OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming kinases (ROCK) signaling pathway of uterus tissue in rats with dysmenorrhea, so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and uterine smooth muscle spasm, and to observe whether there is a difference in the effect of meridian acupoints in Conception Vessel (CV) and Governer Vessel (GV).
METHODS: Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into saline, model, CV, GV, and non-acupoint groups, with 12 rats in each group. The dysmenorrhea model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol diphenhydrate combined with intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin (OT). EA (2 Hz) was applied to \"Qihai\" (CV6) and \"Zhongji\" (CV3) for CV group, \"Mingmen\" (GV4) and \"Yaoshu\" (GV2) for GV group, \"non-acupoint 1\" and \"non-acupoint 3\" on the left side for non-acupoint group, and manual acupuncture was applied to \"Guanyuan\" (CV4) for CV group, \"Yaoyangguan\" (GV3) for GV group, \"non-acupoint 2\" on the left side for non-acupoint group. The treatment was conducted for 20 min each time, once daily for 10 days. The writhing score was evaluated. The smooth myoelectric signals of rats\' uterus in vivo were recorded by multi-channel physiological recorder. The uterine histopathological changes were observed by HE staining. The contents of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), OT and calcium ion (Ca2+) in uterine tissue of rats were detected by ELISA. The protein and mRNA expression levels of smooth muscle 22-α (SM22-α), RhoA and ROCKⅡ in uterine tissue were detected by Western blot and fluorescence quantitative PCR, respectively.
RESULTS: Compared with the saline group, the writhing score of rats in the model group was increased (P<0.01), the amplitude voltage of uterine smooth muscle in vivo was elevated (P<0.01), the contents of PGF2α, OT and Ca2+, the protein and mRNA expression of SM22-α, RhoA and ROCK Ⅱ in uterine tissue were all increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model and the non-acupoint groups, the writhing scores of the CV and the GV groups were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the amplitude voltage of uterine smooth muscle was decreased (P<0.01), the contents of PGF2α, OT and Ca2+ in uterine tissue were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein expression and mRNA expression of SM22-α, RhoA and ROCKⅡ in uterine tissue were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). HE staining showed extensive exfoliation of uterine intima with severe edema and increased glandular secretion in the model group, which was alleviated in the CV and GV groups.
