[Effect of "Zhibian" (BL 54)-to-"Shuidao" (ST 28) needle insertion on the expression of Fas/FADD/Caspase-8 of death receptor pathway in rats with primary ovarian insufficiency]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of "Zhibian" (BL 54)-to-"Shuidao" (ST 28) needle insertion on the ovarian function in the rats with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and the potential effect mechanism based on the Fas/FADD/Caspase-8 of death receptor pathway.

METHODS

Forty-eight female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a medication group and an acupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. Except in the blank group, the rats in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide to establish the POI model. In the acupuncture group, after successful modeling, the intervention was given with "Zhibian" (BL 54)-to- "Shuidao" (ST 28) needle insertion, once daily, 30 min in each intervention; and the duration of intervention was 4 weeks. In the medication group, estradiol valerate tablets were administered intragastrically, 0.09 mg•kg^-1•d^-1, for 4 weeks. The general situation and the estrous cycle of the rats were compared among groups. Using ELISA, the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E₂) in the serum were detected. HE staining was adopted to observe the morphological changes of ovarian tissue of rats. The protein expression of Fas, FADD and Caspase-8 in ovarian tissue was detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTS

After modeling, except the rats of the blank group, the rats of the other groups had dry fur, lost hair, low spirits, reduced food intake, increased urination and loose stool. After intervention, the stool became regular gradually in the acupuncture group and the medication group. The percentage of estrous cycle disturbance was increased in the rats of the model group when compared with the blank group (P<0.01); in comparison with the model group, the percentages of estrous cycle disturbance were reduced in the acupuncture group and the medication group after intervention (P<0.01). When compared with the blank group, the body mass and E₂ content in the serum were lower (P<0.01), the levels of FSH and LH in the serum and the protein expression levels of Fas, FADD and Caspase-8 were increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the body mass and E₂ contents in the serum were higher (P<0.01), the levels of FSH and LH in the serum and the protein expression levels of Fas, FADD and Caspase-8 were reduced (P<0.01) in the acupuncture group and the medication group.

CONCLUSION

"Zhibian" (BL 54)-to-"Shuidao" (ST 28) needle insertion can effectively improve the ovarian function of POI rats, and its effect mechanism may be related to regulating the serum sex hormone levels, reducing the expression of Fas, FADD and Caspase-8 in ovarian tissue and retarding apoptosis of ovarian cells.

[Effect of acupuncture at "Zhibian" (BL 54) through "Shuidao" (ST 28) on the expression of apoptosis-related factors in rats with premature ovarian insufficiency based on oxidative stress]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the possible mechanism of acupuncture at "Zhibian" (BL 54) through "Shuidao" (ST 28) on premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) from the perspective of oxidative stress.

METHODS

Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a sham acupuncture group, a medication group, and an acupuncture group, 12 rats in each group. Except the blank group, the rats in the remaining groups were intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide to establish the POI model. After the model was successfully established, the rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at "Zhibian" (BL 54) through "Shuidao" (ST 28), with a depth of about 12 mm, and the needle was retained for 30 min; the acupuncture was given once a day, for a total of 4 weeks. The rats in the sham acupuncture group were treated with blunt-head needle to tap the skin surface of "Zhibian" (BL 54), without penetrating the skin, once a day for 4 weeks. The rats in the medication group were treated with estradiol valerate by gastric gavage for 4 weeks. After the intervention, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ovarian tissue was detected by fluorescence probe; the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), tumor suppressor gene protein 53 (p53) and p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (Puma) mRNA and protein in ovarian tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

Compared with the blank group, the level of ROS and the expression of JNK mRNA, p-JNK protein, FoxO1, p53, Puma mRNA and protein in the ovarian tissue in the model group were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the level of ROS and the expression of p-JNK protein, FoxO1, p53, Puma mRNA and protein in the ovarian tissue in the sham acupuncture group were slightly reduced, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The level of ROS and the expression of JNK mRNA, p-JNK protein, FoxO1, p53, Puma mRNA and protein in the ovarian tissue in the acupuncture group and the medication group were reduced (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture at "Zhibian" (BL 54) through "Shuidao" (ST 28) could improve the level of oxidative stress, down-regulate the expression of apoptosis-related factors JNK, FoxO1, p53 and Puma induced by oxidative stress, and inhibit the premature failure of ovarian reserve function caused by apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in POI rats.

