[Discussion on inheritance,innovation and belongingness of acupuncture-moxibustion research]

Three points on the inheritance,innovation and belongingness of acupuncture-moxibustion research are discussed in the paper,including the inheritance of acupuncture-moxibustion culture showing the soul of the development of acupuncture,the improvement of acupuncture-moxibustion presenting the close relationship with the innovation and its development belonging to the origin. It is considered that the inheritance of acupuncture-moxibustion culture takes the priority of its development. Innovation must be realized in order to exist better in the future medicine. The study of acupuncture-moxibustion can not be limited to the traditional acupuncture-moxibustion theory,but need to be in line with it. Explore actively the value of traditional acupuncture-moxibustion culture and its theory. The research and education of acupuncture-moxibustion must belong to TCM. With all the above condition,the innovation and development of acupuncture-moxibustion could be better achieved.

Etiology and clinical features of 229 cases of bloodstream infection among Chinese HIV/AIDS patients: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS. The etiology varies in different regions and different periods. We aimed to survey the etiological and clinical features of BSIs in HIV patients in mainland China. We assessed all HIV patients with a positive blood culture in a Chinese teaching hospital from September 2009 through December 2014. We excluded those with specimens likely to have been contaminated. We used Pearson's chi-squared test to measure the differences in characteristics among subgroups of different pathogens. Among 2442 Chinese HIV-seropositive inpatients, 229 (9.38 %) experienced BSIs. The most common pathogens detected included Cryptococcus neoformans (22.7 %), Penicillium marneffei (18.8 %), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (15.3 %), and non-tuberculous mycobacterium (14.8 %). 30/229 (13.1 %) HIV patients with BSIs had a poor prognosis. BSIs are prevalent in hospitalized patients with HIV/AIDS in China. Fungi and mycobacteria are the predominant pathogens.

Predictive value of plasma β2-microglobulin on human body function and senescence

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation between plasma β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) as senescence factor with age, heart, liver and kidney function as well as the predictive value of β2-MG in human metabolism function and senescence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

387 cases of healthy people of different ages were selected and the automatic biochemical analyzer was used to test β2-MG in plasma based on immunoturbidimetry and also all biochemical indexes. The correlation between β2-MG and age, gender and all biochemical indexes was analyzed.

RESULTS

β2-MG was positively correlated to age, r = 0.373; and the difference was of statistical significance (p < 0.010). It was significantly negative correlated to HDL-C but positively correlated to LP (a), BUN, CREA, UA, CYS-C, LDH, CK-MB, HBDH, AST, GLB and HCY.

CONCLUSIONS

β2-MG was closely correlated to age, heart, kidney and liver biochemical indexes, which can be taken as an important biomarker for human body function and anti-senescence and have significant basic research and clinical guidance values.

A crucial role of SUMOylation in modulating Sirt6 deacetylation of H3 at lysine 56 and its tumor suppressive activity

Sirt6 is a histone deacetylase with NAD(+)-dependent activity. Sirt6 has been shown as a tumor suppressor partially via inhibiting the expression of c-Myc target genes and ribosome biogenesis. However, how to regulate Sirt6 activity is largely unknown. In this study, we identify that Sirt6 can be modified by small ubiquitin-like modifier. Sirt6 SUMOylation deficiency specifically decreases its deacetylation of H3K56 but not H3K9 in vivo. Mechanistically, we find that SUMOylation deficiency decreases Sirt6 binding with c-Myc, decreasing Sirt6 occupancy on the locus of c-Myc target genes. Therefore, Sirt6 SUMOylation deficiency reduces its deacetylation of H3k56 and its repression of c-Myc target genes. Moreover, Sirt6 SUMOylation deficiency reduces its suppression of cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Thus, these results reveal that SUMOylation has an important role in regulation of Sirt6 deacetylation on H3K56, as well as its tumor suppressive activity.

[Analysis on the contribution of HUA Tuo to acupuncture]

The academic contribution of HUA Tuo to acupuncture, such as HUA Tuo Jiaji points, the drawing of viscera and channels, "diagnosis by observing the eyes", focusing on the clinical application of moxibustion, being the first to treat headache with Geshu (BL 17), selecting essential acupoints and paying attention to spirit management, etc. were summarized in this paper. It was believed that HUA Tuo made an outstanding contribution to acupuncture, which still had important guiding significance and academic value for clinical acupuncture and research work.

