Pest management of postharvest potatoes: lethal, sublethal and transgenerational effects of the ectoparasitic mite Pyemotes zhonghuajia on the potato worm Phthorimaea operculella.

BACKGROUND: Potato, Solanum tuberosum, is one of the most important food crops in the world, playing a significant role in global food security. However, many potato industries and farms may suffer losses of tuber yield and quality in storage due to lepidopteran pests. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of an ectoparasitic idiobiont mite Pyemotes zhonghuajia in the biological control of the potato tuber moth (PTM) Phthorimaea operculella by determining the lethal, sublethal (nonconsumptive) and transgenerational effects of P. zhonghuajia of various population densities and exposure durations on PTM survival, development and reproduction. RESULTS: Pyemotes zhonghuajia females were capable of killing all instar stages of PTM, while resistance to mite parasitism increased with the development of PTM life stage. The mortality of mature larvae (i.e., fourth instar) and pupae increased with increasing mite density and exposure duration. P. zhonghuajia imposed significant negative sublethal impacts on PTM pupation rate, female fecundity and adult longevity but not on immature development. The sublethal stress was transgenerational, resulting in lower reproduction in the offspring generation. CONCLUSION: P. zhonghuajia induces lethal, sublethal and transgenerational effects and significantly decreases PTM survival and reproductive out, demonstrating its high efficiency in the biological control of PTM. Our study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying the nonconsumptive effects of parasitism in an ectoparasite-host system and delivers critical information for the design and implementation of augmentative releases of P. zhonghuajia in the biological control of PTM in potato storage. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Influence of electroacupuncture on ghrelin and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on ghrelin and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (PI3K/Akt/eNOS) signaling pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).@*METHODS@#Eight Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the healthy blood pressure (BP) control (normal group), and 32 SHRs were randomized into model group, EA group, EA plus ghrelin group (EA + G group), and EA plus PF04628935 group (a potent ghrelin receptor blocker; EA + P group) using a random number table. Rats in the normal group and model group did not receive treatment, but were immobilized for 20 min per day, 5 times a week, for 4 continuous weeks. SHRs in the EA group, EA + G group and EA + P group were immobilized and given EA treatment in 20 min sessions, 5 times per week, for 4 weeks. Additionally, 1 h before EA, SHRs in the EA + G group and EA + P group were intraperitoneally injected with ghrelin or PF04628935, respectively, for 4 weeks. The tail-cuff method was used to measure BP. After the 4-week intervention, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and pathological morphology of the abdominal aorta was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of ghrelin, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in the serum. Isolated thoracic aortic ring experiment was performed to evaluate vasorelaxation. Western blot was used to measure the expression of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and eNOS proteins in the abdominal aorta. Further, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to measure the relative levels of mRNA expression for PI3K, Akt and eNOS in the abdominal aorta.@*RESULTS@#EA significantly reduced the systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) (P < 0.05). HE staining showed that EA improved the morphology of the vascular endothelium to some extent. Results of ELISA indicated that higher concentrations of ghrelin and NO, and lower concentrations of ET-1 and TXA2 were presented in the EA group (P < 0.05). The isolated thoracic aortic ring experiment demonstrated that the vasodilation capacity of the thoracic aorta increased in the EA group. Results of Western blot and qRT-PCR showed that EA increased the abundance of PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and eNOS proteins, as well as expression levels of PI3K, Akt and eNOS mRNAs (P < 0.05). In the EA + G group, SBP and DBP decreased (P < 0.05), ghrelin concentrations increased (P < 0.05), and the concentrations of ET-1 and TXA2 decreased (P < 0.05), relative to the EA group. In addition, the levels of PI3K and eNOS proteins, the p-Akt/Akt ratio, and the expression of PI3K, Akt and eNOS mRNAs increased significantly in the EA + G group (P < 0.05), while PF04628935 reversed these effects.@*CONCLUSION@#EA effectively reduced BP and protected the vascular endothelium, and these effects may be linked to promoting the release of ghrelin and activation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.

