Effects of electroacupuncture on the PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling pathway and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in diabetic cognitive impairment rats. / ç”µé’ˆå¯¹ç³–å°¿ç— è®¤çŸ¥åŠŸèƒ½éšœç¢å¤§é¼ PI3K/Akt/CREBä¿¡å·é€šè·¯å’Œæµ·é©¬ç¥žç»å ƒå‡‹äº¡çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway-related proteins and hippocampal neuron apoptosis in diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI) rats, and to explore the mechanisms of EA in treating DCI. METHODS: Adult male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, and EA groups, with 12 rats in each group. The animal model of DCI was replicated using a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin. The EA group received EA stimulation at "Yishu" (EX-B6), "Zusanli" (ST36), "Baihui" (GV20), and "Dazhui" (GV14). Blood glucose contents of the rats in each group were measured. The Morris water maze test was used to assess the learning and memory abilities of rats. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 neurons. Nissl staining was used to observe the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 neurons. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt, as well as CREB, p-CREB, cysteine aspartate pro-tease (Caspase)-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax) in the hippocampal tissue of rats. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the rats' random blood glucose contents were significantly increased (P<0.01), the escape latency prolonged (P<0.01), and the original platform crossing counts reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. Significant damage to hippocampal CA1 neurons, a significantly increased neuronal apoptosis index (P<0.01), decreased ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt and expression of CREB, p-CREB and Bcl-2 proteins, increased expression of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins (P<0.01) were observed in the hippocampal tissue of rats in the model group. Compared with the model group, the rats in the EA group showed decreased random blood glucose content (P<0.01), shortened escape latency (P<0.01), increased original platform crossing counts (P<0.01), improved quantity and pathological morphology and ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 neurons, reduced neuronal apoptosis index (P<0.01), increased ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt, and expression of CREB, p-CREB and Bcl-2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hippocampal tissue, and decreased expression of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EA can improve the learning and memory abilities of rats with DCI, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling pathway-related proteins, which attenuates the neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of rats, and improves the neural function.

Acupuncture for cervical dystonia associated with anxiety and depression: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Cervical dystonia (CD) is a type of muscle tone disorder that usually occurs in the neck muscles. Due to the intermittent or continuous involuntary contraction of the neck muscles, the head and neck are twisted and skewed and some postural abnormalities occur. Long-term abnormal posture or pain can cause negative emotions in patients, which can affect their quality of life. CASE SUMMARY: This case report included a 37-year-old woman who was diagnosed with CD associated with anxiety and depression; the accompanying symptoms were head and neck tilt of approximately 90° to the right and mental abnormality. After two courses of acupuncture treatment, the patient's head and neck can be maintained in a normal position, and the negative emotions can be relieved. CONCLUSION: This case indicates that acupuncture can effectively improve CD and the emotional state and quality of life of patients, making it an effective alternative treatment for the condition.

Methyl donor diet attenuates intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury in rats.

Environmental factors, particularly dietary habits, play an important role in cardiovascular disease susceptibility and progression through epigenetic modification. Previous studies have shown that hyperplastic vascular intima after endarterectomy is characterized by genome-wide hypomethylation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether methyl donor diet affects intimal hyperplasia and the possible mechanisms involved. Intimal hyperplasia was induced in SD rats by carotid artery balloon injury. From 8 d before surgery to 28 d after surgery, the animals were fed a normal diet (ND) or a methyl donor diet (MD) supplemented with folic acid, vitamin B12, choline, betaine, and zinc. Carotid artery intimal hyperplasia was observed by histology, the effect of MD on carotid protein expression was analyzed by proteomics, functional clustering, signaling pathway, and upstream-downstream relationship of differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by bioinformatics. Results showed that MD attenuated balloon injury-induced intimal hyperplasia in rat carotid arteries. Proteomic analysis showed that there were many differentially expressed proteins in the common carotid arteries of rats fed with two different diets. The differentially expressed proteins are mainly related to the composition and function of the extracellular matrix (EMC), and changes in the EMC can lead to vascular remodeling by affecting fibrosis and stiffness of the blood vessel wall. Changes in the levels of vasculotropic proteins such as S100A9, ILF3, Serpinh1, Fbln5, LOX, HSPG2, and Fmod may be the reason why MD attenuates intimal hyperplasia. Supplementation with methyl donor nutrients may be a beneficial measure to prevent pathological vascular remodeling after injury.

