Single-Stranded Nucleic Acid Transmembrane Molecular Carriers Based on Positively Charged Helical Foldamers.

Transmembrane delivery of biologically active nucleic acids is an important process in cells and has inspired one to develop advanced drug delivery techniques. In this contribution, molecular-level single-stranded nucleic acid transmembrane carriers are reported based on 3.2 nm long Huc's foldamers (AOrnQ3Q3)8 and (mQ3Q2)8 with linearly and helically aligned positive charges, respectively. These two foldamers not only show very strong DNA affinity via electrostatic interactions but also discriminatively bind single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) and double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA), corroborating the importance of precise charge arrangement in the electrostatic interactions. More importantly, these two foldamers are capable of efficiently transporting ss-DNA across the lipid membranes, and the ss-DNA transport activity of (AOrnQ3Q3)8 with linearly aligned charges is higher than that of (mQ3Q2)8 with helically aligned charges. Thus a type of novel single-stranded nucleic acid transmembrane molecular carriers based on positively charged helical foldamers are introduced. Further, effective and enhanced expression in EGFP-mRNA transfection experiments strongly demonstrates the potential of positively charged foldamers for RNA transmembrane transport and therapy.

Mechanism of effects of electroacupuncture on memory and cognitive impairment in offspring rats with perinatal nicotine exposure. / ç”µé’ˆå¯¹å›´äº§æœŸå°¼å¤ä¸æš´éœ²å­ä»£å¤§é¼ è®°å¿†å’Œè®¤çŸ¥æŸä¼¤å½±å“çš„æœºåˆ¶æŽ¢è®¨.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on memory, cognitive impairment, and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype 1(NMDAR1) pathway in the brains of offspring rat with intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR) induced by perinatal nicotine exposure(PNE), so as to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, and EA groups, with 4 mothers and 10 offspring rats of each mother in each group. The IUGR model was established by subcutaneous injection of nicotine during pregnancy and lactation. From the 6th day of pregnancy in the mothers until the 21st day after birth of the offspring rats, EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 1 mA) was administered bilaterally at the "Zusanli"(ST36) of mothers, once daily for 20 min. The brain organ coefficient was used to evaluate the brain development of the offspring rats. The Y-maze test and novel object recognition experiments were performed to assess memory and cognitive function. HE staining was used to observe the development and cellular morphology of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in the offspring rats. UV spectrophotometry was used to measure the glutamate(Glu) content in the hippocampus. ELISA was used to detect the BDNF content in the hippocampus. Western blot was performed to measure the protein expression of NMDAR1 in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry was used to count the number of BDNF-positive cells in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the brain organ coefficient, exploration time of the novel arm, spontaneous alternation rate, and novel object recognition index, contents of BDNF and expression of NMDAR1 proteins in the hippocampus, the number of BDNF-positive cells in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were significantly reduced(P<0.01), while the Glu content in the hippocampus was significantly increased(P<0.01) in the model group of offspring rats；decreased cell number, scattered arrangement, and disrupted cellular structure were observed in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of offspring rats in the model group. Compared with the model group, the brain organ coefficient, exploration time of the novel arm, spontaneous alternation rate, and novel object recognition index, the BDNF contents and NMDAR1 protein expression in the hippocampus, the number of BDNF-positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions and prefrontal cortex significantly increased(P<0.01, P<0.05), while the Glu content in the hippocampus was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in offspring rats of the EA group；increased cell number, neat arrangement, and reduced cellular damage were observed in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in the EA group. CONCLUSIONS: EA has an improving effect on memory and cognitive function impairment in offspring rats with IUGR induced by PNE, and this mechanism may be associated with the regulation of BDNF/NMDAR1 pathway, thereby improving the neuronal quantity and structure of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in offspring rats.

