Correlation Between ICU Admission Time and Long-Term Mortality in Elderly Critically Ill Patients.

Objective: The the intensive care unit (ICU), also known as intensive care medicine department and intensive intensive care unit, is a medical place for centralized treatment of critical diseases and continuous monitoring and treatment. To investigate the relationship between the length of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and long-term mortality in elderly critically ill patients. Methods: A total of 2694 critically ill ICU patients admitted to Xianning First People's Hospital from April 2017 to April 2021 were selected. Inclusion criteria including: age ≥ 60 years; meet the diagnostic criteria for critical illness; admission to ICU ≥ 24h. According to admission time, patients were divided into 1684 patients admitted during working hours and 1010 patients admitted during non-working hours. The relationship between the admission time of ICU patients and long-term mortality was taken as the dependent variable. The evaluation was performed using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Status Assessment Scale (APACHE II score). Epidemiological questionnaire was used to investigate the status of time to hospital and mortality, and the independent risk factors affecting time to hospital and mortality were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. SPSS 26.0 statistical software was used for analysis and processing. Results: Among 2694 critically ill patients in ICU, 1010 patients were hospitalized during non-working hours, with an admission rate of 37.49%. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score of non-working hours was 19.91±6.62, which is significantly higher than that of working hours (18.21±6.42) (P < .05). The mortality rates of ICU patients hospitalized during non-working hours and during working hours accounted for 30.10 % and 19.71% of all patients, respectively, with statistical significance (P < .05). Comparing the mortality rates of the two groups at different time periods, there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < .05). In order to influence the independent variables of ICU mortality (non-occurrence = 0, occurrence = 1), the significant factors of univariate analysis were included in the logistic regression equation. Time of admission, combined cardiopulmonary disease, APACHE II score, nurse workload and other factors were independent risk factors for ICU mortality. Conclusion: Out-of-hours admission is associated with an increased risk of death and is associated with changes in ICU organizational structure. Therefore, sending patients to ICU in time migh help improve their life.

Dormancy release of seeds of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle accompanied by changes in phytochemicals and inorganic elements.

Podophyllum hexandrum Royle is an alpine medicinal plant of considerable importance, and its seed dormancy severely inhibits population renewal. Although cold stratification can break dormancy to a certain extent, the migration and accumulation of phytochemicals and inorganic elements in the seeds during dormancy release and their functions remain unclear. Changes in phytochemicals and inorganic elements in different seed parts were analyzed during dormancy. The key differential phytochemicals and inorganic elements were screened and their association with dormancy release and their roles in dormancy release were explored. The results showed that dormancy release may have occurred following the decrease in palmitic acid and linoleic acid content in the seeds and the increase in 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4 (h)-pyran-4-one content in the endosperm. Meanwhile, 6-propyltridecane and hexadecane in the seed coat may enhance the water permeability of seeds to speed up germination. Mg may migrate from the seed coat to the endosperm and seed embryos, whereas Co may migrate from the seed embryo to the seed coat. Ca, Mn, Mg, and Co are involved in various physiological metabolic processes, which may facilitate the dormancy release of P. hexandrum seeds. These findings have enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms of dormancy release in P. hexandrum seeds and can serve as a reference for the development of more effective dormancy-breaking techniques for the conservation of this endangered medicinal plant.

Modified Qing' e Pills exerts anti-osteoporosis effects and prevents bone loss by enhancing type H blood vessel formation.

Objective: To explore whether the modified Qing' e Pills (MQEP) exerts anti-osteoporotic effects and prevents bone loss by enhancing angiogenesis. Methods: Network pharmacology was used to assess whether MQEP has a pro-angiogenic capacity and to predict its potential targets. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with glucocorticoids and MQEP to assess cell viability. The expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor, angiotensin II type 2 receptor, and angiotensin converting enzyme, which are associated with the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, which are associated with the formation of type H blood vessels, were examined by western blot and RT-qPCR. Thereafter, the glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis model was established and intervened with MQEP. Femur scanning was performed with micro-computed tomography; trabecular spacing, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number were observed and calculated; the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand and osteoprotegerin was detected by ELISA, and the ratio was calculated to evaluate the degree of bone resorption. Finally, type H blood vessels that were highly coupled to osteogenic cells were identified by immunohistochemistry staining and flow cytometry. Results: This is the first study to reveal and confirm that MQEP could prevent bone loss in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis by promoting the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor, which are highly associated with type H blood vessel formation. In vitro experiments confirmed that MQEP could effectively promote the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and alleviate glucocorticoids-induced activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, thereby reducing vascular injury. Conclusion: MQEP exerts anti-osteoporosis effects and prevents bone loss by alleviating vascular injury caused by renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation and promoting type H blood vessel formation.

