Multi-omics analysis reveals that linoleic acid metabolism is associated with variations of trained immunity induced by distinct BCG strains.

Trained immunity is one of the mechanisms by which BCG vaccination confers persistent nonspecific protection against diverse diseases. Genomic differences between the different BCG vaccine strains that are in global use could result in variable protection against tuberculosis and therapeutic effects on bladder cancer. In this study, we found that four representative BCG strains (BCG-Russia, BCG-Sweden, BCG-China, and BCG-Pasteur) covering all four genetic clusters differed in their ability to induce trained immunity and nonspecific protection. The trained immunity induced by BCG was associated with the Akt-mTOR-HIF1α axis, glycolysis, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Multi-omics analysis (epigenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) showed that linoleic acid metabolism was correlated with the trained immunity-inducing capacity of different BCG strains. Linoleic acid participated in the induction of trained immunity and could act as adjuvants to enhance BCG-induced trained immunity, revealing a trained immunity-inducing signaling pathway that could be used in the adjuvant development.

A multistage Sendai virus vaccine incorporating latency-associated antigens induces protection against acute and latent tuberculosis.

One-quarter of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). After initial exposure, more immune-competent persons develop asymptomatic latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) but not active diseases, creates an extensive reservoir at risk of developing active tuberculosis. Previously, we constructed a novel recombinant Sendai virus (SeV)-vectored vaccine encoding two dominant antigens of Mtb, which elicited immune protection against acute Mtb infection. In this study, nine Mtb latency-associated antigens were screened as potential supplementary vaccine candidate antigens, and three antigens (Rv2029c, Rv2028c, and Rv3126c) were selected based on their immune-therapeutic effect in mice, and their elevated immune responses in LTBI human populations. Then, a recombinant SeV-vectored vaccine, termed SeV986A, that expresses three latency-associated antigens and Ag85A was constructed. In murine models, the doses, titers, and inoculation sites of SeV986A were optimized, and its immunogenicity in BCG-primed and BCG-naive mice were determined. Enhanced immune protection against the Mtb challenge was shown in both acute-infection and latent-infection murine models. The expression levels of several T-cell exhaustion markers were significantly lower in the SeV986A-vaccinated group, suggesting that the expression of latency-associated antigens inhibited the T-cell exhaustion process in LTBI infection. Hence, the multistage quarter-antigenic SeV986A vaccine holds considerable promise as a novel post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine against tuberculosis.

Integrated manganese (III)-doped nanosystem for optimizing photothermal ablation: Amplifying hyperthermia-induced STING pathway and enhancing antitumor immunity.

Despite the great promise initially demonstrated by photothermal ablation (PTA) therapy, its inability to completely ablate large tumors is problematic, because this has been found to result in residual tumors at ablation margins and bring a relative high rate of subsequent recurrences and metastases. To address this issue, we herein report a smart photothermal nanosystem (PBM) based on FDA-approved Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles, doped with Mn (III) to suppress the tumor debris left by incomplete ablation. Notably, our study demonstrated that PTA-induced hyperthermia plays a crucial role in initiating the cGAS-STING pathway by generating damaged cytosolic DNA. This PBM nanosystem, which consumes glutathione and continuously releases Mn(II), further amplifies the PTA-induced cGAS-STING pathway in CT26 colon and 4T1 breast tumor models. Moreover, treatment with PBM following PTA boosted the robust immune response in situ and extended to the whole body with a remarkable suppression effect on both local residual and distant tumors. This work, which improves the antitumor efficacy of nonablated areas utilizing hyperthermia-enhanced immune therapy, may therefore provide a promising adjuvant antitumor strategy for the issue of incomplete ablation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work discovered, for the first time, that photothermal ablation-induced hyperthermia plays a crucial role in initiating the cGAS-STING pathway. Taking advantage of this finding, we developed a smart photothermal material (PBM) tailored for incomplete tumor ablation. This integrated Mn(III)-doped nanosystem (PBM) demonstrated superior therapeutic benefits due to the thermal ablation process and immune enhancement. As the photothermal ablation-induced cGAS-STING pathway was triggered, the released Mn(III) consumes GSH while continuously transferred to Mn(II), which further amplified STING activation and facilitated a more robust antitumor immunity, thereby remarkably inhibiting both local residual and distant tumors in virtue of the biological changes under thermal ablation.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals key pathways and genes involved in trichome development in tea plant (Camellia sinensis).

