Search

The IGT gene family is involved in the regulation of crop plant type, and LAZY belongs to the IGT subfamily. By comparing the amino acid sequences of six Arabidopsis LAZY members as 'seeds' in the cassava genome, a total of 8 LAZY genes were identified in cassava, among which MeLAZY1c is highly homologous to AtLAZY1, which regulates branching angles. Based on this, MeLAZY1c had the highest transcription level in the stem by qRT-PCR and pMeLAZY1c was deeply stained in the vascular bundle by GUS staining, using MeLAZY1c as the experimental materials in this study. Eight photoresponsive/regulatory elements were found in the MeLAZY1c promoter, and we subsequently found that darkness significantly inhibited the relative expression level of MeLAZY1c. At the same time, gene editing of MeLAZY1c was performed and 19 homozygous edited lineages. The phenotype of MeLAZY1c mutants was observed after seedling transplantation, compared to the SC8 wild-type, the main stems of MeLAZY1c mutants had crawing growth, and the stem skin cells at the curved part were distorted and deformed with different sizes. The number of cells at 1 mm near the ground was about 1.5 times that of cells at the far ground. In conclusion, these results indicates that MeLAZY1c plays an important role in the establishment of upright/creeping growth of cassava. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study analyzes the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, vaginal microecology, and cervical lesions to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer (CC) in the Xinjiang region. Methods: Real‐time quantitative PCR was used for HPV genotyping and viral load. The Gram staining and dry biochemical enzyme kit were utilized to diagnose vaginal secretions. The χ2 test and Logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: The HPV infection rate among women in the Xinjiang region was 30.29%, of which the single HPV infection accounts for 77%. HPV16 and HPV52 were the main infection types. There was significant differences in the HPV infection rate and infection types among the Han, Uighur, Hui, and Kazakh ethnic groups. The viral load of HPV16 and HPV52 increases with the upgrade of cervical lesions. There were significant differences in vaginal microecology evaluation indicators H2O2, SNA, LE, GUS, trichomonas, clue cells, and lactobacilli among different ethnic groups. HPV negative patients with varying grades of cervical lesions exhibit a notable variance in H2O2 and LE, which is statistically significant. Single HPV infection and high viral load HPV significantly increase the risk of CC. Conclusions: This study indicates that HPV infection and vaginal microecology differ among ethnic groups, which have a strong correlation with the progression of CC, offering guidance on CC screening and interventions in the Xinjiang area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is an abnormal connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin. ECF can lead to massive body fluid loss, hypercatabolism, and malnutrition. Therefore, nutritional support plays a crucial role in managing ECFs and promoting the healing of fistulas. For nutritional support, enteral nutrition (EN) is the preferred method when gastrointestinal function is recovering. Currently, various EN approaches have been applied for different anatomical positions of the ECF. However, the effectiveness of administering EN support for treating lower ECFs still needs further exploration and improvement., Case Summary: We present the case of a 46-year-old male who underwent gastrointestinal stromal tumour resection. Six days after the surgery, the patient presented with fever, fatigue, severe upper abdominal pain, and septic shock. Subsequently, lower ECFs were diagnosed through laboratory and imaging examinations. In addition to symptomatic treatment for homeostasis, total parenteral nutrition support was administered in the first 72 h due to dysfunction of the intestine. After that, we gradually provided EN support through the intestinal obstruction catheter in consideration of the specific anatomic position of the fistula instead of using the nasal jejunal tube. Ultimately, the patient could receive optimal EN support via the catheter, and no complications were found during the treatment., Conclusion: Nutritional support is a crucial element in ECF management, and intestinal obstruction catheters could be used for early EN administration., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts interest to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to construct and validate a clinical prediction model for surgical site infection (SSI) risk 30 days after gastrointestinal surgery., Materials and Methods: This multicentre study involving 57 units conducted a 30-day postoperative follow-up of 17 353 patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery at the unit from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022. The authors collected a series of hospitalisation data, including demographic data, preoperative preparation, intraoperative procedures and postoperative care. The main outcome variable was SSI, defined according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. This study used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm to screen predictive variables and construct a prediction model. The receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the prediction performance of the prediction model., Results: Overall, 17 353 patients were included in this study, and the incidence of SSI was 1.6%. The univariate analysis combined with LASSO analysis showed that 20 variables, namely, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, steroid use, smoking