Short-Term Effects of Combining Moxibustion Therapy and Gua sha on Post-Multiple Cerebral Infarction Rehabilitation.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of combined moxibustion therapy and Gua sha on enhancing functional independence, reducing fall risk, and alleviating pain in patients undergoing post-rehabilitation for multiple cerebral infarctions. Methods: In a prospective clinical trial, 67 patients diagnosed with multiple cerebral infarctions (age range: 40 to 93 years) were enrolled. Baseline health characteristics included a median hospital stay of 10 days, prevalent medical conditions such as hypertension (64.18%), and various comorbidities like spondylosis (17.91%) and heart disease (14.93%). Patients received moxibustion treatment daily for 20-30 minutes on specific acupoints of the upper and lower extremities. Additionally, Gua sha therapy targeting the the head, back, chest, abdomen, and selected acupoints was administered twice a week with an interval of 3 to 4 days. Assessments included Barthel Index (BI) for functional independence, Morse Fall Scale (MFS) for fall risk, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity before and after the intervention. Results: After one week of rehabilitation, significant improvements were observed in the patient's functional independence, as indicated by a median BI score of 100 (IQR: 95-100), compared to the pre-rehabilitation median score of 95 (IQR: 90-100). The MFS score also showed a significant decrease after rehabilitation, with a median score of 35 (IQR: 35-45) compared to the pre-rehabilitation median score of 45 (IQR: 35-45). Additionally, pain intensity significantly decreased, with a median VAS score of 0 (range: 0-2) after rehabilitation, compared to the pre-rehabilitation median score of 0 (range: 0-3). Conclusion: Combined moxibustion therapy and Gua sha demonstrated positive effects on functional independence, fall risk reduction, and pain alleviation in post-rehabilitation for multiple cerebral infarctions. These findings suggest the potential of moxibustion and Gua sha as complementary interventions in stroke rehabilitation. The observed improvements in functional independence, fall risk, and pain underscore the potential benefits of these therapies for patients with multiple cerebral infarctions. Further exploration could delve into long-term effects, larger-scale trials, and mechanistic studies to elucidate the underlying pathways of efficacy.

Thrombospondin 2 and tumors / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Thrombospondin (THBS) 2, as a member of the THBS family, is expressed in a variety of tumor cells and has important significance in the development and metastasis of tumors. In recent years, studies have reported that the specific role of THBS2 in different tumors is different, and it participates in a variety of biological processes, such as cell apoptosis, wound healing, angiogenesis and inflammation. At present, the role of THBS2 in tumorigenesis, development, and prognosis is not completely clear. Exploring the abnormal expression and mechanism of THBS2 in tumors is expected to provide a new method for tumor diagnosis and treatment.

[Mechanism of flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus in inhibiting proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating LncRNA FBXL19-AS1/miR-342-3p pathway].

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus on the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and analyze the regulatory mechanism of LncRNA FBXL19-AS1/miR-342-3 p pathway. MTT assay and plate cloning assay were used to detect the effect of flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus at different concentrations(1, 5, 10 mg·mL~(-1)) on the proliferation of liver cancer Huh7 cells. The effect of flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus on the migration and invasion of Huh7 cells was examined by Transwell chamber assay. qRT-PCR was used to detect the effect of flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus on the expression levels of FBXL19-AS1 and miR-342-3 p in Huh7 cells. The dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect whether FBXL19-AS1 targeted at miR-342-3 p. The effect on the inhibition of FBXL19-AS1 expression or FBXL19-AS1 overexpression and then the proliferation, migration and invasion of Huh7 cells were examined by the above methods. Gelatin zymography was used to detect the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The expression levels of cyclinD1, p21, MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins were detected by Western blot. Flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of Huh7 cells(P<0.05), promoted the expression of p21 protein(P<0.05), and inhibited the expressions of cyclinD1, MMP-2 and MMP-9(P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner, and could reduce the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9(P<0.05). The expression level of FBXL19-AS1 was significantly decreased in Huh7 cells treated with flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus(P<0.05), whereas the expression level of miR-342-3 p was significantly increased(P<0.05). The dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that FBXL19-AS1 targeted at the inhibition of miR-342-3 p expression. After inhibiting the expression of FBXL19-AS1, the inhibition rate of cell proliferation was significantly increased(P<0.05), the number of cell clone formation was significantly reduced(P<0.05), the number of migrated cells and the number of invasive cells were significantly decreased(P<0.05), and the expression levels of cyclinD1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased(P<0.05), the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly reduced(P<0.05), while the expression level of p21 protein was significantly increased(P<0.05). The overexpression of FBXL19-AS1 reversed the inhibitory effect of flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus on the proliferation, migration and invasion of Huh7 cells. Flavonoids of Sophorae Fructus could inhibite the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatoma cells by regulating LncRNA FBXL19-AS1/miR-342-3 p pathway.