[Acupuncture for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term efficacy, long-term efficacy and safety of acupuncture for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: Forty-two patients with CP/CPPS were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (21 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a sham acupuncture group (21 cases). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral Zhongliao (BL 33), Huiyang (BL 35), Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6); the needling depth of Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35) was 60 to 80 mm, while Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) was directly punctured of 30 mm. The patients in the sham acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at non-acupoints, including points 2 cm next to Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35), and the midpoint of the connecting line between the spleen meridian and the kidney meridian. All the non-acupoints were treated with directly puncture of 2 to 3 mm. The needles were left for 30 min in both groups, once every other day in the first four weeks, three times a week, and twice a week in the next four weeks, totally 20 treatments. Before treatment, after treatment and in follow-up of 24 weeks after treatment completion, the National Institutes of Health-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) score and urinary flow rate were observed in both groups; the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment, the pain and discomfort scores, urination symptoms scores, quality of life scores and total scores of NIH-CPSI in both groups were reduced after treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), while each item score and total score of NIH-CPSI in the acupuncture group were reduced in follow-up (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment and in follow-up, each item score and total score of NIH-CPSI in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the maximum and average urinary flow rates in the acupuncture group were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the average urinary flow rate in the acupuncture group was higher than that in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 75.0% (15/20) in the acupuncture group, which was higher than 42.9% (9/21) in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture could effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms, improve quality of life, and has a sustained, safe and reliable therapeutic effect in patients with CP/CPPS.

Mechanism underlying the action of Duanteng-Yimu Tang in regulating Treg/Th17 imbalance and anti-rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune disease characterised by synovitis and cartilage destruction. Currently, many patients experience poor remission after new antirheumatic drug treatments. Duanteng-Yimu Tang (DTYMT), a traditional Chinese medicine, is effective in the treatment of RA. In this research, we designed to investigate the anti-RA effects of DTYMT and explore its potential mechanisms. Methods: Network pharmacology was adopted to explore the main pathways of DTYMT in patients with RA. Collagen-induced arthritis models of male DBA/1 mice were established, and their histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and micro-CT. qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of Foxp3 and RORγt in the serum and synovial tissue and IL-17, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-10 mRNA in vivo. The proliferation and invasion of synovial cells were analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell assays, respectively. The ratio of T helper 17 (Th17) to regulatory T (Treg) cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Network pharmacology analysis revealed that Th17 cell differentiation may be the key pathway of DTYMT in RA. DTYMT ameliorated joint damage, inhibited RORγt expression, and increased Foxp3 expression in CIA mice. DTYMT significantly decreased IL-1ß, IL-17, and TNF-α mRNA levels, and increased IL-10 mRNA levels in IL-6-induced cells. Additionally, DTYMT inhibited Th17 cell differentiation and promoted Treg cell production, thus improving the Treg/Th17 imbalance. DTYMT also inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RA fibroblast-like synovial cells. Conclusions: These results indicate that DTYMT could regulate the Treg/Th17 cell balance, which is a possible mechanism of DTYMT in treating RA.

Acupuncture for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the short-term efficacy, long-term efficacy and safety of acupuncture for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).@*METHODS@#Forty-two patients with CP/CPPS were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (21 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a sham acupuncture group (21 cases). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral Zhongliao (BL 33), Huiyang (BL 35), Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6); the needling depth of Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35) was 60 to 80 mm, while Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) was directly punctured of 30 mm. The patients in the sham acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at non-acupoints, including points 2 cm next to Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35), and the midpoint of the connecting line between the spleen meridian and the kidney meridian. All the non-acupoints were treated with directly puncture of 2 to 3 mm. The needles were left for 30 min in both groups, once every other day in the first four weeks, three times a week, and twice a week in the next four weeks, totally 20 treatments. Before treatment, after treatment and in follow-up of 24 weeks after treatment completion, the National Institutes of Health-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) score and urinary flow rate were observed in both groups; the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Compared with those before treatment, the pain and discomfort scores, urination symptoms scores, quality of life scores and total scores of NIH-CPSI in both groups were reduced after treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), while each item score and total score of NIH-CPSI in the acupuncture group were reduced in follow-up (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment and in follow-up, each item score and total score of NIH-CPSI in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the maximum and average urinary flow rates in the acupuncture group were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the average urinary flow rate in the acupuncture group was higher than that in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 75.0% (15/20) in the acupuncture group, which was higher than 42.9% (9/21) in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture could effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms, improve quality of life, and has a sustained, safe and reliable therapeutic effect in patients with CP/CPPS.

