Fermentation of Ganoderma lucidum and Raphani Semen with a probiotic mixture attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression through microbiota-dependent or -independent regulation of intestinal mucosal barrier and immune responses.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic fermentation is a promising strategy for improving the nutritional and functional properties of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Ganoderma lucidum and Raphani Semen are famous TCMs that have been shown to help alleviate immune system disorders. However, few studies have experimentally investigated the effects of probiotic-fermented G.lucidum and Raphani Semen on the immune system. PURPOSE: We established the in vitro fermentation of G. lucidum and Raphani Semen with a probiotic mixture (Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and l. fermentum) (GRFB), investigated its ameliorating effect against cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression, and explored its possible mechanisms. METHODS: First, the different components in GRFB were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Second, its immune-stimulatory activities were evaluated in CTX-treated mice. Lastly, its possible in vitro and in vivo mechanisms were studied. RESULTS: Probiotic fermentation of G. lucidum and Raphani Semen altered some of its chemical constituents, potentially helping improve the ability of GRFB to alleviate immunosuppression. As expected, GRFB effectively ameliorated CTX-induced immunosuppression by increasing the number of splenic lymphocytes and regulating the secretion of serum and ileum cytokines. GRFB supplementation also effectively improved intestinal integrity in CTX-treated mice by upregulating tight junction proteins. It also protects against CTX-induced intestinal dysbiosis by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria. GRFB could directly promote intestinal immunity but not systemic immunity in vitro, suggesting a microbiota-dependent regulation of GRFB. Interestingly, cohousing CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice with GRFB-treated mice promoted their symptoms recovery. Enhanced CTX-induced immunosuppression by GRFB in vitro depended on the gut microbiota. Remarkably, a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that the GRFB-reprogrammed microbiota was significantly enriched in DNA damage repair pathways, which contribute to repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to suggest that compare with unfermented G. lucidum and Raphani Semen, GRFB can more effectively promote intestinal immunity and manipulate the gut microbiota to promote immunostimulatory activity and repair immunosuppression-induced intestinal barrier damage by biotransforming G.lucidum and Raphani Semen components.

Evansella halocellulosilytica sp. nov., an alkali-halotolerant and cellulose-dissolving bacterium isolated from bauxite residue.

An alkali and salt-tolerating strain FJAT-44876T was isolated from the bauxite residue sample. The 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis suggest that strain FJAT-44876T was a member of the genus Evansella. It grew at 15-45 â„ƒ (optimum 20-25 â„ƒ) and pH 6.5-11.0 (optimum pH 8.0-9.0) with 0-20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 6-8%). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C17:0, and C16:0. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the menaquinone. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.2%. The average nucleotide identity values between strain FJAT-44876T and closely related members were below the cutoff level for species delineation. Thus, based on the above results, strain FJAT-44876T represents a novel species of the genus Evansella, for which the name Evansella halocellulosilytica sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-44876T (=CCTCC AB 2016264T = DSM 104633T).

Protective effects of quercetin and hyperoside on renal fibrosis in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Prevention of renal fibrosis is an important therapeutic strategy in the treatment of obstructive nephropathy. The purpose of the present study was to identify whether the combination of two natural plant-derived flavanoids, quercetin and hyperoside (QH), could inhibit renal fibrosis in the model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats. QH mixtures (1:1) were fed to Wistar rats, and UUO ligation was performed on all the rats with the exception of the sham group. Masson's trichrome staining was used for interstitial fibrosis, while immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and fibronectin (FN). In the QH group, the expression of SMA and FN was significantly lower than that in the untreated UUO group. In addition, QH administration significantly inhibited the SMA and FN expression of mesangial cells induced by interleukin-1ß. Consequently, it was evident that combinational QH therapy prevented UUO-induced renal fibrosis. Based on these findings, the combinatorial intervention of phytomedicine may present an improved treatment strategy for renal fibrotic disease.

A comparative study of thulium laser resection of the prostate and bipolar transurethral plasmakinetic prostatectomy for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.

