The role of Glabridin in antifungal and anti-inflammation effects in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of Glabridin (GLD) in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis and its associated mechanisms. METHODS: Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) conidia was inoculated in 96-well plate, and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biofilm formation ability were evaluated after GLD treatment. Spore adhesion ability was evaluated in conidia infected human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs). Keratitis mouse model was created by corneal intrastromal injection with A. fumigatus conidia, and GLD treatment started at the day after infection. The number of fungal colonies was calculated by plate count, and degree of corneal inflammation was assessed by clinical score. Flow cytometry, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and immunofluorescence staining (IFS) experiments were used to assess neutrophil infiltrations. PCR, ELISA and Western blot were conducted to determine levels of TLR4, Dectin-1 as well as downstream inflammatory factors. RESULTS: GLD treatment suppressed the proliferation, biofilm formation abilities and adhesive capability of A. fumigatus. In mice upon A. fumigatus infection, treatment of GLD showed significantly decreased severity of corneal inflammation, reduced number of A. fumigatus in cornea, and suppressed neutrophil infiltration in cornea. GLD treatment obviously inhibited mRNA and protein levels of Dectin-1, TLR4 and proinflammatory mediators such as IL-1ß, HMGB1, and TNF-α in mice corneas compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: GLD has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects in fungal keratitis through suppressing A. fumigatus proliferation and alleviating neutrophil infiltration, and repressing the expression of TLR4, Dectin-1 and proinflammatory mediators.

Difference between Acyclovir and Ganciclovir in the Treatment of Children with Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Infectious Mononucleosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy differences between acyclovir and ganciclovir in the treatment of children with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)- associated infectious mononucleosis (IM). METHODS: A total of 128 children with EBV-IM who were admitted to our hospital from February 2019 to February 2021 were selected and randomly divided into the acyclovir group (n = 64) and the ganciclovir group (n = 64) according to the random number table method. All the children were given symptomatic treatments such as protecting the liver and reducing fever. On this basis, the acyclovir group was given an intravenous drip of acyclovir, while the ganciclovir group was given an intravenous drip of ganciclovir. The treatment was continued for 7 days. After the treatment, the clinical efficacy, disappearance time of symptoms and signs, related blood routine indexes, EBV-DNA negative conversion rate, and the incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effective rate of the ganciclovir group (92.19%) was higher than that of the acyclovir group (73.44%) and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The disappearance time for the symptoms and signs of angina, fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly in the ganciclovir group was lower than that in the acyclovir group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of atypical lymphocyte proportion, lymphocyte proportion, and WBC count in the two groups were lower than those before treatment, the levels in the ganciclovir group were lower than those in the acyclovir group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the EBV-DNA negative conversion rate (81.25%) in the ganciclovir group was higher than that in the acyclovir group (60.93%) and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). During treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions in the ganciclovir group was significantly lower than that in the acyclovir group and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of children with EBV-IM, the therapeutic effect of ganciclovir is obviously superior to that of acyclovir. Ganciclovir can quickly eliminate the symptoms of angina, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and other signs in children, can improve abnormal blood indicators, and has a higher negative conversion rate of EBV and less adverse reactions.

Isorhamnetin Ameliorates Aspergillus fumigatus Keratitis by Reducing Fungal Load, Inhibiting Pattern-Recognition Receptors and Inflammatory Cytokines.

Purpose: Isorhamnetin is a natural flavonoid with both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on fungal keratitis (FK) remains unknown. The current study aims to investigate the antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin against mouse Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis. Methods: In vitro, the lowest effective concentration of isorhamnetin was assessed by minimum inhibitory concentration and cytotoxicity tests in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and RAW264.7 cells. The antifungal property was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and propidium iodide uptake test. The anti-inflammatory effect of isorhamnetin in HCECs and RAW264.7 cells was observed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In the eyes of mice with A. fumigatus keratitis, FK severity was evaluated using clinical score, plate counting, histological staining and periodic acid Schiff staining. In vivo, the anti-inflammatory effect of isorhamnetin was examined by immunofluorescence staining, myeloperoxidase assay, Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and qRT-PCR. Results: In HCECs and RAW264.7 cells, isorhamnetin significantly inhibited A. fumigatus conidia growth and hyphae viability at 80 µg/mL without affecting cell viability. In vitro, isorhamnetin altered A. fumigatus hyphal morphology and membrane integrity. In A. fumigatus keratitis mouse model, isorhamnetin treatment alleviated the severity of FK by reducing corneal fungal load and inhibiting neutrophil recruitment. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR-2, TLR-4, Dectin-1, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly decreased in isorhamnetin-treated groups in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: Isorhamnetin improves the prognosis of A. fumigatus keratitis in mice by inhibiting the growth of A. fumigatus, reducing the recruitment of neutrophils and downregulating inflammatory factors.

