[Effect of acupuncture pretreatment of "Quchi"(LI11) and "Xuehai" (SP10) on mast cells and IL-33/ST2 in rats with urticaria].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment at "Quchi "(LI11) and "Xuehai "(SP10) on expression of interleukin (IL)-33, suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) and mast cell degranulation in sensitive area of skin tissue in rats with urticaria, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying prevention of urticaria. METHODS: A total of 32 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, EA preconditioning and medication groups, with 8 rats in each group. The urticaria model was established by topical injection of the prepared anti-ovalbumin serum (foreign serum, 0.1 mL/spot) along the bilateral sides of the spinal column on the back, followed by injection of mixture solution of ovalbumin, 0.5% evans blue and normal saline via the tail vein 48 h later. EA intervention (2 Hz/15 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral LI11 and SP10 for 20 min, once daily for 7 d before modeling.Back sensitization was started from the 5th day on. Rats of the medication group received gavage of loratadine, and those of the model group received gavage of the same volume of normal saline. The diameter of evans blue spots at the back skin tissue was measured; the histopathological changes of the blue spot tissues were observed by light microscope after H.E. staining. The state of degranulation of mast cells in the subcutaneous loose connective tissue was observed by using toluidine blue staining. Serum IgE and histamine contents were detected by ELISA, and the immunoactivity of IL-33 and ST2 in the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the sensitized spots (evans blue exudation spots) was observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the diameter of evans blue spot, degranulation rate of mast cells, serum IgE and histamine contents, and the immunoactivity of IL-33 and ST2 in the evans blue exudation spot tissues were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the increase of the above-mentioned indexes was reversed in both EA and medication groups (P<0.01，P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the EA and medication groups in down-regulating the levels of the 6 indexes. H.E. staining of the blue spot tissues of rats in the model group showed incomplete structure of the epidermal layer of the skin, unclear interface of tissues, incomplete keratinization, chaotic epidermal cells, disorderly arrangement of fibers in the dermis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells and edema, which was relatively milder in the EA and medication groups. CONCLUSION: EA preconditioning can prevent urticaria (reduce size and sensitive reactions) in rats, which may be associated with its functions in lowering the level of IgE through inhibiting IL-33 and ST2.

[Electroacupuncture preconditioning relieves cutaneous passive anaphylaxis by down-regulating IP3 mediated ROS/TRPM2 signaling pathway and inhibiting mast cell degranulation in rats with urticaria].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning of "Quchi" (LI11) and "Xuehai" (SP10) on mast cell (MC) degranulation, and expressions of inositol triphosphate(IP3), reactive oxygen species (ROS), transient receptor potential (TRP) M2, calmodulin (CaM) in rats with urticaria, so as to reveal its molecular mechanism under-lying improving urticaria. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, preconditioning of EA (Pre-EA) and medication groups (n=8 rats/group). The urticaria model was established by intradermal injection of dilute allogeneic antioalbumin serum at the spots of the bilateral symmetry of the spine on the back, and followed by tail venous injection of mixture solution of egg albumin diluent, plus 0.5% Evans blue and normal saline. Ten days before the end of modeling, rats of the pre-EA group received EA stimulation of LI11 and SP10 for 20 min, once a day for 10 consecutive days, and those of the medication group received gavage of loratadine tablets diluted solution (1 mg/kg) once a day for 10 days. The times of rat's scratching the sensitized skin were recorded, the diameter of the sensitized blue spots was measured and the degranulation rate of skin MCs was counted under microscope after toluidine blue staining. The expression levels of IP3, ROS, TRPM2 and CaM in the skin tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the scratching times, diameter of the sensitized blue spots, degranulation rate of MCs, and the expression levels of ion channel related proteins (IP3, ROS, TRPM2 and CaM) were significantly increased (P<0.01) in the model group. In comparison with the model group, the scratching times, diameter of sensitized blue spot, degranulation rate of MCs, and the expression levels of IP3, ROS, TRPM2 and CaM in both pre-EA and medication groups were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01, P<0.05). No significant differences were found between Pre-EA and medication groups in down-regulating the levels of the above-mentioned 7 indexes. CONCLUSION: EA-LI11 and SP10 preconditioning can reduce the cutaneous anaphylaxis in urticaria rats, which may be related to its effects in inhibiting the degranulation of MCs, and the expression of TRP channel related proteins.

Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the most common respiratory disease in clinic. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) lung rehabilitation has gradually been valued in the field of prevention and treatment of COPD. Acupuncture, as an important part of TCM lung rehabilitation, is carried out in clinical extensively and application. It has the advantage of improving the symptoms and quality of life of COPD cases, but the evidence-based proof is limited. METHODS: Eight databases will be systematically retrieved from their inceptions to December 2021. This study will include randomized controlled trials of acupuncture in the treatment of COPD with stable stage. The main outcome will include clinical effective rate, TCM symptom score, quality of life, dyspnea, exercise capacity, lung function, frequency of acute exacerbation, adverse events. Literature screening, quality evaluation and information extraction will be completed by two independent researchers. Revman 5.3 software will be used to perform meta-analysis. Assessment of multiple systematic reviews-2 tool will be used for evaluating the methodological quality of systematic review (SR), grading of recommendations assessment will for rating the quality of evidence, and consolidated standards of reporting trials and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture tool will for assessing the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: The findings of this SR will be presented at relevant conferences and submitted for peer-review publication. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this SR will provide up-to-date summary proof for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for COPD.

Molecular characteristics of Brucella melitensis isolates from humans in Qinghai Province, China.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of human brucellosis in Qinghai Province of China has been increasing rapidly, with confirmed cases distributed across 31 counties. However, the epidemiology of brucellosis transmission has not been fully elucidated. To characterize the infecting strains isolated from humans, multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) and whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based approaches were employed. METHODS: Strains were isolated from two males blood cultures that were confirmed Brucella melitensis positive following biotyping and MLVA. Genomic DNA was extracted from these two strains, and whole-genome sequencing was performed. Next, SNP-based phylogenetic analysis was performed to compare the two strains to 94 B. melitensis strains (complete genome and draft genome) retrieved from online databases. RESULTS: The two Brucella isolates were identified as B. melitensis biovar 3 (QH2019001 and QH2019005) following conventional biotyping and were found to have differences in their variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) using MLVA-16. Phylogenetic examination assigned the 96 strains to five genotype groups, with QH2019001 and QH2019005 assigned to the same group, but different subgroups. Moreover, the QH2019005 strain was assigned to a new subgenotype, IIj, within genotype II. These findings were then combined to determine the geographic origin of the two Brucella strains. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing a whole-genome SNP-based approach enabled differences between the two B. melitensis strains to be more clearly resolved, and facilitated the elucidation of their different evolutionary histories. This approach also revealed that QH2019005 is a member of a new subgenotype (IIj) with an ancient origin in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

The early diagnostic value of serum neopterin and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein for osteoarticular changes among brucellosis patients at an early period.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is an important public health problem in China. Brucellosis can cause many osteoarticular changes, especially chronic brucellosis. Brucellosis presents various diagnostic difficulties because it mimics many other diseases. Because of the poor sensitivity and ability of X-ray image, it is necessary to find a good method of early diagnosis for osteoarticular changes among brucellosis patients at an early period. The aim of this study was to find early changes biomarkers for osteoarticular changes among brucellosis patients at an early period and provide a better understanding of the osteoarticular changes in this disease at an early stage. METHODS: Sixty-one cases of brucellosis patients at an early period (within 6 months) and 67 cases of volunteers were selected and divided into brucellosis vs. control groups. Serum samples were detected with serological tests for brucellosis, including rose bengal plate test (RBPT), agglutination test (SAT), and IgG and IgM with ELISA. Meanwhile, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and neopterin (NPT) levels in all samples were measured simultaneously with ELISA. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software. RESULTS: Together with the clinical examination, epidemiological investigation, and serological tests of RBPT, SAT, and IgG and IgM with ELISA, the patients from brucellosis group all were diagnosed as brucellosis cases at an early period, while the results of RBPT, SAT, and IgG and IgM with ELISA from the healthy control group were negative. Comparing with the healthy control, the medians of serum NPT and COMP in the patients group were 9.26 ng/l, 1.70 ng, respectively, which were higher than that of the healthy control group with significant differences (Z = 5.512, 3.614, all p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The serum NPT and COMP levels of brucellosis patients at an early period were increased. The serum NPT and COMP levels might be the indicator biomarker for osteoarticular changes of human brucellosis at an early stage.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture on ATP-sensitive Potassium Channel and Protein Kinase mRNA Ex- pression in Myocardial Ischemia Model Rats].

