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Background Herpes zoster presents as clustered blisters on one side of the body, accompanied by nerve pain. This is caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, and it occurs primarily in people with weakened immunity. Tumor and chemotherapy drugs can impair the patient's immune function, induce herpes zoster and prolong the course of disease.In these patients, skin changes can last for months and blisters can recur and cause serious complications such as postherpetic neuralgia.Acupuncture is a common alternative therapy for herpes zoster in East Asia. Case presentation We report a case of an elderly male patient with widespread herpes zoster in the trunk after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma chemotherapy. The patient had received conventional treatment with valaciclovir and mecobalamin within 24 hours of symptom onset. Because neither the clustered blisters nor the nerve pain were improved a week later, acupuncture and related techniques were applied. These included electro-acupuncture, surrounding acupuncture, fire acupuncture, and cupping. The patient recovered 20 days after the herpes zoster attack, and there were no adverse reactions during the treatment process. Conclusions This case suggests that acupuncture and related techniques are effective interventions for this condition.This case report is innovative because it shows that acupuncture as an adjuvant treatment can improve the skin lesions in patients with HZ after tumour chemotherapy, relieve pain, and shorten the course of HZ.

The paper introduces professor介绍林国华教授针灸“大迎香”治疗疾病的临床经验。林教授在内迎香的基础上，将整个鼻腔及其相连的鼻咽部黏膜命名为“大迎香”，其中较为常用的针灸点为内迎香及鼻咽点。大迎香理肺气、通髓海，用于治疗肺系及髓海病。手法上以火针点刺捻转或者烧葱捣之为主；病浅刺内迎香，病深取鼻咽点，二者常交替或联合使用，以增强疗效。.

This study investigated the relationship between social connectedness and overseas life satisfaction in addition to the mediating effect of cultural intelligence (CQ) and the moderating effect of socioeconomic status (SES) respectively. We adopted the social capital theory to support the relations among the proposed variables. Data were collected through online questionnaires from Taiwanese students studying abroad; 431 valid responses were analyzed. The results demonstrated that social connectedness was positively related to CQ; moreover, CQ was positively related to students’ overseas life satisfaction, and partially mediated the relationship between social connectedness and overseas life satisfaction. Concurrently, SES was observed to moderate the relationships of social connectedness with CQ and CQ with overseas life satisfaction. Furthermore, the indirect effect of social connectedness on overseas life satisfaction through CQ was moderated by varying SES levels. Our findings confirm that social connectedness affects CQ, and that CQ serves as the mediation mechanism between social connectedness and life satisfaction among overseas students. In addition, SES plays a significant role in the moderated mediation relationship. Limitations of this study and recommendations for future studies are also discussed.

The paper summarizes professor总结林国华教授针灸分期论治卒中后吞咽功能障碍的经验。林国华教授总结其病机为精亏髓乏，元阳虚衰，谨遵“从阳引阴”之法，通调任督，重用阳经，分期结合辨经、辨位论治。口腔期阳明失约，面瘫舌痿，治疗以泻为用，重取阳明；吞咽期邪犯少阳，枢机不利，治以沟通表里，疏利少阳；食管期阳明脉虚，浊气不降，故以补为用，通补阳明。辅以针刺运动疗法，妙用岭南火针，为临床治疗卒中后吞咽功能障碍提供参考。.

To observe the effect of Lingnan fire needling combined with artificial tears in the treatment of xerophthalmia.A total of 86 xerophthalmia patients were equally and randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The patients of both groups were received treatment with 0.1% sodium hyaluronate eye drops in their eyes 3 times a day, one drop in each eye. In addition, the patients of treatment group also treated by Lingnan fire needling on bilateral Shaoze (SI1), Neichengqi and beside lacrimal puncta once a week. The treatment was conducted for 4 consecutive weeks. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, the clinical efficacy, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, ocular symptom score, OSDI score, fluorescence staining （FL） score, schemer I, tear menisci height, tear film break-up time (BUT) and eye redness index were recorded and evaluated.After the treatment, self-comparison showed that the symptom score, OSDI score, FL score and eye redness index were significantly decreased (Lingnan fire needling combined with 0.1% sodium hyaluronate eye drops is more effective than simple sodium hyaluronate eye drops for xerophthalmia patients, with significant curative effect and no adverse reactions.

