Research hotspots and trends on acupuncture treatment for headache: a bibliometric analysis from 2003 to 2023.

Background: While acupuncture treatment has gained extensive usage in addressing headaches, there remains a notable gap in the literature analysis for this field. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a literature review using Citespace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix, aiming to examine the current status, strengths, and potential future directions in the utilization of acupuncture for headache treatment. Methods: Relevant literature on acupuncture treatment for headaches between 2003 and 2023 was retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) core database. Utilizing CiteSpace 6.1.R6, VOSviewer 1.6.18, and Bibliometrix 4.1.4, we conducted bibliometric analyses across various categories, including countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords. Results: A total of 808 research reports were included. China and the United States have significantly contributed to this field. Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine holds the record for the highest number of published papers. Liu Lu has the highest publication output, while Linde K has the highest citation rate. MEDICINE leads in publication frequency, while CEPHALALGIA holds the highest citation rate. The Long-term Effect of Acupuncture for Migraine Prophylaxis a Randomized Clinical Trial is the most cited reference. Migraine was the most researched type. Filiform needle acupuncture was the most widely used stimulation method. The safety and efficacy of acupuncture have received significant attention. Modern mechanism research shows that depression, brain functional connectivity, and neuroimaging technology have become research hotspots in the acupuncture treatment of headaches. Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment for headaches has established a stable trend with a promising developmental trajectory. Research in this field mainly focuses on different acupuncture prevention and treatment for various types of headaches, the safety and efficacy of acupuncture, etc. Research on the mechanism of action mainly focuses on interpreting bidirectional and holistic regulation between pain and emotion by acupuncture and the regulation of brain function connection and neuroimaging technology by acupuncture. Future research should expand on the advantages and indications of acupuncture treatment for different headaches and their modern mechanisms.

Potassium diformate alleviated inflammation of IPEC-J2 cells infected with EHEC.

Potassium diformate (KDF) is a kind of formate, which possesses the advantages of antimicrobial activity, growth promotion and preventing diarrhea in weaned piglets. However, the researches of KDF in animal production mostly focused on apparent indexes such as growth performance and the mechanisms of KDF on intestinal health have not been reported. Thus, porcine small intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) infected with Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) was used to investigate the role of KDF on alleviating intestinal inflammation in this study. The 0.125 mg/mL KDF treated IPEC-J2 cells for 6 h and IPEC-J2 cells challenged with 5 × 107 CFU/mL EHEC for 4 h were confirmed as the optimum concentration and time for the following experiment. The subsequent experiment was divided into four groups: control group (CON), EHEC group, KDF group, KDF+EHEC group. The results showed that KDF increased the cell viability and the gene expression levels of SGLT3 and TGF-ß, while decreased the content of IL-1ß compared with the CON group. The cell viability and the gene expressions of SGLT1, SGLT3, GLUT2, Claudin-1, Occludin and TGF-ß, and the protein expression of ZO-1 in EHEC group were lower than those in CON group, whereas the gene expressions of IL-1ß, TNF, IL-8 and TLR4, and the level of phosphorylation NF-кB protein were increased. Pretreatment with KDF reduced the content of IgM and IL-1ß, the gene expressions of IL-1ß, TNF, IL-8 and TLR4 and the level of phosphorylation NF-кB protein, and increased the gene expression of TGF-ß and the protein expression of Occludin in IPEC-J2 cells infected EHEC. In conclusion, 0.125 mg/mL KDF on IPEC-J2 cells for 6 h had the beneficial effects on ameliorating the intestinal inflammation because of reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokines through regulating NF-кB signaling pathway under the EHEC challenge.

Dietary supplementation with nano-composite of copper and carbon on growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant ability of yellow-feathered broilers.