Fangjing decoction relieves febrile seizures-induced hippocampal neuron apoptosis in rats via regulating the Akt/mTOR pathway.

Background: Fangjing decoction is a Traditional Chinese Medicine that exhibits anticonvulsive effects in treating febrile seizures (FS). Its action mechanism and the regulation on Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway were revealed in the present study.Methods: FS model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats with or without Fangjing decoction treatment. On day 5, following initiation of drug treatment, seizures were monitored. Hippocampal neuron apoptosis was assessed using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling method. The levels of Bax, protein kinase B (Akt), phospho-Akt (p-Akt), mTOR, and p-mTOR proteins were analyzed using Western blotting. The content of hippocampal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was measured by using ELISA assay.Results: Compared with the control group (n=8), Fangjing decoction effectively prolonged the latency but shortened the duration of FS in rats (n=8). Concomitantly, the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons, as well as Bax protein levels were also decreased in FS rats which were treated with Fangjing decoction. In addition, the Akt/mTOR signaling was found to be activated in rat hippocampus following FS, as evidenced by increased p-Akt and p-mTOR, while Fangjing decoction could inhibit the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling. Furthermore, the low GABA content in rat hippocampus following FS was significantly elevated by Fangjing decoction treatment. More importantly, SC79, a specific activator for Akt, apparently attenuated the protective effects of Fangjing decoction on FS rats.Conclusion: These results suggest that Fangjing decoction protects the hippocampal neurons from apoptosis by inactivating Akt/mTOR pathway, which may contribute to mitigating FS-induced brain injury.

Products derived from waste plastics (PC, HIPS, ABS, PP and PA6) via hydrothermal treatment: Characterization and potential applications.

In this study, hydrothermal method was applied for the treatment of five typical waste plastics (PC, HIPS, ABS, PP and PA6). The hydrothermal products of oils and solid residues were analyzed for the product slate and combustion behaviors. Some predominant chemical feedstock were detected in the oils, such as phenolic compounds and bisphenol A (BPA) in PC oils, single-ringed aromatic compounds and diphenyl-sketetons compounds in HIPS and ABS oils, alkanes in PP oils, and caprolactam (CPL) in PA6 oils. The hydrothermal solid residues were subjected to DSC analysis. Except the solid residues of PA6, all the solid residues had enormous improvement on the enthalpy of combustion. The solid residues of PC had the maximum promotion up to 576.03% compared to the raw material. The hydrothermal treatment significantly improved the energy density and facilitated effective combustion. Meanwhile, the glass fiber was recovered from the PA6 plastics. In addition, the combustion behaviors of the uplifting residues were investigated to provide the theoretical foundation for further study of combustion optimization. All the results indicated that the oils of waste plastics after hydrothermal treatment could be used as chemical feedstock; the solid residues of waste plastics after hydrothermal treatment could be used as potentially clean and efficient solid fuels. The hydrothermal treatment for various waste plastics was verified as a novel waste-to-energy technique.

Mixed amanita phalloides poisoning with rhabdomyolysis: analysis of 4 cases / 南方医科大学学报

We report the clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes of 4 rare cases of mixed amanita fuliginea and amanita rimosa poisoning with rhabdomyolysis, and review the research progress in the intoxication mechanism and treatment. The latent time of amanita poisoning, defined as the period from the ingestion of poisonous mushroom to the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms, was about 8 days, and the severity of poisoning was associated with the amount of mushroom ingested. All the 4 patients developed multiple organ dysfunctions within 3 to 4 days after mushroom ingestion, predominantly in the liver, kidney and central nervous system accompanied with acute gastrointestinal injury and rhabdomyolysis. The treatment measures included persistent hemofiltration and intermittent hemoperfusion once daily for 5-7 days, and plasma exchange was administered in 2 cases for 1 or 2 times. High-dose vitamin C, glucose and corticosteroid were also given to the patients. After the treatments, two patients were cured and the other two died due to an excess intake of poisonous mushroom and lack of early preemptive therapies. Early emetic, gastric lavage, catharsis, fluid infusion and diuresis are critical to interrupt the enterohepatic circulation of amanita phalloides toxins and prevent the development of multiple organ dysfunction. Enhanced hemofiltration and sequential plasma therapy might effectively eliminate toxin from the blood to protect against further organ damages.

