The functional role of P2 purinergic receptors in the progression of gastric cancer.

Studies have confirmed that P2 purinergic receptors (P2X receptors and P2Y receptors) expressed in gastric cancer (GC) cells and GC tissues and correlates with their function. Endogenous nucleotides including ATP, ADP, UTP, and UDP, as P2 purinergic receptors activators, participate in P2 purinergic signal transduction pathway. These activated P2 purinergic receptors regulate the progression of GC mainly by mediating ion channels and intracellular signal cascades. It is worth noting that there is a difference in the expression of P2 purinergic receptors in GC, which may play different roles in the progression of GC as a tumor promoting factor or a tumor suppressor factor. Among them, P2 × 7, P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors have certain clinical significance in patients with GC and may be used as biological molecular markers for the prediction of patients with GC. Therefore, in this paper, we discuss the functional role of nucleotide / P2 purinergic receptors signal axis in regulating the progression of GC and that these P2 purinergic receptors may be used as potential molecular targets for the prevention and treatment of GC.

Schwann cells as a target cell for the treatment of cancer pain.

Tumor erosion and metastasis can invade surrounding tissues, damage nerves, and sensitize the peripheral primary receptors, inducing pain, which can potentially worsen the suffering of patients with cancer. Reception and transmission of sensory signal receptors, abnormal activation of primary sensory neurons, and activation of glial cells are involved in cancer pain. Therefore, exploring promising therapeutic methods to suppress cancer pain is of great significance. Various studies have found that the use of functionally active cells is a potentially effective way to relieve pain. Schwann cells (SCs) act as small, biologically active pumps that secrete pain-relieving neuroactive substances. Moreover, SCs can regulate the progression of tumor cells, including proliferation and metastasis, through neuro-tumor crosstalk, which emphasizes the critical role of SCs in cancer and cancer pain. The mechanisms by which SCs repair injured nerves and exert analgesia include neuroprotection, neurotrophy, nerve regeneration, neuromodulation, immunomodulation, and enhancement of the nerve-injury microenvironment. These factors may ultimately restore the damaged or stimulated nerves and contribute to pain relief. Strategies for pain treatment using cell transplantation mainly focus on analgesia and nerve repair. Although these cells are in the initial stages of nerve repair and pain, they open new avenues for the treatment of cancer pain. Therefore, this paper discusses, for the first time, the possible mechanism of SCs and cancer pain, and new strategies and potential problems in cancer pain treatment.

A review on the role of gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase 1 antisense RNA 1 in the carcinogenesis and tumor progression.

Gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase 1 antisense RNA 1 (BBOX1-AS1), located on human chromosome 11 p14, emerges as a critical player in tumorigenesis with diverse oncogenic effects. Aberrant expression of BBOX1-AS1 intricately regulates various cellular processes, including cell growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion, metastasis, cell death, and stemness. Notably, the expression of BBOX1-AS1 was significantly correlated with clinical-pathological characteristics and tumor prognoses, and it could also be used for the diagnosis of lung and esophageal cancers. Through its involvement in the ceRNA network, BBOX1-AS1 competitively binds to eight miRNAs in ten different cancer types. Additionally, BBOX1-AS1 can directly modulate downstream protein-coding genes or act as an mRNA stabilizer. The implications of BBOX1-AS1 extend to critical signaling pathways, including Hedgehog, Wnt/ß-catenin, and MELK/FAK pathways. Moreover, it influences drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study provides a systematic review of the clinical significance of BBOX1-AS1's aberrant expression in diverse tumor types. It sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms through which BBOX1-AS1 influences cancer initiation and progression and outlines potential avenues for future research in this field.