Daidzin inhibits growth and induces apoptosis through the JAK2/STAT3 in human cervical cancer HeLa cells.

Daidzin, 4', 7-dihydroxyisoflavone is an isoflavonic phytoestrogen present in leguminous plants. Traditional Chinese medicine utilizes daidzin to treat various diseases such diarrhea, fever, hepatitis, cardiac problems etc. In current study we examined the anticancer activity of daidzin against human cervical cancer in vitro. HeLa, human cervical cancer cell line was purchased from ATCC and the cells were cultured with DMEM medium. The cytotoxic effect of daidzin against HeLa cell line was analyzed with MTT assay. The IC-50 value was obtained at 20 µM hence the cells were treated with 20 µM of daidzin for further analysis. ROS generation was assessed with DCFH-DA staining and the induction of apoptosis was examined with Rhoadmine-123 staining. Acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining was done to examine the apoptotic and viable cells. Further the matrigel cell adhesion assay was done to analyze the inhibitory property of daidzin against cancer cell adhesion. Apoptotic induction of daidzin was examined by estimating the levels of Caspase 8 & 9 using ELISA technique. Inflammatory and cell proliferation signaling proteins were analyzed with qPCR analysis to confirm the anticancer activity of daidzin against human cervical cancer HeLa cell line. Daidzin significantly generated ROS and altered the mitochondrial membrane permeability in HeLa cell line. The results of AO/EtBr staining prove daidzin induced apoptosis in HeLa cell line and it also inhibited the cell adhesion property of HeLa which is reported in our matrigel cell adhesion assay. It also increased the caspases 8 & 9 which are key regulators of apoptosis. Daidzin significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory gene and cell proliferating signaling molecule. To, conclude our results confirm daidzin effectively decreased inflammation and induced apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cell line.

New oligomeric neolignans from the leaves of Magnolia officinalis var. biloba.

Six new oligomeric neolignans including two trimeric neolignans (1 and 2) and four dimeric neolignans (3-6) were isolated from the leaves of Magnolia officinalis var. biloba. Their structures were determined based on HR-ESIMS and NMR data, as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compound 1 is formed from two obovatol moieties directly linked to an aromatic ring of the remaining obovatol moiety, which is an unprecedented type of linkage between monomers. All isolates were assessed for their inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Compounds 1 and 3 showed significantly inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 6.04 and 3.26 µmol·L-1, respectively.

Identification of molecular anti-metastasis mechanisms of lycorine in colorectal cancer by RNA-seq analysis.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Metastasis is the major cause of death in patients with CRC. Lycorine, the phenanthridine alkaloid most commonly found in spp of the Amaryllidaceae family, has shown promising anticancer activities with minor side effects. However, the effects and the detailed mechanism of lycorine against metastasis of CRC remains unclear. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lycorine on CRC and characterize the molecular mechanisms observed in lycorine-treated CRC cells using RNA-sequencing. MTT assay, colony formation assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining and Annexin V-FITC/Propidium iodide (PI) staining were conducted to examine the effects of lycorine on cell proliferation and apoptosis in CRC cells. RNA sequencing, real-time PCR assays and western blot were performed. Migration and invasion abilities of lycorine-treated CRC cells were investigated by wound healing and transwell invasion assays. The mouse CRC lung metastasis model was established and was used to detect the effect of lycorine on CRC in vivo. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that lycorine inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of CRC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. AO/EB staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining showed that lycorine induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Lycorine also reduced lung metastasis of CRC in vivo. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis suggested that lycorine regulated the expression of 3556 genes. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway was implicated according to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and multiple pathways including those of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), relaxin, Ras, phosphatidylinositol 3­kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) and Wnt/ß-catenin were selected by functional enrichment analyses. Furthermore, based on transcriptomic analysis, we found that the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress were responsible for lycorine-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: These results obtained in this study demonstrated that lycorine has the potential to suppress CRC in vitro and in vivo through the lycorine-regulated multiple signaling pathways.

New lignans and acetophenone derivatives with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity from the leaves of Melicope patulinervia.

Four new lignans, patulinones A-D (1-4) and three new acetophenone derivatives, patulinones E-G (5-7) were isolated from the leaves of Melicope patulinervia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of the interpretation of HR-ESIMS, NMR, CD data. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Of the isolates, compound 4 was found to exhibit the strongest inhibition against α-glucosidase with IC50 value of 6.02 ± 0.46 µM.

