Ozonated autohemotherapy combined with pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of thoracic postherpetic neuralgia in older adults: a retrospective study.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) seriously affects the quality of life of the elderly population. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ozonated autohemotherapy (O3-AHT) combined with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in the treatment of thoracic PHN in older adults. The medical records of patients with thoracic PHN aged 65 years and older from June 2018 until March 2021 in Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital were reviewed. They were assigned into two groups: PRF alone (PRF group, n = 107) and PRF combined with O3-AHT (PRF + O3-AHT group, n = 109). Visual Analogue Scale for pain was evaluated at pre-treatment, 1 day, 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. Quality of life and sleep quality were assessed using Short-Form 36 Health Survey and Athens Insomnia Scale at pre-treatment and 6 months post-treatment, respectively. The median age of patients in the PRF and PRF + O3-AHT groups were 69 (67-73) years and 68 (67-72) years, respectively. The former included 62 females and the latter included 51 females. Compared with pre-treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale scores of two groups declined at post-treatment. Patients in the PRF + O3-AHT group showed obviously lower Visual Analogue Scale scores compared with those in the PRF group at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment and they had earlier withdrawal time for drugs. However, dizziness, tachycardia, sleepiness, and nausea were presented after combination therapy. These symptoms resolved spontaneously after a period of rest. Additionally, O3-AHT combined with PRF was associated with a significant decrease in the Athens Insomnia Scale score and with a significant improvement in every dimension of the Short-Form 36 Health Survey. To conclude, O3-AHT combined with PRF is an effective way to relieve thoracic PHN in older patients.

Comparative study of the interaction mechanism of astilbin, isoastilbin, and neoastilbin with CYP3A4.

The interactions of human CYP3A4 with three selected isomer flavonoids, such as astilbin, isoastilbin and neoastilbin, were clarified using spectral analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. During binding with the three flavonoids, the intrinsic fluorescence of CYP3A4 was statically quenched in static mode with nonradiative energy conversion. The fluorescence and ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) data revealed that the three flavonoids had a moderate and stronger binding affinity with CYP3A4 due to the order of the Ka1 and Ka2 values ranging from 104 to 105  L·mol-1 . In addition, astilbin had the highest affinity with CYP3A4, then isoastilbin and neoastilbin, at the three experimental temperatures. Multispectral analysis confirmed that binding of the three flavonoids resulted in clear changes in the secondary structure of CYP3A4. It was found from fluorescence, UV/vis and molecular docking analyses that these three flavonoids strongly bound to CYP3A4 by means of hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. The key amino acids around the binding site were also elucidated. Furthermore, the stabilities of the three CYP3A4 complexes were evaluated using molecular dynamics simulation.

GR1 and NTRA involved in pollen tube growth in the stigma of Arabidopsis.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Arabidopsis GR1 and NTRA function in pollen tube penetrating the stigma into the transmitting tract during pollination. During pollination, recognition between pollen (tube) and stigma mediates the hydration and germination of pollen, as well as the growth of the pollen tube on the stigma. Arabidopsis glutathione reductase 1 (GR1) and NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase A (NTRA) are involved in regulating cell redox hemostasis. Both GR1 and NTRA are expressed in pollen, but their roles in pollen germination and the growth of the pollen tube need further investigation. In this study, we performed pollination experiments and found that the Arabidopsis gr1/ + ntra/- and gr1/- ntra/ + double mutation compromised the transmission of male gametophytes. Pollen morphology and viability of the mutants did not show obvious abnormalities. Additionally, the pollen hydration and germination of the double mutants on solid pollen germination medium were comparable to those of the wild type. However, the pollen tubes with gr1 ntra double mutation were unable to penetrate the stigma and enter the transmitting tract when they grew on the surface of the stigma. Our results indicate that GR1 and NTRA play a role in regulating the interaction between the pollen tube and the stigma during pollination.

[Application prospect of conditional gene editing animals and viral vectors in experimental research of acupuncturology].

Conditional gene editing animals and viral vectors have been widely applied in the research fields of biology and medicine. Recently, they are also used as the effective approaches to reveal the underlying mechanism of acupuncture from the nervous system to the specific molecules. In order to further understand the application of conditional gene editing animals and viral vectors, in this article, we analyze their characteristics, advantages and recent development in the field of acupuncture research and discuss their potential roles and prospect in the future.