Therapeutic effects of mesoderm introduction of compound glycyrrhizin injection on the treatment of rosacea.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to introduce compound glycyrrhizin injection for the treatment of rosacea by mesoderm therapy, and further analyze the therapeutic and aesthetic effects of this treatment method and its impact on the dermatological quality of life index, which provides new ideas and methods for cosmetic dermatology treatment of rosacea. METHODS: The recruited rosacea patients were divided into Control group (n = 58) and observation group (n = 58) according to the random number table. The control group was treated with topical metronidazole clindamycin liniment, and the study group was additionally used mesoderm introduction of compound glycyrrhizin injection. The transepidermal water loss (TEWL), water content in corneum, and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) in rosacea patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results showed that the scores of erythema, flushing, telangiectasia, and papulopustule were significantly reduced in the observation group. In addition, the observation group significantly decreased TEWL and increased the water content of the stratum corneum. Furthermore, the observation group significantly reduced the DLQI of rosacea patients compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The use of mesoderm therapy combined with compound glycyrrhizic acid has a therapeutic effect on facial rosacea and improves patient satisfaction.

Reconstruction of Solid Electrolyte Interphase with SrI2 Reactivates Dead Li for Durable Anode-Free Li-Metal Batteries.

Without excess Li, anode-free Li-metal batteries (AFLMBs) have been proposed as the most likely solution to realizing highly-safe and cost-effective Li-metal batteries. Nevertheless, short cyclic life puzzles conventional AFLMBs due to anodic dead Li accumulation with a local current concentration induced by irreversible electrolyte depletion, insufficient active Li reservoir and slow Li+ transfer at the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, SrI2 is introduced into carbon paper (CP) current collector to effectively suppress dead Li through synergistic mechanisms including reversible I- /I3 - redox reaction to reactivate dead Li, dielectric SEI surface with SrF2 and LiF to prevent electrolyte decomposition and highly ionic conductive (3.488 mS cm-1 ) inner layer of SEI with abundant LiI to enable efficient Li+ transfer inside. With the SrI2 -modified current collector, the NCM532/CP cell delivers unprecedented cyclic performances with a capacity of 129.2 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles.

A Single-Layer Composite Separator with 3D-Reinforced Microstructure for Practical High-Temperature Lithium Ion Batteries.

Incorporation of ceramic materials into separators has been frequently applied in both research and industry to improve the overall high-temperature performances of lithium ion batteries. However, inorganic ceramic particles tend to form aggregation in separators and even fall off in the separator matrix due to the inferior combination between ceramic particles and polymer matrix, giving rise to a decrease in separator porosity and thus the degradation of battery performances. Herein, a single-layer core-shell architecture is designed to reinforce the polymer matrix through encircling Al2 O3 particles by poly(vinylidene fluoride) with strong inter-molecular interaction. The 3D-reinforced microstructure effectively improves pore distribution and thermal stability to resist the dimensional deformation at high temperatures, thus giving rise to a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.16% and 87.5% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 80 °C for LiFePO4 /Li batteries. In particular, the excellent performances of the proposed separator microstructure are confirmed with a thickness value of commercial separators. This work provides a promising strategy to fabricate a core-shell structural composite separator for stable lithium ion batteries at high temperatures.

Translocator protein mediates olfactory repulsion.

Translocator protein (TSPO, 18kDa), which was previously known as a peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, is associated with psychiatric disorders and acts as a neuroimaging biomarker. However, its function and mechanism in modulating behaviors are less well-known. Herein, we found that TSPO in migratory locusts shows conserved protein traits and is expressed at high levels in the brains. The expression levels of tspo mRNA and protein were higher in brains of solitary locusts than those in gregarious locusts, whereas the mRNA and protein expression levels remained stable during crowding and isolation, suggesting that the expression level of TSPO is potentially associated with behavioral phenotype of solitary locusts. Moreover, tspo RNAi knockdown in the brains of solitary locusts decreased their olfactory repulsion. After RNAi knockdown of tyramine receptor (TyR) in the brains of solitary locusts, RNA-seq analysis identified that a functional class of receptors, which included tspo, was downregulated significantly. Moreover, tspo mRNA and protein expression levels were downregulated and upregulated after TyR RNAi knockdown and activation, respectively. tspo RNAi knockdown in the brains of solitary locusts induced the attractive response and inhibited the function of tyramine (TA)-TyR in inducing olfactory repulsion. In gregarious locusts, tspo RNAi knockdown inhibited the function of TA-TyR inducing olfactory repulsion. This study confirms that TSPO acts as a crucial effector protein in TA-TyR signaling to modulate olfactory repulsion. Furthermore, this study provides a novel mechanism by which TSPO functionally connects a G-protein-coupled receptor and a mitochondria membrane protein in modulating olfactory repulsion.

