Acupuncture inhibits Notch1 and Hes1 protein expression in the basal ganglia of rats with cerebral hemorrhage

Notch pathway activation maintains neural stem cells in a proliferating state and increases nerve repair capacity. To date, studies have rarely focused on changes or damage to signal transduc- tion pathways during cerebral hemorrhage. Here, we examined the effect of acupuncture in a rat model of cerebral hemorrhage. We examined four groups： in the control group, rats received no treatment. In the model group, cerebral hemorrhage models were established by infusing non-hep-arinized blood into the Brain. In the acupuncture group, modeled rats had Baihui （DU20） and Qubin （GBT） acupoints treated once a day for 30 minutes. In the DAPT group, modeled rats had 0.15 μg/mL DAPT solution （10 mL） infused into the brain. Immunohistochemistry and western blot results showed that acupuncture effectively inhibits Notch 1 and Hesl protein expression in rat basal ganglia. These inhibitory effects were identical to DAPT, a Notch signaling pathway inhibitor. Our results suggest that acupuncture has a neuroprotective effect on cerebral hemorrhage by in- hibiting Notch-Hes signaling pathway transduction in rat basal ganglia after cerebral hemorrhage.

Acupuncture promotes functional recovery after cerebral hemorrhage by upregulating neurotrophic factor expression

Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage,and it improves outcomes in experimental animal models and patients.However,the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for cerebral hemorrhage are still unclear.In this study,a model of intracerebral hemorrhage was produced by injecting 50μL autologous blood into the caudate nucleus in Wistar rats.Acupuncture at Baihui(DU20)and Qubin(GB7)acupoints was performed at a depth of 1.0 inch,12 hours after blood injection,once every 24 hours.The needle was rotated at 200 r/min for 5 minutes,For each 30-minute session,needling at 200 r/min was performed for three sessions,each lasting 5 minutes.For the positive control group,at 6 hours,and 1,2,3 and 7 days after induction of hemorrhage,the rats were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL aniracetam(0.75 mg/mL),three times a day.The Bederson behavioral test was used to assess palsy in the contralateral limbs.Western blot assay was used to examine the expression levels of Nestin and basic fibroblast growth factor in the basal ganglia.Immunohistochemistry was performed to count the number of Nestin-and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-positive cells in the basal ganglia.Acupuncture effectively reduced hemorrhage and brain edema,elevated the expression levels of Nestin and basic fibroblast growth factor in the basal ganglia,and increased the number of Nestin-and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-positive cells in the basal ganglia.Together,these findings suggest that acupuncture promotes functional recovery after cerebral hemorrhage by increasing the expression of neurotrophic factors.The study was approved by the Committee for Experimental Animals of Heilongjiang Medical Laboratory Animal Center(approval No.2017061001)on June 10,2017.

Baihui(DU20)-penetrating-Qubin(GB7) acupuncture inhibits apoptosis in the perihemorrhagic penumbra

Baihui（DU20）-penetrating-Qubin（GB7） acupuncture can inhibit inflammatory reactions and activate signaling pathways related to proliferation after intracerebral hemorrhage.However,there is no research showing the relationship between this treatment and cell apoptosis.Rat models of intracerebral hemorrhage were established by injecting 60 μL of autologous blood into the right side of the caudate-putamen.Six hours later,the needle traveled subcutaneously from the Baihui acupoint to Qubin acupoint.The needle was alternately rotated（180 ± 10 turns/min） manually along clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.Stimulation lasted for 7 days,and was performed three times each for 6 minutes with 6-minute intervals between stimulations.Rats intraperitoneally receiving Sonic hedgehog pathway activator,purmorphamine（1 mg/kg per day）,served as positive controls.Motor and sensory function were assessed using the Ludmila Belayev test.Extent of pathological changes were measured in the perihemorrhagic penumbra using hematoxylin-eosin staining.Apoptosis was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase（Td T）-mediated d UTP nick end labeling assay.Expression of smoothened（Smo） and glioma-associated homolog 1（Gli1） was determined by western blot assay.Our results showed that Baihui-penetrating-Qubin acupuncture promoted recovery of motor and sensory function,reduced the apoptotic cell percentage in the perihemorrhagic penumbra,and up-regulated Smo and Gli1 expression.We conclude that Baihui-penetrating-Qubin acupuncture can mitigate hemorrhage and promote functional recovery of the brain in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage,possibly by activating the Sonic hedgehog pathway.

