Acridine orange staining method to reveal the characteristic features of an intravascular threadlike structure

Recent Approaches on Signal Transduction and Transmission in Acupuncture: A Biophysical Overview for Medical Sciences

Acupuncture is one of the areas among the alternative therapies that arise high curiosity in the biomedical scientific community. It is particularly popular for treatment of chronic diseases and addictions. However, contrasting with its evidence-based effectiveness, the lack of reasonable explanations for its mode of action divides that scientific community. Difficulties also arise to those responsible for providing information for clinicians and professionals who wish to acquire competencies leading to the acupuncture practice and have a background based on biochemistry and physiology. The classic theories of nerve conduction do not fully explain how information is read and transmitted during the acupuncture treatment. Other theories have been proposed, but they are based on concepts such as biophotonic waves and quantum biochemistry that are difficult to read and understand by those who do not have knowledge in physics. It is the main objective of this review to provide a summary of the main theories and explanatory approaches to the signal transduction and conduction in acupuncture and to describe them in terms of their explanatory hypotheses, limitations, and weaknesses. The most of the literature found support theories for neural conduction, including gate control. They explain the effects of acupuncture in pain relief; few studies have been conducted concerning the conduction based on biophotons. The primo vascular system has been referred as a possible anatomic support for conduction of information during an acupuncture treatment, which could be connected to biophoton transmission.

Evidence for novel tubular-bundle structures entangled in the fascia of the inner abdominal wall of a rat

After incubation with Janus Green B in the peritoneal cavities of rats, lymph-vessel-like structures (LSs) were noticed under a stereomicroscope to run parallel to each other with rectangular branches on the inner abdominal wall; rarely were these LSs seen to connect with peritoneal LSs. These LSs were identified by using fluorescence microscopy (FM) at a magnification of 1,000X and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to be lymph-vessel-like bundle structures (LBSs). Serial cross-sections of these LBSs were microscopically examined by using hematoxylin and eosin staining, Mattson trichrome staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with Lyve 1 and CD 31. The histology data from these LBSs revealed such novel characteristics as parallel clusters of live cells wrapped by collagen fibers of the fascia and an IHC different from those of lymphatic and blood vessels, being the novel bundle structures (NBSs). Under FM and CLSM with optical sections, some of the NBSs were observed to be able to swell like tiny balloons, implying that the bundle structures were hollow. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy images of two different cross-sections of an NBS showed it to be composed of four parallel tubules involving three kinds of sinuses with neither axons nor Schwann cells in the outermost wall, thus being a novel tubular-bundle structure (NTBS). The results of this research make evident with high repeatability (10/11) that beyond the orthodoxy of a single-tube system of blood and lymph vessels, a system of NTBSs is widely entangled in the fascia of the inner abdominal wall of a rat. Thus, the author suggests that NTBS-related functions and the entire NTBS network should be explored.

Putative Primo-Vascular System in Rabbit Placenta

The primo vascular system (PVS) is a very important topic of study nowadays because of their role in transport and regeneration of tissue and in cell migration and cancer metastasis. The PVS was detected in different organs of the rabbit but not in the placenta. In this work, we observe the PVS inside the blood vessels of the placenta for the first time. The main characteristic features of the primo vessels (PVs) from the rabbit placenta were in agreement with the PVS in different organs of animals, including the rod-shaped nuclei and their arrangement.

The hyaluronic acid-rich node and duct system is a structure organized for innate immunity and mediates the local inflammation

The Hyaluronic Acid-rich Node and Duct System (HAR-NDS or NDS), Primo Vascular System (PVS) or Bonghan System (BHS), is thought to be a third circulatory system independent of the blood and lymphatic systems and a structure of connected nodes and ducts. Although it seems to be part of the immune system as it is enriched with cells of innate immunity, little is known about its immunological roles. We performed cellular profiling and secretome analysis of NDS in a steady state and under TLR2- or TLR4-mediated local inflammation, and found that the NDS is pre-dominantly enriched with the myeloid cells, selectively attracts the inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils, has a flexible structure just like the lymph node, and is structured with the fibroblastic reticular cells and reticular network. NDS dominantly harbored the myeloid cells in both steady and activated status, and secreted various types of inflammatory cytokines by proinflammatory stimuli. These results suggest that NDS is the lymphoid structure for the innate immunity and plays an intermediary role in the innate immune cell-mediated local inflammation.