Antitumor mechanism of kangliu pill on gliomas in mice through PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gliomas are common malignant intracranial tumors that have worse prognosis and pose a serious threat to human health. The Kangliu pill (KLP) is an innovative herbal compound from Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University that has been clinically used for the treatment of gliomas for more than 40 years, and is one of the few drugs for primary treatment of this disorder. But the fundamental molecular mechanisms and pathways of KLP are not clear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of KLP in the treatment of gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in situ xenograft model of red fluorescent protein-labeled human glioma cell line (U87-RFP) in BALB/c-nu mouse was established, and the therapeutic effect of KLP on gliomas was assessed by tumor weights and fluorescence areas. A quantitative proteomics approach using tandem mass tags combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed to explore differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in glioma tissues, and bioinformatics analyses including Gene Ontology analysis, pathway analysis, and network analysis were performed to analyze the proteins involved in the network therapeutic mechanisms responsible for key metabolic pathways. Cytological experiments corroborated the above analysis results. RESULTS: Network pharmacology approach screened 246 bioactive compounds contained in KLP, targeting 724 proteins and 173 potential targets of KLP for glioma treatment. The important targets obtained after visualizing the PPI network were AKT1, INS, GAPDH, SRC, TP53, etc. The KEGG enrichment results showed that 9 proteins were related to cancer, including Pathways in cancer, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, etc. KLP had antitumor activity in gliomas, which reduced tumor weights and fluorescence areas. A number of DEPs possibly associated with gliomas were identified through quantitative proteomic techniques. Among these DEPs, 50 (25 upregulated and 25 downregulated) were identified that might be associated with KLP action. Bioinformatics showed that these 50 DEPs were mainly focused on focal adhesion, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interactions, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Cytological experiments revealed that KLP significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of U87-MG human glioma cells, and its mechanism was through the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic effect of KLP was regulation of multiple pathways in the treatment of gliomas. In specific, it interacts through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. This work may contribute proteomic insights for further research on the medical treatment of glioma using KLP.

Sensory and autonomic innervation of the local tissues at traditional acupuncture point locations GB14, ST2 and ST6.

OBJECTIVE: To visualize and compare the sensory and autonomic innervation of the local tissues at the sites of different traditional acupuncture points in the rat forehead and face by histochemical examination. METHODS: GB14 (Yangbai), ST2 (Sibai) and ST6 (Jiache) were selected as the representative traditional acupuncture points in this study, and the local tissues at these sites were dissected in rats after perfusion followed by double or triple fluorescent histochemical staining. Here, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) were used to label the sensory, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers, respectively. RESULTS: The CGRP+ sensory, TH+ sympathetic and VAChT+ parasympathetic nerve fibers were simultaneously demonstrated in the local tissues at GB14, ST2 and ST6. Although the three kinds of nerve fibers ran in parallel or intermingled with each other, by the analysis from the view of three-dimensional reconstruction, it was clear that each of them distributed in an independent pattern to their corresponding target tissues including the blood vessels, hair follicles, arrector pili and subcutaneous muscles, as well as sebaceous glands. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated the sensory and autonomic innervation of the local tissues at GB14, ST2 and ST6, providing neurochemical evidence indicating that the CGRP+ sensory, TH+ sympathetic and VAChT+ parasympathetic nerve fibers form a neural network at these point locations that may respond to acupuncture stimulation.

Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated cholera toxin subunit B optimally labels neurons 3-7 days after injection into the rat gastrocnemius muscle.

Neural tract tracing is used to study neural pathways and evaluate neuronal regeneration following nerve injuries. However, it is not always clear which tracer should be used to yield optimal results. In this study, we examined the use of Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated cholera toxin subunit B (AF488-CTB). This was injected into the gastrocnemius muscle of rats, and it was found that motor, sensory, and sympathetic neurons were labeled in the spinal ventral horn, dorsal root ganglia, and sympathetic chain, respectively. Similar results were obtained when we injected AF594-CTB into the tibialis anterior muscle. The morphology and number of neurons were evaluated at different time points following the AF488-CTB injection. It was found that labeled motor and sensory neurons could be observed 12 hours post-injection. The intensity was found to increase over time, and the morphology appeared clear and complete 3-7 days post-injection, with clearly distinguishable motor neuron axons and dendrites. However, 14 days after the injection, the quality of the images decreased and the neurons appeared blurred and incomplete. Nissl and immunohistochemical staining showed that the AF488-CTB-labeled neurons retained normal neurochemical and morphological features, and the surrounding microglia were also found to be unaltered. Overall, these results imply that the cholera toxin subunit B, whether unconjugated or conjugated with Alexa Fluor, is effective for retrograde tracing in muscular tissues and that it would also be suitable for evaluating the regeneration or degeneration of injured nerves.