Features and origins of massive dolomite of Lower Ordovician Penglaiba Formation in the northwest Tarim Basin:Evidence from petrography and geochemistry

An integrated petrographical and geochemical study of the massive dolomite of the lower Ordovician Penglaiba Formation of the Tarim Basin,outcropping at Yonganba recognized three dolomite types:very finely to finely crystalline nonplanar-a to planar-s dolomite(D1);medium crystalline planar-s to planar-e dolomite(D2);and coarse crystalline nonplanar-a dolomite(D3).All have been affected by burial.D1 and D2 dolomites developed initially before or during shallow burial and later recrystallized,whereas D3 dolomite replaced the initial limestone entirely during burial.All three dolomites have similar geochemical features.The D2 dolomite tends to have more inter-crystalline pores(inherited from primary pores)and higher porosity due to its outstanding compaction resistance during shallow burial;whereas D3 dolomite does not retain appreciable primary pores due to strong cementation and pressure dissolution before dolomitization.This study provides a useful model for understanding the origin and porosity development of burial dolomite,in particular Paleozoic dolomite.

Near-infrared lead chalcogenide quantum dots:Synthesis and applications in light emitting diodes

This paper reviews the recent progress in the synthesis of near-infrared(NIR) lead chalcogenide(PbX;PbX = PbS,PbSe, PbTe) quantum dots(QDs) and their applications in NIR QDs based light emitting diodes(NIR-QLEDs). It summarizes the strategies of how to synthesize high efficiency PbX QDs and how to realize high performance Pb X based NIR-QLEDs.

Improved blue quantum dot light-emitting diodes via chlorine passivated ZnO nanoparticle layer

In blue quantum dot light emitting diodes(QLEDs),electron injection is insufficient,which would degrade device efficiency and stability.Herein,we employ chlorine passivated ZnO nanoparticles as electron transport layer to facilitate electron injection into QDs effectively.Moreover,it suppresses exciton quenching at the QD/ZnO interface by blocking charge transfer channel.As a result,the maximum external quantum efficiency of blue QLED was increased from 2.55%to 4.60%,and the operation lifetime of blue QLED was nearly 4 times longer than that of the control device.Our work indicates that election injection plays an important role in blue QLED efficiency and stability.

Simulation of Melting Behavior of the MgSi03 Perovskite Under Lower Mantle Conditions

The melting curve of MgSiO3 perovskite was simulated using molecular dynamics method combining with the effective pair potentials under the lower mantle conditions. It was shown that the state equation simulated for MgSiO3 perovskite is very successful in reproducing accurately the experimental data over a wide range of pressure. The pressure dependence of the simulated melting temperature of MgSiO3 perovskite is in agreement with the recent experimental data. The melting curve simulated for MgSiO3 is very steep at pressures below 60 GPa first, then it becomes smooth with increasing pressure. At the core mantle boundary pressure 135 GPa, MgSiO3 perovskite melts at 6500 K, which is significantly lower than that of the extrapolations of the experimental data from Zerr and Boehler.

Structural,electronic,and magnetic properties of quaternary Heusler CrZrCoZ compounds:A first-principles study

Using the first-principles calculations,we study the structural,electronic,and magnetic properties along with exchange interactions and Curie temperatures for CrZrCoZ(Z=Al,Ga,In,Tl,Si,Pb)quaternary Heusler alloys.The results show that the CrZrCoZ alloys are half-metallic ferrimagnets,and their total spin magnetic moments,which are mainly carried by the Cr atom,obey the Slater-Pauling rule.Analysis of local density of states confirms that the exchange splitting between eg and t2g states leads to the formation of half-metallic gap.According to the calculated Heisenberg exchange coupling parameters,it is found that the Cr(A)-Cr(A)and Cr(A)-Zr(B)exchanges dominate the appearance of ferrimagnetic states in CrZrCoZ(Z=Al,Ga,In,Tl,Pb)alloys,and it is the Cr(A)-Zr(B)and Zr(B)-Zr(B)exchanges for CrZrCoSi alloy.Finally,we estimate the Curie temperatures of CrZrCoZ by using mean-field approximation,it is found that the CrZrCoZ(Z=Al,Ga,In,Tl,Pb)alloys have noticeably higher Curie temperatures than room temperature.So,we expect that the CrZrCoZ alloys are promising candidates in spintronic applications in future.