Professor总结林国华教授针灸治疗难治性突发性耳聋经验，并对典型医案进行介绍。林国华教授认为本病多因少阳经气厥塞所致，提倡尽早针灸干预，治病求本，谨守“少阳暴厥”之病机，谨遵“疏解少阳，通耳开窍”之法，临证必用听宫，主取少阳经穴，辅予辨经取穴，巧施发蒙针法与气流灌耳法，妙用岭南火针疗法，必要时调气调神、加取募穴，共奏通耳复聪之效。.

Professor总结林国华教授针灸治疗动眼神经麻痹的临床经验，并对典型案例进行介绍。林国华教授熟练运用传统针灸理论及古典针法，形成了经络辨证与特色针刺手法相结合的诊疗体系，发挥动刺针法优势，并将原络配穴、“菀陈则除之”以及标本根结等理论融合到动眼神经麻痹的治疗中，获效颇佳。.

Professor介绍林国华教授针刺治疗进行性肌营养不良症经验。认为本病病机为脾肾亏虚、气血不足、筋肉失养。治疗谨守病机，重调脾肾，总结出头穴重刺、补益髓海，三阳同治、非独阳明和调气为先、从肺治痿的治疗思路，临证治疗常结合穴位埋线，疗效显著。.

Yinjiao (GV 28) is generally used in treatment of lumbago and anorectal diseases. Professor龈交穴临床多用于治疗腰痛和肛肠疾病，林国华教授认为其可通过调督任、畅气血而具有补益髓海、调畅下焦的功效，可用于治疗髓海及下焦疾病。并基于临床经验创造性地提出了“三龈交”概念，分别为龈交穴（或称上龈交）、外龈交、下龈交。林教授运用龈交穴治疗疾病多用针刺疗法，强调取穴要准、针感要强、针刺配合运动、交替刺激、联合刺激5点原则，为临床治疗髓海及下焦疾病提供新思路。.

Combined with previous clinical experience in anti-epidemic and acupuncture, the prevention program of fire needling therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was drawn out. Fire needling therapy has the effects of clearing heat, removing dampness, replenishing for the deficiency, removing stasis and detoxifying, which is mainly aimed at preventing populations, light and common types cases, and cases in the recovery period. Acupoints of governor vessel, lung meridian, bladder meridian and stomach meridian are mainly used in this program. For the special groups, such as children, elderly and weak, and pregnant women, Shenzhu (GV 12), Danshu (BL 19), Geshu (BL 17), Zhigou (TE 6), etc. are added. It is hoped that fire needling therapy will be applied in the community and square cabin hospitals as an effective supplement to anti-epidemic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

To objectively evaluate the safety of acupoint catgut embedding therapy.A total of 331 patients who received acupoint catgut embedding therapy were enrolled and summarized through the inpatient medical record system, follow-up record and adverse reaction report card. The statistical analysis was performed from the aspects of patients' gender, age, marital status, history of allergy, history of diabetes and the time, symptoms, duration and prognosis of adverse reactions, etc.Among 331 patients who received acupoint catgut embedding therapy, 70 patients had adverse reactions, which were divided into 9 types, including post-treatment discomfort, local hematoma or subcutaneous hemorrhage, local swelling, local induration, severe pain, thread-body rejection, local pruritus, post-treatment body temperature rising, local redness, swelling, fever and pain. The incidence rate of adverse events was 21.15%, and the incidence of serious adverse events was 0. Among the patients with adverse reactions, 58 patients (82.86%) relieved without treatment, and 12 patients (17.14%) received after symptomatic treatment; all patients had no sequelae.The acupoint catgut embedding therapy is relatively safe and the incidence of adverse reactions is low.