[Effect of penetrative needling of "Zhibian" (BL54) through "Shuidao" (ST28) on expression of TRAIL and its receptors in rats with premature ovarian insufficiency]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of penetrative needling of "Zhibian" (BL54) through "Shuidao" (ST28) on the expressions of death receptor pathway-related protein tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors, as death receptor 4 (DR4), death receptor 5 (DR5), decoy receptor 1 (DcR1) and decoy receptor 2 (DcR2) in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of POI.

METHODS

Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, penetrative needling and medication (estradiol valerate) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The POI model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (D1: 50 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, D2 to D15: 8 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, for a total of 15 d). After successful modeling, the rats in the penetrative needling group received penetrative needling of BL54 through ST28, with the needle retained for 30 min, once a day for a total of 4 weeks. Rats of the medication group received gavage of estradiol valerate (0.09 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) once daily for 4 weeks. After the intervention, the content of serum follicles of stimulation hormone (FSH),lateinizing hormone (LH),estradiol (E2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and histopathological changes of ovarian tissue and the number of follicles were observed under light microscope after H.E. staining. The expression levels of TRAIL, DR4, DR5, DcR1, DcR2, and Fas-associated death domain (FADD) in ovarian tissues were detected using quantitative real-time PCR, and the immunoactivity of ovarian TRAIL, DR4 and DR5 detected using immunohistochemistry. The body weight and the damp weight of ovary were measured for calculating the ovarian coefficient.

RESULTS

Compared with the blank control group, the E2 and VEGF contents, ovarian coefficient, and the number of the primary, secondary and sinus follicles were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the model group, whereas FSH and LH contents, the atretic follicle number, TRAIL, DR4 and DR5 immunoactivity, and the expression levels of TRAIL, DR4, DR5 and FADD mRNAs considerably increased in the model group (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the decrease of the VEGF content, ovarian coefficient, and the number of the primary, secondary and sinus follicles, and the increase of the atretic follicle number, TRAIL, DR4 and DR5 immunoactivity, and expression levels of TRAIL, DR4, DR5 and FADD mRNAs were reversed in both penetrative needling and medication groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The number of primary follicles was significantly more in the medication group than in the penetrative needling group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Penetrative needling of BL54 and ST28 can improve ovarian weight and promote follicular development in POI rats, which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins TRAIL, DR4, DR5 and FADD of the death receptor pathway to inhibit apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells.

[Herb-separated moxibustion on dysmenorrhea in ovarian endometriosis: a randomized controlled trial]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion on dysmenorrhea in ovarian endometriosis.

METHODS

A total of 54 patients with ovarian endometriosis dysmenorrhea were randomized into a herb-separated moxibustion group and a waiting-list group, 27 cases in each one (3 cases dropped off in the herb-separated moxibustion group, 4 cases dropped off in the waiting-list group). Herb-separated moxibustion was applied at hypogastrium and lumbosacral area for 30 min in the herb-separated moxibustion group, once a week for 3 months, and oral ibuprofen sustained-release capsule was given to relieve pain when necessary. Excepting giving ibuprofen sustained-release capsule when necessary, no more intervention was adopted in the waiting-list group. Before and after treatment and in 3 months follow-up, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, days of dysmenorrhea, total dose of oral painkiller were observed.

RESULTS

Compared before treatment, the VAS scores after tratment and in follow-up were decreased in the herb-separated moxibustion group (P<0.05), and were less than those in the waiting-list group (P<0.05); the days of dysmenorrhea and the total doses of oral painkiller after tratment and in follow-up were decreased in the herb-separated moxibustion group (P<0.05), and were less than those in the waiting-list group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Herb-separated moxibustion can effectively improve dysmenorrhea symptom and shorten dysmenorrhea days in patients with ovarian endometriosis.