Anti-leukemia activities of selenium nanoparticles embedded in nanotube consisted of triple-helix ß-d-glucan.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a difficult therapeutic hematological tumor. It is urgent to find a non-toxic natural drug to treat AML. Herein, the selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) embedded in nanotubes consisted of triple helix ß-(1, 3)-d-glucan (BFP) from the black fungus that were wrapped to form stable inclusion complex BFP-Se, which was self-assembled and exhibited high stability in water. In vitro, the BFP-Se significantly inhibited the proliferation of AML cells and increased the cytotoxicity on AML cells. On single-cell levels, the U937 cells were gradually swelled and lysed with BFP-Se treatment on optofluidics chips. Further, the blood and bone marrow analysis indicated the anti-leukemia effects of BFP-Se in vivo. Moreover, BFP-Se increased the total antioxidant capacity of AML cells and decreased the expression of c-Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 and thioredoxin 1. Our results suggest that this biocompatible polysaccharide nanotube containing Se nanoparticles would provide a novel strategy for AML therapy.

Positive Effects of Qing'e Pill () on Trabecular Microarchitecture and its Mechanical Properties in Osteopenic Ovariectomised Mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of Qing'e Pill (, QEP) on the cancellous bone microstructure and its effect on the level of ß-catenin in a mouse model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS: Ninety-six 8-week-old specific pathogen free C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (24/group): sham, ovariectomised osteoporosis model, oestradiol-treated, and QEP-treated groups. Three months after surgery, the third lumbar vertebra and left femur of the animals were dissected and scanned using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to acquire three-dimensional (3D) parameters of their cancellous bone microstructure. The impact of ovariectomy, the effect of oestradiol and QEP intervention on cancellous bone microstructure, and the expression of ß-catenin were evaluated. RESULTS: The oestradioland the QEP-treated groups exhibited a significant increase in the bone volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular thickneßs, bone surface to bone volume ratio (BS/BV), and ß-catenin expression compared with those of the model group (P <0.05). In contrast, the structure model index, trabecular separation, and BS/BV were significantly decreased compared with those of the ovariectomised osteoporosis model group (P <0.05). No differences were observed in the above parameters between animals of the QEP- and oestradiol-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: The increased ß-catenin expression may be the mechanism underlying QEP's improvement of the cancellous bone microstructure in ovariectomised mice. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for using QEP as a dietary supplement to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Structural changes of waxy and normal maize starches modified by heat moisture treatment and their relationship with starch digestibility.

In the present study, the variations in structure of waxy and normal maize starches modified by heat-moisture treatment (HMT) for different treating time (3h and 9h) were investigated. HMT caused the destruction of starch granules. The 1H NMR confirmed that glycosidic bonds were broken during HMT. The 13C NMR result suggested that HMT caused the transformation of starch granules from double and single helical components into amorphous components. Heat-moisture treated starches exhibited higher gelatinization temperature (To, Tp and Tc), narrower gelatinization temperature range (Tc-To) and lower gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH). HMT caused the rearrangement of starch molecules, degeneration of double helices and formation of new single helix. In addition, in vitro digestibility assessment indicated that the contents of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS) were improved and resistant starch (RS) was reduced after HMT, which was related to the decrease of single and double helical components.

Effects of Modified Qing'e Pill () on expression of adiponectin, bone morphogenetic protein 2 and coagulation-related factors in patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the regulation of Chinese herbal medicine, Modifified Qing'e Pill (, MQEP), on the expression of adiponectin, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and other potentially relevant risk factors in patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: A total of 96 patients with nontraumatic ONFH were unequal randomly divided into treatment group (60 cases) and control group (36 cases). The treatment group were treated with MQEP while the control group were treated with simulated pills. Both groups were given caltrate D. Six months were taken as a treatment course. Patients were followed up every 2 months. The levels of plasma adiponectin, BMP2, OPG, von Willebrand factor (vWF), von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (vWF-cp), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), C-reactive protein (CRP), blood rheology, bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral head and Harris Hip Score were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 6 months of treatment, compared with the control group, patients in the treatment group had signifificantly higher adiponectin and BMP2 levels (P<0.01 and P=0.013, respectively), lower vWF, PAI-1 and CRP levels (P=0.019, P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively), and lower blood rheology parameters. BMD of the femoral neck, triangle area and Harris Hip Score in the treatment group were signifificantly higher than those in the control group. Moreover, plasma adiponectin showed a positive association with BMP2 (r=0.231, P=0.003) and a negative association with PAI-1 (r=-0.159, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: MQEP may play a protective role against nontraumatic ONFH by increasing the expression of adiponectin, regulating bone metabolism and improving the hypercoagulation state, which may provide an experimental base for its clinical effects.

