[Electroacupuncture intervention promotes browning of white adipose tissue by regulating LKB1/AMPK pathway in obese mice].

Objectives: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on hypothalamic liver kinase B1 (LKB1)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, sympathetic nerve activity and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) in obese mice, so as to explore the possible central mechanisms of EA in improving obesity.

Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were divided into normal group (=8) and high fat diet group (=30) randomly, and fed by normal diet and high fat diet for 8 weeks, respectively. In the high fat diet group, mice with body weight over 20% heavier than that of the normal group were considered as obese mice.

Clinical effect of catgut implantation at acupoints for the treatment of simple obesity: A multicentre randomized controlled trial.

Background: Catgut implantation at acupoints (CIA) is a subtype of acupuncture that has been widely used to treat simple obesity, but evidence for its effectiveness remains scarce. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treating simple obesity with CIA.

Objective: This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CIA used for treatment of simple obesity.

[Comparison of four methods in the detection of isoniazid resistance in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis].

Objective: To evaluate the use of phage amplified biologically (PhaB) assay, Bactec-960 system, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method and gene chip in drug susceptibility testing of isoniazid (INH) in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).

Methods: INH resistance of 167 clinical isolates of MTB was detected by PhaB assay, Bactec-960 system, MIC and gene-chip methods respectively, and the results of these four methods were compared.

Results: 111 INH resistant isolates and 56 INH sensitive isolates were detected by Bactec-960 system.

[Comparison between bacteriophage-based assay and BACTEC-960 system in detection of ethambutol resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis].

Objective: To set up phage amplified biologically assay (PhaB) for rapid detection ethambutol (EMB) resistance and to evaluate the use of PhaB in the detection of EMB resistance.

Methods: To detect the EMB resistance of 138 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) by PhaB and compare it with the results of BACTEC-960 system. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was detected for all the discrepant isolates.