JAK and STAT5B mediate olfactory response of migratory locusts to their own volatiles.

Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling affect social aggregation, mood and psychiatric disorders, nociceptive and depressive behaviors. Olfactory dysfunction is one of the distinct symptoms of these behaviors, but function and mechanism of JAK and STAT in modulating olfaction remain largely unknown. Migratory locusts show olfactory preference for their own volatiles. We thus use this animal model to explore functions and mechanisms of JAK and STAT5B in mediating olfaction response to their own volatiles. Tissue distribution study shows that JAK and STAT5B express in antennae and brains, especially in antennal lobes and mushroom bodies in locust brains, and knockdown of these two genes by RNA interference (RNAi) in antennae and brains results in the loss of olfactory preference for locust volatiles, including chemical odorants indole and ß-ionone. RNA-seq analysis reveals that JAK and STAT5B RNAi knockdown downregulates a functional class of transcripts in nucleoprotein complex, including heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (hnRNPC) and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide F (SNRPF). HnRNPC and SNRPF mRNAs and proteins are also expressed in antennae and brains, and RNAi knockdown of these two genes reduces the percentage of locusts preferring volatiles, including chemical odorants indole and ß-ionone. Furthermore, RNAi knockdown of dopamine receptor 1 (DopR1) results in the decrease of JAK mRNA level in antennae, and JAK/STAT5B, hnRNPC and SNRPF are required for dopamine receptor 1 (DopR1) to modulate olfactory preference for their own volatiles. This study confirms that JAK/STAT5B signaling modulates olfaction by affecting expression levels of hnRNPC and SNRPF, and this pathway is also required for DopR1 to modulate olfactory preference for their own volatiles. These findings highlight novel roles of JAK and STAT5B in modulating olfactory preference. This study provides novel insights into functional links among JAK/STAT5B signaling, RNA binding proteins and DopR1 underlying the modulation of olfactory behaviors.

Research on the Diagenetic Facies Division and Pore Structure Characteristics of the Chang 63 Member in the Huaqing Oilfield, Ordos Basin.

In tight sandstone reservoirs, diagenesis has a significant impact on the development of reservoirs and pore structures. To clarify the effect of diagenesis on the pore structure of tight sandstone, 12 samples of the Yanchang Formation in the basin were studied based on experiments such as high-pressure mercury intrusion and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The diagenetic facies in the study area are divided into two categories: strong cementation facies of carbonate minerals and strong compaction facies of soft component minerals, which are relatively unfavorable diagenetic facies, and stable facies of felsic minerals and strong dissolution facies of feldspar minerals, which are dominant diagenetic facies. The pore structure of the Chang 63 reservoir in the study area has obvious fractal characteristics, with a fractal dimension D 1 greater than D 2 and a greater heterogeneity of large pore throats. Compared to compaction and cementation, dissolution has a stronger controlling effect on the pore structure of reservoirs. In tight sandstone reservoirs with low porosity and permeability, dissolution has a more important impact on reservoir transformation and development. The intensity of different types of diagenesis in the Chang 63 reservoir affects reservoir heterogeneity, and the level of the reservoir heterogeneity affects the complexity of reservoir pore structure. In tight sandstone reservoirs, cementation has a stronger controlling effect on the structural complexity of large pores, while dissolution has a stronger controlling effect on the structural complexity of small pores. The dissolution has a strong control effect on the physical properties of the reservoir. This study provides insights into the relationships among the diagenetic facies, reservoir quality, and pore structure of tight sandstone reservoirs. This study has reference significance for the exploration and development of tight oil in the research area.

