Effect of colony­stimulating factor in the mechanism of bone metastasis development (Review).

Bone metastasis (BM) is a common complication of cancer and contributes to a higher mortality rate in patients with cancer. The treatment of BM remains a significant challenge for oncologists worldwide. The colony­stimulating factor (CSF) has an important effect on the metastasis of multiple cancers. In vitro studies have shown that CSF acts as a cytokine, promoting the colony formation of hematopoietic cells by activating granulocytes and macrophages. Other studies have shown that CSF not only promotes cancer aggressiveness but also correlates with the development and prognosis of various types of cancer. In recent years, the effect of CSF on BM has been primarily investigated using cellular and animal models, with limited clinical studies available. The present review discussed the composition and function of CSF, as well as its role in the progression of BM across various types of cancer. The mechanisms by which osteoclast­ and osteoblast­mediated BM occur are comprehensively described. In addition, the mechanisms of action of emerging therapeutic agents are explored for their potential clinical applications. However, further clinical studies are required to validate these findings.

Predicting angiogenesis in adrenal pheochromocytoma: the role of modified parameters from contrast-enhanced CT.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the value of modified parameters derived from dual-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in predicting angiogenesis within pheochromocytoma. METHOD: A total of 31 patients with pathologically confirmed pheochromocytoma underwent preoperative dual-phase contrast-enhanced CT scanning, wherein modified CT enhancement parameters, namely maximum enhancement difference (∆H) and maximum enhancement velocity (V), were quantified. Subsequently, postoperative specimens were evaluated by pathological section, while microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were counted. We conducted comparative analyses to assess disparities in maximum enhancement difference and enhancement velocity between groups characterized by high and low VEGF expression. Furthermore, correlations between maximum enhancement difference, enhancement velocity, and MVD were examined, along with an assessment of the association between maximum enhancement difference, VEGF expression, and MVD at the point of maximal enhancement difference occurrence. RESULTS: In the study group, unilateral pheochromocytoma was observed in 31 cases, with 19 cases of arterial phase enhancement and 12 cases displaying venous phase enhancement. The range of maximum enhancement difference (ΔH) spanned from 24 to 102 HU, while the range of maximum enhancement velocity (V) extended from 0.40 HU/s to 4.08 HU/s. Analysis revealed a significant elevation in MVD value within the arterial phase enhancement group compared to the venous phase enhancement group. Additionally, a positive correlation was discerned between the maximum enhancement difference, V, and MVD. Notably, both ∆H and V exhibited statistically significant elevations in the high VEGF expression group relative to the low VEGF expression group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between both ΔH and V and VEGF expression levels. CONCLUSION: Increased values of ∆H and V are indicative of heightened MVD and VEGF expression. Consequently, the modified parameters derived from dual-phase contrast-enhanced CT scanning serve as predictive markers for angiogenesis in adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Non-coding RNA in exosomes: Regulating bone metastasis of lung cancer and its clinical application prospect.

Lung cancer is a highly prevalent malignancy with poor prognosis and rapid progression. It most frequently metastasizes to the bone, where it can pose a severe threat to the patient's survival. Once metastasized, the disease is often incurable and can result in severe complications such as hypercalcemia, bone pain, fractures, spinal cord compression, and subsequent paralysis. Exosomes are bilayer vesicle nanoparticles secreted by most of the extracellular vesicles, which can be found in almost all organisms and play an essential role in intercellular communication. Through their ability to regulate related bone cells, exosomes carry bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), that can be extremely important in bone remodeling. Studies have been conducted on the role play by proteins, lncRNA, and microRNA-all ncRNAs-carried by exosomes in the bone metastases of lung cancer. In this review, the latest progress of the regulatory mechanism of ncRNAs carried by exosomes in lung cancer bone metastasis has been reviewed. The clinical use of exosomes as a promising biomarker, drug transporter, and therapeutic target was highlighted to offer a novel diagnostic and treatment approach for patients with lung cancer bone metastases.

The Role and Application of the AMPK-Sirtuins Network in Cellular Senescence.