The Role of Astragaloside IV against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: Suppression of Apoptosis via Promotion of P62-LC3-Autophagy

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) caused by ischemic stroke treatments leads to brain injury, and autophagy plays a role in the pathology. Astragaloside IV is a potential neuroprotectant, but its underlying mechanism on cerebral I/R injury needs to be explored. The objective of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of Astragaloside IV against cerebral I/R injury. Methods: Middle cerebral artery occlusion method (MCAO) and oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) method were used to simulate cerebral I/R injury in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and HT22 cells, respectively. The neurological score, 2,3,5-Triphe-nyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and transmission electron microscope were used to detect cerebral damage in SD rats. Cell viability and cytotoxicity assay were tested in vitro. Fluorescent staining and flow cytometry were applied to detect the level of apoptosis. Western blotting was conducted to examine the expression of proteins associated with autophagy. Results: This study found that Astragaloside IV could decrease the neurological score, reduce the infarct volume in the brain, and alleviate cerebral I/R injury in MCAO rats. Astragaloside IV promoted cell viability and balanced Bcl-2 and Bax expression in vitro, reduced the rate of apoptosis, decreased the expression of P62, and increased the expression of LC3II/LC3I in HT22 cells after OGD/R. Conclusions: These data suggested that Astragaloside IV plays a neuroprotective role by down-regulating apoptosis by promoting the degree of autophagy.

Pathway crosstalk analysis in prostate cancer based on protein-protein network data

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the major leading cause in men and no effective biomarkers or therapy have been approved for it to date. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms and identify the potential molecular biomarkers of PCa. The microarray profile GSE38241 including 18 prostate cancer metastasis and 21 normal prostate samples was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by Limma. DEGs functions were investigated by Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis. Moreover, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed, followed by functional analysis of modules. Additionally, pathway crosstalk network was constructed by integrating PPI network and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways. Totally, 334 up - and 703 down-regulated DEGs were identified. The functions of up-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in GO terms of cell cycle phase and cell cycle process. While down-regulated DEGs mainly participated in actin filament-based process. Among these pathways in the pathway crosstalk network, T cell receptor signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathways, endometrial cancer and glioma were found to play critical roles during PC progression. Cell division cycle 45 (CDC45), baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) and cell division cycle associated 5 (CDCA5) may be useful markers for predicting tumor metastasis and therapeutic targets for the treatment of PCa patients. Moreover, the pathway crosstalk network provides the groundwork that targeting multiple pathways might be more effective than targeting one pathway alone.

[Acquired blood coagulation factor Ⅴ deficiency in a patient with severe burn]

In March 2017, a severely burned male patient aged 36 years with hypovolemic shock was admitted to our hospital. The patient received large quantities of antibiotics and blood products and repeated skin graft after admission, and then he suffered wound errhysis and throat congestion. The patient was healthy before without family history of bleeding or thrombosis disease. Laboratory tests showed that prothrombin time and activated partial coagulation time were remarkably prolonged, blood coagulation factor Ⅴ activity was extremely low, and the result of qualitative test of coagulation factor inhibitor was positive. Acquired blood coagulation factor Ⅴ deficiency was diagnosed. After application of dexamethasone (5 mg, twice per day) and infusion of fresh frozen plasma, blood coagulation indicators of patients recovered in 4 days, the result of qualitative test of coagulation factor inhibitor was negative, and bleeding symptoms were improved.

[Treatment of children's pharyngeal stenosis following pharyngeal surgery with coblation]

Objective:Pharyngeal stenosis as a postoperative complication following pharyngeal surgery (tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy) with coblation is rare and may be difficult to treat. This report is to explore the causes of pharyngeal stenosis and presents our successful treatment experience. Method:From Jan 2012 to July 2016, 5 children with pharyngeal stenosis (2 nasopharyngeal stenosis and 3 nasopharyngeal stenosis combined with oropharyngeal stenosis) secondary to pharyngeal surgery (tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed. Five cases with severe nasopharyngeal stenosis received surgery of scar resection, horizontal-to-vertical pharyngoplasty and local pharyngeal flap rotation; and three of them received free skin transplantation. After stenosis repair surgery, prolonged nasopharyngeal hollow stents were used for more than 6 months. To evaluate the therapeutic effect, pharyngeal cavities and symptoms of difficulty nasal breathing, mouth breathing, difficulty in blowing nose, hyponasal speech, snoring, restless sleep, anosmia, dysphagia were assessed and compared before and after surgery. Result:With 7-46 months follow-up, all symptoms of the 5 cases are ameliorated and the diameters of nasopharyx are more than 1.5 cm. No velopharyngeal insufficiency complication happened. Conclusion:Improper operation with coblation can cause severe pharyngeal stenosis. Flap rotation, horizontal-to-vertical pharyngoplasty and prolonged use nasopharyngeal hollow stents are reliable methods to correct pharyngeal stenosis following children's pharyngeal surgery.