Preliminary study on early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in APP/PS1 transgenic mice using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has an insidious onset and lacks clear early diagnostic markers, and by the time overt dementia symptoms appear, the disease is already in the mid-to-late stages. The search for early diagnostic markers of AD may open a critical window for Alzheimer's treatment and facilitate early intervention to slow the progression of AD. In this study, we aimed to explore the imaging markers for early diagnosis of AD through the combined application of structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques at the animal experimental level, with the aim to provide a certain reference for early clinical diagnosis of AD. First, sMRI scans were performed on 4-month-old amyloid beta precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) transgenic AD model mice and wild type mice of the same litter using a 7.0 T animal MRI scanner to analyze the differential brain regions with structural changes in the gray matter of the brain by voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Next, rs-fMRI scans were performed to analyze the differential brain regions between groups for local spontaneous brain activity and functional connectivity (FC) between brain regions. Finally, 1H-MRS scans were performed to quantify and analyze intergroup differences in the relative concentrations of different metabolites within regions of interest (cortex and hippocampus). Compared with wild type mice, the volume of the left hippocampus, and right olfactory bulb of APP/PS1 transgenic AD model mice were reduced, the functional activity of the bilateral hippocampus, right piriform cortex and right caudate putamen was reduced, the functional network connectivity of the hippocampus was impaired, and the relative content of N-acetylaspartate (NAA)in the hippocampus was decreased. In addition, this study found that imaging changes in olfactory-related brain regions were closely associated with AD diagnosis, and these findings may provide some reference for the early diagnosis of AD.

Mechanisms of inflammation modulation by different immune cells in hypertensive nephropathy.

Hypertensive nephropathy (HTN) is the second leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and a chronic inflammatory disease. Persistent hypertension leads to lesions of intrarenal arterioles and arterioles, luminal stenosis, secondary ischemic renal parenchymal damage, and glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. Studying the pathogenesis of hypertensive nephropathy is a prerequisite for diagnosis and treatment. The main cause of HTN is poor long-term blood pressure control, but kidney damage is often accompanied by the occurrence of immune inflammation. Some studies have found that the activation of innate immunity, inflammation and acquired immunity is closely related to the pathogenesis of HTN, which can cause damage and dysfunction of target organs. There are more articles on the mechanism of diabetic nephropathy, while there are fewer studies related to immunity in hypertensive nephropathy. This article reviews the mechanisms by which several different immune cells and inflammatory cytokines regulate blood pressure and renal damage in HTN. It mainly focuses on immune cells, cytokines, and chemokines and inhibitors. However, further comprehensive and large-scale studies are needed to determine the role of these markers and provide effective protocols for clinical intervention and treatment.

Research progress of non-coding RNAs in vegetable responses to abiotic stresses.

Vegetable crops play a crucial role in agricultural production, providing essential vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy diet. Recently, there has been growing interest in cultivating vegetable varieties with outstanding agricultural and economic traits. However, vegetable production is often exposed to various abiotic stresses like soil drought, temperature fluctuations, and heavy metal stress, which can negatively impact yield and quality. While previous research has investigated the physiological responses of vegetable crops to such stressors, less attention has been given to genetic networks. Plants respond to environmental stress mainly by adapting first and then reacting, thereby enhancing their resistance to stress. Typically, different abiotic stresses trigger epigenetic changes, which can regulate non-coding RNAs. Therefore, studying the epigenetic mechanisms of vegetable crop responses to abiotic stress can provide insights into the molecular response mechanisms of plants under stress. This knowledge has practical applications in breeding vegetable crops for resistance. This article summarizes the primary research findings on the regulation of non-coding RNAs and their expression levels in vegetable crops exposed to abiotic stresses to guide molecular breeding approaches for vegetable crops.

