[Management and prevention of dental emergency during corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic].

The outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has developed rapidly and the situation of prevention and control is severe. During the epidemic period of COVID-19, due to the particularity of diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, there is great challenges for how to deal with various types of dental emergency. In order to prevent and control the epidemic situation strictly, and to perform a scientific and orderly clinical diagnosis and treatment of dental emergency, this article provided suggestions on personnel management training, procedures and treatment, protection and disinfection of dental emergency during COVID-19 epidemic, and reference for dental institutions and medical staff.

[Application of TC index location on Longa' s animal model of regional experimental cerebral ischemia and reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To study the TC index location on a reform LONGA' s animal model of regional experimental cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: A total of 300 SD male rats were randomly divided into the pre-test group (n = 30), the original method group (n = 120, Longa' s method) and the reform method group [ n = 150, TC index location is defined by the length of rat incisor teeth root (T point) to the common carotid artery bifurcation (C point) ,the blood flow of a unilateral middle cerebral artery in the rats was reversibly blocked by the TC index location). The morphologic changes and the successful rate of the two methods to establish the rat model were compared. RESULTS: The successful rate of TC index location modified model method was superior to that of original LONGA' s method,with significant difference in linear correlation analysis. CONCLUSION: The reform LONGA' s animal model of regional experimental cerebral ischemia and reperfusion by the TC index location is a good method, and is worth applying in experimental study.

Progress in researches on the effect of acupuncture in antagonizing oxygen stress.

Oxidation and free radicals participate in the pathological process of multiple diseases in organisms, and acupuncture shows good effect in antagonizing oxygen stress (OS). This article reviews the effect of acupuncture in antagonizing oxygen stress and the mechanism of its anti-free radical effect in various diseases. The authors hold that acupuncture not only has a chain-blocking effect, but also has preventive and repairing effects of anti-oxidation. And anti-OS action is one of the important mechanisms of acupuncture.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase protein and mRNA in cerebral cortex in rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) on the expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) protein and gene in the cerebral cortex in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R) injury, so as to explore its molecular biological mechanism underlying anti-oxidative stress. METHODS: A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham operation (sham, n = 10), model (n = 10), and EA (n = 10) groups. CI/R model was established by right middle cerebral artery occlusion (modified Longa's thread occlusion method) for 2 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours. EA (3 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Baihui" (GV 20) for 30 min. gamma-GCS protein expression of the parietotemporal region of cerebral cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry and gamma-GCS heavy subunit (gamma-GCSh) mRNA and gamma-GCS light subunit (gamma-GCSI) mRNA expression levels were assayed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the expression levels of gamma-GCS protein in the pyramidal cell layer of the cerebral cortical parietotemporal region, and y-GCSh mRNA and gamma-GCSI mRNA, and the number of gamma-GCS immuno-reaction positive cells had no remarkable changes in the model group (P > 0.05), while in comparison with the model group, the expression levels of cerebral cortical gamma-GCS protein, and gamma-GCSh mRNA and gamma-GCSI mRNA, and the number of gamma-GCS immuno-reaction positive cells were increased considerably in the EA group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of GV 20 and GV 14 can upregulate expression levels of gamma-GCS protein, gamma-GCSh mRNA and gamma-GCSI mRNA of the cerebral cortical parietotemporal region in CI/R rats, which may contribute to its effect in protecting cerebral cortical cells from injury by clearing away excessive oxygen free radicals.

[Progress of studies on effects of acupuncture on cellular signal transduction].

