Investigation of the decomposition mechanism of MTNP melt-cast explosive at different temperatures and pressures through ReaxFF/lg molecular dynamics simulations.

CONTEXT: Thermal decomposition of 1-methyl-3,4,5-trinitropyrazole (MTNP), a melt-cast explosive, was investigated at different temperatures (2500, 2750, 3000, 3250, and 3500 K) and pressures (3000 K/0.5 GPa, 3000 K/1 GPa) using the ReaxFF/lg force field. The study aimed to analyze the changes in reactant quantities, initial reaction pathways, and final product yields. The results demonstrated that complete decomposition of MTNP molecules occurred within a timeframe of 200 ps, with shorter decomposition times observed as the temperature increased. The high-temperature thermal decomposition of MTNP was found to follow two primary reaction pathways. Reaction 1 involved denitration, while reaction 2 proceeded with nitro group isomerization. DFT calculations indicated that nitro group isomerization was the most favorable reaction. During the initial stages, higher quantities of NO2, NO, and N2 were observed compared to other species. This can be attributed to the relatively higher nitrogen and oxygen content in the MTNP structure. Among the five reaction temperatures, it was observed that the quantities of small molecules followed the order of NO2 > NO > N2 > CO. Moreover, with increasing temperature, the quantities of all four small molecules increased, indicating that higher temperatures promoted the progression of the reactions. However, as the pressure increased, there was a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing to zero for the quantities of NO2 and NO. This suggests that high temperature accelerated the high-temperature thermal decomposition of NO2 and NO, leading to a significant increase in the content of N2. METHODS: A 3 × 5 × 5 supercell model of MTNP was constructed in Materials Studio, consisting of 75 unit cells and 300 MTNP molecules. The model was then subjected to a 20 ps geometric optimization using the Polak-Ribiere version of the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm in the large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator (LAMMPS) under the isothermal-isobaric (NPT) ensemble at 1 atm pressure and 300 K temperature. Following the optimization, molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the model at five temperatures (2500, 2750, 3000, 3200, and 3500 K) under 1 atm using the NPT ensemble for a total duration of 1 ns. During the simulations, atomic trajectories, as well as information on atomic and molecular species, were output every 500 steps. Subsequently, a custom script was utilized to analyze the thermal decomposition pathways and products. A time step of 0.1 fs was employed for the calculations, and periodic boundary conditions were applied to eliminate boundary effects.

Molecular dynamics simulation of CL20/DNDAP cocrystal-based PBXs.

CONTEXT: CL-20/DNDAP cocrystal is a promising new type of explosive with exceptional energy density and detonation parameters. However, compared to TATB, FOX-7 and other insensitive explosives, it still has higher sensitivity. In order to decrease the sensitivity of CL20/DNDAP cocrystal explosive, in this article, a CL20/DNDAP cocrystal model was established, and six different types of polymers, including butadiene rubber (BR), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), fluoropolymer (F2603), and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), were added to the three cleaved surfaces of (1 0 0), (0 1 0) and (0 0 1) to obtain polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs). Predict the effects of different polymers on the stability, trigger bond length, mechanical properties, and detonation performance of PBXs. Among the six PBX models, CL-20/DNDAP/PEG model exhibited the highest binding energy and the lowest trigger bond length, indicating that CL-20/DNDAP/PEG model had the best stability, compatibility, and the least sensitivity. Furthermore, although the CL-20/DNDAP/F2603 model demonstrated superior detonation capabilities, it should be noted that this model displayed low levels of compatibility. Overall, CL-20/DNDAP/PEG model exhibited the superior comprehensive properties, thereby demonstrating that PEG is a more suitable binder option for PBXs based on the CL20/DNDAP cocrystal. METHODS: The properties of CL-20/DNDAP cocrystal-based PBXs were predicted by molecular dynamics (MD) method under Materials Studio software. The MD simulation time step was set at 1fs and the total MD simulation time was 2ns. The Isothermal-isobaric (NPT) ensemble was used for the 2ns of MD simulation. The COMPASS force field was used, and the temperature was set at 295K.

