OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting recovery of the facial function with the involvement of autophagy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. METHODS: Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control, sham-operated, facial nerve injury (FNI), EA, EA+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and EA+GDNF antagonist groups using a random number table, with 12 rats in each group. An FNI rat model was established with facial nerve crushing method. EA intervention was conducted at Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (SJ 17), and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints for 2 weeks. The Simone's 10-Point Scale was utilized to monitor the recovery of facial function. The histopathological evaluation of facial nerves was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Additionally, IHC was also used to detect the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR. RESULTS: The facial functional scores were significantly increased in the EA group than the FNI group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining showed nerve axons and myelin sheaths, which were destroyed immediately after the injury, were recovered with EA treatment. The expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly elevated and the expression of P62 was markedly reduced in FNI rats (P<0.01); however, EA treatment reversed these abnormal changes (P<0.01). Meanwhile, EA stimulation significantly increased the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR (P<0.01). After exogenous administration with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or GDNF antagonist, the repair effect of EA on facial function was attenuated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS EA could promote the recovery of facial function and repair the facial nerve damages in a rat model of FNI. EA may exert this neuroreparative effect through mediating the release of GDNF, activating the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and further regulating the autophagy of facial nerves.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Electroacupuncture ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism* ; Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Beclin-1 ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Autophagy ; Mammals/metabolism*

Platycodonis Radix is the dry root of Platycodon grandiflorum of Campanulaceae, which has a variety of pharmacological effects and is a commonly used bulk Chinese medicine. In this study, the chloroplast genome sequences of six P. grandiflorum from different producing areas has been sequenced with Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform. The specific DNA barcodes were screened, and the germplasm resources and genetic diversity were analyzed according to the specific barcodes. The total length of the chloroplast genome of 6 P. grandiflorum samples was 172 260-172 275 bp, and all chloroplast genomes showed a typical circular tetrad structure and encoded 141 genes. The comparative genomics analysis and results of amplification efficiency demonstrated that trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF were the potential specific DNA barcodes for identification the germplasm resources of P. grandiflorum. A total of 305 P. grandiflorum samples were collected from 15 production areas in 9 provinces, for which the fragments of trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF were amplificated and the sequences were analyzed. The results showed that trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF have 5 and 11 mutation sites, respectively, and 5 and 7 haplotypes were identified, respectively. The combined analysis of the two sequences formed 13 haplotypes (named Hap1-Hap13), and Hap4 is the main genotype, followed by Hap1. The unique haplotypes possessed by the three producing areas can be used as DNA molecular tags in this area to distinguish from the germplasm resources of P. grandiflorum from other areas. The haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity and genetic distance were 0.94, 4.79×10^-3 and 0.000 0-0.020 3, respectively, suggesting that the genetic diversity was abundant and intraspecific kinship was relatively close. This study laid a foundation for the identification of P. grandiflorum, the protection and utilization of germplasm resources, and molecular breeding.

Objective To analyze the acupoint selection rules of acupuncture for the treatment of tic disorders in children based on data mining techniques.Methods A computerized search was conducted for the clinical research literature on acupuncture treatment of tic disorders in children included in the CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,SinoMed,and PubMed databases from January 1992 to December 2022.A database was established by Excel 2019 to count the commonly used treatment methods and analyze the high-frequency application methods acupuncture(high-frequency acupoints,channel entry of acupoints,acupoint association rules,and acupoint clustering),auricular point seed-pressing(high-frequency auricular points,and acupoint association rules),and the high frequency division of cluster needling of scalp point.Results A total of 190 valid literature articles were included,involving 270 acupuncture prescriptions;among them,184 acupoints were counted in the acupuncture method,with a total application frequency of 1 906 times,and the high-frequency application of the acupoints in descending order were Baihui(DU20),Taichong(LR3),Fengchi(GB20),Hegu(LI4),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Neiguan(PC6),Shenmen(HT7),Zusanli(ST36),Yintang(EX-HN3),Sishencong(EX-HN1);and the high-frequency meridians were governor vessol,foot taiyang stomach meridian,foot taiyang stomach meridian,foot shaoyang gallbladder meridian,hand taiyang large intestine meridian,foot taiyang bladder meridian,foot jueyin gallbladder meridian;three sets of strong association rules and five clusters of acupoints were analyzed by SPSS modeler 18.0 and IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 software.There were 29 acupoints of auricular point seed-pressing,application total frequency was 206 times,high-frequency application of auricular points in descending order of Shenmen(HT7),liver,heart,subcortex,kidney;four groups of acupoint strong association rules were obtained through the analysis of SPSS modeler 18.0 software.A total of 14 zones were involved in the application of cephalic acupoint plexus zoning,of which the high-frequency zones were parietal anterior temporal diagonal,parietal parietal 1,and chorea tremor control zone.Conclusion Acupuncture treatment of tic disorders in children,according to its pathogenesis(liver hyperactivity,kidney depletion,spleen deficiency,phlegm disturbance,etc.)and tic site,select acupoints compatibility,and mostly choose yang meridian acupoints,which is related to the nature and treatment characteristics of wind pathogen.Children's tic disorders are closely related to emotional disorders,therefore acupuncture and auricular acupoints all emphasize the method of soothing the liver and clearing the heart,and regulating the emotional state.Cluster needling of scalp point mostly used parietal temporal anterior oblique line,parietal 1 line,and dance tremor control area for the treatment of tic disorders.For children,auricular point seed-pressing and cluster needling of scalp point has the minimun of pain,the effect of treatment is long,and it is not easy to have dangerous situations such as bent needle,broken needle and so on.