Various stem cells in acupuncture meridians and points and their putative roles

Traditional Chinese and Korean medicine uses various manipulations on acupuncture points/acupoints that are located along imaginary lines on the surface of a human body, which are called 'meridians'. Acupuncture has been used from the ancient time till now to cure various diseases, including for the purpose of regenerative medicine. In various studies, meridians are alternatively called as Bong-Han ducts, primo vessels, or hyaluronic-acid rich ducts, while acupoints are called Bong-Han corpuscles, primo nodes, or hyaluronic-acid rich nodes. Meridians and acupuncture points form a system that is now called primo vascular system (PVS), which is claimed to contain various kinds of stem cells. The stem cell size is between 1-5 microns. The smallest is the primo microcells that have a putative role in regeneration. Other stem cells are adult pluripotent and hematopoietic stem cells that play a role in extra bone marrow hematopoiesis. The presence of PVS has been reproduced by many studies. However, the various stem cells need further studies to prove their existence and function, and harvesting PVS to isolate the stem cells might harm the health of the donor.

Primo Vascular System: A Unique Biological System Shifting a Medical Paradigm

The primo vascular system has a specific anatomical and immunohistochemical signature that sets it apart from the arteriovenous and lymphatic systems. With immune and endocrine functions, the primo vascular system has been found to play a large role in biological processes, including tissue regeneration, inflammation, and cancer metastases. Although scientifically confirmed in 2002, the original discovery was made in the early 1960s by Bong-Han Kim, a North Korean scientist. It would take nearly 40 years after that discovery for scientists to revisit Kim's research to confirm the early findings. The presence of primo vessels in and around blood and lymph vessels, nerves, viscera, and fascia, as well as in the brain and spinal cord, reveals a common link that could potentially open novel possibilities of integration with cranial, lymphatic, visceral, and fascial approaches in manual medicine.

Essential Experimental Methods for Identifying Bonghan Systems as a Basis for Korean Medicine: Focusing on Visual Materials from Original Papers and Modern Outcomes

In the 1960s, through studies on Korean Medicine, Bonghan Kim proposed the Bonghan systems (BS) as the anatomical reality of the acupuncture meridians based on various experimental data. Since 2002, several groups, mainly led by a team at Seoul National University, who renamed the BS as the primo vascular system (PVS), have published around 70 papers showing biological structures corresponding to the BS. However, it is still difficult for other researchers to find them, especially under the skin, which Bonghan Kim first reported as acupuncture points, due to similar-looking biological tissues, for example, the lymphatic vessels, and such artifacts as blood clots or fascia debris. To solve these drawbacks, we examined the main methods for identifying the BS by comparing the original papers with the modern outcomes in terms of the common physical/chemical characteristics of the BS. In addition, effective methods of staining and microscopic observations discovered by modern teams are synthetically explained using visual materials such as diagrams and photos. Through the essentially organized methods in this review paper, we suggest that one can find the BS under the skin as putative acupuncture points by tracing the intraexternal BS, from which a new Korean Medicine will be born.

A Hyaluronic Acid-Rich Node and Duct System in Which Pluripotent Adult Stem Cells Circulate

Regenerative medicine is in demand of adult pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). The "Bonghan System (BHS)" was discovered and suggested to contain cells with regenerative capacity in the early 1960s. It had been ignored for a long time due to the lack of sufficient details of experiments, but about 37 years after the initial report, the BHS was rediscovered and named as the "primo vascular system." Recently, we have discovered a similar structure, which contained a high level of hyaluronic acid, and hence, named the structure as hyaluronic acid-rich node and duct system (HAR-NDS). Here we discuss the HAR-NDS concept starting from the discovery of BHS, and findings pointing to its importance in regenerative medicine. This HAR-NDS contained adult PSCs, called node and duct stem cells (NDSCs), which appeared to circulate in it. We describe the evidence that NDSCs can differentiate into hemangioblasts that further produced differentiated blood cells. The NDSCs had a potential to differentiate into neuronal cells and hepatocytes; thus, NDSCs had a capability to become cells from all three germ layers. This system appears to be a promising alternative source of adult stem cells that can be easily delivered to their target tissues and participate in tissue regeneration.