Production of ginsenoside compound K by microbial cell factory using synthetic biology-based strategy: a review.

Ginsenoside compound K (CK) is a major intestinal bacterial metabolite of the protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside family that can be absorbed in the systemic circulation. CK possesses diverse and important pharmacological properties. The low production and high cost of traditional manufacturing methods based on the extraction and biotransformation of total ginsenosides from ginseng have limited their medical application. However, considerable progress has been made in the area of de novo CK production via microbial cell factories using synthetic biology-based strategies. By introducing key enzymes responsible for CK biosynthesis into microbial cells, CK was produced via a series of in vivo enzymatic reactions that utilize the inherent precursors in microbial cells. After systematic optimization using various metabolic engineering strategies, the yield of CK increased significantly and exceeded the traditional plant extraction-biotransformation method, implying the commercial feasibility of this approach. This review summarizes recent novel advancements in the production of CK using microbial cell factories.

Effects of Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent. fruits water extract on hippocampal neurogenesis in the treatment of APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Background: Adult neurogenesis plays an important role in repairing damaged neurons and improving cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). B. Papyrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent. fruits (BL), a traditional Chinese medicine for tonifying the kidney, has been reported to improve cognitive function in AD mice, but the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly illuminated. This study aimed to provide an overview of the differential compounds in the brain of APP/PS1 mice after BL water extract (BLWE) treatment through metabolomics technology and to elucidate whether the therapeutic effect and mechanism are through the enhancement of neurogenesis. Methods: APP/PS1 transgenic mice were treated with different doses of BLWE. After 6 weeks of intragastric injection, the therapeutic effects of BLWE on APP/PS1 transgenic mice were determined by the Morris water maze test, immunohistochemistry, hematoxylin & eosin and Nissl staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Subsequently, metabolomics technology was used to analyze the regulatory effect of BLWE on differential compounds in the brain of APP/PS1 mice, and on this basis, its molecular mechanism of BLWE was screened. Finally, the protein expression of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting. Results: After BLWE treatment, the learning and memory function of APP/PS1 mice were significantly improved, which was related to the increase in the number of Nestin+/BrdU+ and NeuN+/BrdU+ cells, and the decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampus. BLWE treatment could also up-regulate the expression of synapse-associated proteins. Moreover, BLWE could modulate endogenous metabolic compounds in the brains of AD mice, including N-acetyl-aspartate, glutamine, etc. Furthermore, BLWE inhibited the phosphorylation of Tyr216-GSK-3ß and ß-catenin protein while increased CyclinD1 protein expression. Conclusion: We demonstrated that BLWE can enhance neural stem cells proliferation and improve neurogenesis, thereby efficiently repairing damaged neurons in the hippocampus and ameliorating cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. The mechanism is at least partly through activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Study on the effect and mechanism of quercetin in treating gout arthritis.

Quercetin is widely found in natural plants, especially Chinese herbal plants. It has been used to treat arthritis in China for thousands of years. However, the effects and mechanisms of quercetin in the treatment of gout arthritis (GA) remain unclear. We aimed to verify the treatment of GA with quercetin and investigate the underlying mechanism. A combination of network pharmacology and experiments was used to reveal the mechanism of quercetin in the treatment of GA. Potential targets of quercetin and gout were identified. Then, the protein-protein interaction network for the common targets between quercetin and gout was constructed and the core targets were identified. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses for the common targets were performed to elucidate the pharmacological functions and mechanisms associated with quercetin treatment in GA. Finally, a monosodium urate-induced GA rat model was used to validate the predicted mechanisms in network pharmacology. Seventy-two common targets were identified. KEGG analysis revealed that treatment of GA with quercetin predominantly involved the interleukin (IL)-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathways. In an experimental validation, quercetin attenuated ankle joint inflammation-induced bone destruction and histological lesions. It also diminished the expression of IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-17F in the IL-17 pathway, and regulated the release of RAR-related orphan receptor gamma t,IL-17E, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, Foxp3, and transforming growth factor-beta 1. The collective findings implicate quercetin as a valuable alternative drug for the treatment of GA.

Role of Nutrition Information in Acceptance and Willingness to Pay for Biofortified Cereal Food: Implications for Better Health and Sustainable Diet.