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia after total hip arthroplasty in a dermatomyositis patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia(PJP)is a serious opportunistic infection that occurs mostly in patients with immunodeficiency and long-term immunosuppressive therapy.In non-human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients,the most important risk factor for PJP is the use of glucocorticoids in combination with other immunosuppressive treatments.The management of glucocorticoids during the perioperative period in patients with dermatomyositis requires special care.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of PJP in the perioperative period.A 61-year-old woman with a history of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5(MDA5)-positive dermatomyositis and interstitial pneumonia was administered with long-term oral methylprednisolone and cyclosporine.The patient underwent right total hip arthroplasty in the orthopaedic department for bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head.She was given intravenous drip hydrocortisone before anesthesia and on the first day after surgery and resumed oral methylprednisolone on the second postoperative day.On the fifth day after surgery,the patient suddenly developed dyspnea.The computed tomography scan showed diffuse grid shadows and ground glass shadows in both lungs.Polymerase chain reaction testing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was positive for Pneumocystis jiroveci.The patient was eventually diagnosed with PJP and was administered with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.At the 6-mo review,there was no recurrence or progression.CONCLUSION Continued perioperative glucocorticoid use in patients with anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis may increase the risk of PJP.

Residual circulating tumor DNA after adjuvant chemotherapy effectively predicts recurrence of stage II-III gastric cancer

Background Circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA)is a promising biomarker for predicting relapse in multiple solid cancers.However,the predictive value of ctDNA for disease recurrence remains indefinite in locoregional gastric cancer(GC).Here,we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of ctDNA in this context.Methods From 2016 to 2019,100 patients with stage II/III resectable GC were recruited in this prospective cohort study(NCT02887612).Primary tumors were collected during surgical resection,and plasma samples were collected perioperatively and within 3 months after adjuvant chemotherapy(ACT).Somatic variants were captured via a targeted sequencing panel of 425 cancer-related genes.The plasma was defined as ctDNA-positive only if one or more variants detected in the plasma were presented in at least 2%of the primary tumors.Results Compared with ctDNA-negative patients,patients with positive postoperative ctDNA had moderately higher risk of recurrence[hazard ratio(HR)=2.74,95%confidence interval(CI)=1.37–5.48;P=0.003],while patients with positive post-ACT ctDNA showed remarkably higher risk(HR=14.99,95%CI=3.08-72.96;P<0.001).Multivariate analyses indicated that both postoperative and post-ACT ctDNA positivity were independent predictors of recurrence-free survival(RFS).Moreover,post-ACT ctDNA achieved better predictive performance(sensitivity,77.8%;specificity,90.6%)than both postoperative ctDNA and serial cancer antigen.A comprehensive model incorporating ctDNA for recurrence risk prediction showed a higher C-index(0.78;95%CI=0.71–0.84)than the model without ctDNA(0.71;95%CI=0.64–0.79;P=0.009).Conclusions Residual ctDNA after ACT effectively predicts high recurrence risk in stage II/III GC,and the combination of tissue-based and circulating tumor features could achieve better risk prediction.

The Influence of Various Cationic Group on Polynorbornene Based Anion Exchange Membranes with Hydrophobic Large Steric Hindrance Arylene Substituent

A series of brominated polynorbornene derivatives,including bulky steric hydrophobic groups and highly physical and chemical stable backbones,were synthesized via ring-opening metathesis polymerization and post-functionalized with trimethylammonium(QA),N-methylimidazole(Im),N-methylpyrrolidinium(Pyr)or N-methylpiperidinium(Pip)to construct the entire anion exchange membranes(AEMs).Benefited from prominent phase-separated morphology,PBO-x%-y(x=66,68,70;y=QA,Im,Pyr,Pip)AEMs with ion exchange capacity(IEC)approaching 2.0 meq·g^(−1)exhibited super high hydroxide conductivities.Thereinto,PBO-70%-Pip possessed the highest hydroxide conductivity of 137.3 mS·cm^(−1)at 80℃Moreover,all membranes exhibit low swelling ratio(SR)(the SR of PBO-66%-QA was just 8.6%at 80℃).That is,bulky steric hydrophobic groups play a crucial role in balancing the high hydroxide conductivity and low SR in AEMs.Furthermore,three AEMs(PBO-66%-QA,PBO-68%-Pyr,PBO-70%-Pip)showed good alkaline stability after immersion into 1.0 mol/L NaOH aqueous solution at 80℃for 480 h without any degradation.