AIM To explore the effects of Shiquan Dabu Decoction on the synaptic function and cognitive impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease(AD).METHODS Sixty mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,the memantine group(5 mg/kg)and the high,medium and low dose Shiquan Dabu Decoction groups(6.24,3.12 and 1.56 g/kg),with 10 mice in each group.Except for those of the control group,the mice of other groups underwent their 70-day AD models induction by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and gavage feeding of AlCl3,followed by 42-day corresponding dosing of drugs by gavage on the 29th day.The mice had their spatial learning and associative memory detected by Morris water maze test and conditioned fear test;their morphological changes of hippocampal neurons observed by HE staining;their serum SOD activity,MDA level,and SOD,AChE activities and MDA,ACh,TNF-α and IL-1β levels in hippocampus detected by kits;and their PSD-95,Shank3,NR1,NR2A,NR2B,AMPK and p-AMPK protein expressions in hippocampus detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the high-dose Shiquan Dabu Decoction group displayed improved spatial learning and memory ability and associative memory(P<0.05,P<0.01);reduced pathological damage of hippocampal neurons,decreased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation(P<0.05,P<0.01);enhanced cholinergic transmission(P<0.05,P<0.01),and increased protein expressions of PSD-95,Shank3,NR1,NR2A,NR2B,and p-AMPK in hippocampal tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Shiquan Dabu Decoction can improve the cognitive impairment of in the mouse model of AD,and its mechanism may be related to AMPK activation and synaptic function restoration.

ObjectiveDetection and quantification of RNA synthesis in cells is a widely used technique for monitoring cell viability, health, and metabolic rate.After exposure to environmental stimuli, both the internal reference gene and target gene would be degraded. As a result, it is imperative to consider the accurate capture of nascent RNA and the detection of transcriptional levels of RNA following environmental stimulation. This study aims to create a Click Chemistry method that utilizes its property to capture nascent RNA from total RNA that was stimulated by the environment. MethodsThe new RNA was labeled with 5-ethyluridine (5-EU) instead of uracil, and the azido-biotin medium ligand was connected to the magnetic sphere using a combination of “Click Chemistry” and magnetic bead screening. Then the new RNA was captured and the transcription rate of 16S rRNA was detected by fluorescence molecular beacon (M.B.) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). ResultsThe bacterial nascent RNA captured by “Click Chemistry” screening can be used as a reverse transcription template to form cDNA. Combined with the fluorescent molecular beacon M.B.1, the synthesis rate of rRNA at 37℃ is 1.2 times higher than that at 15℃. The 16S rRNA gene and cspI gene can be detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR,it was found that the measured relative gene expression changes were significantly enhanced at 25℃ and 16℃ when analyzed with nascent RNA rather than total RNA, enabling accurate detection of RNA transcription rates. ConclusionCompared to other article reported experimental methods that utilize screening magnetic columns, the technical scheme employed in this study is more suitable for bacteria, and the operation steps are simple and easy to implement, making it an effective RNA capture method for researchers.