Awareness of initiative practice for health in the Chinese population: A questionnaire survey based on a network platform.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, the Chinese government issued the Healthy China 2030 plan, which also produced the initiative practice for health (IPFH) concept. However, people's knowledge and awareness of the IPFH are unclear. AIM: To investigate awareness of IPFH in the Chinese population and explore the relevant influential factors. METHODS: An internet-based self-designed questionnaire survey was used to collect respondents' demographic characteristics and awareness of health and the IPFH from March 26 to April 18, 2020. IPFH consciousness was assessed by the scores for different related questions. The Student's t test, the Chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the differences and influencing factors. RESULTS: A total of 2678 valid questionnaires were collected. Of the respondents, 973 (36.3%) had heard of the IPFH concept. In addition, 89.5% of participants agreed with the view that the IPFH is beneficial to improving quality of life, and over half thought that a regular schedule, a reasonable diet, tobacco and alcohol control, a cheerful mood, specific life goals and plans, taking the initiative to accept health-related education and implement health knowledge, good interpersonal relationships, and regular physical examinations were closely related to the IPFH. The majority of respondents paid attention to their health and usually obtained health-related knowledge via social media and were also willing to promote the IPFH. Most of the participants underestimated the role of hospitals, family doctors, and health managers in promoting the IPFH. Age, monthly income, and medical-related work experience were the influencing factors for IPFH awareness. CONCLUSION: The Chinese population has limited knowledge of the IPFH. People with strong IPFH awareness are older, earn more, and have medical-related work experience.

Lithium Bromide-Induced Organic-Rich Cathode/Electrolyte Interphase for High-Voltage and Flame-Retardant All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries.

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid electrolyte suffers from limited anodic stability and an intrinsic flammable issue, hindering the achievement of high energy density and safe all-solid-state lithium batteries. Herein, we surprisingly found out that a bromine-rich additive, decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), could be preferably oxidized at an elevated voltage and decompose to lithium bromide at an elevated potential followed by inducing an organic-rich cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI) on NCM811 surface, enabling both high-voltage resistance (up to 4.5 V) and flame-retardancy for the PEO-based electrolyte. On the basis of this novel solid electrolyte, all-solid-state Li/NCM811 batteries deliver an average reversible capacity of 151.4 mAh g-1 over the first 150 cycles with high capacity retention (83.0%) and high average Coulombic efficiency (99.7%) even at a 4.5 V cutoff voltage with a unprecedented flame-retardant properties. In view of these exploration, our studies revealed the critical role of LiBr in inducing an organic-rich thin and uniform CEI passivating layer with enhanced lithium ion surface diffusion and high-voltage resistant properties, which provides a new protocol for the further design of a high-voltage PEO-based all-solid-state electrolyte.

Correlation between pain rating index and end-tidal sevoflurane concentration during sevoflurane anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the pain rating index (PRi), which is an index derived from processed electroencephalography signals, and the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration (ETsevo). METHODS: This study involved 50 adults with a body mass index of 18 to 25 kg/m2 who were undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. Thyrocricocentesis was performed with 2.5 mL of 2% tetracaine for endotracheal surface anesthesia, and intravenous injections of midazolam, etomidate, and rocuronium were then administered. The patients' tracheas were intubated and their ventilatory rate was adjusted to maintain the partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide at 30 to 35 mmHg. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. The ETsevo was adjusted to maintain anesthesia at 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 minimum alveolar concentration for 15 minutes each, and the PRi, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate were recorded at each concentration. RESULTS: A negative correlation was found between the PRi and ETsevo (-0.882) and between the MAP and ETsevo (-0.571). A low positive correlation was found between the PRi and MAP (0.484). CONCLUSIONS: The PRi showed a high negative correlation with the ETsevo. Therefore, the PRi can be used to guide the depth regulation of sevoflurane anesthesia.Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-IPR-17012092.

