Mechanosensor for Proprioception Inspired by Ultrasensitive Trigger Hairs of Venus Flytrap.

Mechanosensors, as the core component of a proprioceptive system, can detect many types of mechanical signals in their surroundings, such as force signals, displacement signals, and vibration signals. It is understandable that the development of an all-new mechanosensory structure that can be widely used is highly desirable. This is because it can markedly improve the detection performance of mechanosensors.

[Effects of acupoint area and non-acupoint area of eye-acupuncture on expressions of VIP and AQP 8 in colonic tissues in rats with D-IBS].

Objective: To explore the point specificity of eye-acupuncture and the mechanism of eye-acupuncture on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS).

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a eye-acupuncture point (AA) group and a non-point (NA) group. The D-IBS rat model was established with the combination methods of the chronic stress and binding limbs.

[Effects of eye-acupuncture therapy on the expression of AQP4 in brain tissue of rats with acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of the eye-acupuncture for treatment of acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods: Thirty-two healthy SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an eye-acupuncture group, 8 rats in each group. The rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was established with thread occlusion method in the model group and the eye-acupuncture group.

[Effects of oculo-acupuncture therapy on colonic serotonin reuptake transporter expression in rats with irritable bowel syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the effect of oculo-acupuncture therapy (OAT) on the alteration of colonic serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) expression in rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) so as to explore its underlying mechanism in relieving IBS.

Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomized into control, IBS model and OAT groups (n = 10/group). IBS model was established by repeated stress stimulation [water-intake inhibition (24 h), warm box keeping (40 degrees C,5 min), electric shock stimulation (30 V, 120 s), forced cool water swimming (14 t, 5 min), 24 h fasting, and tail clamping (180 s)] for 18 days.

[Effects of eye-acupuncture therapy on serum and colonic SP and VIP contents in rats with irritable bowel syndrome].

Objective: To observe the effect of the eye-acupuncture therapy on serum and colonic substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) contents in rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) so as to explore its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were equally randomized into control group, IBS model group, eye-acupuncture group and medication (Pinaverium bromide, 7.5 mg/kg, twice daily, intragastric administration) group.