Trichomes, which develop from epidermal cells, are considered one of the important characteristics of the tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]. Many nutritional and metabolomic studies have indicated the important contributions of trichomes to tea products quality. However, understanding the regulation of trichome formation at the molecular level remains elusive in tea plants. Herein, we present a genome-wide comparative transcriptome analysis between the hairless Chuyeqi (CYQ) with fewer trichomes and the hairy Budiaomao (BDM) with more trichomes tea plant genotypes, toward the identification of biological processes and functional gene activities that occur during trichome development. In the present study, trichomes in both cultivars CYQ and BDM were unicellular, unbranched, straight, and soft-structured. The density of trichomes was the highest in the bud and tender leaf periods. Further, using the high-throughput sequencing method, we identified 48,856 unigenes, of which 31,574 were differentially expressed. In an analysis of 208 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding transcription factors (TFs), five may involve in trichome development. In addition, on the basis of the Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) results, we screened several DEGs that may contribute to trichome growth, including 66 DEGs related to plant resistance genes (PRGs), 172 DEGs related to cell wall biosynthesis pathway, 29 DEGs related to cell cycle pathway, and 45 DEGs related to cytoskeleton biosynthesis. Collectively, this study provided high-quality RNA-seq information to improve our understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanism of trichome development and lay a foundation for additional trichome studies in tea plants.

A two-dose optimum for recombinant S1 protein-based COVID-19 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant protein subunit vaccination is considered to be a safe, fast and reliable technique when combating emerging and re-emerging diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Typically, such subunit vaccines require the addition of adjuvants to attain adequate immunogenicity. AS01, which contains adjuvants MPL and saponin QS21, is a liposome-based vaccine adjuvant system that is one of the leading candidates. However, the adjuvant effect of AS01 in COVID-19 vaccines is not well described yet. METHODS: In this study, we utilized a mixture of AS01 as the adjuvant for an S1 protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. RESULTS: The adjuvanted vaccine induced robust immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding antibody and virus-neutralizing antibody responses. Importantly, two doses induced similar levels of IgG binding antibody and neutralizing antibody responses compared with three doses and the antibody responses weakened only slightly over time up to six weeks after immunization. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that two doses may be enough for a clinical vaccine strategy design using MPL & QS21 adjuvanted recombinant protein, especially in consideration of the limited production capacity of COVID-19 vaccine in a public health emergency.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3628 isan effective adjuvant via activationof dendritic cells for cancer immunotherapy.

Tumor antigens (Ags) are weakly immunogenic and elicit inadequate immune responses, thus induction of antigen-specific immune activation via the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) is a strategy used for cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we examined the effect of Rv3628 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) on activation of DCs and anti-tumor immunity in vivo. Intravenous injection of mice with Rv3628 promoted DC activation of spleen and lymph nodes. More importantly, Rv3628 also induced activation of DCs and enhanced Ag presentation in tumor-bearing mice. In mice bearing ovalbumin (OVA)-expressing tumors, combination treatment with Rv3628 and OVA peptide promoted OVA-specific T cell activation and accumulation of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-producing OT-I and OT-II cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes. Moreover, three different tumor Ags in three different tumor models showed enhanced anti-tumor activity with Rv3628 as adjuvant, including inhibition of growth of OVA-expressing B16 melanoma, CT26 carcinoma, and B16 melanoma tumors, and a synergistic effect with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody treatment. Additionally, potential application against human tumors was indicated by similar activation of human peripheral blood DCs by Rv3628. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Rv3628 could be an effective adjuvant in tumor immunotherapy via enhanced capacity of DC activation and Ag presentation.

Saccharomyces boulardii Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice by Regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 Signaling Pathways.

Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is a probiotic yeast that is widely used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The present study is aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of S. boulardii on dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced murine ulcerative colitis (UC) and illustrate the mechanisms of action. C57BL/6 mice were administered S. boulardii (105 and 107 CFU/ml, p.o.) for 3 weeks and then given DSS [2.5% (w/v)] for one week. Administration of S. boulardii prevented DSS-induced reduction in body weight, diarrhea, bloody feces, decreased colon length, and loss of histological structure. Moreover, S. boulardii protected the intestinal barrier by increasing the levels of tight junction proteins zona occludens-1 and Occludin and exerted immunomodulatory effects in DSS-induced mice. Furthermore, S. boulardii suppressed the colonic inflammation by reducing the levels of Interleukin-1ß, Interleukin-6, and Tumor necrosis factor alpha and restored myeloperoxidase activity in mice exposed to DSS. S. boulardii also mitigated colonic oxidative damage by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and heme oxygenase 1) and glutathione and decreasing malondialdehyde accumulation. Further studies identified that S. boulardii suppressed the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 subunit by decreasing IκKα/ß levels, while promoted the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in DSS-exposed mice. Collectively, S. boulardii possessed an appreciable therapeutic effect against the experimental mice model of UC. The protective mechanism of S. boulardii may involve inhibition of NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory signaling and activation of Nrf2-modulated antioxidant defense in addition to intestinal barrier protective and immunomodulatory effects.

Effects of UV-modified biochar derived from phytoremediation residue on Cd bioavailability and uptake in Coriandrum sativum L. in a Cd-contaminated soil.

Biochar has been applied widely as an amendment in the remediation of contaminated soil to immobilize the heavy metals. However, the role of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation modified biochar derived from the residues of phytoremediation plants in the contaminated soil not investigated yet. In this study, the UV-modified biochars were obtained from Brassica napus L. and Lolium perenne L. by pyrolysis at 600 °C. They were applied in a pot experiment to investigate their effect on Cd bioavailability and uptake in Coriandrum sativum L. in a Cd-contaminated soil at four addition rate (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%). The results showed that the Cd was effectively stabilized in the biochar with environmentally acceptable leaching toxicity. The specific surface area and carboxyl functional group of biochar were greatly increased after UV modification. The application of biochar progressively increased the soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Furthermore, the CaCl2-extractable Cd was significantly reduced by 18.4-51.4% with biochar amendments. The concentration of Cd in shoots and roots was significantly reduced by biochars. In conclusion, the UV-modified biochar obtained from phytoremediation residue could effectively deal with hazardous waste and repair Cd-contaminated soil.

Effects of biochars combined with ferrous sulfate and pig manure on the bioavailability of Cd and potential phytotoxicity for wheat in an alkaline contaminated soil.

Reducing the content of Cd in wheat grains is necessary for human health, especially in alkaline farmland in northern China where a large area of soils is heavily polluted with Cd. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of wheat straw biochar (WB) and maize straw biochar (MB) combined solely with ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) or combined with FeSO4 and pig manure (PFWB and PFMB) on Cd bioavailability in soil and the phytotoxicity of Cd in wheat in an alkaline contaminated soil. The results showed that the application of these treatments decreased the concentrations of CaCl2-extractable Cd by 32.8-60.5% and increased the soil organic matter by 36.8-106.7% compared with those of the control treatment. The acid-soluble fraction of Cd was decreased by 3.7-16.8% but the residual fraction was increased by 1.7-13.7%. Furthermore, the addition of WB and MB increased the soil pH by 0.29 and 0.16 units, respectively, while the other treatments decreased the soil pH by 0.16-0.37 units. The concentrations of Cd in different wheat tissues were decreased in amended soils, and these decreases were positively correlated with CaCl2-extractable Cd and the acid-soluble fraction of Cd. The ability to accumulate Cd was in the order of root>straw>grain. In addition, there was a downward trend in the bio-concentration and translocation factors under different amendments. The amendments of PFWB and PFMB had better efficiency in the immobilization of Cd in soil and the inhibition of Cd uptake of wheat than WB and MB. In addition, the treatments of PFWB and PFMB increased the wheat yield by 14.3-16.2%, and thus have a great application prospect based on the cost-benefit analysis.

Decreased Expression of CD69 on T Cells in Tuberculosis Infection Resisters.

BACKGROUND: CD69 is a biomarker of T-cell activation status, but its activation status in human Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remains elusive. METHODS: A set of cohorts of patients with different tuberculosis (TB) infection status including active TB patients (ATB), latent tuberculous infection patients (LTBI) and close contacts (CCs) of ATB was designed, and the expression profiles of CD69 and several T-cell markers were determined on Mtb antigen-stimulated T cells by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were both comparable among Mtb-infected individuals including ATB and LTBI, which guaranteed the consistency of the background level. A t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (tSNE) analysis on a panel of six phenotypic markers showed a unique color map axis gated on T cells in the CCs group compared with ATB and LTBI populations. By further gating on cells positive for each individual marker and then overlaying those events on top of the tSNE plots, their distribution suggested that some markers were expressed differently in the CCs group. Further analysis showed that the expression levels of CD69 on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly lower in the CCs group, especially in interferon-γ-responding T cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the T-cell activation status of CD69 is associated with Mtb infection and may have the potential to distinguish LTBI from those populations who have been exposed continuously to Mtb but have not become infected.