Main components in butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis / 中国中药杂志

The present study aims to investigate the effects of the main components(aesculin, berberine hydrochloride, and anemoside B4) in the butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction(BAEB) on the chemotaxis of neutrophils induced by dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO). HL60 cells were cultivated in RPMI-1640 complete medium, and transferred into a 6-well plate(2 × 10~5 per mL) with 4 mL in each well, followed by incubation with DMSO at 1.3% for five days. The morphologic changes of cells were observed under an inverted microscope. The CD11 b expression after DMSO induction was analyzed by flow cytometry. The effects of aesculin, berberine hydrochloride, and anemoside B4 on the cell proliferation and migration were detected by CCK8 assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The effects of the main components on the production and polarization of F-actin protein were also examined by flow cytometry and laser confocal microscopy. PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway was checked by Western blot. As revealed by the results, neutrophil-like HL60 cells were observed after DMSO induction. The CD11 b expression in these cells increased significantly as indicated by the flow cytometry. Additionally, 100 μg·mL~(-1) aesculin, 8 μg·mL~(-1) berberine hydrochloride, and 80 μg·mL~(-1) anemoside B4 were potent in inhibiting the migration of neutrophils and reducing F-actin expression. Berberine hydrochloride was verified to be capable of diminishing phosphorylated PI3 K/Akt protein expression. The findings indicate that aesculin, anemoside B4, and especially berberine hydrochloride in the BAEB can inhibit the chemotaxis of neutrophils, which is possibly achieved by the inhibition of F-actin and PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway.

Expressional and functional comparisons of two general odorant binding proteins in Agrotis ipsilon.

Insect general odorant binding proteins (GOBPs) have been long thought to bind and transport host plant volatiles to the olfactory receptors on the dendrite membrane of the olfactory neurons. Recent studies indicate that they can also bind female sex pheromones. In present study, two GOBP genes, AipsGOBP1 and AipsGOBP2 were cloned from the adult antennae of Agrotis ipsilon. Tissue expression profiles indicated that both of them are antennae-specific and more abundant in the female antennae than in the male antennae. Temporal expression profiles showed that both AipsGOBP1 and AipsGOBP2 began to express in antennae 3 days prior to adult emergence from pupae, and reached their highest expression level 3 and 4 days after adult emergence, respectively. Mating increased their expression in the female antennae but reduced their expression in the male antennae. In situ hybridization and immunolocalization demonstrated that both AipsGOBP1 and AipsGOBP2 are expressed and co-localized in sensilla basiconica and sensilla trichodea of both sexes. AipsGOBP2 exhibited a high binding affinity in vitro with the two major sex pheromone components Z7-12:Ac and Z9-14:Ac and the four plant volatiles cis-3-hexen-1-ol, oleic acid, dibutyl phthalate and ß-caryophyllene with Ki values less than 5 µM. AipsGOBP1, on the other hand, showed medium binding affinities with the five A. ipsilon sex pheromones and six plant volatiles. AipsGOBP2 also showed a broader ligand-binding spectrum and a greater ligand-binding affinity than AipsGOBP1 with the tested aldehyde and alcohol sex pheromones of Lepidoptera species. Taken together, our results indicate that AipsGOBP2 may play greater roles than AipsGOBP1 does in binding sex pheromones and host plant volatiles.

Clinical Observation of Wrist-ankle Acupuncture plus Bloodletting Cupping for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathies / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture plus bloodletting cupping in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathies (DPN). Method A total of 120 patients were randomized into two groups by using the random number table. Sixty cases in the treatment group were intervened by wrist-ankle acupuncture plus bloodletting cupping; sixty cases in the control group were treated with Mecobalamin tablets. The clinical efficacies were evaluated and electroneurogram was tested after 28-day treatment. Result The total effective rate was 95.0% in the treatment group versus 88.3% in the control group. The clinical efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). The treatment group was significantly better than the control group in comparing the major symptoms and signs including numbness, pain, and weakness in limbs (P<0.05); there were no significant between-group differences in comparing symptoms including cold limbs, short of breath and unwilling to speak, lassitude, and thirsty with desire to drink (P>0.05). The treatment group had better effect than the control group in comparing the motor conduction velocity of superficial peroneal nerve and sensory conduction velocity of common peroneal nerve (P<0.05). Conclusion Wrist-ankle acupuncture plus bloodletting cupping is effective in treating DPN, and it benefits the recovery of motor and sensory function of the impaired peripheral nerves.