New feed additives as antibiotics substitutes are in urgent need in poultry production. Nano-composite of copper and carbon (NCCC), a novel copper donor with stronger antibacterial properties, is expected to promote broiler growth and diminish the negative effects of excess copper (Cu). Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of NCCC on growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant ability of yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 240 1-d-old male yellow-feathered broilers were selected and randomly divided into four groups, with five replications per group and 12 birds per replication. The CON group was fed corn-soybean basal diets, while the N50, N100, and N200 groups were supplemented with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of NCCC in basal diets, respectively. The trial lasted for 63 d. The results demonstrated that only 200 mg/kg NCCC addition significantly increased the Cu content in serum and feces, and liver Cu content linearly increased with NCCC dosage increment (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, NCCC supplementation did not alter the growth performance, slaughter performance, immune organ indexes, and liver antioxidant ability of broilers (P > 0.05), but optimized the serum cytokine pattern by elevating the level of serum IL-10 (P < 0.05), and there were linear and quadratic increases in serum IL-4 with NCCC dosage increment (P < 0.05). On the whole, in spite of no impact on growth performance, 50 mg/kg NCCC was optimal to supplement in chicken diets due to the rise of serum IL-10 level and no extra environmental pollution and tissue residues.

Livestock and poultry industries require eco-friendly antibacterial agents and growth promoters due to the ban on antibiotics in the European Union and China. High-dose copper is considered a bactericide and has the advantage of growth promotion in animals, but it also disturbs the absorption of other metal elements and causes heavy metal residues. In this experiment, a nano-composite of copper and carbon (NCCC) was chosen as an alternative copper donor, hoping to not only inherit the growth-promoting merit but also diminish the disadvantage of excess copper. Hence, the effects of NCCC on growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of yellow-feathered broilers were explored, and we discovered that there were no copper residues in liver, serum, and feces after 50 or 100 mg/kg NCCC treatment. Meanwhile, obvious increases in levels of serum IL-10 and IL-4 were observed with NCCC dosage increment, despite no notable changes in the growth performance, slaughter performance, and liver antioxidant ability of chickens. As a result, NCCC has been found to optimize serum cytokine pattern but not promote the growth of broilers.

Dietary Supplementation of Mixed Organic Acids Improves Growth Performance, Immunity, and Antioxidant Capacity and Maintains the Intestinal Barrier of Ira Rabbits.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mixed organic acids (MOAs) on growth performance, immunity, antioxidants, intestinal digestion, and barrier function in Ira rabbits. A total of 192 weaned male Ira rabbits at 35 days of age were randomly assigned to four groups with six replicates of eight rabbits each. The rabbits in the control group (CON) were fed a basal diet, and the antibiotic group (SAL) was fed a basal diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg salinomycin. The test groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg MOAs (MOA1 and MOA2, respectively). The experiment lasted for 55 days. The results showed that the ADG of Ira rabbits in the SAL group and MOA1 group was higher than that in the CON group (p < 0.05). The serum IL-6 and liver MDA levels of Ira rabbits in the SAL group, MOA1 group, and MOA2 group were lower than those in the CON group (p < 0.05). In addition, sIgA levels in the jejunal mucosa of Ira rabbits in the SAL group and MOA1 group were increased compared with those in the CON group (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the gene expression of IL-6 was decreased (p < 0.05) in the jejunal mucosa of Ira rabbits in the SAL, MOA1, and MOA2 groups, while the gene expression of IL-1ß tended to decrease (p = 0.077) and the IL-10 content tended to increase (p = 0.062). Moreover, the gene expression of ZO-1 in the jejunal mucosa of Ira rabbits was elevated in the MOA1 group compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with MOAs can improve growth performance, enhance immune function and antioxidant capacity, and maintain the intestinal barrier in weaned Ira rabbits.

Berberine: An inspiring resource for the treatment of colorectal diseases.

