleviates pain sensitization. METHODS: Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, and a moxibustion group, with 13 rats in each group. The PHN model was established in the model and moxibustion groups by intraperitoneal injection of resiniferatoxin. In the moxibustion group, bilateral L₄-L₆ "Jiaji" (EX-B2) points were treated with point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread from day 7 post-modeling, with two cones per acupoint per session, every other day for a total of 10 sessions. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before modeling and on days 1, 4, 7, 13, 19, and 25 after modeling. After intervention, HE staining was used to observe DRG morphology. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze DEGs in DRG and conduct bioinformatics analysis. The expression of Syk and MS4A2 mRNA and proteins in the FcεRI pathway in DRG was detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited decreased MWT (P<0.05) and increased TWL (P<0.05); histopathological analysis revealed neuronal atrophy, nuclear displacement, and intracellular vacuoles, with a slightly loose arrangement; the RNA-Seq identified 3,207 DEGs (1,997 upregulated and 1,210 downregulated); the mRNA and protein expression levels of Syk and MS4A2 were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed increased MWT (P<0.05) and decreased TWL (P<0.05), with relatively normal neuronal morphology; the RNA-Seq identified 426 DEGs (250 upregulated and 176 downregulated); the mRNA and protein expression levels of Syk and MS4A2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Venn diagram analysis identified 156 DEGs that showed a reversal in expression trends after treatment, including Syk and MS4A2, which are associated with pain sensitization. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these DEGs were primarily enriched in the FcεRI pathway. CONCLUSION Point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread could alleviate pain sensitization in PHN rats, possibly by inhibiting the FcεRI signaling pathway and downregulating the expression of Syk and MS4A2.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Moxibustion ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic/physiopathology* ; Syk Kinase/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

Although a single nucleotide polymorphism for N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) has been identified in patients with early-onset stroke, the role of NAT10 in ischemic injury and the related underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence that NAT10, the only known RNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification "writer", is increased in the damaged cortex of patients with acute ischemic stroke and the peri-infarct cortex of mice subjected to photothrombotic (PT) stroke. Pharmacological inhibition of NAT10 with remodelin on Days 3-7 post-stroke or astrocytic depletion of NAT10 via targeted virus attenuates ischemia-induced infarction and improves functional recovery in PT mice. Mechanistically, NAT10 enhances ac4C acetylation of the inflammatory cytokine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1) mRNA transcript, which increases TIMP1 expression and results in the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and progression of astrocyte autophagy. These findings demonstrate that NAT10 regulates astrocyte autophagy by targeting Timp1 ac4C after stroke. This study highlights the critical role of ac4C in the regulation of astrocyte autophagy and proposes a promising strategy to improve post-stroke outcomes via NAT10 inhibition.

Objective    To evaluate whether long frozen elephant trunk (FET) increases the risk of spinal cord injury in patients with acute type A aortic dissection. Methods    From 2018 to 2019, 172 patients with acute type A aortic dissection were treated in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital. They were divided into two groups according to the length of FET: patients treated with stents of 100 mm in length were enrolled into a short FET group, and those with stents of 150 mm in length into a long FET group. There were 124 patients in the short FET group, including 108 (87.1%) males and 16 (12.9%) females with a mean age of 51.8±7.9 years. There were 48 patients in the long FET group, including 44 (91.7%) males and 4 (8.3%) females with a mean age of 50.6±9.7 years. The clinical data and prognosis of the patients were analyzed. Results    The mean distal stent graft was at the level of T 8.5±0.7 in the long FET group, and at the level of T 6.8±0.6 in the short FET group (P=0.001). Sixteen patients died after operation in the two groups, including 13 (10.5%) in the short FET group and 3 (6.2%) in the long FET group (P=0.561). There were 7 patients of spinal cord injury in the two groups, including 6 (4.8%) in the short FET group and 1 (2.2%) in the long FET group (P=0.675). There was no statistical difference in other complications between the two groups. The follow-up time was 16.7 (1-30) months. During the follow-up, 2 patients died in the long FET group and 5 died in the short FET group. No new spinal cord injury or distal reintervention occurred during the follow-up. Conclusion    Long FET does not increase the incidence of spinal cord injury in patients with acute type A aortic dissection.

Objective:To explore the effect of SimMan 3G simulator based scenario simulation teaching method and case-based learning (CBL) in emergency medicine teaching.Methods:Sixty students from Batch 2013 eight-year program of clinical medicine were selected as subjects. They were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 students in each group. In the teaching of emergency medicine, the experimental group used the combination of scenario simulation with CBL teaching methods, and the control group used classic teaching methods. The test scores and the questionnaires satisfaction of the two groups were compared to evaluate the teaching effects. SPSS 17.0 was used for the statistical analysis, measurement data were compared between the groups by t test, and counting data were compared between groups by chi-square test.Results:The scores of the experimental group (94.24±1.13) were better than those of the control group (90.6±0.59), with significant differences ( t=12.85, P<0.05). The results of the questionnaires showed that the students of experimental group were more satisfied with the learning experience than those of the control group. Conclusion:The teaching method can improve the teaching effects, the students' emergency clinical thinking, skills, comprehensive analysis and judgment ability, team cooperation consciousness and leadership ability.

