Pollen-specific gene SKU5-SIMILAR 13 enhances growth of pollen tubes in the transmitting tract in Arabidopsis.

Pollen tube growth and penetration in female tissues are essential for the transfer of sperm to the embryo sac during plant pollination. Despite its importance during pollination, little is known about the mechanisms that mediate pollen tube growth in female tissues. In this study, we identified an Arabidopsis thaliana pollen/pollen tube-specific gene, SKU5-SIMILAR 13 (SKS13), which was critical for the growth of pollen tubes in the transmitting tract. The SKS13 protein was distributed throughout the cytoplasm and pollen tube walls at the apical region. In comparison with wild-type pollen tubes, those of the sks13 mutants burst more frequently when grown in vitro. Additionally, the growth of sks13 pollen tubes was retarded in the transmitting tract, thereby resulting in decreased male fertility. The accumulation of pectin and cellulose in the cell wall of sks13 pollen tubes was altered, and the content of jasmonic acid (JA) in sks13 pollen was reduced. The pollen tubes treated with an inhibitor of JA biosynthesis grew much more slowly and had an altered distribution of pectin, which is similar to the pollen tube phenotypes of the SKS13 mutation. Our results suggest that SKS13 is essential for pollen tube growth in the transmitting tract by mediating the biosynthesis of JA that modifies the components of pollen tube cell walls.

[Rule of acupoint combination in acupuncture treatment of hiccup: a study based on complex network analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rule of acupoint combination in acupuncture treatment of hiccups. METHODS: Original research articles on acupuncture treatment of hiccup were collected from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Pubmed by using key words of "hiccup", "acupuncture" "diaphragmatic spasm" "body acupuncture" "filiform needle" and "electroacupuncture". According to our inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected data were extracted to establish an acupuncture prescription database for hiccup. Then, the regularities of acupoint combinations for hiccup were analyzed by using Gephi complex network analysis software. RESULTS: ;A total of 606 articles containing 634 acupoint prescriptions for acupuncture treatment of hiccups were brought into analysis. There were 133 single-acupoint prescriptions (20.98%), which was significantly lower than the multi-acupoint prescription (501, accounting for 79.02%). There were mainly acupoints in multi-acupoint prescriptions, and distal-proximal acupoint combination method were often used as the basis of acupoint selection (326, accounting for 65.07%). A total of 163 acupoints were involved, with a total frequency of 2 969. Among them, Neiguan(PC6) was used most frequently (400 times, accounting for 13.47%), followed by Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), Danzhong (CV17), and Taichong (LR3). The acupoints of the Conceptional Vessel(666 times, accounting for 22.43%), and Stomach Meridian, Pericardium Meridian and Liver Meridian were chiefly used. There were 67 specific acupoints, the frequency of use was 2 555 times(accounting for 86.05% of the total frequency), among which the frequency of the five Shu-points was the highest (875 times, accounting for 29.47% of the total frequency), and followed by eight confluence points. CONCLUSION: ;The core acupoints are PC6, ST36, CV12, etc. and the distal-proximal acupoint combination method found in this study are often used as the basis of acupoint selection and acupoint prescription for acupuncture treatment of hiccup.

Comparison of effectiveness between warm acupuncture with local-distal points combination and local distribution points combination in breast cancer-related lymphedema patients: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is the most common complication after breast cancer treatment, but management of lymphedema remains a clinical challenge. Several studies have reported the beneficial effect of acupuncture for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Our objective is to verify the effectiveness of warm acupuncture on BCRL and compare the effectiveness of a local distribution acupoint combination with a local-distal acupoint combination for BCRL. METHODS: This is a study protocol for a multicenter, three-arm parallel, assessor blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 108 participants diagnosed as BCRL will be randomly allocated in equal proportions to a local distribution acupoint (LA) group, a local-distal acupoint (LDA) group, or a waiting-list (WL) group. The LA and LDA groups will receive 20 acupuncture treatment over 8 weeks with local distribution acupoint combination and local-distal acupoint combination, respectively. The WL group will receive acupuncture treatment after the study is concluded. The primary outcome is the mean change in inter-limb circumference difference from baseline to week 8. The secondary outcomes include volume measurement, skin hardness, common terminology criteria for adverse events 4.03 (edema limbs criteria), stages of lymphedema from the International Society of Lymphology, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, and the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-form Health Survey. DISCUSSION: This study aims to provide data on warm acupuncture as an effective treatment for BCRL and at the same time compare the effectiveness of different acupoint combinations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: Identifier NCT03373474 . Registered on 14th December 2017.

Efficacy differences of electroacupuncture with single acupoint or matching acupoints for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that acupuncture is beneficial for the alleviation of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. However, there is a lack of clinical evidence concerning the effects of acupoint-matching on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a parallel randomized controlled trial to evaluate the occurrence of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy (the incidence of nausea and vomiting, frequency, VAS score, RINVR rating) as the main outcome for cancer. Quality of life, anxiety and depression scores are the secondary outcomes. Quality of life, anxiety and depression scores are the secondary phase. Use of remedy drugs, routine blood examination, and blood biochemical tests are the safety evaluation. We also compare the different effects of ST36 (single acupoint), CV12 (single acupoint), and ST36-CV12 matching groups. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial are expected to explore the effects of matching different acupoints and to offer biologic plausibility for the use of acupuncture in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov NCT02195921 , The date of registration was 17 July 2014.

Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture with different acupoints for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Many patients experience nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy treatment. Evidence demonstrates that electroacupuncture is beneficial for controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, the acupoint or matching acupoint with the best efficacy for controlling CINV still remains unidentified. METHODS/DESIGN: This study consists of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with four parallel arms: a control group and three electroacupuncture groups (one with Neiguan (PC6), one with Zhongwan (CV12), and one with both PC6 and CV12). The control group received standard antiemetic only, while the other three groups received electroacupuncture stimulation with different acupoints besides the standard antiemetic. The intervention is done once daily from the first day (day 1) to the fourth day (day 4) during chemotherapy treatment. The primary outcome measures include frequency of nausea, vomiting and retching. The secondary outcome measures are the grade of constipation and diarrhea, electrogastrogram, assessment of quality of life, assessment of anxiety and depression, and other adverse effects during the chemotherapy. Assessments are scheduled from one day pre-chemotherapy (day 0) to the fifth day of chemotherapy (day 5). Follow-ups are done from day 6 to day 21. DISCUSSION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture with different acupoints in the management of CINV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The register number of randomized controlled trial is NCT02195908 . The date of registration was 21 July 2014.