To assess the therapeutic effect and safety of fire needle therapy in the treatment of herpes zoster pain.We collected randomized controlled trials about treatment of herpes zoster pain mainly by fire needle therapy (published from the date of establishment of each database to Dec 1 of 2018) from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Document Service System (SinoMed), PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library by using key words of "fire needle" "burnt needle" "red-hot needle" "herpes zoster" "postherpetic neuralgia" and "herpetic neuralgia". Then, we conducted Meta-analysis and sequential analysis about the outcomes of studies met our inclusion criteria using RevMan5.3.5 and TSA0.9.10 Beta softwares and employed GRADE profiler 3.6.1 to grade the quality of evidence.A total of 25 studies including 2 024 patients were brought into the present analysis. Outcomes of the qualitative analysis indicated that the fire needle therapy has a higher effective rate than the western medicine group. Meta-analysis showed that after the treatment mainly with fire needle therapy, 1) the VAS score is evidently lower [WMD=-0.96, 95% CI(-1.22, -0.71),In the treatment of herpes zoster pain, fire needle as the main treatment approach can significantly relieve pain, shorten the pain duration, and reduce the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia.

To observe the influence of fire needle stimulation at Sihua acupoints combined with chemotherapy on Th1/Th2 imbalance and performance status in the patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) so as to investigate its immunological mechanism underlying the improvement of lung cancer.Sixty eligible NSCLC inpatients were randomly assigned to a control group and a treatment group (Compared with the results before treatment, the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ concentration increased obviously and the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 concentration as well as KPS score decreased significantly in the treatment group and the control group after treatment (allFire needle stimulation at Sihua acupoints improves the function of Th1 cells, and reduces the function of Th2 cells. As a result, the balance between Th1 and Th2 has been modified and the deterioration degree of the performance status been alleviated in the patients after chemotherapy.

Background Herpes zoster, is one of the most familiar skin diseases in conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in 2018 showed that fire needle acupuncture can relieve the pain caused by herpes zoster quickly and prevent the outcome of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), with little side effects. The purpose of this study is to update the systematic review with the latest evidence. Methods Four English (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science) and 4 Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM) will be searched dating until 30 June 2020 for randomized controlled trials with no language restrictions. In addition, a hand search of the reference lists of included studies will also be done. Adults (aged 18-70) with acute herpes zoster (less than 7 days) using fire needle acupuncture will be included. Pairs of researchers will independently conduct the search, screen titles and abstracts, retrieve full texts of potentially eligible studies, assess the risk of bias, and conduct date extraction and synthesis. If there is any discrepancy in the whole process, consult a third researcher. For meta-analysis, the primary outcome is the pain intensity (visual analogue scale [VAS] pain scale; pain relieve of 30%, duration of pain), and the second outcome is incidence of PHN. A sequential analysis will be done to test the robustness of results of meta-analysis. The quality of evidence will be assessed using GRADE system. Results The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion This study will provide the latest systematic review and meta-analysis of fire needle acupuncture for acute herpes zoster and prevention of PHN.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of cultural intelligence (CQ) on individuals’ overseas life satisfaction and focus on opportunities with the mediating effect of cross-cu...

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of how self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) integrate themselves into the foreign workplace, adapt to a new life, and be competent ...

To observe the influence of repeated shallow fire-needle acupuncture stimulation plus cupping on local neuralgia and serum substance P(SP)content in patients with acute herpes zoster (AHZ).A total of 60 cases of AHZ patients were randomly divided into control (medication) group and treatment (medication plus fire-needle) group (After the treatment, the VAS scores and serum SP concentrations in both groups were significantly decreased in comparison with those of their own pre-treatment (Repeated shallow fire-needle stimulation plus cupping can accelerate the relief of local neuralgia in AHZ patients, which may be associated with its effect in down-regulating serum SP level.