Individual and combined association between nutritional trace metals and the risk of preterm birth in a recurrent pregnancy loss cohort.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) was associated with an elevated risk of pregnancy complications, particularly preterm birth (PTB). However, the risk factors associated with PTB in RPL remained unclear. Emerging evidence indicated that maternal exposure to metals played a crucial role in the development of PTB. The objective of our study was to investigate the individual and combined associations of nutritional trace metals (NTMs) during pregnancy with PTB in RPL. Methods: Using data from a recurrent pregnancy loss cohort (n = 459), propensity score matching (1:3) was performed to control for covariates. Multiple logistic regression and multiple linear regression were employed to identify the individual effects, while elastic-net regularization (ENET) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were used to examine the combined effects on PTB in RPL. Results: The logistic regression model found that maternal exposure to copper (Cu) (quantile 4 [Q4] vs. quantile 1 [Q1], odds ratio [OR]: 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05, 0.74) and zinc (Zn) (Q4 vs. Q1, OR: 0.19, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.77) was inversely associated with total PTB risk. We further constructed environmental risk scores (ERSs) using principal components and interaction terms derived from the ENET model to predict PTB accurately (p < 0.001). In the BKMR model, we confirmed that Cu was the most significant component (PIP = 0.85). When other metals were fixed at the 25th and 50th percentiles, Cu was inversely associated with PTB. In addition, we demonstrated the non-linear relationships of Zn with PTB and the potential interaction between Cu and other metals, including Zn, Ca, and Fe. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study highlighted the significance of maternal exposure to NTMs in RPL and its association with PTB risk. Cu and Zn were inversely associated with PTB risk, with Cu identified as a crucial factor. Potential interactions between Cu and other metals (Zn, Ca, and Fe) further contributed to the understanding of PTB etiology in RPL. These findings suggest opportunities for personalized care and preventive interventions to optimize maternal and infant health outcomes.

Evidence for Wnt signaling's central involvement in perinatal nicotine exposure-induced offspring lung pathology and its modulation by electroacupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: Many factors during pregnancy can induce intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), resulting in various adverse perinatal outcomes such as low birth weight and multiple organ disorders. Among these factors, prenatal smoke/nicotine exposure is a common cause of IUGR, often associated with altered fetal lung development. The classical Wnt signaling pathway plays a vital role in lung development, and its alterations are commonly associated with developmental lung pathologies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) points protects perinatal nicotine exposure (PNE)-induced offspring lung dysplasia through Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and to identify specific Wnt signaling pathway targets of EA. METHODS: Following a well-established protocol, nicotine (1 mg/kg/ body weight) was administered subcutaneously to pregnant Sprague Dawley rat dams from gestational day 6 to postnatal day 21. In the EA group, dams were treated with EA at both ST 36 acupoints, while in another experimental group, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway agonist was injected subcutaneously (2 mg/kg/ body weight). Offspring body weight (PND 1, 7, 14, and 21), lung weight, Wnt signaling markers, pulmonary function, and lung morphology were determined at sacrifice on PND 21. Specifically, Western blotting and Real-time PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA levels of critical Wnt signaling markers Wnt2, Wnt7b, FZD4, FZD7, LRP5, and LRP6 in the offspring lung. The protein levels of ß-catenin in lung tissue of offspring rats were detected by ELISA that of LEF-1 by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the body and lung weights of the offspring rats were significantly decreased in the nicotine-only exposed group. The pulmonary function determined as FVC, PEF, TV, and Cdyn was also significantly decreased, while PIF was significantly increased. The protein levels and mRNA expression of Wnt2, Wnt7b, FZD4, FZD7, LRP5, and LRP6 in the lung tissue of the PNE offspring rats were significantly increased. With EA administration at ST 36 acupoints concomitant with nicotine administration, the body and lung weights, pulmonary function (FVC, PEF, PIF, TV, and Cdyn), protein and mRNA levels Wnt signaling pathway markers (Wnt2, Wnt7b, FZD4, FZD7, LRP5, LRP6, ß-catenin, and LEF-1) normalized and were not different from the control group. Notably, Wnt agonists agonist administration blocked the protective effects of EA against PNE-induced lung morphological, molecular, and function changes, highlighting the central significance of Wnt pathway signaling in PNE-induced offspring pulmonary pathology and its modulation by EA at ST 36 acupoints. CONCLUSION: Concomitant maternal EA at ST 36 acupoints from gestational day 6 to PND 21 protects against offspring PNE-induced lung phenotype. The protective effect is achieved by regulating the expression of Wnt ligand proteins (Wnt2 and Wnt7b) and receptor proteins (FZD4, FZD7, LRP5, and LRP6) upstream of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway intermediates ß-catenin, and LEF-1.