Clinical Observations on Acupuncture plus Lumbar Vertebra-stabilizing Muscle Group Training for Treatment of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical improving effect on the symptoms of acupuncture at point Weizhong(BL40) plus following lumbar vertebra-stabilizing core muscle group training in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Method Sixty patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomized to a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The treatment group received acupuncture at point Weizhong plus following lumbar vertebra-stabilizing core muscle group training and the control group, oral administration of celecoxib capsules. After treatment, the clinical improving effect on the symptoms was evaluated in the patients using the NRS, JOA Lumbar Scoring and ODI. Result The total efficacy rate was 100% in the treatment group and 53.3%in the control group. Post-treatment NRS, JOA and ODI scores were better in the treatment group than in the control group; there were statistically significant differences (P<0.001). Conclusion Acupuncture at point Weizhong plus following lumbar vertebra-stabilizing core muscle group training can effectively treat lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Oridonin solid lipid nanoparticles inhibit proliferation of esophageal cancer cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Increasing studies have shown that solid lipid nanoparticles made from traditional Chinese medicine can inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms of oridonin solid lipid nanoparticles (ORI-SLN) by the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on the proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. METHODS: After 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 μmol/L ORI-SLN treated human esophageal cancer cell lines Eca-109 for 24, 48, 72 hours, the cell inhibition rate was detected by cell counting kit-8, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. After 0, 14 μmol/L ORI-SLN treated Eca-109 cells for 48 hours, the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of Cleaved caspase3, β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1 proteins was detected by western blot assay. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activator LiCl and LiCl+ORI-SLN were used to treat Eca-109 cells for 48 hours, and then the relevant indicators were reexamined. Eca-109 cells without any treatment were used as controls. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The cell inhibition rate of Eca-109 cells treated with different concentrations of ORI-SLN for 24, 48 and 72 hours was significantly higher than that at 0 hour, and the cell inhibition rate was found to increase with the prolongation of time and the increase of the concentration (P < 0.01). 14 μmol/L ORI-SLN was confirmed to result in the higher cell apoptosis and Cleaved caspase3 expression compared with the 0 μmol/L group, while the expression of β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1 proteins were significantly lower than the 0 μmol/L group (P < 0.01). Cell inhibition rate, apoptosis rate and Cleaved caspase3 protein expression in the activator group and ORI-SLN+activator group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the expression of β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1 protein was significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The cell inhibition rate, apoptosis rate and expression of Cleaved caspase3 in ORI-SLN+activator group was significantly lower than those in the activator group, and the β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1 protein expression was significantly higher than that in the activator group (P < 0.01). To conclude, ORI-SLNs can inhibit the proliferation and apoptosis of human esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca-109, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Preparative separation and quantitative determination of two kaurenoic acid isomers in root barks of Acanthopanax gracilistylus / 中国天然药物

The kaurenoic acid-type diterpenoids in Acanthopanacis Cortex have been reported to be the major active components. However, the diterpenoids are present as position isomers that exacerbate the challenges in obtaining standards compounds. Little work has been done on the quantitative analysis of the diterpenoids in the herb. In the present study, two diterpenoid isomers ent-16βH,17-isovalerate-kauran-19-oic acid (1) and ent-16βH,17-methyl butanoate-kauran-19-oic acid (2) with high purity were separated by analytical HPLC, followed by recrystallization in acetone. Furthermore, an HPLC-ELSD method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of 1 and 2 in 9 batches of Acanthopanacis Cortex samples. The HPLC separation and quantification was achieved in 40 min using an Agela Promosil C column eluted with a gradient of water and acetonitrile. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.999 9) within the test ranges. The LOD ranged from 0.407 2 to 0.518 0 μg and LOQ ranged from 1.018 0 to 1.295 0 μg. The precisions (%RSD) were within 1.47% for the two isomers. The recovery of the assay was in the range of 98.78%-99.11% with RSD values less than 2.76%. It is the first time to establish a quantitative HPLC method for the analysis of the bioactive kaurenoic acid isomers in the herb.