Probe Signal Values in mRNA Arrays Imply an Excessive Involvement of Neutrophil FCGR1 in Tuberculosis.

The perturbed genes from transcriptomes are often presented in terms of relative expressions against control samples. However, the probe signal values (PSVs) of genes, implying protein abundances, are often ignored. Here, we explored the PSVs in tuberculosis (TB)-relevant signature genes. The signatures from Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected THP-1 cells were defined as induced (TMtb-i, with a derived TMtb-iNet) and repressed (TMtb-r). The signature from human blood was defined as a pulmonary TB (PTB)-specific signature (PTBsig). The analysis showed that before infection, TMtb-i and TMtb-iNet had lower PSVs and TMtb-r genes had average PSVs. In the blood of healthy donors, PTBsig (divided into up-regulated PTBsigUp and down-regulated PTBsigDn) displayed average PSVs. This was partly due to masking by the cellular heterogeneity of blood; diverse PSVs were seen in constituent cell populations (CD4/8+ T, monocytes and neutrophils). Specifically, the PSVs of PTBsigUp in the neutrophils of healthy donors were higher (implying higher protein abundances), and much higher in the neutrophils of PTB (implying excessive protein abundances). Based on the PSV patterns of PTBsigUp in four cell populations, we identified three representative highly homologous genes (FCGR1A, FCGR1B, and the pseudogene FCGR1CP, which were often poorly distinguished), of which the summed PSVs were the highest in the neutrophils of PTB patients and healthy donors. The three genes were all up-regulated and responsive to chemotherapy in the blood of PTB, as validated in an RNA-seq-based analysis. This PSV-based study confirms the excessive involvement of neutrophil FCGR1 in PTB.

Pyrolysis of various phytoremediation residues for biochars: Chemical forms and environmental risk of Cd in biochar.

Various phytoremediation residues (PMRs), including Brassica napus L. (BN), Pennisetum sinese (PS) and Lolium perenne L.(LP), were pyrolyzed at 400, 500, 600 and 700 °C, respectively. A series of sequential and single extractions were employed to analyze the chemical speciation and potential environmental risk of Cadmium (Cd) in different phytoremediation residues-derived biochars (PMBs). The results showed that the exchangeable Cd fraction decreased but the residual Cd fraction increased, indicating the inhibition of bioavailability of Cd and low potential ecological risk index of PMBs. When the temperature was over 600 °C, the Cd in biochar was acceptable to the environment and the leaching concentration of Cd extracted by the three extraction methods (distilled water, SPLP and TCLP) were all under the standard limit. Findings from this study illustrated that the treatment of pyrolysis was feasible for the three kinds of PMRs at 600 °C with acceptable environment risk.

A synergistic negative effect of gestational smoke-exposure and small litter size on rat placental efficiency, vascularisation and angiogenic factors mRNA expression.

