Upregulation of Phosphodiesterase 7A Contributes to Concurrent Pain and Depression via Inhibition of cAMP-PKA-CREB-BDNF Signaling and Neuroinflammation in the Hippocampus of Mice.

Background: Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine monophosphate AMP (cAMP) and/or cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). PDE inhibitors can mitigate chronic pain and depression when these disorders occur individually; however, there is limited understanding of their role in concurrent chronic pain and depression. We aimed to evaluate the mechanisms of action of PDE using 2 mouse models of concurrent chronic pain and depression.

Facile synthesis of N-doped graphene quantum dots as a fluorescent sensor for Cr(vi) and folic acid detection.

The development of stable fluorescent sensors for toxic pollutants and drugs is meaningful to the environment and public health. In this work, nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) were facially synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method using soluble starch and l-arginine as carbon and nitrogen sources in pure water at 190 °C for 4 h. The as-synthesized N-GQDs were well characterized and displayed blue fluorescence emission at 445 nm with excellent pH stability, salt tolerance, thermostability, photobleaching resistance and reproducibility.

[ acupuncture combined with acupuncture for post-stroke fatigue: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of (dragon-like) acupuncture combined with (regaining consciousness and opening orifice) acupuncture on post-stroke fatigue.

Methods: Sixty patients with post-stroke fatigue were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), etc.

[Governor vessel moxibustion combined with warming acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis with deficiency and cold congelation based on the supporting- theory].

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy between governor vessel moxibustion combined with warming acupuncture based on the supporting- theory and simple warming acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with deficiency and cold congelation.

Methods: A total of 64 patients with KOA of deficiency and cold congelation were randomized into a combination group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a warming acupuncture group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the warming acupuncture group, warming acupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), etc.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation for post-stroke depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on post-stroke depression (PSD).

Methods: Databases were searched through February 2021. Randomized Controlled Trial(RCT) investigating the efficacy of tDCS in PSD using a standardized depression scale as outcome measure was included.

[Acupuncture adjuvant treatment for dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on swallowing function and nutritional status of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) dysphagia.

Methods: A total of 56 patients with PD dysphagia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 28 cases in each one. Both groups were given conventional treatment and swallowing function rehabilitation training.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on inhibiting cartilage degeneration in rats with knee osteoarthritis].

Objective: To explore the action mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) based on Wnt/beta-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin) signaling pathway.

Methods: Ten rats were randomly selected into a sham-operation group among 50 male 2-month-old SD rats, and the KOA model was established in the remaining 40 rats by modified Hulth method. Four weeks after the model establishment, the rats were randomly divided into a model group, an experimental A group, an experimental B group and an experimental C group, 10 rats in each group.

[Efficacy of acupuncture combined with hydro-acupuncture for transverse processes syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra].

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture combined with hydro-acupuncture and acupuncture alone for transverse processes syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra.

Methods: One hundred patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with regular acupuncture at Weizhong (BL 40), points, Jiaji (L～L) and Shenshu (BL 23); the acupuncture was given once a day, six treatments per week for consecutive 2 weeks.

Electroacupuncture Delays Cartilage Degeneration by Modulating Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling Pathway.

Objective: To illustrate the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Twenty-seven six-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were allocated into three groups in accordance with a random number table: normal group (no surgery-induced OA; without treatment), model group (surgery-induced OA; without treatment) and EA group [surgery-induced OA; received treatment with EA at acupoints Dubi (ST 35) and Neixiyan (EX-LE 5), 30 min twice a day]. After eight consecutive weeks of treatment, the histopathological alterations in cartilage were observed using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, cartilage degeneration was evaluated by modified Mankin's score principles, the synovial fluid concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-3, IκB kinase-β (IKK-β), nuclear factor of α light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor α (IκB-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 were quantified by Western blot analysis.

Intranasal Pretreatment with Z-Ligustilide, the Main Volatile Component of Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Confers Prophylaxis against Cerebral Ischemia via Nrf2 and HSP70 Signaling Pathways.