Aging and related diseases significantly affect the health and happiness index around the world. Cellular senescence is the basis of physiological aging and is closely related to various senile diseases. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is associated with both the regulation of cellular energy metabolism and the regulation of cellular senescence. Another set of proteins, sirtuins, has also been demonstrated to play an important role in cell senescence. However, it is not clear how AMPK and sirtuins coordinate to regulate cellular senescence. Herein, we summarized the role of AMPK and sirtuins in regulating metabolism, repairing DNA damage, and even prolonging human life. We have provided a detailed explanation of the clinical trials relating to the AMPK and sirtuins involved in aging. Systematically analyzing individual senescence genes and developing functional reference notes will aid in understanding the potential mechanisms underlying aging and identify therapeutic targets for both anti-aging interventions and age-related illnesses.

Chemokines: Function and therapeutic potential in bone metastasis of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a rapidly progressing disease with a poor prognosis. Bone metastasis is commonly found in 40.6% of advanced-stage patients. The mortality rate of lung cancer patients with bone metastasis can be significantly decreased by implementing novel diagnostic techniques, improved staging and classification systems, precise surgical interventions, and advanced treatment modalities. However, it is important to note that there is currently a lack of radical procedures available for these patients due to the development of drug resistance. Consequently, palliative care approaches are commonly employed in clinical practice. Therefore, new understandings of the process of bone metastasis of lung cancer are critical for developing better treatment strategies to improve patient's clinical cure rate and quality of life. Chemokines are cell-secreted small signaling proteins in cancer occurrence, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. In this study, we review the development of bone metastasis in lung cancer and discuss the mechanisms of specific chemokine families (CC, CXC, CX3C, and XC) in regulating the biological activities of tumors and promoting bone metastasis. We also highlight some preclinical studies and clinical trials on chemokines for lung cancer and bone metastasis.

RNA nanotechnology: A new chapter in targeted therapy.

Nanoparticles have been widely studied in the fields of biotechnology, pharmacy, optics and medicine and have broad application prospects. Numerous studies have shown significant interest in utilizing nanoparticles for chemically coating or coupling drugs, aiming to address the challenges of drug delivery, including degradability and uncertainty. Furthermore, the utilization of lipid nanoparticles loaded with novel coronavirus antigen mRNA to control the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a notable surge in research on nanoparticle vaccines. Hence, nanoparticles have emerged as a crucial delivery system for disease prevention and treatment, bearing immense significance. Current research highlights that nanoparticles offer superior efficacy and potential compared to conventional drug treatment and prevention methods. Notably, for drug delivery applications, it is imperative to utilize biodegradable nanoparticles. This paper reviews the structures and characteristics of various biodegradable nanoparticles and their applications in biomedicine in order to inspire more researchers to further explore the functions of nanoparticles. RNA plays a pivotal role in regulating the occurrence and progression of diseases, but its inherent susceptibility to degradation poses a challenge. In light of this, we conducted a comprehensive review of the research advancements concerning RNA-containing biodegradable nanoparticles in the realm of disease prevention and treatment, focusing on cancer, inflammatory diseases, and viral infections.

WITHDRAWN: Application of Chemotherapeutic Drugs and Convectionenhanced Delivery Technology in Glioma

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LncRNAs has been identified as regulators of Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in lung cancer.

Lung tumours are widespread pathological conditions that attract much attention due to their high incidence of death. The immune system contributes to the progression of these diseases, especially non-small cell lung cancer, resulting in the fast evolution of immune-targeted therapy. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been suggested to promote the progression of cancer in the lungs by suppressing the immune response through various mechanisms. Herein, we summarized the clinical studies on lung cancer related to MDSCs. However, it is noteworthy to mention the discovery of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that had different phenotypes and could regulate MDSCs in lung cancer. Therefore, by reviewing the different phenotypes of lncRNAs and their regulation on MDSCs, we summarized the lncRNAs' impact on the progression of lung tumours. Data highlight LncRNAs as anti-cancer agents. Hence, we aim to discuss their possibilities to inhibit tumour growth and trigger the development of immunosuppressive factors such as MDSCs in lung cancer through the regulation of lncRNAs. The ultimate purpose is to propose novel and efficient therapy methods for curing patients with lung tumours.