Association of gene polymorphisms and environmental factors in tuberculosis patients and their household contacts.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an important public health problem in China and environmental and genetic factors have an impact on its occurrence and development. We explored the relationship between environmental factors, genetic susceptibility genes and gene-environment interactions and the incidence of TB, as well as their high-risk combination, which can provide a scientific basis for prevention of the disease. METHODS: The 242 individuals, which included 82 TB patients, 67 family genetically related patients and 93 healthy controls, all of whom were of the Han population in Guangdong Province. The basic information of subjects was collected, including general conditions, behaviour habits, family environmental factors and blood samples. Two single nucleotides with potential functions (interleukin-10 [IL-10] rs1800896, interferon-γ [IFN-γ] rs2430561) were screened by bioinformatics tools and identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: We found that gender, education, TB exposure history, fitness activities, residential areas and indoor hygiene conditions were all associated with the occurrence of TB. In the dominant model, AG+GG of IL-10 and AA of IFN-γ are high-risk genotypes. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis of TB-prone families shows that a combination of male sex, IL-10 AA and AG genotypes and smoking history are elements of high risk for TB infection (prediction accuracy 62.45%, cross-validation consistency 10/10). The MDR analysis of the TB patients group and the healthy control group showed that the combination of low education level, history of TB exposure, and IFN-γ AA genotype represented a higher risk of TB infection (prediction accuracy 80.34%, cross-validation consistency 10/10). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of TB in TB-prone families in the Han population of Guangdong Province is related to environmental factors as well as cytokines IL-10 and IFN-γ. We also found high-risk combinations of genes and environmental factors, providing clues for the timely detection of high-risk groups.

Wavelet and pain rating index for inhalation anesthesia: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Wavelet index (WLi) and pain rating index (PRi) are new parameters for regulating general anesthesia depth based on wavelet analysis. AIM: To investigate the safety and efficacy of using WLi or PRi in sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 66 patients scheduled for elective posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia between September 2017 and February 2018. A random number generator was used to assign the eligible patients to three groups: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) monitoring group, WLi monitoring group, and PRi monitoring group. The main anesthesiologist was aware of the patient grouping and intervention used. The primary endpoint was anesthesia recovery time. Secondary endpoints included extubation time, sevoflurane consumption, number of unwanted events/ interventions, number of adverse events and postoperative visual analogue scale for pain. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were included in the final analysis (SBP group, n = 21; WLi group, n = 21; and PRi group, n = 20). There were no significant differences among the three groups in patient age, gender distribution, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, duration of surgery, or duration of anesthesia. Anesthesia recovery time was shorter in the WLi and PRi groups than in the SBP group with no significant difference between the WLi and PRi groups. Extubation time was shorter in the WLi and PRi groups than in the SBP group. Sevoflurane consumption was lower in the WLi and PRi groups than in the SBP group. Nicardipine was more commonly needed to treat hypertension in the WLi and PRi groups than in the SBP group. CONCLUSION: Regulation of sevoflurane anesthesia depth with WLi or PRi reduced anesthesia recovery time, extubation time and sevoflurane consumption without intraoperative unwanted events.

Newly synthesized phenanthroimidazole derivatives L082 as a safe anti-tumor and anti-injury inflammation bifunctional compound.

Chemotherapy drugs exerts beneficial antitumor activity before and after cancer surgery. Post-injury complications are a potential hazard after surgical tumor resection. Inflammation caused by surgical stress is known to promote the progression of post-injury complications. Recent studies have found that chemotherapy drugs can promote post-injury inflammatory response, leading to increased post-injury complications. Imidazole derivatives have effective anticancer activity. However, the impact of post-operative inflammation caused by imidazole derivatives is unclear. In this study, two novel phenanthroimidazole derivatives (L082 and L142) were synthesized and characterized. These compounds showed significant inhibitory effects on different tumor cells. The compound L082 also inhibited liver cancer in vivo. In addition, L082 played a significant role in inhibiting the accumulation of inflammatory cells and promoting the elimination of inflammatory cells at the incision, which may be related to inhibiting the production of ROS and NO in oxidative and nitric stress. These results suggest that L082 can be used as a bifunctional drug to suppress tumors and reduce post-injury inflammation complications.

Theoretical prediction of the trigger linkages, surface electrostatic potentials, and explosive sensitivities of 1,4-dinitroimidazole-N-oxide in the external electric fields.