UNLABELLED: WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: Thulium laser is a new generation of surgical laser. It is a minimally invasive technology with several advantages, including rapid vaporization and minimal tissue damage and bleeding. However, details regarding the safety and efficacy of thulium laser in treating BPH remains unknown. We performed a comparative study in 100 patients with BPH of the safety and efficacy of thulium laser resection of the prostate (TMLRP, n = 50) and bipolar transurethral plasmakinetic prostatectomy (TUPKP, n = 50). We found that the efficacy and indications were the same in TMLRP and TUPKP. In TUPKP, the morbidity of urethrostenosis was low, and was nearly bloodless in surgery and had higher safety. Nevertheless, TUPKP is more suitable for patients with larger prostate volume. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and short-term efficacy of thulium laser resection of the prostate (TMLRP) and bipolar transurethral plasmakinetic prostatectomy (TUPKP) for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with BPH were randomly divided into two groups, treated with either TMLRP (50, group 1) or TUPKP (50, group 2). There was no significant difference in preoperative variables such as age, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) between the two groups. The perioperative parameters and therapeutic effects were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the following parameters between the two groups (TMLRP vs TUPKP [mean ± SD]): operation duration, 61.2 ± 24.2 vs 30.14 ± 15.9 min; catheterization time, 1.8 ± 0.4 vs 3.2 ± 0.6 d; postoperative hospital stay, 3.3 ± 0.8 vs 4.1 ± 1.3 d. The volume of blood loss and postoperative bladder irrigation were significantly lower in TMLRP group than in the TUPKP group. At 1 month after the operation, there were four cases of urethral stricture in the TUPKP group. At 3 months after the operation, IPSS, quality of life (QoL), Qmax and PVR were significantly improved, with no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: TMLRP is superior to TUPKP in terms of safety, blood loss, recovery time and complication rate, and is as efficacious as TUPKP for treating BPH. Operation duration was significantly longer in the TMLRP group than in the TUPKP group.

[Seasonal variation characteristics of phosphorus speciation in the sediment of Changshou Lake].

To further know the seasonal variation characteristics of phosphorus species in lake sediment, the contents of different phosphorus species in the surface sediment sampling from Changshou Lake were determined by using the SMT sequential extraction method in July and November, 2009, and March, 2010. The contents of total phosphorus (TP) basically show an order of the low-water period, high-water period, and normal-water period from high to low, and the maximum appeared in Shoudao (2960.29 mg/kg) while the minimum in Guanjiakou (586.05 mg/kg). The mass fractions of phosphorus associated with hydrous ferric/aluminum oxides (Fe/Al-P) and organic phosphorus (OP) in TP at all sampling sits are in an order of the normal-water period, high-water period, and low-water period from high to low, and the maximum of Fe/Al-P appeared in Lewen (40.01%) while that of OP in the dam mouth (72.44%). The mass fraction of phosphorus bound to calcium salt (Ca-P) in TP is in an order of the low-water period, normal-water period, and high-water period, and the maximum appeared in Baibudang (15.52%). These results suggested that the phosphorus speciation in the sediment of Changshou Lake shows obviously temporal and spatial distribution characteristics, and Fe/Al-P is mainly influenced by pH of the overlying water, while OP is not apparently influenced by dissolved oxygen (DO).

Effect of electro-acupuncture on tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor in peripheral blood and joint synovia of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in peripheral blood and joint synovia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to verify the clinical efficacy of EA. METHODS: Adopting randomized controlled principle, the 63 RA patients enrolled were assigned to two groups, the 32 patients in the EA group were treated with EA, and the 31 patients in the simple needling (SN) group treated with simple needling. According to the integral-local combining method, the acupoints were selected mainly from yang-meridian and local Ashi points (pain-point). EA or SN was applied every other day, 10 times as a course, and each patient received a total of 3 courses of treatment. RESULTS: Blood and synovial levels of TNF-α and VEGF were reduced significantly after treatment in both groups. The lowering (absolute value and difference value) of TNF-α as well as the absolute value of VEGF, either in blood or in synovia, were similar in the two groups (P>0.05); but the lowering of VEGF after treatment was more significant in the EA group than that in the SN group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA could effectively lower the contents of TNF-α and VEGF in peripheral blood and joint synovia to improve the internal environment for genesis and development of RA, so as to enhance the clinical therapeutic effectiveness.

