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Acupuncture has a positive effect in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS). A number of studies have confirmed that the role of acupuncture in the treatment of IS, which is closely related to its functions of regulating mitochondrial functions. In the present article, we review the mechanisms of acupuncture underlying improvement of mitochondria in the treatment of IS from 4 aspects： 1) protecting mitochondrial structure integrity, 2) regulative effect on mitochondrial functional activities, including regulating energy metabolism, reducing oxidative stress, suppressing calcium overload, and regulating mitochondrial membrane potential changes, 3) regulating mitochondrial quality control system, including promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis, regulating mitochondrial dynamics and apoptosis, and 4) regula-ting mitochondria-related apoptosis pathways. All of these may provide a theoretical basis for acupuncture in the treatment of IS and a reference for further research.

Study on the reversal of epileptic drug resistance by tetramethylpyrazine in combination with carbamazepine through modulation of P-Glycoprotein expression in rat brain microvessel endothelial cell.

The purpose of this study was to detect the changes of P-Glycoprotein (P-GP) expression in rat brain microvessel endothelial cell line RBE4 after the action of Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on Carbamazepine (CBZ), so as to clarify the potential mechanism of TMP combined with CBZ against intractable epilepsy drug resistance. The RBE4 cell line was utilized for in vitro analysis. Cells were divided into control, CBZ, and CBZ-TMP group. The expression of P-GP was assessed using Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Intracellular concentration of CBZ was measured through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The differential expression of mRNA was evaluated by RNA sequencing. The intracellular concentration of CBZ in the CBZ-TMP group was significantly higher than that in other groups. The expression of P-GP in the CBZ group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while in the CBZ&TMP group, it was significantly lower than that in the other groups. Comparative analysis also revealed some differentially expressed genes. Compared with the CBZ group, FAM106A, SLC3A2, TENM2, etc. were upregulated most significantly in the CBZ&TMP group. ZBTB10, WDR7, STARD13, etc. were downregulated most significantly. Results suggest that TMP increases the intracellular concentration of CBZ, downregulates the expression of P-GP increased by CBZ, and modulates related cellular metabolism and signaling pathways, thus reversing the drug resistance mechanism of intractable epilepsy, providing a theoretical basis for the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and antiepileptic drugs.

Tongxinluo capsule in combination with conventional therapies for stable angina pectoris: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Tongxinluo capsule (TXLC) in combination with conventional therapies for treating stable angina pectoris (SAP) through a comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases for randomized controlled trials investigating the use of TXLC as adjuvant therapy for SAP published up to June 2023. The Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1, and publication bias was assessed using Begg test and Egger test in the Stata SE 12.0 software. GRADEpro was used to assess the quality of the evidence. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 26 randomized controlled trials with a total of 2352 patients. TXLC co-administration demonstrated significant reduction in angina attack frequency (mean difference (MD) -0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.97 to -0.84, P < .00001) and duration (MD -1.71, 95% CI -2.24 to -1.19, P < .00001), decreased use of nitroglycerin tablets (MD -6.28, 95% CI -7.16 to -5.41, P < .00001), lowered C-reactive protein (MD -1.19, 95% CI -1.35 to -1.03, P < .00001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (MD -0.68, 95% CI -0.86 to -0.51, P < .00001). TXLC co-administration did not increase gastrointestinal reactions (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.38 to 3.57, P = .78). The Begg test and Egger test results indicated no publication bias. The evidence quality was rated as very low for frequency of angina attack, duration of angina attack, and nitroglycerin usage, and low for C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and gastrointestinal reaction events. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis supports TXLC as a beneficial adjunct treatment for SAP.

l-Arginine treatment maintains postharvest quality in blueberry fruit by enhancing antioxidant capacity during storage.

