OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion on the stem cell factor (SCF)/tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit) signaling pathway and immune function in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for IBS-D. METHODS: Among 52 young rats born from 6 healthy pregnant SPF rats, 12 rats were randomly selected into the normal group, and the remaining 40 rats were treated with the three-factor combination method of maternal separation, acetic acid enema and chronic restraint stress to establish the IBS-D rat model. Thirty-six rats with successful IBS-D model were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, and a medication group, 12 rats in each group. The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with suspension moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37); the rats in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of rifaximin suspension (150 mg/kg). All the treatments were given once a day for 7 consecutive days. The body mass, loose stool rate (LSR), the minimum volume threshold when abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scored 3 were measured before acetic acid enema (35 days old), after modeling (45 days old), and after intervention (53 days old). After intervention (53 days old), HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colon tissue, and spleen and thymus coefficients were measured; ELISA method was used to detect serum inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor a [TNF-a], interleukin [IL]-10, IL-8), T-lymphocyte subsets (CD⁺₄, CD⁺₈, CD⁺₄₅), value of CD⁺₄/CD⁺₈ and immune globulin (IgA, IgG, IgM); real-time PCR method and Western blot method was used to detect the expression of SCF, c-kit mRNA and protein in colon tissue; immunofluorescence staining method were used to detect positive expression of SCF and c-kit. RESULTS: After intervention, compared with the normal group, in the model group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were decreased (P<0.01), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD⁺₄, CD⁺₄₅, CD⁺₄/CD⁺₈, IgA, IgG, IgM were increased (P<0.01), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were decreased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group and the medication group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD⁺₄, CD⁺₈, CD⁺₄₅, CD⁺₄/CD⁺₈, IgA, IgG, IgM were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were increased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the medication group, in the moxibustion group, the level of serum CD⁺₄ was decreased (P<0.05), the value of CD⁺₄/CD⁺₈ was increased (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference in other indexes (P>0.05). The expression of SCF and c-kit mRNA was positively correlated with the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 and IL-10 (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with remaining indexes (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion could reduce visceral hypersensitivity, improve symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea in IBS-D rats, and its mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the expression of SCF/c-kit signaling pathway and improvement of IBS-D immune function.
Rats ; Animals ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy* ; Moxibustion/methods* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-8 ; Maternal Deprivation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Diarrhea ; Signal Transduction ; Homeostasis ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Immunity ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin M