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints on mRNA expressions of ATP-sensitive potassium channel (Kir6. 1, Kir6. 2) and conjugated protein (SUR2A, SUR2B) and protein kinases (PKA, PKG and PKC132) in myocardial ischemia model rats. Methods Myocardial ischemia model was established in healthy male SD rats via subcutaneously injec- ting ISO (85 mg/kg) multipointedly (medial root of limbs and the back). Then they were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the model group, Neiguan (PC6) group, Lieque (LU7) group, non-acupoint group, 10 in each group. Besides, another 10 healthy rats were recruited as the control group. Corresponding EA was performed at respective acupoints to rats in Neiguan (PC6) group, Lieque (LU7) group, non-acu- point group, with dense-sparse wave, 2 -3 mA, 2 -20 Hz, needle retaining time of 20 min, once per day for 7 successive days. mRNA expression levels of Kir6. 1 and Kir6. 2, SUR2A, SUR2B, PKA, PKG, and PKCß2 in left ventricular myocardium were analyzed by Real-time PCR. Results Compared with the con- trol group, mRNA expressions of each index increased in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, mRNA expressions of each index significantly decreased in Neiguan (PC6) group and Lieque (LU7) group (P<0. 01). Compared with Neiguan (PC6) group, mRNA expressions of each index significantly increased in Lieque (LU7) group and non-acupoint group (P <0. 01). Compared with Lieque (LU7) group, mRNA expressions of each index significantly increased in non-acupoint group (P <0. 05). Conclusion EA at Neiguan (PC6) could reverse mRNA expression changes of ATP-sensitive potassium channel (Kir6. 1 and Kir6. 2)and conjugated proteins (SUR2A and SUR2B) and protein kinases (PKA, PKG, and PKCß2).

[Effects of combined application of water retention agent and organic fertilizer on physico-chemical properties of iron tailings.] / ä¿æ°´å‰‚ä¸Žæœ‰æœºè‚¥é æ–½å¯¹é“å°¾çŸ¿ç†åŒ–æ€§è´¨çš„æ”¹è‰¯ä½œç”¨.

In order to analyze the effects of combined application of water retention agent and orga-nic fertilizer on physico-chemical properties of iron tailings and to find the optimal proportion of water retention agent and organic fertilizer for the improvement of iron tailings, the experimental plots of the combination trials with 2 factors in 4 levels were designed in the iron tailings of Qian'an Shougang through investigating some indexes of physico-chemical properties such as bulk density, moisture capacity, porosity, pH and the contents of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potas-sium. The biomasses of Medicago sativa and Amorpha fruticosa planted in the experimental plots were measured to verify the improvement effects. 4 levels of super absorbent polymers (L·m-3) used in treatments were 0 (B0), 10 (B1), 50 (B2), 100 (B3), and 4 levels of organic fertilizer (kg·m-2) were 0(N0), 2.25 (N1), 11.24 (N2), 22.49 (N3). The improving effects of different treatments on physico-chemical properties of iron tailings were mainly reflected in the surface layer of 0-20 cm. All the tested indexes were significantly different from control (CK) in the layer of 0-20 cm. The improvement effects of organic fertilizer on physical and chemical properties of iron tai-lings were better than that of water retention agent. In the 0-20 cm layer, the bulk density, non-capillary porosity, organic matter, rapidly available phosphorus, and available potassium under all treatments of adding water retention agent individually were not significantly different from the CK, while significant difference was observed when the organic fertilizer was solely applied in B0N2 and B0N3 treatments. The improvement synergy effect of organic fertilizer and water retention agent was better than that of organic fertilizer or water retention agent, respectively. In 0-20 cm layer, all the indexes obtained from treatment B3N3 performed best and were significantly different from the CK, which was the optimum for the improvement of iron tailings.

[Screening, identification and phosphate-solubilizing characteristics of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria strain D2 (Pantoea sp.)in rhizosphere of Pinus tabuliformis in iron tailings yard.] / é“å°¾çŸ¿åŒºæ²¹æ¾æ ¹é™ æº¶ç£·æ³›èŒD2的筛选鉴定及溶磷特性.