Colorectal cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor with a complex and diverse pathogenesis. In recent years, natural products have shown promising application prospects as sources of anticancer drugs. BBR, a class of benzoquinoline alkaloids extracted from various plants, is widely used in disease treatments owing to its pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-angiogenesis properties. Research has demonstrated that BBR exerts an anti-Salmonella and -Escherichia coli infection effect, attenuating inflammatory reactions by inhibiting harmful bacteria. During the stage of colorectal precancerous lesions, BBR inhibits the activity of cell cyclin by regulating the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Wnt signaling pathways, thereby decelerating the cell cycle progression of polyp or adenoma cells. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of BBR on colorectal cancer primarily occurs through the regulation of the cancer cell cycle, anti-angiogenesis, gut microbiota, and antioxidant pathways. The specific involved pathways include the MPK/ERK, NF-kB, and EGFR signaling pathways, encompassing the regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins, vascular endothelial growth factor, and superoxide dismutase. This study reviews and summarizes, for the first time, the specific mechanisms of action of BBR in the carcinogenesis process of colorectal cancer, providing novel insights for its clinical application in intestinal diseases.

Effects of hydrolyzed gallotannin on intestinal physical barrier, immune function, and microbiota structure of yellow-feather broilers.

The present study was performed to explore the effects of dietary supplementation of hydrolyzed gallotannin (HGT) on intestinal physical barrier, immune function and microbiota structure in yellow-feather broilers. A total of 288 male yellow-feather broilers were randomly allocated to 4 diet treatments: the basal diet (CON) and 3 diets supplemented with 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg HGT for 63 d, respectively, with 6 replicates per treatment and 12 birds per replicate. The findings demonstrated that 300 or 450 mg/kg HGT addition enhanced the expression of duodenal occludin (OCLN) and tight junction protein1 (TJP-1) genes of birds at 21 d of age, and the expression of duodenal and ileal OCLN gene in 63-day-old broilers was upregulated due to 450 mg/kg HGT treatment (P < 0.05). The dietary supplementation of 150 mg/kg HGT strengthened the expression of duodenal IL-6 and IL-4 genes and ileal IL-4 gene of 21-day-old broilers, whereas the expression of jejunal IL1B and IL-6 genes in birds at 63 d of age weakened because of 300 or 450 mg/kg HGT addition (P < 0.05). As for microbial community, the HGT addition altered the cecal microbiota structure of birds at 21 d of age based on analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) test and 450 mg/kg HGT treatment increased the relative abundance of norank Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group at 21 d of age and unclassified Lachnospiraceae at 63 d of age (P < 0.05). In short, diet supplemented with 300 to 450 mg/kg HGT may be the optimal for yellow-feather broilers to enhance intestinal barrier function. Altogether, our study clarified the regulatory role of HGT in broiler intestinal health in earnest, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Hence, more research is needed to carry out until the application of HGT as a new functional additive in broiler production.

The anti-inflammatory effect of lutein in broilers is mediated by regulating Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid-differentiation-factor 88 signaling pathway.

The anti-inflammatory role of lutein has been widely recognized, however, the underlying mechanism is still not fully elucidated. Hence, the effects of lutein on the intestinal health and growth performance of broilers and the action of mechanism were investigated. 288 male yellow-feathered broilers (1-day old) were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups with 8 replicates of 12 birds each, and the control group was fed a broken rice-soybean basal diet, while the test groups were fed a basal diet added with 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg of lutein (LU20, LU40), respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 21 d. The results showed that 40 mg/kg lutein supplementation tended to increase ADFI (P = 0.10) and ADG (P = 0.08) of broilers. Moreover, the addition of lutein caused a decreasing trend of gene expression and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß (P = 0.08, P = 0.10, respectively) and IL-6 (P = 0.06, P = 0.06, respectively) and also tended to decrease the gene expression of TLR4 (P = 0.09) and MyD88 (P = 0.07) while increasing gene expression and concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 (P < 0.05) in the jejunum mucosa of broilers. Additionally, lutein supplementation increased the jejunal villi height of broilers (P < 0.05) and reduced villi damage. The experiment in vitro showed that lutein treatment reduced the gene expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, and IFN-γ in chicken intestinal epithelial cells (P < 0.05). However, this effect was diminished after knock-down of TLR4 or MyD88 genes using RNAi technology. In conclusion, lutein can inhibit the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in the jejunum mucosa and promote intestinal development of broilers, and the anti-inflammatory effect may be achieved by regulating TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway.