[Clinical analyses of 263 patients with laryngeal leukoplakia]

Objective: To investigate the etiology, clinical and pathological characteristics of laryngeal leukoplakia and the predictive risk factors of recurrence and malignant transformation. Methods: Clinical data of 263 patients with laryngeal leukoplakia between January 2000 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The pathological diagnoses included squamous epithelial hyperplasia (54.4%), mild dysplasia (17.9%), moderate dysplasia (12.2%), severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (12.5%), and invasive carcinoma (3.0%). Age and the extent of lesion were statistically different among different pathological groups (P<0.05). Gender, smoking and alcohol consumption did not show statistical differences among different pathological groups (P>0.05). Follow-up of 215 patients, excluding 6 cases of invasive carcinoma. The recurrence rate was 20.6%(43/209), and the malignant transformation rate was 5.3%(11/209). Multivariate analysis showed that pathological classification of moderate to severe dysplasia was the independent risk factor for recurrence and malignant transformation of laryngeal leukoplakia (P<0.05). In patients with severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, the recurrence proportion of conservative treatment, vocal cords (partial) resection and radiotherapy were 8/10, 0/10 and 2/11 respectively. Conclusions: Laryngeal leukoplakia occurs frequently in elderly men with long-term smoking history. Pathological diagnoses are different. The grade of dysplasia is the predictive risk factor for the recurrence and malignant transformation of laryngeal leukoplakia. More aggressive treatment and closer follow-up should be warranted for patients with moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ.

[Gastric glomus tumors expressing synaptophysin: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses]

Objective: To investigate the clincopathologic and immunohistochemical features of gastric glomus tumors and their differences from gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms. Methods: Six cases of gastric glomus tumors, 8 cases of glomus tumors in other sites and 7 cases of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms were collected from the Department of Pathology, Taizhou Hospital. The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of these tumors were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The gastric glomus tumors were located in the muscularis propria of the antrum and most cases strongly expressed synaptophysin (5/6). However, no synaptophysin expression was seen in glomus tumors of other organs.Most gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms were located in the mucosa or submucosa of the fundus and corpus. In addition to the strong expression of synaptophysin (7/7), CgA (6/7) and CD56(5/7) were strongly positive, although SMA was negative. Conclusions: Gastric glomus tumors and neuroendocrine neoplasms have similar morphological characteristics and both show strongly expression of synaptophysin. However, the location and immunohistochemical characteristics of gastric glomus tumors differ from those of the neuroendocrine neoplasms.

[Expression difference of connexins in neural cells of Cx26 deficiency deafness]

Objective:Using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, neural cells from Cx26 deficiency deafness patients were derived, to investigate the influence of Cx26 deficiency on neural development and gene expression.Method:Fibroblasts were taken from profound deaf patients caused by Cx26 deficiency, and were induced to non-integration induced pluripotent stem cell lines, whose morphology, internal and external gene expression were characterized. Then these iPSC lines were differentiated into neural cells, whose expression change of pluripotent genes, neural markers and connexin genes were investigated.Result:Three iPSC lines with Cx26 deficiency were successfully established and differentiated into neural progenitor cells and neurons. The iPSC lines showed similar morphology, proliferation, internal and external gene expression with human embryonic stem cells. In iPSC-derived neurons, expression of Cx32 was up-regulated obviously, expression of Cx36 was up-regulated slightly, and expression of Cx26 showed no obvious change.Conclusion:TNeural differentiation of IPSC is not influenced by Cx26 deficiency, but expression of Cx32 and Cx36 are up-regulated, which may hint compensation from Cx32.

