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Drought is one of the most important environmental constraints affecting plant growth and development and ultimately leads to yield loss. Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are believed to play key roles in coping with environmental stresses. In rice, it is estimated that there are more than 200 UGT genes. However, most of them have not been identified as their physiological significance. In this study, we reported the characterization of a putative glycosyltransferase gene UGT85E1 in rice. UGT85E1 gene is significantly upregulated by drought stress and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. The overexpression of UGT85E1 led to an enhanced tolerance in transgenic rice plants to drought stress, while the ugt85e1 mutants of rice showed a more sensitive phenotype to drought stress. Further studies indicated that UGT85E1 overexpression induced ABA accumulation, stomatal closure, enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, increased proline and sugar contents, and upregulated expression of stress-related genes under drought stress conditions. Moreover, when UGT85E1 was ectopically overexpressed in Arabidopsis, the transgenic plants showed increased tolerance to drought as well as in rice. Our findings suggest that UGT85E1 plays an important role in mediating plant response to drought and oxidative stresses. This work may provide a promising candidate gene for cultivating drought-tolerant crops both in dicots and monocots., 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 © 2021 Liu, Dong, Ma, Zhao, Liu, Li, Li and Hou.)

Objective: To verify the superiority of motor imagery acupuncture in improving muscle tension for patients with upper limb hemiplegia in early stroke., Methods: A total of 64 patients of stroke hemiplegia with upper limb flaccid paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off ) and a control group (32 cases, 4 cases dropped off ). The observation group was treated with motor imagery acupuncture (both acupuncture and motor imagery therapy at affected upper limb were performed).The control group was treated with acupuncture plus motor imagery therapy at affected lower limb, 2 h later after acupuncture, motor imagery therapy was applied to upper limb. Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5) of healthy side, Fengchi (GB 20) and Jianyu (LI 15), Jianjing (GB 21), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5) on the affected side, ect. were selected in both groups, once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, 4, 8 weeks after treatment, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) grade and Brunnstrom stage were compared in the two groups., Results: Compared before treatment, the muscle tension of shoulder, elbow and wrist each time point after treatment was increased in the two groups ( P <0.05). After treatment, the proportion less than grade Ⅱ of elbow MAS grade in the observation group was higher than the control group ( P <0.05); 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, the proportion less than grade Ⅱ of shoulder, elbow and wrist MAS grades in the observation group was higher than the control group ( P <0.01). The Brunnstrom stage of arm and hand each time point after treatment was higher than the previous time point in the two groups ( P <0.05), those in the observation group was higher than the control group ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Motor imagery acupuncture could promote hemiplegia upper limb muscle tension recovery in patients of stroke hemiplegia with upper limb flaccid paralysis, make the patients gradually shift to the separate fine movement mode, inhibit and relieve the appearance and development of spasm.

Owing to their potential applications, as well as their structural diversity, the discovery of novel secondary metabolites from insect-associated fungi has been of interest to researchers in recent years. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate the diversity of fungi associated with fungus-growing termites and bioprospecting these for potential secondary metabolites. In total, 18 fungal species were isolated and described from the gut and comb of Macrotermes barneyi based on 18S ribosomal DNA gene sequence analysis. Antimicrobial activity assays were carried out on all the known fungi, and nine isolates were recorded as active against pathogenic fungi. Xylaria escharoidea, the best performing isolate, was grown at laboratory scale and 4,8-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H) was isolated and characterized. The minimum inhibitory concentration of this isolated compound against tested pathogenic organisms was found to be 6.25 μg. In addition, molecular docking studies have revealed that 4,8-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H) is a prominent antibacterial agent with a marked interaction with key residues on protein A (agrA C ) that regulates the accessory gene. The findings of this study support the drug discovery of antimicrobial properties in insect-associated fungi, which may lead to novel secondary metabolites., (© 2020 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.)