[Evidence-based medicine and real world study in clinical study of acupuncture and moxibustion]

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has been widely applied in clinical study of acupuncture and moxibustion, and the real-world study (RWS) has gradually become an important way of clinical research in the world in recent years. It is worthy of our in-depth study and discussion that how to evaluate the advantages and limitations of EBM and RWS as well as their reasonable application in clinical study of acupuncture and moxibustion. The characteristics and difference between RWS and EBM, and the situation of acupuncture clinical research methods are discussed in this paper. It is proposed that we should understand the advantages of RWS in acupuncture clinical research, fully realize the limitations of EBM and RWS, recognize the complexity and particularity of RWS, and apply EBM and RWS into acupuncture clinical research. Meanwhile acupuncture clinical manipulation standardization should be further promoted, which is benefit to develop clinical study, improve clinical efficacy and promote the popularization of acupuncture and moxibustion.

GABAergic inhibition shapes SAM responses in rat auditory thalamus

Auditory thalamus (medial geniculate body [MGB]) receives ascending inhibitory GABAergic inputs from inferior colliculus (IC) and descending GABAergic projections from the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) with both inputs postulated to play a role in shaping temporal responses. Previous studies suggested that enhanced processing of temporally rich stimuli occurs at the level of MGB, with our recent study demonstrating enhanced GABA sensitivity in MGB compared to IC. The present study used sinusoidal amplitude-modulated (SAM) stimuli to generate modulation transfer functions (MTFs), to examine the role of GABAergic inhibition in shaping the response properties of MGB single units in anesthetized rats. Rate MTFs (rMTFs) were parsed into "bandpass (BP)", "mixed (Mixed)", "highpass (HP)" or "atypical" response types, with most units showing the Mixed response type. GABAA receptor blockade with iontophoretic application of the GABAA receptor (GABAAR) antagonist gabazine (GBZ) selectively altered the response properties of most MGB neurons examined. Mixed and HP units showed significant GABAAR-mediated SAM-evoked rate response changes at higher modulation frequencies (fms), which were also altered by N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor blockade (2R)-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (AP5). BP units, and the lower arm of Mixed units responded to GABAAR blockade with increased responses to SAM stimuli at or near the rate best modulation frequency (rBMF). The ability of GABA circuits to shape responses at higher modulation frequencies is an emergent property of MGB units, not observed at lower levels of the auditory pathway and may reflect activation of MGB NMDA receptors (Rabang and Bartlett, 2011; Rabang et al., 2012). Together, GABAARs exert selective rate control over selected fms, generally without changing the units' response type. These results showed that coding of modulated stimuli at the level of auditory thalamus is at least, in part, strongly controlled by GABA neurotransmission, in delicate balance with glutamatergic neurotransmission.

Analgesic effect of different moxibustion durations in rheumatoid arthritis rats

OBJECTIVE

To observe the influence of different moxibustion durations on hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and prodynorphin (PDYN) mRNA expressions and plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) content in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats, to understand the mechanism of moxibustion analgesia and its dose-effect relationship.

METHODS

Twelve male Wistar rats were randomly selected from 48 male Wistar rats as a normal control group. The RA model was created by raising rats in a windy (blowing with electric fan), cold (6 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C), and wet (80%-90% humidity) environment for 20 days, 12 h each day. This was followed by injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (0.15 mL) into the ankle. Then, rats were randomly divided into a model group, moxibustion group I, and moxibustion group II, with 12 rats in each group. In moxibustion groups I and II, moxibustion was given at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 20 and 40 min, respectively, once daily for 15 days. Hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma beta-EP content were determined.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal group, the pressure pain threshold decreased, while the hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma beta-EP content increased in the moxibustion groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the pressure pain threshold, hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma beta-EP content in the moxibustion groups increased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared the moxibustion group I, the pain threshold, hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma beta-EP content in moxibustion group II significantly increased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Moxibustion has an analgesic effect and increases hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma beta-EP content in RA rats.The analgesic effect in moxibustion group II is betterthan that in moxibustion group I.