[Laryngeal endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy for cricopharyngeal achalasia post stroke]

Objective: To explore the safety and validity of endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy in patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia. Methods: A total of 19 patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia suffered from sustained dysphagia were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy(CPM) group and endoscopic CPM (ECPM) group. Swallowing function and complications were evaluated.SPSS7.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The swallowing function improved significantly in seven patients in ECPM group, and 9 patients improved in CPM group.The video fluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS)-swallowing score, VFSS-aspiration score and drinking test score were (3.1±1.1), (3.4±0.8) and (2.0±0.6)in post-ECPM, (3.4±1.4), (3.0±0.9) and (2.2±0.6)in post-CPM. No statistical difference was found in validity between CPM group and ECPM group(t=-0.435, t=1.086, t=-0.607, P>0.05). No statistical difference was observed on the occurrence of complication between two groups. Only one patient had subcutaneous emphysema after operation in ECPM. Conclusions: New surgical instruments and endoscopic surgical technique were safe and effective for cricopharyngeal achalasia. Because these instruments are cheaper, laryngeal endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy is easier to be popularized more easily than microscopic laser assistted CPM.

RETRACTED: Effects of rehabilitation training on apoptosis of nerve cells and the recovery of neural and motor functions in rats with ischemic stroke through the PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief and Academic Committee of Jiangsu Normal University (ACJSNU). ACJSNU informed the journal that they were aware of PubPeer comments of data fabrication and manipulation in Fig 4A, Fig 5A, Fig 7A + C as detailed here [https://pubpeer.com/publications/D732FA0F313382B58DD725C25A8AB9#3]. ACJSNU launched an investigation and invited two independent referees to review the issues raised on PubPeer and they agreed the paper displays signs of scientific fraud. An investigation made by Tangshan People's Hospital, concluded there are no researchers called Jun-Chang Wu and Gao-Zhou Tang in the hospital. ACJSNU requested that the corresponding authors of the paper provide the original experimental records and data for verification. However, the authors have been unable to address the above concerns, and have stated that the data were obtained from a third party which was not disclosed in the article. The National Natural Science Foundation of China has also investigated this paper and others by the corresponding authors [https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab442/info85495.htm]. The Editor-in-Chief therefore no longer has confidence in the data presented and the conclusions of the article.

[Transoral endoscopic minimally invasive surgery for hypopharyngeal postcricoid and upper esophageal lesions]

Objective:To describe the therapeutic effect of transoral endoscopic minimally invasive surgery for hypopharyngeal postcricoidarea and upper esophageal lesions. Method:Transoral endoscopic minimally invastive surgery was carried out in fifteen patients.There were 7 patients with primary tumors on the postcricoid area, including three squamous cell carcinoma（2 cases T2N0M0，1 case T2N2cM0），two cavernous hemangioma, one giant fibrovascular polyp and one recurrent lipofibroma. The transoral endoscopic tumors resection en bloc was performed in all of them. Adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy was applied in cases of cancer, and bilateral neck dissections was performed in the T2N2cM0 case; There were other eight patients with upper esophageal lesions , seven cases dysphagia was caused by stroke and one case was Zenker diverticulum, treated by endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy ordiverticulotomy. Result:The en bloc resection endoscopically was achieved in all of patients with tumors on the postcricoid area. All surgical resection margins were negative.The two cases of postcricoid cancer and four benign tumor were followed up 16-30 months and 2-12 months respectively, and all of the cases were not local recurrence. A recent patient with postcricoid cancer had not finished postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy. The endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy was effective in 4 out of 7 patients,nasogastric feeding was no longer required.Significant improvement occurred in Zenker diverticulotomy patient, due to the return of physiological deglutition, and Barium swallow study showing disappearance of the diverticulum after one month.The effects of minimally invasive threatment were satisfactory,such as not need tracheotomy and early oral feeding, shorter hospital stay and less postoperative complications. Conclusion:Transoral endoscopic surgery is minimally invastive, safe and effective treatment alternative for some hypopharyngeal postcricoid area and upper esophageal lesions.

