The Mechanism Study of Moxa Combustion Products on Regulating Vascular Endothelial Function in Atherosclerotic Mice.

Objective: To evaluate the anti-atherogenic effect of moxa combustion products (MCPs) and whether it is mediated through improving the vascular endothelial function in ApoE-/- mice. Methods: A total of 60 male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into the moxa smoke (MS) group, filtered moxa smoke (FMS) group, moxa floss volatile (MFV) group, essential oil of Artemisia argyi (EOAA) group, and model group (n = 12/group), while 12 male C57BL/6 mice were used as the control group. The six groups were intervened for 20 min/day, 6 days/week. After 14 weeks of intervention, the mice were euthanized and their blood lipids were measured. The aortic roots and thoracic aortas were collected for haematoxylin and eosin (HE) or Oil Red O staining, respectively. The contents of AMPK, PI3K, Akt, and eNOS mRNA in the thoracic aortas were examined by RT-qPCR. Results: The MS group and FMS group showed significantly lower plaque area percentage in the aortic roots and thoracic aortas and higher contents of AMPK-mRNA and eNOS-mRNA in the thoracic aortas compared with the model group. Conclusion: MS and FMS equally suppressed the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-/- mice. It was suggested that the particulate matter in MS may not be the key components of moxibustion.

Research status and trends of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer：a bibliometric analysis based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer / 中国针灸

To analyze the research status of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer at home and abroad in the past 45 years by using bibliometric and scientific knowledge map methods，and explore the development trends in future. The literature of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer was retrieved from CNKI and Web of Science (WOS) till December 31, 2020 since the database establishment, and CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to perform visual map analysis through cooperation network, keyword co-occurrence, keyword timeline, keyword emergence and other methods. Totally, 1 585 literature in CNKI and 1 564 literature in WOS were included, and the annual publication amount showed a fluctuating upward trend. Cooperation between countries was centered on China and the United States, and there was relatively little cooperation among different institutions. The analysis of keyword and cited literature showed that researches focused on the control of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on cancer complications and adverse reactions of western medicine. The main research types in WOS were systematic review and randomized controlled trial (RCT), while in CNKI was review, depth studies on mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer were rare. The concern about the quality of life of cancer patients may become research emphasis in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer in future, and the research scope tends to integrative and holistic oncology.

Discussion on registry study of acupuncture-moxibustion for malignant pleural effusion / 中国针灸

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is one of the common complications of tumor. Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy has several advantages for treatment of MPE. Acupuncture is regarded as a complex individualized intervention, and its characteristics of TCM is difficult to be reflected by strict randomized controlled trials. The registry study provides more possibilities for the data collection of individualized diagnosis and treatment under the guidance of the overall concept and syndrome differentiation, and is more suitable for data management and collection of large samples and multi-center trials in the real-world study. It has become an opportunity to carry out real-world study of acupuncture for MPE. There are many challenges in the registry study of acupuncture for MPE. However, it is of great significance to collect real-world data of acupuncture for MPE to improve the clinical effect of MPE and provide a new clinical research method for acupuncture in tumors and related complications.

Network Pharmacology Study on Mechanism of Danggui Sinitang in Treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::This paper aims to explore the potential anti-neoplasm targets and mechanism of Danggui Sinitang on hepatocellular carcinoma by analyzing the prescription of Danggui Sinitang with the method of network pharmacology, in order to provide targeted guidance for further studies. Method::The Traditional Chinese Medicine System Platform (TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction database were adopted to establish the database of Danggui Sinitang' s effective ingredients and targets. The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) were used to build the hepatocellular carcinoma target database, which was then matched with Danggui Sinitang' s target database. Based on the matching results, STRING database was applied to analyze the interactions between the targets and the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was utilized for the enrichment analysis on gene ontology (GO) biological process and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. Then Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used for networks analysis. Result::A total of 56 significant targets of Danggui Sinitang were found for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The 106 cellular biological processes were obtained through GO biological process enrichment analysis and 23 related pathways were obtained by KEGG enrichment analysis, mainly including TNF signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) signaling pathway, AMP activated protein kinase(AMPK) signaling pathway, Janus kinase(JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT) signaling pathway, et al. Conclusion::The therapeutic effect of Danggui Sinitang on hepatocellular carcinoma may be multi-target, multi-channel and multi-level. It can be inferred that quercetin and kaempferol may be two important active components, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway may be two important signaling pathways. This study not only makes a contribution to a better understanding of the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma mechanism of Danggui Sinitang, but also proposes a strategy to develop new TCM candidates at a network pharmacology level.