The postharvest quality of blueberry fruit is largely limited by deterioration. l-arginine (Arg) is a functional nontoxic amino acid with high biological activities. This study investigated the positive effects and the underlying mechanism of Arg treatment on the quality of postharvest blueberries. Arg effectively mitigated fruit decay and improved the quality of blueberries, including weight loss, firmness, and soluble solid content. Mechanistically, Arg-mediated activation of the anti-oxidative defense system reduced reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative damage. Moreover, Arg treatment decreased the activities and gene expression of phospholipase D, lipoxygenase, and lipase-inhibiting membrane lipid peroxidation during the prolonged storage of blueberries. Meanwhile, Arg treatment increased nitric oxide (NO) content and NO synthase activity. Furthermore, correlation and principal component analyses revealed the enhancement of Arg treatment on antioxidant capacity. This study suggests that Arg treatment can maintain the postharvest quality of blueberries by improving antioxidant capacity.

Shenqi formula delayed Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms by skn-1 pathway in Caernorhabditis elegans.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Shenqi formula is composed of Codonopsis pilosula (Cp) and Lycium barbarum (Lb), and it is traditionally used for promoting qi and nourishing the spleen, liver and kidney. Cp and Lb have been reported to improve cognitive performance in APP/PS1 mice, prevent the accumulation of Aß, and reduce the neurotoxicity of Aß to achieve the anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect. AIM OF THE STUDY: Shenqi formula was explored the therapeutic effect on Caenorhabditis elegans AD pathological model and the underlying mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paralysis assay and serotonin sensitivity assay was used to detect whether Shenqi formula can alleviate AD paralysis phenotype, and then DPPH, ABTS, NBT and Fenton methods were applied to investigate the scavenging capacity to free radical, ROS, ·O2- and ·OH of Shenqi formula in vitro. H2DCF-DA and MitoSOX™ Red were employed to measure ROS and .O2- accumulation, respectively. RNAi was used to knock down the expression of skn-1 and daf-16 related to oxidative stress resistance signalling pathway. Fluorescence microscopy was used to record the expression of SOD-3::GFP, GST-4::GFP, SOD-1::YFP, and the nuclear translocation of SKN-1 and DAF-16. Western blot assay was carried out to test Aß monomers and oligomers. RESULTS: Shenqi formula delayed the AD-like pathological characteristics in C. elegans, and the complete Shenqi formula was more effective than Cp or Lb alone. The effect of Shenqi formula on delaying worm paralysis was partially eliminated by skn-1 RNAi, but not daf-16 RNAi. Shenqi formula significantly inhibited the abnormal deposition of Aß protein, decreased Aß protein monomers and oligomers. It increased the expressions of gst-4, sod-1, and sod-3 similar to paraquat, companied by rise then fall of ROS and .O2- in AD worms. CONCLUSIONS: Shenqi formula at least partially depended on SKN-1 signalling pathway to exert its anti-AD effect, and it is potential to be used as a kind of health food to prevent the progress of AD.

Enhancement of suppression oxidative stress and inflammation of quercetin by nano-decoration for ameliorating silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Silicosis is a life-threatening lung fibrotic disease caused by excessive inhalation of environmental exposure to crystalline silica-containing dust, whereas achieving therapeutic cures are constrained. Antioxidation and anti-inflammation are currently recognized as effective strategies to counteract organ fibrosis. Using naturally occurring phytomedicines quercetin (Qu) has emerged in antagonizing fibrotic disorders involving oxidative stress and inflammation, but unfortunately the hydrophilicity deficiency. Herein, chitosan-assisted encapsulation of Qu in nanoparticles (Qu/CS-NPs) was first fabricated for silicosis-associated fibrosis treatment by pulmonary delivery. Qu/CS-NPs with spherical diameters of ~160 nm, demonstrated a high Qu encapsulated capability, excellent hydrophilic stability, fantastic oxidation radical scavenging action, and outstanding controlled as well as slow release Qu action. A silicosis rat model induced by intratracheal instillation silica was established to estimate the anti-fibrosis effect of Qu/CS-NPs. After intratracheal administration, CS-NPs markedly enhanced Qu anti-fibrotic therapy efficacy, accompanying the evident changes in reducing ROS and MDA production to mitigate oxidative stress, inhibiting IL-1ß and TNF-α release, improving lung histological architecture, down-regulating α-SAM levels and suppressing ECM deposition, and thereby ameliorating silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Results manifested that the augmented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Qu by CS-NPs delivery was a result of achieving this remarkable improvement in curative effects. Combined with negligible systemic toxicity, nano-decorated Qu may provide a feasible therapeutic option for silicosis therapy.