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and inflammatory factors by multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion on IBS-D. METHODS: Twelve of 52 newborn rats were randomly selected into a normal group. The remaining rats were made into IBS-D model. A total of 36 rats with successful model were randomly divided into a model group, a medication group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each group. The rats in the medication group were intraperitoneally injected with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) for 20 min each time. All the intervention was given once a day for 7 days. Before and after modeling as well as after intervention, the body mass, loose stool rate and the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) were measured. After intervention, the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 were detected by ELISA method; the morphology of colon tissues was observed by HE staining, and the expressions of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in colon tissues were detected by real-time PCR. The expressions of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 protein in colon tissues were detected by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: After modeling, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold of AWR in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01); the rates of loose stool in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01); after intervention, in the model group, the inflammatory infiltration of colon tissues was obvious, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-8 were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05); the expression of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in colon tissues was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05); the protein expression of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 was also higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01). After intervention, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold of AWR in the medication group and the moxibustion group were both higher than those in the model group (P<0.05); the loose stool rate in the medication group and the moxibustion group were lower than those in model group (P<0.05); the inflammatory cells infiltration in the colon tissues was less, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 as well as the protein expression of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 in the colon tissues in the medication group and the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of miR-125b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the medication group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). The expression of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). The miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a were positively correlated with NF-κB p65 mRNA (0<r<1, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) for IBS-D rats may be related to regulating multiple miRNAs to inhibit NF-κB signal pathway and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors.
Animals ; Diarrhea/therapy* ; Interleukin-8/genetics* ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Moxibustion ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the effect of total ginsenoside ginseng root on the learning and memory impairment and anxiety of hindlimb suspension rats by detecting the performance of rats in the water maze， elevated plus maze， and the expression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis， inflammatory factors and tryptophan pathway related factors through the intervention of ginsenosides in hindlimb suspension rats. Method:The Wistar male rats were divided into normal group， hindlimb suspension model group， Huperzine A group （0.1 mg·kg^-1）， and total ginsenoside ginseng root low and high dose groups （100， 200 mg·kg^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， the rats in the other groups maintained a -30° hindlimb suspension state for 24 h. The normal group and the model group received intragastric administration of 10 mL·kg^-1 pure water . After 28 days of continuous administration， the water maze and elevated plus maze behavioral tests were performed. After the tests， blood was taken from the abdominal aorta， and the rat brain cortex was peeled off on ice， quenched with liquid nitrogen， and stored at -80 ℃ for later use. LC-MS/MS was used to detect neurotransmitter levels of dopamine， acetylcholine， glutamate， γ-aminobutyric acid and tryptophan pathway metabolites （tryptophan， 5-hydroxytryptamine， 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid， kynurenine， 3-hydroxykynurenine， and kynurenine） in rat brain cortex. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kit was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-10 （IL-10， the HPA axis-related hormone corticotropin （ACTH）， and the level of corticosterone （CORT）. Result:Compared with the normal group， the escape latency in the water maze significantly increased， the number of crossings was significantly reduced， and the number of open-arm entry and the percentage of open-arm entry were significantly reduced in the elevated plus maze in model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， the content of dopamine， acetylcholine， glutamic acid， and γ-aminobutyric acid in the cortex decreased， kynurenine and kynurenic acid showed an upward trend， 3-hydroxykynurenine， 5-hydroxytryptamine， 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid showed a downward trend， and the levels of IL-6， IL-10， ACTH， and CORT in the serum significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group of rats， total ginsenoside ginseng root low and high dose groups group reduced the avoidance latency in the water maze， and increased the number of crossings and the number of open arms of the elevated plus maze， dopamine， acetylcholine， glutamate， and γ-aminobutyl content increased， while kynurenine and kynurenic acid showed a downward trend， 3-hydroxykynurenine， serotonin， and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid showed an upward trend， and IL-6， IL-10， ACTH， and CORT factor levels were down-regulated（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Conclusion:Hindlimb suspension for 28 days in simulated microgravity can impair the learning and memory ability of rats and cause anxiety-like behaviors. Total ginsenoside ginseng root can improve their learning and memory impairment and anxiety-like behaviors. The mechanism may be mainly related to inhibiting body inflammation and regulating HPA axis imbalance.

Objective To more effectively prevent hypertension and provide better health care for college and university teachers and staff by keeping abreast with the epidemiology of hypertension. Methods The data were extracted from the selected Chinese and English papers on epidemiology of hypertension, which was followed by a meta-analysis of the prevalence, awareness rate, cure rate, and control rate of hypertension in college and university teachers and staff of China. Results A total of 73 papers were included in this study. The total prevalence of hypertension was 23. 3% (95%CI=21. 1%-25. 6%), the prevalence of hypertension was 27. 2% (95%CI=24. 4%-30. 0%) in male hypertensive teachers and staff and was 18. 6% (95%CI=16. 6%-20. 6%) in female hypertensive teachers and staff. The prevalence of hypertension increased with the increasing age and tended to increase with the year of investigation in college and university teachers and staff of China, and was the lowest in East China followed by Central China and West China. The awareness rate, cure rate and control rate of hypertension were 68. 3% (95%CI=59 . 7%-76 . 8%) , 63 . 7% ( 95%CI=55 . 5%-71 . 9%) , and 37 . 7% ( 95%CI=28 . 0%-47 . 5%) respec-tively in college and university teachers and staff of China. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension is different in college and university teachers and staff of China due to different sexes, ages and areas.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of homoharringtonine(HHT) combined with imatinib(IM) on proliferation and apoptosis of K562/G01 cells and its potential mechanism.