In order to elucidate the underlying mechanism of acupuncture in regulating different physiological functional activities at cellular level, abundant researches have been conducted on cellular signal transduction activities. The present article preliminarily analyzes acupuncture stimulation induced various cellular signaling pathways from the afferent physical signals of the regional mechanical stimulation at the acupoint, activation of receptors of the cellular membrane such as Guanine nucleotide binding protein coupled receptors, etc., intracellular second messenger molecules including cAMP, Ca2+, inositol triphosphate, diacyl glycerol, etc., signal transduction pathways as mitogen-activated protein kinase, Janus kinase-signal transduction and transcription activator, nitrogen oxide-cyclic guanylic acid, etc., to the extremely complicated cellular signal transduction networks. In addition, the present paper also makes a discussion on the present developing situation of acupuncture research. It is possible that the connective tissue of the body surface will become a key point in the future research on acupuncture remedy. More attention should be paid to the interrelation among various intracellular signaling pathways and the network of cellular signal transduction in the research on acupuncture therapy for regulating a variety of physiological effects.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on expression of calmodulin in the hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on injured neurons and the signal transduction mechanism of calmodulin (CaM) in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). METHODS: A total of 25 SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA. group, a TFP group and an EA+TFP group. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established by the modified Longa thread occlusion method. The EA group was treated with EA at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Baihui" (GV 20) for 30 minutes. The TFP group was treated with lumbar intrathecal injection of Trinuoperazine (TFP) at a dose of 40 microL/kg, the inhibitor of CaM. The EA + TFP group was treated with EA combined with TFP, and the sham-operation group and the model group without any treatment. The neurology deficit score was evaluated by the Julio's neuroethology score methods in all rats, and the expression of CaM in cerebral hippocampus tissue was detected with immunohistochemical method in different intervention condition. RESULTS: (1) In comparison with the model group of 6.90 +/- 1.66, the neuroethology score in the EA group of 14.50 +/- 1.08, the TFP group of 11.70 +/- 1.06 and the EA + TFP group of 14.30 +/- 1.06 were all significantly increased (all P < 0.01), while those still were all lower than the sham group of 17.60 +/- 0.52 (all P < 0.01), and the EA group was better than the TFP group (P < 0.01). (2) In comparison with the sham group of 0.080 +/- 0.045, the immune positive expression score of CaM protein in hippocampus in the model group of 1.680 +/- 0.268 was sig nificantly increased (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model group, the expression score of CaM protein in the EA group of 0.880 +/- 0.179, the TFP group of 0.720 +/- 0.179 and the EA + TFP group of 0.420 +/- 0.249 were all significantly reduced (all P < 0.01), and the expression score of CaM in the EA + TFP group was lower than that in the TFP group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA can reduce the injury of cerebral neurons induced by CIRI in rats and promote the recovery, which may be related to its effect in regulating CaM signaling pathway after the ischemia-reperfusion injury.

[Survey of research on acupoints compatibility].

The research papers that meet the criteria of evidence-based medicine and randomized controlled trial were retrieved in Chinese journals data bases (CNKI knowledge network) from 1992 to 2009. Twenty-five papers indicate that acupoints compatibility rules are closely related to organism regional anatomy, nerve, the blood vessel and the endocrine gland; acupoints compatibility rules produce synergism, inhibit or antagonistic effect that affect the clinical effectiveness. The acupoints compatibility rules based on experimental researches are applied to clinic practice is the key to improve the acupuncture clinical effectiveness.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on hippocampal LTP in Alzheimer' s disease rats induced by Abeta(25-35)].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the learning-memory ability in Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were equally randomized into control, model and EA groups. AD model was established by injecting beta-amyloid (Abeta(25-35), 10 microg) into the bilateral dentate gyri of the hippocampal CA 1 area (AP--3.5 mm, ML +/- 2.0 mm, DV 2.7 mm). EA (4 Hz, 1-2 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14), bilateral "Shenshu" (BL 23) and bilateral "Yongquan" (KI 1) for 30 min, once daily for 7 days. The learning-memory ability was detected by using step-down test. Long term potentiation (LTP) of hippocampal CA 1 area was recorded by using tungsten microelectrodes after high frequency stimulation (HFS) conditioning of the cortical anterior perforated substance. RESULTS: In AD rats, the error number and total error time of step-down test were increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the slope of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), and the amplitude and area of population spikes (PS) at 30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min after high-frequency stimulation of the cortical anterior perforated substance lowered markedly in comparison with sham operation (control) group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After EA treatment, the error number and total error time decreased significantly, the slope of EPSP, and the amplitude and area of PS from 30 min to 120 min after high-frequency stimulation increased considerably in comparison with model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), suggesting an improvement of the synaptic transmission after EA. CONCLUSION: EA can improve AD rats' learning-memory ability and raise the slope of EPSP and the amplitude of PS, which may contribute to its effect in relieve symptoms of AD in clinic.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on cerebral cortex ultrastructure in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) on the ultrastructure of cerebral cortex in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion (CI/R) injury. METHODS: Fifteen SD rats were equally randomized into sham-operation (sham), model and EA groups. CI/R model was established by right middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 h and reperfusion for 24 h. EA (20 Hz/80 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) for 30 min. The ischemic cerebral cortex tissue was taken, fixed in 2.5% glutaral solution, embedded in araldite, cut into sections and stained for observing the ultrastructure changes of cortical pyramidal cells, astrocyte and blood brain barrier (BBB) under transmission electronic microscope. RESULTS: In sham group, the anatomical structure of the cerebral pyramidal cells was normal basically. In model group, the neuronal mitochondria and the capillary endothelium and the processes of the astrocyte got swelling, the mitochondrial cristae were broken, the capillary lumens became narrow or were blocked up. In EA group, the injury degree of the pyramidal cells, glial cells and BBB were lighter. CONCLUSION: EA can reduce ischemic injury of the cerebral cortical neurons and blood brain barrier in rats with CI/R injury.

