Preventive electroacupuncture reduces cognitive deficits in a rat model of D-galactose-induced aging

Acupuncture can reduce cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease.However,whether electroacupuncture can prevent or alleviate the cognitive deficits in animal models of aging remains poorly understood.Studies have shown that disordered epigenetic modifications play a critical role in age-related cognitive decline.Therefore,we hypothesized that preventive electroacupuncture might improve cognitive functions during aging by regulating epigenetic modifications.A rat model of aging was produced by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg D-galactose for 8 weeks.Baihui and Shenshu acupoints were stimulated by electroacupuncture for 8 weeks from the first day of D-galactose administration.Preventive electroacupuncture alleviated memory impairment,decreased tau hyperphosphorylation,and reduced glycogen synthase kinase-3βprotein and mRNA expression levels in the brainstem dorsal raphe nucleus,where intracellular neurofibrillary tangle lesions first occur.In addition,the DNA methylation level in the promoter region of the glycogen synthase kinase-3βgene was increased.The effects of preventive electroacupuncture were stronger than those of preventive acupuncture.Intraperitoneal injection of 0.4 mg/kg 5-aza-2ʹ-deoxycytidine,an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase that blocks epigenetic modifications,antagonized the effects of preventive electroacupuncture.Our results suggest that preventive electroacupuncture treatment alleviates cognitive impairment in aging rats probably by affecting the epigenetic modification of the glycogen synthase kinase-3βgene in the dorsal raphe nucleus.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine,China(approval No.HUCMS201712001)on November 28,2017.

Impact of intravenous dexmedetomidine on postoperative bowel movement recovery after laparoscopic nephrectomy: A consortprospective, randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND Postoperative ileus is a frequent postoperative complication,especially after abdominal surgery.Sympathetic excitation is the primary factor for postoperative ileus.Sympathetic activation becomes increased by surgical stress,postoperative pain,and inflammation.Dexmedetomidine(DEX)can inhibit sympathetic nerve activity,inflammation,and pain.AIM To observe whether DEX promotes bowel movements in patients after laparoscopic nephrectomy.METHODS One hundred and twenty patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy were assigned to three groups:C(normal saline infusion),D1(DEX 0.02μg/kg/h),and D2(DEX 0.04μg/kg/h).The primary outcomes were the recorded times to first flatus,defecation,and eating after surgery.The secondary outcomes were postoperative pain,assessed using the numerical rating scale(NRS),adverse effects,and the duration of the postoperative hospital stay.RESULTS The times to first flatus,defecation,and eating in groups D1 and D2 were significantly shorter than those in group C(P<0.01).The NRS scores at 8 h and 24 h after surgery were significantly lower in groups D1 and D2 than in group C(P<0.05).No adverse effects were observed(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Postoperative infusion of DEX at 0.04μg/kg/h facilitates bowel movements in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Combination and distribution of reservoir space in complex carbonate rocks

This paper discusses the reservoir space in carbonate rocks in terms of types,combination features,distribution regularity,and controlling factors,based on core observations and tests of the North Truva Oilfield,Caspian Basin.According to the reservoir space combinations,carbonate reservoirs can be divided into four types,i.e.,pore,fracture-pore,pore-cavity-fracture,and pore-cavity.Formation and distribution of these reservoirs is strongly controlled by deposition,diagenesis,and tectonism.In evaporated platform and restricted platform facies,the reservoirs are predominately affected by meteoric fresh water leaching in the supergene-para-syngenetic period and by uplifting and erosion in the late stage,making both platform facies contain all the above-mentioned four types of reservoirs,with various pores,such as dissolved cavities and dissolved fractures,or structural fractures occasionally in favorable structural locations.In open platform facies,the reservoirs deposited continuously in deeper water,in an environment of alternative high-energy shoals（where pore-fracture-type reservoirs are dominant） and low-energy shoals（where pore reservoirs are dominant）.