β-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A and has multiple physiological functions. Producing β-carotene by microbial fermentation has attracted much attention to consumers' preference for natural products. This study focused on improving β-carotene production by constructing codon-adapted genes and minimizing intermediate accumulation. The codon-adapted CarRA and CarB genes from the industrial strain of Blakeslea trispora were integrated into the genome of the Yarrowia lipolytica to construct YL-C0, the baseline strain for producing β-carotene. Thereafter, the β-carotene biosynthetic pathway's metabolic balance was accurately regulated to reduce the intermediates' accumulation. Notably, the β-carotene content increased by 21 times to reach 12.5 dry cell weight (DCW) mg/g when minimizing HMG-CoA and FPP accumulation. Further, we improved the expression levels of the CarRA and CarB genes to minimize the accumulation of phytoene and lycopene. Total production of β-carotene of 1.7 g/L and 21.6 mg/g DCW was achieved. These results reveal that the rate-limiting enzymes CarRA and CarB of B. trispora exhibited higher catalytic activity than the same enzymes from other microorganisms. Promoting metabolic balance by minimizing the accumulation of intermediates is a very effective strategy for increasing β-carotene. The β-carotene-producing strain constructed in this study has established the foundation for its potential use in industrial production. These successful engineering strategies also provide a foundation for large-scale production of other terpenoids., 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 © 2021 Liu, Qu, Dong, Wang, Hu and Meng.)

Sterols attract increasing attention due to their important bioactivities. The oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has large lipid droplets, which provide storage for the accumulated steroid compounds. In this study, we have successfully constructed a campesterol biosynthetic pathway by modifying the synthetic pathway of ergosterol in Y. lipolytica with different capacity of lipid synthesis. The results showed that the maximal campesterol production was produced in the engineered strain YL-D + M - E - , as the optimal lipid content. Furthermore, we found that campesterol mainly exists in the lipid droplets. The campesterol production was further accumulated through the overexpression of two copies of dhcr7. Finally, the maximal campesterol production of 837 mg/L was obtained using a 5-L bioreactor in the engineered YL-D + D + M - E - , exhibiting a 3.7-fold increase compared with the initial strain YL-D + E - . Our results demonstrate that the proper promotion of lipid content plays an important role in campesterol biosynthesis in Y. lipolytica, and what we found provides an effective strategy for the production of hydrophobic compounds.Key Points• Campesterol was biosynthesized by deleting erg5 and introducing heterologous dhcr7.• Campesterol production elevated via promotion of lipid content.• Campesterol was mainly found in lipid droplets.• Promotion of lipid content is an effective strategy to produce hydrophobic compounds.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional effects of acupuncture treatment on motor function in patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke., Design: One hundred and thirty-four patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke were randomized to receive acupuncture treatment plus conventional treatment (treatment group) or conventional treatment only (control group). Acupuncture treatments were given in 24 sessions over 4 weeks, with 3-month follow-up period. Blinded evaluation was based on Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Barthel Index with an intention-to-treat analysis. For those patients who were able to walk, a three-dimensional gait analysis system was employed to objectively record spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters., Results: Compared with control group, the treatment group showed a significantly greater over-time improvement in total Fugl-Meyer, lower-limb Fugl-Meyer, but not in upper-limb Fugl-Meyer and Barthel Index. The spatiotemporal parameters of velocity, step length, cadence, step width all showed significant difference between the 2 groups. The velocity in treatment group decreased unexpectedly at day 14, then increased sharply and overcame control group at day 28. The treatment group also showed a significantly greater increase in peak circumduction, peak hip hiking, hip range of motion, knee range of motion and a tendency for the ankle range of motion., Conclusions: Acupuncture may promote the motor function recovery of hemorrhagic stroke patients in subacute phase mainly by enhancing the lower limb ability. It probably diminishes the compensation strategies earlier to correct the abnormal gait pattern. Although this adjustment may result in a compromise in the improvement of gait velocity temporarily, patients would benefit from it in a long run., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Microbial oil triacylglycerol (TAG) from the renewable feedstock attract much attention. The oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has become the most studied for lipid biosynthesis. Fatty acid desaturases catalyze the introduction of a double bond into fatty-acid hydrocarbon chains to produce unsaturated fatty acids. Desaturases are known to enhance lipid accumulation. In this study, we have achieved a significant increase in lipid production and increase the unsaturated fatty acids content in Y. lipolytica . By comparing the expression of the native genes of △-9 stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and △12 desaturase (△12D), and an exogenous △15 desaturase (△15D) from flax in the strain with deleted peroxisomal biogenesis factor 10 (PEX10) and overexpressed diacylglyceride acyl-transferase (DGA1), we found that the strain with overexpressed △15 desaturase accumulated 30.7% lipid. Simultaneously, we explored the effect of two copies of desaturase genes ( 12D - SCD , 15D - SCD , 12D - 15D ) on lipid production, and found co-expression of △ 12D and △ 15D accumulated 42.6% lipid. The lipid content was further increased by 56.3% through the deletion of the multifunctional enzyme (MFE1) and the overexpression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1). Finally, the lipid productivity of 50 g/L and maximal lipid content of 77.8% DCW are obtained using a 5-L stirred-tank bioreactor during the stationary phase in the engineered YL-10. Our result demonstrated that the △12 and △15 desaturases play an important role in lipid production in Y. lipolytica and provides an effective strategy for biodiesel development., (Copyright © 2020 Yan, Dong, Qiang, Niu, Hu and Meng.)