Application of Electroacupuncture plus Movement Therapy in Recovering Neurologic Function of Patients with Spastic Hemiplegia / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture plus constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in recovering neurologic function of patients with spastic hemiplegia.MethodSixty patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia were randomized into an electroacupuncture group, a CIMT group, and an electroacupuncture+CIMT (integrated) group to receive corresponding intervention in addition tothe ordinary rehabilitation treatment, 20 cases in each group. Before treatment and after 4-week treatment, the modified Ashworth Scale, Clinical Neurologic Deficit Scale, Short-form Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were adopted for evaluation and comparison.ResultAfter 4-week treatment, the Ashworth score and neurologic deficit score were significantly reduced in the three groups (P<0.01), and the scores in CIMT group were significantly lower than that in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), and the scores in the integrated group were markedly lower than that in the other two groups (P<0.05); the FMA and BBS scores were significantly increased after intervention in the three groups (P<0.01), and the scores in CIMT group were higher than that in the elctroacupuncture group (P<0.05), and the scores in the integrated group were higher than that in the other two groups(P<0.05).ConclusionElectroacupuncture plus CIMT can reduce the muscular tension of the affected limb in patients with spastic hemiplegia, and improve the neurologic function, motor function, and the quality of life of the patients.

[Effects of acupotomy lysis on local soft tissue tension in patients with the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of acupotomy lysis in treatment of the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome. METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients were randomly assigned into an acupotomy group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, 90 cases in each group. The acupotomy group was treated with acupotomy on the tip of the 3rd lumbar vertebrae transverse process (tender point) combination with massage manipulation of hyperflexion and hyperextension on the waist, once a week for 3 weeks. The EA group was treated with EA at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Ashi point (local tender point) and ipsilateral Weizhong (BL 40), 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The 500 g pressure displacement and the energy absorption ratio were measured by JZL-II soft tissue tension meter and the clinical effect was evaluated by JOA low back pain scale before treatment, after treatment and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment and at follow-up visit, the 500 g pressure displacement in the acupotomy group increased significantly (both P < 0.01), but it was decreased significantly in the EA group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The energy absorption ratio in the acupotomy group after treatment and at follow-up visit increased significantly (both P < 0.01), and in the EA group, there was no significant difference after treatment as compared with that before treatment (P > 0.05), but it was increased significantly at follow-up visit (P < 0.01). The total therapeutic level distribution in the acupotomy group was better than that in the EA group after treatment and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupotomy therapy can significantly increase the 500 g pressure displacement and the energy absorption ratio of the local soft tissue around the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process, decrease the local soft tissue tension so as to alleviate pain. The clinical effect of the acupotomy is superior to that of electroacupuncture.

Effects of acupotomy lysis on local soft tissue tension in patients with the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of acupotomy lysis in treatment of the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eighty patients were randomly assigned into an acupotomy group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, 90 cases in each group. The acupotomy group was treated with acupotomy on the tip of the 3rd lumbar vertebrae transverse process (tender point) combination with massage manipulation of hyperflexion and hyperextension on the waist, once a week for 3 weeks. The EA group was treated with EA at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Ashi point (local tender point) and ipsilateral Weizhong (BL 40), 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The 500 g pressure displacement and the energy absorption ratio were measured by JZL-II soft tissue tension meter and the clinical effect was evaluated by JOA low back pain scale before treatment, after treatment and 6 months after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment and at follow-up visit, the 500 g pressure displacement in the acupotomy group increased significantly (both P < 0.01), but it was decreased significantly in the EA group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The energy absorption ratio in the acupotomy group after treatment and at follow-up visit increased significantly (both P < 0.01), and in the EA group, there was no significant difference after treatment as compared with that before treatment (P > 0.05), but it was increased significantly at follow-up visit (P < 0.01). The total therapeutic level distribution in the acupotomy group was better than that in the EA group after treatment and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupotomy therapy can significantly increase the 500 g pressure displacement and the energy absorption ratio of the local soft tissue around the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process, decrease the local soft tissue tension so as to alleviate pain. The clinical effect of the acupotomy is superior to that of electroacupuncture.</p>

[Affection of acupotomy lysis on leu-enkephalin (L-ENK) content in different parts of centrum of rats with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the analgesia mechanism of needle-knife lysis in spinal cord and other parts of central nervous system by comparing the changes of Leu-Enkephalin (L-ENK) content in different parts of centrium of rats undergone needle-knife lysis and electro-acupuncture respectively. METHODS: Sixty healthy SD rats were randomly devided into normal control group, model group, needle-knife lysis (NKL) group and electro-acupuncture (EA) group. 4% papain solution mixed with 0.3 mol/L cysteine solutin in the ratio of 1:1, paused for 0.5 h,injected the mixture, 20 microl each time,into the left knee joint cavities of rats in model, NKL, EA groups at the 1st, 4th, 7th day. After 4 weeks in NKL group and EA group were treated with needle-knife lysis and electro-acupuncture, respectively. Three weeks after treatment, samples of spinal cord of the swollen part of rat waists and rat brains were taken from and the content of L-ENK of medulla oblongata, midbrain, pituitary gland, and hippocampus were measured. RESULTS: L-ENK content of model group increased higher than that of normal control group in spinal cord, hippocampus and midbrain (P < 0.01); there were no significant difference between normal control group and modle group on L-ENK in medulla oblongata and thalamus (P > 0.05). After intervening of NKL or EA, L-ENK content of NKL group increased higher in hippocampus than that of model group and EC group (P < 0.05); but L-ENK content of NKL group in midbrain was lower than that of model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Needle-knife lysis has characteristic of regulation for the L-ENK content in different parts of central nervous system of rats with knee osteoarthritis, and analgesic effect of needle-knife was possibly related with regulation of center L-ENK.