Warm acupuncture therapy alleviates neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord injury via inhibition of the ERK signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: Warm acupuncture (WA) therapy has been applied to treat spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanism is unclear. The current study attempted to explore the WA therapy on neuronal apoptosis of SCI and the relationship with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. METHODS: The rat SCI models were established by the impact method. SCI rat models were subjected to WA treatment at Dazhui (GV14) and Jiaji points (T10), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Zusanli (ST36), and Ciliao (BL32). The rat SCI models were established by the impact method. WA and U0126 treatments were performed on the SCI rats. Motor function and neuronal apoptosis were detected. The relative mRNA of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), the phosphorylation level of ERK 1/2 and levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-Associated X (Bax), and caspase-3 in spinal cord tissue were tested. RESULTS: After WA treatment, the Basso, Beattie & Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB scale) of SCI rats in the WA treatment was significantly raised from 7 to 14 days after SCI. WA and U0126 treatment significantly diminished apoptotic cells and preserved the neurons in the injured spinal cord. WA and U0126 treatment alleviated the production of inflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord. The distinct increase of p-ERK 1/2 induced by SCI was reversed in WA and U0126 treatment groups. WA and U0126 treatment augmented the level of Bcl-2 and reversed the elevated cleaved caspase-3 protein level after SCI. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that WA might be associated with the downregulation of the ERK signaling pathway. In summary, our findings indicated that WA promotes the recovery of SCI via the protection of nerve cells and the prevention of apoptosis. Meanwhile, the anti-apoptotic effect of WA might be associated with the downregulation of the ERK signaling pathway, which could be one of the mechanisms of WA in the treatment of SCI.

Effect of Hydrolyzed Gallotannin on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Antioxidant Capacity of Yellow-Feather Broilers.

Tannins were traditionally considered as anti-nutritional factors in poultry production. Recent studies found that the addition of hydrolyzed gallotannin (HGT) could improve animal health; however, the proper dosage of HGT in chickens' diet is still unknown. Hence, our study aims to recommend its optimal dose by exploring the effects of HGT from Chinese gallnuts on the growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of yellow-feather broilers. A total of 288 male yellow-feather broilers (34.10 ± 0.08 g) were randomly allocated to four diet treatments, the basal diet with 0 (CON), 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg HGT for 63 days, respectively, with six replications per treatment and 12 birds per replication. The growth performance, slaughter performance, immune organ index, liver antioxidant-related indicators, and serum immune-related factors were evaluated. Results show that HGT supplementation did not influence the growth performance of broilers, but the diets supplemented with 300 and 450 mg/kg HGT increased the semi-eviscerated rate. Furthermore, HGT increased the content of liver T-AOC and the ratio of GSH/GSSG, which can protect against oxidative damage of birds. Additionally, supplementing HGT raised the contents of serum IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, IgA, and IgM. In conclusion, diet supplemented with 450 mg/kg HGT may be the optimal to the health of yellow-feather broilers on the whole.

Effects of lutein on jejunal mucosal barrier function and inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-challenged yellow-feather broilers.