A range of nutritional needs are met through the use of fortified farm-based foods. Wheat biorfortification with zinc is such an example where biorfortification is carried out for a crucial element like Zinc. Zinc-biofortified wheat (Zn-wheat) has been officially launched in Pakistan since 2016 but its wide-scale dissemination, adoption and consumption have not taken place till to date. On the other hand, essential nutrients deficiencies have wide-ranging implications for public health especially for children and lactating mothers. This study is undertaken to know the reasons for the slow progression of scaling up of biofortified wheat varieties in Pakistan, people's awareness about biofortified wheat and to recognize the role of information in acceptance and willingness to pay for this wheat. For this purpose, randomly selected 474 households were interviewed from four districts of Punjab province. They were categorized into four groups based on their exposure to information in real and hypothetical cheap talk (game theory context). Study findings reveal that respondents were ready to pay for fortified wheat if they are aware about nutrient aspects and Zn deficiency. Using Discrete Choice Experiment, the preferences for and factors affecting the willingness to pay for fortified wheat are evaluated. Main factors having positive impact include household head's education and income, having pregnant women and children <5 years age. It was also found that people having valid information about nutrients of a food would be willing to pay more. The study highlights need for policy focus on educating people about nutritional aspects as well as making available biofortified foods to promote healthy living.

[YANG Jun's clinical experience of acupuncture for oculomotor paralysis].

Professor YANG Jun's clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion for oculomotor paralysis is summarized. Professor YANG Jun pays attention to disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation in the treatment of this disease. According to the characteristics of oculomotor paralysis, "early diagnosis and seeking treatment from the source" is advocated. According to the etiology and pathogenesis, professor YANG divides oculomotor paralysis into three types: the syndrome of wind-evil attacking collaterals, the syndrome of spleen-stomach weakness and the syndrome of qi-deficiency and blood-stasis. As such, the acupoints are selected according to syndrome differentiation, and several different acupuncture methods (pricking needling at eyelids, penetrating needling and lifting eyelids and contralateral- balance needling on the healthy side) are adopted to improve the symptoms of oculomotor paralysis. It is also suggested to use the combination of scalp acupuncture and electroacupuncture to achieve the best dose-effect state. Moreover, local stimulation around the eyes is important to achieve the effects of "qi reaching affected area".

Sinomenine inhibits macrophage M1 polarization by downregulating α7nAChR via a feedback pathway of α7nAChR/ERK/Egr-1.

BACKGROUND: Sinomenine (SIN) is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used for decades in China to treat arthritis. In a previous study, SIN acted on α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) to inhibit inflammatory responses in macrophages, which indicates a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of SIN. However, the level of α7nAChR was increased in the inflammatory responses and was downregulated by SIN in vitro, so the underlying mechanisms of SIN acting on α7nAChR remain unclear. PURPOSE: To analyze the role of α7nAChR in inflammation and the effect and mechanism of SIN regulation of α7nAChR. METHODS: The effects of SIN on α7nAChR in endotoxemic mice and LPS-stimulated macrophages were observed. Nicotine (Nic) was used as a positive control, and berberine (Ber) was used as a negative control targeting α7nAChR. The antagonists of α7nAChR, α-bungarotoxin (BTX) and mecamylamine (Me), were used to block α7nAChR. In RAW264.7 macrophage cells in vitro, α7nAChR short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knock down α7nAChR. Macrophage polarization was analyzed by the detection of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, IL-10, Arg-1, and Fizz1. U0126 was used to block ERK phosphorylation. The cytokines α7nAChR, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and Egr-1 were detected. RESULTS: SIN decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and the expression of α7nAChR increased by LPS in endotoxemic mice. The above effects of SIN were attenuated by BTX. In the α7nAChR shRNA transfected RAW264.7 cells, compared with the control, α7nAChR was knocked down, and M1 phenotype markers (including TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS) were significantly downregulated, whereas M2 phenotype markers (including IL-10, Arg-1, and Fizz1) were significantly upregulated when stimulated by LPS. SIN inhibited the expression of p-ERK1/2 and the transcription factor Egr-1 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells, and the above effects of SIN were attenuated by BTX. The expression of α7nAChR was suppressed by U0126, which lessened the expression of p-ERK1/2 and Egr-1. CONCLUSIONS: SIN acts on α7nAChR to inhibit inflammatory responses and downregulates high expression of α7nAChR in vivo and in vitro. The increase of α7nAChR expression is correlated with inflammatory responses and participates in macrophage M1 polarization. SIN downregulates α7nAChR via a feedback pathway of α7nAChR/ERK/Egr-1, which contributes to inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization and inflammatory responses.