CONCLUSIONS: EA at acupoints of CV and GV can significantly reduce the writhing score, uterine smooth muscle amplitude voltage, pathological injury degree of uterus, and relieve spasm of uterine smooth muscle in dysmenorrhea rats, which may be related to its effect in regulating PGF2α and OT contents, inhibiting the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway, and reducing the SM22-α, RhoA, ROCKⅡ protein and mRNA expression, and Ca2+ content in uterine tissue.
目的: 基于Rho/Rho激酶（ROCK）信号通路，探讨电针任、督二脉经穴缓解子宫平滑肌痉挛、改善原发性痛经（PD）的作用机制并观察任、督二脉经穴作用是否存在差异。方法: SD雌性大鼠随机分为盐水组、模型组、任脉组、督脉组及非经非穴组，每组12只。采用苯甲酸雌二醇联合缩宫素（OT）建立类痛经大鼠模型。任脉组电针“气海”“中极”并针刺“关元”，督脉组电针“命门”“腰俞”并针刺“腰阳关”，非经非穴组电针左侧“非穴1”“非穴3”并针刺“非穴2”，每次20 min，1次/d，连续10 d。观察各组大鼠腹腔注射OT（2 U/只） 30 min内的扭体反应；多导生理记录仪记录大鼠在体子宫平滑肌电信号，HE染色法观察大鼠子宫组织的病理形态变化；ELISA法检测大鼠子宫组织前列腺素F2α（PGF2α）、OT、钙离子（Ca2+）的含量，Western blot及荧光定量PCR 法检测子宫组织平滑肌22-α（SM22-α）、RhoA、ROCKⅡ蛋白及mRNA表达水平。结果: 与盐水组比较，模型组大鼠扭体评分升高（P<0.01），在体子宫平滑肌振幅电压升高（P<0.01），HE染色可见子宫内膜大范围剥脱伴有严重的水肿，且腺体分泌增加，子宫组织中PGF2α、OT、Ca2+含量升高（P<0.01），子宫组织SM22-α、RhoA、ROCKⅡ的蛋白及mRNA的表达升高（P<0.01）。与模型组和非经非穴组比较，任脉组、督脉组扭体评分均降低（P<0.01，P<0.05），子宫平滑肌振幅电压降低（P<0.01），子宫内膜水肿程度较轻，腺体分泌减少，子宫组织中PGF2α、OT、Ca2+的含量降低（P<0.01，P<0.05），子宫组织SM22-α、RhoA、ROCKⅡ的蛋白及mRNA的表达降低（P<0.01，P<0.05）。结论: 电针任脉、督脉经穴均可降低类痛经大鼠的扭体评分、子宫平滑肌振幅电压、子宫病理损伤程度，缓解子宫平滑肌的痉挛。其机制可能与通过调控子宫组织PGF2α、OT含量，抑制子宫组织Rho/ROCK信号通路，降低SM22-α、RhoA、ROCKⅡ蛋白与mRNA表达及Ca2+含量有关。.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the underlying factors driving the onset of myopia, specifically the role of the ciliary muscle\'s contraction in the elongation of the axial length of the eye.
METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted utilizing data from three ophthalmic centers in Shanghai and Beijing. Both Chinese and Caucasian children were involved. The axial length of the subjects\' eyes was measured in both relaxed and contracted state of the ciliary muscle. A comprehensive mechanical model was also developed to observe the influence of ciliary muscle contraction on the axial length.
RESULTS: This study included a sample of 198 right eyes of 198 myopic children. Of these, 97 were male and 101 were female, 126 were of Chinese ethnicity and 72 were Caucasian. The age of onset for myopia ranged from 5.9 to 16.9 years old. The axial length of the eye decreased 0.028 ± 0.007mm following dilation, indicating relaxation of the ciliary muscle (t paired student = 15.16, p = 6.72 x 10-35). In contrast, ciliary muscle contraction resulted in an increase in axial length. Considering proportionality, a significant 90.4% (179 eyes) exhibited a reduced axial length, while a minor 9.6% (19 eyes) demonstrated an increase post-mydriasis. Finite element modeling demonstrated that muscle contraction caused a tension force that transmits towards the posterior pole of the eye, causing it to extend posteriorly.
CONCLUSIONS: The contraction of the ciliary muscle leads to an extension of the axial length. This could potentially be the initiating factor for myopia.