pH Responsive Poly(Amino Acid) Nanoparticles as Potent Carrier Adjuvants for Enhancing Cellular Immunity.

Adjuvants are widely used in vaccine to improve the protection or treatment efficacy. However, so far they inevitably produce side effects and are hard to induce cellular immunity in practical application. Herein, two kinds of amphiphilic poly(glutamic acid) nanoparticles (α-PGA-F and γ-PGA-F NPs) as nanocarrier adjuvants are fabricated to induce an effective cellular immune response. Amphiphilic PGA are synthesized by grafting phenylalanine ethyl ester to form biodegradable self-assembly nanoadjuvants in a water solution. The model antigen, chicken ovalbumin (OVA), can be loaded into PGA-F NPs (OVA@PGA-F NPs) with the high loading ratio >12%. Moreover, compared with γ-PGA-F NPs, the acidic environment can induce the α-helical secondary structure of α-PGA NPs, promoting membrane fusion and more fast antigen lysosomal escape. Hence, the antigen presenting cells treated with OVA@α-PGA-F NPs show higher secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and higher expression of major biological histocompatibility complex class I and CD80 than those of OVA@γ-PGA-F NPs. Overall, this work indicates that pH responsive α-PGA-F NPs as a carrier adjuvant can effectively improve the ability of cellular immune responses, leading to it being a potent candidate for vaccine applications.

Effects of perineal massage during childbirth on maternal and neonatal outcomes in primiparous women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Perineal massage during childbirth has been recommended as an effective measure to prevent perineal injury. However, the overall effects of perineal massage during childbirth on maternal and neonatal outcomes in primiparous women remain inconclusive. Particularly, the effects of perineal massage begun during different stages of labor need to be further investigated. OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively review the effects of perineal massage during childbirth on primiparous health outcomes, including perineal-related outcomes, duration of labor, hemorrhage and postpartum perineal pain, and neonatal outcomes, including Apgar scores and neonatal complications, and to further explore the effects of perineal massage begun during different stages of labor. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis following the Cochrane Handbook guidelines and PRISMA2020. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was developed following the three-phase search approach, and the literature search was conducted in electronic databases and clinical trial registers from inception to 7th January 2022. Study selection and data extraction were completed independently by two researchers. The updated Cochrane risk of bias 2.0 tool for randomized trials was chosen to evaluate the quality of included studies. Data analyses were conducted using the Revman5.4 software, and subgroup analyses were performed based on the different start times of perineal massage. Furthermore, the certainty of body of evidence for each outcome was assessed utilizing the GRADEpro online tool. RESULTS: Seventeen randomized controlled trials involving 3248 primiparous women were included in the review. The pooled results of meta-analyses indicated that perineal massage begun during the second stage of labor significantly increased the occurrence of intact perineum (RR = 2.78, 95 % CI: [1.52, 5.05], P < 0.001), reduced the rate of second- and third-degree perineal lacerations (P < 0.05), and decreased the incidence of episiotomy (RR = 0.63, 95 % CI: [0.50, 0.79], P < 0.001), while perineal massage during the first stage of labor effectively shortened the duration of the first and second stages of labor (P < 0.05). The available evidence also suggests the potential role of perineal massage on hemorrhage and long-term postpartum perineal pain (P < 0.05). However, the aggregated results failed to demonstrate the beneficial effects of perineal massage on neonatal outcomes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Perineal massage begun during the second stage of labor effectively improves the perineal-related outcomes in primiparous women, while perineal massage during the first stage of labor significantly shortens the duration of labor. High-quality studies exploring the standardized procedure for perineal massage and the short- and long-term effects of perineal massage are warranted. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022302336 (PROSPERO).