[Clinical experiences and thinking of acupuncture for treatment of some difficult and complicated eye's diseases].

The present paper introduces author's some successful experiences on acupuncture treatment of some difficult and complicated eye's diseases in recent years. The author has systematically studied on the law and acupoints of acupuncture for treatment of some difficult and complicated eye's diseases, and worked out therapeutic principles and selected acupoints by means of syndrome differentiation, treating both the principal and the second aspects of a disease, its symptoms and cause at the same time, selecting acupuncture points according to syndromes, combination of Chinese medicine with western medicine, combination of acupuncture with medicine, etc. to strengthen the body resistance and eliminate pathological factors, attaining very satisfactory clinical therapeutic effects.

[Clinical observation on mild-warm moxibustion for treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of mild-warm moxibustion on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to probe the mechanism. METHODS: Sixty cases of DPN were randomly divided into a mild-warm moxibustion group, an acupuncture group and a medication group, 20 cases in each group. In the mild-warm moxibustion group and the acupuncture group, the same points, Shenshu (BL 23), Pishu (BL 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Yongquan (KI 1), etc. were selected; and the medication group were treated with Mecobalamin tablets. Their therapeutic effects and changes of fasting blood-glucose (FBG), glycosylated hematoglobin (GHB), hemorheological indexes, plasma endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) before and after treatment were investigated. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 90.0%, FBG, GHB, hemorheological indexes, plasma ET, NO and MDA significantly improved in the mild-warm moxibustion group (P < 0.01), with no significant difference as compared with those in the acupuncture group (P > 0.05), but with a significant difference as compared with the medication group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mild-warm moxibustion has definite therapeutic effect on diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is better than that of Mecobalamin.

[Involvement of melatonin in the adjusting effect of electroacupuncture in resisting oxygen stress in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in resisting acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CI-RI) via anti-oxidation of melatonin (MT). METHODS: A total of 52 male SD rats were randomized into Sham-operation (sham, n=8), CI-RI (model, n=8), EA (n=8), MT (3.2 mg/Kg, i.p., n=8), EA+MT (n=8), EA+Luzindole (L, a blocker of MT, 1 mg/100 microl/rat, n=6), EA+PD 98059 (a blocker of mitogen-activated protein kinase, MAPK, 1 mg 100 microl/rat, n=6) groups. EA (3 Hz,1-3 mA, continuous waves) was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Baihui" (GV 20) for 30 min. CI-RI model was induced by right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 min and reperfusion for 24 h except sham-operation group. MT content of pineal gland tissue was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and neuroethological scores of the rats were evaluated by Kuluz's and Julio's methods. Bax and Bcl-2 gene protein expression of the striate body was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In comparison with sham group, the number of Bax immunoreactive (IR) positive cells and Bax/Bcl-2 in striate body increased significantly (P<0.001), and neuroethological score and Bcl-2 IR-positive cells decreased considerably in model group (P<0.01). Compared with model group, pineal MT content, neuroethological score and Bcl-2 IR-positive cells in EA group, neuroethological scores in EA+L and EA+P groups, and Bcl-2 expression in MT and EA+MT groups increased considerably (P<0.01, 0.001); while Bax IR-positive cells and Bax/Bcl-2 in EA, MT and EA+MT groups decreased very significantly (P<0.001). It showed that EA could obviously increase pineal MT content, improve CI-RI rats' activity score, upregulate Bcl-2 expression and down-regulate Bax expression in striate body. In comparison with simple EA group, neuroethological scores of EA+L and EA+P groups, Bax IR-positive cells and Bax/Bcl-2 of EA+MT group were significant lower (P<0.05, 0.01). No significant differences were found between EA+L and EA+P groups in behavior scores, and between MT and EA+MT groups in Bax and Bcl-2 IR-positive cell number and Bax/Bcl-2 (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA has a good effect of anti-oxygen stress, protecting the brain from ischemic damage directly or indirectly, which may be related to its effect in upregulating the synthesis and release of MT.