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Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on behaviors and related products of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism in the colon of mice with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in the IBS treatment. Methods: Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, and a probiotic group, with 6 mice in each group. The visceral pain model of IBS was established by enema with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) solution. Mice in the moxibustion group were treated with mild moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli (ST36), and those in the probiotic group were treated with probiotics such as Bifidobacteriumby gavage. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) test, elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, and forced swimming test (FST) were performed after treatment. The expression levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) in the colon were detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression levels of Trp, kynurenine (Kyn), and indole-2,3-oxygenase (IDO) in the colon were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the normal group, the AWR scores were increased significantly in the model group under different pressure values (P<0.01), the open-arm staying time and open-arm entries in the EPM test were decreased significantly (P<0.01, P<0.05), the motionless time in the FST was increased significantly (P<0.01), and the expression levels of colonic Trp, TPH1, IDO, 5-HT, and Kyn were increased significantly (P<0.01) in the models. Compared with the model group, the AWR scores were differently decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the open-arm entries in the EPM test were increased (P<0.05), the motionless times in the FST were decreased (P<0.05), and the colonic expression levels of Trp, TPH1, IDO, and 5-HT were decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) in the moxibustion and probiotic groups; the open-arm staying time was significantly increased in the moxibustion group (P<0.01), and the colonic expression level of Kyn was significantly decreased in the probiotic group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) improves visceral pain and pain mood and down-regulates the expression levels of colonic TPH1, IDO, Trp, 5-HT, and Kyn in IBS mice.

Objective: To observe the anti-inflammatory effect, as well as the effect on the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) and Beclin-1 of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group. The EAT rat model was prepared by a combination of antigen immunization plus iodine agent induction. After the model was prepared, rats in the modeling group were randomly and equally divided into a model group and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group. In the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, moxibustion was alternately applied to two groups of points [Dazhui (GV14)-Mingmen (GV4) and Tiantu (CV22)-Guanyuan (CV4)], and the treatment continued for 30 d. Rats in the normal and model groups were only fixed identically without intervention. Histopathological manifestations of thyroid glands were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining; the concentrations of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue. Results: There were massive follicular destruction, lymphocytic infiltration, and interstitial fibrous tissue hyperplasia of the thyroid glands in the model group. Some follicles of the thyroid glands were destroyed with few lymphocyte infiltrations and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the moxibustion group. Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of serum TPOAb, TGAb, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were increased in the model rats (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were reduced in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the concentrations of serum TPOAb, TGAb, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were reduced in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were increased in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue was negatively correlated with the serum levels of TPOAb and TGAb. Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion reduces the inflammatory response in the thyroid glands of EAT rats and lowers the levels of serum TPOAb and TGAb. This may be related to the regulation of mRNA and protein expression of the autophagy-associated factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in rat thyroid tissue.

Objective: To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for essential hypertension. Methods: A computerized literature search of the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was conducted to retrieve randomized controlled clinical trials on acupuncture as the main intervention for the treatment of essential hypertension published from the inception of the database to 30 January 2021. The risk-of-bias assessment was carried out for each included study according to the Cochrane Handbook. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 and Stata 15.0. Results: After the screening, 46 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 3 859 subjects were included. Primary outcomes included changes in the diastolic blood pressure after intervention [eight studies showed that the acupuncture plus antihypertensive drug group was better than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group [mean difference (MD)=1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.48, 2.43), P=0.004, fixed effects model; I2=39%] and changes in the systolic blood pressure after intervention {11 studies showed that the acupuncture plus antihypertensive drug group was better than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group [MD=8.60, 95%CI (7.12, 10.07), P<0.00001, fixed effects model; I2=26%]}. The secondary outcome was antihypertensive efficacy, 12 studies of acupuncture monotherapy group [risk ratio (RR)=1.20, 95%CI (1.12, 1.28), P<0.00001, fixed effects model; I2=36%] and 15 studies of acupuncture combined with antihypertensive drug group [RR=1.27, 95%CI (1.20, 1.34), P<0.00001, fixed effects model; I2=6%] showed better results than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group in antihypertensive efficacy. In terms of the adverse events, four studies showed that the acupuncture monotherapy group had fewer adverse events than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group [RR=0.10, 95%CI (0.04, 0.25), P<0.00001, fixed effects model; I2=0%]. Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with antihypertensive drugs is superior to antihypertensive drugs alone in reducing blood pressure, and acupuncture therapy is effective and safe for the treatment of essential hypertension with fewer side effects. However, there is still a lack of high-quality multicenter randomized double-blinded controlled trials in this field. Rigorous large-sample clinical trials are needed to validate these findings.