In order to introduce effectively the external electric fields into the explosive systems, the change trends of the strengths of trigger linkages, nitro group charges, and explosive sensitivities of 1,4-dinitroimidazole-N-oxide (1,4-DNIO) were investigated in the external electric fields at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,p) and M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ levels. The formulas for calculating the impact sensitivity by the surface electrostatic potentials were discussed. The results show that the N-NO2 bond is always the most likely trigger linkage, followed by N → O. This is the very valuable information for the researchers engaged in the molecular design or synthesis of the energetic explosives: The influences of the weak N → O coordination bond attached to the aromatic ring on the explosive sensitivity can be ignored when the N-NO2 bond exists. In the external electric fields along the positive directions of the N → O and C-NO2 bond axes as well as the negative direction of the N-NO2 bond axis, the dissociation energies (BDEs) of the N-NO2 bond and h50 values are increased, leading to the decreased impact sensitivities. The changes of the bond lengths, AIM electron density values, nitro group charges, BDEs of the trigger linkages, and impact sensitivities correlate well with the external electric field strengths, respectively. The effects of the fields on the electric spark sensitivities and shock initiation pressures are not obvious. The essence of the low BDEs of the N-NO2 bond was revealed by the resonance theory of the aromatic ring. Graphical abstract Changes of the impact sensitivities versus field strengths.

NiFe Hydroxide Supported on Hierarchically Porous Nickel Mesh as a High-Performance Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting at Large Current Density.

The preparation of efficient and low-cost bifunctional catalysts with superior stability for water splitting is a topic of significant current interest for hydrogen generation. A facile strategy has been developed to fabricate highly active electrodes with hierarchical porous structures by using a two-step electrodeposition method, in which NiFe layered double hydroxide is grown in situ on a three-dimensional hierarchical Ni mesh (NiFe/Ni/Ni). The as-prepared NiFe/Ni/Ni electrodes demonstrate remarkable structural stability with high surface areas, effective gas transportation, and fast electron transfer. Benefiting from the unique structure, the self-supported NiFe/Ni/Ni electrodes exhibit overpotentials of 190 mV and 300 mV for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at current densities of 10 and 500 mA cm-2 , respectively. Furthermore, the self-supported NiFe/Ni/Ni electrodes also exhibit high performance in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and excellent stability at a current density of 500 mA cm-2 for both OER and HER. Remarkably, using NiFe/Ni/Ni as both the cathode and anode for alkaline water electrolysis, a current density of 500 mA cm-2 is attained at a cell voltage of 1.96 V. Additionally, the water electrolyzer demonstrates superior stability even at a large current density (500 mA cm-2 ) when subjected to high temperatures.

Tissue regeneration promotion effects of phenanthroimidazole derivatives through pro-inflammatory pathway activation.

A chemotherapeutic drug exerts favorable antitumor activity and simultaneously exhibits expectable inhibition on wound healing process. Phenanthroimidazole derivatives possess potent anticancer activity. However, only a few studies focused on the discovery of its potential effects on promoting tissue regeneration. In this study, four novel phenanthroimidazole derivatives were synthesized and characterized, and they exhibited evident inhibition on different tumor cells; compound 3 is the most active one. Moreover, 3 can promote wound healing of zebrafish in a dose-dependent manner. Further study demonstrated that 3 promoted the recruitment of inflammatory cells, formation of angiogenesis, and generation of reactive oxygen species and also influenced the motor behavior of zebrafish. Results indicated that 3 can accelerate the occurrence of pro-inflammation, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and innervation, which play key roles in the facilitation of wound healing. Therefore, 3 can act as a bifunctional drug in inhibiting tumor and promoting tissue regeneration.

A theoretical investigation into the strength of N-NO2 bonds, ring strain and electrostatic potential upon formation of intermolecular H-bonds between HF and the nitro group in nitrogen heterocyclic rings C n H2n N-NO2 (n = 2-5), RDX and HMX.

Changes in N-NO2 bond strength, ring strain energy and electrostatic potential upon formation of intermolecular H-bonds between HF and the nitro group in nitrogen heterocyclic rings C n H2n N-NO2 (n = 2-5), RDX and HMX were investigated using DFT-B3LYP and MP2(full) methods with the 6-311++G(2df,2p) and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. Analysis of electron density shifts was also carried out. The results indicate that H-bonding energy correlates well with the increment of ring strain energy. Upon complex formation, the strength of the N-NO2 trigger-bond is enhanced, suggesting reduced sensitivity, while judged by the increased ring strain energy, sensitivity is increased. However, some features of the molecular surface electrostatic potential, such as a local maximum above the N-NO2 bond and ring, σ + (2) and electrostatic balance parameter ν, remain essentially unchanged upon complex formation, and only a small change in the impact sensitivity h 50 is suggested. It is not sufficient to determine sensitivity solely on the basis of trigger bond or ring strain; as a global feature of a molecule, the molecular surface electrostatic potential is available to help judge the change of sensitivity in H-bonded complexes. Graphical Abstract The strengthened N-NO2 bond suggests reduced sensitivity, while it is reverse by theincreased ring strain energy upon the complex formation. However, the molecular surfaceelectrostatic potential (V S) shows the little change of h 50. The V S should be taken into accountin the analysis of explosive sensitivity in the H-bonded complex.