Illness Attribution of Outpatients with Multiple Somatic Symptoms in Peking Union Medical College Hospital / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the characteristics of illness attribution of outpatients with multiple somatic symptoms in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Methods It was a cross-sectional study conducted from March to October,2012. A total of 150 outpatients were recruited from the departments of Gastroenterology,Traditional Chinese Medicine and Psychological Medicine by convenience sampling. Somatic symptom scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15) was used to screening each patient in the waiting list. With the cut-off value of 10,patients were divided into the somatic symptom positive (SOM+) group and somatic symptom negative (SOM-) group. Sociodemographic characteristics were compared between these two groups. All the subjects completed interviews including questions about illness attribution. All the answers of illness attribution were concluded into three major groups as physical factors,situational factors and psychological factors. Results The proportion of female was significantly higher in SOM+ group than in SOM-group (69.3% vs. 53.3%;χ=4.048,P=0.044). In SOM+ group,significantly more patients contributed their illness to psychological factors (64.0% vs. 45.0%;χ=5.273,P=0.022). There was no significantly difference between SOM+ group and SOM-group on the phenomenon of multiple illness attribution (41.0% vs. 32.0%;χ=1.407,P=0.236). However,in the Department of Gastroenterology,there were significantly more outpatients in SOM+ group with multiple illness attribution (60.0% vs. 32.0%;χ=3.945,P=0.047).Conclusions The outpatients in general hospital with multiple somatic symptoms are more likely to contribute their illness to psychological factors. The phenomenon of multiple illness attribution is common among patients. Clinicians should increase their awareness and knowledge of illness attribution,so as to provide better holistic health services.

[Effects of Hydrothermal Treatment Time on the Transformations of N, P, K and Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge].

Hydrothermal treatment (HTT) of sewage sludge was conducted, focusing on the influence of HTT time on the dewaterability of sludge and transformations of elements N, P, K and heavy metals. The results showed that at a hydrotherma temperature of 160°C, with HTT time increasing from 30 to 120 min, the sludge dewatering performance was significantly improved. The transfer rate of N element in the sludge transferring to aqueous product increased gradually. Almost all of P element remained in the solid phase, and most of K element (57%-62%) was still in the solid phase although it was more easily transferred to the liquid phase than P element. The transferring behavior of heavy metals during the HTT related to their own properties, and their transferring behaviors were different with the increase of HTT time. Compared with the raw sludge, the contents of Cu, Zn, Cr and Pb in the dewatered sludge increased significantly, As increased slowly, while Ni and Cd were first lower than those in raw sludge, and then increased with the prolonging HTT time.

Preparation and evaluation of intra-articular injectable sinomenine hydrochloride-loaded in situ liquid crystals / 药学学报