To investigate the Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in rodents in Zhangzhou City and provide basis for control the disease.Eighteen villages in 4 counties, which located in coastal and mountain regions of rodent breeding, were selected between 2013-2015. Rodents were collected by cage trapping, and organs of heart and lungs were prepared for microscopic examination of A. cantonensis after identification of the species and age of the rodent. The infection rate was calculated and correlation between natural environment and the infection rate was analyzed.A total of 1 551 rodents were collected and identified to be Rattus flavipectus, R. norvegicus, Sorex araneus, Mus musculus and R. lossea with a high-to-low ranking of R. flavipectus（41.8%）, R. norvegicus（28.4%） and S. araneus（20.9%）. The overall infection mice was 9.2%（142/1 551）. The infection rates of R. norvegicus and R. flavipectus were 13.2%（58/441） and 11.4%（74/649） respectively, both significantly higher than that of Sorex araneus［1.5%（5/323）］, Mus musculus［1.4%（1/74）］ and R. lossea［6.3%（4/63）］ （P0.05）. The infection rate in the costal regions was 12.4%（83/668）, significantly higher than that in the mountain regions（6.68%, 59/883）（χ2=15.083, P0.05）. Moreover, in contrast with the significant difference in the infection rate between hilly（9.2%, 46/499） and mountainous areas（3.4%, 13/384）, there the infection rate showed no significant difference between coastal flatland（12.7%, 53/416） and coastal hilly areas（11.9%, 30/252） （χ2=2.264, P0.05）. In addition, 696 adult worms were found in 142 infected rodents. These worms mainly located in the pulmonary artery（94.3%）, then and the heart （5.7%）. There was also no significant difference in infection rate between male（9.2%, 73/795） and female rodents（9.1%, 69/756） （P0.05）.R. flavipectus and R. norvegicus are the important reservoir hosts for A. cantonensis in Zhangzhou. The infection rate in different species of rodents varies in different ecological environments.

In this paper, the integrated formulas for the electromagnetic field in the planar boundary between isotropic and onedimensionally anisotropic media due to a horizontal electric dipole situated on the interface are treated in detail, and the calculable field components are given in terms of series that involve confluent hypergeometric functions, namely, the Fresnel and exponential integrals. The expressions are more complex than the isotropic case, and the exact expressions and simplified formulas can be easily reduced to the corresponding isotropic case. The results are useful to study the propagation of the electromagnetic waves on the boundary of one-dimensionally anisotropic earth or sediments.

This study was designed to determine the complement activation effects of carotenoid-derived aldehydes (CDA) on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). A dose-dependent complement activation upon incubation of HUVEC with CDA was observed. Interestingly, the data showed that the alternative pathway was not activated. In addition, upon CDA treatment a significant number of apoptotic cells was also observed. The results revealed that CDA could activate the complement by way of the classical pathway. The study suggests that high carotenoid supplementation for the treatment of coronary heart disease should be used cautiously.

The complete, lag and anticipated synchronizations of two identical autonomous chaotic systems, Brushless DC Motors (BLDCM) systems, are studied in this paper. PC method, linear coupling and active control are used for the achievements of the complete and the lag synchronizations. Linear coupling method and active control is used for the anticipated synchronization. Generalized lag, anticipated and complete synchronization are obtained by active control. Finally, the generalized lag synchronization of BLDCM system and Lorenz system is studied.

Electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) moving fluid by surface tension effects offers some advantages, including simplicity of fabrication, control of minute volumes, rapid mixing, low cost and others. This work presents a numerical model using a commercial software, CFD-ACE+, and an EWOD system including a microfluidic device, a microprocessor, electric circuits, a LCD module, a keypad, a power supply and a power amplifier. The EWOD model based on a reduced form of the mass conservation and momentum equations is adopted to simulate the fluid dynamics of the droplets. The EWOD device consists of the 2 x 2 mm bottom electrodes (Au/Cr), a dielectric layer of 3,000 A nitride, 500 A Teflon and a piece of indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass as the top electrode. The complete EWOD phenomenon is elucidated by comparing simulation with the experimental data on droplet transportation, cutting and creation. In transportation testing, the speed of the droplet is 6 mm/s at 40 V(dc). In addition, the droplet division process takes 0.12 s at 60 V(dc) in the current case. Finally, a 347 nl droplet is successfully created from an on-chip reservoir at 60 V(dc).

The electromagnetic fields in air from a horizontal electric dipole over a perfect conductor covered with a plasma layer are studied. The total field includes the direct wave, the ideal reflected wave, the lateral-wave, and the trapped surface wave. The refractive index of plasma is a complex function of frequency, so the solutions of the pole equations which are used for the computation of the trapped surface wave are also a function of frequency. The influences of the frequency to the pole equations and the solutions are investigated.