Effect of miRNA from Glycyrrhiza uralensis decoction on gene expression of human immune cells / 中国中药杂志

MicroRNAs(miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of protein coding genes by repressing translation of protein coding mRNA or enhancing mRNA degradation. Its functions have attracted more and more attention from the public. In recent years, the cross-border regulation of miRNA has become a new research direction, and provides a new perspective for people to comprehensively understand the functions of miRNA. Plant miRNA is usually methylated and not easy to degrade. According to our previous researches, there were abundant small RNAs in the decoction of dried liquorice, which provides a new way to study the mechanism of action of licorice. In this study, small RNAs extracted from Glycyrrhiza uralensis decoction and synthesized miRNA mimics were used to treat peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) isolated from healthy volunteers. The gene expression of toll-like receptors(TLRs), some transcription factors, signal molecules and cytokines were analyzed by RT-PCR. The results showed that glycyrrhiza miRNA could significantly regulate PBMC by inhibiting the expression of genes involved in T cell differentiation, inflammation and apoptosis. The study brought new ideas to us in comprehensively studying the mechanism of licorice and developing the traditional Chinese medicine.

Concomitant transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy and transurethral resection of prostate in patients with urinary retention and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen levels.

BACKGROUND: There was no consensus about the management of patients with urinary retention and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. This study aimed to determine whether concomitant transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy and transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is practical in patients with urinary retention and elevated serum PSA levels. METHODS: From March 2007 to May 2015, a total of 34 patients with urinary retention and elevated PSA (≥ 4 ng/mL) underwent concomitant TRUS-guided biopsy and TURP. The medical records were evaluated retrospectively, and data including PSA, prostate volume, TURP results, TRUS-guided biopsy results, length of hospitalization, and complications were collected. These patients were then compared with 40 patients with urinary retention who underwent TURP alone. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 71.6 years. The mean PSA levels were 16.9 ng/mL. Prostate cancer was detected in eight cases (23.5%): one case by TRUS-guided biopsy alone, two cases by TURP alone, and five cases by both TRUS-guided biopsy and TURP. Complications included fever in five patients (14.7%), recatheterization for urine retention in two patients (5.9%), urinary tract infection in two patients (5.9%), and de novo urge incontinence in seven patients (20.6%). The complication rate was not significantly increased compared with that of the patients who underwent TURP alone. CONCLUSION: This study showed that concomitant TRUS-guided biopsy and TURP was safe and of possible clinical significance in urinary retention patients with elevated serum PSA.

Micronucleus in vitro induced by inhalable particulate matters in moxa smoke / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether inhalable particulate matters can cause the damage of chromosome or mitotic apparatus to produce micronucleus, and to evaluate genetic toxicology of moxa smoke on chromosome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By MTT method, the 24 h half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of moxa smoke condensation (MSC) on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was 0.087 mg/mL. CHO cells, which were cultured in vitro, were divided into a solvent control group, a positive control group (cyclophosphamide as solvent), a low concentration group, a moderate concentration group and a high concentration group. The low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group were set approximately 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 of IC50, respectively. Whether micronucleus had dose-effect response induced by the damage of chromosome or mitotic apparatus was observed after CHO cells were contaminated by MSC in the low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of micronucleus induced by MSC in the low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group was higher than that in the solvent control group (all P < 0.05), which presented dosage-effect response. The experiment was repeated 3 times, indicating it was repeatable with statistical significance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High concentration of MSC shows toxicity to induce chromosome damage, which disappears at low concentration. The genetic toxicology is also dependent on concentration, and the concentration of moxa smoke is essential. In clinical treatment, it is noted to control the level of moxa smoke, while the clinical safety standard of moxa smoke concentration is in need of further study.</p>

Effects of moxa smoke with different concentrations on expression of SOD and MDA in lung and serum of rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of intervention of moxa smoke with different concentrations on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and lung of male rats, so as to explore the safety concentration of moxa smoke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 32 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into a control group, a low-concentration group, a moderate-concentration group and a high-concentration group, 8 rats in each one. All the rats were exposed in the full-automatic toxicant exposure cabinet, and the overshadow of moxa smoke was set at 0%, 10%, 40% and 70%, respectively. Each rat was exposed for 20 min per day. After 26 weeks, the activities of SOD and content of MDA in serum, lung organ and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the activities of serum SOD in the high-concentration group were reduced (P< 0. 05), but those in the low-concentration group and moderate-concentration group were not significantly different (both P>0. 05). Compared with the control group, the content of serum MDA in the low-concentration group, moderate-concentration group and high-concentration group was increased insignificantly (all P>0. 05). There were no significant differences regarding activities of SOD and content of MDA in lung organ and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid among each moxa smoke group (all P>0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no obvious toxic reaction in the low-concentration group and moderate-concentration group; in the high-concentration group the antioxidant ability is damaged due to long-term exposure.</p>