Detection of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer using dual-layer spectral computed tomography.

Purpose: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced dual-layer spectral computed tomography (DLCT) in the detection of axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis in breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 31 females with breast cancer underwent contrast-enhanced DLCT from August 2019 to June 2020. All ALNs were confirmed by postoperative histology. Spectral quantitative parameters, including λ HU (in Hounsfield units per kiloelectron-volt), nIC (normalized iodine concentration), and Zeff (Z-effective value) in both arterial and delay phases, were calculated and contrasted between metastatic and nonmetastatic ALNs using the McNemar test. Discriminating performance from metastatic and nonmetastatic ALNs was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: In total, 132 ALNs (52 metastatic and 80 nonmetastatic) were successfully matched between surgical labels and preoperative labels on DLCT images. All spectral quantitative parameters (λHu , nIC, and Zeff) derived from both arterial and delayed phases were greater in metastatic ALNs than in nonmetastatic SLNs (all p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses showed that λHu in the delayed phase was the best single parameter for the detection of metastatic ALNs on a per-lymph node basis, with an area under the curve of 0.93, accuracy of 86.4% (114/132), sensitivity of 92.3% (48/52), and specificity of 87.5% (70/80). Conclusion: The spectral quantitative parameters derived from contrast-enhanced DLCT, such as λHu , can be applied for the preoperative detection of ALN metastasis in breast cancer.

Research progress of anti-glioma chemotherapeutic drugs (Review).

Glioma is the most common primary intracranial malignancy in the central nervous system. At present, the most important treatment option is surgical resection of the tumor combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The principle of operation is to remove the tumor to the maximal extent on the basis of preserving brain function. However, prominent invasive and infiltrative proliferation of glioma tumor cells into the surrounding normal tissues frequently reduces the efficacy of treatment. This in turn worsens the prognosis, because the tumor cannot be completely removed, which can readily relapse. Chemotherapeutic agents when applied individually have demonstrated limited efficacy for the treatment of glioma. However, multiple different chemotherapeutic agents can be used in combination with other treatment modalities to improve the efficacy while circumventing systemic toxicity and drug resistance. Therefore, it is pivotal to unravel the inhibitory mechanism mediated by the different chemotherapeutic drugs on glioma cells in preclinical studies. The aim of the present review is to provide a summary for understanding the effects of different chemotherapeutic drugs in glioma, in addition to providing a reference for the preclinical research into novel chemotherapeutic agents for future clinical application.

Cesarean scar pregnancy with expectant management.

AIM: This study aimed to ascertain whether the lower anterior myometrial thickness (MT) between the bladder and the gestational sac in early pregnancy can be used to predict clinical outcomes in women with cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) after expectant management. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and early pregnancy ultrasound images of 21 patients who received expectant management for CSP. Among them, 11 patients with serious complications during pregnancy, such as intraoperative blood loss ≥1000 mL or with severe forms of morbidly adherent placenta (MAP; placenta increta or placenta percreta), were assigned to group A. The remaining 10 patients without serious complications during pregnancy were assigned to group B. The difference in MT between groups A and B was analyzed using nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in MT between the groups (U = 20.000, p = 0.013). The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was 0.818, and the optimal cut-off value for MT was 3.3 mm. CONCLUSION: Lower anterior MT around the gestational sac was correlated with severe complications, such as massive intraoperative bleeding or severe forms of MAP in patients with CSP.