In-Memory Logic Operations and Neuromorphic Computing in Non-Volatile Random Access Memory.

Recent progress in the development of artificial intelligence technologies, aided by deep learning algorithms, has led to an unprecedented revolution in neuromorphic circuits, bringing us ever closer to brain-like computers. However, the vast majority of advanced algorithms still have to run on conventional computers. Thus, their capacities are limited by what is known as the von-Neumann bottleneck, where the central processing unit for data computation and the main memory for data storage are separated. Emerging forms of non-volatile random access memory, such as ferroelectric random access memory, phase-change random access memory, magnetic random access memory, and resistive random access memory, are widely considered to offer the best prospect of circumventing the von-Neumann bottleneck. This is due to their ability to merge storage and computational operations, such as Boolean logic. This paper reviews the most common kinds of non-volatile random access memory and their physical principles, together with their relative pros and cons when compared with conventional CMOS-based circuits (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). Their potential application to Boolean logic computation is then considered in terms of their working mechanism, circuit design and performance metrics. The paper concludes by envisaging the prospects offered by non-volatile devices for future brain-inspired and neuromorphic computation.

Effect of pimecrolimus on interleukin-33 level in mice with atopic dermatitis and asthma / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective@#To explore the potential mechanism of pimecrolimus in airway remodeling of atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma mice.@*Methods@#Female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, atopic dermatitis group and pimecrolimus treatment group. The cell in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was calculated by Ray-Jimsa staining. The structural changes in lung tissue and skin tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the level of interleukin (IL)-33, IL-5, IL-13 in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of type 1 collagen (Col1) in the airway of mice were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. And western blotting was also used to determine the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase P38 (P38MAPK) and mitogen-and stress-activated protein kinase 1 (MSK1) in the lungs of mice.@*Results@#Compared with those in the control group, the total number of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the expression levels of IL-33, IL-13 and IL-5 in serum of atopic dermatitis group were significantly higher, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the atopic dermatitis group, the phosphorylation of P38MAPK and MSK1 protein was increased (1.50 ± 0.43 vs. 0.80 ± 0.43, 1.39 ± 0.08 vs. 0.62 ± 0.08) and the expression of Col1 protein and protein (1 vs. 3.20 ± 0.59, 1.40 ± 0.12 vs. 0.13 ± 0.16) was increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After pimecrolimus treatment, the number of leukocytes in BALF, the levels of IL-33, IL-5 and IL-13 in serum (213.13 ± 11.89, 657.97 ± 86.47, 143.82 ± 33.02), the phosphorylation of P38MAPK and MSK1 protein in lung tissue (0.10 ± 0.04, 0.85 ± 0.05), and the expression of Col1 mRNA and Col1 protein were decreased (0.61 ± 0.22, 0.48 ± 0.08), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The edema of lung and skin tissue and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were alleviated.@*Conclusions@#Pimecrolimus can alleviate the inflammation and airway remodeling in mice by inhibiting the activation of IL-33 related pathways, thereby reducing the incidence of asthma.

Phytotoxic effects of Cu, Cd and Zn on the seagrass Thalassia hemprichii and metal accumulation in plants growing in Xincun Bay, Hainan, China.

Seagrasses play an important role in coastal marine ecosystems, but they have been increasingly threatened by human activities. In recent years, seagrass communities have rapidly degenerated in the coastal marine ecosystems of China. To identify the reasons for the decline in seagrasses, the phytotoxic effects of trace metals (Cu, Cd and Zn) on the seagrass Thalassia hemprichii were investigated, and the environmental contents of the metals were analyzed where the seagrass grows. The results showed that leaf necrosis in T. hemprichii exposed to 0.01-0.1 mg L-1 of Cu2+ for 5 days was more serious than that in plants exposed to the same concentrations of Cd2+ and Zn2+. The chlorophyll content in T. hemprichii declined in a concentration-dependent manner after 5 days of exposure to Cu2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+. The evident reduction in ΔF/Fm' in T. hemprichii leaves was observed at day 1 of exposure to 0.01-1.0 mg L-1 of Cu2+ and at day 3 of exposure to 0.1-1.0 mg L-1 of Cd2+. The antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD and CAT) in T. hemprichii leaves exposed to the three metal ions also showed significant changes. In seawater from Xincun Bay (Hainan, China), where T. hemprichii grows, Cu had reached a concentration (i.e., 0.01 mg L-1) that could significantly reduce chlorophyll content and ΔF/Fm' in T. hemprichii leaves. Our results indicate that Cu influences the deterioration of seagrasses in Xincun Bay.