Changes in hematological parameters in α-thalassemia individuals co-inherited with erythroid Krüppel-like factor mutations

Phenotypic variations in α-thalassemia mainly depend on the defective α-globin gene number. Genetic modifiers of the phenotype of Hemoglobin H (HbH) disease were poorly reported, apart from β-thalassemia allele that was identified ameliorating the severity of α-thalassemia. Because erythroid Krüppel-like factor (KLF1) mutations can modulate the red blood phenotype, we evaluated its effect on the α-thalassemia phenotype. Overall, we identified 72 subjects with five different KLF1 heterozygous mutations in 1468 individuals, including 65 out of 432 α-thalassemia carriers with fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels ≥1%, 0 out of 310 carriers with HbF levels <1% and 7 out of 726 HbH disease patients. We firstly established the link between KLF1 mutations and relatively elevated hemoglobin A2 (HbA2 ) and HbF levels, along with lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values in a group of α-thalassemia carriers. However, we concluded that KLF1 mutations were not significantly linked to HbH disease severity. On the basis of HBA or HBB genotype and gender, clinical severity of patients with HbH disease was correctly predicted in 73.3% cases. It may improve the screening and diagnostic assessment of α-thalassemia.

Prevalence and risk factors of syphilis infection among female sex workers in Shenzhen, China: an observational study (2009-2012)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate prevalence and risk factors of syphilis infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in Shenzhen, China.

METHODS

Observational study among (2009-2012) 1653 FSWs recruited by venue-based sampling using questionnaire-based interviews for socio-demographics, behaviours and syphilis testing results. Logistic regression was used to assess risk factors of syphilis infection.

RESULTS

The overall syphilis prevalence was 4.7%, showing a slightly decreasing trend. Factors significantly associated with syphilis infection were inconsistent condom use (OR = 1.87, P = 0.015), illicit drug use (OR = 5.45, P < 0.001) and older age in years (OR = 1.08, P < 0.001). Venues where FSWs were recruited and duration of commercial sex work were not significantly associated with syphilis infection (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Syphilis is still common among FSWs in Shenzhen, China. Current comprehensive prevention programmes (e.g. condom promotion and peer education) should be continued to maintain and increase safe sexual practices and to reduce illicit drug use among FSWs. Expanding point-of-care syphilis screening programmes may be an important strategy for early diagnosis. We recommend timely and effective treatment programmes to be linked to such screening programmes.

Stopped-flow spectrophotometric determination of hydrogen peroxide with hemoglobin as catalyst

A rapid and sensitive method was proposed for the determination of hydrogen peroxide based on the catalytic effect of hemoglobin using o-phenylenediamine as the substrate. Stopped-flow spectrophotometric method was used to study the kinetic behavior of the oxidation reaction. The catalytic effectiveness of hemoglobin was compared with other four kinds of catalysts. The initial rate of the formation of the reaction product 2,3-diaminophenazine at the wavelength of 425 nm was monitored, permitting a detection limit of 9.2x10(-9) mol/l H(2)O(2). A linear calibration graph was obtained over the H(2)O(2) concentration range 5.0x10(-8)-3.5x10(-6) mol/l, and the relative standard deviation at a H(2)O(2) concentration of 5.0x10(-7) mol/l was 2.08%. Satisfied results were obtained in the determination of H(2)O(2) in real samples by this method.

New pseudononapeptide bombesin antagonists with C-terminal leu-psi(ch2n)tac-nh2 show high binding-affinity to bombesin/grp receptors on cfpac-1 human pancreatic-cancer cells

It has been demonstrated that bombesin/GRP antagonist D-Tpi(6),Leu(13)psi(CH2NH) Leu(14)-BN(6-14) (RC-3095) inhibits effectively the growth of pancreatic cancer and other tumors in experimental animals and in cell cultures. In an attempt to develop antagonists with still greater antitumor activity, several new pseudononapeptide bombesin/GRP antagonists containing C-terminal Leu psi(CH2N)Tac-NH2 have been synthesized in our laboratory. In this study, we investigated the ability of four Leu(13)psi(CH2N)Tac(14)-BN(6-14) antagonists to inhibit the binding of bombesin to specific receptors for bombesin/GRP on CFPAC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells. Receptor binding assays were performed by incubating CFPAC-1 cells (5x10(4) cells/well) with 0.5 nM [I-125]-Tyr(4)-bombesin in the absence or presence of (1 pM to 10 mu M) unlabeled bombesin, GRP(14-27) and various antagonists for 2 h at 22 degrees C. Displacement assays showed that antagonist D-Tpi(6),Leu(13)psi(CH2N)Tac(14)-BN(6-14) (RC-3910-II) with a similar structure to RC-3095, but a different C-terminal, had a binding affinity to CFPAC-1 cells 15 times higher than RC-3095. Three other antagonists, RC-3925-II, RC-3940-II and RC-3950-II contained the same C-terminal Leu psi(CH2N)Tac-NH2 as RC-3910-II, but had different N-terminal residues: D-Cpa, Hca and D-Phe, respectively. Among them, Hca(6),Leu(13)psi(CH2N)Tac(14)-BN(6-14) (RC-3940-II) showed the highest binding affinity to the receptors on CFPAC-1 cells, which was 50 times higher than that of RC-3095 or 3 times greater than RC-3910-II. Our findings suggest the merit of further investigation of pseudononapeptide bombesin/GRP antagonist RC-3940-II ind related analogs for a possible development of a new hormonal therapy for pancreatic cancer.