[Reliability and validity analysis of simplified Chinese version of QOL questionnaire of olfactory disorders]

Objective:To cross-culturally translate the questionnaire of olfactory disorders(QOD)into a simplified Chinese version, and evaluate its reliability and validity in clinical.Method:A simplified Chinese version of the QOD was evaluated in test-retest reliability, split-half reliability and internal consistency.Then it was evaluated in validity test including content validity, criterion-related validity, responsibility. Criterion-related validity was using the medical outcome study's 36-item short rorm health survey(SF-36) and the World Health Organization quality of life-brief (WHOQOL-BREF) for comparison. Result: A total of 239 patients with olfactory dysfunction were enrolled and tested, in which 195 patients completed all three surveys(QOD, SF-36, WHOQOL-BREF). The test-retest reliabilities of the QOD-parosmia statements(QOD-P), QOD-quality of life(QOD-QoL), and the QOD-visual simulation(QOD-VAS)sections were 0.799(P<0.01),0.781(P<0.01),0.488(P<0.01), respectively, and the Cronbach' s α coefficients reliability were 0.477,0.812,0.889,respectively.The split-half reliability of QOD-QoL was 0.89. There was no correlation between the QOD-P section and the SF-36, but there were statistically significant correlations between the QOD-QoL and QOD-VAS sections with the SF-36. There was no correlation between the QOD-P section and the WHOQOL-BREF, but there were statistically significant correlations between the QOD-QoL and QOD-VAS sections with the SF-36 in most sections.Conclusion:The simplified Chinese version of the QOD was testified to be a reliable and valid questionnaire for evaluating patients with olfactory dysfunction living in mainland of China.The QOD-P section needs further modifications to properly adapt patients with Chinese cultural and knowledge background.

Association between the interleukin-6-174 G/C polymorphism and risk of ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis

Numerous studies have evaluated the association between the -174 G/C polymorphism in the interleukin-6 (IL6) gene and ischemic stroke risk. However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the association of the IL6 -174 G/C polymorphism with ischemic stroke. Published literatures from PubMed and Embase databases were retrieved. Pooled ORs with 95%CIs were calculated using fixed- or random-effect models. A total of seven case-control studies containing 2025 patients and 2174 controls were enrolled into this meta-analysis. In combined analysis, the results showed no significant association between the IL6 -174 G/C polymorphism and ischemic stroke risk in the overall population (GG vs CC: OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.50-3.01; TT vs TC: OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.81-1.15; dominant: OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.70-1.38; or recessive: OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 0.57-2.70) models. In the subgroup analysis by race, no significant associations between the -174 G/C polymorphism in the IL6 gene and ischemic stroke risk were found in Caucasians or Asians. No publication bias was found in the present study (all P > 0.05). Overall, the meta-analysis results suggested that the IL6 -174 G/C polymorphism was not associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.

[Effect of heating time on the chemical composition of bamboo juice by GC-MS]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of heating time on the chemical composition of bamboo juice.

METHODS

GC-MS was used to analyze the chemical components of bamboo juice collected from the bamboo heating for 10 min and 50 min.

RESULTS

153 peaks were detected from the bamboo juice of 10 min. Among of them, 36 peaks were identified. As for the bamboo juice of 50 min, 80 peaks were detected and 29 identified.

CONCLUSION

Heating time has effect on the chemical composition of bamboo juice, the substances detected in short time are more than that in long time.

Robust formation of Skyrmions and topological Hall effect anomaly in epitaxial thin films of MnSi

Magnetotransport properties have been investigated for epitaxial thin films of B20-type MnSi grown on Si(111) substrates. Lorentz transmission electron microscopy images clearly point to the robust formation of Skyrmions over a wide temperature-magnetic field region. New features distinct from those reported previously for MnSi are observed for epitaxial films: a shorter (nearly half) period of the spin helix and Skyrmions, and a topological Hall effect anomaly consisting in ∼2.2 times enhancement of the amplitude and in the opposite sign with respect to bulk samples.

[Effects of electroacupuncture at acupoints "changbingfang" on serum IL-4 content and colonic NF-kappaB p65 expression in rats with ulcerative colitis]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zhongwan"(CV 12), "Tianshu"(ST 20) and "Shangjuxu"(ST 37) (an acupoint prescription "Changbingfang" for treatment of intestinal disorders) on the expression of colonic nuclear factor kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) protein expression and serum interleukin-4 (IL-4) content in rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

Thirty SD rats were randomly and equally divided into normal control, model and EA groups (10 rats/group). The UC model was made by enema with 8% acetic acid. EA stimulation (6 Hz/30 Hz) was delivered to "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Tianshu" (ST 20) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) for 15 min separately, 0 h, 24 h and 48 h post-enema. The blood and colon tissues were taken for detection of serum IL-4 content with ELISA, and for assaying colonic NF-kappaB p65 protein expression with immunohistochemistry and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal control group, colonic NF-kappaB p65 protein expression level shown by immunohistochemistry and Western blot and serum IL-4 content were significantly higher in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). After EA stimulation, colonic NF-kappaB p65 protein expression levels shown by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot were down-regulated significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and serum IL-4 content was up-regulated further in comparison with the model group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

EA of acupoint recipe "Changbingfang" can down-regulate the proinflammatory NF-kappaB p65 protein expression and up-regulate serum anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 level in rats, which may contribute to its effect in improving ulcerative colitis.