[Effects of electroacupuncture and simple acupuncture on changes of IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in peripheral blood and joint fluid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: In a randomized and controlled trial, sixty-three cases with RA were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group (n = 32) and a simple acupuncture group (n = 31). Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected by coordination method combined whole and local acupoints. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at the local acupoints near painful joints, continuous wave, retaining needle for 30 minutes, and then electroacupuncture at Back-shu acupoints, retaining needle for 15 minutes, and the simple acupuncture group was treated with the same acupoints selection and acupuncture manipulation without electroacupuncture apparatus. They were all treated once every other day for 20 days as one course. After 3 courses, changes of interleukins in peripheral blood and joint fluid of patients were observed. RESULTS: Both of electroacupuncture and simple acupuncture had significant effect on IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in peripheral blood and joint fluid of patients with RA ( P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But after electroacupuncture, the absolute value and improvement value of decreasing IL-1 in peripheral blood and joint fluid were super than those of simple acupuncture (all P < 0.05), and of IL-4 in joint fluid was super than that after simple acupuncture (P < 0.05), and of IL-6 and the absolute value of decreasing IL-10 were almost the same after both treatment (all P > 0.05), and after electroacupuncture, the improvement value of IL-10 in peripheral blood and joint fluid were super than those after simple acupuncture (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can effectively decrease the proinflammatory cytokine of IL-1 and IL-6 and increase the inhibition cytokine of IL-4 and IL-10 and improve the internal environment of occurrence and progression of RA.

[Professor Tian Wei-zhu's clinical experiences in acupuncture treatment of stroke].

Professor Tian Wei-zhu, a national famous physician and an acupuncture specialist. He has consummate skill of acupuncture and profound theories, and clinically, he is good at application of eye acupuncture with rich experiences. The present paper introduces professor TIAN's clinical experiences including combination of both yin channels with yang channels, and combination of eye acupuncture with body acupuncture in treatment of stroke; standardized acupuncture manipulation, and emphasizing acupuncture effects; stressing treatment by stages and paying attention to acupuncture regulation at the spasm stage for treatment of hemiplegia.

[Molecular identity of Crocus sativus and its misused substitutes by ITS sequence].

OBJECTIVE: To find the patterns of the rDNA ITS sequence variation of Crocus sativus, Chrysanthemum chanetii, Nelumbo nucifera, Zea mays and Garthamus tinctorius and to establish the molecular biological method for the identification of C. sativus and the others. METHOD: After the total DNA of Crocus sativus, C. vernus-w and C. vernus-p were extracted, the ITS sequence was amplified by PCR with universal primer of ITS and PCR product was sequenced after purification and cloning. The ITS sequences of Chrysanthemrnum chanetii, Nelumbo nucifera, Zea mays and Garthamus tinctorius were obtained from GenBank. RESULT: The complete ITS sequence of Crocus sativus, C. vernus-w and C. vernus-p, including ITSI rDNA, 5.8S rDNA, ITS2 rDNA were measured. The GenBank accession No. was DQ094185, DQ224363 and DQ224364 respectively. The similarity of ITS sequence between C. sativus and the two garden species of C. vernus was above 91%; the identity was 99.84% between C. vernus-w and C. vernus-p. The range of diversity between C. sativus and other herbs was above 46% based on ITS1 and above 41% based on ITS2. CONCLUSION: C. sativus can be distinguished from misused substitutes by the ITS sequence. The ITS sequence is an available molecular marker for identification of the C. sativus.

[Brief analysis on characteristics of professor Tian Wei-Zhu's needling manipulation].

