OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN1) and "Fengchi" (GB20) on hippocampal neuronal ferritinophagy mediated by the nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)/ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) signaling pathway in vascular dementia (VD) rats, and to explore the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture for VD. METHODS: A total of 60 male rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a blank group (12 rats), a sham surgery group (12 rats) and a modeling group (36 rats). In the modeling group, the modified 4-vessel occlusion method was used to establish the VD model. The 24 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at left and right "Sishencong" (EX-HN1), and bilateral "Fengchi" (GB20), with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz and current intensity of 1 mA, 30 min a time, once daily for 21 consecutive days. The learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze test before modeling, after modeling and after intervention, as well as the novel object recognition test after intervention. After intervention, the neuronal morphology in the hippocampus was observed by Nissl staining; the iron deposition was observed by Prussian blue staining; the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence staining; the levels of iron, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampal tissue were measured by the colorimetric assay, TBA method, and WST-1 method, respectively; the positive expression of NCOA4, FTH1 and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was detected by immunohistochemistry; the protein expression of NCOA4, FTH1, GPX4, and the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham surgery group, in the model group, the escape latency was prolonged, and the number of platform crossings reduced (P<0.01), the recognition index (RI) was decreased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons displayed a blurred laminar structure, disorganized cellular arrangement, and the number of Nissl bodies was decreased (P<0.01); the percentage of iron deposition area in the hippocampus was increased (P<0.01); in the hippocampus, the levels of ROS, iron, MDA, and the protein expression of NCOA4, as well as the LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were increased (P<0.01), the SOD level, and the protein expression of FTH1 and GPX4 were decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the electroacupuncture group, the escape latency was shortened and the number of platform crossings was increased (P<0.01), the RI was increased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons exhibited more regular morphology, better-organized cellular structure, and the number of Nissl bodies was increased (P<0.05); the percentage of iron deposition area in the hippocampus reduced (P<0.01); in the hippocampus, the levels of ROS, iron, MDA, and the protein expression of NCOA4, as well as the LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the SOD level, and the protein expression of FTH1 and GPX4 were increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN1) and "Fengchi" (GB20) can improve learning and memory abilities in VD rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the hippocampal NCOA4/FTH1 signaling pathway, inhibition of ferritinophagy, and alleviation of oxidative stress damage.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Dementia, Vascular/genetics* ; Male ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Humans ; Memory ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Nuclear Receptor Coactivators/genetics* ; Ferritins/genetics* ; Learning ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points

Objective To invesitgate the epidemiological characteristics of common allergens in 10 664 patients with allergic diseases in Zhengzhou area.Methods A total of 10 664 patients visited our hospital and underwent serum allergen screening during January 2013 and August 2021 were selected,and their serum sIgE results were retrospectively analyzed.Results The total positive rate of sIgE to allergens in 10 664 patients was 69.82%.The positive rate of sIgE to inhalant allergens was significantly higher than that to in-gestive allergens(χ2=99.15,P＜0.01).The top three inhalant allergens were grass and tree combination,dust mite combination,and cockroach.The top three ingestive allergens were egg protein,milk,and seafood combination.The positive rate of sIgE to ingestive al-lergens in males was significantly higher than that in females(χ2=8.18,P＜0.01).The highest positive rate of sIgE to ingestive aller-gens was found in the early childhood period(χ2=125.92,P＜0.05).The highest positive rate of sIgE to inhalant allergens was found in the school-age and preschool periods(χ2=283.76,P＜0.01).The proportions of sIgE to cockroach and house dust mite showed a de-creasing trend year by year,while the proportions of sIgE to milk,peanut,lamb,and seafood combination showed an increasing trend year by year.Conclusion The top three inhalant and ingestive allergens in Zhengzhou area are grass and tree combination,dust mite,cockroach and egg protein,milk,seafood combination,respectively.In recent years,the allergies to milk,peanut,lamb,and seafood should be paid attention.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Fengchi" (GB 20) and "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1) on learning and memory impairment in vascular dementia (VD) rats by observing the influences on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway and the excitotoxicity induced by hippocampal calcium overload. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats of SPF grade were selected and randomized into a normal group (6 rats), a sham-operation group (6 rats) and an operation group (20 rats). VD model was established with the modified Pulsinelli's four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) method. Twelve rats after successfully modeled were assigned randomly into a model group and an EA group, 6 rats in each one. In the EA group, EA was delivered at bilateral "Fengchi" (GB 20) and "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1), with the continuous wave, the frequency of 2 Hz and the electric current of 1 mA. Stimulation intensity was adjusted depending on the slightly trembling of rat head. EA was given once daily, 30 min each time; and EA intervention was delivered for 21 days continuously. Using Morris water maze test, the learning and memory function was assessed. The neuronal morphology in the hippocampal CA1 was observed with HE staining; the level of glutamate (GLU) in serum and hippocampal tissue, as well as the activity of calcium pump (Ca²⁺-ATP) in the hippocampus were detected using colorimetric method. The protein expression of NMDAR, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ), phosphorylated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (p-CaMKⅡ), phosphorylated cyclic phosphoradenosine effector element binding proteins (p-CREB), CREB, and BDNF in the hippocampal CA1 was detected using immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of NMDAR, CREB, p-CREB and BDNF in the hippocampal tissue was detected using Western blot method. RESULTS: Compared to the sham-operation group, in the model group, the escape latency was prolonged and the platform crossing times of rats were reduced (P<0.01), the hippocampal neuron structure was damaged to different degrees, the structure in hippocampal CA1 was loosened, the arrangement disorganized, with clear grid-like structure; the neuronal morphology was irregular, pyknosis and even dissolution occurred, glial cells increased, blood capillary was dilated and the inflammatory cells were infiltrated and scattered. The level of GLU in the serum and hippocampal tissue and the protein expression of hippocampal NMDAR were elevated (P<0.01), the activity of Ca²⁺-ATP and the protein expression of CaMKⅡ, p-CaMKⅡ, CREB, p-CREB and BDNF were reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05); and the ratio of p-CaMKⅡ/CaMKⅡ and that of p-CREB/CREB were dropped (P<0.05). In comparison with the model group, in the EA group, the escape latency was shortened and the platform crossing times of rats rose (P<0.01), the arrangement was improved in the hippocampal CA1, the neuronal morphology was intact, the nucleoli were clear relatively and the pyknosis or dissolution were attenuated, the numbers of glial cells reduced relatively, the dilation of blood capillary was alleviated. The level of GLU in the serum and hippocampal tissue and the protein expression of NMDAR were reduced in the hippocampal tissue (P<0.01), the activity of Ca²⁺-ATP and the protein expression of CaMKⅡ, p-CaMKⅡ, CREB, p-CREB and BDNF were elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01); and the ratio of p-CaMKⅡ/CaMKⅡ and that of p-CREB/CREB increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA at "Fengchi" (GB 20) and "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1) can attenuate learning and memory impairment in VD rats, which may be obtained by reducing GLU level in hippocampal tissue, inhibiting hippocampal excitotoxicity, mediating protein expression related to the NMDAR/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway, and maintaining neuronal survival and growth.
Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Learning ; Memory ; Signal Transduction ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism* ; Memory Disorders/therapy* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism* ; Dementia, Vascular/therapy*