Effects of Moxa Smoke Versus Tobacco Smoke on Autonomous Behaviors and Hippocampal GFAP Expression in Apolipoprotein E Gene Knockout Mice / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of moxa smoke versus tobaccosmoke on autonomous behaviors and hippocampal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in apolipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE-/-) mice.Method Thirteen 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice constituted a blank control group. Twenty-seven ApoE-/-mice of the same age were randomized into ApoE-/-model, moxa smoke and tobacco smoke groups. The tobacco smoke and moxa smoke groups of mice were exposed to smoke 5-15 mg/m3circumstances. Every group of mice was intervened in 20 min. daily, six days a week, for atotal of 12 weeks. A behavioral test was conducted in week 13. The animals were then sacrificed to take the materials. Hippocampal GFAP in the brain was measured by an immunohistochemical method.ResultAutonomous activities were significantly more in theblank group than in the model group (P0.05). Moving distance was longer in the moxa smoke group than in the model group (P<0.05). Standing-up number was smaller in the moxa smoke group than in the blank group (P<0.05). Integral optical density of GFAP immune reaction products in the hippocampus was significantlyhigher in the model group of mice than in the blank and moxa smoke groups (P<0.05). Hippocampal GFAP expression was significantly higher in the group of mice than in the moxa smoke and blank groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Moxa smoke can increase the excitability of central nervous system in mice and reduce hippocampal GFAP expression in a mice model of Alzheimer disease.

Effects of controllable dynamic inhaled exposure of moxa smoke on LDL-r, ICAM-1 and morphology of heart tissue in rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the change of lipid metabolism and vascular endothelium as well as morphology of heart tissue in rats who were long-time exposed to moxa smoke with different concentrations in order to provide reference for safety assessment of moxa smoke on cardiovascular system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and sixty-eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a low-concentration group, a median-concentration group and a high-concentration group, 42 rats in each one. The rats were exposed to moxa smoke with concentration of 0%, 10%, 40% and 70%, respectively, for 20 min per day. After continuous intervention for six months, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to measure the level of low density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-r) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in blood serum in each group; the slices of heart tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining method to observe morphology change of heart tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) After the intervention of moxa smoke, the levels of LDL-r and ICAM-1 in the low-concentration group were not statistically different from those in the control group (both P > 0.05); the level of LDL-r in the median-concentration group was significantly increased, which was statistically different from that in the control group [(3.87 +/- 0.27) mg/mL vs (2.12 +/- 0.13) mg/mL, P < 0.01], however, the content of ICAM-1 was not obviously changed; although the level of LDL-r in the high-concentration group was presented with an escalating trend, it was not statistically different from that in the control group (P > 0.05) while the level of ICAM-1 was obviously increased (P < 0.01). (2) Under the light microscope, the abnormalities of cardiac muscle fibers and myocardial cell in each group were not been observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The long-time intervention of low-concentration moxa smoke has no significant effects on lipid metabolism and vascular endothelium of rats, indicating that clinical application of low-concentration moxa smoke is relatively safe. The long-time intervention of moderate-concentration moxa smoke could significantly increase the clearance rate of cholesterol, implying the beneficial regulation of moxa smoke on lipid metabolism. The high-concentration moxa smoke could induce certain damage to vascular endothelium but its mechanism is in need of further research. The pathologic change of heart tissue could not be induced by moxa smoke with any concentration.</p>

Effect of PM10 in Moxa Smoke on Apoptosis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Line-A549 Cells / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the effect of PM10 (inhalable particles) in moxa smoke on apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line-A549 cells, and explore the possible mechanisms of inducing apoptosisMethods The A549 cells were studied in vitro experiment method, which were stained by Hoechest33258 staining method. Their morphological changes of apoptosis were observed by the fluorescence microscopy. The levels of intracellular Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and expression of NF-κB p65 were also measured.Results Some apoptotic cells were observed after treated with moxa smoke PM10 in the concerntration of 400μg/mL. After 4 hours intervention by moxa smoke PM10 in A549 cells, the intracellular Ca2+ level increased significantly (P0.05). Compared with the blank control group, ROS level was significantly lower (P<0.05) in A549 cells after intervention of moxa smoke PM10.Conclusion PM10 in moxa smoke could induce apoptosis of A549 cells, could increase cytosolic Ca2+ level.