history, C-reactive protein, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, albumin, blood glucose, bowel preparation, surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, appendix surgery, colon surgery, approach, incision type, colostomy/ileostomy at the start of the surgery, colostomy/ileostomy at the end of the surgery, length of incision, surgical duration and blood loss were identified as predictors of SSI occurrence ( P <0.05). The area under the curve values of the model in the train and test groups were 0.7778 and 0.7868, respectively. The calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test results demonstrated that the model-predicted and actual risks were in good agreement, and the model forecast accuracy was high., Conclusions: The risk assessment system constructed in this study has good differentiation, calibration and clinical benefits and can be used as a reference tool for predicting SSI risk in patients., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxibustion at Baihui (CV20) combined with acupuncture in treatment of cervical vertigo., Methods: From the databases, such as CNKI, VIP, WanFang, CBM, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase, the studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on moxibustion at CV20 combined with acupuncture for cervical vertigo were searched from inception to September 15 th , 2021. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was utilized to evaluate the quality of the included literature. Using RevMan5.3, Stata12.0 and TSA0.9.5.0 10 Beta software, the Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed., Results: Seventeen RCTs with 1 232 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that in the trial group (moxibustion at CV20 combined with acupuncture), the total effective rate ( RR =1.17, 95% CI ［1.12, 1.22］, P <0.000 1), the curative and remarkably-effective rate ( RR ＝1.28，95% CI ［1.20，1.36］， P <0.000 1) and the score of cervical vertigo ( WMD =2.88, 95% CI ［1.87, 3.89］, P <0.000 1) were all better when compared with the control group (simple acupuncture or electroacupuncture group). The results of trial sequential analysis indicated that for the cumulative Z-score of each RCT, the Z-curve crossed the conventional test boundary and TSA boundary, which further confirmed the clinical efficacy of moxibustion at CV20 combined with acupuncture on cervical vertigo., Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of moxibustion at CV20 combined with acupuncture is determined in treatment of cervical vertigo.

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion on expression of apoptosis-related factors in gastric antrum of diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of DGP., Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, medication, EA, Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (moxibustion) and EA+moxibustion (combination) groups (12 rats in each group). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of 0.15 mg/mL mosapride citrate suspension （10 mL/kg）. EA (10 Hz/50 Hz, 2 mA, 20 min) or Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (3 cones) was applied to "Zhongwan" (CV12), bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) of the related groups, once a day for 3 weeks. The blood glucose, gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate of rats were measured. The apoptosis index of gastric antrum cells were observed by TUNEL staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of Caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in gastric antrum were detected by Wes-tern blot and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively., Results: Compared with the normal group, the blood glucose, the apoptosis index, the protein and gene expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax were significantly increased ( P <0.01), and the gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsive rate, the protein and gene expressions of Bcl-2 were considerably decreased ( P <0.01) in the model group. In contrast to the model group, the blood glucose in the EA, moxibustion and combination groups, the apoptosis index in the 4 treatment groups, as well as Caspase-3 protein, Bax protein and mRNA expressions in the medication, EA and combination groups, Caspase-3 protein and mRNA, Bax mRNA expressions in the moxibustion group were significantly decreased ( P <0.01, P <0.05); while the gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate in the 4 treatment groups, and Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expressions in the medication and combination groups, Bcl-2 mRNA expressions in the EA and moxibustion groups were obviously increased ( P <0.01). The effects of EA+moxibustion were significantly superior to those of simple EA, moxibustion or medication in increasing gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate, and in lowering blood glucose ( P <0.05, P <0.01). And the effects of the combination treatment were better than those of EA in lowering Caspase-3 protein and Bax mRNA expressions ( P <0.01), and in increasing Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expressions ( P <0.05, P <0.01). Also the effects of the combination treatment were better than those of moxibustion in lowering the apoptosis index, Caspase-3 protein, and Bax protein and mRNA expressions ( P <0.01, P <0.05), and in increasing Bcl-2 protein expression ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: EA combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion can reduce blood glucose and improve gastrointestinal motility in DGP rats, which may be related to its effect in regulating of Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 expression.