Broilers are frequently exposed to various immunological stresses, which lead to intestinal damage, weakened immunity, and even growth retardation. Lutein, as a kind of carotenoid, possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory functions. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of lutein on jejunal mucosal barrier function and inflammatory responses of yellow-feather broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of two hundred eight-eight 1-day-old yellow-feather broilers were randomly allocated to 3 groups with 8 replicate cages containing 12 birds each. Birds were fed broken-rice-soybean basal diet containing 0, 20 and 40 mg/kg lutein (CON, LU20 and LU40) for 26 d. On days 21, 23, and 25 of the trial, broilers were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg body weight). The results showed that, compared with CON group, LU40 supplementations significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) of broilers at 1 to 21 and 22 to 26 d of age (P < 0.05), significantly decreased the ratio of feed to gain (F/G) of broilers at 22 to 26 d of age (P < 0.05). LU20 and LU40 supplementations increased goblet cell density in jejunum of broilers under LPS challenge, and LU20 supplementation elevated the villus area (P < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy of jejunal mucosa revealed significant villi damage, while transmission electron microscopy demonstrated severe enterocyte damage and loss of cellular integrity in CON group. In particular, mitochondria were morphologically altered, appearing irregular or swollen. Apical junctional complexes between adjacent enterocytes were obviously shorter and saccular in CON group. LU20 and LU40 supplementations increased the mRNA expressions of Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1 in the jejunal mucosa of broilers under LPS challenge (P < 0.05), restrained TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway activation in the jejunal mucosa, decreased the mRNA expressions of IL-1ß and IL-6, and strengthened the mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-10 (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the protein expressions of p38 and JNK in LU40 group were lower than CON group (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that 40 mg/kg lutein supplementation improved LPS-induced jejunal mucosal barrier function and tamed inflammation of yellow-feather broilers.

Arginine regulates inflammation response-induced by Fowl Adenovirus serotype 4 via JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Fowl Adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) infection causes severe inflammatory response leading to hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS) in poultry. As an essential functional amino acid of poultry, arginine plays a critical role in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress. RESULTS: In this study, the differential expression genes (DEGs) were screened by transcriptomic techniques, and the DEGs in gene networks of inflammatory response-induced by FAdV-4 in broiler's liver were analyzed by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment. The results showed that the cytokines pathway and JAK/STAT pathway were significantly enriched, in which the DEGs levels of IL-6, IL-1ß, IFN-α, JAK and STAT were significantly up-regulated after FAdV-4 infection. It was further verified with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time qPCR) and Western blotting (WB) in vitro and in vivo. The findings demonstrated that FAdV-4 induced inflammatory response and activated JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Furthermore, we investigated whether arginine could alleviate the liver inflammation induced by FAdV-4. After treatment with 1.92% arginine level diet to broilers or 300 µg/mL arginine culture medium to LMH cell line with FAdV-4 infection at the same time, we found that the mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1ß, IFN-α and the protein levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3 were down-regulated, compared with FAdV-4 infection group. Furthermore, we confirmed that the inflammation induced by FAdV-4 was ameliorated by pre-treatment with JAK inhibitor AG490 in LMH cells, and it was further alleviated in LMH cells treatment with AG490 and ARG. CONCLUSIONS: These above results provide new insight that arginine protects hepatocytes against inflammation induced by FAdV-4 through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Acupuncture combined with moxibustion promote the recovery of spinal cord injury in correlation with Shh/Gli-1 signaling pathway.

Objective: Acupuncture combined with moxibustion (AM) therapy has been applied to treat spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanism is unclear. The present study aimed to confirm the effect and mechanism of AM treatment on the recovery of SCI.Design: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish the SCI model by impact method. SCI rat models were subjected to AM treatment at Dazhui (GV14) and Jiaji points (T7-T12), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Zusanli (ST36) and Ciliao (BL32).Outcome measures: Motor function and cell apoptosis in rats after SCI. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Shh and Gli-1 were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry.Results: After AM treatment, the hindlimb motor function of SCI rats was significantly increased than the SCI group at 7, 9, 11, 14 days (P < 0.05). AM treatment 7 d and 14 d significantly preserved the nissl-stained positive neurons and significantly decreased number of apoptotic cells, compared to that of SCI 7 and 14 d groups (P < 0.05). AM treatment improved the mRNA protein levels of Shh and Gli-1 after 7 and 14 days treatment compared to the SCI group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: AM could improve the expression of Shh and Gli-1 in injured spinal cord of rats. That could be part of underlying mechanisms of AM treatment including recover motor function and preserve the neuron cells and alleviate the apoptosis of nerve cells in rats after SCI.