Surgical approach for complete resection of giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with diaphragmatic hernia via ninth rib thoracotomy.

Background: Resection of a giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma is difficult and technically demanding, especially for large retroperitoneal tumors accompanied by a diaphragmatic hernia. Technically, the open abdominal approach can be time-consuming and difficult to perform, with possible intraoperative complications and other factors bringing psychological and physical difficulties to the patient. This study reports a safe and feasible approach for the complete resection of a large retroperitoneal tumor complicated by a diaphragmatic hernia. Methods: A 58-year-old male patient with persistent upper abdominal pain and distension was treated at a local hospital on 4 July 2022. Computed tomography showed a mixed-density mass on the right retroperitoneum, and liposarcoma was considered. On 6 July 2022, the patient was transferred to our hospital for further treatment. Computed tomography showed a mass with low-density fatty shadow in the right adrenal region. The boundary with the right adrenal gland was unclear. The mass was 102 mm × 74 mm, and the right lobe of the liver was compressed. Insufficiency of the right middle lobe of the liver was seen due to a right diaphragmatic hernia and left mediastinal deviation. We considered the traditional approach for tumor resection via laparotomy, but we opted to perform a comprehensive evaluation first. The tumor was close to the back of the right kidney and liver, causing the diaphragm to rise because of its proximity to these organs. Exposing the tumor through laparotomy would be difficult, making it challenging to remove. The patient had a diaphragmatic hernia and moderate pulmonary dysfunction; therefore, we decided to enter the abdomen through a thoracotomy of the ninth rib. Results: Using our technique, the tumor was easily visualized and completely removed in approximately 30 min. The intraoperative blood loss was 100 ml, and no postoperative bleeding, pneumothorax, intestinal fistula, infection, or other complications occurred. Conclusion: The transthoracic approach may be a safer and more feasible resection method than the traditional open approach for patients with giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with a diaphragmatic hernia.

Genome-wide identification of miR156 and SPL family genes and phenotypic analysis of vegetative phase change in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

After germination, plants go through two phases of vegetative development - juvenile and adult - before entering the reproductive phase. These phases have varying characteristics and timing across plant species, making it challenging to determine if different vegetative traits correspond to the same or distinct developmental processes. miR156 has been identified as the primary regulator of vegetative phase change in plants, with the miR156-SPLs (SQUAMOSA Promoter Binding Protein-Likes) module playing a crucial role in regulating age-related agronomic traits in various crops. Such traits include disease resistance, optimal plant breeding, and secondary metabolism regulation. However, it is unknown whether miR156-SPLs contribute to the critical agronomic traits of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Thus, this study seeks to identify miR156 and SPLs genes in pepper, analyze their evolutionary links with model plants, and confirm their expression patterns using gene expression assays. The study also examines the relationship between miR156 expression levels in two cultivars of pepper and specific traits associated with the juvenile-to-adult transition. The results indicate that leaf shape and the number of leaf veins are correlated to the timing expression of miR156. Our study represents an important resource for identifying age-dependent agronomic traits in pepper and lays the foundation for future systematic regulation of miR156-SPLs to advance pepper development.

Hydrophobic organic contaminants affiliated with polymer-specific microplastics in urban river tributaries and estuaries.