Shenkang injection protects against renal fibrosis by reducing perforin expression through the STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathways in natural killer cells.

BACKGROUND: Immune activation, chronic inflammation, and renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The herbal formula, Shenkang injection (SKI), has been reported to attenuate RIF. However, the mechanisms by which SKI alleviates renal fibrosis, especially the role of natural killer (NK) cells, are unknown and require exploration. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the mechanisms by which SKI alleviates RIF. METHODS: Differential gene expression between CKD mice and control groups was explored using bioinformatics analysis. To reveal how SKI reduces RIF in CKD, a CKD mouse model was established using folic acid for in vivo studies, and human kidney-2 cells were used for in vitro experiments. The effects of various SKI doses were then determined. Immunohistochemical staining, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR were used for pathological and molecular expression detection. RESULTS: We first investigated the potential immune dysfunction in CKD using bioinformatics analysis. Some differentially expressed genes were enriched in immune-related functions. The expressions of perforin and interferon (IFN)-γ, which are mainly released by NK cells, were significantly higher in patients with CKD (p< 0.05). In vivo experiments showed that SKI alleviated renal fibrosis in a folic acid-induced renal fibrosis model. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were reduced in the high-dose SKI-treated group. Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression levels of type IV collagen and alpha-spinal muscular atrophy were reduced. Biochemical detection showed that SKI could also downregulate the activity of NK cells (by decreasing the expressions of perforin and IFN-γ). Increased levels of stimulator of interferon genes (STING)/TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1)/IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), phosphorylation of TBK1, and IRF3 in FA-induced RIF mice were alleviated by SKI treatment, which was consistent with the results of in vitro experiments. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that SKI could decrease the activation of NK cells via the STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating RIF and protecting renal function in CKD. This may provide valuable evidence supporting the clinical use of SKI in the treatment of patients with CKD.

Interleukin-35 inhibits angiogenesis through T helper17/ Interleukin-17 related signaling pathways in IL-1ß-stimulated SW1353 cells.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis associates with chondrocytes differentiation in inflammatory arthritis. Interleukin (IL)- 1ß stimulated SW1353 cells have a phenotype similar to this kind of chondrocytes. IL-17A, a target in T helper 17 (Th17)/IL-17 signaling pathways, was expressed by SW1353 cells. The study aimed to explore the role of IL-35 on angiogenesis in IL-1ß stimulated SW1353 cells and its related signaling pathways. METHODS: Microarray dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database of arthritis cartilage. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) was analyzed for IL-35, pro-angiogenic factors and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We studied the effects of IL-35 on proliferation and apoptosis in IL-1ß stimulated SW1353 cells using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry. The expression of pro-angiogenic factors and IL-17A were assessed by western blot and real-time PCR. Added plumbagin (inhibitor of IL-17A) to repeat the above experiment. The secretion of IL-17A was assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: IL-35, pro-angiogenic factors interacted with DEGs to affect the function of arthritis chondrocytes. IL-35 promoted IL-1ß-stimulated SW1353 cells proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and decreased pro-angiogenic molecules and IL-17A expression in a concentration dependent manner. IL-35 inhibited IL-17A secretion in the supernatants of these cells. Blocking the Th17/IL-17 related pathways with plumbagin abolished the effects of IL-35 on IL-1ß-stimulated SW1353 cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that IL-35 regulated differentiation and pro-angiogenic molecules expression in IL-1ß stimulated SW1353 cells via Th17/IL-17 related signaling pathways. Our findings may reveal the mechanisms of novel angiogenesis molecules in inflammatory chondrocyte lesion.