In order to study the compounds from Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. and explore the substance bases of its dissipating blood stasis, MCI, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography were used to isolate and purify the compounds. The structures were identified by MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR spectra analysis, etc. Eight triterpenoids were isolated from dichloromethane fraction of ethanol extract from G. longituba and identified as 2α,3α,16β-trihydroxy-13α,27-cyclours-11-en-28-oic acid (1), 28-norurs-12-ene-3β,17β-diol (2), 28-norolean-12-ene-3β,17β-diol (3), oleanonic acid (4), 3β,13β-dihydroxyurs-11-en-28-oic acid (5), uvaol (6), oleanolic acid (7), ursolic acid (8). Compound 1 is a new hexacyclic triterpene with 13α,27-cyclopropane structure, named euscaphic acid H; compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from Lamiaceae for the first time while compounds 4 and 5 were isolated from this genus. The in vitro anticoagulant activity of triterpenoids was evaluated by four coagulation indexes (activated partial thromboplastin time, APTT; thrombin time, TT; prothrombin time, PT; fibrinogen, FIB). Among them, compounds 1 and 6 showed obvious anticoagulant effects.

italic>Acanthopanax senticosus is one of the genuine regional herb in Northeast China. In this study, we identified the germplasm resources of commercial A. senticosus samples based on atpI and atpB_rbcL according to the previous chloroplast genome sequencing results, and determinated the content of syringin by HPLC to evaluated the quality of commercial samples. A total of 80 A. senticosus samples were collected from 47 cities in 24 provinces. DNA was extracted to amplify the products of atpI and atpB_rbcL by PCR. The results showed that 7 haplotypes (H2, H5, H8, H10, H12, H14, H23) were formed by the combined analysis of the two gene fragments. H2 from Yichun in Heilongjiang, Shangzhi in Harbin, Suihua in Heilongjiang, Fushun in Liaoning, Benxi in Liaoning, Changbai in Jilin and Jingyu in Jilin were the dominant genotype, representing 58.75% of the total samples. H14 and H23 were the unique haplotypes of the producing area. It is speculated that the commercial A. senticosus samples with haplotypes of H14 and H23 are from Raohe, Shuangyashan, Heilongjiang and Mingshui, Suihua, Heilongjiang, respectively. HPLC analysis indicated that the content of syringin in 73.96% of the samples met the Pharmacopoeia standards. There was a significant difference in the content of syringin among the samples, ranging from 0.003 7% to 0.524 5%, with a difference of 0.520 8%, indicating that the quality of the samples in the market of A. senticosus was uneven. However, there were no significant differences in the contents of syringin in the commercial A. senticosus among different haplotypes. The content of syringin in the haplotype H23 in the market sample is relatively high, so it may be a germplasm with better quality. This study researched the germplasm resources and medicinal materials quality of commercial A. senticosus samples and will help guide the commercial circulation, reasonable medication of A. senticosus, and the screening of excellent germplasm.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and compatibility mechanism of Wumei Wan on diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)mice.Methods Sixty-nine C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group(12 mice)and model group(57 mice).The DGP model was constructed by 60％high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).After successful modeling,the mice in the model group were randomly divided into model group,Wumei Wan whole prescription group,Wumei Wan sour medicine group,Wumei Wan bitter medicine group,Wumei Wan sweet medicine group and Wumei Wan pungent medicine group,with nine mice in each group.After 28 days of treatment,the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate of mice were measured.The pathological changes of gastric antrum were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The fasting blood glucose(FBS)of mice was detected by blood glucose meter.The levels of triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were detected by colorimetry.The contents of gastrin(GAS),motilin(MTL)and vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)in gastric antrum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Western Blot was used to detect the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap-1),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf-2),NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(Nqo-1)and superoxide dismutase 1(Sod-1)in gastric antrum tissue.Results(1)Compared with the normal group,the levels of serum FBS,TG,TC and LDL-C in the model group were significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001);compared with the model group,the blood glucose level of the whole prescription group,the sour medicine group and the bitter medicine group was decreased significantly at the end of the third and fourth week(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001),the serum TG,TC and LDL-C levels of the whole prescription group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the serum TC level of the sour medicine group,the bitter medicine group,the sweet medicine group and the pungent medicine group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and only the LDL-C level of the sour medicine group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the normal group,the glandular cells in the gastric antrum mucosa and submucosa of the model group were disordered;compared with the model group,the pathological damage of gastric antrum tissue in Wumei Wan whole prescription group was significantly improved,the recovery effect of gastric antrum tissue damage in DGP mice in the sour medicine group and the bitter medicine group was superior to that in the sweet medicine group and the pungent medicine group.(3)Compared with the normal group,the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate of the model group were decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001);compared with the model group,the gastric emptying rate of the whole prescription group,the sour medicine group and the bitter medicine group was significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001),and the intestinal propulsion rate of the whole prescription group,the sour medicine group,the bitter medicine group,the sweet medicine group and the pungent medicine group was significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).(4)Compared with the normal group,the content of VIP in the gastric antrum tissue of the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the contents of GAS and MTL were significantly decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).Compared with the model group,the content of GAS in Wumei Wan whole prescription group,the sour medicine group,the bitter medicine group and the sweet medicine group was significantly increased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001),the content of MTL in the whole prescription group and the bitter medicine group was significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the content of VIP in gastric antrum tissue of mice in Wumei Wan whole prescription group,sour medicine group,bitter medicine group and sweet medicine group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).(5)Compared with the normal group,the expression level of Keap-1 in the gastric antrum tissue of the model group was increased(P＜0.05),and the expressions of Nrf-2,Nqo-1 and Sod-1 were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001).Compared with the model group,the expression level of Keap-1 protein in the whole prescription group and the bitter medicine group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001),and the expression levels of Nrf-2,Nqo-1 and Sod-1 in the whole prescription group,the sour medicine group and the bitter medicine group were significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001).Conclusion Wumei Wan can effectively regulate glucose and lipid metabolism,improve gastric antrum injury and promote gastrointestinal motility in DGP mice.The efficacy of the whole prescription is superior to that of each disassembled prescription.The mechanism may be related to the synergistic compatibility of sour medicine,bitter medicine,sweet medicine and pungent medicine,and mainly through sour medicine and bitter medicine regulating Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway further to improve oxidative stress injury.