Vascular dementia(VD)is caused by cerebrovascular diseases,either hemorrhage or ischemic damage in the brain,with ischemia being the most common.In recent years,increasing efforts have been made to study the etiology,pathogenesis,and prevention of VD.The establishment of appropriate animal models to study the mechanism of VD and explore the efficacy of VD treatments has become an important issue in this research field.On the basis of conventional method,such as bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries(2VO)and four-vessel occlusion,researchers have modified these method to improve stability with better reflection of the clinical manifestations of VD.This review summarizes these modified method and discusses possible cellular and molecular mechanisms and their advantages and disadvantages.

OBJECTIVE To explore mecha-nisms of imperatorin on regulating P-glycoprotein(P-gp)in blood-brain barrier(BBB)based on net-work pharmacology combined with in vitro experi-ment.METHODS Drug targets were predicted using the Pharmapper and Swiss targets data-bases;disease targets were obtained through the Genecards database;intersections between drugs and disease targets were screened by Cytoscape software;the obtained core targets were used to construct protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,gene ontology(GO)functions,and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.The effects of imperatorin(20,50,100 μ mol·L-1)on P-gp activity were monitored in hCMEC/D3in vitro BBB model,and the effects of imperatorin on the expression of target proteins were verified using Western blot method.RESULTS 55 drug targets and 3102 disease targets were obtained from the network pharmacology screening,and 37 core targets were obtained after the combination.Enrichment analysis showed that core targets were closely related to chemical synaptic trans-mission regulation,neurotransmitter receptor activity,proteinkinaseregulationactivity,G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway,neural active ligand receptor interaction pathway,PI3K-Akt sig-naling pathway,VEGF signaling pathway,etc..In vitro experimental validation suggested that all tested concentration groups of imperatorin signifi-cantly reduced the activity and expression of P-gp,which were achieved by significantly downregu-lating the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt,and repressing the expression of VEGFR2 pro-tein.CONCLUSION Network pharmacology was used to predict the core targets and signaling pathways of imperatorin on regulating P-gp in BBB and relevant validation was conducted through in vitro experiments,providing a refer-ence basis for further exploration of the mecha-nisms of imperatorin on regulating P-gp in BBB.

?? [Abstract]? Objective? To investigate the posttraumatic growth (PTG) of pediatric patients with recurrent respiratory tract infection, to analyze its influencing factors and to provide a reference for further clinical interventions. Methods? The pediatric outpatients and inpatients with recurrent respiratory tract infection from the Children's Hospital of Hangzhou from March 2016 to May 2017 were selected using convenient sampling, and investigated with the general information questionnaire and Revised Posttraumatic Growth Inventory for Children (PTGI-CR). Totally 97 questionnaires were distributed, and 95 valid questionnaires were collected. Results? The PTGI-CR score of the 95 children with recurrent respiratory tract infection totaled (16.13±5.69). There was statistically significant difference in PTG levels between pediatric patients with different sex, age, disease condition and parents' educational background (P＜0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that children's sex, age and their parents' educational background were the main factors affecting the PTG of pediatric patients with recurrent respiratory tract infection. Conclusions? The pediatric patients' sex, age and parents' educational background were the main influencing factors for their PTG. It is recommended nursing workers take targeted measures according to the influencing factors so as to improve the quality of life of the children and their parents.

Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms ; pathology