Identification of Primo-Vascular System in Abdominal Subcutaneous Tissue Layer of Rats

The primo-vascular system (PVS) is a novel network identified in various animal tissues. However, the PVS in subcutaneous tissue has not been well identified. Here, we examined the putative PVS on the surface of abdominal subcutaneous tissue in rats. Hemacolor staining revealed dark blue threadlike structures consisting of nodes and vessels, which were frequently observed bundled with blood vessels. The structure was filled with various immune cells including mast cells and WBCs. In the structure, there were inner spaces (20–60 µm) with low cellularity. Electron microscopy revealed a bundle structure and typical cytology common with the well-established organ surface PVS, which were different from those of the lymphatic vessel. Among several subcutaneous (sc) PVS tissues identified on the rat abdominal space, the most outstanding was the scPVS aligned along the ventral midline. The distribution pattern of nodes and vessels in the scPVS closely resembled that of the conception vessel meridian and its acupoints. In conclusion, our results newly revealed that the PVS is present in the abdominal subcutaneous tissue layer and indicate that the scPVS tissues are closely correlated with acupuncture meridians. Our findings will help to characterize the PVS in the other superficial tissues and its physiological roles.

Hypothesis on the Treatment of Gliomas with Acupuncture at the Primo Node Corresponding to Zusanli (ST 36)

Background: The primo vascular system (PVS) is an anatomical structure that is a network of ducts with fluid flowing in them, which are called primo vessels and correspond to acupuncture meridians, and primo nodes that correspond to acupoints. The PVS' main function is considered to be the maintenance of regenerative homeostasis in human and animal bodies. This system is distributed throughout the bodies of normal animals and develops around and in cancer tissues. This cancer-associated PVS may be a critical metastatic path besides the blood and the lymph vessels. The author of this article proposes a hypothesis on cancer treatment: Injecting anticancer drugs into acupoints according to the pharmacopuncture method can be effective as a result of the flow channels of the PVS. The author considers the acupoint Zusanli (ST 36) and the route of the primo vessels starting from it. This specific PVS route runs along the perineurium of the sciatic nerve, the pia mater, and the arachnoid mater of the spinal cord to the brain. Thus, by injecting a suitable anticancer drug into ST 36, one can deliver the drug into the brain to treat gliomas and other brain tumors. This new drug-delivery method is just one of the new clinical applications that are possible by combining acupuncture and using the PVS. Conclusions: Anticancer drugs for glioma can be injected into the primo node at the acupoint ST 36 to reach the cancer tissue through the PVS in the sciatic nerve, spine, and brain that can avoid the blood-brain barrier.

Primo vascular system floating in lymph ducts of rats

An epoch-making development in the gross anatomy of the lymph system has emerged: the observation of the primo vascular system (PVS), which is a threadlike structure floating in lymph ducts. The PVS, which was proposed as the conduit for the acupuncture Qi, is a complex network distributed throughout an animal's body. The lymph-PVS, which is a subsystem of the PVS, is one of the most convincing visual demonstrations of the PVS. Because its existence is not easily demonstrated, even with a microscope, due to its transparency, in current anatomy its existence is largely unknown despite its potential significance in physiology and medicine. The lymph-PVS has been observed in rabbits, rats, and mice by several independent teams. Because the involved techniques are rather complicated, we provide detailed protocols for surgery, for injection of the staining dye, and for detection, extraction, and identification of the PVS in a rat.