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on acute myocardial ischemia (MI) and expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD 88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNAs in the "Neiguan" (PC 6) area of rats with MI-reperfusion injury (MIRI), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of MIRI., Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, control ＋ EA, sham operation, model, EA and sham EA groups ( n ＝8). The MIRI model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery for 30 min, followed by reperfusion. Before modeling, EA preconditioning was respectively applied to PC 6 or sham PC 6 for 30 min, once daily for 5 days. Electrocardiogram (ECG) of the standard limb-lead Ⅱ was recorded before and after the modeling, and 0.25 h after reperfusion. The expression levels of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB genes in the PC 6 tissue were detected by Real-time PCR., Results: Compared with the control group, the height of ECG J-point was significantly increased in the model group ( P <0.01), suggesting an acute MI, and the height of J-point was significantly lower in the EA group than in the model and sham EA groups ( P <0.01). In comparison with the control group, the expression levels of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs were markedly up-regulated in the area of PC 6 in the model group ( P <0.01). Compared with the model group, the increased expression levels of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs in the EA preconditioning group were significantly inhibited ( P <0.05). No significant differences were found among the control, control＋EA and sham operation groups and between the model and sham EA groups in the expression levels of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs ( P >0.05)．., Conclusion: EA preconditioning can improve myocardial ischemia and reduce the expression of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs in PC 6 area of MIRI rats, suggesting an involvement of the regional cutaneous TLR 4/MyD 88/NF-κB signaling suppression in the initiation-transfer-amplification of EA stimulating signal inputs for relieving MIRI.

Objective: To investigate the immediate effect of scalp acupuncture on walking pattern, using three-dimensional gait analysis (3D-GA), among patients in the subacute stage of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH)., Methods: A subset of 30 patients with subacute ICH participating in a recently published randomised controlled trial who were able to walk independently were assessed by 3D-GA before and immediately after scalp acupuncture treatment (treatment group) or no intervention (control group) and the results presented here as a secondary analysis. The acupuncture manipulation was repeated three times with an interval of 5 min. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters during walking were collected and analysed using a 3D motion analysis system., Results: After treatment, there were significant differences between the treatment and control groups in the spatiotemporal parameters of step length, velocity and cadence (p<0.05) and double-limb support. No significant difference was found in step width. When kinematic parameters were evaluated, the treatment group showed a significantly decreased peak pelvic anterior tilt angle and an increased hip extension angle after scalp acupuncture treatment, whereas the control group demonstrated no temporal changes. There were no significant changes in any other kinematic parameters in either group., Conclusions: As the first exploratory study to investigate the effect of the scalp acupuncture on gait performance in patients with subacute ICH, this secondary analysis of a recent randomised trial suggested an immediate effect of treatment on spatiotemporal parameters. Improvement in gait pattern may be associated with a decreased anterior tilt of the pelvis and augmented hip joint motion during walking., Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR-TRC-08000225; Post-results., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

