[Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion regulates M1 and M2 macrophage polarization of colonic mucosa in rats with Crohn's disease].

Objective: To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion (Moxi) on the expressions of inflammatory factors and M1/M2 polarization in colonic mucosal macrophages in Crohn's disease (CD) rats, so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in the treatment of CD.

Methods: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, Moxi and medication groups (=10). The CD model was established by enema of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) solution (5%TNBS∶50% alcohol=2∶1, 3 mL/kg), once every 7 days, 4 times altogether.

Lactobacillus spp. in the reproductive system of female moths and mating induced changes and possible transmission.

Background: The microbiome in the insect reproductive tract is poorly understood. Our previous study demonstrated the presence of Lactobacillus spp. in female moths, but their distribution and function remain unclear.

The Role and Therapeutic Perspectives of Sirtuin 3 in Cancer Metabolism Reprogramming, Metastasis, and Chemoresistance.

Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase, acts as a metabolic modulator mainly located in mitochondria regulating the process of the relevant biochemical processes by targeting crucial mediators. Recently, owing to its dual role in cancer, SIRT3 has attracted extensive attention. Cancer cells have different metabolic patterns from normal cells, and SIRT3-mediated metabolism reprogramming could be critical in the cancer context, which is closely related to the mechanism of metabolism reprogramming, metastasis, and chemoresistance in tumor cells.

The Role and Therapeutic Value of Syndecan-1 in Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance.

Metastasis and relapse are major causes of cancer-related fatalities. The elucidation of relevant pathomechanisms and adoption of appropriate countermeasures are thus crucial for the development of clinical strategies that inhibit malignancy progression as well as metastasis. An integral component of the extracellular matrix, the type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein syndecan-1 (SDC-1) binds cytokines and growth factors involved in tumor microenvironment modulation.

Effectiveness of herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture on polycystic ovary syndrome in patients with symptom pattern of kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampne.

Objective: To observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in patients with symptom pattern of kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampness.

Methods: Totally 62 PCOS patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into intervention group and control group. In the intervention group, acupoints were subjected to (43 ± 1) ℃ herb-partitioned moxibustion and electroacupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture in a Rat Model of Asthma.

A high platform can fix rats without restriction and completely expose the acupoints on the back during acupuncture manipulation. This article describes methods for the fabrication of the high platform, establishes a rat model of asthma and measures changes in respiratory function using a noninvasive and real-time whole-body plethysmography (WBP) system.

Metallothionein-2 is associated with the amelioration of asthmatic pulmonary function by acupuncture through protein phosphorylation.

Background: Acupuncture has long been used for asthma treatment but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Previous study showed that metallothionein-2 (MT-2) was significantly decreased in asthmatic lung tissue. However, the relationship between acupuncture treatment and MT-2 expression during asthma is still unknown, and the detailed effect analysis of MT-2 on phosphorylation in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is also unclear.