Histochemistry of microinfarcts in the mouse brain after injection of fluorescent microspheres into the common carotid artery.

The mouse model of multiple cerebral infarctions, established by injecting fluorescent microspheres into the common carotid artery, is a recent development in animal models of cerebral ischemia. To investigate its effectiveness, mouse models of cerebral infarction were created by injecting fluorescent microspheres, 45-53 µm in diameter, into the common carotid artery. Six hours after modeling, fluorescent microspheres were observed directly through a fluorescence stereomicroscope, both on the brain surface and in brain sections. Changes in blood vessels, neurons and glial cells associated with microinfarcts were examined using fluorescence histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. The microspheres were distributed mainly in the cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus ipsilateral to the side of injection. Microinfarcts were found in the brain regions where the fluorescent microspheres were present. Here the lodged microspheres induced vascular and neuronal injury and the activation of astroglia and microglia. These histopathological changes indicate that this animal model of multiple cerebral infarctions effectively simulates the changes of various cell types observed in multifocal microinfarcts. This model is an effective, additional tool to study the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and could be used to evaluate therapeutic interventions. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (approval No. D2021-03-16-1) on March 16, 2021.

A novel compound heterozygous COL4A4 mutation in a Chinese family with Alport syndrome: A care case report.

RATIONALE: Alport syndrome (AS) is an inherited progressive renal failure, characterized by kidney disease, hearing loss, and eye abnormalities. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 7-year-old male child was admitted for persistent microscopic hematuria and proteinuria. DIAGNOSES: Combined with clinical manifestations, laboratory testing, pathological changes of kidney and sequencing results, the patient was diagnosed as AS. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with ACEI and tacrolimus drugs for 2 years, but continued to have hematuria and proteinuria. Thus, a genetic analysis was performed using next-generation sequencing in four affected members from the family. OUTCOMES: The findings revealed triple compound heterozygous mutation of COL4A4: three novel variations, c.1045C>T (p. R349X), c.3505+1G>A (splicing), and c.2165G>A (p. G722D). LESSONS: This study was novel in finding that a triple variant of the COL4A4 gene simultaneously in trans and in cis. The effects of multiple mutation sites and the type of gene mutation in AS were also underlined.

A Galactosidase-Activatable Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Bacteria Based on BODIPY.

Pathogenic E. coli infection is one of the most widespread foodborne diseases, so the development of sensitive, reliable and easy operating detection tests is a key issue for food safety. Identifying bacteria with a fluorescent medium is more sensitive and faster than using chromogenic media. This study designed and synthesized a ß-galactosidase-activatable fluorescent probe BOD-Gal for the sensitive detection of E. coli. It employed a biocompatible and photostable 4,4-difluoro-3a,4a-diaza-s-indancene (BODIPY) as the fluorophore to form a ß-O-glycosidic bond with galactose, allowing the BOD-Gal to show significant on-off fluorescent signals for in vitro and in vivo bacterial detection. This work shows the potential for the use of a BODIPY based enzyme substrate for pathogen detection.

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in infants caused by a novel compound heterozygous mutation of the NUP93: A CARE case report.

RATIONALE: Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a special kidney disease. SRNS is characterized by steroid-resistant, clinical variability, and genetic heterogeneity. Patients with SRNS often may eventually need renal transplantation. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 10-month-old Chinese male infant presented with oliguria, renal dysfunction, hypertension, and anemia. DIAGNOSES: Combined with clinical manifestations, laboratory testing and sequencing results, the patient was diagnosed as SRNS. INTERVENTIONS: Combined intravenous methylprednisolone and cefoperazone sulbactam did not improve the patient's condition. Thus, SRNS associated with hereditary nephrotic syndrome was strongly suspected. Genetic testing for hereditary renal disease of the patient revealed 2 novel heterozygous mutations in the Nucleoporin 93 (NUP93) gene, which were predicted pathogenic and harmful by bioinformatic softwares of SIFT, PolyPhen_2 and REVEL. OUTCOMES: As general physical health deterioration and renal dysfunction, the patient died of a severe infection. LESSONS: The novel NUP93 heterozygous mutations identified in the current study broadened the genetic spectrum of SRNS and further deepened our insight into pathogenic mutations of NUP93 to improve disease diagnosis.

