Electroacupuncture Alleviates Neuroinflammation by Regulating Microglia Polarization via STAT6/PPARγ in Ischemic Stroke Rats.

Previous study showed that electroacupuncture (EA) produced a protective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats and may correlate with the anti-inflammatory effects of microglia. This study aimed to investigate further whether EA could modulate neuroinflammation by targeting the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 6 (STAT6) and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) pathway, the key regulator of microglia. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats were used, and 6 h after reperfusion, EA interventions were performed in Chize (LU 5), Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and Zusanli (ST 36) on the affected side of the rats, the group that received EA + STAT6 phosphorylation inhibitor AS1517499 was used as a parallel control. The degree of neurological impairment, infarct volume, microglia polarization, inflammation levels and activity of STAT6/PPARγ pathway were then assessed by neurological deficit score, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, immunofluorescence, western blotting (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data showed that EA significantly alleviated nerve injury, reduced infarct volume, enhanced the expression and activity of STAT6/PPARγ pathway, inhibited NF-κB activity, increased M2 microglia numbers and anti-inflammatory factor release, and inhibited microglia M1-type polarization and pro-inflammatory factor expression. In contrast, inhibition of STAT6 phosphorylation exacerbated neural damage, inhibited STAT6/PPARγ pathway activity, promoted microglia M1-type polarization and exacerbated neuroinflammation, resulting in an attenuated positive effect of EA intervention. Therefore, we concluded that EA intervention could attenuate microglia-associated neuroinflammation by enhancing the expression and activity of STAT6/PPARγ pathway, thereby reducing CIRI in MCAO rats.

[Unintentional injuries in children: an analysis of 924 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causes of unintentional injuries in children and to provide reference for reducing the incidence of unintentional injuries in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 924 children with unintentional injuries who were hospitalized in Zhongshan Boai Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010. RESULTS: Of the 924 cases, 26.4% suffered falls, which was the most common cause of injuries, 15.7% suffered burns and scalds, 14.0% were injured by foreign bodies, and 13.1% were injured in traffic accidents. Unintentional injuries occurred mainly among children aged 0-3 years (67%). The proportion of cases in summer (July to September) was significantly higher than in any other season (P < 0.05), and burns were the common causes of injuries in summer. Home was the most common place where unintentional injuries occurred (36.9%). The incidence of traffic accidents was significantly higher in non-local children than in local children (P < 0.001). As for the parents' educational levels, the children whose parents had an education level below junior middle school accounted for the highest proportion of all cases of unintentional injury (45.5%). Injuried cases in rural areas accounted for a significantly higher percentage than in urban areas (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Falls are the principal cause of unintentional injuries in children. Young children (0-3 years) are most vulnerable to unintentional injuries. Unintentional injuries mostly occur at home. The incidence of traffic accidents is higher in non-local children than in local children. Parents' education levels are associated with the incidence of unintentional injuries. In order to reduce the incidence of unintentional injuries in children, preventive measures must be carried out, and safety education should be enhanced in consideration of children's age, sex and family background.