Formative research on the primo vascular system and acceptance by the korean scientific community: the gap between creative basic science and practical convergence technology

The purpose of this study was to trace the formative process of primo vascular system (PVS) research over the past decade and to describe the characteristics of the Korean scientific community. By publishing approximately 30 papers in journals ranking in the Science Citation Index (Expanded), the PVS research team actively convinced domestic and international scientists of the anatomical existence of the PVS and its possible application to Korean and Western medicine. In addition, by sharing the PVS observation technique, the team promoted the dissemination and further pursuit of the research. In 2012, however, PVS researchers performed smaller scale research without advancing to a higher level as compared to the early days. The main reasons were found to be the Korean Research and Development policy of supporting creative, small-scale basic research and applied research of Western scientific fields that promised potentially greater success on an extensive scale; the indifference concerning, and the disbelief in, the existence of a new circulatory system were shown by the Western medical community. In addition, the Oriental medical community was apathetic about working with the PVS team. Professors Kwang-Sup Soh and Byung-Cheon Lee were the prime movers of PVS research under difficult conditions. Spurred by their belief in the existence and significance of the PVS, they continued with their research despite insufficient experimental data. The Korean scientific community is not ready to promote the Korea-oriented creative field of the PVS team.

Preliminary Research of Relationship between Acute Peritonitis and Celiac Primo Vessels

Previous studies demonstrated that primo vessels (PVs) were distributed in different parts of the body in mammals, and PVs were also involved in some processes of pathology such as cancer. Whether PVs are intrinsic structures in mammals or not is still ignored. In this study, a peritonitis model rat was induced by i.p. administration of E. coli in rats. PVs were observed in all infected rats, but it appeared less in untreated rats, taking 10.53% (4/38). In addition, we examined cell types in celiac PVs by fluorescent staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and Alexa Fluor 488 phalloidin, as well as immunofluorescent staining with CD11b and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), and found the following. (1) The rod-shaped nuclei aligned longitudinally along PVs. (2) DAPI-, phalloidin-, CD11b-, and ICAM-1-positive labeling coexisted in PVs, suggesting that fibroblasts and leucocytes might be two kinds of cell types in PVs for both infected and control rats. (3) The difference was that numerous cells in PVs of the infected rats contained DAPI-labeled multilobal nucleus and were expressed with CD11b- and ICAM-1-positive labeling on the cytoplasm and membrane, showing the typical characteristics of neutrophil. (4) The cells in PVs from the untreated rats are those of loose connective tissue. Therefore, it is reasonably considered that PVs from infected rats might be the pathological products which might be involved in inflammation.

Expression of stem cell markers in primo vessel of rat

Accumulating line of evidence support that adult tissues contain a rare population of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which differentiate into all types of cells in our body. Bonghan microcell (primo microcells (PMCs)) discovered in 1960s was reported to have a pluripotency like a stem cell in vivo as well as in vitro condition. Here, we describe the detailed morphology and molecular features of PMCs. PMCs reside in Bonghan duct (primo vessel (PV)) reported as a corresponding structure of acupuncture points and meridian system. We found that PMCs were frequently observed in the liver surface of the rat between 300 g and 400 g from April to June, suggesting that the their detection frequency depends on the weight, the season, and the organ of rat. As reported, PMCs freshly isolated from PVs were spherical ~1-2  μ m microsized cells. In contrast, a unique bithread or budding-shaped PMCs emerged during tissue culture around 8 days. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that PVs-derived cells express the Oct4, the most important PSCs gene, in addition to several PSCs markers (Sox2, Stella, Rex1, and Klf4). Thus, we for the first time provide the evidence about Oct4-expressing stem-like characteristics for cells resident in PVs, a possible novel stem cell enriched niche.

History of bioelectrical study and the electrophysiology of the primo vascular system

Background. Primo vascular system is a new anatomical structure whose research results have reported the possibility of a new circulatory system similar to the blood vascular system and cells. Electrophysiology, which measures and analyzes bioelectrical signals tissues and cells, is an important research area for investigating the function of tissues and cells. The bioelectrical study of the primo vascular system has been reported by using modern techniques since the early 1960s by Bonghan Kim. This paper reviews the research result of the electrophysiological study of the primo vascular system for the discussion of the circulatory function. We hope it would help to study the electrophysiology of the primo vascular system for researchers. This paper will use the following exchangeable expressions: Kyungrak system = Bonghan system = Bonghan circulatory system = primo vascular system = primo system; Bonghan corpuscle = primo node; Bonghan duct = primo vessel. We think that objective descriptions of reviewed papers are more important than unified expressions when citing the papers. That said, this paper will unify the expressions of the primo vascular system.