Antihypertensive and Antifibrosis Effects of Acupuncture at PC6 Acupoints in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and the Underlying Mechanisms.

Long-term hypertension can lead to both structural and functional impairments of the myocardium. Reversing left ventricular (LV) myocardial fibrosis has been considered as a key goal for curing chronic hypertension and has been a hot field of research in recent years. The aim of the present work is to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at PC6 on hypertension-induced myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Thirty SHRs were randomized into model, SHR + EA, and SHR + Sham EA groups with WKY rats as a normal control. EA was applied once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. The cardiac fibrosis as well as the underlying mechanisms were investigated. After 8 weeks of EA treatment at PC6, the enhanced myocardial fibrosis in SHRs was characterized by an increased ratio of left ventricular mass index (LVMI), collagen volume fraction (CVF), and elevated content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) as well as the upregulated expression of collagen I and collagen III in myocardium tissue of SHRs. All these abnormal alterations in the SHR + EA group were significantly lower compared to the model group. In addition, EA at PC6 significantly improved the pathological changes of myocardial morphology. Meanwhile, the increased levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and expression of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 in the serum or heart tissue of SHRs were also markedly diminished by EA. These results suggest that EA at bilateral PC6 could ameliorate cardiac fibrosis in SHRs, which might be mediated by the regulation of the Ang II - TGF-ß1 pathway.

[Microstructural characteristics of lymphatic vessels in skin tissues of acupoints "Taichong" and "Yongquan" in the rat].

OBJECTIVE: To provide a new method for investigating the histological characteristics of acupoints by obser-ving the microstructure of the lymphatic vessels in the skin tissue of "Taichong" (LR3) and "Yongquan" (KI1) regions. METHODS: Six male SD rats were used in the present study. The skin tissue of LR3 and KI1 from the hind foot were taken following transcardial perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde. The skin tissues were cut into sagittal sections with a freezing microtome and stained by fluorescent immunohistochemistry with lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and phalloidin for displaying the lymphatic vessels, nerve fibers, and blood vessels, separately. The samples were viewed and recorded using fluorescent microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS: In the skin tissue of LR3 and KI1 regions, the lymphatic vessels, nerve fibers, and blood vessels were labeled with LYVE-1, CGRP and phalloidin, respectively. The lymphatic capillaries were found to start from the enlarged blind end and distribute in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues with various forms, crisscrossing. Abundant blood capillaries at various thickness distributed around the lymphatic capillaries in a parallel or crossed pattern, intermingled with free nerve fibers. CONCLUSION: The lymphatic capillaries, blood capillaries and nerve fibers extensively distribute in the skin tissues of LR3 and KI1 regions in rats, suggesting an involvement of the immunomodulation in the effects of acupuncture in pathological conditions, despite being not limited to the acupoint regions in the distribution of lymphatic capillaries.

[Review on application of neural tracing technique to experimental research of acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To collect literatures on the application of neural tracing technique in experimental acupuncture research, and summarize its application status in acupoints, meridians and Zang-fu organs. METHODS: We collected papers published from databases of CNKI (1979-2017), Wan-Fang (1990-2017), VIP (1989-2017) and PubMed(1997-2017)by using keywords of "neural tracing technique" "neuroanatomic tracing" "neural tracers" and "acupuncture" "electroacupuncture" "auricular acupuncture" "eye acupuncture" "meridians" "acupuncture points" "acupoint injection", and made a summary about the current state of application of neural tracing technique in the fields of acupoint, meridian and Zang-fu organs (viscera). RESULTS: A total of 94 articles were collected, the most commonly used neural tracers were horseradish peroxidase and cholera toxin subunit B. The experimental animals used were rat, rabbit, cat, monkey, etc., and injection site was acupoint. After the injection of neural tracers, the survival time of animals was range from 1 day to 12 weeks, and the labelled tissues included neurons and nerve fibers of the sensory, motor, and autonomic systems. The outcomes of neural labeling mainly revealed the segmental pattern, neuroanatomical connection (neural pathways/circuits) and chemical features (shown by immunohistochemical staining) of neurons and nerve fibers innervating both the acupoints and visceral organs, suggesting their involvement in the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. CONCLUSION: This application of neural tracing technology help us understand the under-lying mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions from different perspectives of neural pathways/circuits and related chemical properties, which also lays a greater role for this technology in future experimental acupuncture research.