Professor Tian Wei-zhu, a national famous expert of acupuncture and moxibustion, has consummate skill, profound theory, and does not stick to routine method in diagnosis and treatment, with rich clinical experiences and comprehensive and profound medical theories, forming own academic characteristics. In the present paper, the experiences were expounded, summarized and systematized in detail from the 4 aspects: basic training of physicians before acupuncture, especially, training of needling manipulation and emphasizing the concept of treating spirit, paying attention to coordination of the physician and patients; main points of needle insertion of no-pain at manipulation; about arrival of qi, method of inducing propagation of needling sensation.

[Study and clinical application of the theory "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome"].

In order to study on the clinically difficult problem, "is moxibustion suitable for heat syndrome?" cite and analyze relative papers in classical treaties about acupuncture and moxibustion, in combination with the many years' practical experiences of the author and experimental studies of modern medicine. And Textually research the treatment principle of "positive and negative go against" and the treatment method of "using heat to induce heat", which is a theoretical basis of "moxibustion being suitable for heat syndrome". Experimental studies have proved that moxibustion has bacteriostatic effect, and functions abatement of fever and improving microcirculation. It is indicated that moxibustion is suitable to treatment of all heat syndromes including excess-heat and deficiency-heat syndromes.

[Formation, development and changes of the eye acupunture region-dividing acupoint location program].

Eye acupuncture, a micro-needling therapy, has been widely applied in clinical treatment for over 30 years. Its theoretic system, especially, the eye acupuncture region-dividing point location program has been revised for 2 times, and the third program with reasonability of acupoint distribution, strictness of angle of acupoint region is easily accepted by clinical workers. In the paper, the theoretical basis of professor Peng Jingshan's inspection of the eye for recognition of diseases, diagnosis of diseases and eye acupuncture therapy were explained, and the information, development and change of the eye acupuncture region-dividing acupoint location program were analyzed and the history of development of eye acupuncture were introduced so as to direct clinical application of eye acupuncture.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle therapy on peripheral facial neuritis at acute stage].

OBJECTIVE: To compare difference between plum-blossom needle therapy and hormonotherapy in the The treatment group of 32 cases with periphtherapeutic effect on peripheral facial neuritis at acute stage. METHODS: eral facial neuritis at acute stage were treated with plum-blossom needle therapy and the control group of 32 cases with oral administration or intravenous drip of dexamethasone. Their therapeutic effects were compared. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 100.0% in the treatment group and 93.4% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle therapy on peripheral facial neuritis at acute stage is better than that of the hormonotherapy.

[Inhibitory effects of salviae miltiorrhizae and beta-aescinom natrium on the postburn acute lung injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitory effect and its mechanism of salviae miltiorrhizae and beta-aescinom natrium on the postburn acute lung injury in rats. METHODS: Forty-five rats were randomly divided into sham control (C, n = 9), sodium chloride group (S, n = 9), salviae miltiorrhizae group (M, n = 9), beta-aescinom natrium group (A, n = 9), and combination group (MA, n = 9). The rats in M, A and MA groups were subjected to 30% TBSA III degree scald on the back, and all the rats were sacrificed at 24 PBH. The blood and pulmonary tissue samples were harvested from the rats at 24 PBH for the determination of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (LAA) in peripheral blood, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents, and the ratio of wet to dry weights (W/D) of lung tissue. RESULTS: Compared with those in S group, the LAA in blood and the pulmonary tissue contents of MPO, MDA and W/D rate in M and A groups, and especially in MA group, were decreased significantly, but the SOD content in pulmonary tissue increased obviously in M and A groups, especially in MA group. Furthermore, blood LAA was positively correlated with pulmonary tissue MDA content. CONCLUSION: Postburn intra-pulmonary agglutination and aggregation of PMNs and pulmonary injury by oxygen free radicals (OFRs) and their products could be inhibited by either Salviae Miltiorrhizae or beta-aescinom natrium. In addition, these agents could also increase the tissue content of antioxidant capacity and decrease pulmonary microvascular permeability and lung water content. The results indicated that all the agents used might be effective in prevention and treatment of postburn pulmonary injury, especially when used together.