Spontaneous self-assembly of DNA fragments into nucleus-like structures from yolk granules of fertilized chicken eggs: Antoine Béchamp meets Bong Han Kim via Olga Lepeshinskaya

We found evidence that spontaneous self-assembly of DNA molecules from yolk granules occurred during the very early stage of egg fertilization. In order to find solid evidence for self-assembly of DNA molecules, we collected many available data in different stages of fertilized eggs, making a data table. At first by using acridine orange vital staining to demonstrate DNA, we noticed that some yolk granules emitted DNA signals that gradually increased with increasing incubation time from very small sizes to much larger nucleus-like structures. For convincing evidence, we also used another vital dye, Hoechst 33258 DNA-specific dye, to trace the changes in the yolk granules. The patterns of the DNA signals from yolk granules stained with Hoechst 33258 were the same as those from the yolk granules stained with acridine orange. A partial phase contrast microscopic image of the changes in the yolk granules showed some liquid-like material around the granules before the formation of the nucleus-like structures. Concomitant use of fluorescence and partial phase contrast microscopy suggested that these liquid-like materials may have been released from yolk granules in which spontaneous self-assembly of DNA molecules had occurred. Finally, in order to verify whether the DNA signals came from real DNA molecules or not, by using deoxyribonuclease I (DNAse), we confirmed that the nucleus-like structures were really assembled DNA molecules. Thus, in this article, we report evidence for the self-assembly of DNA molecules toward cell-like structures and discuss our findings, comparing them with those in the works of other pioneers, especially Antoine Béchamp, Olga Lepeshinskaya and Bong Han Kim, who insisted on the existence of a mitosis-free alternative pathway for generating new cells.

50 years of bong-han theory and 10 years of primo vascular system

The primo vascular system (PVS) was first introduced by Bong-Han Kim via his five research reports. Among these the third report was most extensive and conclusive in terms of the PVS anatomy and physiology relating to the acupuncture meridians. His study results, unfortunately, were not reproduced by other scientists because he did not describe the materials and methods in detail. In 2002, a research team in Seoul National University reinitiated the PVS research, confirmed the existence of PVS in various organs, and discovered new characteristics of PVS. Two important examples are as follows: PVS was found in the adipose tissue and around cancer tissues. In parallel to these new findings, new methods for observing and identifying PVS were developed. Studies on the cell and material content inside the PVS, including the immune function cells and stem cells, are being progressed. In this review, Bong-Han Kim's study results in his third report are summarized, and the new results after him are briefly reviewed. In the last section, the obstacles in finding the PVS in the skin as an anatomical structure of acupuncture meridian are discussed.

Study on the Formation of Novel Threadlike Structure through Intravenous Injection of Heparin in Rats and Refined Observation in Minipigs

Objective. To study if the novel threadlike structure (NTS) was caused by coagulation during injecting urethane intraperitoneally and the source of NTS. Methods. Twenty-two SD rats were anaesthetized by urethane injected intraperitoneally. Heparin was injected at 5 minutes before the anaesthesia from femoral vein in 11 rats, and saline was given in the other 11 rats randomly. Six Chinese minipigs were carried to look for NTS. One sample was taken to be stained by DAPI/Phalloidin and observed by a laser scanning confocal microscope. Results. In the group of heparin, 10 rats were found to have NTS with appearance rate of 90.9%, and 9 rats were found to have NTS with the appearance rate of 80.1%. Both groups have 1.81 average numbers of NTS in each rat without significant difference (P > 0.05). In the observation of pigs, the NTS was found to prolong from the serous membranes of abdominal wall and organ surface. Histological observation showed elongated nuclei and alignment which is similar to the characteristics of PVS. Conclusion. There is no strong evidence to say that the NTS on organ surface was caused by coagulation of blood. The source of NTS might be a prolonged structure from serous membrane in abdominal cavity during the development and more or less retained after birth.