A pseudotargeted method based on sequential window acquisition of all theoretical spectra mass spectrometry acquisition and its application in quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine preparation-Yuanhu Zhitong tablet.

Quality control plays a key role in the application of Chinese materia medica, especially in the preparation of traditional Chinese medicine. A pseudotargeted analysis method using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry that was operated in the sequential window acquisition of all theoretical spectra mode was proposed to explore the chemical markers of traditional Chinese medicine preparation. Full-scan-based untargeted analysis was applied to extract the target ions. After data preprocessing, 302 target ions were extracted and used for the subsequent sequential window acquisition of all theoretical spectra analyses. The established sequential window acquisition of all theoretical spectra-based pseudotargeted approaches exhibited good repeatability and a wide linear range. The established method was successfully applied to discover analytical markers for the Yuanhu Zhitong tablet. After multivariate statistical analysis, 94 potential markers were identified. Ten markers were annotated by matching accurate m/z and product ion information obtained from previous reports. It is clearly indicated that the pseudotargeted analysis could make a great contribution to the quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine preparation as a newly emerging technique.

Core competencies of the midwifery workforce in China: A scoping review.

AIM: This review aims to demonstrate the current core competencies of the Chinese midwifery workforce and to summarize the influencing factors of core competencies. BACKGROUND: Midwifery core competencies are crucial to providing high-quality maternal and newborn health care, but little is known about the overall status of the core competencies of the Chinese midwifery workforce. EVALUATION: A scoping review was conducted following the latest Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. KEY ISSUES: Forty-one studies were included in this review. Regarding core competency assessment tools, the Midwife Core Competency Scale was used most frequently among 16 identified tools. Generally, the core competencies of the Chinese midwifery workforce were at a moderate or high level, but the competencies in pre-pregnancy, public health care and integrative competence were relatively inadequate. The main factors influencing the core competencies of the midwifery workforce were their working years, educational level and training experience. CONCLUSION: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the core competencies of the Chinese midwifery workforce at the national level. Future studies are encouraged to use objective instruments to reflect core competencies and explore the intervenable influencing factors of core competencies. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Core competency assessment tools can be used to select the qualified midwifery workforce. Targeted core competency enhancement programmes should be formulated based on the current core competencies level and the factors influencing core competencies.

Tissue Distribution Study of Poloxamer188 in Rats by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time of Flight/Mass Spectrometry with MSALL-Based Approach.

Poloxamer188 (PL188), as one of the most commonly used pharmaceutical excipients, has unique physicochemical properties and good biocompatibility, and so is playing an increasingly extensive role in the field of medicine. Currently, there are few studies on the tissue distribution of PL188 in vivo. In this study, the LC-MS method based on MSALL technique of quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry for absolute quantitative analysis of poloxamer 188 in biological substrates was established for the first time. The tissue distribution of poloxamer188 in SD rats were studied using the established quantitative analysis method. To explore the distribution of PL188 in organs and tissues, PL188 was administered via rat tail vein at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Eight kinds of tissues including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, muscle and brain of rats were collected at 0.25 h, 1 h and 4 h after administration. Tissue distributions showed the highest level was observed in kidney, then in stomach, which indicated PL188 mainly bioaccumulated in the kidney. This study can provide references for the further study of PL188.

Antiplatelet Therapy with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Use in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Review of Clinical Applications and Mechanisms.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is common in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after PCI treatment, which seriously affects the efficacy of revascularization and hinders the postoperative recovery of patients; therefore, the current study is focused on determining effective methods in the treatment of MIRI. Antiplatelet therapy is a routine treatment for ACS, and its benefits for treating MIRI have been previously verified. With the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), many TCM preparations are widely used in the clinic. Many basic and clinical studies have shown that TCM can be used together with antiplatelet drugs, and the safety and efficacy when TCM is included in the treatment are better than when antiplatelet drugs are used alone. This paper summarizes the current research progress of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in the treatment of MIRI to provide a theoretical basis for further research and clinical treatment.

