Electroacupuncture ST36 prevents postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions formation.

Background: We have recently proved electroacupuncture (EA) ST36 exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in the early phase of intra-abdominal adhesion formation. Evidences indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of EA ST36 involves a cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway-dependent mechanism via the vagus nerve. However, the exact effects and accurate vagal modulation of acupuncture in prevention of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Seeing the unseen: Charles Bonnet syndrome revisited.

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a rare condition that encompasses three clinical features: complex visual hallucinations, ocular pathology causing visual deterioration, and preserved cognitive status. Common associated ocular pathologies include age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. Several theories have been proposed to try to explain the visual hallucinations.

Approaching near real-time biosensing: microfluidic microsphere based biosensor for real-time analyte detection.

In this study we describe a simple lab-on-a-chip (LOC) biosensor approach utilizing well mixed microfluidic device and a microsphere-based assay capable of performing near real-time diagnostics of clinically relevant analytes such cytokines and antibodies. We were able to overcome the adsorption kinetics reaction rate-limiting mechanism, which is diffusion-controlled in standard immunoassays, by introducing the microsphere-based assay into well-mixed yet simple microfluidic device with turbulent flow profiles in the reaction regions. The integrated microsphere-based LOC device performs dynamic detection of the analyte in minimal amount of biological specimen by continuously sampling micro-liter volumes of sample per minute to detect dynamic changes in target analyte concentration.

Electroacupuncturing at Zusanli point (ST36) attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine release and organ dysfunction by activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in rat with endotoxin challenge.

Background: It is considered that the pathogenesis is closely related to an excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by bacterial toxins and an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators.

Materials And Methods: This work investigates the effect of electro-acupuncturing (EA), at Zusanli point (ST36) on plasma cytokine release and organ dysfunction and their mechanism in conscious rats with endotoxin challenge.

Results: EA at Zusanli points obviously lowered the elevated levels of plasma TNF-α, and attenuated changes in parameters relevant to various organ functions at 2 h after LPS challenge.

The Relationship Between Inflammation and Impaired Wound Healing in a Diabetic Rat Burn Model.

Inflammation, initiated by polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMNs) infiltration, is the first step in wound healing. The aim of this study is to investigate the function of neutrophils in a diabetes-impaired wound healing model and to explore the underlying mechanisms leading to neutrophil dysfunction. Superficial second-degree burns were created in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model, and the changes in the levels of advanced glycation end products (AGE), receptor of AGE (RAGE), inflammatory cytokines and oxidative markers, as well as cell apoptosis were determined.

Electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) promotes gastric emptying and mucosal blood flow during oral resuscitation of scalded rats with a pyruvate-enriched ORS.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at ST36 (EA ST36) on gastric emptying and mucosal blood flow during intragastric resuscitation with pyruvate-enriched oral rehydration solution (Pyr-ORS) in scalded rats.

Methods: The rats were subjected to a 35% total body surface area (TBSA) of scald injury and randomly divided into five groups (N=24) and two subgroups (n=12) in each group. The Pyr-ORS was delivered intragastrically according to the Parkland formula immediately after scalding at a dose of 1 mL kg(-1) %TBSA(-1) in 1 h.

Ca(2+) and EGF induce the differentiation of human embryo mesenchymal stem cells into epithelial-like cells.

The mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) occurs in organ development and anti-tumorigenesis. We have investigated the effects of calcium (Ca(2+)) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) differentiation into epithelial-like cells. hMSCs lost their biological characteristics after EGF transfection, and MET was achieved by adding 0.

Pathophysiological aspects of sepsis: an overview.

Sepsis is defined as severe systemic inflammation in response to invading pathogens, or an uncontrolled hyperinflammatory response, as mediated by the release of various proinflammatory mediators. Although some patients may die rapidly from septic shock accompanied by an overwhelming systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) triggered by a highly virulent pathogen, most patients survive the initial phase of sepsis, showing multiple organ damage days or weeks later. These patients often demonstrate signs of immune suppression accompanied by enhanced inflammation.

Differential susceptible loci expression in keloid and hypertrophic scars in the Chinese Han population.

Background: Hypertrophic scars (HSs) and keloids (KDs) are commonly seen as 2 different diseases. We aimed to find potential genes associated with KD and HS formation.