To describe a new species of the genus Nanhaipotamon.Freshwater crabs were collected in the counties of Yongtai, Minqing, Youxi, Songxi, Zhenghe and Shouning, Fujian Province. The morphological characteristics of the crabs were described. The habitats were observed and crabs examined for the presence of Paragonimus metacerariae.A new species of freshwater crabs named as Nanhaipotamon fujianense sp. nov. was described: holotype (FJ6132-1): male, carapace length 18.44 mm, breadth 23.64 mm, thickness 12.61 mm; allotype (FJ6132-2): female, length 18.76 mm, breadth 25.25 mm, thicknes 14.31 mm, collected from Yongtai County in the middle of Fujian (N 25 degrees 44,778'; E118 degrees 32,278', and 232 m above sea lever). Distal segment of the first male pleopod with triangle convex inner-distal angle, and the axe-like expanded out-distal angle. The out-lateral border slightly sloped downwards. The segment length is 2.1 times as long as the subdistal segment. The crabs usually lived in the crevice of small stream. Paragonimus metacerariae were found in the crabs collected from Yongtai, Minqing, Youxi, Songxi and Zhenghe Counties.A new species of freshwater crab (Nanhaipotamon fujianense sp. nov.) has been recorded which serves as the intermediate hosts of Paragonimus skrjabini.

To observe the effect of direct moxibustion at Sihua points on immune function and life quality of chemotherapy patients with non-small cell lung cancer.Eighty cases were randomly divided into a chemotherapy and moxibustion group (group A) and a chemotherapy group (group B), 40 cases in each one. Navelbine and cisplatin were applied in both groups. In addition, direct moxibustion at Sihua points which included Geshu (BL 17) and Danshu (BL 19) was used in the group A. Three moxa-cones were given on each acupoint, once a day, ten days treatment made one session and totally one session was required. The change of colony stimulating factor (CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-2 (IL- 2) and Karnofsky scale was compared between the two groups before and after treatment.After the treatment, the levels of serum CSF, IL-2 in the group A were higher than those in the group B (both P0.01), while the level of TNF in the group A was lower than that in the group B (P0. 01). Although Karnofsky score was decreased in the two groups (both P0.01), the score in the group A was higher than that in the group B (P0.01).Direct moxibustion at Sihua points could increase the levels of CSF and IL-2 and reduce TNF in the chemotherapy patients with lung cancer, which could improve immune function, clinical efficacy and life quality.

To investigate the species of freshwater crabs in Fujian Province, China.Fresh-water crabs were collected in Pingtan County of Fujian Province. The morphological characteristics of the crabs and the habitats were observed. The crab morphology was described and crabs examined for the presence of Paragonimus metacercariae.A new species of freshwater crabs named Nanhaipotamon pingtanense sp. nov. was obtained, holotype (FJ6133,1): male, carapace length 36.1 mm, breadth 46.8 mm, thickness 26.7 mm; allotype (FJ6133,2): female, carapace length 33.9 mm, breadth 42.7 mm, thickness 25.4 mm, collected from Pingtan County (N 26 degrees 52.958'; E 119 degrees 58.722', and 16-47 m above sea lever). Distal segment of the first male pleopod with squarish-rounded inner-distal angle, and the comparatively stout out-distal angle's end narrowed. The out-lateral border sloped downwards, concave situated in the middle. The segment length is 2.3 times as long as the subdistal segment. This species usually lived in the ditch and hid in mud hole. Paragonimus metacercariae were not found.A new species of Nanhaipotamon collected from Pingtan County of Fujian Province were described, and named as Nanhaipotamon pingtanense.

