Electroacupuncture ameliorates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression-like behavior and cognitive impairment through suppressing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Depression is associated with lowered mood, anxiety, anhedonia, cognitive impairments, and even suicidal tendencies in severe cases. Yet few studies have directed acupuncture's mechanism toward enhancing axonal repair correlated with synaptic plasticity and anti-inflammatory effects related to oxidative stress in the hippocampus. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (CON), chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) group, CUMS + electroacupuncture group (EA), and CUMS + fluoxetine group (FLX) (n = 10/group). Rats were given a 28-day treatment at the Shangxing (GV23) and Fengfu (GV16) acupoints with electroacupuncture or fluoxetine (2.1 mg/kg). RESULTS: Rats exposed to CUMS induced depression-like behaviors and spatial learning-memory impairment, changed the ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1), Vglut1, myelin basic protein (MBP), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) level of hippocampal, increased the Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), atypical squamous cell (ASC), Caspase level and hippocampal reactive oxygen species (ROS), and prompted the activation of Epha4-mediated signaling and an inflammatory response. Conversely, electroacupuncture administration reduced these changes and prevented depression-like behaviors and cognitive impairment. Electroacupuncture also promoted hippocampal expression of Sirtuin1(SIRT1), Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like (Nrf2), Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1); reduced the expression of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); and prevented neural damage, particularly the synaptic myelin sheath, and neuroinflammation by regulating Eph receptor A4 (EphA4) in the hippocampal. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that electroacupuncture prevents depression-like behaviors with cognitive impairment and synaptic and neuronal damage, probably by reducing EphA4, which mediates ROS hyperfunction and the inflammatory response.

The fate of fertilizer-derived phosphorus under different long-term fertilization regimes: A phosphate oxygen isotope study.

Understanding the fate of exogenous fertilizer-derived inorganic phosphorus (Pi) is essential for effective P management. Hence, this study carried out a 180-day incubation experiment with or without KH2P18O4 in soils with four different fertilization regimes [without fertilizer (CK), mineral P and K fertilizer (PK), mineral N, P, and K fertilizer (NPK), compost (OM)]. We analyzed the atom % excess in phosphate oxygen isotope of sequentially extracted Pi pools (H2O-Pi, NaHCO3-Pi, NaOH-Pi, and HCl-Pi), soil respiration, potential phosphatase activities, and microbial biomass. Our results showed that exogenous phosphate fertilizer was immediately transformed into the H2O-Pi and NaHCO3-Pi pools and gradually partially immobilized in the HCl-Pi pool. Additionally, biotransformation plays an important role in the turnover of fertilizer-derived Pi. After the 180-day incubation, the biologically transformed H2O-Pi content was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by 63.2 % on average, with the largest reduction in PK. The NaHCO3-Pi gradually increased in both CK and OM through biotic processes. However, it continuously decreased in PK and NPK, likely due to the strong adsorption and microbial fixation. The NaOH-Pi fluctuated slightly in CK, NPK, and OM while gradually decreasing in PK. At the end of the incubation, 28.6 %, 37.0 %, 61.2 %, and 75.2 % of the Pi increment in CK, OM, NPK, and PK were stored in the HCl-Pi pool, respectively. Overall, these findings provide important information on the dynamics of fertilizer-derived Pi, delivering new insights into rational phosphate fertilizer management and sustainable agricultural development.

[Professor LU Fan's clinical experience in shallow needling technique of acupuncture].

Professor LU Fan adheres to the principle in clinical practice, "the needling principle concentrated on regulating qi ". She takes the advantages of shallow needling technique of acupuncture in treatment of various diseases, e.g. exogenous disease, initial onset of disorder, chronic bi disorder, intractable diseases, disorder of yang nature, disorder of heat nature, thin body, pediatric diseases, disorders on the unilateral side of the body and acute diseases. Besides in compliance with classics, she has broadened the application scope of shallow needling technique of acupuncture and improved the clinical therapeutic effect.

Nitric Oxide and Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Signaling Mediates the Antidepressant Effects of Acupuncture in the Rat Model of Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress.