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion on oxidative stress-related indicators in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of DGP., Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, medication, EA, Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (moxibustion) and EA+Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (combination) groups (15 rats in each group). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of 0.15 mg/mL mosapride citrate suspension（10 mL/kg）. EA (10 Hz/50 Hz, 2 mA, 20 min) or Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (3 cones) was applied to "Zhongwan" (CV12), bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) of the related groups, once a day for 3 weeks. The body weight, blood glucose, gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate of rats were measured. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was measured by thiobarbituric acid method, the serum supero-xide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured by xanthine oxidase method, and the serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity was detected by ELISA. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of gastric antrum. The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nicotin-amide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NOX4), peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α(PGC-1α) proteins and mRNAs in gastric antrum was detected by Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively., Results: Compared with the normal group, the body weight, gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, serum SOD activity, the expressions of HO-1, PGC-1α, total Nrf2 proteins and mRNAs, and Nrf2 nuclear translocation in gastric antrum were decreased ( P <0.01), while the blood glucose, serum MDA content and ROS activity, NOX4 protein and mRNA expressions in gastric antrum were increased ( P <0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the blood glucose was decreased in the EA, moxibustion and combination groups ( P <0.01); the body weight, gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, and the expressions of HO-1 and PGC-1α mRNAs in gastric antrum were all increased in the four treatment groups ( P <0.01, P <0.05), while the serum MDA content and ROS activity, NOX4 protein and mRNA expressions in gastric antrum were all decreased ( P <0.01); the serum SOD activity and total Nrf2 protein expression in gastric antrum were increased in medication, moxibustion and combination groups ( P <0.01, P <0.05); the expressions of HO-1 and PGC-1α proteins, and Nrf2 nuclear translocation in gastric antrum were increased in medication and combination groups ( P <0.05, P <0.01); the expression of Nrf2 mRNA was increased in the medication, EA and combination groups ( P <0.01, P <0.05). Compared with the combination group, the body weight, gastric emptying rate and intestine propulsion rate were decreased in the medication, EA and moxibustion groups( P <0.01, P <0.05), and the blood glucose increased ( P <0.01); the serum MDA content and ROS activity, NOX4 protein and mRNA expressions in gastric antrum were increased ( P <0.01, P <0.05), serum SOD activity, and the expressions of total Nrf2 protein, PGC-1α protein and mRNA, HO-1 mRNA in gastric antrum were decreased ( P <0.01, P <0.05) in the EA and moxibustion groups; the expression of Nrf2 mRNA was decreased in the moxibustion group ( P <0.05). HE staining showed a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria and submucosa, and the gastric glands in the lamina propria were significantly expanded, the submucosa was severely edematous in the model group, which were relative milder in the four treatment groups., Conclusion: EA combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion can effectively improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reduce the production of lipid peroxide, and regulate the expression of antioxidant related proteins and genes, which may be one of the mechanisms in treating DGP.

Objective: To explore the effect of moxa cone moxibustion on N -acetyl aspartate/total creatinine (NAA/tCr) and choline/total creatinine (Cho/tCr) in the bilateral hippocampus (HIP) and bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H-MRS) and to provide imaging basis for moxa cone moxibustion treatment for MCI., Methods: One hundred eight patients with MCI were served as the MCI group, and 67 age-matched subjects were enrolled as the normal control group. The MCI group was randomized and allocated into acupoint group, drug group, and sham acupoint group, with 36 cases in each group. Some patients in each group withdrew. Finally, 25 cases were included in the acupoint group, 24 cases in the drug group, and 20 cases in the sham acupoint group. The drug group was treated with oral donepezil hydrochloride. The acupoint group and sham acupoint group received moxa cone moxibustion treatment. Mini-mental state exam (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scores were recorded before intervention, at the end of the first and the second months of intervention, and in the 5th month of follow-up. The NAA/tCr and Cho/tCr ratios in the HIP and PCG were bilaterally measured by 1 H-MRS before and after intervention., Results: Before intervention, compared with the normal control group, the MMSE and MoCA scores, the Cho/tCr ratio in the right HIP, the NAA/tCr ratio in the bilateral HIP, and the NAA/tCr ratio in the left PCG in the three treatment groups decreased significantly (both p < 0.01), and the NAA/tCr ratio in the right PCG significantly reduced in the acupoint and drug groups ( p < 0.05). After two months of treatment, compared with the normal control group, there were no differences in the MoCA scores, the NAA/tCr, and Cho/tCr ratios in the bilateral PCG and bilateral HIP in the three treatment groups ( p > 0.05). However, the MMSE scores in the drug group decreased when compared with the acupoint group and normal control group ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The scores of MMSE and MoCA in the acupoint group and sham acupoint group at all time points were better than those in the drug group, which were similar to those in the normal control group., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that moxibustion could improve the cognitive function of patients with MCI. The mechanism may be related to the improvement of abnormal brain metabolism in HIP and PCG., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Mai, Zhang, Liu, Tang, Wei, Su, Duan, Teng, Nong, Yu, Li, Shao, Deng, Chen and Zhao.)