To investigate the natural foci of paragonimiasis in Youxi, Yongtai and Pinghe Counties of Fujian Province.One village each from the three counties was selected according to reported paragonimiasis cases. Freshwater snails collected from fields were examined for cercariae. Freshwater crabs obtained in the fields were examined for metacercariae by washing filtration method or direct compression method. Feces of cats and dogs were collected for the detection of eggs by water precipitation. In order to identify the species of Paragonimus, 4 cats were orally fed with metacercariae. At the same time, the habitat of three survey sites was observed.Three fluke species, namely, P. skrjabini, P. westermani and P. cenocopiosus(Syn. Euparagonimus cenocopiosus) were found. In Banlin Village of Youxi County and Chishui Village of Yongtai County, the seropositive rate by IgG ELISA were 6.8% (21/309) and 6.8% (9/133), respectively. Four species of freshwater snails were found, two species of Tricula and one species of Pseudobythinella were newly identified first intermediate hosts of Paragonimus. Four species of freshwater carbs were found, one species of Nanhaipotamon served as a new second intermediate host of Paragonimus. In Youxi, the infection rate of P. skrjabini cercariae in snails and metacercariae in crabs was 2.1% (27/1 344) and 92.1% (58/63), respectively; the index of crab infection and the positive ratio of Paragonimus eggs in cat feces was 171.91 and 1/7, respectively. In Yongtai, the cercariae infection rate in Pseudobythinella and Tricula snails infected with P. skrjabini was 0.6% (4/690) and 0.1% (2/ 2330), respectively; the infection rate of P. skrjabini metacercariae in crabs was 18.2% (18/99); the index of crab infection was 9.12. In Pinghe, the infection rate of cercariae in Semisulcospira libertina and metacercariae in crabs was 03% (3/1092) and 44.9% (35/78), respectively; the index of crab infection was 616.Paragonimus skrjabini P. westermani and P. cenocopiosus have been found from the three counties of Fujian Province with different infection level in snails and crabs.

To investigate the effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the transmembrane potential and contractile force in ventricular papillary muscle of rat and the underlying mechanism.The transmembrane potentials and contractile force were recorded by intracellular glass microelectrode and tension transducer in the isolated rat papillary muscles.(1) IL-2 shortened the action potential duration (APD50 and APD80), while had no effects on resting potential, action potential amplitude and depolarization rate. (2) IL-2 depressed the contractile force of the muscle in dose-dependent manner. IL-2 at concentrations of 0.5, 2.5, 10, 50 and 200 u/ml decreased the developed tension to 94.8% (P0.05), 85.8%, 76.3%, 69.3% and 52.5% (P0.01), respectively. (3) Pretreatment with L-NAME (10(-4) mol/L) attenuated the negative inotropic effect of IL-2, in which effect of IL-2 at concentrations from 0.5 to 10 u/ml was completely abolished, and the effect of IL-2 at high dose (50 and 200 u/ml) was partly attenuated by L-NAME.IL-2 had inhibitory effects on action potential duration and contractile force of papillary muscle, and its negative inotropic effect was mediated by nitric oxide.

To investigate the natural resources of the freshwater crab which can serve as the intermediate hosts of Paragonimus in Pinghe and Youxi of Fujian Province.Freshwater crabs were collected. The morphological characteristics of the crabs and the habitats were observed. The crabs were dissected and examined for the presence of Paragonimus metacercariae.Two new species of crabs were described, named as Sinopotamon zhangzhouense sp. nov. and Bottapotamon youxiense sp. nov.. S. zhangzhouense sp. nov., holotype: male, carapace length 35.9 mm, breadth 42.8 mm, thickness 18.6 mm, collected from Pinghe County in southwest of Fujian. (24 degrees 14.206' N, 117 degrees 12.594' E). Distal segment of the first pleopod of male tended flattish, and showed palm nest-shaped concave, which divided into two point leafs, and longitudinal crack clearly identified in back. The end half of distal segment reversed to ventral outwardly. This species usually lived in the sluggish stream. The infection rate of Paragonimus westermani and P. cenocopiosus in S. zhangzhouense sp. nov. was 44.9% (35/78). B. youxiense sp. nov., holotype: male, carapace length 13.35 mm, breadth 16.63 mm, thickness 7.20 mm, collected from Youxi County in central Fujian (26 degrees 10.558' N, 118 degrees 22.012' E). The first pleopod of male was in slightly flat shape, ample and developed, as bow-like uplift. This species usually lived in the relatively flat terrain of stream. The infection rate of P. skrjabini metacercariae in B. youxiense sp. nov. was 92.1% (58/63).Two new species of freshwater crabs (S. zhangzhouense sp nov. and Ryouxiense sp. nov.) serving as the intermediate hosts of Paragonimus have been described.