Short-term effects of meteorological factors on pediatric hand, foot, and mouth disease in Guangdong, China: a multi-city time-series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Literature shows inconsistency in meteorological effects on Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in different cities. This multi-city study aims to investigate the meteorological effects on pediatric HFMD occurrences and the potential effect modification by geographic factors. METHODS: Based on daily time-series data in eight major cities in Guangdong, China during 2009-2013, mixed generalized additive models were employed to estimate city-specific meteorological effects on pediatric HFMD. Then, a random-effect multivariate meta-analysis was conducted to obtain the pooled risks and to explore heterogeneity explained by city-level factors. RESULTS: There were a total of 400,408 pediatric HFMD cases (children aged 0-14 years old) with an annual incidence rate of 16.6 cases per 1,000 children, clustered in males and children under 3 years old. Daily average temperature was positively associated with pediatric HFMD cases with the highest pooled relative risk (RR) of 1.52 (95 % CI: 1.30-1.77) at the 95th percentile of temperature (30.5 °C) as compared to the median temperature (23.5 °C). Significant non-linear positive effects of high relative humidity were also observed with a 13 % increase (RR = 1.13, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.28) in the risk of HFMD at the 99th percentile of relative humidity (86.9 %) as compared to the median value (78 %). The effect estimates showed geographic variations among the cities which was significantly associated with city's latitude and longitude with an explained heterogeneity of 32 %. CONCLUSIONS: Daily average temperature and relative humidity had non-linear and delayed effects on pediatric HFMD and the effects varied across different cities. These findings provide important evidence for comprehensive understanding of the climatic effects on pediatric HFMD and for the authority to take targeted interventions and measures to control the occurrence and transmission of HFMD.

Yinzhihuang attenuates ANIT-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in rats through upregulation of Mrp2 and Bsep expressions.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis has been limited, and development of an effective drug is needed. Clinical studies have shown that Yinzhihuang (YZH), a traditional Chinese decoction, enhances bilirubin clearance. The goal of this study was to determine the protective effect of YZH on experimental intrahepatic cholestasis in young rats and to explore its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Intrahepatic cholestasis in rats was induced by α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) on days 1 and 8. The rats received YZH, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), or vehicle for 9 d and were killed on either day 3 or day 10. Serum biomarkers, liver histology, and the distribution of protein and mRNA expression of Mrp2 and Bsep were analyzed. RESULTS: YZH treatment resulted in decreased levels of serum biomarkers except γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, attenuated liver histological injuries, increased protein expressions of Mrp2 and Bsep, and upregulated expressions of Mrp2 and Bsep mRNAs. The effects of YZH on serum biomarkers (aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and direct bilirubin), liver histology, and Mrp2 mRNA expressions were significantly greater and earlier than those of UDCA. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that YZH has protective effect against ANIT-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in rats, through upregulation of Mrp2 and Bsep expressions.

Clinical evaluation of iodine-125 brachytherapy in hilar cholangiocarcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a common bile duct cancer.The radical resection rate of end-stage malignancies reported in literature is about 20％.Half of the patients have lost the chance of operation at the time of care,while the average survival time in the patients who can not be operated is about six months.Therefore,for most patients,looking for a palliative treatment which can prolong the survival time is particularly important.From June 2013 to June 2014,our hospital applied iodine-125 brachytherapy,to treat 7 patients with unresectable hilar cholangio carcinoma.All the patients are still alive,the average survival time of 7 patients is 5.2 months up to now,with median survival time being 7.8 months,and longest survival time being 12 months.With good outcomes,few complications,as well as significantly prolonged survival time,iodine125 brachytherapy is regarded with broad clinical applications.

The impact of relative humidity and atmospheric pressure on mortality in Guangzhou, China.