Phytantriol (PT), ethanol (ET) and water were used to prepare in situ cubic liquid crystal (ISV2). The pseudo-ternary phase diagram of PT-ET-water was constructed and isotropic solution formulations were chosen for further optimization. The physicochemical properties of isotropic solution formulations were evaluated to optimize the composition of ISV2. In situ hexagonal liquid crystals (ISH2) were prepared based on the composition of ISV2 with the addition of vitamin E acetate (VitEA) and the amount of VitEA was optimized by in vitro release behavior. The phase structures of liquid crystalline gels formed by ISV2 and ISH2 in excess water were confirmed by crossed polarized light microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering, respectively. Rheological properties of ISV2 and ISH2 were studied by a DHR-2 rheometer. In vitro drug release studies were conducted by using a dialysis membrane diffusion method. Pharmacokinetics was investigated by determination of sinomenine hydrochloride (SMH) concentration in synovial membrane after intra-articular injection of SMH-loaded ISH2 in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. The optimal ISV2 (PT/ET/water, 64 : 16 : 20, w/w/w) loaded with 6 mg x g(-1) of SMH showed a suitable pH, injectable and formed a cubic liquid crystalline gel in situ with minimum water absorption in the shortest time. The optimal ISV2 was able to sustain the drug release for 144 h. The optimal ISH2 system was prepared by addition of 5% VitEA into PT in the optimal ISV2 system. This ISH2 (PT/VitEA/ET/water, 60.8 : 3.2 : 16 : 20, w/w/w/w) was an injectable isotropic solution with suitable pH. The new ISH2 was able to sustain the drug release for more than 240 h. Local pharmacokinetics study indicated that the retention time and AUC(0-∞) of ISH2 group were increased significantly compared with that of SMH solution group and the AUC(0-∞) of ISH2 group was 6.01 times higher than that of SMH solution group. The developed ISH2 was suitable for intra-articular injection that may apply to patients in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Preparation and evaluation of intra-articular injectable sinomenine hydrochloride-loaded in situ liquid crystals / 药学学报

Phytantriol (PT), ethanol (ET) and water were used to prepare in situ cubic liquid crystal (ISV2). The pseudo-ternary phase diagram of PT-ET-water was constructed and isotropic solution formulations were chosen for further optimization. The physicochemical properties of isotropic solution formulations were evaluated to optimize the composition of ISV2. In situ hexagonal liquid crystals (ISH2) were prepared based on the composition of ISV2 with the addition of vitamin E acetate (VitEA) and the amount of VitEA was optimized by in vitro release behavior. The phase structures of liquid crystalline gels formed by ISV2 and ISH2 in excess water were confirmed by crossed polarized light microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering, respectively. Rheological properties of ISV2 and ISH2 were studied by a DHR-2 rheometer. In vitro drug release studies were conducted by using a dialysis membrane diffusion method. Pharmacokinetics was investigated by determination of sinomenine hydrochloride (SMH) concentration in synovial membrane after intra-articular injection of SMH-loaded ISH2 in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. The optimal ISV2 (PT/ET/water, 64:16:20, w/w/w) loaded with 6 mg·g-1 of SMH showed a suitable pH, injectable and formed a cubic liquid crystalline gel in situ with minimum water absorption in the shortest time. The optimal ISV2 was able to sustain the drug release for 144 h. The optimal ISH2 system was prepared by addition of 5% VitEA into PT in the optimal ISV2 system. This ISH2 (PT/VitEA/ET/water, 60.8:3.2:16:20, w/w/w/w) was an injectable isotropic solution with suitable pH. The new ISH2 was able to sustain the drug release for more than 240 h. Local pharmacokinetics study indicated that the retention time and AUC0-∞ of ISH2 group were increased significantly compared with that of SMH solution group and the AUC0-∞ of ISH2 group was 6.01 times higher than that of SMH solution group. The developed ISH2 was suitable for intra-articular injection that may apply to patients in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Basic Research Progress on Electro-Acupuncture Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, which affects more than 35 million people worldwide with increasing tendency. AD brings stupendous economic burden for both the society and family. It has become a major global public health issue. Electro-acupuncture (EA) therapy has been widely used in AD treatment with satisfactory results. Based on the basic research, this paper explored the therapeutic effect of EA in AD treatment from the learning ability and morphological changes in AD animal models. From the cholinergic neuronal apoptosis theory, inflammatory response theory, oxidative stress theory and other aspects, the action mechanism of EA in the treatment of AD animal models were reviewed. At last, limitations of EA in AD treatment were analyzed. It proposed the outlook of a new type of EA-music EA in AD treatment. It provided a new idea and method for AD clinical treatment.