The present study evaluated the potential neuroprotective effect and underlying mechanism of the total flavones extracted from Chrysanthemum morifolium (TFCM) against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. An animal model of cerebral ischemia was established by occluding the right middle cerebral artery for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion for 22 hours. The neurobehavioral scores, infarct area, and hemispheric edema were evaluated. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in brain were also measured. The results showed that pretreatment with TFCM significantly decreased the neurological deficit scores, percentage of infarction, and brain edema and attenuated the decrease in SOD activity, the elevation of MDA content, and the generation of ROS. In isolated brain mitochondria, Ca(2+)-induced swelling was attenuated by pretreatment with TFCM, and this effect was antagonized by atractyloside. These results showed that pretreatment with TFCM provides significant protection against cerebral I/R injury in rats by, at least in part, its antioxidant action and consequent inhibition of mitochondrial swelling.

This study was designed to determine the complement activation effects of carotenoid-derived aldehydes (CDA) on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). A dose-dependent complement activation upon incubation of HUVEC with CDA was observed. Interestingly, the data showed that the alternative pathway was not activated. In addition, upon CDA treatment a significant number of apoptotic cells was also observed. The results revealed that CDA could activate the complement by way of the classical pathway. The study suggests that high carotenoid supplementation for the treatment of coronary heart disease should be used cautiously.

Background Remote preconditioning is known to be cardioprotective, but the exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The objective of the current study was to investigate the role of kappa-opioid receptors in cardioprotection by remote preconditioning and reveal possible underlying mechanisms. Methods Remote preconditioning was induced in anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats by three cycles of 5 min of right femoral artery occlusion followed by 5 min of reperfusion. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion was achieved by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min and then reperfusion for 120 min. Infarct size was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Levels of lactate dehydrogenase, dynorphin, and met-enkephalin in plasma were measured. The opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore was monitored with fluorescent calcein in isolated ventricular myocytes. Results Both remote preconditioning and U-50,488H (10 mg/kg intravenous), a kappa-opioid receptor agonist, significantly decreased the infarct size and plasma lactate dehydrogenase level induced by ischemia-reperfusion, and these effects were attenuated by nor-binaltorphimine (10 mg/kg intravenous), a kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, and atractyloside (5 mg/kg intravenous), a mitochondrial permeability transition pore activator. However, administration of naltrindole (5 mg/kg), a delta-opioid receptor antagonist, had no effect on the cardioprotection by remote preconditioning. The dynorphin plasma level was increased after remote preconditioning treatment, but the met-enkephalin level did not change. In isolated ventricular myocytes loaded with calcein, U-50,488H (300 microM) decreased the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening induced by calcium (200 microM), and this effect was attenuated by cotreatment with nor-binaltorphimine (5 microM) or atractyloside (20 microM). Conclusion Activation of cardiac kappa-opioid receptors is involved in the cardioprotection induced by remote preconditioning, and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore may participate in the postreceptor pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and mechanism of interleukin-2 on the isolated rat ventricular papillary muscle and cultured cardiomyocyte. METHODS: The isolated rat papillary muscle and cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocyte were used to determine the effects on contractile properties and spontaneous beating. RESULTS: IL-2 inhibited the contractile force of isolated rat papillary muscle and reduced the spontaneous beating rate of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in a dose-dependent manner. IL-2 at high concentration reduced the systolic duration and prolonged the diastolic duration. Pretreatment with L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase,abolished the effects of IL-2. Heat inactivated IL-2 had no effect on papillary muscles and cardiomyocytes.CONCLUSION: Inhibitory effects of IL-2 on the contraction of isolated papillary muscle and spontaneous beating rate of cultured neonatal cardiomyocyte are mediated by nitric oxide.