METHODSK562/G01 cells were cultured with HHT and/or IM. CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis and phosphorylated tyrosine levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression levels of p210, PI3K, p-Akt and Akt protein were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with HHT or IM alone, drug combination significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of K562/G01 cells (both P< 0.05). HHT combined with IM could inhibit the levels of phosphorylated tyrosine and phosphorylated Crkl and downregulate the expressions of p210, PI3K and p-Akt in K562/G01 cells.

CONCLUSIONHHT combined with IM can synergistically inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of K562/G01 cells by suppressing the p210 expression and its kinase activity.

Objective To summarize the characteristics of acupoints selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) based on data mining. Method Clinical literatures published in the recent 10 years related to acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PD were collected to establish a prescription database by using Excel. The descriptive analysis, association rules analysis and clustering analysis were conducted by Python and Clementine12.0. Result A total of 74 acupoints were involved with a total frequency of 1072. The leading three meridians were Spleen Meridian (325 times), Conception Vessel (260 times) and Bladder Meridian (158 times); the leading acupoints were Sanyinjiao (SP6, 174 times), Guanyuan (CV4, 111 times), Diji (SP8, 79 times), Ciliao (BL32, 73 times) and Qihai (CV6, 67 times). The utilization of the specific acupoints accounted for 66.22% (49/74). The crossing acupoints were predominant (393 times), especially Sanyinjiao, Guanyuan and Zhongji (CV3), followed by the five-Shu points (195 times), Front-Mu points (195 times) and Yuan-Primary points (99 times). The association rules analysis showed that Guanyuan and Sanyinjiao had the most significant correlation. The clustering analysis figured out 8 core clustering groups. Conclusion The characteristics of acupoints selection revealed in this study provide ideas and references for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PD in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inductive therapeutic effects of imatinib combined with VP low dose regiment on adult patients with Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+) ALL).

METHODSFourteen newly diagnosed adult patients with Ph(+) ALL were treated with VP regimen, and imatinib (400 mg/d) was added at the 8(th) day. VP regimen would be stopped when neutropenia lasted for 1 week or complicated with infection, fever, etc. Therapeutic effects were assessed by bone marrow morphology and quantitative analysis of BCR/ABL:ABL at the 28(th) - 33(rd) day. Patients could be treated with imatinib combined with chemotherapy for consolidation and maintenance therapy or were treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after complete remission.

RESULTSFourteen cases obtained CR1 after first course of treatment, the median decline of BCR/ABA:ABL was 55.89 (10.25 -180.97) %; during the induction chemotherapy, pulmonary infection occurred in 3 patients, diarrhea in 1 patients, facial edema in 3 patients, however, all these patients were cured after symptomatic treatment, only 1 patient died of relapse after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONIn the period of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), inductive chemotherapy combined with imatinib and low dose VP can obtaine satisfactory CR rate and decrease the toxicity of the traditional drugs. It is suggested that TKI combined with VP regimen chemotherapy can achieve CR1 and make possible for allo-HSCT, from which patients can achieve the long-term survival.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Bone Marrow ; Cisplatin ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Neutropenia ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; Recurrence ; Remission Induction ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Vindesine