The role of the acupoint area collagen fibers in the efficacy of acupuncture lifting and thrusting (L&T) manipulation will be explored in this paper. 30 male NZW rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham operation group (Group N), model group (Group M), acupuncture without manipulation group (Group W), acupuncture L&T manipulation group (Group A), collagenase pretreatment group (Group JM), and collagenase pretreatment + acupuncture L&T manipulation group (Group JA). The bacterial endotoxin was used to generate the rabbit fever models. Acupuncture was applied at IL-11. The levels of IL-1 β , TNF- α , and IL-4 and the rectal temperature were measured at 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after modeling and the collagen fiber morphology at acupoint area was observed after 6 hours. Results. As compared with Group N, the levels of IL-1 β and TNF- α in Group M were significantly higher; the level of IL-4 was significantly lower ( P < 0.05). As compared with Group M, IL-1 β and TNF- α in Groups W and A were significantly lower and IL-4 was significantly higher ( P < 0.05). As compared with Group W, IL-1 β and TNF- α in Group A were lower and IL-4 was higher ( P < 0.05). The collagen fiber in Group A was slightly rough, distorted, and fractured. As shown in studies, the endotoxin-induced inflammatory response can be significantly inhibited by acupuncture whose efficacy can also be significantly improved by the manipulations. Collagenase pretreatment may be the first receptor to the mechanical force of the L&T manipulation.

Background: Acupuncture, especially acupuncture treatment on head for acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), has long been disputable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of penetration acupuncture on head in patients with acute ICH., Methods: Eighty-two patients with acute ICH were randomized to receive penetration acupuncture treatment on head combined with conventional treatment (treatment group [TG]) or conventional treatment only (control group [CG]). Acupuncture treatments were given in 24 sessions over 4 weeks, with 3-month follow-up period. Measures included Clinical Neurological Function Deficit Scale (CNFDS), Barthel Index (BI), vital signs (respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation), and hematoma absorption ratio., Results: Both groups showed a progressively improvement in CNFDS and BI scores from day 7 to 90. The TG showed a significantly greater improvement in CNFDS than CG over time (P < 0.05). However, BI failed to show significant difference between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The vital signs were stable and no expansion of hematoma occurred over the course of acupuncture treatment., Conclusion: Penetration acupuncture treatment on head appeared to be safe over the course of treatment on acute ICH and may result in additional functional improvements detected in the CNFDS but not reflected in the BI. A larger-scale clinical trial with longer follow-up assessments is required to confirm these findings., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Data mining has the potential to provide information for improving clinical acupuncture strategies by uncovering hidden rules between acupuncture manipulation and therapeutic effects in a data set. In this study, we performed acupuncture on 30 patients with hemiplegia due to acute ischemic stroke. All participants were pre-screened to ensure that they exhibited immediate responses to acupuncture. We used a twirling reinforcing acupuncture manipulation at the specific lines between the bilateral Baihui (GV20) and Taiyang (EX-HN5). We collected neurologic deficit score, simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment score, muscle strength of the proximal and distal hemiplegic limbs, ratio of the maximal H-reflex to the maximal M-wave (Hmax/Mmax), muscle tension at baseline and immediately after treatment, and the syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine at baseline. We then conducted data mining using an association algorithm and an artificial neural network backpropagation algorithm. We found that the twirling reinforcing manipulation had no obvious therapeutic difference in traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of "Deficiency and Excess". The change in the muscle strength of the upper distal and lower proximal limbs was one of the main factors affecting the immediate change in Fugl-Meyer scores. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between the muscle tension change of the upper limb and Hmax/Mmax immediate change, and both positive and negative correlations existed between the muscle tension change of the lower limb and immediate Hmax/Mmax change. Additionally, when the difference value of muscle tension for the upper and lower limbs was > 0 or < 0, the difference value of Hmax/Mmax was correspondingly positive or negative, indicating the scalp acupuncture has a bidirectional effect on muscle tension in hemiplegic limbs. Therefore, acupuncture with twirling reinforcing manipulation has distinct effects on acute ischemic stroke patients with different symptoms or stages of disease. Improved muscle tension in the upper and lower limbs, reflected by the variation in the Hmax/Mmax ratio, is crucial for recovery of motor function from hemiplegia.

Through searching domestic and foreign medical journals in CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database and Pubmed database from January of 2003 to November of 2013, 39 articles regarding musical electroacupuncture (MEA) were analyzed. The result showed that MEA was clinically used to treat neurological and psychotic disorders; because it was combined with musical therapy and overcame the acupuncture tolerability, and MEA was superior to traditional electroacupuncture. However, problems such as low research efficiency and the mechanism of MEA superiority and the musical specificity not being revealed by research design still exist. In future, large-sample multi-center RCT researches should be performed to clarify MEA clinical efficacy. With modern science and technology and optimized study design, guided by five-element theory of TCM, researches on different musical elements and characteristics of musical pulse current as well as MEA's correlation with meridians and organs should be studied, so as to make a further exploration on MEA mechanisms and broaden the range of its clinical application.