Application of highly efficient and lowly toxic bufadienolides screened from toad skin in lymphatic chemotherapy for colorectal cancer through a lymphatic metastatic model.

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) remains a major obstacle to treat colorectal cancer (CRC). Increasing evidences have suggested that bufadienolides contain several fractions displaying antitumor activity and may be applied in lymphatic chemotherapy. However, effects of the highly efficient and lowly toxic (HELT) bufadienolides on CRC in lymphatic chemotherapy have not been reported. METHODS: Adenosine triphosphate tumor chemosensitivity assays (ATP-TCA) was performed to detect the inhibition rate (IR) of fractions of bufadienolides to cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and tumor cells. HELT fraction-loaded emulsions of different concentrations were prepared. Nude mouse bearing HCT116 tumors in footpad received high-dose emulsion (HD-E), middle-dose emulsion (MD-E), low-dose emulsion (LD-E), control emulsion (CE), Cinobufacini Injection (CI), or normal saline (NS), respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Flow Cytometry (FCM), enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) and hematological examination were applied to evaluate therapeutic effects and potential toxicity. RESULTS: F18 and F19 were screened out as HELT fractions in vivo and F18-loaded emulsions of different concentrations for lymphatic administration were prepared. We confirmed that HD-E and MD-E produced obvious antitumor activities in footpad tumors and LNM compared with other groups in vitro. We also verified the effects of F18-loaded emulsions on activating hematopoietic function, stimulating proliferation of the spleen and natural killer (NK) cells, and promoting the secretion of IFN-γ and IgG1, although HD-E performed mild toxicity on liver. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that lymphatic chemotherapy with HELT fraction of bufadienolides could be an effective approach to the treatment of CRC patients with LNM.

Dispersive Matrix Solid-Phase Extraction Method Coupled with High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Ultrasensitive Quantification of Endogenous Brassinosteroids in Minute Plants and Its Application for Geographical Distribution Study.

An ultrasensitive analysis method for quantification of endogenous brassinosteroids in fresh minute plants was developed based on dispersive matrix solid-phase extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. During the dispersive matrix solid-phase extraction, plant samples were first ground with solid sorbent (dispersant) in one microcentrifuge tube and then centrifuged after adding extraction solvent and cleanup materials (another type of sorbent). Three protocols based on dispersive matrix solid-phase extraction were compared and discussed for plant samples with different matrix complexity. The choice of any protocol was a compromise of increasing purification efficiency and decreasing sample loss. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection were 1.38-6.75 pg mL-1 for five brassinosteroids in the oilseed rape samples. The intraday and interday precisions were in the range of 0.8%-9.8% and 4.6%-17.3%, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to detection of endogenous brassinosteroids in milligram oilseed rape (2.0 mg) and submilligram Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings (0.5 mg). Finally, the geographical distribution of five endogenous brassinosteroids of Brassica napus L. oilseed rape in different provinces of origin in the Yangtze River basin was described.

