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Previously, we demonstrated acupuncture at acupoint HT7 (Shen-Men) attenuated ethanol withdrawal syndrome by normalizing the dopamine release in nucleus accumbens shell. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acupuncture on anxiety-like behavior in rats and its relevant mechanism by studying neuro-endocrine parameters during ethanol withdrawal. Rats were treated with 3 g kg−1day−1 of ethanol (20%, w/v) or saline by intraperitoneal injections for 28 days. The rats undergoing ethanol withdrawal exhibited anxiety-like behavior 72 h after the last dose of ethanol characterized by the decrease of time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze compared with the saline-treated rats (P < .05). Radioimmunoassay exhibited there were notably increased concentrations of plasma corticosterone in ethanol-withdrawn rats compared with saline-treated rats (P < .05). Additionally, high performance liquid chromatography analysis also showed the levels of norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol were markedly increased while the levels of dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid were significantly decreased in the central nucleus of the amygdala of ethanol-withdrawn rats compared with saline-treated rats (P < .01). Acupuncture groups were treated with acupuncture at acupoint HT7 or PC6 (Nei-Guan). Acupuncture at HT7 but not PC6 greatly attenuated the anxiety-like behavior during ethanol withdrawal as evidenced by significant increases in the percentage of time spent in open arms (P < .05). In the meantime, acupuncture at HT7 also markedly inhibited the alterations of neuro-endocrine parameters induced by ethanol withdrawal (P < .05). These results suggest that acupuncture may attenuate anxiety-like behavior during ethanol withdrawal through regulation of neuro-endocrine system.

Background and objectives: The number of pediatric patients diagnosed with influenza types A and B is increasing annually, especially in temperate regions such as Shanghai (China). The onset of pandemic influenza viruses might be attributed to various ambient meteorological factors including temperature, relative humidity (Rh), and PM 1 concentrations, etc. The study aims to explore the correlation between the seasonality of pandemic influenza and these factors. Methods: We recruited pediatric patients aged from 0 to 18 years who were diagnosed with influenza A or B from July 1st, 2017 to June 30th, 2019 in Shanghai Children's Medical Centre (SCMC). Ambient meteorological data were collected from the Shanghai Meteorological Service (SMS) over the same period. The correlation of influenza outbreak and meteorological factors were analyzed through preliminary Pearson's r correlation test and subsequent time-series Poisson regression analysis using the distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM). Results: Pearson's r test showed a statistically significant correlation between the weekly number of influenza A outpatients and ambient meteorological factors including weekly mean, maximum, minimum temperature and barometric pressure (P < 0.001), and PM 1 (P < 0.01). While the weekly number of influenza B outpatients was statistically significantly correlated with weekly mean, maximum and minimum temperature (P < 0.001), barometric pressure and PM 1 (P < 0.01), and minimum Rh (P < 0.05). Mean temperature and PM 1 were demonstrated to be the statistically significant variables in the DLNM with influenza A and B outpatients through time-series Poisson regression analysis. A U-shaped curve relationship was noted between the mean temperature and influenza A cases (below 15°C and above 20°C), and the risks increased for influenza B with mean temperature below 10°C. PM 1 posed a risk after a concentration of 23 ppm for both influenza A and B. High PM 1 , low and the high temperature had significant effects upon the number of influenza A cases, whereas low temperature and high PM 1 had significant effects upon the number of influenza B cases.

Objectives To compare the cochlear distribution of low-dose fluorescent gentamicin after intra-tympanic administration in guinea pig (GPs) with clinical data of low dose intra-tympanic gentamicin in patients with intractable vertigo. Materials and Methods Purified gentamicin-Texas Red (GTTR) was injected intratympanically into GPs and the cochlear distribution and time course of GTTR fluorescence in outer hair cells (OHCs) was determined using confocal microscopy. Results GTTR was rapidly taken up by OHCs, particularly in the subcuticular zone. GTTR was distributed in the cochlea in a decreasing baso-apical gradient, and was retained within OHCs without significant decrease in fluorescence until 4 weeks after injection. Conclusion OHCs rapidly take up GTTR after intra-tympanic administration with slow clearance. Clinical Application A modified low-dose titration intratympanic approach was applied to patients with intractable Ménière’s Disease (MD) based on our animal data and the clinical outcome was followed. After the modified intratympanic injections for MD patients, vertigo control was achieved in 89% patients, with hearing deterioration identified in 16% patients. The 3-week interval titration injection technique thereby had a relatively high vertigo control rate with a low risk of hearing loss, and is a viable alternative to other intratympanic injection protocols.

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