Objective: To verify the safety of penetrating acupuncture at the head points for cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage., Methods: Sixty cases of cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage were selected and randomized into a western medication group and a head-point group, 30 cases in each one. In the western medication group, the anti-cranial pressure and anti-blood pressure program was administered with the conventional intravenous infusion of Sodium Nitroprusside, Mannite, etc. In the head-point group, on the basis of the treatment as the western medication group, the penetrating acupuncture at the head points was supplemented. For consciousness disturbance, Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Benshen (GB 13) and penetrating needling from Shenting (GV 24) to Shangxing (GV 23) were selected. For headache, the penetrating needling was adopted from Shangxing (GV 23) to Yintang (EX-HN 3) and from Fengchi (GB 20) to Fengchi (GB 20). For disturbance of urination and defecation, the penetrating needling was adopted from Baihui (GV 20) to Sishencong (EX-HN 1). For aphasia, the penetrating needling was adopted from Fengfu (GV 16) to Yamen (GV 15), etc. For facial paralysis, the penetrating needling from Dicang (ST 4) to Jiache (ST 6) and Xiaguan (ST 7) were selected. For paralysis, the penetrating needling was adopted from Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc. Before and after treatment, the changes in cerebral hemorrhagic volume, the results of blood, urine and stool routine examination, the situations of the life indices such as heart, liver and kidney functions, blood pressure, respiration and heart rate were observed, as well as the impacts on ECG., Results: The cranial CT sania cn indicated that the rate of the basic and significant absorption of hematoma was 80.0% (24/30) in the head-point group, which was superior to 56.7% (17/30) in the western medication group (P < 0.05). Before and after treatment, the results of blood, urine and stool routine examination and the life indices such as blood pressure, respiration and heart rate were all in the normal scope for the patients in the head-point group (all P > 0.05). There were no any abnormal changes in liver and kidney functions. In the head-point group, the abnormality rate of ECG was lower obviously than that in the western medication group [16.7% (5/30) vs 43.3% (13/30), P < 0.05]., Conclusion: The penetrating acupuncture at the head points is safe in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage.

The stereoselective amination of various chiral benzylic ethers using chlorosulfonyl isocyanate is developed, and the application of this method to the total synthesis of a potent antidepressant, (+)-sertraline, from readily available 1-naphthol is also described.

Objective: To observe the effect of scalp-acupuncture on N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and choline (Cho) leveIs in the brain tissue in rabbits with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in resisting neural lesion., Methods: A total of 30 Newzealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal, model and acupuncture groups (n=10). ICH model was duplicated by injection of the rabbit-own blood (200 microL) into the bilateral Basal Nuclei (A: 2 mm; R, L; 5 mm; H: 10 mm). A filiform needle was inserted into "Baihui" (GV 20) to "Taiyang" (EX-HN 5) on the hemorrhage side, manipulated for 1 min, and then retained for 30 min (manipulated once again every 10 min). The treatment was conducted once daily for 7 days. Contents of NAA, Cho and creatine (Cr) in the intracerebral peri-hematoma tissues were detected by using 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)., Results: Compared with the normal group, NAA/Cr ratios at the time points of 2 h, 3 d and 7 d after ICH in the model group were decreased markedly (P < 0.05), while Cho/Cr ratios at the same 3 time-points after ICH in the model group were increased markedly (P < 0.05). In comparison with the model group, NAA/Cr ratio on day 3 after ICH in the acupuncture group was obviously higher (P < 0.05), while Cho/Cr ratios on day 3 and 7 were significantly down-regulated in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). No significant changes were found in NAA/Cr ratios at 2 h and on day 7 and in Cho/Cr ratio at 2 h after ICH between the acupuncture group and the model group., Conclusion: Penetrative acupuncture of GV 20-EX-HN 5 is effective in suppressing ICH-induced increase of Cho/Cr ratio in ICH rabbits, which may contribute to its function in accelerating neural repair process.