Exposure to microplastics (MPs) and hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) combined at high concentrations may induce adverse effects to aquatic organisms in laboratory-scale studies. To determine environmentally relevant concentrations of HOCs in MPs, it is essential to understand the occurrence of MP-affiliated HOCs in the aquatic environment. Here we report the occurrences of HOCs affiliated with polymer-specific floating MPs from 12 tributaries and three estuaries in the Pearl River Delta, South China. Target HOCs include nine synthetic musks (SMs), 14 ultraviolet adsorbents (UVAs), 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Average concentrations of MP-affiliated ∑9SM, ∑14UVA, ∑15PAH, ∑8PBDE, and ∑14PCB were 1790, 5550, 1090, 412, and 107 ng g-1, respectively. The average concentrations of HOCs affiliated with MPs of different polymer types were 9790, 7220, 72,500, and 55,800 ng g-1 for polyethylene (PE), polypropylene, polystyrene, and other MPs, respectively. As the concentration of PE was the highest among all MPs at the average concentration of 0.77 mg m-3, the monthly outflow of PE-affiliated HOCs accounted for the largest proportion (46 %) in the outflow of MP-affiliated HOCs (2.8 g) to the coastal ocean via three estuaries. These results suggest that HOCs were highly concentrated in MPs and varied among different chemicals and polymer types. Due to the differences of polymer characteristics and half-life of affiliated chemicals, future toxicology studies concerning exposure to these combined pollutants may need to specify polymer types and their affiliated chemicals.

Two-sample mendelian randomization reveals a causal association between membranous nephropathy and lung cancer.

A risk association between membranous nephropathy (MN) and lung cancer is reported, but traditional observational studies cannot provide strong evidence of its causality. This study aimed to assess genome-wide association studies data for a causal relationship between MN and lung cancer using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Inverse-variance weighted, and MR Egger regression techniques were used to determine the association of genetic variants from cohorts of MN and lung cancer patients. Independent genetic variants with genome-wide significance (P < 5×10-8) were used to determine the direction of chance. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the accuracy of the results. The results suggest that MN is an exposure factor for lung cancer, validated using a second cohort of lung cancer patients (P < 0.001). There is insufficient evidence to suggest a causal relationship between lung cancer and MN; however, cigarette smoking may be a confounding factor for lung cancer due to MN. The findings provide causal evidence for the effect of MN on lung cancer risk and may be useful for patient management, especially in older patients with MN who should be systematically screened regularly.

ATP ion channel P2X purinergic receptors in inflammation response.

Different studies have confirmed that P2X purinergic receptors play a key role in inflammation. Activation of P2X purinergic receptors can release inflammatory cytokines and participate in the progression of inflammatory diseases. In an inflammatory microenvironment, cells can release a large amount of ATP to activate P2X receptors, open non-selective cation channels, activate multiple intracellular signaling, release multiple inflammatory cytokines, amplify inflammatory response. While P2X4 and P2X7 receptors play an important role in the process of inflammation. P2X4 receptor can mediate the activation of microglia involved in neuroinflammation, and P2X7 receptor can mediate different inflammatory cells to mediate the progression of tissue-wide inflammation. At present, the role of P2X receptors in inflammatory response has been widely recognized and affirmed. Therefore, in this paper, we discussed the role of P2X receptors-mediated inflammation. Moreover, we also described the effects of some antagonists (such as A-438079, 5-BDBD, A-804598, A-839977, and A-740003) on inflammation relief by antagonizing the activities of P2X receptors.

Chitosan biomaterial enhances the effect of OECs on the inhibition of sciatic nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain is a common symptom experienced by most clinical diseases at different levels, and its treatment has always been a clinical difficulty. Therefore, it is particularly important to explore new and effective treatment methods. The role of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in nerve injury and pain is recognized by different studies. Our previous study found that transplantation of OECs alleviated hyperalgesia in rats. However, single-cell transplantation lacks medium adhesion and support, and exerts limited analgesic effect. Therefore, on the basis of the previous study, this study investigated the effect of pain relief by co-transplanting OECs with chitosan (CS) (a biological tissue engineering material, as OECs were transplanted into the host medium) to the injured sciatic nerve. The results showed that the pain threshold of sciatic nerve injury of rats was significantly reduced, and the expression level of P2×4 receptor in the spinal cord was significantly increased. While olfactory ensheathing cells combined with chitosan (OECs+CS) transplantation could significantly relieve pain, and the analgesic effect was stronger than that of OECs transplantation alone. OECs+CS transplantation promoted the formation of sciatic nerve remyelination, improved the changes of demyelination, and promoted the repair of sciatic nerve injury more significantly. In addition, the effect of OECs+CS to down-regulate the expression of P2×4 receptor was significantly stronger than that of OECs transplantation, and exerted a better analgesic effect. These data reveal that OECs+CS have a better analgesic effect in relieving neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve injury, and provide a new therapeutic strategy for pain treatment.