Smoking increases the risk of pregnancy complications such as spontaneous abortion and low birth weight (LBW). By cigarette smoke exposure (gestational day, GD3-17), normal-litter-size pregnancy with low birth weight (NP-LBW) and small-litter-size pregnancy with normal birth weight (SP-NBW) in rats were induced. The placental weight in SP-NBW was twice the weight of the normal in contrast with the smaller placenta in NP-LBW. Compared with the normal, placental efficiency (expressed as fetus-to-placenta weight ratio) and placental vascularisation were significantly decreased in smoke exposed placentas with more obvious decrease in SP-NBW. For NP-LBW, decreased placental vascularisation was due to decreased labyrinth vascularisation which was caused by both decreased number density and diameter of fetal capillary. For SP-NBW, decreased placental vascularisation was due to reduced proportion of labyrinth in placenta and decreased labyrinth vascularisation which was caused by decreased fetal capillary number density. Real time RT-PCR analysis showed a tendency for decreased placental mRNA level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and tyrosine kinase receptor-2 (Tie2) in NP-LBW(P<0.1), and the tendency became obvious in SP-NBW(P<0.05). A tendency for decreased placental mRNA level of fms-like tyrosine kinase-1(Flt1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) was also observed in SP-LBW(P<0.1). Our data demonstrated the synergistic negative effect of gestational smoke-exposure and small litter size on placental efficiency, placental vascularisation and placental angiogenic growth factor mRNA expression in rat.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Visceral and Hepatic Fat in Women with Abdominal Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Study Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and hepatic fat deposition are the most important risk factors for women's health. Acupuncture, including electroacupuncture (EA), is used to treat obesity throughout the world. The effect of EA is evaluated mainly by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Few studies have assessed its effect in reducing VAT volume and hepatic fat fraction (HFF) based on an exact measurement method such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aimed to resolve this issue. METHODS: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n = 15) did not receive any intervention and maintained a normal diet and their usual exercise habits. The treatment group (n = 15) received EA three times a week for 3 months. BMI and WC were measured using different devices. VAT and HFF were measured by MRI and calculated by related software before and after the intervention. RESULTS: A marked difference was evident in group that received EA treatment in the following tests. The differences in BMI (U = 21.00, p < 0.001), WC (U = 40.50, p = 0.002), VAT volume (U = 13.00, p < 0.001), and mean HFF (U = 0.00, p < 0.001) before and after the intervention in the treatment group were distinct and significant compared with those of the control group. Three months later, the treatment group showed a lower BMI (W = 91.00, p = 0.001), WC (t = 4.755, p < 0.001), VAT volume (t = 5.164, p < 0.001), and mean HFF (W = 120.00, p = 0.001) compared with pretreatment levels. Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed a lower VAT volume (t = 60.00, p = 0.029) after 3 months of treatment. After 3 months, the control group showed higher mean HFF (t = -2.900, p = 0.012) and VAT volume (W = 11.50, p = 0.006) compared with their initial levels. CONCLUSION: Based on MRI evaluation, this randomized controlled study proved that EA treatment reduces BMI and WC as well as VAT volume and HFF in women with abdominal obesity.

Loss of PAFR prevents neuroinflammation and brain dysfunction after traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a principal cause of death and disability worldwide, which is a major public health problem. Death caused by TBI accounts for a third of all damage related illnesses, which 75% TBI occurred in low and middle income countries. With the increasing use of motor vehicles, the incidence of TBI has been at a high level. The abnormal brain functions of TBI patients often show the acute and long-term neurological dysfunction, which mainly associated with the pathological process of malignant brain edema and neuroinflammation in the brain. Owing to the neuroinflammation lasts for months or even years after TBI, which is a pivotal causative factor that give rise to neurodegenerative disease at late stage of TBI. Studies have shown that platelet activating factor (PAF) inducing inflammatory reaction after TBI could not be ignored. The morphological and behavioral abnormalities after TBI in wild type mice are rescued by general knockout of PAFR gene that neuroinflammation responses and cognitive ability are improved. Our results thus define a key inflammatory molecule PAF that participates in the neuroinflammation and helps bring about cerebral dysfunction during the TBI acute phase.

The Association between Nutritional Markers and Biochemical Parameters and Residual Renal Function in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Residual renal function (RRF) is an important prognostic factor for peritoneal dialysis patients as it influences the quality of life and mortality. This study was conducted to explore the potential factors correlated with RRF. A cross-sectional study was conducted by recruiting 155 patients with residual GFR more than 1mL/min per 1.73m2 at the initiation of peritoneal dialysis. We collected the demographic characteristics, nutritional markers and biochemical parameters of all participants, and analyzed the correlation between these variables and residual GFR as well. The odds ratio of RRF loss associated with each of the nutritional markers and biochemical parameters were estimated by logistic regression model. The residual GFR was negatively correlated with serum phosphate (ORQ3 = 2.67, 95%CI: 1.03-6.92; ORQ4 = 3.45, 95%CI: 1.35-9.04), magnesium (ORQ4 = 3.77, 95%CI: 1.48-3.63), and creatinine (ORQ3 = 2.93, 95%CI: 1.09-7.88; ORQ4 = 8.64 95%CI: 2.79-26.78), while positively associated with normalized protein catabolic rate (ORQ3 = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.09-0.65; ORQ4 = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.03-0.35), 24 hours urine volume(ORQ1 = 22.87, 95%CI: 2.76-189.24; ORQ3 = 0.08, 95%CI: 0.02-0.28) and serum chlorine concentrations (ORQ1 = 5.34, 95%CI: 1.94-14.68; ORQ4 = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.09-0.85), respectively. Our study suggested that the nutritional markers and biochemical parameters, though not all, but at least in part were closely correlated with RRF in peritoneal dialysis patients.