[Effect of transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation on perioperative intravenous anesthesia in patients of transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts of transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation on hemodynamics, anesthetic and relevant complications in patients of transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection (TPTR). METHODS: Ninety cases of the selective TPTR were randomized into a transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation group (group T), a sham-acupoint group (group S) and a control group (group C); 30 cases in each one. In group T, the transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation at Hegu (LI 4), Waiguan (TE 5), Jinmen (BL 63), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Qiuxu (GB 40). In group S, the transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation was applied to the sham-acupoints. In group C, the acupoints selected were same as those in group T, but the electrode pads were just attached on the related points with no-electric stimulation. The electric stimulation lasted from analgesic induction till the end of the operation. The endotracheal intubation was done under the induction by propofol, fentanyl and vecuronium bromide. Propofol and remifentanil were maintained till the end of operation. Blood pressure, heart rate, bispectral index (BIS) value, anesthetic and postoperative recovery situation were recorded. RESULTS: The hemodynamics maintained stably in each group. In group T, the mean arterial pressure 1 min after intubation, after extubation and during directional force recovery was all lower than the other two groups respectively (all P<0.05). In group T, the effect-site concentration of fentaryl in the exposure saddle area and tumor removal stage was lower than the other two groups (all P<0.05). In 24 h after operation, 2 cases presented nausea and vomiting in group C. There were no relevant complications in the rest groups. CONCLUSION: The transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation improves the stability of hemodynamics in perioperative stage, reduces the intraoperative opi oids dosages and improves the quality of anesthetic recovery.

Exploration of whole brain networks modulated by acupuncture at analgesia acupoint ST36 using scale-specific wavelet correlation analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture could modulate various brain systems in the resting brain networks. Graph theoretical analysis offers a novel way to investigate the functional organization of the large-scale cortical networks modulated by acupuncture at whole brain level. In this study, we used wavelets correlation analysis to estimate the pairwise correlations between 90 cortical and subcortical human brain regions in normal human volunteers scanned during the post-stimulus resting state. METHODS: Thirty-two college students, all right-handed and acupuncture naïve, participated in this study. Every participant received only one acupoint stimulation, resulting in 16 subjects in one group. Both structural functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data (3D sequence with a voxel size of 1 mm(3) for anatomical localization) and functional fMRI data (TR = 1500 ms, TE = 30 ms, flip angle = 90°) were collected for each subject. After thresholding the resulting scale-specific wavelet correlation matrices to generate undirected binary graphs, we compared graph metrics of brain organization following verum manual acupuncture (ACU) and sham acupuncture (SHAM) groups. RESULTS: The topological parameters of the large-scale brain networks in ACU group were different from those of the SHAM group at multiple scales. There existed distinct modularity functional brain networks during the post-stimulus resting state following ACU and SHAM at multiple scales. CONCLUSIONS: The distinct modulation patterns of the resting brain attributed to the specific effects evoked by acupuncture. In addition, we also identified that there existed frequency-specific modulation in the post-stimulus resting brain following ACU and SHAM. The modulation may be related to the effects of verum acupuncture on modulating special disorder treatment. This preliminary finding may provide a new clue to understand the relatively function-oriented specificity of acupuncture effects.