Acupuncture Relieves Cervical Spondylosis Radiculopathy by Regulating Spinal Microglia Activation Through MAPK Signaling Pathway in Rats.

Purpose: Local acupuncture has been found to have a good analgesic effect in rats with cervical spondylosis radiculopathy (CSR), but it lacks a regulatory effect on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types of CSR. We proposed "Invigorating Qi and activating Blood" (IQAB) acupuncture, compared with Fenbid, and local electroacupuncture (LEA), to observe whether it has advantages in the protection of the CSR rat model and to elucidate its mechanism through the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathway. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, sham, model, Fenbid, LEA, and IQAB. The CSR model was induced by inserting nylon sutures to compress the C4-T1 nerve root. The Fenbid group was treated with ibuprofen sustained-release capsules (15 mg/kg·d, ig). The LEA group received electroacupuncture at both C5 and C7 EX-B2 once a day. The IQAB group received acupuncture at both ST36 and BL17 based on the LEA group's intervention. Mechanical allodynia and gait, morphological changes in the spinal cord, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, MAPKs phosphorylation ratio, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in the spinal cord, and the expression of p-p38 in the spinal cord and its colocalization with neurons and glial cell activation markers were detected. Results: Mechanical allodynia, gait disorder, edema, reduced Nissl-positive cell numbers, and increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the spinal cord were observed in CSR rats. IQAB significantly alleviated these changes, and the effects were generally comparable to those of Fenbid. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation ratios of p38 and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), co-expression of p-p38 with neuron/microglia, and MCP-1 levels in the spinal cord were markedly down-regulated by IQAB compared with those in CSR model rats. Conclusion: IQAB reduced p38-activation-related microglia activation and MCP-1 levels, thus alleviating pathological changes, inflammation levels in the local spinal cord, and pain behavior of CSR.

[Regulatory effect of five-element music therapy of traditional Chinese medicine for suboptimal health status of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency based on the temperature changes of acupoints].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of five-element music therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on the clinical symptoms and the quality of life in the patients with suboptimal health status (SHS) of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency and explore the corresponding specificity changes in the temperature of acupoints when zangfu functions are of dysfunction and recovered to be balanced, separately. METHODS: Sixty patients with SHS of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the conventional health education was provided. In the observation group, on the base of the therapeutic regimen as the control group, the patients received the five-element music therapy to pacify the liver qi and strengthen the spleen functions, once every two days, 30 min each time, 3 treatments a week. The course of treatment consisted of 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the TCM syndrome score and the MOS 36-item short form healthy survey (SF-36) score were compared between the two groups and the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated. Using infrared thermal imaging, the temperature at the acupoints of the affected organs (liver, spleen), the related organs (gallbladder, stomach) and the other non-related zangfu organs (pericardium, lung) was detected before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores were reduced when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05); the reduction in the observation group was larger than that of the control group (P<0.01). The score of each domain for the SF-36 in the observation group and the score of role-emotional domain in the control group were all increased when compared with the scores before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05); and the score of each domain for the SF-36 in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 66.7% (20/30) in the observation group, which was higher than 10.0% in the control group (3/30, P<0.05). In the observation group, the temperature of the yuan-primary point, the back-shu point and the front-mu point related to the liver, as well as those related to the gallbladder after treatment was reduced when compared with the temperature before treatment; and the changes were larger than those of the control group (P<0.01). The temperature of the yuan-primary point, the back-shu point and the front-mu point related to the spleen, as well as the back-shu point and the front-mu point related to the stomach in the observation group was increased when compared with the temperature before treatment (P<0.01); and the changes were larger than those of the control group (P<0.01). For the temperature of the non-specific points related to the liver and spleen, as well as the yuan-primary point, the back-shu point and the front-mu point related to the pericardium and the lung, there was no significant differences when compared with the temperature at the above-mentioned acupoints before and after treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: TCM five-element music therapy associated with the conventional health education may effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life in the patients with suboptimal health status of liver stagnation and sleep deficiency; and the therapeutic effect is better than the simple health education. The changes in the temperature of acupoints may reflect the functional regulation of the related zangfu organs in the body.