Micro-PET Observation of the Effect of Electroacupuncture on Cerebral Hippocampus Glucose Metabolism in SAMP8 Mice with Senile Dementia / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe cerebral hippocampus glucose metabolism using 18F-FDG micro-PET as an imaging technique in a normal group of mice, and model and electroacupuncture groups of SAMP8 mice with senile dementia (rapid aging mice). Method Four 6-month-old SAMR1 mice were picked at random out of the normal group and every four 6-month-old SAMP8 mice, out of the model and electroacupuncture groups respectively. Each of them was anesthetized by inhalation of 2% isoflurane and then given a bolus injection of radioactive tracer 18F-FDG 14.8~16.5 MBq through the tail vein. After one hour of the uptake, a PET scan was performed for 10 min. Hippocampus 18F-FDG uptake rate per gram of brain was calculated in every group of mice and the uptake rates were compared between the groups.Result The 18F-FDG uptake rate per gram of brain tissue was higher in the electroacupuncture group of mice than in the normal and model groups.Conclusion Electroacupuncture can markedly increase cerebral 18F-FDG uptake and the uptake rate per gram of brain tissue in SAMP8 mice. It may play a neuroprotective role through its influence on cerebral glucose metabolism.

Protective effect of resveratrol on arsenic trioxide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUD/OBEJECTIVES: Arsenic, which causes human carcinogenicity, is ubiquitous in the environment. This study was designed to evaluate modulation of arsenic induced cancer by resveratrol, a phytoalexin found in vegetal dietary sources that has antioxidant and chemopreventive properties, in arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-induced Male Wistar rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Adult rats received 3 mg/kg As2O3 (intravenous injection, iv.) on alternate days for 4 days. Resveratrol (8 mg/kg) was administered (iv.) 1 h before As2O3 treatment. The plasma and homogenization enzymes associated with oxidative stress of rat kidneys were measured, the kidneys were examined histologically and trace element contents were assessed. RESULTS: Rats treated with As2O3 had significantly higher oxidative stress and kidney arsenic accumulation; however, pretreatment with resveratrol reversed these changes. In addition, prior to treatment with resveratrol resulted in lower blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and insignificant renal tubular epithelial cell necrosis. Furthermore, the presence of resveratrol preserved the selenium content (0.805 ± 0.059 µg/g) of kidneys in rats treated with As2O3. However, resveratrol had no effect on zinc level in the kidney relative to As2O3-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that supplementation with resveratrol alleviated nephrotoxicity by improving antioxidant capacity and arsenic efflux. These findings suggest that resveratrol has the potential to protect against kidney damage in populations exposed to arsenic.

The primal role of the vestibular system in determining musical rhythm.

Previous studies have indicated that physical movement on either every second or on every third beat of an unaccented auditory rhythm pattern can disambiguate whether it is perceived in double time as a march or in triple time as a waltz. Here we demonstrate that this disambiguation can also be accomplished by direct galvanic stimulation of the vestibular system. The galvanically induced sensation, without any actual movement, that the head moved from side to side on either every second or on every third beat of the ambiguous auditory rhythm pattern strongly biased whether adults perceived it as being in double or in triple time. These results imply that the vestibular system plays a primal role in the perception of musical rhythm.

Effect of the gardenia extracts-T9 on viral replication and IFN-gamma mRNA in Herpes simplex virus type-1 infected mice brains / 病毒学报

RT-PCR was used to detect expression level of VP16 mRNA and IFN-gamma mRNA in Herpes simplex virus type-1 infected mice brains at 4th day, 7th day, 10th day, 14th day, 21st day post infection and investigate the effects of the Gardenia extracts-T9 on viral replication and host immunity. The results showed that expression of VP16 mRNA in Gardenia extracts-T9 high dose and low dose group were both lower than that in virus control group at same time point. Relative VP16 mRNA expression in low dose group decreased at 21st day and relative VP16 mRNA expression in high dose group decreased continuously. Relative expression of IFN-gamma mRNA in high dose and low dose groups were both higher than that in virus control group at all time point except the 4th day. IFN-gamma mRNA in low dose group increased from the 4th day till the 14th day, and after the 14th day, the expression decreased slightly. Relative IFN-gamma mRNA in high dose group maintained increasing from 4th day till 21st day. Base on these results, we conclude that Gardenia extracts-T9 might exert the inhibition effect of viral replication by upregulating expression of IFN-gamma mRNA.