Regional homogeneity analysis on acupoint specificity with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in craniotomy has been widely studied. However, the theoretical basis for selection of acupoints has not been examined. In this study, we used the regional homogeneity method blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals to determine changes in brain activity in response to transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints and non-acupoints in resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. BOLD fMRI scanning of the brain was performed for 306 seconds before and 30 minutes after transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints UB63 (Jinmen), LV3 (Tai chong), ST36 (Zusanli), and GB40 (Qiuxu). The procedure was repeated after one week with stimulation on non-acupoints (one was 9 above BL67, the second was 12 above BL67 (Kunlun), the third was 7 above KI3, and the fourth was 10 above KI3 (Taixi)). RESULTS: The regional homogeneity in the acupoint group was increased in the left thalamus, caudate, putamen, lentiform nucleus (BA19, 30, 39), postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus (BA3, 4, 30, 32), calcarine fissure, middle temporal gyrus (BA30), right superior temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus (BA38), cuneus, and precuneus (BA7, 19) when compared to the non-acupoint group. The regional homogeneity of the acupoint group was decreased in the left cerebellum posterior lobe, middle frontal gyrus (BA10), double-side precuneus (BA7), and the postcentral gyrus (BA40). CONCLUSIONS: The brain region activated following acupoint stimulation is the ipsilateral pain-related brain region, which may relate to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on pain relief. Further acupoint stimulation causes different central nervous responses compared to non-acupoint stimulation.

Differential temporal neural responses of pain-related regions by acupuncture at acupoint ST36: a magnetoencephalography study.

BACKGROUND: Previous neuroimaging studies primarily focused on the spatial distribution of acupuncture needling stimulation. However, a salient feature of acupuncture was its long-lasting effect. This study attempted to detect the spatial-temporal neural responses evoked by acupuncture at an analgesia acupoint ST36 by using magnetoencephalography. To further verify its functional specificity, we also adopted acupuncture at Pericardium 6 and nonacupoint as separated controls. METHODS: Forty-two college students, all right-handed and acupuncture naïve, participated in this study. Every participant received only one acupoint stimulation, resulting in 14 subjects in one group. Both magnetoencephalography data (151-channel whole-head system) and structural functional magnetic resonance imaging data (3D sequence with a voxel size of 1 mm(3) for anatomical localization) were collected for each subject. All processing procedures were performed in BrainStorm Toolbox. RESULTS: Acupuncture at ST36 showed a significantly time-varied brain activities with different onset time. Our results presented that acupuncture at different acupoints (or comparing with nonacupoint) can specifically induce neural responses in different brain areas-acupuncture at ST36 can specifically induce the neural responses of pain-inhibition areas, while acupuncture at PC6 can specifically induce the activities of the insula and amygdala. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we attempted to detect the temporal neural responses underlying the functional specificity of acupuncture at ST36, using acupoint belonging to different meridians and non-acupoint with efficacy-irreverent as separate controls. The specific neural substrates involving acupuncture at different acupoints may be related to its functional specificity in clinical settings.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on Sevoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the supplementary analgesic effect of electroacupuncture and its influence on the maintenance of anesthesia and the speed of recovery of patients undergoing craniotomy. METHODS: Eighty cases of supratentorial tumor resection were randomly divided into group A and group S, 40 cases in each group. All the patients were anesthetized with 2% Sevoflurane. The patients in group A received electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) and Waiguan (TE 5), Jinmen (BL 63) and Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Qiuxu (GB 40) from anesthesia beginning to the end of operation, and in group S without electroacupuncture. The end-tidal Sevoflurane concentration, minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), bispectral index (BIS) and the information during anesthesia recovery stage were recorded, respectively. RESULTS: The end-tidal concentration and MAC of Sevoflurane in group A at all times were significant lower than those in group S (P<0.05, P<0.01) with a Sevoflurane saving of 9.62% on average. The BIS in group A during a few phases were higher than that in group S (all P<0.05). During anesthesia recovery stage, the time of each phase in group A was significantly shorter than that in group S (all P<0.01). No dysphoria and one case with nausea and vomiting were shown in group A, but in group S, 2 patients had dysphoria and 3 patients had nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture combined with Sevoflurane anesthesia can decrease the dosage of Sevoflurane, shorten the recovery time of anesthesia and improve the quality of anesthesia recovery of the patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumor.

Comparison of the ability of wavelet index and bispectral index for reflecting regain of consciousness in patients undergone surgery.