OBJECTIVE: Although many studies have examined the effects of ambient temperatures on mortality, little evidence is on health impacts of atmospheric pressure and relative humidity. This study aimed to assess the impacts of atmospheric pressure and relative humidity on mortality in Guangzhou, China. METHODS: This study included 213,737 registered deaths during 2003-2011 in Guangzhou, China. A quasi-Poisson regression with a distributed lag non-linear model was used to assess the effects of atmospheric pressure/relative humidity. RESULTS: We found significant effect of low atmospheric pressure/relative humidity on mortality. There was a 1.79% (95% confidence interval: 0.38%-3.22%) increase in non-accidental mortality and a 2.27% (0.07%-4.51%) increase in cardiovascular mortality comparing the 5th and 25th percentile of atmospheric pressure. A 3.97% (0.67%-7.39%) increase in cardiovascular mortality was also observed comparing the 5th and 25th percentile of relative humidity. Women were more vulnerable to decrease in atmospheric pressure and relative humidity than men. Age and education attainment were also potential effect modifiers. Furthermore, low atmospheric pressure and relative humidity increased temperature-related mortality. CONCLUSION: Both low atmospheric pressure and relative humidity are important risk factors of mortality. Our findings would be helpful to develop health risk assessment and climate policy interventions that would better protect vulnerable subgroups of the population.

[Study on method and its optimization of improving seed germination of Astragalus membranaceus as gansu traditional medicinal herb].

OBJECTIVE: To break the hard testa and improve seed germination situation of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus, in order to solve the problems of low success rate of seed germination and seedling. METHODS: Longxi Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus seed was treated by soaking seed with 75% alcohol and concentrated sulfuric acid, warm-water incubating, grinding and comprehensive treating with warm-water incubating, grinding and sand culture. Its seed germination situation was evaluated by germination potential, germination rate and germination index. RESULTS: Different processing methods significantly improved seed germination with different effect. Comprehensive treatment with warm-water incubating, grinding and sand culture was the best one on Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus seed germination. Its germination potential, germination rate and germination index was 66.04%, 87.70% and 1.34,respectively. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive treatment with warm-water incubating, grinding and sand culture is an economic and effective processing method, which is suitable for actual production.

Global gene expression responses to Iodine-125 radiation in three human gastric cancer cell lines / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study genome-wide gene expression changes in gastric cancer cells after iodine-125 ¹²⁵(I) particle irradiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>¹²⁵I particles were used to irradiate three gastric cancer cell lines of various differentiation levels:high (BGC-823) , medium (AGS) and low (NCI-N87) .Whole-genome gene expression was investigated with microarray. The gene expression in iodine-125 irradiated and untreated cancer cells was compared, and the genes with transcript levels altered for at least 2 folds (P < 0.05) were selected. The change in gene expression levels was verified by using quantitative real-time (qRT) -PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The three gastric cancer cell lines received the same dose rate of ¹²⁵I particle irradiation. Cluster analysis showed that the Gene Ontology (GO) categories did not change in the three cell lines, but changes in gene expression levels were evident for many genes. After ¹²⁵I particle irradiate NCI-N87 cells, 895 genes were up-regulated, 786 genes were down-regulated; AGS was irradiated by ¹²⁵I seed, there were 124 genes upregulated, 161 genes were down-regulated; BGC-823 cells were treated by ¹²⁵I seed irradiation, 2 412 genes upregulated, 3 243 downregulated genes. After ionizing radiation can cause very complex transcriptional regulation changes, KEGG pathway analysis shows that these differentially expressed genes overlap in a particular cell pathway. Four genes, TRAF3IP2-AS1, SDC1, RABL2B and NOM, were found having at least 2-fold difference in expression (P < 0.05) , and the gene expression alteration was confirmed by qRT-PCR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>¹²⁵I particle irradiation caused gene expression changes in gastric cancer cells. The expressions of TRAF3IP2-AS1, SDC1, RABL2B and NOM are altered significantly in all three cell lines studied, indicating that these genes may play an important role in the ¹²⁵I seed treatment of gastric cancer. These genes could be potential targets for developing anti-cancer drugs in the future.</p>

[Epidemiological and clinical analysis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with acute respiratory tract infection].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection in children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in Guangzhou. METHODS: MP was detected using an indirect immunofluorescent method in 2084 children with ARI. The relations between MP infection rate and the gender, age, season, site of infection and wheezing diseases were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 433 children (20.8%) were positive for MP, including 222 boys (19.8%) and 211 girls (21.9%) without significant difference in the infection rate between the genders (P>0.05). In 0- to 3-year-old group, 106 children were positive for MP (15.0%), while in 3- to 5-year-old group and 5- to 14-year-old group, 163 (25.2%) and 164 (22.5%) were positive, respectively, showing a significant difference in the infection rate between the 3 groups (P<0.05). The MP infection rate was 18.0% in January to March, 25.1% in April to June, 17.7% in July to September, and 20.5% in October to December, showing significant differences between the periods (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the infection rate between children with acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI) and those with lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) (P>0.05). Among the children with LRI, those having wheezing disease had significantly higher MP positivity rate than those without wheezing. CONCLUSION: MP is a common causative agent for ARI in children. MP infection is not related to gender and infection site, but to age and season. Children over 3 years old are vulnerable to MP infection. MP infection can be associated with wheezing in LRI.