Review and Comment on the Relationship between Primo Vascular System and Meridians

This paper aims to summarize the recent progress of researches on the primo vascular system (PVS) and to analyze characteristics between PVS and traditional Chinese meridians. With the distribution, position features, identification and origin of PVS, and its function related to meridians elaborated on, we propose that there is still a lack of enough evidence to support the correlation between PVS and traditional Chinese meridians.

Historical Review about Research on "Bonghan System" in China

The meridian-collateral theory is the theoretical basis of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. Professor Bonghan Kim, a professor of the Pyongyang Medical University of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, claimed that he found the anatomical structure of meridian-collaterals, named Bonghan corpuscles (BHCs) and Bonghan ducts (BHDs) system or primo vascular system (PVS), in 1962. From 1963 to 1965, researchers from our institute conducted a series of comparative anatomical experiments, trying to reproduce the so-called BHC- and BHD-like structures in different strains of animals. In the present paper, the authors introduced their research findings about BHC- and BHD-like structures in the young rabbit's umbilicus including its external appearance, ectoplasm and endoplasm, and about strip-like and node-like objects in the blood vessels and lymph vessels near the larger abdominal and cervical blood vessels and chromaffin tissue in the back wall of the rabbit's abdominal cavity and between the bilateral kidneys. In spite of existence of the BHC- and BHD-like structures in the rabbit, there has been no proved evidence for their association with the meridian-collateral system described in acupuncture medicine. In the present historical review, the authors also make a discussion about the significance of those findings.

Novel threadlike structures on the surfaces of mammalian abdominal organs are loose bundles of fibrous stroma with microchannels embedded with fibroblasts and inflammatory cells

Novel threadlike structures (NTSs) on the surfaces of mammalian abdominal organs have recently attracted interests regarding their ability to transport fluid, enable cell migration, and possibly facilitate cancer metastasis. Nevertheless, histological studies of NTSs have been sporadic and often have inconsistent interpretations of the NTS internal structure. In this article, we provide a synthetic and consistent view of the NTS internal structure: the NTS is a loose bundle of fibrous stroma that forms interstitial channels and microsinusoids infiltrated with inflammatory cells. The fibroblasts are embedded in the stroma and mostly aligned along the major axis of the NTS. The sinusoids, which are in inconsecutive cross sections, have boundaries more or less delineated by extracellular fibers, partly surrounded by endothelial-like cells, or both. We compare these morphological features to other well-known connective tissues (i.e., trabecular meshwork and lymphatic capillary) and discuss the biomechanical and biological functions of NTSs based on their structural characteristics.

Are Primo Vessels (PVs) on the Surface of Gastrointestine Involved in Regulation of Gastric Motility Induced by Stimulating Acupoints ST36 or CV12?

Previous studies showed primo vessels (PVs), which were referred to as Bonhan ducts (BHDs) and a part of circulatory system by Kim, located in different places of the body. The BHDs system was once considered as the anatomical basis of classical acupuncture meridian but not clearly identified by other investigators. In the present study, we tried to address the relationship between PVs and meridians through detecting the modulation of gastric motility by stimulating the PVs on the surface of stomach or intestine, as well as acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12). The results showed electric stimulation of the PVs had no effect on the gastric motility. While stimulating CV12 inhibited gastric motility significantly in PVs-intact and PVs-cut rats, there is no significant difference between the inhibition rate of the PVS-intact and the PVS-cut rats. Stimulating at ST36 increased gastric motility significantly in both the PVs-intact and the PVs-cut rats, yet there was no significant difference between the facilitation rate of the both groups. Taken together, the PVs on the surface of stomach or intestine did not mediate the regulation of gastric motility induced by stimulating at the acupoints ST36 or CV12.