Warm acupuncture therapy for Primary sciatica: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of warm acupuncture therapy for treating Primary sciatica. METHODS: The following 9 databases will be search from their inception to December 6, 2020: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), the Chinese Medical Current Content (CMCC), the Wan-Fang Database and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of warm acupuncture for treating Primary sciatica, Chinese or Japanese without restriction of publication status will be included. Two researchers will independently undertake study selection, extraction of data and assessment of study quality. Meta-analysis will be conducted after screening of studies. Data will be analyzed using risk ratio for dichotomous data, and standardized mean difference or weighted mean difference for continuous data. DISSEMINATION: This meta-analysis will be disseminated electronically through a peer-reviewed publication or conference presentations. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence to judge whether warm acupuncture. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020120109.

Efficacy and safety of massage in the treatment of post-stroke insomnia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: : Post-stroke insomnia (PSI) is a serious problem which has significant adverse effects on the subsequent recovery of patients and the quality of their daily life. Massage is effective in improving the quality of sleep for stroke patients displaying no significant adverse reactions. Up to now, however, there are still no systematic studies conducted to provide compelling evidence for its effectiveness in treating PSI. Allowing for this, this project is purposed to make a thorough summary of the efficacy of massage therapy in treating PSI and the safety of this practice. METHODS: : Without considering the status of publication and language, a meticulous search will be conducted, covering the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library search, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese biomedical literature database, Chongqing VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang. All randomized controlled trials of PSI will be retrieved. The deadline is set as October 23, 2020. The team will be comprised of 2 experienced researchers who will apply RevMan V.5.3 software to conduct literature selection, data collection, data analysis, and data synthesis, respectively. In addition, the Cochrane risk Assessment tool will be taken as the top choice to evaluate the quality of the trials involved in this study. RESULTS: : The effectiveness and safety of massage therapy intended for PSI will be subject to a systematic evaluation under this program. CONCLUSION: : It will be substantiated in this review whether massage therapy is a reliable intervention for PSI by examining the evidence collected.

Effectiveness and safety of massage in the treatment of restless legs syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS), known as a kind of neurological disease, is prevalent but easy to be ignored. Studies have demonstrated that massage therapy can effectively reduce the symptoms of patients with RLS and improve their quality of life. However, the efficacy of massage therapy for RLS is still controversial. Therefore, this protocol aims to evaluate the reliability of massage therapy in treating RLS in a thorough way. METHODS: We will search relevant randomized controlled trials from Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chongqing VIP, CNKI, Wanfang, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE, when publication status and language are not considered and the time limit ends with September 6, 2020. Two experienced researchers will use RevMan V.5.3 software to perform the selection of literature, data collection, data analysis and synthesis separately. Besides, the quality of trials involved in this study will be measured with the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. RESULTS: This protocol will be applied to carry out a systematic evaluation of the massage therapy purposed to treat RLS for its effectiveness and safety. CONCLUSION: The review will provide a credible evidence suggesting whether massage therapy is a reliable intervention for RLS. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202090038.

Fowl Adenovirus Serotype 4 Influences Arginine Metabolism to Benefit Replication.

Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) is caused by fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4). HPS has caused outbreaks in Chinese populations of broiler chickens since 2015. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying HPS. In this study, we used transcriptomic analysis to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the livers of FAdV-4-infected and noninfected chicks. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the gene network associated with the arginine metabolism pathway was enriched in livers infected by FAdV-4; 10 genes were downregulated and 8 genes were upregulated in these livers when compared to noninfected livers. The DEGs identified in livers were reanalyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR); results indicated that the mRNA levels of the DEGs concurred with the data derived from KEGG analysis. Next, we used qPCR to detect the DEGs of the arginine metabolism pathway in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (LMH) after infection with FAdV-4 for 24 hr; this also indicated that the mRNA levels of the DEGs concurred with that seen in the liver. We also used si-RNA oligonucleotides to knock down the mRNA levels of iNOS in LMH cells infected with FAdV-4 and found that the viral load of FAdV-4 was increased. Further investigation revealed that the addition of 240 µg/ml of arginine into the culture medium of LMH cells infected with FAdV-4 for 24 hr led to a significant increase in the mRNA levels of iNOS but a significant reduction in the viral load of FAdV-4. Therefore, our data indicated that when broiler chickens become infected with FAdV-4, the arginine metabolic pathway in the liver becomes dysfunctional and the iNOS mRNA level decreases. This will add benefit to the replication of FAdV-4 but can be inhibited by the addition of an appropriate amount of arginine.

El adenovirus del pollo serotipo 4 influye en el metabolismo de la arginina para favorecer su replicación. El síndrome de hidropericardio (HPS) es causado por el adenovirus del pollo serotipo 4 (FAdV-4). Este síndrome ha causado brotes en las poblaciones de pollo de engorde en China desde 2015. Sin embargo, se conoce poco sobre los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes al hidropericardio. En este estudio, se utilizó el análisis transcriptómico para seleccionar genes expresados en forma diferencial (DEGs) en los hígados de pollos infectados y no infectados con el adenovirus serotipo 4. El análisis mediante la Enciclopedia de Genes and Genomas de Kyoto (KEGG) mostró que la red de genes asociada con la ruta del metabolismo de la arginina se enriqueció en hígados infectados por el adenovirus serotipo 4. Diez genes fueron regulados a la baja y ocho genes fueron regulados a la alta en estos hígados en comparación con los hígados de aves no infectadas. Los genes expresados en forma diferencial identificados en los hígados se volvieron a analizar mediante un método cuantitativo de PCR de fluorescencia en tiempo real (qPCR). Los resultados indicaron que los niveles de ARNm de los genes expresados en forma diferencial coincidían con los datos derivados del análisis la Enciclopedia de Genes and Genomas de Kyoto. Posteriormente, se utilizó qPCR para detectar los genes expresados en forma diferencial de la vía del metabolismo de la arginina en una línea celular de carcinoma hepatocelular (LMH) infectadas con el adenovirus del pollo serotipo 4 durante 24 horas. Esto también indicó que los niveles de ARNm de los genes expresados en forma diferencial coincidían con los observados en el hígado. También se utilizaron oligonucleótidos de ARN para bloquear los niveles de ARN mensajero de iNOS en células LMH infectadas con el adenovirus del pollo serotipo 4 y se descubrió que la carga viral del adenovirus aumentó. La investigación adicional reveló que la adición de 240 µg/ml de arginina en el medio de cultivo de las células LMH infectadas con el adenovirus serotipo 4 durante 24 horas condujo a un aumento significativo en los niveles de ARN mensajero de iNOS pero con una reducción significativa en la carga viral del adenovirus serotipo 4 Por lo tanto, estos datos indican que cuando los pollos de engorde se infectan con adenovirus del pollo serotipo 4, la vía metabólica de la arginina en el hígado se vuelve disfuncional y el nivel de ARN mensajero de iNOS disminuye. Esto favorecerá la replicación del adenovirus del pollo serotipo 4, pero puede inhibirse mediante la adición de una cantidad adecuada de arginina.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals New Insight of Fowl Adenovirus Serotype 4 Infection.