Interleukin-35 (IL-35) inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes isolated from mice with collagen-induced arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disorder of the joints that affects 0.5-1 % of adults. Excessive growth of the fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) promotes hyperplasia of synovial tissues and causes its invasion into the bone and cartilage, which eventually causes deformity and dysfunction of affected joints. Interleukin 35 (IL-35) was shown to suppress the inflammatory responses to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) via upregulation of T regulatory cells and suppression of T helper type 17 cells in a mouse model. To study the effects of IL-35 on the proliferation and apoptosis frequency of cultured FLS isolated from mice with CIA as well as to examine the effects of IL-35 on CIA in vivo. Thirty DBA/1 J mice, which are used as an animal model for RA, were divided randomly (ten mice per group) to a CIA group (collagen treatment), a CIA + IL-35 group (collagen and IL-35 treatments), and a control group (no treatment). Starting on the 24th day after collagen administration, IL-35 was injected intraperitoneally into mice of the CIA + IL-35 group once per day for 10 days. An arthritis index was calculated, and pathological analysis of synovial tissue was performed. FLS isolated from CIA mice were treated with various concentrations of IL-35 (12.5-100 ng/ml). The MTT assay was used to examine FLS proliferation, and apoptosis frequency of FLS was detected by flow cytometry. On day 24, the CIA mice began to exhibit arthritis symptoms, and the symptoms rapidly progressed with time. Treatment with IL-35 significantly alleviated arthritis symptoms and reduced the synovial tissue inflammation. In addition, IL-35 treatment inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in cultured FLS from CIA mice in a dose-dependent manner. IL-35 could ameliorate the symptoms of arthritis in the CIA mouse model in vivo and inhibited FLS proliferation while promoting FLS apoptosis in vitro, thereby exhibited the potential in inhibiting the progression of RA.

[Clinical Therapeutic Effect of Oblique Needling with Tuina in Relieving Sacroiliac Joint Injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of oblique needling in combination with Tuina at the sacroiliac joint for patients experiencing sacroiliac joint injury. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with sacroiliac joint injury were randomized into routine Tuina group and oblique needling combined with Tuina (Acu+ Tuina) group (n = 60 in each group). For patients of the Tuina group, routine Tuina as rotating, pressing-rubbing, digital pressing, articular moving, etc. was manipulated at Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 31), Xialiao (BL 30), Huantiao (GB 30), Zhibian (BL 54), Weizhong (BL 40) and sacroiliac joint area. For patients of the Acu+Tuina group, the anatomical points between the bilateral iliac crests and the sacral joints were punctured obliquely with disposable acupuncture needles. The treatment was conducted for 30 min every time, once daily for 3 weeks except weekends. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI, concerning intensity of pain, lifting, ability to care for oneself, ability to walk, ability to sit, sexual function, ability to stand, social life, sleep quality, and ability to travel) were employed to evaluate the patients' reactions and functional activity changes before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Following the treatment, of the two 60 patients in the Tuina and Acu + Tuina groups, 12 and 26 cases were cured, 20 and 20 experienced marked improvement, 16 and 11 were effective, 12 and 3 invalid, with the effective rates being 80% and 95%, respectively. The effective rate of the Acu+ Tuina group was significantly superior to that of the Tuina group (P<0.05). The VAS scores and OD were considerably decreased in both groups after the treatment and were significantly lower in the Acu+Tuina group than in the Tuina group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Oblique needling the anatomical points in the sacroiliac joint region combined with Tuina manipulation is evidently better than simple Tuina in reducing pain and in improving functional activity and life quality in sacroiliac joint injury patients.

[Sacroiliac joint injury treated with oblique insertion at anatomical points: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of oblique insertion at anatomical points and conventional acupuncture for sacroiliac joint injury. METHODS: Eighty patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the observation group, oblique insertion therapy at anatomical points was used, and the 9 points of equal division (anatomical points) marked by palpating the anatomical symbol were treated as the insertion acupoints. In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied, and perpendicular insertion was adopted at Huantiao (GB 30), Zhibian (BL 54) and Weizhong (BL 40), etc. In the two groups, the! treatment was given once a day and 5 times per week. Ten treatments were made into one course and two courses were required. The clinical effects, the changes of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry dysfunctional index. (ODI) before and after treatment were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the observation group was 90.0% (36/40), which was better than 72.5% (29/40) of the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the results of the VAS and ODI of the two groups were apparently declined (both P < 0.01), and those in the observation group were decreased more obviously (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The effect of oblique inser-tion at anatomical points for sacroiliac joint injury is superior to that of conventional acupuncture, which can effectively relieve pain and improve the disfunction.