YANG Jun's clinical experience of acupuncture for oculomotor paralysis / 中国针灸

Professor YANG Jun's clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion for oculomotor paralysis is summarized. Professor YANG Jun pays attention to disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation in the treatment of this disease. According to the characteristics of oculomotor paralysis, "early diagnosis and seeking treatment from the source" is advocated. According to the etiology and pathogenesis, professor YANG divides oculomotor paralysis into three types: the syndrome of wind-evil attacking collaterals, the syndrome of spleen-stomach weakness and the syndrome of qi-deficiency and blood-stasis. As such, the acupoints are selected according to syndrome differentiation, and several different acupuncture methods (pricking needling at eyelids, penetrating needling and lifting eyelids and contralateral- balance needling on the healthy side) are adopted to improve the symptoms of oculomotor paralysis. It is also suggested to use the combination of scalp acupuncture and electroacupuncture to achieve the best dose-effect state. Moreover, local stimulation around the eyes is important to achieve the effects of "qi reaching affected area".

[Effect of moxibustion combined with Guifu Yuhe decoction on the conversion score of idiopathic constitution, serum total lgE and blood EOS in the patients with allergic acne].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of moxibustion combined with Guifu Yuhe decoction on allergic acne and the influence on immunologic function in the patients. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with allergic acne were rando-mized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases).Thirty healthy employees were in the healthy group. In the control group, Guifu Yuhe decoction was prescribed for oral administration, while in the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, moxibustion was exerted at Dazhui (GV14) and Shenque (GV8). The treatment duration was 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, serum IgE, blood EOS, CD4+T cell, CD8+ T cell and CD4+T/CD8+T, as well as the conversion score of idiopathic constitution and the symptom score were compared in the patients of two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was observed in the two groups. RESULTS: Before treatment, compared with the healthy group, IgE and EOS, CD4+T cell and CD8+T cell all increased (P<0.05), and CD4+T/CD8+T decreased in the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, IgE, EOS and CD4+T cell and CD8+T cell decreased (P<0.05), and CD4+T/CD8+T increased (P<0.05) in the intra-group comparison in the patients. The changes of IgE, EOS, CD4+T cell and CD8+T cell in the observation group were more larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the conversion score of body constitution and symptom score all decreased in either group (P<0.05) and the scores in the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P< 0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group (29/30, 96.7%) was higher than that of the control group (22/30, 73.3%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion combined with Guifu Yuhe decoction can significantly improve immune function and body constitution of the patients with allergic acne, which may be related to rectifying idiopathic constitution, improving in lymphocyte subsets dysfunction and inhibiting allergic reaction.

Association between neutrophils and renal impairment of rheumatoid arthritis: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that increased neutrophils, as a manifestation of oxidative stress, may be involved in the progression of kidney disease. To our knowledge, little is known about the relationship between neutrophils and renal impairment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we aim to investigate whether neutrophil is associated with renal impairment in RA patients. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the renal function of 602 RA patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from September 2018 and September 2019. The exposure variable was neutrophils, and the main outcome was eGFR. General data (gender, age, duration, hypertension, diabetes, hobbies, and medication history), whole blood markers, lipid indexes, and inflammatory indexes were collected as much as possible. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between neutrophils and renal impairment in RA participants. RESULTS: A total of 89 cases (14.8%) had renal impairment with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 , and 75 cases (84.3%) were female. Subgroup analysis showed that female (odds ratio [OR] = 0.523, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.318-0.867, p = .011), neutrophils greater thsn 7.5 × 109 /L (OR = 2.314, 95% CI: 1.310-4.087, p = .004), NLR > 3.53 (OR = 1.757, 95% CI: 1.104-2.799, p = .018), hemoglobin less than 120 g/L (OR = 2.413, 95% CI: 1.418-4.118, p = .001), and UA > 360 µmol/L (OR = 6.052, 95% CI: 3.708-9.878, p < .001) was related to renal damage in RA. Adjusted for several confounders, the multivariable analysis indicated that neutrophils greater than 7.5 × 109 /L (OR = 1.784, 95% CI: 1.164-3.288, p = .031) was independently associated with an increased risk of renal impairment in RA. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that neutrophils greater than 7.5 × 109 /L was associated with a high risk of renal impairment in RA, suggesting that neutrophil may be a biomarker for renal impairment in RA.

[Professor ZHANG Qing-ping's clinical experience of acupuncture for peripheral facial paralysis].