Affection of acupotomy lysis on leu-enkephalin (L-ENK) content in different parts of centrum of rats with knee osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the analgesia mechanism of needle-knife lysis in spinal cord and other parts of central nervous system by comparing the changes of Leu-Enkephalin (L-ENK) content in different parts of centrium of rats undergone needle-knife lysis and electro-acupuncture respectively.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty healthy SD rats were randomly devided into normal control group, model group, needle-knife lysis (NKL) group and electro-acupuncture (EA) group. 4% papain solution mixed with 0.3 mol/L cysteine solutin in the ratio of 1:1, paused for 0.5 h,injected the mixture, 20 microl each time,into the left knee joint cavities of rats in model, NKL, EA groups at the 1st, 4th, 7th day. After 4 weeks in NKL group and EA group were treated with needle-knife lysis and electro-acupuncture, respectively. Three weeks after treatment, samples of spinal cord of the swollen part of rat waists and rat brains were taken from and the content of L-ENK of medulla oblongata, midbrain, pituitary gland, and hippocampus were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>L-ENK content of model group increased higher than that of normal control group in spinal cord, hippocampus and midbrain (P < 0.01); there were no significant difference between normal control group and modle group on L-ENK in medulla oblongata and thalamus (P > 0.05). After intervening of NKL or EA, L-ENK content of NKL group increased higher in hippocampus than that of model group and EC group (P < 0.05); but L-ENK content of NKL group in midbrain was lower than that of model group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Needle-knife lysis has characteristic of regulation for the L-ENK content in different parts of central nervous system of rats with knee osteoarthritis, and analgesic effect of needle-knife was possibly related with regulation of center L-ENK.</p>

[Effect of acupotomy lysis on hypothalamic POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA expression in rats with 3rd lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis (AL) on hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMO) mRNA and preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA expression in rats with the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome (TLVTPS) so as to study its underlying mechanism in relieving symptoms of lumbar muscle strain. METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, AL group and electroacupunture (EA) group. The TLVTPS model was established by inserting a piece of gelatin sponge into the posterior of the left 3rd lumbar vertebrae transverse process. AL and EA were applied to the left "Shenshu"(BL 23) and "Yaoyangguan" (GV 3) respectively. The POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA expression levels in the hypothalamus were detected by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal group, the integrated optical density (IOD) values of hypothalamic POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA positive cells in the model group were increased significantly (P < 0.01); while compared with the model group, those of POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA positive cells in both left and right hypothalamus were increased further considerably in both AL and EA groups (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between AL and EA groups in POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA expression levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: AL and EA therapies can increase the expression of POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA in hypothalamus in rats with TLVTPS, which may contribute to its effect in relieving pain in the treatment of lumbar muscle strain.

[Effect of lysis of acupotomology on plasma vasoactive substance levels in rats with third lumbar vertebra transverse process syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of small needle-knife lysis on plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), endothelin (ET), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-keto-PGF1alpha), thromboxane A2 (TXA2) contents in rats with experimental third lumbar vertebra transverse process syndrome (TLVTPS) so as to explore its underlying mechanism in clinical treatment. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, lysis and EA groups. TLVTPS model was established by embedding a piece of gelatin sponge (0.5 cm x 0.5 cm) to the transverse process of the 3rd lumbar vertebra under anesthesia. EA (2/100 Hz, 1-2 mA) was applied to left "Shenshu" (BL23) -"Yaoyangguan" (GV3) for 20 min, once every other day, 6 times altogether. For animals of lysis group, the lysis was performed by using a small needle-knife in the induration spot or cord-like region near the incision, once a week and twice altogether. Four weeks later after modeling, plasma CGRP, ET, 6-keto-PGF1alpha and TXA2 contents were detected by using radioimmunoassay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, plasma CGRP, ET, TXA2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha increased significantly in model group (P<0.01); in comparison with model group, plasma CGRP, TXA2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha in both EA and lysis groups decreased considerably (P<0.05, 0.01). No significant differences were found between EA and lysis groups in plasma CGRP, ET and 6-keto-PGF1alpha levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Both EA and lysis of acupotomology have an adjusting effect on vasoactive substances (CGRP, TXA2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha) levels in TLVTPS rats, which may contribute to their effects in improving local blood circulation and relieving soft tissue injury in the treatment of third lumbar vertebra transverse process syndrome.