Effect of Qing'e formula on circulating sclerostin levels in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Serum sclerostin is positively associated with serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Our preliminary studies confirmed that Qing'e formula (QEF) could effectively increase serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), but the effect of supplementation with QEF on serum sclerostin is unknown. This study investigated the effects of supplementation of QEF on serum sclerostin levels in patients with PMOP. Totally 120 outpatients and inpatients with PMOP treated in our hospital between January and October 2012 were randomly divided into QEF+calcium group, alfacalcidol+calcium group, and placebo+calcium group (n=40 each), with a follow-up period of 2 years. The serum levels of sclerostin, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, and bone turnover markers (ß-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP) at baseline and at the 6th month, 1st year, 1.5th year, and 2nd year after treatment were measured. The results showed that the levels of circulating sclerostin were increased significantly at the 6th month after treatment in QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group as compared with placebo+calcium group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the former two groups (P>0.05). The levels of ß-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP in serum were decreased in both QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group at the 6th month after treatment, without significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). But the levels were significantly lower than that in placebo+calcium group (P<0.05). These results suggest that the mechanism by which QEF modulates bone metabolism in patients with PMOP might be related with the effect of QEF in increasing sclerostin expression. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for using QEF as an effective drug to prevent bone loss in PMOP.

Construction of selenium nanoparticles/ß-glucan composites for enhancement of the antitumor activity.

We report on a green procedure for the stabilization of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) by a naturally occurring ß-glucan with triple helical conformation known as Lentinan (t-LNT) in water after denaturing into single chains (s-LNT) at 140 °C. The results demonstrated that the s-LNT can interact with SeNPs through Se-O-H interaction. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra, UV/vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that s-LNT coated SeNPs to form a stable nano-composite Se/s-LNT, leading to good dispersion of SeNPs. Especially, the as-prepared Se/s-LNT composite in the solution could remain homogeneous and translucent for 30 days without any precipitates. Different size distribution of SeNPs was prepared by simply controlling the concentrations of selenite sodium and the corresponding reducing agent ascorbic acid. The size effect of SeNPs on anti-tumor activity was revealed that the SeNPs with more evenly particle size distribution show the higher anticancer activity.

Correlation between women's sub-health and reproductive diseases with pregnancies and labors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether female sub-health conditions and reproductive diseases are associated with pregnancies and labors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed by using a structured questionnaire. A total of 1343 women aged 35 years or younger in six urban areas of Chengdu were included in the study. According to the Screening Criteria of sub-health conditions, these women were categorized into three groups: postpartum healthy group, sub-healthy group, and reproductive disease group. Data were double-entered using EpiData and then analyzed by SPSS. RESULTS: Pregnancy and labor were correlated with postpartum sub-health conditions. The number of pregnancies was negatively correlated with women's postnatal health but was positively correlated with the incidence of postpartum reproductive diseases. CONCLUSION: The number of pregnancies and labors is probably an important factor leading to sub-health conditions and the occurrence of reproductive diseases in women. Avoiding or reducing unwanted pregnancies and labors, enhancing the awareness of health among childbearing-age women are effective measures for preventing sub-health conditions.

Chain conformation and anti-tumor activity of derivatives of polysaccharide from Rhizoma Panacis Japonici.

A hyper branched (1→4)-α-d-glucan (RPS3) with degree of branching of 35% extracted from Rhizoma Panacis Japonici adopted a sphere-like conformation and showed little bioactivity. Three derivatives including sulfated (S-), phosphated (P-) and carboxymethylated (CM-) RPS3 were then synthesized and characterized by FTIR, (13)CNMR, and SEC-LLS-Vis-RI. As a result, the molecular weights of CM-RPS3, S-RPS3 and P-RPS3 decreased sharply in contrast to the original one, suggesting that chemical degradation has occurred. Moreover, the sphere-like conformation of RPS3 transferred into the random coil-like conformation according to the increased values of αη, αs and ρ. It was ascribed to the occurrence of the preferential degradation for the branches. In vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated that the negatively charged S-RPS3 and P-RPS3 with properly low molecular mass significantly inhibited H-22 tumor cells growth. This work offered valuable results for broadening the biological applications of α-d-glucans.