Stem cells respond and remember mechanical cues from the microenvironment, which modulates their therapeutic effects. Chromatin organization and energy metabolism regulate the stem cell fate induced by mechanical cues. However, the mechanism of mechanical memory is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mechanical amplitude, frequency, duration, and stretch cycle on mechanical memory in mesenchymal stem cells. It showed that the amplitude was the dominant parameter to the persistence of cell alignment. F-actin, paxillin, and nuclear deformation are more prone to be remolded than cell alignment. Stretching induces transcriptional memory, resulting in greater transcription upon subsequent reloading. Cell metabolism displays mechanical memory with sustained mitochondrial fusion and increased ATP production. The mechanical memory of chromatin condensation is mediated by histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation, leading to much higher smooth muscle differentiation efficiency. Interestingly, mechanical memory can be transmitted based on direct cell-cell interaction, and stretched cells can remodel the metabolic homeostasis of static cells. Our results provide insight into the underlying mechanism of mechanical memory and its potential benefits for stem cell therapy.

Oviductal smooth muscle exhibits spontaneous rhythmic contraction (SRC) and controls the passage of the ova at the exact time, but its mechanistic regulation remains to be determined. In this study, female mice with Ano1SMKO (smooth muscle-specific deletion of Ano1) had reduced fertility. Deficiency of Ano1 in mice resulted in impaired oviductal SRC function and reduced calcium signaling in individual smooth muscle cells in the oviduct. The Ano1 antagonist T16Ainh-A01 dose-dependently inhibited SRCs and [Ca2+]i in the oviducts of humans and mice. A similar inhibitory effect of SRCs and [Ca2+]i was observed after treatment with nifedipine. In our study, ANO1 acted primarily as an activator or amplifier in [Ca2+]i and contraction of tubal smooth muscle cells. We found that tubal SRC was markedly attenuated in patients with ectopic pregnancy. Then, our study was designed to determine whether chloride channel Ano1-mediated smooth muscle motility is associated with tubal SRC. Our findings reveal a new mechanism for the regulation of tubal motility that may be associated with abnormal pregnancies such as ectopic pregnancies.

暂无摘要。

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and compare the ciliary muscle thickness (CMT) between low and high myopes using swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).
METHODS: Forty visually healthy young Chinese adults aged 18-25 years were divided into two groups based on refractive errors: low myopia (n = 20, spherical-equivalent refractive error (SER) between -0.50 D to -3.00 D) and high myopia (n = 20, SER ≤ -6.00 D). Cycloplegic refractions were performed before axial length (AL) and CMT were measured using a partial coherence laser interferometer and an AS-OCT respectively. CMT was measured perpendicularly to the sclera-ciliary muscle interface at 1 mm (CMT_1), 2 mm (CMT_2), and 3 mm (CMT_3) posterior to the scleral spur, and at the location with maximal thickness (CMT_MAX).
RESULTS: High myopes demonstrated thicker CMT at 2 mm (CMT_2, p = 0.035) and 3 mm (CMT_3, p = 0.003) posterior to the scleral spur, but thinner maximal CMT (CMT_MAX, p = 0.005) than low myopes. The apical CMT_1 and CMT_MAX were also thinner in high myopes than in low myopes (both p< 0.001). CMT_MAX, apical CMT_1, and apical CMT_MAX correlated directly with SER and inversely with AL; in contrast, CMT_2 and CMT_3 showed inverse correlations with SER but direct correlations with AL.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed significant differences in CMT between low and high myopes, with high myopes showing thicker CMT at 2 mm and 3 mm posterior to the scleral spur, but thinner maximal CMT. These results provide new evidence of the potential structural differences in ciliary muscles during myopia development and progression.

Histamine receptor-1 (H1) antagonists like levocetirizine are frequently used nowadays to treat rhinitis patients who experience rhinorrhea and sneezing. The trachea may be affected by the H1 antagonist when it is used to treat nasal symptoms, either orally or through inhalation. The purpose of this study was to ascertain in vitro effects of levocetirizine on isolated tracheal smooth muscle. As a parasympathetic mimetic, methacholine (10-6 M) causes contractions in tracheal smooth muscle, which is how we tested effectiveness of levocetirizine on isolated rat tracheal smooth muscle. We also tested the drug\'s impact on electrically induced tracheal smooth muscle contractions. The impact of menthol (either before or after) on the contraction brought on by 10-6 M methacholine was also investigated. According to the results, the addition of levocetirizine at concentrations of 10-5 M or more caused a slight relaxation in response to methacholine\'s 10-6 M contraction. Levocetirizine could prevent spike contraction brought on by electrical field stimulation (EFS). As the concentration rose, it alone had a neglect effect on the trachea\'s basal tension. Before menthol was applied, levocetirizine might have also inhibited the function of the cold receptor. According to this study, levocetirizine might potentially impede the parasympathetic function of the trachea. If levocetirizine was used prior to menthol addition, it also reduced the function of cold receptors.