咔唑基团功能化全同聚丙烯抗紫外老化性能研究

通过丙烯和含咔唑基团的α-烯烃的直接共聚,向全同聚丙烯中引入了具有可吸收紫外光的咔唑基团.咔唑基团具有吸收紫外光及365 nm紫外光下具有明显的蓝紫色发光特性,可能赋予材料抗光氧老化性能.利用核磁共振波谱和红外等对丙烯/11-咔唑-1-十一碳烯(P-C)共聚物结构进行了明确表征,共聚物中咔唑基团的含量分别为0.45 mol%~1.67 mol%.对不同咔唑基团含量的P-C样品进行了紫外老化处理,并对其抗紫外老化性能进行了研究.在相同老化条件下,当丙烯均聚物(PP)样品表面出现大而深的裂纹时,P-C样品表面没有裂纹或仅出现了细微的裂纹.与iPP样品相比,老化后的P-C样品拉伸性能、热性能等在老化过程中得到了良好保持,降解反应受到明显抑制.综上所述,含有共轭结构的咔唑基团的引入能有效增强聚丙烯的抗紫外老化性能.

Clinical features of acute kidney injury in patients with nephrotic syndrome and minimal change disease:a retrospective,cross-sectional study

Background:Minimal change nephropathy(MCD)is a common pathological type of nephrotic syndrome and is often associated with acute kidney injury(AKI).This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and related factors of AKI in patients with MCD and nephrotic syndrome.Methods:Patients from Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital who were diagnosed with pathological renal MCD with clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome were included from January 1,2013 to December 31,2017.Patients diagnosed with membranous nephropathy(MN)by renal biopsy from January 1,2013 to December 31,2017 are included as a control population.We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients as well as the percentages and clinical characteristics of AKI in different age groups.We assessed the correlation of pathological characteristics with serum creatinine using multivariate linear regression analysis.Results:A total of 367 patients with MCD were included in the analysis,with a sex ratio of 1.46:1(male:female)and an age range of 6 to 77 years.Among all the patients,109 developed AKI(29.7%),and of these patients,85 were male(78.0%).In the 586 patients with MN,27(4.6%)patients developed AKI.The percentage of AKI in MCD patients was significantly higher than that in MN patients(χ^(2)=41.063,P<0.001).The percentage of AKI increased with age in the MCD patients.The percentage of AKI in patients aged 50 years or older was 52.9%(46/87),which was significantly higher than that[22.5%(63/280)]in patients under 50 years(χ^(2)=6.347,P=0.013).We observed statistically significant differences in age(43[27,59]years vs.28[20,44]years,Z=5.487,P<0.001),male(78.0%vs.51.4%,χ^(2)=22.470,P<0.001),serum albumin(19.9±6.1 g/L vs.21.5±5.7 g/L,t=2.376,P=0.018),serum creatinine(129.5[105.7,171.1]μmol/L vs.69.7[57.7,81.9]μmol/L,Z=14.190,P<0.001),serum urea(10.1[6.2,15.8]mmol/L vs.4.7[3.6,6.4]mmol/L,Z=10.545,P<0.001),IgE(266.0[86.7,963.0]IU/ml vs.142.0[35.3,516.5]IU/ml,Z=2.742,P=0.007),history of diabetes(6.4%vs.1.2%,P=0.009),and history of hypertension(23.9%vs.5.1%,χ^(2)=28.238,P<0.001)between the AKI group and the non-AKI group.According to multivariate linear regression analysis,among the renal pathological features analyzed,renal tubular epithelial cell damage(β=178.010,95%CI:147.888-208.132,P<0.001)and renal interstitial edema(β=28.833,95%CI:11.966-45.700,P=0.001)correlated with serum creatinine values.Conclusions:The percentage of AKI in MCD patients is significantly higher than that in MN patients.Patients over 50 years old are more likely to develop AKI.Renal tubular epithelial cell injury and renal interstitial edema may be the main pathological lesions that are associated with elevated serum creatinine in patients with MCD.