Vagal sensory neurons mediate the Bezold-Jarisch reflex and induce syncope.

Visceral sensory pathways mediate homeostatic reflexes, the dysfunction of which leads to many neurological disorders. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex (BJR), first described in 1867, is a cardioinhibitory reflex that is speculated to be mediated by vagal sensory neurons (VSNs) that also triggers syncope. However, the molecular identity, anatomical organization, physiological characteristics and behavioural influence of cardiac VSNs remain mostly unknown.

Acupuncture Improved the Function of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter and Esophageal Motility in Chinese Patients with Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms: A Randomized Trial.

Objectives: Acupuncture is therapeutic for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease by an unclear mechanism. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of acupuncture on esophageal motility in patients with symptoms of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were prospectively enrolled from August 2014 to December 2018 and randomized into acupuncture and control groups ( = 33 and 35, respectively).

[Expression of survivin in leukemia cells and influence on it by GM-CSF].

This study was aimed to explore the expression of survivin in leukemia cells and to investigate the effect of GM-CSF on survivin expression. The survivin expressions in 37 previously untreated leukemia patients and 10 normal persons as well as in three kinds of leukemia cell lines (K562, HL-60, U937) were analyzed by RT-PCR. The HL-60 cells were treated by the proper concentration of GM-CSF, and the changes of survivin mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by using RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.