The prevalence of psychological stress in student populations during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, psychological stress was particularly pronounced in the student population due to prolonged home isolation, online study, closed management, graduation, and employment pressures. The objective of this study is to identify the incidence of psychological stress reactions in student populations following a global outbreak and the associated influencing factors. Four English databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) and four Chinese biomedical databases (Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang) were searched in this study. We also retrieved other search engines manually. The search period was from the time of database creation to 10 March 2022. This study included cross-sectional studies related to psychological stress reactions in student populations during the COVID-19 epidemic. Three groups of researchers screened the retrieved studies and assessed the quality of the included studies using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Cross-Sectional Study Quality Assessment Checklist. A random-effects model was used to analyze the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and fear symptoms in the student population during the COVID-19 epidemic. Of the 146,330 records retrieved, we included 104 studies (n = 2,088,032). The quality of included studies was moderate. The prevalence of depressive symptoms in the student population during the epidemic was 32.0% (95% CI [28.0-37.0%]); anxiety symptoms was 28.0% (95% CI [24.0-32.0%]); stress symptoms was 31.0% (95% CI [23.0-39.0%]); and fear symptoms was 33.0% (95% CI [20.0-49.0%]). The prevalence differed by gender, epidemic stage, region, education stage, student major and assessment tool. The prevalence of psychological stress in the student population during the COVID-19 epidemic may be higher compared to the global prevalence of psychological stress. We need to alleviate psychological stress in the student population in a targeted manner to provide mental health services to safeguard the student population.

Effect of electro-acupuncture at ST 36 on maternal food restriction-induced lung phenotype in rat offspring.

