Electroacupuncture Facilitates Vascular Normalization by Inhibiting Glyoxalase1 in Endothelial Cells to Attenuate Glycolysis and Angiogenesis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Recent therapeutic strategies for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have shifted the focus from vascular growth factors to endothelial cell metabolism. This study highlights the underexplored therapeutic potential of peri-tumoral electroacupuncture, a globally accepted non-pharmacological intervention for TNBC, and molecular mechanisms. Our study showed that peri-tumoral electroacupuncture effectively reduced the density of microvasculature and enhanced vascular functionality in 4T1 breast cancer xenografts, with optimal effects on day 3 post-acupuncture. The timely integration of peri-tumoral electroacupuncture amplified the anti-tumor efficacy of paclitaxel. Multi-omics analysis revealed Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) and the associated methylglyoxal-glycolytic pathway as key mediators of electroacupuncture-induced vascular normalization. Peri-tumoral electroacupuncture notably reduced Glo1 expression in the endothelial cells of 4T1 xenografts. Using an in vivo matrigel plug angiogenesis assay, we demonstrated that either Glo1 knockdown or electroacupuncture inhibited angiogenesis. In contrast, Glo1 overexpression increased blood vessel formation. In vitro pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockdown of Glo1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis via downregulating the methylglyoxal-glycolytic pathway. The study using the Glo1-silenced zebrafish model further supported the role of Glo1 in vascular development. This study underscores the pivotal role of Glo1 in peri-tumoral electroacupuncture, spotlighting a promising avenue for enhancing vascular normalization and improving TNBC treatment outcomes.

[Exploration of the thinking and methods in treatment of cancer pain with acupuncture and moxibustion on the base of the fascia theory].

There is a commonality between jingjin (muscle region of meridian) and the fascial network for coordinating the balance in the body. The occurrence and the progression of tumor may disrupt the overall coordination between the fascial network and jingjin directly or indirectly, thereby, the impairment of this coordination may result in cancer pain. Rooted on the theory of overall balance of the fascial network, and combined with understanding of pain in jingjin theory, professor HUANG Jin-chang emphasizes the importance of "relaxing the knot" in treatment of cancer pain. It is recommended to select the fascia reaction point as the target point, in accordance with the principle of balance adjustment and apply various acupuncture and moxibustion therapies, such as Fu's subcutaneous needling, small-needle scalpel therapy, fire needling, and moxibustion.

Yeast mediates the interspecific interaction between introduced Bactrocera dorsalis and indigenous Bactrocera minax.

BACKGROUND: Host plant-microbe associations mediate interspecific interactions amongst herbivorous insects. However, this theory has rarely been ecologically verified in tephritid fruit flies. Research on this subject can not only help predict tephritid species invasion and occurrence patterns, but also develop potential novel lures for the control of the tephritid fruit fly pests. Recently, we observed mixed infestation of Bactrocera minax and Bactrocera dorsalis larvae in citrus orchards, which prompted us to explore the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: Following oviposition by B. minax, the yeast Pichia kluyveri translocated to and proliferated inside the citrus fruit. The level of d-limonene released from citrus fruits containing P. kluyveri was 27 times higher than that released from healthy fruits. Mature B. dorsalis females were attracted to d-limonene and oviposited into fruits previously infested by B. minax. Furthermore, the interspecific interaction between B. dorsalis and B. minax within the same fruit significantly decreased the number of surviving larvae and pupal weight in B. dorsalis, but its effect on B. minax was weaker. CONCLUSION: In the studied interspecific interaction, B. minax occupies the dominant position, implying ecological significance for this species in terms of consolidating its own niche and inhibiting the invasion of exotic species. To our best knowledge, this is the first report from both ecological and physiological perspectives on a symbiotic yeast mediating the interaction between B. minax and B. dorsalis through altering fruit volatiles. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Discussion on registry study of acupuncture-moxibustion for malignant pleural effusion].

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is one of the common complications of tumor. Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy has several advantages for treatment of MPE. Acupuncture is regarded as a complex individualized intervention, and its characteristics of TCM is difficult to be reflected by strict randomized controlled trials. The registry study provides more possibilities for the data collection of individualized diagnosis and treatment under the guidance of the overall concept and syndrome differentiation, and is more suitable for data management and collection of large samples and multi-center trials in the real-world study. It has become an opportunity to carry out real-world study of acupuncture for MPE. There are many challenges in the registry study of acupuncture for MPE. However, it is of great significance to collect real-world data of acupuncture for MPE to improve the clinical effect of MPE and provide a new clinical research method for acupuncture in tumors and related complications.

Uncommon Culprit Vessel of de Winter Electrocardiogram Pattern.

This case report describes a patient in their 50s who presented to the emergency department with perspiration, persistent and squeezing chest pain, and chest distress that had persisted for 90 minutes without relief.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Intervention at Different Time-points on Locomotor Function and Apoptosis in Rats with Acute Spinal Cord Injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention at different treatment time-points on locomotor function and neuronal apoptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury (ASCI), so as to explore its mechanism under-lying improvement of ASCI. METHODS: Seventy-two female Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation, ASCI model and EA groups which were further divided into 4 time-points:1, 3, 7 and 14 d (n=6 at each). The ASCI model was established by weight-drop striking the exposed spinal cord (T10) using a NYU impactor device. EA (0.4-0.6 mA, 100 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) for 30 min, once a day for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days, respectively in the EA group. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) grading score was used to assess the animals' locomotor function, and H.E. staining was used to display the pathological changes of spinal cord injury at different time points. The TUNEL staining was used to detect the nerve cell apoptosis of spinal cord tissue. RESULTS: After ASCI, the BBB scores were significantly decreased and the numbers of the apoptotic nerve cells considerably increased on day 1, 3, 7 and 14 in the model group compared with the sham operation group (P<0.05). In addition, H.E. staining showed severe damage of the spinal cord tissue, infiltration of inflammatory cells, increase of dead nerve neurons and glia cells in the number from day 3 to 7, and additional increase of vacuoles on day 14. Following EA intervention, the decrease of BBB scores and the increase of apoptotic nerve cell numbers were markedly suppressed on day 3, 7 and 14 (P<0.05). The TUNEL staining showed a decrease of the apoptotic nerve cells from day 3 on and an improvement of the injured tissue structure from day 7 to 14 in the EA group. CONCLUSIONS: EA stimulation of EX-B 2 can significantly improve locomotor function, and lighten the spinal cord injury in ASCI rats, presenting a time-dependant tendency, which may be associated with its effect in reducing neuronal apoptosis in the spinal cord.