Cognitive Deficit and Aberrant Intrinsic Brain Functional Network in Early-Stage Drug-Naive Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Although cognitive deficit is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), the mechanism and valid biomarkers of it have not been identified. To our best knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the intrinsic dysconnectivity pattern of whole-brain functional networks in early-stage drug-naive (ESDN) PD patients and its association with cognitive deficit of PD using voxel-wise Degree Centrality (DC) approach. Methods: A total of 53 ESDN PD patients and 53 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data were acquired, and voxel-wise DC approach was applied. Electrophysiological testing at P300 amplitude was recorded. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was conducted to evaluate cognitive performance. Results: ESDN PD patients had lower MoCA scores and P300 amplitudes, but higher P300 latency, than HC (all p < 0.0001). PD patients displayed higher DC in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), left medial frontal gyrus (MFG) and left precentral gyrus (PreCG); but lower DC in the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), right occipital lobe, and right postcentral gyrus (PoCG) (pBonferroni correction < 0.0001). Interestingly, the DC values of left MFG, right PoCG and right occipital lobe were negatively associated with P300 latency but positively associated with P300 amplitudes and MoCA scores (all pBonferroni correction < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our results indicate the cognitive deficit and abnormal intrinsic brain functional network in ESDN PD patients. The damage of Default Mode Network (DMN) may be contributes to the pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction in ESDN PD.

Advances in metformin­based metabolic therapy for non­small cell lung cancer (Review).

Therapeutic approaches that target the metabolism of tumor cells have been a popular research topic in recent years. Previous studies have demonstrated that glycolysis inhibitors reduce the proliferation of non­small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by interfering with the aerobic glycolytic pathway. However, the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway in tumor cells has also been implicated in lung cancer metabolism. Metformin, a known inhibitor of mitochondrial OXPHOS, has been indicated to reduce NSCLC morbidity and mortality in clinical studies. The present article reviewed the therapeutic effects of metformin against NSCLC, both as a single agent and combined with other anticancer treatments, in order to provide a theoretical basis for its clinical use in adjuvant therapy for NSCLC.

18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis: A case report.

The early clinical symptoms of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) are nonspecific and often lead to misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis. And by the time morphological changes are observed on the images, the disease is in an advanced stage and irreversible vascular injuries has occurred. Therefore, early correct diagnosis and timely systemic anti-inflammatory treatment can effectively improve the clinical situation. Conventional imaging provides only changes in vascular structure and provides little information on inflammatory activity. Here we report the PET/CT imaging presentation of 18F-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in a patient with TAK, a 58-year-old patient with known TAK whose disease clustered many non-specific features, and highlight the value of PET/CT in the diagnosis and management of patients with early or atypical clinical presentation of TAK.

Dual-Energy Spectral Computed Tomography With Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction for Improving Image Quality of Portal Venography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether spectral computed tomography (CT) plus adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) could improve imaging quality of computed tomography portal venography (CTPV). METHODS: Sixty-four patients underwent CTPV, with CT number of portal vein (PV) less than 150 HU in portal phase, were divided into 2 groups A (n = 31), using standard 120-kVp protocol. group B (n = 33), using spectral CT protocol. Standard 120-kVp images were reconstructed with 40% ASIR, and monochromatic images at 60 keV were reconstructed with the following 4 ASIR percentages: 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%. The CT number, image noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio in main PV were measured. The maximum intensity projection and volume-rendering images were used for subjective evaluation. These 2 kinds of results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The contrast-to-noise ratio and subjective scoring of PV increased gradually from 120-kVp images to 60% weight ASIR (3.44 ± 0.95, 4.58 ± 1. 59, 5.26 ± 1.85, 6.18 ± 2.18, and 7.39 ± 2.65 and 4.35 ± 1.17, 6.21 ± 1.29, 6.48 ± 1.35, 6.85 ± 1.28, and 7.00 ± 1.19). There were statistically different for the 5 groups (P < 0.001). The CT number of the PV in the 60-kiloelectron volt spectral images had higher than the 120-kVp images (P < 0.001). The noise of 120 kVp was significantly higher than those of 60% ASIR and significantly lower than those of 0% ASIR (both P < 0.001), and there were no significant differences between 120-kVp, 20% ASIR, and 40% ASIR (P = 0.107 and 1.000, respectively). The diagnostic acceptability was highest at 40% ASIR. CONCLUSIONS: Forty-percent ASIR addition to the 60-kiloelectron volt monochromatic image could improve image quality of CTPV comparing with conventional 120-kVp images.