Since 2015, Fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) infection has caused serious economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. We isolated and identified the FAdV-4 strain NP, from infected chickens on a layer farm, using chicken embryo allantoic cavity inoculation, electron microscopy, viral genome sequencing, and regression analysis. To explore the pathogenesis of FAdV-4 infection, we conducted transcriptome sequencing analysis of the liver in chickens infected with FAdV-4, using the Illumina® HiSeq 2000 system. Two days after infection with the FAdV-4 NP strain, 13,576 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in the liver, among which, 7,480 were up-regulated and 6,096 were down-regulated. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that these genes were involved in 52 biological functions. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that those DEGs were involved in 33 pathways. We then focused on the KEGG pathway of phagosome and found that mRNA levels of the 25 DEGs in that pathway were up-regulated, and seven DEGs were down-regulated. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) confirmed the accuracy and reliability of these findings. Moreover, 24 h after LMH cells were infected with FAdV-4, the mRNA levels of F-actin, Rab7, TUBA, and DVnein were significantly increased. These four genes were all subsequently silenced by RNA interference, and viral replication of FAdV-4 was then significantly down-regulated. These findings demonstrate the isolation and identification of the FAdV-4 NP strain, and the DEGs in KEGG pathway of phagosome were utilized by FAdV-4 to benefit its infection.

Xanthophyll supplementation regulates carotenoid and retinoid metabolism in hens and chicks.

This study investigated the effects of xanthophylls (containing 40% lutein and 60% zeaxanthin; Juyuan Biochemical Co., Ltd., GuangZhou, China) on gene expression associated with carotenoid cleavage enzymes (ß-carotene 15, 15'-monooxygenase, BCMO1; and ß-carotene 9', 10'-dioxygenase, BCDO2) and retinoid metabolism (lecithin:retinol acyl transferase (LRAT) and STRA6) of breeding hens and chicks. In experiment 1, 432 hens were divided into 3 groups and fed diets supplemented with zero (as the control group), 20, or 40 mg/kg xanthophyll. The liver, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were sampled at d 35 of the trial. Results showed that 40 mg/kg xanthophyll supplementation increased BCDO2 mRNA in the liver, duodenum, and jejunum; LRAT mRNA in the jejunum; and STRA6 mRNA in the liver, while it decreased LRAT mRNA in the liver. Experiment 2 was a 2 × 2 factorial design. Male chicks hatched from a zero or 40 mg/kg xanthophyll diet of hens were fed a diet containing either zero or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. The liver, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were sampled at zero, 7, 14, and 21 d after hatching. Results showed that in ovo xanthophyll modulated carotenoid and retinoid metabolism mainly within one wk after hatching. The maternal effects gradually vanished and dietary effects began to work one to 2 wk after hatching. Dietary xanthophyll regulated carotenoid and retinoid metabolism mainly from 2 wk onward. The xanthophyll regulation of carotenoid and retinoid metabolism also revealed strong tissue specificity. In conclusion, xanthophyll supplementation could modulate carotenoid and retinoid metabolism in different tissues of hens and chicks.

Isolation and identification of Duck tembusu virus strain lH and development of latex-agglutination diagnostic method for rapid detection of antibodies.

SUMMARY. An outbreak of egg-drop syndrome occurred on a Sheldrake duck farm in Longhai in Fujian Province, China, in 2012. The main clinical symptoms were sharply reduced egg production, crooked necks, and death. We isolated the virus from the sick ducks, identified it, and observed the histopathologic changes after viral infection. We detected viral RNA in the blood and feces of the infected ducks and developed a latex-agglutination diagnostic method to detect anti-Tembusu-virus antibodies. Our results show that the pathogenic virus is a Tembusu virus. The histopathologic changes included follicular cell degeneration and necrosis, follicular cavity filled with blood cells, massive necrosis in the brain, and degeneration and necrosis of the nerve and glial cells. When the transmission of the virus in the infected ducks was studied, the duck blood was positive for viral nucleic acid for up to 29 days, and the feces were positive for viral nucleic acid for up to 13 days. We successfully established a simple, rapid, and easy- to-use latex-agglutination diagnostic method for the detection of antibodies against duck Tembusu virus.