[Evaluate the Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Therapy on Abdominal Fat in Obese Women by Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) therapy on abdominal fat in obese women by using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). METHODS: Thirty abdominal obesity women patients were randomly divided into control group (n=15) and EA group (n=15). The obesity patients of the control group did not receive any treatment for weight reduction, and those of the EA group were treated by EA stimulation of bilateral Neiting (ST 44), Fenglong (ST 40), Zusanli (ST 36), Huaroumen (ST 24), Tianshu (ST 25), Wailing (ST 26), Shuidao (ST 28), Fujie (SP 14), Daheng (SP 13), etc. for 25 min, once every other day, 3 times per week for 3 months. The patient's body weight, height, waist circumference (WC) were mea-sured with different devices, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and the subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at the inferior edges of L4, L5 and S3 and the superior edge of the pubic symphysis and the total abdominal fat volume between the L4 and S3 levels were detected using MRI systems before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The effects of the EA group were significantly superior to those of the control group in lowering difference values (between pre- and post-treatment) of BMI, WC and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at the levels of the inferior edges of L4, L5, S3 and the superior edge of the pubic symphysis(all P<0.01)and in reducing total abdominal fat volume between L4 and S3 (all P<0.01). After the treatment, the subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at the superior edge of the pubic symphysis (P<0.01) and the total abdominal fat volume between L4 and S3 (P<0.05) were significantly decreased in the EA group compared to pre-treatment. There were no significant differences between post- and pre-treatment in BMI, WC, subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at the levels of the L4, L5 and S3 in both EA and control groups and in the subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at the level of the superior edge of the pubic symphysis and the total abdominal fat volume between L4 and S3 in the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA intervention can effectively reduce abdominal fat in obese women based on the evaluation of MRI.

Effect of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue recipe on placental vasculature in pregnant rats with fetal growth restriction induced by passive smoking.

Interactions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with receptors VEGFR1/Flt1 and VEGFR2/Flk1, and those of angiopoietins (Ang-1, Ang-2) with receptor Tie2 play important roles in placental angiogenesis. This study investigated vascular morphology and expression of these angiogenic factors in rat placenta on the day 15, 18, 21 of gestation (D15, D18 and D21). The rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups: normal group, model group [fetal growth restriction (FGR) model], and Bushen Yiqi Huoxue (BYHR) recipe treatment group (BYHR group, the pregnant rats with FGR were treated with BYHR recipe). Morphological analysis indicated that during initial villous formation, fetal nucleated erythrocytes (FNEs) appeared in maternal blood sinus (MBS). Subsequently, FNEs were surrounded by endothelial cells to form fetal capillary (FC) and then by trophoblast cells to form villi. As pregnancy proceeded, FC density increased progressively with increasing endothelial identification staining (EIS) in normal and BYHR groups. Whereas, villous formation was suppressed, normal increase in FC density was impaired and EIS was weakened in model group. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that VEGF and Flk1 mRNA increased over gestation in all groups, indicating that VEGF might play a pivotal role in FC growth during late gestation. VEGF mRNA was increased on D15, while decreased on D21 in model group as compared with normal group and BYHR group. Immunohistochemically, Ang-2 protein was highly expressed in FNEs, gradually disappeared as villi matured, and decreased over gestation in all groups, indicating that Ang-2 might play a pivotal role in villous formation, which was further supported by decreased Ang-2 mRNA and protein expression in model group on D15. Ang-1 mRNA, Tie2 mRNA and Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio increased from D15 to D18 in all groups as placenta matured. Ang-1 mRNA, Tie2 mRNA and Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio were decreased on D18 in model group as compared with normal and BYHR groups, indicating delayed maturity of FGR placenta. Alterations in angiogenic factors may result in altered placental vasculature and cause placental insufficiency. BYHR recipe could balance the angiogenic factors to promote the formation and maturation of FGR placental vasculature.