To determine the effect of zonular forces on lens capsule topography, a finite element (FE) analyses of lens capsules with no lens stroma and constant and variable thickness with anterior capsulotomies of 1.5 mm-6.5 mm were evaluated when subjected to equatorial (Ez), anterior (Az) and posterior (Pz) zonular forces. The lens capsule was considered in the unaccommodated state when the total initial zonular force was 0.00075 N or 0.3 N. From the total 0.00075 N zonular force, the Ez force was increased in 0.000125 N steps for a maximum force of 0.03 N and simultaneously the Az plus Pz force was reduced in 0.000125 N steps to zero. In addition, the force of all the zonules was reduced from 0.00075 N and separately from 0.3 N in 0.000125 N steps to zero. Only when Ez force was increased as Az and Pz force was reduced did the capsule topography simulate in vivo observations with the posterior capsule pole bowing posteriorly. The posterior bowing was directly related to Ez force and capsulotomy size. Whether the total force of all the zonules in the unaccommodated state was 0.00075 N or 0.3 N and reduced in steps to zero, the lens capsule topography did not emulate the in vivo observations. The FE analysis demonstrated that Ez tension increases while the Az and Pz tension decreases and that all the zonules do not relax during ciliary muscle contraction.

The ability to generate force in large arteries is known to be augmented by cyclic strain that mimics the mechanically dynamic in vivo environment associated with blood pressure fluctuation experienced by these arteries. Cyclic strain does not induce a contractile response, like that observed in the myogenic response seen in small arteries, but prompts a substantial increase in the response to electrical stimulation. We coined this phenomenon \"force potentiation.\" Because protein kinase C (PKC) and rho-kinase (ROCK) are known to play a role in increasing contractility of arterial smooth muscle by inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase, and integrin-link kinase (ILK) is crucial in mechanotransduction, we examined how inhibition of these kinases affected force potentiation in sheep carotid artery. We found that phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain was enhanced by cyclic strain, but the enhancement was observed only in activated, not in relaxed muscle. Inhibition of ROCK diminished force potentiation and active isometric force, likely due to the disinhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase. Inhibition of PKC abolished force potentiation without an effect on active force, suggesting a more exclusive role of PKC (compared with ROCK) in mediating force potentiation. Inhibition of ILK had a similar effect as PKC inhibition, suggesting that ILK may be an upstream kinase for PKC activation by mechanical stimuli. Taken together, the findings suggest that ILK, PKC, and ROCK are important kinases in the signal transduction pathway that mediate the effect of mechanical strain on force potentiation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY When subjected to mechanical strain, smooth muscle from large arteries has the ability to increase its force generation (force potentiation), which could be important in autoregulation of blood pressure. This phenomenon, however, does not involve a myogenic response, such as the one seen in small arteries and arterioles. Our work shows the involvement of ILK, PKC, and ROCK in the signal transduction pathway that mediates the force-potentiating effect of mechanical strain in large arteries.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a specialized optical imaging technique with a history of more than 30 years, known as\'optical biopsy\' because of its high resolution and high sensitivity. OCT has been used in the airway for more than 20 years, and researchers have explored and improved the imaging methods of OCT in the airway, focusing mainly on expanding the imaging site and enriching the imaging content. In terms of broadening the imaging site, it covers the airway from generation 0 to 9. In terms of enriching imaging content, additional assessment of airway wall blood vessels, airway smooth muscle, fibrous tissue, and airway compliance can be performed. It plays an important role in the study of various respiratory diseases. Therefore, this paper mainly summarized the exploration of the imaging site and content of airway OCT as follows.
光学相干断层扫描成像技术（OCT）是一种特殊光成像技术，距今已有30余年的历史，因其具有高分辨率、高灵敏度等特点，被誉为“光学活检”。气道内OCT也有20余年的研究历史，研究者在气道内成像方法上进行了相关探索和改进，主要集中在拓展成像部位和丰富成像内容两个方面。在拓展成像部位方面，已覆盖第0级至第9级支气管；在丰富成像内容上，可额外对气道壁血管、气道内平滑肌、纤维组织和气道顺应性评估。在各类呼吸系统疾病的研究中具有重要作用。因此，本文主要就气道内OCT在成像部位和成像内容上的探索进行综述。.