Tumor-associated primo vascular system is derived from xenograft, not host

The primo vascular system (PVS), which is composed of very small primo-vessels (PV) and primo-nodes (PN), has recently emerged as a third component of circulatory system. Here, we report the presence of a tumor derived PVS in murine xenografts of human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) in close proximity to the tumor. Within this system, PNs are small (~500-600 μM diameter) membranous sac-like structures which contain numerous small cells which can be demonstrated by DAPI staining. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining of the peri-tumoral PVS shows the presence of loose structures lined by fibroblasts but filled with dense fibers, cells, lacunae and nerve-like structures. The origin and type of cells within the PVS was characterized by immunostaining with antibodies for CD68, CD45 and lysozyme. The results of these studies reveal that the PVS of the xenograft originates from the human U937 tumor cells. qRT-PCR analysis of mRNA isolated from PVS cells reveals a striking predominance of human, rather than mouse, sequences. Of particular interest, human stem cell specific transcription factors were overexpressed, most notably KLF4, an upstream regulator of NANOG which maintains the pluripotent and undifferentiated state of stem cells. These results suggest that the cells present within the PVS are derived from the human xenograft and suggests that the primo-vessels associated with the xenografted tumor may provide a safe haven for a select population of cancer stem cells. Further understanding of the biological properties of these cells may allow the development of new anti-cancer interventions.

Microscopic nodes and ducts inside lymphatics and on the surface of internal organs are rich in granulocytes and secretory granules

The blood and lymphatic systems are the two well-established circulatory systems. The existence of a third circulatory system representing acupuncture meridians was claimed in the 1960s. The very existence and function of the system, however, remained uncertain. We have found that microscopic nodes and ducts inside lymphatics, as well as on the surface of internal organs of the rat. The nodes and ducts are covered by a layer of EMP-3-positive spindle-shaped epithelium with, below, a layer of vWF-positive but CD31-negative endothelium. The nodes contain a variety of immune cells, usually enriched with mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils and histiocytes, as well as chromaffin cells, other granule-containing cells. Secretory granules originating from the mast cells in the nodes appear to pass along ductules, two or more of which make up a duct. Our results reveal a potential circulatory system whose anatomical structure and cellular content differ from the blood and lymph systems, and which may be involved in the transport of secretory granules.

Growth of microgranules into cell-like structures in fertilized chicken eggs: hypothesis for a mitosis-free alternative pathway

According to Bonghan Kim's theory of anatomical reality for acupuncture meridians, DNA microgranules known as Sanals are key functional components in the primo vascular system (formerly the Bonghan system). To investigate this issue, we developed a new system, an incubator bound to a phase-contrast microscope, in which we cultivated and then observed for 10 hours microgranules taken from 3-day-old chick embryos and from blastoderms of fertilized chicken eggs. With this system, we found that, over time, the microgranules grew in circular patterns to become cell-like structures. In the embryo specimens, we found two distinctive microgranule growths, which developed into cell-like structures over 10 hours. In the first case, a microgranule of about 1.0 μm in size developed into a 3.3-μm-sized cell-like structure, with a pattern of concentric circles. The growth rate of the diameter of the first microgranule was, on average, 0.23 μm/hour. In the second case, a 2.5-μm-sized microgranule developed into a 5.4-μm-sized cell-like structure, which also exhibited a pattern of concentric circles. The average growth rate of the diameter of the second microgranule was 0.31 μm/hour. In the blastoderm specimens from the fertilized chicken egg, we also found three distinctive concentric growths. Interestingly, one of the three blastoderm microgranules grew very quickly, from about 2.5 μm in size to about 5.5 μm in size during 5 minutes of incubation. This was followed by steady growth to about 7.0 μm in size during the next 10 hours of incubation. In the final step of our investigation, we confirmed that the cell-like structures that had grown from the microgranules stained by acridine orange had DNA signals. We believe that the data obtained with our experimental method provide a clue that a mitosis-free alternative pathway for cell formation may, indeed, exist. We also suggest that this new function of microgranules (Sanals) might be related with the acupuncture meridian called the primo vascular system.