BACKGROUND Depression is a major mood disorder. Some patients have been reported to improve following acupuncture. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on behaviors associated with depression in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. The expression of signaling pathway components of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the rat hippocampus and plasma were also measured. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats (N=40) were divided into the control group (N=10), the model group (N=10), the acupuncture group (N=10), and the non-acupuncture group (N=10). The rat model was established by orphaning combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for six weeks. The acupuncture group was given 21 days of treatment using acupoints (AP) or non-acupoints (NP). Rat behaviors associated with depression were tested using the sucrose preference test (SPT), the open field test (OFT), and the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits, NR1, NR2A, and NR2B in the rat plasma and hippocampus. RESULTS Acupuncture reversed the behaviors associated with depression in the CUMS rat model and reduced the expression of components of the NO and cGMP pathway in the rat hippocampus and plasma. CONCLUSIONS In the CUMS rat model, treatment with acupuncture reduced behaviors associated with depression, and these effects were associated with changes in the NO and cGMP signaling pathway.

Characterization of fluvo-aquic soil phosphorus affected by long-term fertilization using solution 31P NMR spectroscopy.

Reducing the applications of mineral phosphorus (P) fertilizers and supplementing them by organic fertilizers is becoming a necessary practice in the North China Plain due to overuse of mineral P fertilizers and improper disposal of organic wastes. Knowledge is needed about how the long-term substitution of mineral fertilizers by organic fertilizers affects soil P forms in order to understand soil P transformation and crop P uptake. In this study, we used solution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to characterize P forms in fluvo-aquic soil after 26 years of different fertilization management strategies, organic compost (OM), half compost in combination with half mineral fertilizer NPK (1/2 OM), mineral fertilizer NPK (NPK), mineral fertilizer NK (NK), and an unfertilized control (CK). Results showed that the P extraction efficiency using NaOH-EDTA varied from 13.0 to 27.7% for the soils of the treatments. 31P NMR spectra indicated that the majority of P was in the form of orthophosphate for all the treatments, which constituted 64.3-83.5% of the total extracted P. The application of P fertilizers significantly increased the concentrations of orthophosphate, monoesters and diesters regardless of the P fertilization method, although the proportions of monoesters and diesters were higher in CK. The proportions and concentrations of orthophosphate significantly decreased when all mineral fertilizers were replaced by compost. There was no significant difference in the proportions and concentrations of total organic P, corrected monoesters and diesters in NaOH-EDTA extracts of soils among NPK, 1/2OM and OM treatments. Decreasing mineral P fertilizers and partly replacing them by organic fertilizer in fluvo-aquic soil might increase soil test (Olsen) P and crop P uptake through the degradation of applied organic P forms.

[The academic characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion of professor ZHANG Yongshu:a famous acupuncturist in Southern Fujian].

Professor ZHANG Yongshu, who studied from professor LIU Zhangjie, is a famous acupuncturist in Quanzhou of Southern Fujian. The publications authored by professor ZHANG Yongshu were collected in this study to summarize his academic characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion. The result indicated he highly valued the regulation of yang qi, and established the theory of "developing yang to nourish yin", which proposes to develop yang qi to achieve the effect of culturing yin; he summarized eight methods to regulate the governor vessel and conception vessel, which can condition the body's yin and yang; he paid attention to moxibustion therapy and its dosage, and made the best of direct moxibustion. In addition, he focused on meridian theory with effective application of meridian syndrome differentiation; in clinical treatment, he regulated the hand-yangming meridian to treat diseases by nourishing yang, generating yin and regulating fu.

[The present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan].

The development history, present situation, educational institution and association of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan are reviewed. Acupuncture and moxibustion is considered as an invasive treatment in Taiwan, which has been introduced to Taiwan since the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, with a history of less than 400 years. At present, there are two acupuncture-related academic institutions and two educational institutions, which are all private. The acupuncture and moxibustion is applied for various diseases, and the cost is based on whether clinics and treatments are covered by medical insurance, so the differences are significant.

[Experience of CHEN Yingloni treating common diseases in Fujian and Taiwan with acupuncture and medication].