Methods: We selected 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (based on the whole genome resequencing we have done) for replication in 71 KDs and 50 HSs using the Sequenom Massarray system.

Therapeutic potential of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway pre-activated for the treatment of diabetic wounds.

The pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus wounds is complicate, and there lacks effective treatment strategies. Mesenchymal stem cells can promote wound healing. Compared with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have obvious advantages in biological property.

[Effects of oral fluid resuscitation with pyruvate-oral rehydration solution on the hemodynamic parameters and organ functions during shock stage in dogs with a 50% total body surface area full thickness burn].

Objective: To study the effect of oral fluid resuscitation with pyruvate sodium-glucose-electrolyte solution (PGES) on hemodynamics, organ functions and mortalities during shock stage in dogs with burn.

Methods: In comparison of oral pyruvate sodium-glucose-electrolyte solution (PGES) with NaHCO₃-glucose-electrolyte solution (HGES), beagle dogs with intubation of the carotid artery, jugular vein and jejunum for 24 hours were subjected to a 50% total body surface area (TBSA) burn, and were divided into three groups: pure burn without fluid resuscitation (NR, n = 8), and two oral fluid resuscitation (each n = 10), in which dogs were given with Pry-GES (OP) or NaHCO₃-GES (OH) according to Parkland formula. The hemodynamic and organ functions were measured serially before burn and 2, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours after burn at no anaesthesia state A.

Localization of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase α/β, Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl-cotransporter 1 and aquaporin-5 in human eccrine sweat glands.

In order to evaluate the function of the repaired or regenerated eccrine sweat glands, we must first localize the proteins involved in sweat secretion and absorption in normal human eccrine sweat glands. In our studies, the cellular localization of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase α/β, Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl-cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) in eccrine sweat glands were detected by immunoperoxidase labeling. The results showed that Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase α was immunolocalized in the cell membrane of the basal layer and suprabasal layer cells of the epidermis, the basolateral membrane of the secretory coils, and the cell membrane of the outer cells and the basolateral membrane of the luminal cells of the ducts.

Inhibiting effect of electroacupuncture at zusanli on early inflammatory factor levels formed by postoperative abdominal adhesions.

We observed the inhibitive effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli on inflammatory mediators of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions to find out the relationship between EA and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Sixty-four rats were divided into 8 groups (A-H, each = 8): A = sham control; B = abdominal adhesions model; C = abdominal adhesions plus EA; D = sham acupoint control; E = abdominal adhesions plus vagotomy; F = abdominal adhesions plus EA after vagotomy; G = abdominal adhesions plus α-bungarotoxin (BGT); and H = abdominal adhesions plus EA after α-BGT. α-BGT (1 μg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavity after surgery, and the bilateral celiac vagotomy was done during the surgery.

Anti-RAGE antibody ameliorates severe thermal injury in rats through regulating cellular immune function.

Aim: The receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) participates in a variety of pathophysiological processes and inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of an anti-RAGE neutralizing antibody for severe thermal injury in rats, and to determine whether the treatment worked via modulating cellular immune function.

Methods: Full-thickness scald injury was induced in Wistar rats, which were treated with the anti-RAGE antibody (1 mg/kg, iv) at 6 h and 24 h after the injury.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Inhibits α-Smooth Muscle Actin and Myosin II Expression in Fibroblasts Derived From Scar Contracture.

Background: Scar contracture (SC) is one of the most common complications resulting from major burn injuries. Numerous treatments are currently available but they do not always yield excellent therapeutic results. Recent reports suggest that botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) is effective at reducing SC clinically, but the molecular mechanism for this action is unknown.

Pyruvate oral rehydration solution improved visceral function and survival in shock rats.

Background: Recent findings showed advantages of a novel pyruvate-enriched oral rehydration solution (Pyr-ORS) in resuscitation of burns. This study focused on effects of Pyr-ORS on the visceral blood perfusion (VBP), gastrointestinal function, and survival rate, compared with the bicarbonate-based World Health Organization-guided oral rehydration solution (WHO-ORS), during intragastric rehydration of lethal hemorrhagic shock in rats.

Methods: Sixty adult rats were subjected to 45% total blood volume loss and were randomly allocated to the following three groups (n = 20): group NR (no fluid resuscitation), group PORS (oral Pyr-ORS rehydration), and group BORS (oral WHO-ORS rehydration), respectively.