Maternal food restriction (MFR) during pregnancy leads to pulmonary dysplasia in the newborn period and increases susceptibility to diseases, such as asthma and chronic lung disease, later in life. Previous studies have shown that maternal electro-acupuncture (EA) applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36) could prevent the abnormal expression of key lung developmental signaling pathways and improve the lung morphology and function in perinatal nicotine exposed offspring. There is a significant overlap in lung developmental signaling pathways affected by perinatal nicotine exposure and MFR during pregnancy; however, whether maternal EA at ST 36 also blocks the MFR-induced lung phenotype is unknown. Here, we examined the effects of EA applied to maternal ST 36 on lung morphology and function and the expression of key lung developmental signaling pathways, and the hypercorticoid state associated with MFR during pregnancy. These effects were compared with those of metyrapone, an intervention known to block MFR-induced offspring hypercorticoid state and the resultant pulmonary pathology. Like metyrapone, maternal EA at ST 36 blocked the MFR-induced changes in key developmental signaling pathways and protected the MFR-induced changes in lung morphology and function. These results offer a novel and safe, nonpharmacologic approach to prevent MFR-induced pulmonary dysplasia in offspring.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) on perinatal nicotine-exposure-induced lung function and morphology of neonatal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) versus "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) in the pregnant rats on perinatal nicotine-exposure-induced lung function and morphology of newborn rats and explore the rule of acupoint effect in EA for the prevention from lung dysplasia in newborn rats. METHODS: A total of 24 female SD rats were randomized into a normal saline group (S group), a nicotine group (N group), a nicotine-ST 36 group (N + ST 36 group) and a nicotine-GB 34 group (N+GB 34 group), 6 rats in each one. Starting at the 6th day of pregnancy, 0.9% sodium chloride solution was injected subcutaneously in the S group, 1 mg/kg; and in the rest 3 groups, nicotine of the same dose was injected through to the 21st postnatal day to establish the perinatal nicotine-exposure model. Simultaneously, during model preparation, EA was applied at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) in the N+ST 36 group and the N+GB 34 group respectively, once a day, through to the 21st postnatal day. The lung function analytic system for small animal was adopted to observe the changes in lung function indicators in newborn rats, such as peak inspiratory flow (PIF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), expiratory resistance (RE), inspiratory resistance (RI) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn). HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of lung, such as alveolar fusion and rupture. RESULTS: Compared with the S group, PEF and Cdyn were lower and PIF, RI and RE higher in the N group (all P<0.01), additionally, alveoli were fused and ruptured, alveolar wall thickened, the numbers of alveoli reduced, the interspace of alveoli enlarged and the diameter increased (P<0.01). Compared with the N group, in the N+ST 36 group, PEF and Cdyn were increased, PIF, RI and RE reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), the alveolar fusion and rupture relieved, the numbers of alveoli increased, alveolar wall thinner, the interpsace of alveoli became normal and the diameter was reduced significantly (P<0.01). In the N+GB 34 group, the changes of lung function and morphological indicators were not significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the pregnant rats significantly improves the perinatal nicotine-exposure-induced lung function and morphology of newborn rats than electroacupuncture at "Yanglingquan" (GB 34).

[Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Chize" (LU5) of mother rats exposed to nicotine during pregnancy and lactation has a protective effect on development of lung function and morphology in neonatal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the different effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Chize" (LU5) of mother rats exposed to Nicotine during pregnancy and lactation on lung function and morphological changes in offspring rats, so as to explore the most effective acupoint for improving the development of lung in neonatal rats. METHODS: A total of 24 female pregnancy SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control, model, EA-ST36 and EA-LU5 (n＝6 rats in each group). Rats of the normal group were treated by subcutaneous injection of normal saline, and those of the other 3 groups treated by subcutaneous injection of nicotine (1 mg•kg－1•d－1) beginning from the 6th day to about the 21st day of pregnancy (childbirth day) for nicotine exposure during pregnancy and lactation. The daily EA treatment (2 Hz /15 Hz，1 mA) was applied to bilateral ST36 and LU5 for 20 min, beginning from the 6th day of pregnancy to the 21st day (childbirth day). The lung function of the offspring rats including the peak inspiratory flow (PIF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), lung resistance (RL), exhalation resistance (RE)and lung dynamic compliance (Cdyn) was detected by using a lung function analysis system. Histopathological changes (severity of alveolarization) of the offspring rats' lung tissue were observed under microscope after H．E. stain. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the PIF, RL and RE values were significantly increased (P<0.01), and PEF and Cdyn values significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). The alveolar diameter in the model group was evidently increased relevant to the normal group (P<0.01). Following the intervention, modeling induced increase of PIF, RL, RE and alveolar diameter and decrease of PEF and Cdyn values in the EA-ST36 group, and the increased PIF, RL and RE levels in the EA-LU5 group were obviously suppressed relevant to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Additionally, modeling induced obvious congestion and edema of the alveolar wall, alveolar deformation, rupture and fusion, and reduction of the number of the pulmonary alveoli were evidently milder in both EA-ST36 and EA-LU5 groups. No significant differences were found between the EA-ST36 and EA-LU5 groups in the abovementioned 5 indexes of pulmonary function and alveolar diameter (P>0.05)．. CONCLUSION: EA of ST36 and LU5 of mother rats experiencing nicotine exposure during pregnancy and lactation can improve the lung function and morphological changes in neonatal rats, and the effect of ST36 is relatively better.