[Distribution of serotonin-positive cells in local cutaneous tissues of different acupuncture points at hindlimbs in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of serotonin (5-HT) in local tissue of different acupoint regions at the hind limbs of rats. METHODS: A total of 6 male SD rats were used in the present study. The local tissues of "Neiting"(ST44), "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Futu"(ST32) at the hindlimbs were dissected after transcardiac perfusion with fixative solution containing 4% paraformaldehyde, phosphate buffer, etc., fixed again in 4% paraformaldehyde and cut into sections (at 20 µm thick). Then, the tissue sections were subjective into immunofluorescence stain for displaying 5-HT positive cells and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) -positive fibers, vessel-like structure (labelled with phalloidin) and cellular nucleus (labelled with DAPI), separately. After that, the tissue samples were observed and recorded using a laser confocal microscope. RESULTS: The 5-HT labeled cells presented flat or round form in the local tissues of the 3 acupoint regions. These cells were mainly located in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, and concentrated around the vessel-like structure and CGRP-positive nerve fibers. The number of cutaneous 5-HT positive cells was most in ST44 (156.6±12.1), and fewer in ST36 (83.5±18.2)and ST32(53.3±5.2)in turn. CONCLUSION: 5-HT-positive cell is an important member in local tissue of acupoints (ST44, ST36 and ST32), and varies in number according to their locations, suggesting an involvement of different densities of 5-HT-positive cells in different levels of regulatory effects of acupuncture stimulation of these acupoints.

[Moxa-stick moxibustion activates mast cells of small intestine tissue in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of moxa-stick moxibustion and joss-stick moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the activity of mast cells in the small intestine tissue in rats. METHODS: Twelve male SD rats were randomly divided into control, joss-stick moxibustion and moxa-stick moxibustion groups (n=4 rats in each group). Joss-stick or moxa-stick moxibustion was applied to CV4 for 10 min. After moxibustion, the skin temperature of the CV4 region was measured immediately with a thermometer. The mast cells and nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue were displayed by immunofluorescence histochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the skin temperature of the CV4 region in both the joss-stick and the moxa-stick groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the skin temperature of the moxa-stick group was significantly higher than that in the joss-stick group (P<0.05). There were a large number of tryptase-positive mast cells in the small intestine of rats, some of which were co-expressed with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1, displaying an activated state. The average numbers of mast cells in the control, joss-stick and moxa-stick groups were 9.2±3.6, 10.8±5.3 and 17.1±6.3, respectively, being significantly higher in the moxa-stick group than in the control and joss-stick groups (P<0.05). In addition, calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and neuropeptide Y(NPY) positive nerve fibers were found around the mast cells in the small intestinal tissues. CONCLUSION: Moxa-stick moxibustion gives rise a higher temperature at CV4 to activate mast cells surrounded by CGRP and NPY positive nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue in rats, suggesting an involvement of the sensory and sympathetic nervous system in the activation of intestinal mast cells possibly by way of somatic sympathetic reflex.

[Application of heart rate variability in acupuncture research].

The measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) has the advantages of noninvasiveness and simple operation and is widely used in clinical trials and scientific research for assessing reactions of the autonomic nervous system. More and more studies on acupuncture also take HRV as an important index. In addition to the definition, origin, analytical methods, and significance of time domain and frequency domain parameters of HRV, we reviewed the situations of application of HRV to acupuncture research in recent years, analyzed the influence of acupuncture and sham acupuncture, different acupuncture methods, and different acupoints on HRV, and confirmed the role of HRV in reflecting the effect of acupuncture on the vagal and sympathetic systems. However, various interference factors for HRV measurement and diverse methods for data analysis may lead to great differences in the experimental results of HRV and the interpretation of parameters. Therefore, careful analysis is needed in future studies on acupuncture with HRV as an observation index.