Electric-field control of nonvolatile magnetization in Co40Fe40B20/Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))(0.7)Ti(0.3)O3 structure at room temperature

We report a large and nonvolatile bipolar-electric-field-controlled magnetization at room temperature in a Co(40)Fe(40)B(20)/Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))(0.7)Ti(0.3)O(3) structure, which exhibits an electric-field-controlled looplike magnetization. Investigations on the ferroelectric domains and crystal structures with in situ electric fields reveal that the effect is related to the combined action of 109° ferroelastic domain switching and the absence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in Co(40)Fe(40)B(20). This work provides a route to realize large and nonvolatile magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature and is significant for applications.

Morphology of monolayer Cu x Au 1-x on Cu(001)

Protruding nanostructure is produced in the single layer of Cu(x)Au(1 - x) surface alloy grown on Cu(001) due to the mismatch strain which has been utilized as a template to tune the magnetic anisotropy of overlays recently. The protrusion network was investigated by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) combined with low energy electron diffraction (LEED) as a function of the stoichiometry. The measurement revealed the structure of the protrusion and its correlation with the composition. Interestingly, we observed a twin-domain phase of the protrusion when the film approaches the fully hetero-epitaxial range.

[Effects of electroacupuncture at points "Weibingfang" on EGF and EGFR mRNA expressions in rats with lesion of gastric mucosa]

OBJECTIVE

To probe the mechanism of electroacupuncture at points "Weibingfang" in treatment of acute gastric mucosal lesion.

METHODS

Forty Wistar rats of sanitary degree were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal group, model group, sham-model group and Weibingfang group, 10 rats in each group. The acute gastric mucosal lesion model was made by intragastric perfusion of anhydrous alcohol. The Weibingfang group were treated by electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zhongwan" (CV 12) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) with sparse-dense wave, frequency of 10-30 Hz, current intensity of 2 mA, for 20 min. One hour after the treatment, the blood from the abdominal aorta and the gastric mucosa tissue were taken, and serum epidermal growth factor (EGF) level and epidermic growth factor receptor mRNA (EGFR mRNA) expression in the gastric mucosa were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in blood EGF level (41.62 +/- 12.58) ng/L and EGFR mRNA expression (0.78 +/- 0.03) in the model group were significantly different from [(60.37 +/- 12.01) ng/L and 0.55 +/- 0.04] in the normal group and [(61.21 +/- 13.46) ng/L and 0.53 +/- 0.05] in the sham-model group (P < 0.05); after electroacupuncture, blood EGF level (70.59 +/- 10.14) ng/L increased and the EGFR mRNA expression (1.18 +/- 0.02) in the gastric mucosa was up-regulated with a significant differences as compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Point "Weibingfang" can promote proliferation, differentiation and migration of the gastric mucosal epidermic cells to repair the gastric mucosal lesion.

[Selection of basic acupoints for composing "gastric-disorder-formula" for electroacupuncture prevention of acute gastric mucosal lesion in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To select the best combination of the commonly-used acupoints [Zhongwan (CV 12), Neiguan (PC 6), and Zusanli (ST 36)] for treatment of gastric disorders.