With literature of professor CHEN Yinglong such as Medical Notes of Doctor CHEN Yinglongfor Taiwan Compatriots,the'experience of doctor CHEN Yinglong treating common diseases in Fujian and Tai-wan is summarized. The diseases in the paper are constipation, retention of urine, asthma, vec6rdia, bi syndromeinsomnia, thoracic obstruction, pediatric obesity and freckle of face, etc. It is discovered that professor CHENYinglong treated diseases with combination of acupuncture and medication and accurate acupoints according to thefeature of climate in Fujian and Taiwan.

[Educational philosophy of acupuncture and moxibustion of Chengjiang school successor professor HUANG Zongxu].

Based on the historical documents regarding professor HUANG Zongxu, his educational philosophy of acupuncture and moxibustion was summarized. As a result, the following characteristics were found. He focused on the education of acupuncture and moxibustion, which combined the classroom teaching with apprentice teaching; he compiled teaching materials and committed himself to education reform; he started the first acupuncture undergraduate majors in Fujian province; he valued the academic inheritance and practice of acupuncture; he authored publications and proposed arguments to inherit experience. In addition, he valued medical ethics and focused on patients.

[Present situation and development of acupuncture in the Netherlands].

The development, present situation, educational institution and association, legislation and application of acupuncture therapy in the Netherlands are introduced. Acupuncture was introduced into the Netherlands about 400 years ago. At present, being one of the complementary and alternative medicine, acupuncture has not passed the national legislation yet. The nongovernmental source is given priority to the development of acupuncture and the educational institution is private. Even though acupuncture has not been listed in the basic medical insurance in the Netherlands, it becomes one of the additional items of the insurance company and its expenditure is reimbursed partially. The field of TCM in the Netherlands now is facing to the issues to be solved, including constructing the official medical institution, educating high-quality acupuncturists, promoting national legislation and adopting acupuncture into the basic medical insurance.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity, root colonization, and soil alkaline phosphatase activity in response to maize-wheat rotation and no-tillage in North China.

Monitoring the effects of no-tillage (NT) in comparison with conventional tillage (CT) on soil microbes could improve our understanding of soil biochemical processes and thus help us to develop sound management strategies. The objective of this study was to compare the species composition and ecological function of soil arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi during the growth and rotation of crops under NT and CT. From late June 2009 to early June 2010, 32 topsoil (0-15 cm) samples from four individual plots per treatment (CT and NT) were collected at both the jointing and maturation stages of maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from a long-term experimental field that was established in an Aquic Inceptisol in North China in June 2006. The AM fungal spores were isolated and identified and then used to calculate species diversity indices, including the Shannon- Wiener index (H'), Evenness (E), and Simpson's index (D). The root mycorrhizal colonization and soil alkaline phosphatase activity were also determined. A total of 34 species of AM fungi within nine genera were recorded. Compared with NT, CT negatively affected the soil AM fungal community at the maize sowing stage, leading to decreases in the average diversity indices (from 2.12, 0.79, and 0.82 to 1.79, 0.72, and 0.74 for H', E, and D, respectively), root mycorrhizal colonization (from 28% to 20%), soil alkaline phosphatase activity (from 0.24 to 0.19 mg/g/24 h) and available phosphorus concentration (from 17.4 to 10.5 mg/kg) at the maize jointing stage. However, reductions in diversity indices of H', E, and D were restored to 2.20, 0.81, and 0.84, respectively, at the maize maturation stage. CT should affect the community again at the wheat sowing stage; however, a similar restoration in the species diversity of AM fungi was completed before the wheat jointing stage, and the highest Jaccard index (0.800) for similarity in the species composition of soil AM fungi between CT and NT was recorded at the wheat maturation stage. Our results also demonstrated that NT resulted in the positive protection of the community structure of AM fungi and played an important role in maintaining their functionality especially for maize seedlings.

[The present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Portugal].

The development courses of acupuncture and moxibustion as well as the present situation, education and legislation in Portugal were reviewed in this article. Acupuncture and Moxibustion has been developed in Portugal since 1980's. The first acupuncture school appeared in the year of 1992. Until now, courses on Chinese medicine and acupuncture has already been set up in about six universities. Acupuncture legislation started in the year 2003. At present, professional levels of acupuncture practitioners vary a lot. There are over 50 indications currently. And acupuncture treatment is basically at one's own expense.