Protective effects of leptin against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

In recent years, the use of thrombolytic therapy for treating ischemia/reperfusion injury has resulted in damage to the self-regulatory mechanisms of the brain. This is due to the increased production of free radicals, excitatory amino acids and pro-inflammatory cytokines causing secondary damage to the brain. Simple thrombolytic therapy has not been the best approach for treating ischemia/reperfusion injury. Excessive perfusion leads to failure of the body's self-regulatory functions, which in turn increases the area of cerebral edema and aggravates cerebral ischemia. Previous studies have evaluated the satiety hormone leptin as a link between energy expenditure and obesity. Of note, leptin, which is involved in brain development, synaptic transmission and angiogenesis following ischemia/reperfusion injury, has been considered an important factor for treating ischemia/reperfusion injury. The present review outlines the discovery of leptin and discusses its association with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

[A new attempt of re-mapping acupoint atlas in the rat].

OBJECTIVE: To try to re-map an acupoint atlas in vector mode in the experimental rat by using a new-generation drawing tool. METHODS: A total of 5 SD rats were used in the present study. In reference to the current acupoint locations and anatomical structure of rats as well as those of the human body, an acupoint atlas having a stereoscopic mode was re-mapped by using Adobe photoshop/illustrator CS6 imaging processing and drawing system. RESULTS: According to the skeletal structure and body surface landmarks, an acupoint atlas consisting of Shuigou (GV26), Baihui (GV20), Tianmen (i.e. Cuanzhu, BL2), Erjian (MA-H6), Dazhui (GV14), Feishu (BL13), Xinshu (BL15), Geshu (BL17), Jizhong (GV6), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23), Houhui (SI3), Huantiao (GB30), Houhai, Yanglingquan (GB34), Housanli (ST36), Zhaohai (KI6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Genduan point, Shenmai (BL62), Taichong (LR3), Zhijian (foot), Yongquan (KI1), Guanyuan (CV4), Xiqian, Weijian, Shenque (CV8), Zhongwan (CV12), Qiansanli (LI10), Waiguan (SJ5), Neiguan (PC6), Quchi (CV6), Zhoujie (EX-UE1), Hegu (LI4), Zhijian (hand), Houxi (SI3), Shenmen (HT7), Taiyuan (LU9), Shaohai (HT3), Chize (LU5), Danzhong (CV17), and Chengjiang (CV24) which have been positioned in plane graph mode by Professor HUA Xing-bang and colleagues in 1991. The newly re-mapped acupoint atlas displayed more clearly in the anatomic locations relevant to the traditional one. CONCLUSION: A new acupoint atlas with 3 dimension image mode is accomplished in the rat, being more convenient and applicable for researchers to edit the relevant graph materials in paper writing, and playing a possibly useful guidance for the standardization of acupoint selection in experimental acupuncture researches.

[A Potential Role of Adenosine A 2 b Receptor in Mediating Acupuncture Pretreatment Induced Cardioprotection via Influencing Intracellular Calcium Regulator].

It has been shown that ischemia preconditioning (IPC) can attenuate the myocardial injury induced by ischemic and reperfusion. But it was rarely used in clinic due to its inoperability. Previous studies indicate that electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment can mimic myocardial ischemia preconditioning (MIPC) to produce cardioprotective effect. The activated adenosine A 2 b receptor has been proven to be involved in mediating the cardioprotection of IPC. In the studies on acupuncture analgesia, it was reported that adenosine receptor was activated by acupuncture stimulation, and acupuncture pretreatment can affect the acti-vities of intracellular A 2 b receptor. Based on those mentioned above, it is highly likely that the A 2 b receptor may also participate in the cardioprotection produced by acupuncture pretreatment. In this paper, we comprehensively reviewed relevant studies regarding 1) the cardioprotective effect of IPC and its limitations, 2) the similar cardioprotection produced by both acupuncture pre-treatment and IPC, 3) the mechanism underlying myocardial ischemic injury and intracellular calcium regulation, 4) the acti-vation of adenosine receptors and effects of acupuncture, 5) the relationship between adenosine receptors and intracellular calcium ion, and 6) the effect of acupuncture on adenosine receptors, so as to provide a novel assumption that A 2 b receptor may be a key factor in mediating the cardioprotection of acupuncture pretreatment. Our future research will systematically explore the me-chanism of acupuncture pretreatment in protecting ischemic myocardium from myocardial cell adenosine A 2 b receptor and intracellular calcium signal transduction related factors.