First Report of Bacterial Spot of Peony Caused by a Xanthomonas sp. in the United States

In early May 2008 and 2009, peony samples (Paeonia spp.) with symptoms of leaf spot and blight were submitted to the Virginia Tech Plant Disease Clinic. The 2008 peony was an unknown cultivar from a northern Virginia landscape. The three cultivars (Dr. Alexander Fleming, Felix Crousse, and Karl Rosenfield) submitted in 2009 were from a commercial nursery in southwestern Virginia that was reporting leaf spot progressing to severe blight, which rendered plants unsalable, on 75% of a 1,219 m² block during a 10-day period of heavy rainfall. Bacterial streaming from spots was observed. On the basis of phenotypic and biochemical tests, the isolates were determined to be xanthomonads. Two isolates (one recovered from the 2008 sample and one from the 2009 sample) were used in the following work. Isolates were characterized by multilocus sequencing (MLST) (4). PCR reactions were prepared and cycled using 2X ImmoMix (Bioline, Tauton, MA) according to manufacturer's recommendations with an annealing temperature of 58°C. Template DNA was added by touching a single colony with a 20-μl pipette tip and placing the tip into the reaction mix for 1 min. Four bands of the expected size were visualized on an electrophoresis gel and cleaned products were sequenced in forward and reverse directions at the University of Chicago, Cancer Research Center DNA Sequencing Facility. Corresponding gene fragments of each isolate were identical. A consensus sequence (PAMDB Isolate ID No. 936) for each of the four gene fragments was constructed and compared with sequences in NCBI ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/ ) and PAMDB ( http://genome.ppws.vt.edu/cgi-bin/MLST/home.pl ) (1) databases using Blastn (2). No perfect match was found. Genetic distances between the peony isolates and all strains in PAMDB were determined by MegAlign (Lasergene; DNAStar, Madison, WI). The Xanthomonas strain most similar to the isolates recovered from the peony samples was Xanthomonas hortorum pv. hederae ICMP 1661 with a genetic distance of 0.023; this strongly suggests that the peony isolates belong to X. hortorum. For Koch's postulates, six surface-disinfested young leaflets from Paeonia lactiflora 'Karl Rosenfield' were inoculated by forcefully spraying a phosphate-buffered saline suspension of each bacterial isolate (~4.3 × 10⁹ CFU/ml) into the underside of the leaf until leaf tissue appeared water soaked. Controls were inoculated similarly with phosphate-buffered saline solution. Moist chambers with inoculated leaves were incubated at ambient temperature under two 48W fluorescent grow lights with 12 h of light and dark. Circular spots were observed on leaves inoculated with the 2009 and 2008 isolates in 18 and 20 days, respectively. No symptoms were observed on controls. Bacterial streaming from leaf spots was observed by phase-contrast microscopy; bacteria were isolated and confirmed to be identical to the original isolates by the methods described above. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Xanthomonas sp. causing leaf spot and blight on peony. Although bacterial blight of peony has been attributed to a xanthomonad in recent years, the pathogen had not been further characterized (3). References: (1) N. F. Almeida et al. Phytopathology 100:208, 2010. (2) D. J. Altschul et al. J. Mol. Biol. 215:403, 1990. (3) M. L. Gleason et al. Diseases of Herbaceous Perennials. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. 2009. (4) J. M. Young et al. Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 31:366, 2008.

Emergency department visits involving nonmedical use of selected prescription drugs in the United States, 2004-2008

This report, adapted from the lead article in the June 10, 2010, issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, describes the alarming increase in overdose deaths involving prescription drugs. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone were the drugs most highly implicated. Data were derived from the federal Drug Abuse Warning Network (Dawn). Other drugs commonly used in managing pain patients, including benzodiazepines and muscle relaxants, also were implicated.