Two strains of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of Pinus tabuliformis in iron tailings vegetation restoration areas in Malan Town, Qianan City, Hebei Pro-vince. The bacterial strain D2 with strong phosphate-solubilizing capacity was obtained via screening with plate and shake flask. Based on the morphology, physiology and biochemistry, and the sequence analysis of 16S rDNA, the D2 was identified as a member of Pantoea sp. A fermentation experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on the phosphate-solubilizing capacity of the strain D2; under different nitrogen sources, the organic acids in liquid culture, as well as their types and contents were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the strain D2 was capable of efficiently solubilizing tricalcium phosphate, and the highest value of available phosphorus was up to 392.13 mg·L-1 in liquid culture. The strain D2 displayed the strongest phosphate-solubilizing capability when glucose and ammonium sulfate were used as carbon and nitrogen sources in the culture media, respectively. Under varied nitrogen sources, the resulting organic acids and their types and contents were different. When the nitrogen source in culture media was ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate, all four organic acids, including oxalic acid, formic acid, acetic acid and citric acid, were produced. In addition, malic acid was uniquely produced when ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride or ammonium nitrate was used as the nitrogen source. By Pearson's correlation analysis, a significant positive correlation between the acetic acid content and the available phosphorus content was found (r=0.886, P<0.05), suggesting that acetic acid produced by strain D2 played an important role in promoting inorganic phosphorus dissolution, which was most likely to be one of the important phosphate-solubilizing mechanisms of the strain.

The Beneficial Effects of Electro-acupuncture at PC6 (Neiguan-point) of Gene and Protein Expressions of Classical Inward-rectifier Potassium Channels in Myocardial Ischemic Rats.

This study is aim to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture at PC6 (Neiguan-point) on the gene and protein expressions of classical inward-rectifier potassium channels (Kir) in myocardial ischemia (MI) rats induced by isoproterenol (ISO). With ten for each one, 50 rats were divided into 5 groups which were control group, MI group, PC6 group, LU7 (Lieque-point) group and non-acupoint group. The control group was injected normal saline solution (85 mg/kg), the other groups were injected ISO (85 mg/kg). All the rats were injected once daily for two days and recorded electrocardiograms (ECGs) after every injection. Electro-acupuncture (EA) was operated at PC6, LU7 and non-acupoint respectively in the rats of PC6 group, LU7 group and non-acupoint group after twice injections. EA was performed to these three groups with disperse-dense wave (4-20 Hz), pulse amplitude of 14V, 20 mins a day remaining 7 days. The gene and protein expressions of Kir2.1, Kir2.2 and Kir2.3 were analyzed by Western Immunoblotting Technology (Western Blot) and Real-time Fluorescence Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). But it is regrettable that we did not detect meaningful gene and protein expressions Kir2.3, and the expressions of Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 in MI induced groups were lower [The gene and protein decreased 39.4 ± 27.3% and 38.7 ± 17.1% respectively.] than control group (P < 0.05). Compared with MI group, the results of PC6 group and LU7 group increased [PC6 group: the gene and protein increased 42.9 25.0% and 42.2 ± 10.0% respectively. LU7 group: the gene and protein increased 23.8 ± 50.1% and 21.1 ± 32.5% respectively.] obviously (P < 0.05) after EA, furthermore the expressions of PC6 group were higher [The gene and protein increased 15.4 ± 16.7% and 17.3 ± 60% respectively.] than LU7 group (P < 0.05). The results show that PC6 has a better positive effect than LU7 on MI rats, and the mechanism is probably that EA at PC6 can significantly increase the gene and protein expressions of Kir2.1 and Kir2.2.

Epidemic factors and control of hepatic echinococcosis in Qinghai province.

Hepatic echinococcosis, also called echinococcosis, is a health-threatening disease commonly found in pasture, and belongs to parasitic zoonoses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of echinococcosis in Qinghai province in order to provide fundamental data for prevention and control of echinococcosis in Qinghai province. A total of 23 445 people from 21 counties were enrolled in this study by multi-stage stratified random sampling. Echinococcosis was diagnosed by using B-mode ultrasonography and serological tests. The results showed that the prevalence of echinococcosis was 4.47% (95%CI: 4.21%-4.73%) and serum positive rate (seroprevalence) was 15.47% (95%CI: 14.92%-16.02%) in 2010. The distribution of echinococcosis differed in age, sex, ethnicity, occupation and regions in Qinghai (P<0.05). GLMM analysis revealed that gender (female vs. male), ethnicity (Tibetan vs. other ethnicities), profession (herders vs. other professions) and region (autonomous prefectures vs. cities) were significant risk factors for echinococcosis (P<0.05). It was concluded that the prevalence of echinococcosis in 2010 was about 4% in Qinghai province, and the distribution of echinococcosis in Qinghai was associated with age, sex, ethnicity and profession.