Natural killer (NK) cells are an important part of the body's innate immune system. As the first line of defense against pathogens, they need to be transformed into a mature state under the control of various cell signaling molecules and transcription factors to play cytotoxic and immune regulatory roles. Under the interaction of activated receptors and inhibitory receptors, NK cells are activated to perform a direct cell killing effect by secreting perforin and granzyme, or indirectly eliminate pathogenic microorganisms in the body by secreting various cytokines, such as type I and type II interferons. These functions of NK cells play a very important role in antiviral and anti-autoimmune diseases, especially in anti-tumor.
Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Interferon-gamma ; Apoptosis ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cytokines

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) external therapy for sleep disorder of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has good anti-fatigue effect and can improve sleep quality of patients. The treatment for sleep disorders of CFS with TCM external treatment mainly adopts acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, TCM bath, transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation and auricular point sticking, etc., or alone, or comprehensive application, or combined with oral Chinese materia medica. The appropriate treatment method can be selected according to the patients' condition and compliance, which reflects the unique advantages of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment and the treatment according to people and time. The existing research still needs to further form a standardized and recognized diagnosis and treatment system, so as to better guide clinical popularization and application.

The treatment rules of point selection and treatment principles for treating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can be divided into three categories: regulating and replenishing, invigorating original yang and regulating zang-fu organs. The mechanism of moxibustion includes improving gut microbiota imbalance, regulating immune cell imbalance and correcting endocrine dysfunction. The moxibustion methods include ginger-partitioned moxibustion, thunder-fire moxibustion, warm acupuncture, and governor moxibustion. Acupuncture points such as Shenque (RN8), Guanyuan (RN4), Qihai (RN6), Zusanli (ST36), Baihui (DU20), Yongquan (KI1) and back-shu points are often selected to exert anti-chronic fatigue effects.

With the widespread application of genomics and transcriptomics in the genetics and cell biology of different species, synonymous codon usage bias has been gradually accepted and used to study the deep connection between biological evolution and biological phenotypes. It is an important part of the life activities that mRNA is expressed into proteins with normal biological activities. The synonymous codon usage patterns, which were named as 'the second genetic codon', can express genetic information carried by themselves at the levels of transcriptional regulations, translational regulations and metabolic activities through molecular mechanisms such as fine-tune translation selection. Some studies have shown that the length of mRNA half-life has significant impacts on mRNA activity and the process of transcription and translation. This review summarized the roles of synonymous codon usage patterns in transcription, translational regulation and post-translational modification, with the aim to better understand how organisms skillfully utilize the genetic effects caused by codon usage patterns to accurately synthesize different types of proteins, so as to ensure the growth or differentiation of the specific gene expression procedures to carry out smoothly and maintain the normal life cycle.
Codon/genetics* ; Codon Usage ; Half-Life ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; RNA, Messenger/genetics*

Transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) is a ubiquitous multifunctional protein, which is related to the adhesion of different cells and tumor formation. Previous studies found that TGM2 is involved in the interaction between host cells and viruses, but the effect of TGM2 on the proliferation of influenza virus in cells has not been reported. To explore the effect of TGM2 during H1N1 subtype influenza virus infection, a stable MDCK cell line with TGM2 overexpression and a knockout cell line were constructed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of NP and NS1 as well as the virus titer were measured at 48 hours after pot-infection with H1N1 subtype influenza virus. The results showed that overexpression of TGM2 effectively inhibited the expression of NP and NS1 genes of H1N1 subtype influenza virus, while knockout of TGM2 up-regulated the expression of the NP and NS1 genes, and the expression of the NP at protein level was consistent with that at mRNA level. Virus proliferation curve showed that the titer of H1N1 subtype influenza virus decreased significantly upon TGM2 overexpression. On the contrary, the virus titer in TGM2 knockout cells reached the peak at 48 h, which further proved that TGM2 was involved in the inhibition of H1N1 subtype influenza virus proliferation in MDCK cells. By analyzing the expression of genes downstream of influenza virus response signaling pathway, we found that TGM2 may inhibit the proliferation of H1N1 subtype influenza virus by promoting the activation of JAK-STAT molecular pathway and inhibiting RIG-1 signaling pathway. The above findings are of great significance for revealing the mechanism underlying the interactions between host cells and virus and establishing a genetically engineering cell line for high-yield influenza vaccine production of influenza virus.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Dogs ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics* ; Influenza, Human ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on behavioral function and synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA3 area in rats with chronic stress depression.

METHODSAccording to the random number table method, 144 SD male rats were assigned into a blank group, a model group, an EA group and a fluoxetine group, then each group was divided into a 7 d subgroup, a 14 d subgroup and a 21 d subgroup, 12 rats in each subgroup. The chronic mild unpredictable stress stimulus combined with lonely breeding were applied to establish the depression model of rats, which was performed simultaneously with intervention treatment. The rats in the EA group were treated with EA (dilatational wave) at "Shenting" (GV 24) and "Baihui" (GV 20), while the rats in fluoxetine group were treated with intragastric administration of fluoxetine, once daily. With open-field test, sugar consumption experiment and transmission electron microscope, the changes of behavior and neuronal synapse inhippocampal CA3 area were observed.