High capacity optical channels for bioinformation transfer: acupuncture meridians

Mammalian bodies are hierarchical systems whose internal cooperation and coherent activity require high capacity information transfer between the central control unit--the brain--and the periphery--the organs. A communication system capable of meeting information capacity requirements should be based on transmission of electromagnetic signals. Structures that fulfill requirements for such information transfer have not yet been analyzed. Acupuncture meridians have been demonstrated experimentally in some animals. They might represent systems of information transfer between the brain and the peripheral organs. The ducts of the meridians may correspond to optical fibers operating from the far infrared to the visible wavelength region. The main features of a model of the duct as an optical fiber are delineated and its properties outlined. However, to analyze essentials of the transmission capabilities, the whole meridian structure should be mapped and a more comprehensive set of physical parameters measured. In particular, experimental data concerning morphological arrangements of ordered water in the ducts and corpuscles, and a complete content of the biological particles in the flowing water and its permittivity are missing.

Estimating the density of fluorescent nanoparticles in the primo vessels in the fourth ventricle and the spinal cord of a rat

The primo vascular system is a novel circulatory system forming a network throughout an animal's body. Primo vessels were recently observed in the fourth ventricle of the brain and in the spinal cord of a rat by using fluorescent nanoparticles. In order to quantify the nanoparticles in the primo vessels, we measured the florescence of the nanoparticles and calibrated the measurements by using a reference suspension. We removed the noise due to autofluorescence with the technique of multispectral imaging. The line densities of nanoparticles and the contrast values of their images were, respectively, 0.5 ± 0.5 ng/mm and 0.7 ± 0.5 for primo vessels in the fourth ventricle, and 1.3 ± 0.6 ng/mm and 1.4 ± 0.2 for primo vessels in the spinal cord. The data obtained from and the procedures used in this work could be useful in evaluating the feasibility of using nanoparticles as a contrast agent during MRI or CT imaging of primo vessels in the brain or the spinal cord.

Fine structure of extracellular fibers in primo-nodes and vessels

To investigate the extracellular matrices in the primo-nodes (PNs) and vessels (PVs) (Bonghan corpuscles and ducts), fine structure of the fibers comprising the extracellular matrices was studied in relation to the diameter and the periodicity to identify the types of the fibers. Electron micrographs of the fibers from the previously published works on the PNs and PVs were analyzed by using MATLAB programming and ImageJ software. The extracellular fibrous components of the PNs and PVs could be classified generally into two groups--thin collagen fibrils and thick non-collagenous wavy bent fibers. The thick bent fibers were fibrin-like. The diameters of the thick bent fibers were 30-200 nm and they were highly bent. This group included organ surface PNs and lymphatic PNs/PVs. The diameters of the collagen fibrils were 30-70 nm. Organ surface, heart, and hypodermis PVs were categorized in this group. The periodicity of bent fibers in an organ surface PN was 16.1 +/- 0.2 (SE) nm, and the periodicity of collagen fibrils in the hypodermis PVs was 37.4 +/- 0.5 (SE) nm. Further investigations are required to reveal the physiological implications of the two types of fibers in the PNs and PVs.

Viability assessment of primo-node slices from organ surface primo-vascular tissues in rats

The primo-vascular system is a novel thread-like structure which is recently rediscovered, but its cellular properties are largely unknown. In this study, a slice preparation for primo-nodes was developed to facilitate study of the cellular properties of primo-node cells in vitro. Slices (4-8 slices; 200 μm thick) were sectioned from single primo-nodes collected from the abdominal organ surface of rats and incubated in oxygenated Krebs solution at 25°C or 31°C for up to 7 hours. Trypan blue staining and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to estimate the viability of cells in the slices. Viability was largely maintained during the first 3 hours, but subsequently decreased (from 80% to 21%, p < 0.001). In addition, the viability of slices incubated at 31°C was higher than those incubated at 25°C (80%vs. 47%, p < 0.001). In whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, high resistance seals readily formed and primo-node cells showed a mean resting membrane potential (-38 mV) comparable to that recorded with sharp electrodes and outwardly-rectifying current-voltage relationships. The results show that the primo-node slices developed in this study maintained viability for up to 4 hours in vitro.