Objective: To observe the effect of ZhuLian's type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique on sex hormones, insulin resistance and ovarian morphology in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so as to explore its mechanism on regulating endocrine and metabolic dysfunction of PCOS., Methods: Twenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and ZhuLian acupuncture groups ( n =8 in each group). The PCOS model was established by continuous gavage of letrozole combined with high-fat diet. Rats of the ZhuLian acupuncture group were stimulated at "Guanyuan"(CV4) and bilateral "Guilai"(ST29), "Zusanli"(ST36), "Sanyinjiao"(SP6), and "Fenglong"(ST40) by ZhuLian's type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique for 30 min, continuously intervented for 28 days. The body weight was measured before and after modeling and after intervention. The ovarian volume was calculated. HE staining was used to observe the changes of ovarian histology. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and fasting insulin (FINS) were measured by ELISA. LH/FSH ratio and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated., Results: After modeling, the rats' body weight and the ovarian volume were increased ( P <0.05), and the ovaries showed polycystic changes in the model group compared with the control group. And the FINS level, HOMA-IR, LH content and LH/FSH ratio were significantly increased ( P <0.05), while the FSH level was decreased ( P <0.05). After the intervention, the rats' body weight and ovarian volume were decreased ( P <0.05), and a small number of preantral follicles and more antral follicles were observed under microscope, and the levels of LH, LH/FSH, FINS and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased ( P <0.05), while FSH content was increased ( P <0.05) in the ZhuLian acupuncture group than in the model group., Conclusion: ZhuLian's type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique can improve the endocrine and metabolic disorders in PCOS rats, which may be related to the regulation of endocrine system.

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion on silent information regulator-1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway and inflammatory factor expression in gastric antrum tissue of diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of DGP., Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, medication, EA, Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (moxibustion) and EA+moxibustion groups ( n =12 per group). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of 0.15 mg/mL mosapride citrate suspension. EA (10 Hz /50 Hz, 2 mA) or moxibustion (3 cones) or EA+moxibustion was applied to "Zhongwan"(CV12), bilateral "Neiguan"(PC6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao"(SP6) of the related group for 20 min, once a day for 3 weeks. Blood glucose, gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate were measured. The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were detected by ELISA; the phosphorylation level of the phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα inhibitor (pIκ-Bα), the protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 and SIRT1 in the gastric antrum tissue were detected by Western blot and real-time quantifitative PCR, respectively., Results: (1) Compared with the normal group, the levels of blood glucose, serum IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and gastric pIκ-Bα and NF-κB p65 protein and mRNA expressions were significantly increased ( P <0.01), and the gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, serum IL-10 level, and SIRT1 protein and mRNA expressions were considerably decreased in the model group ( P <0.01). (2) In contrast to the model group, the blood glucose in the EA, moxibustion and EA+moxibustion groups, serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in the 4 treatment groups, as well as NF-κB p65 protein expression in the medication and EA+moxibustion groups, and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression and pIκ-Bα protein and mRNA expression in the 4 treatment groups were significantly decreased ( P <0.01, P <0.05); while the gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate and IL-10 content in the 4 treatment groups, and SIRT1 protein and mRNA expression in the medication and EA+moxibustion groups were obviously increased ( P <0.05, P <0.01). (3) The effects of EA+moxibustion were significantly superior to those of simple EA and moxibustion in increasing gastric emptying rate, IL-10, SIRT1 protein expression ( P <0.05, P <0.01), and in lowering IL-8 and TNF-α contents, pIκ-Bα protein and mRNA expression and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression ( P <0.05, P <0.01). No significant differences were found among the 4 intervention groups in promoting the intestinal propulsive rate and among the EA, moxibustion and EA+moxibustion groups in lowering blood glucose ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: EA combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion can effectively reduce the level of serum inflammatory factors and regulate SIRT1/NF-κB signal pathway in DGP rats, which may contribute to its function in improving gastrointestinal movement.