Microbial remediation and optimization of oil polluted wetlands at Dalian Bay in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The wetland at Dalian Bay in the Northeast of China has been polluted by oil severely. The effect of various microbes and operation parameters on the bioremediation of oil-polluted wetlands at Dalian Bay was investigated and reported previously. In the study, other operation conditions related to the status of medium were investigated via statistical experimental design and analysis and a necessary information is involved to use micro-technology in the application.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The method used involved the direct inoculation of selected bacteria, which were capable of degrading oil. The operation conditions were further optimized and evaluated by gravimetrical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The optimal pH and temperature for the studied bacteria to degrade the existing oil pollutants were established as pH 8.0 and 27 degrees C. The mixed of various bacteria showed better results in terms of oil degradation than any single one. Among the selected four factors, disturbance, oxidant, nutrients, and biosurfactant, the former two contributed more impacts on the oil degradation in the early stage of process, while the latter two became the limiting factors in the late stage. Three sets of optimal conditions were obtained for each individual stage, but no one was suitable for the overall process.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study demonstrated the technical feasibility of using direct inoculation into the contaminated soil samples to remove oil pollutants. It suggested that the operation conditions should be monitored and adjusted during the different stages of bio-reactions in the process to achieve the best result of oil degradation.</p>

Clinical study of Jiawei Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction in preventing and treating peripheral neuro-sensory toxicity caused by oxaliplatin / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of Jiawei Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction (JHGWD) in treating neuro-sensory toxicity induced by oxaliplatin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized controlled self-crossover trial was performed. Thirty-one patients were randomly divided into AB and BA groups. Patients in A cycle belonged to the treated group, who were treated with chemotherapy combined with oxaliplatin plus JHGWD. Patients in B cycle belonged to the control group and were treated with chemotherapy alone. The peripheral neuro-sensory toxicity was observed and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The main neurotoxicity was cold-induced paresthesia after the use of oxaliplatin, which included hyperaesthesia, chill, anaesthesia in the extremities, electrified sensation, formication, foreign body sensation and pain that might be exacerbated by exposure to cold. Twenty patients (64.5%) suffered from neuro-sensory toxicity in the treated group and 27 cases (87.1%) in the control group. Symptoms were more serious and lasted longer in the control group than those in the treated group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JHGWD could prevent and reduce the occurrence and intensity of acute peripheral neuro-sensory toxicity caused by oxaliplatin.</p>

Gyrus plasmasect: is it better than monopolar transurethral resection of prostate?

INTRODUCTION: This randomized prospective study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of the Gyrus Plasmasect loop bipolar transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and conventional monopolar TURP in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 117 men were enrolled in this study. Fifty-eight patients underwent Gyrus Plasmasect TURP and 59 patients underwent monopolar TURP. They were followed up for 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Significant improvements were seen postoperatively in both the Gyrus and monopolar groups in terms of prostatic volume, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score, peak flow rate, and post-void residual urine volume. However, the degree of improvement was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Significantly less blood loss, shorter postoperative catheterization time and length of hospital stay were seen in the Gyrus group. CONCLUSIONS: Gyrus Plasmasect TURP yielded comparable results to monopolar TURP; however, this is only a preliminary study and follow-up is necessary to assess its long-term efficacy.

Effect of Bushen Tongluo Fang on hypercoagulable state in rats with experimental membranous glomerulonephritis induced by cationized bovine serum albumin / 中草药

Objective This study was designed to assess whether Bushen Tongluo Fang(BSTLF),a Chinese materia medica formula,can ameliorate the hypercoagulable state in rats with membranous glomerulonephritis(MGN)induced by cationized bovine serum albumin(C-BSA)in order to gain an insight into the mechanisms responsible for its therapeutic effect.Methods Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly separated into six groups:the normal control group,the MGN model group,the prednisone-plus-aspirin treatment group,and the low-,moderate-,and high-dose groups of BSTLF.The model of MGN was induced by sc(preimmunization)and iv injections of C-BSA in the latter five groups.After the development of MGN model,the decoctions of BSTLF and the prednisone-plus-aspirin solution were ig administered to the treatment groups respectively twice daily for four weeks.The rats in the model group received their drinking water as vehicle controls.Urinary albumin excretion for 24 h was measured using a rat albumin ELISA kit.The platelet aggregation was analyzed by turbidimetry.The plasma level of fibri-nogen(Fib)was determined by the von Clauss assay.Radioimmunoassay was used to examine thromboxane B2(TXB2)and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1?(6-keto-PGF1?)of the renal cortex.Results Urinary albumin excretion for 24 h,maximal platelet aggregation,plasma Fib level,and TXB2 production of renal cortex in the MGN model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group,respectively.Compared with the MGN model group,these four measurements were decreased significantly in BSTLF-treated groups.The 6-keto-PGF1? production of renal cortex in the MGN model group was subnormal but no statistically significant differences were observed between the model group and BSTLF groups.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the administration of BSTLF could attenuate platelet aggregability,lower plasma level of Fib and reduce thromboxane A2 production by renal cortex in the rats with MGN,so that their hypercoagulable state is corrected at least partly and glomerular microthroimbosis is prevented in several ways.These effects may contribute considerably to the mechanisms of BSTLF efficacy for chronic nephritis.