METHODS

Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: model, ST36, CV12, PC6, ST36 + PC6, ST36 + CV12, CV12 + PC6 and ST36 + CV12 + PC6 by factorial design method. Acute gastric mucosal lesion model was established by intragastric perfusion of anhydrous alcohol. EA(1- 3 mA, 30 Hz) was applied to the above-mentioned acupoints for 20 min respectively. And after EA, gastric mucosal lesion index (LI), pathological lesion integral score (PLIS) were calculated and mucosal ultramicrostructural changes observed by optical microscope and transmission electron microscope respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with model group, the gastric mucosal LI and PLIS of ST36, CV12, PC6, ST36 + CV12, ST36 + PC6, CV12 + PC6, ST36 + CV12 + PC6 groups all decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Comparison among 7 EA groups showed that both LI and PLIS of ST36 + CV12 + PC6 group were significantly lower than those of ST36, V12, PC6, ST36 + CV12, ST36 + PC6 and CV12 + PC6 groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between every two groups of ST36, CV12, PC6, ST36+ CV12, ST36 + PC6 and CV12 + PC6 groups (P > 0.05) in both LI and PLIS. Ultrastructural results showed that the injury of gastric mucosal parietal cells and delomorphous cells including mitochondrial swelling, crista arrange disorder and breaking, enlargement of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome exfoliation, etc. in model group was serious, but lightened significantly in EA groups particularly in ST36 + CV12 + PC6 group.

CONCLUSION

ST36, PC6 and CV12 combination can effectively reduce anhydrous alcohol-induced gastric mucosal lesion in rats, and may be used as a basic formula

Magnetocrystalline anisotropy in permalloy revisited

Permalloy with a body-centered-cubic structure has been grown on GaAs(001) by molecular beam epitaxy. Its magnetism, Curie temperature, and magnetic anisotropy are determined experimentally and compared to those of conventional face-centered-cubic Permalloy. Unexpectedly the vanishing magnetic cubic anisotropy in Permalloy is found to be independent of its atomic structure but depends only upon the stoichiometry of Fe and Ni in the FexNi1-x alloy. This observation is further investigated and confirmed by first-principles electronic band calculations, which help to understand the long-standing issue of why Permalloy should be a soft magnet.

Body-centered-cubic Ni and its magnetic properties

The body-centered-cubic (bcc) phase of Ni, which does not exist in nature, has been achieved as a thin film on GaAs(001) at 170 K via molecular beam epitaxy. The bcc Ni is ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature of 456 K and possesses a magnetic moment of 0.52+/-0.08 micro(B)/atom. The cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy of bcc Ni is determined to be +4.0x10(5) ergs x cm(-3), as opposed to -5.7x10(4) ergs x cm(-3) for the naturally occurring face-centered-cubic (fcc) Ni. This sharp contrast in the magnetic anisotropy is attributed to the different electronic band structures between bcc Ni and fcc Ni, which are determined using angle-resolved photoemission with synchrotron radiation.

Spin-dependent Fabry-Pérot interference from a Cu thin film grown on fcc Co(001)

Spin-dependent electron reflection from a Cu thin film grown on Co/Cu(001) was investigated using spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy (SPLEEM). Fabry-Pe rot type interference was observed and is explained using the phase accumulation model. SPLEEM images of the Cu overlayer reveal magnetic domains in the Co underlayer, with the domain contrast oscillating with electron energy and Cu film thickness. This behavior is attributed to the spin-dependent electron reflectivity at the Cu/Co interface which leads to spin-dependent Fabry-Pe rot electron interference in the Cu film.

Magnetic stripe domains in coupled magnetic sandwiches

Magnetic stripe domains in the spin reorientation transition region are investigated in (Fe/Ni)/Cu(001) and Co/Cu/(Fe/Ni)/Cu(001) using photoemission electron microscopy. For (Fe/Ni)/Cu(001), the stripe domain width decreases exponentially as the Fe/Ni film approaches the spin reorientation transition point. For Co/Cu/(Fe/Ni)/Cu(001), the Fe/Ni stripe orientation is aligned with the Co in-plane magnetization, and the stripe domain width decreases exponentially with increasing the interlayer coupling between the Fe/Ni and Co films. By considering magnetic stripes within an in-plane magnetic field, we reveal a universal dependence of the stripe domain width on the magnetic anisotropy and on the interlayer coupling.

Spin-density wave in ultrathin Fe films on Cu(100)

For Fe films epitaxially grown on Cu(100) at 300 K, the total magnetic moment as a function of film thickness and its temperature dependence have been investigated in situ with a multitechnique approach. The results exclude the collinear type-1 antiferromagnetic configuration as the magnetic structure for face-centered-cubic Fe films on Cu(100). It is proposed that a spin-density-wave state is responsible for the magnetic structure.