Z-Ligustilide (Z-LIG) is a major component in Rhizoma Chuanxiong, which has been traditionally used as a health food supplement for the prevention of cerebrovascular disease in China. This study investigates the ability of intranasal Z-LIG pretreatment to enhance protection against neuronal damage in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and the role of cellular stress response mechanisms Nrf2 and HSP70. Z-LIG significantly mitigated infarct volume, neurological dysfunction, blood-brain barrier disruption, and brain edema (p < 0.

Potential synergistic and multitarget effect of herbal pair Chuanxiong Rhizome-Paeonia Albifora Pall on osteoarthritis disease: a computational pharmacology approach.

Objective: To study the polypharmacological mechanism of herbal pair Chuanxiong Rhizome-Paeonia Albifora Pall (HP CXR-PAP) on the treatment for osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Chemical space was used to discuss the similarities and differences between the molecule sets of HP CXR-PAP and drugs. Docking protocol was used to study the interaction between HP CXR-PAP and OA target enzymes.

Experimental study on the suppression of sodium nitroprussiate-induced chondrocyte apoptosis by Tougu Xiaotong Capsule (透骨消痛胶囊)-containing serum.

Objective: To study the mechanism of action of Tougu Xiaotong Capsule (透骨消痛胶囊, TGXTC) ex vivo in suppressing chondrocyte (CD) apoptosis induced by sodium nitroprussiate (SNP).

Methods: Thirty New Zealand rabbits, 2 months old, were randomized by lottery into five groups, six in each: the blank group treated with saline, the positive control group treated with Zhuanggu Guanjie Pill (壮骨关节丸, 70 mg/kg), and the three experimental groups, EGA, EGB, and EGC, treated with low dose (35 mg/kg), moderate dose (70 mg/kg), and high dose (140 mg/kg) of TGXTC, respectively. All treatments were administered via gastrogavage twice a day for 3 days.

[Clinical experiences of professor WU Bing-Huang on emergency treatment with acupressure].

The key points of acupoint selection and manipulations of Professor WU Bing-huang's experiences on emergency treatment with acupressure are introduced. It includes emergency treatment on coma (collapse, faint, faint at the sight of blood, faint during acupuncture, faint during moxibustion, shock, etc.), and pain, cough as well as asthma relieving with acupressure (include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, toothache, dysmenorrhea, lumbago, neck stiffness after sleep, cough, asthma, etc.

Clinical study on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis of Shen-Sui insufficiency syndrome type by electroacupuncture.

Objective: To study the clinical effificacy of electroacupuncture (EA) on treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of Shen ()-Sui () insuffificiency (SSI) syndrome type.

Methods: A total of 245 patients (279 knees) of KOA-SSI were randomly assigned to two groups by lottery: 141 knees in the treatment group and 138 knees in the control group. The treatment group was managed with EA at the dominant points of Neixiyan (Ex-LE4) and Waixiyan (Ex-LE5) as well as the conjugate points of Xuanzhong (GB39) and Taixi (KI3) for 30 min, once a day, with 15 days as one course; 2 courses were applied with a 5-day interval in between.

Experimental study of millimeter wave-induced differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes.

Low power millimeter wave irradiation is widely used in clinical medicine. We describe the effects of this treatment on cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and attempted to identify the underlying mechanism. Cells cultured using the whole marrow attachment culture method proliferated dispersedly or in clones.

[Immunological screening for multiple myeloma-associated antigens and their bioinformatics analysis].

This study was aimed to screen the cell cDNA expression library of multiple myeloma HMy2 (MM HMy2) by using "serological analysis of cDNA expression library (SEREX)" technique. The obtained 30 positive clones were all sequenced, and analyzed by BLAST (basic local alignment search tool). The results indicated that 6 known genes and 12 new MM-associated genes were obtained, part of which sequences were spliced by EST (expressed sequence tag) splicing.