Professor ZHANG Qing-ping's clinical experience and characteristics of acupuncture for peripheral facial paralysis were introduced from three aspects: differentiation of meridians and tendons, treatment by stages, and examples of proven cases. In the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis, Professor ZHANG carefully examines the situation of pathogenic factors and health. In the acute stage, the treatment focuses on eliminating pathogenic factors and supporting the health; in the recovery stage, penetrating needling is recommended with strengthening the health and eliminating pathogenic factors as main purpose; in the sequelae stage, wheat-grain moxibustion is recommended with strengthening the health as main purpose. This treatment plan shows superior clinical efficacy.

Towards Sustainable Diets: Understanding the Cognitive Mechanism of Consumer Acceptance of Biofortified Foods and the Role of Nutrition Information.

Micronutrient malnutrition, also known as hidden hunger, continues to affect more than 2 billion people globally. Biofortification, which is a process of breeding staple crops with improved micronutrient contents such as vitamin A, iron, and zinc, offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution in reducing hidden hunger. However, the success of these foods depends on consumer acceptance. In contrast to previous studies, this research focuses on the mechanism of consumer acceptance of biofortified crops that undergo physical changes (i.e., changes in appearance) after biofortification. We use data on 473 Chinese consumers collected through online surveys to examine their purchase intentions for biofortified foods that have visible (vs. invisible) nutrition traits. Using two online surveys, we conduct two studies to reveal the mechanism and antecedents of consumer acceptance of different biofortified foods. In Study 1, we find that consumer purchase intentions vary depending upon the visibility of nutrition traits in biofortified foods. Specifically, consumers exhibit a nutrition-related food neophobia (NFN) regardless of visibility of the nutrition trait in biofortified foods; and a sensory-affective food neophobia (SFN) which is only pronounced when the nutrition trait in biofortified foods is visible. The results of the mediation analysis show that for both types of biofortified foods, NFN mediates consumers' purchasing intentions. For foods that involve visible changes after biofortification, SFN acts as an additional mediator of consumer purchase intentions. Using ordered logistic regression analysis, we find that both food neophobias have a negative impact on consumer acceptance of biofortified foods. The results of Study 2 confirm our findings and further show that nutrition information moderates the mediation of NFN and SFN, i.e., the negative impact of NFN and SFN on purchase intentions can be reduced by providing nutrition information to consumers. The results of this study have several theoretical and practical implications and are of interest to stakeholders and marketers in the promotion of biofortified foods.

[Professor YANG Jun's experience of infantile spastic cerebral palsy treated with the combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine].

Professor YANG Jun believes that infantile cerebral palsy is located in the brain and closely related to the kidney. The clinical treatment should focus on the brain theory and root at the kidney. In pathogenesis, infantile spastic cerebral palsy refers to flaccidity of yang and spasticity of yin. The principle of treatment should be balancing yin and yang, promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and regulating the spirit/mind. In clinical treatment, the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture and herbal medicine is adopted. In acupuncture, the acupoints on the head and the face are dominant and the body acupoints are selected rigorously and precisely. The herbal formula with Carya cathayensis Sarg and Scorpio is used and taken orally with warm water. In acupoint application treatment, Borneolum Syntheticum and Radix et Rhizoma Asari are the main herbal medicines for the external application at Shenque (CV 8) and Baihui (GV 20). All of the above therapies are used in combination to co-achieve the effect of regaining consciousness, opening orifices and benefiting the intelligence. The clinical therapeutic effect of this comprehensive therapy is significant.

Kaempferol, a Major Flavonoid in Ginkgo Folium, Potentiates Angiogenic Functions in Cultured Endothelial Cells by Binding to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

Kaempferol is a major flavonoid in Ginkgo Folium and other edible plants, which is being proposed here to have roles in angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is important in both physiological and pathological development. Here, kaempferol was shown to bind with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), probably in the heparin binding domain of VEGF: this binding potentiated the angiogenic functions of VEGF in various culture models. Kaempferol potentiated the VEGF-induced cell motility in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as the sub-intestinal vessel sprouting in zebrafish embryos and formation of microvascular in rat aortic ring. In cultured HUVECs, application of kaempferol strongly potentiated the VEGF-induced phosphorylations of VEGFR2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) in time-dependent and concentration-dependent manners, and in parallel the VEGF-mediated expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, were significantly enhanced. In addition, the potentiation effect of kaempferol was revealed in VEGF-induced migration of skin cell and monocyte. Taken together, our results suggested the pharmacological roles of kaempferol in potentiating VEGF-mediated functions should be considered.