Cerebral schistosomiasis: diffusion-weighted imaging helps to differentiate from brain glioma and metastasis.

Background Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was introduced into clinical use some years ago. However, its use in the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis has not been reported. Purpose To investigate the ability of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of DWI in the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis, and to differentiate it from brain high-grade gliomas and metastasis. Material and Methods Conventional brain MRI with pre-contrast, post-contrast, and DWI was performed on 50 cases of cerebral schistosomiasis, high-grade glioma, and brain metastasis. The ADC values of the three lesions, the proximal and the distal perifocal edema were measured. In order to remove the individual difference effect of ADC values, relative ADC (rADC) values were calculated through dividing the ADC value of the lesion area by that of the contralateral normal white matter. rADC values were used to evaluate the differences among cerebral schistosomiasis, brain high-grade gliomas, and metastasis. Results rADC of cerebral schistosomiasis was significantly lower than rADC of brain metastasis ( P < 0.05), without any significant differences when compared with high-grade gliomas. rADC of proximal perifocal edema in cerebral schistosomiasis was significantly higher than in high-grade gliomas ( P < 0.010), but not different compared with brain metastasis. Conclusion DWI examination with ADC values of lesions and proximal perifocal edema might be helpful in the exact diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis.

Giant and high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the abdomino-pelvic cavity: A case report.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are benign mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical presentations of patients with GIST are variable and may be non-specific. The current study reports the case of a 66-year-old man that presented with a gradual enlargement of the abdomen, emaciation, hyperhidrosis and frequent and urgent micturition. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed a large, heterogeneous, low density mass that occupied the entire abdomino-pelvic cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a high signal intensity on the T2 weighted image and an intermediate signal intensity on the T1 weighted image. A contrast enhanced CT scan and MRI demonstrated the uptake of contrast material. A biopsy revealed that the tumor was composed of spindle cells, and immunohistochemical analysis identified the presence of mast/stem cell growth factor receptors. Together, these results lead to a diagnosis of GIST. The clinical findings, imaging modalities and pathological studies suggested that the GIST was a large and high-risk tumor located in the abdomino-pelvic cavity. The final surgical results confirmed these findings. Following conservative treatment with imatnib (400 mg, daily) for 6 months, the tumor became smaller and was suitable for surgery, which the patient received in December 2014. The final surgery confirmed the high-risk GIST. Subsequent to the surgery, the patient was recommended to continue the use of imatnib with regular CT or MRI reexaminations every 3 months, which are planned to continue for 3 years.

Cognitive impairment and gray matter volume abnormalities in silent cerebral infarction.

To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and gray matter volume (GMV) abnormalities in silent cerebral infarction (SCI) patients, the GMV of 62 pairs of patients and well-matched healthy controls was calculated. All participants underwent a P300 test, a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Compared with controls, the patients showed decreased GMV in the left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, and bilateral parahippocampal gyrus; no significantly increasing GMV was found. The volumes of the frontal and temporal lobes were positively correlated with the score of the MoCA scale and P300 amplitudes (r≥0.62, P<0.01). The P300 latency was negatively correlated with the volumes of the frontal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the hippocampus (r≤-0.71, P<0.05). No significant correlations between the GMV of the abnormal brain regions and four clinical characteristics in SCI patients were found, suggesting that cognitive deficiency existed in SCI patients and the reduced GMV might contribute to the pathology of cognitive deficiency in SCI patients.