In the present paper, the authors review the progress of researches on the mechanism of acupuncture therapy underlying improvement of acute cerebral hemorrhage from experimental studies and research methods. The effects of acupuncture intervention mainly involve (1) lessening inflammatory reactions, (2) reducing impairment of free radicals and excitatory amino acids on cerebral neurons, (3) balancing release of vascular bioactive substances to increase regional cerebral blood flow, and (4) promoting repair and regeneration of the neural tissue, etc. In regard to the research methods, many new biological techniques such as biological molecular approaches, neuro-cellular chemical methods, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or quantitative real time-PCR, situ hybridization, western blotting, electron microscope, etc., have been extensively applied to researches on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture therapy for cerebral infarction. In addition, the authors also pointed out that in spite of achieving some bigger progresses in experimental studies, most of the results basically reflect static, isolated and regional changes rather than dynamic and whole body changes. For this reason, more vivo research techniques and noninvasive research methods are highly recommended to be used in the future research on the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for acute cerebral ischemia.

Object: To explore the better treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation., Methods: One hundred and thirty-two cases of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, sixty-six cases in each group. In observation group, Baihui (GV 20) penetrating to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiaji (EX-B 2), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied; in control group, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied. Once a day, 6 treatments made one session and one day break between courses. The curative effects after 4 and 8 courses and the recurrence rate that 6 months after treatment were observed; the pain scale evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were observed., Results: The cured rate and total effective rate were 44.3% (27/61) and 100.0% (61/61) in observation group, 26.7% (16/60) and 93.3% (56/60) in control group after 4 courses; there were significant differences between two groups (all P < 0.05). After 8 courses, the cured rate and total effective rate were no significant differences between two groups (all P > 0.05). In observation group, the recurrence rate was 9.4% (5/53) 6 months after treatment, which was lower than that (24.1%,13/54) in control group (P < 0.05). The VAS and ODI scale were significantly reduced (all P < 0.05) after treatment, and which in observation group were inferior to those in control group (all P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated with puncture by opening meridian and consolidating origin is rapidly effected with low recurrence rate.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint-catgut-embedding therapy combined conventional western medication on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable stage due to lung and kidney deficiency., Methods: The cases were randomized into observation group and control group, 30 cases in each one. In control group, the conventional western medication was administered. In observation group, on the basis of conventional western medication, the catgut-embedding therapy was applied at Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Feishu (BL 13), Shenshu (BL 23), Fenglong (ST 40) and Zusanli (ST 36). The total attack frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), the attack frequency of AECOPD at moderate or above moderate stage and TCM syndrome score were compared before treatment and 6 months after treatment in two groups., Results: The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in observation group and was 90.0% (27/30) in control group, indicating equivalent efficacy between two groups. 6 months after treatment, in two groups, the total attack frequency of AECOPD and the attack frequency of AECOPD at moderate or above moderate stage were reduced remarkably as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The total attack frequency of AECOPD in observation group was reduced remarkably as compared with that in control group (P < 0.05). The scores of cough, expectoration and chest oppression as well as the total score of TCM syndrome were reduced remarkably after treatment in observation group (all P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Integrated therapy of acupoint-catgut-embedding and conventional medication has similar efficacy as simple medication. But, the combination of acupoint-catgut-embedding therapy and western medication can reduce the attack frequency of AECOPD and improve in cough, chest oppression and other symptoms in patients with COPD at stable stage effectively.

Three representative schools of scalp acupuncture for the stroke hemiplegia such as Jiao's scalp acupuncture, Yu's scalp acupuncture and temporal three-needle are introduced and analyzed. Since the schools of scalp acupuncture are numerous and the bases of selection acupoints are complicated, it demands to determine the optimal needling acupoints by means of scientific research. Therefore, the selection acupoints would be adhering to scientific principles. The theoretical basis needs to be explored and studied further.

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy for treatment of dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis, and to probe into the best therapy for this kind of disease., Methods: Seventy-three cases of dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy group (observation group) and a medication group (control group). The observation group (36 cases) was treated with acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy, Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1) etc. were selected; the control group (37 cases) was treated with oral administration of Jiawei Mojie tablet. The clinical effects, pain scores, onset time of producing analgesic and duration of both groups were observed before and after treatment., Results: The short term total effective rate of 91.2% (31/34) in observation group was better than that of 83.3% (30/36) in control group (P < 0.05); the long term total effective rates were 97.1% (33/34) and 69.4% (25/36) in observation group and control group respectively, with significant difference between two groups (P < 0. 05). The pain scores of both groups were decreased after treatment, and the improvement degree was more significant in observation group (P<0. 01); the onset time in observation group was shorter than that in control group (P<0. 05), the duration of effect in observation group was longer, and with a stable effect., Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy is very significant for dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis, and it is a good therapy for this kind of disease.

