Effects of acupuncture at Zu-San-Li (ST36) on the activity of the hypothalamic--pituitary--adrenal axis during ethanol withdrawal in rats.

The current study investigated the effects of acupuncture at Zu-San-Li (ST36) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during ethanol withdrawal in rats. Rats were intraperitoneally treated with 3 g/kg/day of ethanol or saline for 28 days. Following 24 hours of ethanol withdrawal, acupuncture was applied at bilateral ST36 points or non-acupoints (tail) for 1 minute.

The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire.

Aim: To examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire.

Background: Nurses' self-concept is important to alleviate the current shortage of nurses. Nurses' self-concept questionnaire is an effective instrument to measure nurses' self-perception of professional competencies.

Alterations in gene expression and steroidogenesis in the testes of transient cerebral ischemia in male rats.

Background: Serum testosterone levels have been found lower in acute ischemic stroke male patients. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we measured serum testosterone levels, steroidogenesis- related genes and Leydig cells number in experimental transient cerebral ischemia male rats to elucidate the mechanism.