Nanoelemental selenium alleviated the mercury load and promoted the formation of high-molecular-weight mercury- and selenium-containing proteins in serum samples from methylmercury-poisoned rats.

Selenite (Se4+) has been found to counteract the neurotoxicity of methylmercury (MeHg) in MeHg-poisoned rats. However, Se4+ has narrow range between its toxic and beneficial effects. Nanoelemental selenium (SeNPs) was found to be less toxic than other forms of Se such as Se4+. In this study, the effects of SeNPs on the load of mercury (Hg) in rats were investigated. Hyphenated technique based on size-exclusion chromatography coupled with UV and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SEC-ICP-MS) detection and synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR-XRF) were used to analyze the Hg-Se-containing proteins in the serum from MeHg-poisoned rats. The Hg-Se-containing fractions monitored by UV and ICP-MS were further characterized by MALDI-TOF-MS. Elevated serum Hg and Se levels were found in MeHg-poisoned rats after SeNPs treatment. Three main Hg-containing bands with molecular weights (MWs) of 25, 62 and 140 kDa were detected in the control samples. Treatment with SeNPs increased the Hg content in proteins at 62 and 170 kDa and decreased the Hg content at 25 kDa. The fraction with 25 kDa was assigned to metallothioneins (MTs), and fractions with 40 and 75 kDa were assigned to albumin. This study showed that the low-toxicity SeNPs could reduce the Hg load in the tissues and promote the formation of high molecular weight Hg- and Se-containing proteins in MeHg-poisoned rats.

Protective effect of electro-acupuncture at maternal different points on perinatal nicotine exposure-induced pulmonary dysplasia in offspring based on HPA axis and signal transduction pathway.

Perinatal nicotine exposure can not only lead to lung dysplasia in offspring, but also cause epigenetic changes and induce transgenerational asthma. Previous studies have shown that electro-acupuncture (EA) applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36) can improve the lung morphology and correct abnormal expression of lung development-related protein in perinatal nicotine exposure offspring. However, it is still unclear whether ST 36 has a specific therapeutic effect and how maternal acupuncture can protect the offspring from pulmonary dysplasia. In this study, we compared the different effect of ST 36 and "Fenglong" (ST 40), which belong to the same meridian, in terms of lung pulmonary function and morphology, PPARγ, ß-catenin, GR levels in the lung tissues and CORT in the serum of perinatal nicotine exposure offspring, and explored the mechanism of acupuncture based on the maternal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. It is shown that EA applied to ST 36 could restore the normal function of maternal HPA axis and alleviate maternal glucocorticoid overexposure in offspring, thereby it can up-regulate the PTHrP/PPARγ and down-regulate the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways, and protects perinatal nicotine exposure-induced pulmonary dysplasia in offspring. Its effect is better than that of ST 40. These results are of great significance in preventing perinatal nicotine exposure-induced pulmonary dysplasia in offspring.

Excimer formation and evolution of excited state properties in discrete dimeric stacking of an anthracene derivative: a computational investigation.

Herein, density functional theory (DFT) computations were performed to investigate the discrete dimer of a mono-substituted anthracene derivative (2-TA-AN), which exhibited highly efficient pure excimer fluorescence in its crystal form. As a more practical model, its geometry, potential energy curve and excited state property were systematically calculated to better understand the excimer formation process and photophysical properties. The compressed excimer geometry is responsible for the highly efficient excimer emission, arising from the enhanced rigidity that greatly suppresses its non-radiative vibrations. Potential energy curves along three directions reveal the non-uniqueness of excimer formation along the long axis of anthracene, which is in a good agreement with the experimental findings. Upon decreasing the displacement, the intermonomer charge-transfer (CT) component gradually increased towards an approximately equivalent hybridization with the locally-emissive (LE) state of the monomer during the formation of the excimer. The excimer emission wavelength versus intermonomer CT content shows a similar trend along the three directions, revealing a turning point related to the essential transition of the excited state properties from the LE of the monomer to the HLCT of the excimer. The present results will contribute to the better understanding of the structure-property relationships in excimer formation and photophysical properties.