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of scalp penetration acupuncture and conventional scalp acupuncture for treatment of acute apoplexy, to seek the effective location and mechanism of scalp acupuncture treatment for acute apoplexy., Methods: Sixty cases of the apoplexy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. Basis on the neurological treatment, the observation group was treated with penetration needling through Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5) on the affected side, with four needles relay; the control group was treated with penetration needling at anterior oblique line of parietotemporal region, with four needles relay. After 14 days of treatment, the neurological deficit scores (NDS) and the therapeutic effects were compared before and after treatment, and the contents of plasma endothelins (ET) and the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were tested respectively on the 2nd and 14th day after treatment., Results: The effective rate of 86.7% (26/30) in the observation group was superior to that of 80.0% (24/30) in the control group; the NDS of both groups were obviously decreased after treatment (both P < 0.01), the improvement degree in the observation group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.01); the ET level was obviously decreased and the CGRP level was obviously increased in both groups after treatment (all P < 0.01), and the range of change was more significant in the observation group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Penetration needling through Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5) is an effective treatment for acute apoplexy, which is better than conventional scalp acupuncture.

Objective: To investigate the material base and underlying mechanism of the effect of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture on the neuronal plasticity in rats with focal cerebral infarction., Methods: The model rats with acute cerebral infarction were made by blocking the middle cerebral artery with monofilament. One hundred and thirty two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operation group (A), model group (B), point-to-point scalp acupuncture group (C) and cluster-needling of scalp acupunture group (D). Puncturing from "Baihui (GV 20)" to "Qubin (GB 7)" was used in group C. Cluster needling of scalp acupuncture was used in group D, in which needles were inserted forward and slantingly into "Baihui (GV 20)" and its left and right sides at 4 mm. In both groups, the treatment was carried out with rapid twirling reinforcing-reducing for 1 min then retaining needle for 30 min, once a day, 6 days in one course, for treating 4 courses. There was no treatment for group A and B. The change of neurological function was evaluated with Bederson score, while the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) in the ischemic penumbra was examined with immunohistochemistry (streptavidin-peroxidase method)., Results: In comparison,with group B, the score of neurological function in group D decreased on 7th day (P<0.05), while the scors in group C and D also decreased on 14th and 28th days (both P<0.05). As compared with group C, the score of neurological function in group D obviously decreased on 28th days (P<0. 05). Comparing with group B, the expression of MAP-2 on the ischemic cortex was significantly increased in group D and C on 7th, 14th and 28th days (all P<0. 05), however, this expression in group D was higher than that in group C on 14th and 28th days (P<0. 05)., Conclusion: Cluster needling of scalp acupuncture can improve the neurological function of rats with focal cerebral infarction, and increase the expression of MAP-2 in the ischemic penumbra.

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on simple obesity of different syndrome types, so as to understand the syndrome type most suitable to this therapy., Methods: Using prospective and double blind method one hundred and thirty-seven cases were divided into a group of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (n=30), a stomach heat-dampness stagnation group (n=30), a group of stagnation of liver qi (n=27), a group of deficiency of both spleen and kidney (n=26) and a group of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency (n=24). They were treated with catgut implantation at main acupoints Liangmen (ST 21), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Fenglong (ST 40) and adjuvant points selected according to different syndromes, once each week, 4 weeks constituting one course, for 2 courses. Changes of body weight, body mass index (BMI), circumferences of chest, waist and hip, and symptoms and signs before and after treatment were observed., Results: After treatment, the body weight, BMI, circumferences of waist and hip in the 5 groups had significant changes; the total effective rates in the group of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency, the stomach heat-dampness stagnation group, the group of stagnation of liver qi, the group of deficiency of both spleen and kidney deficiency, the group of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency were 83.3%, 93.3%, 48.2%, 69.2% and 41.70%, respectively., Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoints is the best for simple obesity of the stomach heat-dampness stagnation type and the worst for the type of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency.