The cellular localization of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, potassium channel, epithelial sodium channel γ and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase in human eccrine sweat glands.

The secretory portions of human eccrine sweat glands secrete isotonic fluid into the lumen and then the primary fluid is rendered hypotonic during its passage to the skin surface. During the processes of sweat secretion and absorption, many enzymes and proteins play important roles. In the study, the cellular localizations of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 (NHE1), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), potassium channel (KC), epithelial sodium channel γ (γENaC) and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) in human eccrine sweat glands and epidermis were detected using immunofluorescence labeling.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin signaling and forkhead-box transcription factor 3a phosphorylation are involved in testosterone's effect on severe burn injury in a rat model.

Background: Testosterone and androgen receptor agonists have been known for a long time to prevent or reverse muscle wasting in burn injury patients, but the exact molecular mechanisms are not clear.

Objective: To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of testosterone in severely burned rats.

Methods: Severe burn injuries were induced by immersing the back of the rat in 100 °C water for 12 s.

Insights into the apoptotic death of immune cells in sepsis.

Sepsis with subsequent multiple-organ dysfunction is a distinct systemic inflammatory response to concealed or obvious infection, and it is a leading cause of death in intensive care units. Thus, one of the key goals in critical care medicine is to develop novel therapeutic strategies that will affect favorably on outcome of septic patients. In addition to systemic response to infection, apoptosis is implicated to be an important mechanism of the death of immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, T lymphocytes, and dendritic cells, and it is usually followed by the development of multiple-organ failure in sepsis.

[Effects of endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide on proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) in vitro, and to explore their possible mechanism.

Methods: hUCMSCs from umbilical cord tissue of full-term healthy fetus delivered by caesarean section were isolated and cultured in vitro using tissue attachment method. The 3rd passage hUCMSCs were used in the study.

Internal and external carotid artery embolism following facial injection of autologous fat.

Autologous fat injection is a common aesthetic procedure for soft-tissue augmentation of the face. Although this procedure is generally regarded as safe, several patients have experienced acute visual loss or cerebral infarction after these injections. We describe a case of internal and external carotid artery fat embolism that occurred following injection of autologous fat into the face.

Macrophage polarization in inflammatory diseases.

Diversity and plasticity are two hallmarks of macrophages. M1 macrophages (classically activated macrophages) are pro-inflammatory and have a central role in host defense against infection, while M2 macrophages (alternatively activated macrophages) are associated with responses to anti-inflammatory reactions and tissue remodeling, and they represent two terminals of the full spectrum of macrophage activation. Transformation of different phenotypes of macrophages regulates the initiation, development, and cessation of inflammatory diseases.

Dynamic biological changes in fibroblasts during hypertrophic scar formation and regression.

The human hypertrophic scar undergoes hyperplasia and regression during progression. This study aimed to investigate whether fibroblasts in scar tissue undergo biological changes during the formation and regression of human hypertrophic scar. Using 32 scar samples, we measured collagen production by Masson's staining and the expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by immunohistochemistry.

In vivo high-resolution magic angle spinning proton NMR spectroscopy of Drosophila melanogaster flies as a model system to investigate mitochondrial dysfunction in Drosophila GST2 mutants.

In vivo nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), a non-destructive biochemical tool used for investigating live organisms, has recently been performed in studies of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a useful model organism for investigating genetics and physiology. We used a novel high-resolution magic angle-spinning (HRMAS) NMR method to investigate live Drosophila GST2 mutants using a conventional 14.1-T NMR spectrometer equipped with an HRMAS probe.

Lead-induced effects on learning/memory and fear/anxiety are correlated with disturbances in specific cholinesterase isoform activity and redox imbalance in adult brain.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the underlying mechanism of lead (Pb)-induced effects on learning/memory and fear/anxiety behavior involves changes either on AChE G4 (most abundant in brain) or on G1 isoform activity, and/or to a putative local disruption of oxidant/antioxidant balance. Adult male mice were randomly divided into two groups (18 animals/group): a vehicle group [500ppm (mg/L) CH3COONa/day for 4weeks in their drinking water] and a Pb-treated group [500ppm Pb(CH3COO)2/day for 4weeks in their drinking water]. At the end of the treatment period, mice were subjected to the behavioral tasks.