Correlation Between Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Levels and Efficacy of Inhaled Corticosteroids in Children With Bronchial Asthma.

To investigate correlation between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels and efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in children with bronchial asthma. Between October 2013 and December 2014, 133 cases of children with bronchial asthma were randomly divided into the glucocorticoid group (n = 67; inhaled with Seretide/Pulmicort) and the nonglucocorticoid group (n = 66; inhaled with short-acting ß2 receptor agonist if needed); and alternatively 72 cases of healthy children were regarded as the control group. FeNO, forced expiratory volume in 1 second to predicted value, forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity, induced sputum eosinophils (EOS)%, and total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E and serum EOS% were detected and childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) scale was investigated pretreatment and 3 and 6 months posttreatment, respectively. FeNO levels, induced sputum EOS%, total serum IgE, and serum EOS% were significantly lower, whereas forced expiratory volume in 1 second to predicted value, forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity, and C-ACT scores were obviously improved in the glucocorticoid group 6 months posttreatment compared with those of pretreatment (all P < 0.05). FeNO levels, induced sputum EOS%, and total serum IgE were significantly lower, whereas C-ACT scores were significantly higher in the glucocorticoid group compared with those of the nonglucocorticoid group (all P < 0.05). In the glucocorticoid group, induced sputum EOS% and total serum IgE showed significantly positive correlations with FeNO levels (r = 0.73, P < 0.01; r = 0.56, P < 0.01), whereas C-ACT scores were negatively correlated with FeNO levels (r = -0.67, P < 0.01). FeNO levels might be correlated with efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in children with bronchial asthma.

Effect of electroacpuncture of Neiguan (PC 6) and Tianquan (PC 2) on skin temperature, blood perfusion, and adrenoceptor response in rats with acute myocardial ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of acupoints Neiguan (PC 6) and Tianquan (PC 2) on the skin temperature, blood perfusion, and alpha1- and beta2-adrenoreceptor (α1-AR and ß2-AR) protein and mRNA level in rats with acute myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Thirty male adult Wistar rats [(230 ± 20) g] were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 6 each): a control group, sham operation group, model group, model group treated with EA at low frequency (L-EA, 2 Hz, 1 mA) and model group treated with EA at high frequency (H-EA, 100 Hz, 1 mA). The rat model was prepared by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Electroacupuncture was performed at the left Neiguan (PC 6) for 20min daily for 3 d. After the 3rd time of the treatment, measurements of skin blood perfusion and temperature in Neiguan (PC 6) and Tianquan (PC 2) in all groups were made by laser speckle contrast imaging and infrared thermal image instrument. Real-time PCR and ELISA were used to measure mRNA level and protein level of α1-AR and ß2-AR in the skin tissues of Neiguan (PC 6) and Tianquan (PC 2), respectively. Serum levels of cTnT and electrocardiogram were used to identify the state of myocardium. RESULTS: In the group receiving electroacupunture at Neiguan (PC 6), compared with control group, the skin temperature, blood perfusion, and ß2 -AR mRNA and protein level of model group significantly decreased (P < 0.05), α1-AR mRNA and protein level of model group significantly increased (P < 0.05); compared with model group, the skin temperature, blood perfusion, and ß2 -AR mRNA and protein level of L-EA significantly increased (P < 0.05), α1-AR mRNA and protein level of L-EA and H-EA significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The same trend has taken place in the former four groups of the Tianquan (PC 2). CONCLUSION: Low-or high-frequency electroacupuncture can improve the skin temperature and blood perfusion which may be induced by decreasing the level of α1-AR and increasing the level of ß2 -AR of the Neiguan (PC 6) and Tianquan (PC 2) in the rat with acute myocaidial ischemia.