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) are regarded as the next-generation energy storage devices due to their superior safety and potential high energy density. In ASSLBs, a composite solid electrolyte is the most competitive candidate. The interface between the cathode and composite electrolyte and the interface between ceramic and polymers are important factors affecting the performance of solid-state batteries. The interface between the superionic conductor and polymer electrolyte (polyvinylidene fluoride) was modified by in situ synthesis of a pyrochlore-type La2Sn2O7(LSO) ceramic layer on the surface of Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12(LLZTO). The synthesis of LSO consumes La in LLZTO, increases the concentration of lithium ions in LLZTO, and significantly improves the conductivity of the composite electrolyte (LLZTO@LSO-CSE). Compared with the pristine sample (3.15 × 10–5S cm–1), the conductivity of LLZTO@0.9%LSO-CSE was improved by an order of magnitude (as high as 1.30 × 10–4S cm–1). At the same time, the lithium-ion transference number of LLZTO@0.9%LSO-CSE and LLZTO@1.5%LSO-CSE was 0.42 and 0.44, respectively (LLZTO@0%LSO-CSE was 0.36). Meanwhile, the pyrochlore structure of LSO has the characteristics of fast energy storage and conversion, so the full cell LiFePO4|LLZTO@LSO-CSE|Li showed superior rate capability and cycling stability. As anticipated, the discharge capacities of LiFePO4|LLZTO@0.9%LSO-CSE|Li were 141.4 mA h g–1(1 C) and 128.1 mA h g–1(2 C), respectively. However, the discharge capacities of pristine batteries without LLZTO modification were 122.5 mA h g–1(1 C) and 88.7 mA h g–1(2 C). After 400 cycles, the discharge capacity of the LiFePO4|LLZTO@0.9%LSO-CSE|Li remained at 110.6 mA h g–1, the Coulomb efficiency was 99.4%, and the capacity retention rate was 72% compared to 75.5 mA h g–1, 98, and 49% for the pristine one, respectively. In addition, the transfer printing (TP) technology was used to improve the interface between the cathode and the solid-state electrolyte, which immensely increased the energy density (without aluminum foil). Compared with the original interface impedance of 379 Ω, the interface impedance was significantly reduced to 213 Ω. This uniquely developed LLZTO@LSO-CSE combined with the TP technology can provide an effective approach for the development of all-solid-state batteries.

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots(N-CDs) were hydrothermally synthesized by folic acid, which revealed excited wavelength-dependent blue emission and the specific recognition of Hg ions by fluorescence quenching. A wide range response and a fitted linear relationship for Hg ions detection were established to show that these blue-emission N-CDs achieved a satisfying Hg ions detection in Chinese traditional herb, Rannasangpei(RSNP). The results from the N-CDs FL quenching gave the similar outcomes with those from ICP-OES measurement, which exhibited the possibility of the simple FL method of Hg ions detection by N-CDs in Chinese traditional herbs.

Insulin resistance is highly associated with an adverse intrauterine environment. We previously reported that fetal rats exposed to angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) autoantibody (AT1-AA) displayed increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases during middle age. However, the timing of the onset of insulin resistance remains unknown. In this study, we examined the offspring of AT1-AA-positive rats, tracking the development of insulin resistance. Pregnant rats were intravenously injected with AT1-AA. Afterwards, we collected serum samples and liver tissues of the offspring at various stages, including gestation day 18, 3 weeks (weaning period), 18 weeks (young adulthood), and 48 weeks (middle age) after birth. Compared with saline control group, hepatic vacuolar degeneration was visible in AT1-AA offspring rats as early as 3 weeks; hyperinsulinemia and impaired glucose tolerance occurred at 18 weeks of age, however, insulin resistance was not observed until 48 weeks. At 18 weeks we detected suppressed protein levels of insulin receptor (IR) but increased levels of IR substrate 1 (IRS1) in the liver of AT1-AA group rats. Interestingly, both IR and IRS1/2 were significantly decreased at 48 weeks. Liver proteomic analysis indicated that the differences in protein expression between the AT1-AA and control rats became more pronounced with age, particularly in terms of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Rats exposed to AT1-AA in utero developed hyperinsulinemia from young adulthood which subsequently progressed to insulin resistance, and was linked with abnormal hepatic structure and impaired IR signaling. Additionally, dysregulation of energy metabolism may play a fundamental role in predisposing offspring to insulin resistance.