This paper reports a novel synthetic method for the preparation of various urethanes and the application to the synthesis of carisbamate. The reaction of primary (2a, 2e and 2f) or secondary (2g-2i) trimethylsilyl ethers with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate afforded the corresponding urethanes in good yields without affecting the olefin moiety. However, in the case of secondary benzylic trimethylsilyl ether 2j, the corresponding urethane 3j was obtained in low yield. From the difference in reactivity between the primary and secondary benzylic trimethylsilyl ethers, the one-pot synthesis of carisbamate 1 from bis-trimethylsilyl ether 2l was achieved.

Objective: To probe into the mechanism of electroacupuncture at shu-points of the five zang-organs for treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)., Methods: Eighty healthy giant-ear white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, a blank group, a model group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group and an immunoglobulin group, 20 rabbits in each group. The internationally recognized P 2 immune rabbit model was used in the study. The EA group were treated with EA at shu-points of the five zang-organs and the immunoglobulin group with intravenous injection of immunoglobulin 80 mg/kg/day. The sciatic nerve movement conduction velocity (MCV) and F wave incidence rate were investigated respectively at the 7th and 14th days of treatment in the rabbits of GBS., Results: The sciatic nerve MCV significantly reduced in the model group, and it significantly increased (P < 0.01) and F wave abnormal cases was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) after treatment for 14 days in the EA group as compared with those in the model group., Conclusion: EA at shu-points of the five zang-organs can increase the sciatic nerve MCV and decrease the abnormal F wave incidence rate of the sciatic nerve in the rabbit of GBS.

A new efficient method for the synthesis of geometrically pure (E)-alkenes from (Z)-alkenes is described. The reaction of aryl- or alkyl-substituted (Z)-alkenes with tributyltin hydride and triethylamine in the presence of a catalytic amount of palladium acetate afforded the corresponding (E)-alkenes in good yields.

Objective: To explore the effect of somatostatin on serum interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock., Methods: 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: intervention group (injected with LPS of Escherichia coli via femoral vein to induce septic shock) and control group (injected with LPS of Escherichia coli and then injected with somatostatin). The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, respiration rater, and mortality rate were observed before the injection of LPS, and 30, 90, and 360 min after the injection, and the serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha level were detected before the injection of LPS, 30, 90, and 360 min after the injection, or after the death., Results: The IL-6 levels 30 min, 90 min, and 360 min after the injection of the somatostatin intervention group were 233 +/- 47, 212 +/- 33, and 217 +/- 26 mg/L respectively, all significantly lower then those of the control group (308 +/- 56, 260 +/- 32, and 230 +/- 92 mg/L, all P < 0.05). The TNF-alpha level 30 min, 90 min, and 360 min after the injection of the somatostatin intervention group were 450 +/- 82, 417 +/- 92, and 440 +/- 49 mg/L, all significantly lower than those of the control group (607 +/- 149, 517 +/- 74, and 474 +/- 219 mg/L, all P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the MAP of the somatostatin intervention group increased after 90 min. Two rats in the control group died 30 to 90 min later and 4 rats died 90 to 360 min later, however, 360 min later all rats in the somatostatin intervention group were alive (P = 0.0054)., Conclusion: Somatostatin can inhibit the level of serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha in septic shock induced by LPS and improve the survival rate.

The scholars at home and abroad pay great attention to the studies of specificities of acupoints, but the studies were superficial and non-systemic because of lacking to application of modern sciences and technology. There are not persuasive conclusive achievements for the specificities of acupoints and the key factors influencing the effect of acupuncture. The study of the specificities of acupoints should be concentrate on the diseases for which acupuncture and moxibustion are effective. And multiple modern sciences and techniques should be adopted to resolve the key problems about biological and physical characteristics, pathological response, effects and law of compatibility of acupoints usually selected for the diseases, and then to create the model of the theory about the specificities of acupoints and to richen and develop the theory of the specificity of acupoints.

Objective: To study the mechanism of scalp penetration acupuncture treating acute cerebral hemorrhage (ACH)., Methods: The treatment group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30) were treated with the same basic therapy, but scalp penetration acupuncture was added to the treatment group. Changes of plasma ET and CGRP contents were compared., Results: After treatment for 14 days, the content of plasma ET in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the content of plasma CGRP was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Scalp penetration acupuncture is able to improve the prognosis of the patient with ACH by means of regulating the contents of plasma ET and CGRP.