Objective To compare the efficacy of renal proximal renal artery denervation(pRDN)and full-length renal artery denervation(fRDN)for treatment of hypertension.Methods Fifty-six hypertensive patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to full-length renal artery denervation group(n=25)and proximal renal artery denervation group(n=31).After the procedure,24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(24 h-ABPM)at 6 months and office blood pressure at 12 months was recorded for statistical analysis.Results The blood pressure at follow-up reduced significantly in both groups,while there was no significant difference between groups.The baseline office blood pressure in fRDN group and pRDN group was(180±15)/(104±10)mmHg and(180±12)/(103±8)mmHg,respectively,which decreased to(142±9)/(82±7)mmHg and(143±10)/(83±6)mmHg at 12 months postoperatively(P＜0.001 within groups and P＞0.05 between groups).The baseline 24 h-ABPM in the two groups was(162±13)/(95±8)mmHg and(160±12)/(94±8)mmHg,respectively,which decreased to(142±11)/(83±7)mmHg and(141±8)/(81±7)mmHg at 6 months postoperatively(P＜0.001 within groups and P＞0.05 between groups).However,there was no significant difference in the reduction of office blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure between the two groups.No treatment-related adverse events were observed.Conclusions pRDN has similar antihypertensive effect to fRDN.

Objective To explore the changes in gut microbiota and levels of short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)in infants with cow's milk protein allergy(CMPA),and to clarify their role in CMPA.Methods A total of 25 infants diagnosed with CMPA at Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from August 2019 to August 2020 were enrolled as the CMPA group,and 25 healthy infants were selected as the control group.Fecal samples(200 mg)were collected from both groups and subjected to 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the changes in gut microbial composition and metabolites.Microbial diversity was analyzed in conjunction with metabolites.Results Compared to the control group,the CMPA group showed altered gut microbial structure and significantly increased α-diversity(P＜0.001).The abundance of Firmicutes,Clostridiales and Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased,while the abundance of Sphingomonadaceae,Clostridiaceae_l and Mycoplasmataceae was significantly increased in the CMPA group compared to the control group(P＜0.001).Metabolomic analysis revealed reduced levels of acetic acid,butyric acid,and isovaleric acid in the CMPA group compared to the control group,and the levels of the metabolites were positively correlated with the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia(P＜0.05).Conclusions CMPA infants have alterations in gut microbial structure,increased microbial diversity,and decreased levels of SCFA,which may contribute to increased intestinal inflammation.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(3):236-243]