[Data Mining-revealed Characteristics of Clinical Application of Scalp Acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regularity and characteristics of clinical application of scalp acupuncture therapy for different types of clinical conditions so as to provide a reference for clinical practice. METHODS: In the present study, "head acupuncture" and"scalp acupuncture" were used as the keywords to search papers and academic dissertations having definite standards for diagnosis and therapeutic effect assessment and published in journals and academic conferences collected in database China National Knowledge Internet(CNKI) from January 1 of 1959 to December 31 of 2016, followed by constructing a database after sorting, screening, recording, extracting, and statistical analysis by using a computer. Then, the data mining was conducted for summarizing the indications of disease categories, involved medical departments, needle-insertion methods, needle manipulation techniques, academic schools, and clinical efficacy of scalp acupuncture therapy. RESULTS: As a result, a total of 587 papers met our including criteria were analyzed. The scalp acupuncture therapy was widely employed in the treatment of various clinical conditions of different departments, with the application frequency being the internal medicine (438 times), surgery (75 times), pediatrics (44 times), etc. Of the indicated 102 types of clinical problems, 55 belong to the internal medicine, constituting of 53.92%, particularly the cerebral apoplexy and its sequelae with the top application frequency being 102 and 115 times, respectively. In terms of needle inserting methods mentioned in partial papers (most papers do not mention), fingernail-pressing-aided needle insertion, needle-twirling insertion, fingers-squeezed-needle insertion, particularly the swiftly rotating needle insertion and rapid needle-propelling insertion were most commonly used.Regarding the needle manipulation method, rapid needle twirling technique was frequently employed, usually at a frequency of approximately 200 times per min. In regard to the academic schools, JIAO Shun-fa's scalp acupuncture system was most frequently used, followed by the international standardized scalp acupuncture. The therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture is effective in the treatment of different conditions of various departments, especially those of the dermatology and gynecology. CONCLUSION: Scalp acupuncture has superiority in the treatment disorders of the internal medicine and has been demonstrated to have positive effects for many types of problems, particularly for apoplexy and its sequelae. Rapid needle-propelling insertion and rapid needle-twirling technique are often employed.

[Research of Characteristics of Stimulation Methods and Application of Acupoint in Auricular Needle Therapy Based on Data Mining].

In the present paper, using data mining technology,the authors downloaded information from databases on auricular needle therapy, and obtained data samples from journals and academic dissertations involving the application of auricular needle therapy to treat diseases, and then screened, audited, and extracted the data and performed a statistical analysis. The authors extracted data on the application of auricular needle therapy in the stimulation methods of medicine (needling instrument), selection of the side of ear to treat disease and the number of times the ear was pressed per day and the compression time. In the stimulation methods, the needling instrument varied, the seeds of cowherb Semen Vaccariae were applied in 60.89% of the total stimulation methods. The number of times the ear was pressed per day and the compression time in the clinic were optional. The main points in auricular needle therapy were the contralateral side; there was no significant difference in the effect of a single side or both sides of the ear to treat disease.

Interleukin-17 receptor expression on vascular endothelial cells of masses of skeletal extramedullary disease in myeloma patients.

The goal of the study was to investigate the expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) in patients with myeloma bone diseases (MBD) and skeletal extramedullary disease (skeletal EMD). The levels of IL-17 were determined using ELISA. The expression of IL-17R on vascular endothelial cells of bone marrow (BM) and masses of skeletal EMD was detected using immunohistochemistry. The results showed an elevated IL-17 level in BM of BMD and skeletal EMD patients. The microvessel density (MVD) was significantly increased in the masses of skeletal EMD. IL-17R was almost exclusively expressed by endothelial cells, not by myeloma cells in the masses of skeletal EMD patients. We concluded that EMD masses showed increased angiogenesis mediated by IL-17 pathway and in part this may help in myeloma cell-growth under these conditions.

Expression levels of IL-27 and IL-17 in multiple myeloma patients: a higher ratio of IL-27:IL-17 in bone marrow was associated with a superior progression-free survival.

The goal of the study was to investigate the levels of interleukin-27 (IL-27) and IL-17 in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) of multiple myeloma (MM). The levels of IL-27 and IL-17 were determined in MM patients and controls using ELISA. The results showed a decreased IL-27 and elevated IL-17 level in MM patients and a negative association of IL-27 with IL-17. The ratio of IL-27:IL-17 in BM of newly diagnosed MM was significantly decreased and correlated with the progression of disease. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher ratio of IL-27:IL-17 in BM was associated with a superior progression-free survival (HR=0.160; 95% CI: 0.058-0.443; p<0.001). Our results suggest that there might be a possible competitive role of IL-27 and IL-17 in MM.