Olfactory ensheathing cells and neuropathic pain.

Damage to the nervous system can lead to functional impairment, including sensory and motor functions. Importantly, neuropathic pain (NPP) can be induced after nerve injury, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the repair of nerve damage and the treatment of pain are particularly important. However, the current treatment of NPP is very weak, which promotes researchers to find new methods and directions for treatment. Recently, cell transplantation technology has received great attention and has become a hot spot for the treatment of nerve injury and pain. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a kind of glial cells with the characteristics of lifelong survival in the nervous system and continuous division and renewal. They also secrete a variety of neurotrophic factors, bridge the fibers at both ends of the injured nerve, change the local injury microenvironment, and promote axon regeneration and other biological functions. Different studies have revealed that the transplantation of OECs can repair damaged nerves and exert analgesic effect. Some progress has been made in the effect of OECs transplantation in inhibiting NPP. Therefore, in this paper, we provided a comprehensive overview of the biology of OECs, described the possible pathogenesis of NPP. Moreover, we discussed on the therapeutic effect of OECs transplantation on central nervous system injury and NPP, and prospected some possible problems of OECs transplantation as pain treatment. To provide some valuable information for the treatment of pain by OECs transplantation in the future.

Electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture at LR3 and ST36 have attenuating effects on hypertension and subsequent cognitive dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats: A preliminary resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Introduction: Chronic hypertension may have a contributory role toward cognitive impairment. Acupuncture exerts protective effects on cognitive functions while controlling the blood pressure. However, the neural mechanism underlying the dual attenuating effect of acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) on the functional activity of the brain regions of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) by through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). We also evaluated the differences in these functional activities between the EA and MA groups. Methods: We randomly assigned 30 SHRs into the EA, MA, and model (SHR) groups. Wistar Kyoto rats (n = 10) were used as normal control (WKY). The interventions were administered once every alternate day for 12 weeks. The systolic blood pressure of all rats was recorded every 2 weeks until the end of the intervention. After the intervention, rs-fMRI scanning was performed to access the whole brain data of rats randomly selected from each group evenly. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) analysis, regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis, and functional connectivity (FC) analysis were also conducted. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted to evaluate the learning and memory of the rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were performed to observe histopathological changes in the key brain regions. Results: We demonstrated that, when compared with the SHR group, the EA and MA groups had significantly lower blood pressure and better performance for behavioral test indices, and that the effect of EA was better than that of MA. ALFF and ReHo analyses revealed enhancement of the neuronal activity of some functionally impaired brain areas in the EA and MA groups. The main callback brain regions included the hypothalamus, entorhinal cortex, brain stem, prelimbic cortex, cingulate cortex, corpus callosum, and cerebellum. The FC analysis demonstrated that EA and MA enhanced the functional connectivity between the seeds and brain regions such as the brain stem, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, prelimbic cortex, and cerebellum. The pathological test of the entorhinal cortex also verified the protective effect of acupuncture on the neuronal functional activity. Discussion: Our findings suggested that EA and MA exhibited attenuating effects on hypertension and cognitive dysfunction by enhancing the functional activities in the corresponding brain regions. Moreover, EA activated more callback brain regions and functional connectivity than MA, which may explain why the effect of EA was better than that of MA.