During the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) outbreak in China (from January 24 to March 11, 2020), our center performed 16 organ transplants (10 kidney, 4 liver, and 2 lung transplants) harvested from deceased donors. Regarding the strategies to prevent infections of SARS‐CoV‐2, we implemented specific measures for the donor and recipient management, as well as prevention of hospital‐acquired infections. All 16 organ recipients had a favorable outcome without SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Our approaches aiming to interrupt the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 within the transplantation wards were successful, and allowed us to maintain the transplantation program for deceased liver, kidney, and lung organ recipients. The authors report here their approaches to interrupt the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 within the transplantation wards of their institution, which allowed maintenance of the transplantation programs for deceased liver, kidney, and lung recipients.

AbstractFacing the challenges arising from the new economy for indigenous innovation in the manufacturing industry, the Chinese Central Government unveiled a new design related policy, Made in China 2025in May 2015. Guided by Yongxiang Lu and Yunhe Pan, a research team formed by the Chinese Academy of Engineering proposed the concept of Innovation Design to replace traditional design and to clarify the new role of design as an innovation driver in Made in China 2025. In this paper, the key researchers introduce their Innovation Design concept, released policies, a new institutional structure of promotion, and ongoing project. This paper is a rare documentation of Chinese design development and industrial policies.

Numerous studies have found that the age-associated structural and functional alterations in arteries were characterized by increased endothelial dysfunction. In this study, young (3 months), adult (9 months), and aging (20 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including control groups and FeTMPyP (peroxynitrite scavenger) groups receiving saline and FeTMPyP, respectively, for 5 administrations once every 3 days through intraperitoneal injection. The aged-related proteins beta-galactosidase, p53, and p16 as well as the nitrotyrosine and endothelial marker endothelial nitric oxide synthase and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in vascular tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation of rat thoracic aortas and mesenteric arteries were measured by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively. The amount of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) was determined by flow cytometry. The endothelium-dependent/independent relaxation in mesenteric arteries and the amount of circulating EPCs (CD31+/CD34+) in peripheral blood of aging rats were reduced significantly compared with young and adult rats. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the nitrotyrosine levels and morphological damage in mesenteric arteries were increased significantly in aging rats. Adoption of peroxynitrite scavenger FeTMPyP intervention may not only improve the endothelium-dependent relaxation and the amount of circulating EPCs in aging rats but also reverse endothelial injury. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that enhanced nitrative stress may aggravate the endothelial injury and vascular dysfunction of resistance arteries in aging rats. Antiperoxynitrite treatment can ameliorate the vasorelaxation and may be involved with the protection of circulating EPCs.

Autoimmune activities have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension. High levels of autoantibodies against the second extracellular loop of α1-adrenoceptor (α1-AR autoantibody, α1-AA) are found in patients with hypertension, and α1-AA could exert a α1-AR agonist-like vasoconstrictive effect. However, whether the vasoconstrictive effect of α1-AA is enhanced in hypertension is unknown. Using aortic rings of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, we observed the vasoconstrictive responses to α1-AA with phenylephrine (α1-AR agonist) as a positive control drug. Aortic nitrotyrosine levels were also measured by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the aortic constrictive responses to α1-AA and phenylephrine (both 1 nmol L−1−10 μmol L−1) were greater in SHR than in WKY rats. Endothelial denudation or L-NAME (a non-selective NOS inhibitor) (100 μmol L−1) increased α1-AA- or phenylephrine-induced vasoconstrictions both in SHR and WKY. However, selective iNOS inhibitor 1400W (10 μmol L−1) enhanced the α1-AA-induced aortic constriction in WKY, but not in SHR. The aortic nitrotyrosine level was significantly higher in SHR than WKY, as shown by both ELISA and immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that the vasoconstrictive response to α1-AA is enhanced in SHR, and this altered responsiveness is due to endothelial dysfunction and decreased NO bioavailability. The study suggests an important role of α1-AR autoimmunity in the pathogenesis and management of hypertension especially in those harboring high α1-AA levels.