BACKGROUND: Wavelet index (WLI) is a new parameter for monitoring depth of anesthesia based on Wavelet analysis. We observed the change of WLI and bispectral index (BIS) in patients regain of consciousness (ROC) in the absence of frontalis electromyographic (EMG) interference. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of WLI and BIS for reflecting ROC in patients undergone surgery. METHODS: Twelve patients who were scheduled for maxillofacial surgeries were enrolled in the study. BIS and WLI values were monitored continually. After being given midazolam and remifentanil, patients were asked to squeeze the investigator's hand ever 30 seconds. Patients were continuously given propofol until loss of consciousness (LOC1). Tunstall's isolated forearm technique was used to test the surgical consciousness in patients. After total muscle relaxation, endotracheal intubations were performed, and the patients were connected to a ventilator. Then, propofol was withdrawn until the patients showed regain of consciousness (ROC1) and an awareness reaction. After the command test, patients were readministered with propofol until loss of consciousness (LOC2). After surgery, all of the sedatives were withdrawn, and the patients were let to regain consciousness (ROC2). RESULTS: The BIS values of twelve patients at ROC1 after using muscle relaxant were much lower than those at LOC1 and ROC2 without using muscle relaxant, showing statistical significance (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the WLI values of twelve patients at ROC1 after using muscle relaxant were much higher than those at LOC1 and equal to ROC2 without using muscle relaxant, showing statistical significances (P < 0.05) between ROC1 and LOC1. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that under muscle relaxation or facial paralysis, when there is no EMG signal, BIS can not accurately reflect regain of consciousness in surgical patients, but WLI can reflect it accurately. So WLI may have advantages for reflecting state of consciousness in surgical patients.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of different acupoint groups on sevoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoint groups on the sevoflurane anesthetic requirement for resection of supratentorial tumors and the speed of post-operation recovery. METHODS: A total of 120 cases of supratentorial tumor resection patients were randomly and equally allocated into general anesthesia (GA) group, EA-proximal acupoints group (EA-PA group) and EA-distant acupoints group (EA-DA group). The supratentorial tumor patients were anesthetized with sevoflurane for surgery. Proximal acupoints used were Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Cuanzhu (BL 2) and Yuyao (EX-HN 4) that the former 2 acupoints and the latter 2 acupoints were for penetrative needling; and distant acupoints used were Hegu (LI 4), Waiguan (TE 5), Jinmen (BL 63), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Qiuxu (GB 40) on the craniotomy side, and stimulated with EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, a tolerable electric stimulating strength), beginning from the anesthesia induction till the end of surgical operation. All patients were anesthetized by inhalation of propofol (2 mg/kg), sufentanil (0.3 microg/kg) and vecuronium bromide (0.1 mg/kg) and maintained with sevoflurane. The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration, minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), bispectral index (BIS), and the speed of recovery were recorded. RESULTS: In comparison with the GA group, the end-tidal concentrations during anesthesia maintenance at the time-points of post skull drilling, dura incising, intracranial operation in EA-PA group, the time-points of post skull drilling, skull opening, dura incising, and intracranial operation in EA-DA group, and the MAC of sevoflurane at the time-points of skull drilling in EA-DA group, and skull opening, dura incising, intracranial operation and dura suturing in both EA-PA and EA-DA groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared to the GA group, the BIS values of EA-DA group at the time-points of skull drilling and opening, and dura incising were significantly higher (P < 0.05), while during the recovery stage of anesthesia, in comparison with the GA group, the autonomous respiration recovery time, tracheo-tube removing time, eye-opening time, voluntary motion recovery time, orientation force recovery time, and operating room-departure time of both EA-PA and EA-DA groups were significantly shorter (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between the EA-PA and EA-DA groups in the aforementioned indexes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of both proximal and distant acupoints can reduce the expired concentration and MAC of sevoflurane during anesthesia maintenance, and accelerate the recovery after cease of anesthesia in supratentorial tumor resection patients.

[Advances of studies on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture efficacies by using functional magnetic resonance imaging].

In the present paper the authors review recent progress in the study on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture effects by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) from (1) fMRI imaging technology, (2) the meridian-collateral system of Chinese medicine, (3) the factors affecting the therapeutic effect of acupuncture, (4) the mechanism underlying the efficacy of acupuncture treatment, (5) the experimental design methods for studying acupuncture by using fMRI, and (6) the methods for analyzing fMRI data. Research results show that fMRI technology is a new and useful approach for studying the underlying mechanism of acupuncture effect.