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of plastic bronchitis (PB) so as to improve the awareness of the disease.Methods Twenty-four children with PB were collected from Jul.2009 to Mar.2012 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital.The clinical manifestation,bronchoscopy,histology of the cast,clinical course and outcome were reviewed retrospectively.Results Of the 24 children with PB,18 cases were male,6 cases were female,and the range of age was 1 year and 2 months to 10 years and 3 months,with the median age of 3 years and 4 months.Three patients had an underlying chronic disease,1 case had asthma,1 case had hydronephrosis,and 1 case had ventricular septal defect repair before 1 year and 8 months.All the cases had fever,cough and sputum,while 10 cases had wheeze,and 5 cases had respiratory distress.All cases were diagnosed as pneumonia or severe pneumonia,of which 14 case had atelectasis,10 cases had parapneumonic effusion,5 cases suspected of foreign body inhalation,3 cases had pneumothorax,and 3 cases had mediastinal hernia.Fourteen cases were admitted to PICU,6 patients developed respiratory failure,and 9 patients required mechanical ventilation.Flexible bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage were performed in all cases and showed bronchial cast.Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed that fibrinous material containing large quantity of eosinophils,neutrophils,and lymphocytes in 23 patients,and no inflammatory cells in 1 patient.After a bronchial cast was removed,all patients were improved greatly,and no patient dead.Conclusions Plastic bronchitis is a rare pediatric critical disease,which has high mortality.In children with rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis,pleural effusion or consolidation on chest radiograph,PB should be considered.Bronchial endoscopy is the most effective method for treatment of PB.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of plastic bronchitis associated with 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1) infection.

METHODA retrospective investigation of the clinical manifestation, bronchoscopy, and the histology of the cast, clinical course and outcome of 8 children with plastic bronchitis associated with influenza A virus (H1N1) infection during winter of 2009 and 2010 was performed.

RESULTAll 8 cases were boys, the range of age was 3 to 6 years. Five cases occurred in 2009 winter, accounting for 3.3% (5/150) of hospitalized children with influenza A (H1N1) infection; 3 cases occurred in 2010 winter, accounting for 15.8% (3/19) of hospitalized children with influenza A (H1N1) infection. Two patients had an underlying chronic disease, 1 had asthma, and the other had allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. All the 8 cases had fever, cough and sputum; 2 had wheezing; 5 had respiratory distress. All 8 cases were diagnosed as influenza A virus (H1N1) infection complicated with pneumonia, of whom 5 patients had atelectasis, 2 had pneumothorax, 1 had pneumomediastinum, 1 had parapneumonic effusion, 2 patients were suspected of foreign body aspiration. Seven cases were admitted to an ICU, 5 patients developed respiratory failure, and 3 patients required mechanical ventilation. Flexible bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage was performed in all cases and showed bronchial cast. Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed a fibrinous material containing large quantity of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in 7 patients, fibrinous material and necrotic material without inflammatory cells in 1 patient. After the bronchial cast was removed, all patients were improved greatly, no patients died.

CONCLUSIONPlastic bronchitis is a life-threatening complication associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in children. In children with rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis or consolidation on chest radiograph, plastic bronchitis should be considered. Bronchoscopic extraction of casts should be carried out early.

Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Bronchitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Foreign Bodies ; complications ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; complications ; virology ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Rare Diseases ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of miR-124-1 on neuronal differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

METHODSMSCs cells were assigned into three groups: control (uninfected and untransfected), miR-124-1+ (infected with miR-124-1), and miR-124-1- (transfected with Anti-rno-miR-124* Inhibitor). MSCs were induced by β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) to differentiate into neurons. The fluorescence expressed by infected MSCs was observed under an inverted fluorescence microscope. MTT method was used to measure cell survival rate after transfection or infection. Immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot methods were used to detect the expression of β3 tubulin, MAP-2 and GFAP 6 days after β-ME induction.

RESULTSThe expression of miR-124-1 in the miR-124-1+ group was significantly higher 2 days after infection of lentivirus vector compared with the control group (P<0.01). In the miR-124-1- group, the cell survival rate and the miR-124-1 expression level decreased significantly 24 hrs after transfection of anti-rno-miR-124* inhibitor (P<0.01). After 6 days of β-ME induction, the protein and mRNA expression levels of β3 tubulin and MAP-2 in the miR-124-1+ group were much higher than the other two groups (P<0.01); while the expression levels of β3 tubulin and MAP-2 in the miR-124-1-group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). The expression of GFAP in the three groups was weak (<1%).

CONCLUSIONSmiR-124 might promote neuronal differentiation of rat MSCs.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tubulin ; analysis