[Liu Zhang-Jie's thought of acupuncture education].

Through retrieving of literature relevant to LIU Zhang-jie, his practicing and teaching experience in Quanzhou city are investigated, and his modern education thoughts are summarized in this article as well. It is found that LIU attached great importance on both apprenticeship and classroom teaching; he highlighted the theory of meridians and the classic of Treaties on Febrile Diseases; recommending selection of less points, and focusing on finger force during practice, he prefered to combine acupuncture with materia medica. He was practical and realistic, and never hide his mistakes. He also brought along and passed his ideas of acupuncture teach to his students. The medical ethic of SUN Si-miao was the one he advocated. He also spared no effort to write books and teach materials which played important roles in the spread of Chengjiang Acupuncture School.

[A brief analysis of taking off the needle slowly].

The ancients highlight taking off the needle slowly. From aspects of proper timing of withdrawing the needle, the safe treatment, treating and keeping the spirit, dealing with the acupuncture accidents, reinforcing and reducing manipulation and strengthening the post-needling sensation, etc. advantages of taking off the needle slowly are described in this paper. So the taking off the needle slowly is worthwhile in clinic.

[Chengjiang school descendant Mr. Huang Zong-Xu's academic characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion].

HUANG Zong-xu, who studied from Mr. Cheng Dan-an, the founder of Chengjiang acupuncture school, is a famous acupuncturist of Fujian Province. Through collecting and sorting of Mr. Huang's theses and medical records, his academic characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion were summarized as follows. Paying attention to meridians and collaterals and treatment based on syndrome differentiation; valuing the needling sensation as well as being good at reinforcing and reducing methods; thinking highly of taking care of spleen and stomach, ombination of needles and herbal medicine to treat difficult miscellaneous diseases; being adept in externd therapy and penetration needling and diet prescriptions, as well as attaching importance on health preserving.

[Present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Singapore].

The development history, education, legislation, charge and institutes of acupuncture and moxibustion in Singapore are introduced in this article. Acupuncture and moxibustion has been developed in Singapore since 1840. Nowadays there are three universities that set up standard Chinese medicine courses and two acupuncture-moxibustion associations. Legislation of acupuncture and moxibustion is published in 2000. The acupuncture and moxibustion is applied for approximately 50 kinds of diseases. The acupuncture and moxibustion is at one's own expense in public or private institutions, but cheap or completely free in charity.

[Mr. Chen Ying-long of chengjiang acupuncture school: a brief introduction].

Through consultation of the historical literatures on Mr. CHEN Ying-long, investigating his teaching experiences in Xiamen Hospital of TCM and Xiamen University, the characteristics of his educational idea on acupuncture-moxibustion, are found as follows: great significance is found in the dissemination of Chengjiang acupuncture school in Minnan area of China and abroad through the combination of the succession of education from a masters to disciples and the classroom teaching; importance is attached to medical ethics, and priority is put on building up ethics and teaching by precept and example. In order to inherit the Chengjiang acupuncture school, Mr. CHEN focuses on fostering a proper studying method, emphasizes on the basic skills of acupuncture, reinforces clinical practice and techniques, edits books, and imparts knowledge and solves doubts.

[Spatial variability of farmland soil nutrients at Taihang piedmont].

By the method of geostatistics, this paper studied the spatial variability of soil nutrients in 30,490 hm2 crop field in Luancheng region and in 15 hm2 experimental field in Luancheng Ecological Agriculture Station of Chinese Academy of Sciences. The results showed that the variation of soil nutrient contents differed obviously, and the semivariograms could be simulated by Gaussian and spherical models with some nugget variances. The limit distance of spatial correlation was 4.2-15.6 km and 112-223 m in Luancheng region and in experimental field, respectively, and the spatial variability of soil organic matter, N, P and K was of semivariance structure. It revealed that there existed a spatial correlation in soil nutrient contents under relatively large-block scale, which made it possible to develop regionalized soil nutrient precision management.