Preeclampsia is a serious pathologic complication during pregnancy, and its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that autoantibodies against angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT1-AA) are present in women with preeclampsia. However, their role in the development of hypertension in preeclamptic patients has never been previously investigated. The present study was designed to determine whether AT1-AA isolated from the sera of preeclamptic patients causes vascular constriction and, if so, to further investigate the cellular receptors that mediate their vasoactivity. Blood samples were collected from 49 pregnant women (preeclampsia 31, control 18) and AT1-AA was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Vasoconstrictive effect of purified IgG from the sera of either preeclamptic patients or normal pregnant women was determined in isolated rat thoracic aorta, arteriae cerebri media and coronary artery. Compared with normal pregnant women, frequency of AT1-AA positive samples was markedly increased in preeclamptic patients (80.7 vs. 5.6%, P< 0.01). In isolated thoracic aortic rings, middle cerebral artery and coronary artery segments, AT1-AA induced vasoconstriction in a concentration-dependent fashion (P< 0.01). The vasoconstrictive effect of AT1-AA was completely blocked by losartan, an AT1-receptor antagonist. These data demonstrate that the AT1-AA causes significant vascular constriction in large conduit vessel as well as small resistant vessels though activation of the AT1 receptor. These results suggest that overproduction of AT1-AA is a novel risk factor in pregnant women and may play a causative role in the development of hypertension and vascular injury in preeclamptic patients.

Objective: To identify whether the level of anti-complementary activity in serum is different between lung cancer patients and normal subjects. Method: With a sensitive immune haemolytic assay, the anticomplementary activity in the sera of 50 normal subjects and 61 lung cancer patients were demonstrated. Results: It was found that all samples contained complement-inhibition activity, although some were of low degree. Increased anticomplementary activity was found to be associated significantly with lung cancer. With the progression of cancer the anticomplementary activity in sera increased in different lung cancer patients. Conclusion: Such a higher anticomplementary activity in sera of lung cancer patients might be one of the immunosuppressive contents induced by the tumor cells.

Introduction:Arteriolosclerosis is a significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the pathologic factors have not been fully elucidated. Agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor (AT1-AA) have been demonstrated to be prevalently distributed in arteriolosclerotic diseases, such as hypertension, acute coronary syndrome, etc. Nevertheless, the role of AT1-AA in arteriolosclerosis has never been explored. Large-conductance Ca2+-and voltage-activated potassium (BK) channels play vital roles in regulating vascular tone and remodeling. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between AT1-AA and arteriolosclerosis and the role of BK channels in it.Methods:The AT1-AA-positive rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of the synthetic peptides corresponding to the sequence of the second extracellular loop of AT1 receptor. Morphological characteristics of the mesenteric arteries (MAs) were detected by HE staining. Collagen deposition was evaluated by Masson trichrome staining. Arterial stiffness was assessed by atomic force microscope technique. Smooth muscle cells of MAs (MASMCs) were isolated freshly and subjected to patch clamp.Results:Morphological staining showed thickening of the MAs and narrowing of the arteriolar lumen in the AT1-AA-positive group. AT1-AA led to arterial collagen deposition, as evidenced by increased expression of collagen I and collagen III. In addition, AT1-AA facilitates arterial stiffening. Patch clamp test results showed that the voltage sensitivity of BK channels declined in MASMCs from the AT1-AA-positive rats. However, the inhibitory effects of AT1-AA on BK channels were almost non-existent in MASMCs from AT1 receptor knock out rats. In vitro experiments showed that AT1-AA inhibited the open probability, open levels, open dwell time and Ca2+sensitivity of BK channels in MASMCs isolated from normal rats. Finally, perfusion of the BK opener, NS1619, significantly reversed the atherogenic effects induced by AT1-AA.Conclusions:These results demonstrated that AT1-AA exerted atherogenic effects through inhibition of BK channels, which may become a potential target for treatment of AT1-AA-induced arteriolosclerosis.