[Clinical research on children mental retardation treated with acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts of acupuncture on intelligent structure, social adaptability and fMRI brain function in children mental retardation (MR). METHODS: Sixty cases of MR in compliance with the diagnostic standard were randomized into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, Sishenzhen [four points, 1.5 cun anterior, posterior and bilateral to Baihui (GV 20)], Zhisanzhen [Shenting (GV 24), bilateral Benshen (GB 13)], Niesanzhen (the point 2 cun directly above the ear a-pex, the two points 1 cun bilateral the first point) and Naosanzhan [Naohu (GV 17) and bilateral Naohu (GB 19)] were selected as the main points. In the medication group, piracetam tablets were prescribed for oral administration. One course of treatment was 4 months in the two groups. The comprehensive efficacy was compared between the two groups at the end of treatment course. China-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (C-WISC) was used to assess the intelligent improvements. Infant-Junior School Student Social Life Ability Scale was adopted to assess the improvements of social adaptability. Five cases were selected from the acupuncture group and fMRI was adopted to compare the brain function imaging changes before and after acupuncture treatment. METHODS: In the acupuncture group, the final intelligence quotient (FIQ) and social adaptability score after treatment were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), of which, the performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) was improved significantly, indicating the statistically significant difference (P<0.05). But the verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) did not change apparently (P>0.05). In the medication group, the changes in all the indices were not apparent before and after treatment (P>0.05). In comparison of the changes after treatment between the two groups, FIQ, PIQ and social adaptability score in the acupuncture group were improved more significantly as compared with the medication group (P<0.05). The fMRI brain function images did not change apparently before and after treatment in those 5 cases of the acupuncture group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture promotes the intelligent recovery of MR children and improves their social adaptability. It indicates the satisfactory clinical efficacy. But, the fMRI brain function images do not change apparently before and after treatment.

Study on the regulatory effect of electro-acupuncture on hegu point (LI4) in cerebral response with functional magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To study, through blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI), the cerebral activated areas evoked by electro-acupuncturing (EA) the right Hegu point (L14) or non-acupoint points on the face, and through comparing their similarities and differences, to speculate on the specific cerebral areas activated by stimulating L14, for exploring the mechanism of its effect in potential clinical application. METHODS: EA was applied at volunteers' right L14 (of 9 subjects in the L14 group) and facial non-acupoint points (of 5 subjects in the control group), and whole brain 3-dimensional T1 anatomical imaging of high resolution 1 x 1 x 1 mm(3) used was performed with clustered stimulatory mode adopted by BOLD fMRI. Pretreatment and statistical t-test were conducted on the data by SPM2 software, then the statistical parameters were superimposed to the 3-dimensional anatomical imaging. RESULTS: Data from 3 testees of the 9 subjects in the L14 group were given up eventually because they were unfit to the demand due to different causes such as movement of patients' location or machinery factors. Statistical analysis showed that signal activation or deactivation was found in multiple cerebral areas in 6 subjects of L14 group and 5 subjects of the control group (P<0.01). In the L14 group, the areas which showed signal activation were: midline nuclear group of thalamus, left supra marginal gyrus, left supra temporal gyrus, right precuneous lobe, bilateral temporal pole, left precentral gyrus and left cerebellum; those which showed signal deactivation were: bilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala body area, rostral side/ audal side of cingulate gyrus, prefrontal lobe and occipital lobe as well as left infratemporal gyrus. In the control group, areas which showed signal activation were: bilateral frontal lobe, postcentral gyrus, Reil's island lobe, primary somato-sensory cortex, cingulate gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, occipital cuneiform gyrus and/or precuneus gyrus and right brainstem; and the area that showed deactivation was left median frontal lobe. CONCLUSION: The effects of EA L14 in regulating cerebral activities could be displayed and recorded through BOLD fMRI, the distribution of signally deactivated area evoked by EA L14 was similar to the known distribution of anatomical orientation of pain in brain, and closely related to the anatomic structure of limbic system, which areas are possibly the acupuncture analgesic effect's cerebral regulating area. Furthermore, activated portion of left central anterior gyrus, which represent the movement of oral facial muscles, and the activated portion of cerebellum are possibly related with the effect of using EA L14 in treating facial palsy and facial muscle spasm. As for the mechanism of signal deactivation of cerebral activities exhibited in the present study that is unable to be elucidated, it awaits for further research.