Objective To evaluate the effect of surface electromyography (sEMG) applied bilaterally to the limbs in the rehabilitation of motor dysfunction among stroke survivors.Methods Sixty stroke survivors were randomized into a bilateral group (n =30) and a control group (n =30).Both groups received routine rehabilitation for 4 weeks,but the bilateral group accepted additional limb rehabilitation training for the uninjured side.Before and after the intervention,motor function was assessed using sEMG during maximal voluntary contraction of the deltoid,biceps,triceps,rectus femoris,biceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscles.Integrated EMG (iEMG) and root mean square (RMS) values were computed.Results Before the training there was no significant difference in any of the measurements between the two groups.After the training both groups had significantly improved the average strength of their maximum contractions and their average iEMG and RMS values.The bilateral group,though,demonstrated significantly better results than the control group.Conclusion Bilateral limb rehabilitation training is superior to the conventional unilateral procedure in improving the motor function of stroke survivors.

Objective To investigate the exercises self-management in the old patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods 296 KOA old patients were investigated with the questionnaire and the Self-management Behavior Scale. Results The time spent in stretching/strengthening exercise was (24.22±36.18) min a week. The time spent in aerobic exercise was (136.27±83.21) min a week. Body Mass Index (BMI), the level of education and home address were the main factors related with the exercise behavior. Conclusion The exercises selfmanagement would be improved in the old patients with KOA, with the support of interventions targeted the related factors.

Objective To determinate the effects of sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate(STS)on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and explore the relative effects of STS on mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction system in rats with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through constricting the thoracic aorta.Methods The models of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy were established in vivo,and the thoracic aorta was partially tied between the right innominate and the left common carotid arteries.The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups(n=8/group)as follows:①sham,②transverse aortic constriction(TAC),③TAC+low-dose Tan(TAC+LT)(5 mg/kg),④TAC+middle-dose Tan(TAC+MT)(10 mg/kg),⑤TAC+high-dose Tan(TAC+HT)(20 mg/kg),and ⑥ TAC+Val(10 mg/kg).After treatment for 8 weeks,echocardiography was performed to observe the changes in hypertrophy and heart function,and heart samples were cut into transverse sections and stained with hematoxylin and eosin(H&E).The MAPKs protein expression in the cardiomyocytes was detected by Western blot.Results The heart weight index(HWI),left ventricular mass index(LVMI)and cross-sectional diameter of cardiomyocytes(CD),left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVWT),and interventricular septal thickness(IVS)were significantly increased in TAC group as compared with sham group.The relative parameters in STS groups and Val group were reduced as compared with those in TAC group.Western blot analysis revealed the p-ERK and p-p38 expression was significantly decreased in TAC group as compared with sham group(P＜0.01).The p-ERK expression was significantly decreased in STS groups and Val group as compared with TAC group(P＜0.05).The TAC+HT group,TAC+MT group and Val group had significantly higher p-p38 expression than TAC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Tanshinone ⅡA could regulate the expression of protein in MAPK pathway to exert its inhibitory effects on hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes.

No abstract available.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is an important event in the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The aim of this study is to determine the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on liver injury induced by intestinal I/R in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) a control, sham-operated group (sham group); (2) an intestinal I/R group subjected to 1 h intestinal ischemia and 2 h reperfusion (I/R group); (3) a group treated with 20 mg/kg ginsenoside Rb1 before reperfusion (Rb1-20 group); and (4) a group treated with 40 mg/kg ginsenoside Rb1 before reperfusion (Rb1-40 group). Liver and intestinal histology was observed. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in serum and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in intestinal tissues were measured. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), TNF-alpha, MDA level and immunohistochemical expression of NF-kappa B and intracellular adhesion molecale-1 (ICAM-1) in liver tissues was assayed. In addition, a western blot analysis of liver NF-kappa B expression was performed. Results indicated intestinal I/R induced intestinal and liver injury, which was characterized by increase of AST and ALT in serum, MDA level in intestine, MPO, TNF-alpha and MDA level and ICAM-1 and NF-kappa B expression in the liver tissues. Ginsenoside Rb1 (20, 40 mg/kg) ameliorated liver injury, decreased MPO, TNF-alpha and MDA level, NF-kappa B and ICAM-1 expression in liver tissues. In conclusion, ginsenoside Rb1 ablated liver injury induced by intestinal I/R by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.
Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood ; Biological Markers/metabolism ; Ginsenosides/*pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism ; Intestines/*blood supply/metabolism/pathology ; Ischemia/metabolism/pathology ; Liver/enzymology/pathology ; Liver Diseases/etiology/*pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism ; NF-kappa B/*antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Peroxidase/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury/complications/*pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism

To investigate the role of NF-κB in endotoxic shock in rats, the model of endotoxinshock rats was induced by intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 6h after LPS injection, the activation of NF-κB in blood mononuclear cells and the content of TNF-α and IL-6 in plasma was detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA). The level of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the histopathological changes of lung and liver were also observed. The activation of NF-κB in mononuclear cells increased 1 h after LPS injection and reached its peak 2 h after the injection, and its level was higher than that of normal group. The level of TNF-α was increased 1 h after the infusion and peaked 2 h after the injection, and its level was higher than that of normal group after LPS infusion. The content of IL-6 increased gradually with time, the IL-6 level was higher than that of normal group after LPS injection. MAP was decreased gradually with time and its level was lower than that of normal group after LPS injection. Pathological examination showed that endotoxic shock could cause pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage, edema and infiltration of inflammatory cell in lung tissue and congestion, edema, capillary dilation and inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue. It is concluded that NF-κB can up-regulate the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in plasma and play an important role in endotoxin-induced shock in rats.