[Clinical research on warm acupuncture therapy for pain in postmenopausal osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy on pain in postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with the warm acupuncture therapy and discuss its effect mechanism. METHODS: Ninety cases of postmenopausal osteoporosis were randomized into a warm acupuncture group, an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. In the warm acupuncture group and the electroacupuncture group, Dazhu (BL 11), Shenshu (BL 23) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) were selected bilaterally and stimulated with the warm acupuncture and electroacupuncture therapies respectively, once a day for 30 days totally. In the medication group, caltrate-D tablets were prescribed, 600 mg, once a day for 30 days totally. The changes in the bone density T value, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, serum insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) were observed before and after treatment in the three groups. RESULTS: (1) The bone density T value in the patients of postmenopausal osteoporosis did not change obviously after 30 days treatment with the three therapies; (2) VAS score was all reduced after treatment, in which, the result in the warm acupuncture group was the most obvious (6.73 +/- 0.24 before treatment vs 4.43 +/- 0.26 after treatment). The value after treatment in the warm acupuncture group was different significantly as compared with the electroacupuncture group (5.13 +/- 0.31) and the medication group (5.17 +/- 0.33, both P < 0.05). (3) The level of serum IGF-1 was improved after treatment in the warm acupuncture therapy [(119.5 +/- 20.1) ng/mL before treatment vs (156.5 +/- 23.9) ng/mL after treatment], which was more apparent as compared with the electroacupuncture group [(136.3 +/- 24.5) ng/mL] and the medication group [(127.7 +/- 22.1) ng/mL, all P < 0.05]. Concerning to reducing the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in serum, the results in the warm acupuncture group were superior to the other two groups (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The warm acupuncture therapy achieves the significant efficacy on pain in postmenopausal osteoporosis, which could be related to increasing the level of IGF-1, decreasing the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha, promoting bone formation and inhibting bone absorption.

[Effect of acupoint heat-sensitive moxibustion intervention on serum osteopontin and matrix metalloproteinase-3 in patients with acute knee pain].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupoint heat-sensitive moxibustion for acut knee arthralgia and to analyze its effect on serum osteopontin (OPN) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) contents in patients with knee osteoarthritis so as to study its mechanism underlying improving arthralgia. METHODS: One hundred and forty-four patients with acute knee knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to acupoint heat-sensitive moxibustion (moxibustion), electroacupuncture (EA) and medication groups. Patients of the moxibustion group were treated by suspended moxibustion over bilateral Weizhong (BL 40) for 40 min each point, once daily for 15 days. Patients of the EA group were treated by EA stimulation of Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Xuehai (SP 10) and Liangqiu (ST 34) for 30 min, once daily for 15 days; and those of the medication group treated by oral administration of Sanqi Tongshu capsules (Panax Notoginseng, etc. used for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis), 3 times daily for 15 days. Serum OPN and MMP-3 levels were detected with ELISA. RESULTS: Following the treatment, of the 50, 50 and 44 cases in the moxibustion, EA and medication groups, 24, 20 and 14 were excellent, 18, 16 and 13 were good in therapeutic effect, 7, 4, and 3 were effective, and 1, 10, and 14 invalid, with the excellent and good rates being 84%, 72.0% and 61.4%, respectively. Serum OPN content of the moxibistion and EA groups, and serum MMP-3 content of the moxibustion group were reduced considerably in comparison with pre-treatment in the same one group (P < 0.01), while serum OPN level of the medication group and MMP-3 of the EA group were decreased slightly. The effect of moxibustion was evidently superior to that of medication in lowering serum OPN level (P < 0.05) and superior to that of both EA and medication in lowering serum MMP-3 content (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupoint heat-sensitive moxibustion has a good therapeutic effect in relieving acute knee arthralgia, which may be related to its effects in decreasing serum OPN and MMP-3 levels.

Angelica injection reduces cognitive impairment during chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor.

The current study investigated whether chronic cerebral hypoperfusion produced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-vessel occlusion (2-VO)) induced cognitive impairment and whether angelica injections alleviated the impairment. Furthermore, the study examined whether 2-VO altered the expression patterns of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus of rats and whether angelica injections attenuated the alteration. Rats were divided into four groups to receive either 2-VO surgery or sham surgery followed by either angelica injections or saline injections for eight weeks. Spatial learning in Morris water maze and the expression patterns of BDNF and NGF in the hippocampus of all rats were examined. The results showed that 2-VO significantly impaired spatial learning and memory, and angelica injections significantly reversed the learning and memory impairment. Furthermore, 2-VO resulted in significantly decreased BDNF protein, NGF protein, and NGF mRNA expression in the hippocampus. Angelica injections significantly attenuated the decreased expression. Moreover, spatial learning in Morris water maze was positively correlated to the expression of BDNF and NGF in the hippocampus. Thus, angelica injections might alleviate cognitive impairment during chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through BDNF and NGF.