[Randomized controlled study on effects of the needling method for regulating spleen-stomach on coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus (CDM) and the mechanism. METHODS: Using multi-central, randomized, controlled and blind methods, 120 cases of CDM were divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. They were treated by routine therapy for diabetes mellitus, and in the observation group, acupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Fenglong (ST 40). Diji (SP 8), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. were added with the needling method for regulating spleen-stomach; while in the control group, acupuncture was given at Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. The treatment was given twice a day in the two groups. Clinical therapeutic effects were assessed according to clinical symptoms and signs, frequency and lasting time of angina pectoris, quantity of taking Glycerol Trinitrate, blood sugar, blood lipids, urinary albumin excretion rate, urinary beta2-microglobulin, urinary monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), ECG, heart color Doppler, etc. RESULTS: The needling method for regulating spleen-stomach not only could improve the symptoms and signs of the patient, but also could improve the degree of ST segment moving down and the function of left artrium relaxation, and had benign regulative effect on glycometabolism, lipids metabolism and urinary albumin level, with significant differences as compared with the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The markedly effective rate for improvement of ECG was 50.00% in the observation group and 13.79% in the control group. CONCLUSION: The needling method for regulating spleen-stomach can improve the damage of heart and blood vessels induced by abnormal sugar and lipids, decrease the level of urinary protein, inhibit MCP-1 excessive expression, relieve myocardial load and raise cardiac output in the patient of coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Randomized controlled study on effects of the needling method for regulating spleen-stomach on coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus (CDM) and the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using multi-central, randomized, controlled and blind methods, 120 cases of CDM were divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. They were treated by routine therapy for diabetes mellitus, and in the observation group, acupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Fenglong (ST 40). Diji (SP 8), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. were added with the needling method for regulating spleen-stomach; while in the control group, acupuncture was given at Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. The treatment was given twice a day in the two groups. Clinical therapeutic effects were assessed according to clinical symptoms and signs, frequency and lasting time of angina pectoris, quantity of taking Glycerol Trinitrate, blood sugar, blood lipids, urinary albumin excretion rate, urinary beta2-microglobulin, urinary monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), ECG, heart color Doppler, etc.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The needling method for regulating spleen-stomach not only could improve the symptoms and signs of the patient, but also could improve the degree of ST segment moving down and the function of left artrium relaxation, and had benign regulative effect on glycometabolism, lipids metabolism and urinary albumin level, with significant differences as compared with the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The markedly effective rate for improvement of ECG was 50.00% in the observation group and 13.79% in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The needling method for regulating spleen-stomach can improve the damage of heart and blood vessels induced by abnormal sugar and lipids, decrease the level of urinary protein, inhibit MCP-1 excessive expression, relieve myocardial load and raise cardiac output in the patient of coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p>

Reanimation of paralyzed laryngeal muscles by electrical stimulation synchronized with inspiration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of electrical stimulation on denervated cat posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This study was conducted on six cats with PCA muscle denervation. All animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after surgery and the glottal area in the live animals and the fiber diameters of PCA muscle were obtained. RESULTS: Signals synchronized with inspiration were recorded and transmitted to stimulate PCA muscle. The abduction of the paralyzed vocal cord during inspiration was observed; this allows enough flow of air through the larynx to maintain the respiration. The stimulated fiber diameters of PCA muscle were different from that of nonstimulated (P < 0.01). Although all denervated muscles were degenerated, electrical stimulation was used to prevent muscular atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that electrical stimulation of the PCA muscle synchronized with inspiration could restore the abduction of a paralyzed vocal cord and prevent the denervated muscles from atrophying. SIGNIFICANCE: Electrical stimulation synchronized with inspiration may lead to reanimation of paralyzed laryngeal muscles.