RESULTSOn 7 d, 14 d and 21 d, compared with the blank group, the open-field test score, sugar consumption and body mass were significantly lower in the model group (all<0.01); compared with the model group, the open-field test score, sugar consumption and body mass were significantly higher in the EA group and the fluoxetine group on 14 d and 21 d (<0.01,<0.05). On 14 d and 21 d, compared with the blank group, the synapse in hippocampal CA3 area was significantly lower in the model group (both<0.01); compared with the model group, the synapse in hippocampal CA3 area was significantly higher in the EA group and the fluoxetine group (<0.01,<0.05). The neurons cells in hippocampal CA3 area in the model group showed pyknosis and deformation from 7 d with fusion structure and unclear boundary of synapse, which were significantly improved on 21 d; the neurons cells in hippocampal CA3 area in the EA group and the fluoxetine group were significantly improved from 14 d and restored to normal level on 21 d, in addition, the structure of synapse restored to normal level.

CONCLUSIONSEA is involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA3 area, and promotes the recovery of depression symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects between moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and oral administration of Vitamin E on quality of life and mechanism in sub-health perimenopausal women, aiming to provide clinical evidence of moxibustion for health care of sub-health female.

METHODSSixty participants were randomly divided into a moxibustion group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. The volunteers in the moxibustion group were treated with mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) for 15 min, once a day; five treatments were considered as a course of treatment, and totally 4 courses were given with an interval of 2 days between courses. The volunteers in the medication group were treated with oral administration of soft capsule of Vitamin E, once a day, continuously for 28 days. The scores of quality of life and serum levels of sex hormones, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B (INHB) were measured before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTS① Compared before treatment, the scores of quality of life in the two groups were both significantly increased after treatment (both<0.01), which was more superior in the moxibustion group (<0.05). ② Compared before treatment, the serum levels of estradiol (E) and progesterone in the moxibustion group were significantly increased after treatment, especially for premenopausal volunteers (both<0.01). ③ After moxibustion, the serum level of AMH was significantly improved (<0.01), however, the effect on INHB had no statistical difference (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMoxibustion could effectively improve the quality of life in sub-health perimenopausal women, regulate the levels of sex hormones and AMH, improve ovarian reserve function, and delay ovarian aging.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus TDP in treating stageⅡ-Ⅲ pressure sore.Methods Thirty-three patients with pressure sore meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 17 cases each. Both groups were first given routine clean care. The control group received routine surgical asepsis dressing change and the treatment group, fire needling, surrounding electroacupuncture and TDP irradiation to the affected part. The pressure sore area was observed and the PUSH score was recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups of patients. Results The total efficacy rate was 88.0% in the treatment group and 71.0% in the control group; there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The total efficacy rate was 88.0% in the treatment group and 71.0% in the control group; there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The cure and marked efficacy rate was 58.8% in the treatment group and 23.5% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post- treatment difference in the pressure sore area in the two groups at one, two and three weeks after treatment (allP<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the pressure sore area between the two groups at two and three weeksafter treatment (bothP<0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the PUSH score in the two groups at two and three weeks after treatment (bothP<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the PUSH score between the two groups at three weeks after treatment (P<0.01).Conclusions Acupuncture plus TDP can markedly relieve the clinical symptoms and accelerate the sore healing in treating stageⅡ-Ⅲ pressure sore.

This paper reviewed the domestic and foreign progress of needling Renying (ST 9) for hypertentsion in clinical and experimental researches. It has been confirmed that needling Renying showed the remarkable clinical effects, with bi-directional benign regulative action, protecting target organs, improving quality of life and so on. Based on the review, the author looks forward to offer the direction for the future researches.

Objective To discuss the clinical results of lateral locking plate combined with bone grafting in the treatment of distal femoral fractures in the elderly.Methods Between January 2006 and December 2013,112 senile patients with distal femoral fracture were treated at our department by lateral locking plate combined with bone grafting.They were 16 men and 96 women,aged from 67 to 85 years (average,76.1 years).By AO classification,48 cases were type 33-A1,11 type 33-A2,3 type 33-A3,7 type 33-B1,4 type 33-B2,32 type 33-C1,and 7 type 33-C2.All of them had a previous history of osteopenia.By the Singh index classification,22 cases were rated as grade Ⅰ,74 as grade Ⅱ,13 as grade Ⅲ,and 3 as grade Ⅳ.Postoperatively,the patients conformed to regular follow-up,accepted functional rehabilitation and continued medication for osteopenia.Radiographic examinations were conducted to observe fracture healing.At the last follow-up,the function of involved knee was assessed according to the criteria by Karlstrom and Olerud.Results All the 112 patients completed their follow-ups,ranging from 10 to 48 months (average,16 months).All fractures united primarily after an average of 4.2 months (range,from 3.5 to 5.0 months).According to the criteria by Karlstrom and Olerud,93 cases were rated as excellent,10 as good and 9 as fair,giving a good-to-excellent rate of 92.0％.No such complications as nonunion,malunion,plate breakage,or screw loosening were observed during the follow-ups.Conclusion Lateral locking plate combined with bone grafting is effective for the treatment of distal femoral fractures in the elderly,if followed by postoperative anti-osteopenia therapy and early functional exercises.