[Factors triggering extraintestinal infection of rotavirus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of immunodeficiency and intestinal mixed infection on inducing extraintestinal dissemination of rotavirus (RV). METHODS: Immunodeficiency was induced in healthy Kunming mice by introperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide, and RV was administered either orally or via intraperitoneal injection. In another group, toxigenic E. coli and human RV were given sequentially by intragastric administration to induce mixed infection. Three days later the organs of the mice were taken for pathological examination, and RV was detected by in situ PCR and hybridization. In children with or without viremia of rotavirus, blood tests for levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and 7 trace elements (zinc, iron, copper, lead, calcium, manganese, and magnesium) were performed. RESULTS: In immunodeficient mice, pathological changes were found in the small intestinal villus, gastric lamina propria and the cardiac cells of mice taking RV orally, and the mice with intraperitoneal RV injection showed additional liver and kidney pathologies. In mice with mixed infections, pathological changes occurred in the intestines, livers and kidneys. In situ hybridization detected RV in the intestinal villus of immunodeficient mice with oral RV administration, and in the intestinal villus and kidneys of the mice with mixed infections. In situ PCR revealed the presence of RV in the intestinal villus, intestinal gland cells, epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules and collecting tubes in the kidneys of immunodeficient mice taking RV orally, in the intestinal villus, kidneys, livers, hearts and pancreases of those with RV injection, and in the intestines, kidneys, and livers of the mice with mixed infection. Children with rotavirus viremia had TNF-alpha level in comparison with those free of rotavirus viremia, and the majority of the former children showed disorder in trace elements. CONCLUSION: Immunodeficiency, mixed infection and malnutrition can be important factors contributing to or exacerbating RV infection and extraintestinal RV dissemination.

[Ultrastructural changes of the extraintestinal organs of newborn mice with human rotavirus infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ultrastructural changes of the extraintestinal organs of newborn mice with human retrovirus (RV) infection to probe into the mechanism and clinical diagnose and therapy of extraintestinal RV infection. METHODS: Human RV was inoculated into the abdominal cavity of the newborn mice, and the ultrastructural changes of the heart, lung, livers, and kidneys of the infected and control mice were observed by transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The mice with intraabdominal RV injection showed pathological changes of the cells in the small intestinal villus, liver, and kidneys. Shortened small intestinal villus, nuclear membrane disorganization, massive vacuolization, mitochondrial swelling and rough endoplasmic reticulum dilation were observed in the cells of the small intestinal. In the liver of the mice, marked mitochondrial swelling and agglutination, cell nucleus pyknosis or collapse, presence of numerous lipid droplets and vacuoles were seen in the liver cells, with lymphocyte and plasmacyte infiltration. Obvious dilatation and shedding of the microvillus were seen in cholangioles. The mitochondria of the proximal convoluted renal tubule showed mild swelling, but the cells in the heart and lung did not display obvious changes. CONCLUSION: The small intestinal villi were highly susceptible to RV infection, and systemic spread of human RV may cause damage of various extraintestinal organs especially the liver, which can also be susceptible to RV.

[Extraintestinal dissemination of rotavirus in immunodeficient mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the extraintestinal dissemination of rotavirus (RV) in immunodeficient mice. METHODS: Immunodeficiency mouse model was established by injection of cyclophosphamide into the abdominal cavities of normal mice, then to which RV was administered either orally or intra-abdominally. The pathological changes in the organs were observed by light microscopy and RV was detected by in situ hybridization and PCR. RESULTS: Small intestinal villi, gastric lamina propria and cardiac myocytes exhibited pathological changes in the mice with oral RV administration. Besides these changes, the mice with intra-abdominal RV injection showed changes in the liver and kidneys. The intestinal villi of the mice with oral RV were RV positive by in situ hybridization. Positive results of RV in in situ PCR detection were found in the intestinal villi, intestinal gland cells, epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules and collecting tubes in the kidney of the mice taken RV orally, and in the intestinal villi, kidneys, liver, heart and pancrease of mice with intra-abdominal RV injection. CONCLUSION: Immunodeficiency may be the important factor for inducing and aggravating the infection and extraintestinal dissemination of RV.