[Effects of different acupuncture and moxibustion methods on articular cartilage morphology and NF-κB p65/NLRP3 pathway in rats with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of filiform needling, electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion on articular cartilage morphology and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) p65/ Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control， model, filiform needling, EA and moxibustion groups, with 8 rats in each group. The KOA model was established by injecting sodium iodoacetate into the right knee cavity. Filiform needling, EA and moxibustion groups were treated with the right side of "Dubi" (ST35) and "Neixiyan" (EX-LE5), and were given filiform needling, EA and mild moxibustion therapies for 15 min respectively, once every other day, for a total of 4 weeks. The diameter of the right knee joint was observed. The ultrastructure of knee chondrocytes was observed by transmission electron microscope. The contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18 were determined by ELISA. The expression levels of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, apoptosis-related speckle like protein (ASC) and TNF-α in knee cartilage were dectected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the right knee joint cavity was narrowed, chondrocytes were constricted significantly, mitochondria were moderately swollen, the diameter of the right knee was increased, and the contents of serum TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-18 were increased (P<0.01), the expressions of NF-κB p65, NLRP3 and TNF-α in knee cartilage were increased (P<0.01) while the expression of ASC was decreased (P<0.01) in the model group.Compared with model group, the narrowed knee joint cavity and chondrocyte injury were improved， knee diameter decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the content of serum TNF-α and the expression of NLRP3 in knee cartilage were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in 3 treatment groups; the contents of serum IL-1ß and IL-18, and the expression of TNF-α in knee cartilage were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the expression of ASC in knee cartilage was increased (P<0.01) in EA and moxibustion groups; the expression of NF-κB p65 in knee cartilage was decreased (P<0.01) in moxibustion group. Compared with EA group, the content of serum IL-18 was decreased (P<0.05) in moxibustion group. CONCLUSION: Filiform needling, EA and moxibustion can all reduce the formation of knee osteophytosis in KOA rats, alleviate joint cavity narrowing, improve the ultrastructure of articular cartilage, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, regulate the NF-κB p65/NLRP3 pathway. Moxibustion has the most obvious regulatory effect among the 3 treatment methods.

[Complex network analysis on regularities of acupoint combinations and application characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the regularities of combination of acupoints in the existing clinical trial literature by using complex network technique, so as to provide reliable evidence for selecting appropriate acupoint recipes in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with acupuncture and moxibustion therapies. METHODS: Clinical papers about acupuncture treatment of KOA published from January of 2000 to April of 2020 were searched from Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Pubmed and ScienceDirect by using keywords of "acupuncture", "moxibustion" and "knee osteoarthritis". According to the inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected papers were screened out to set up a database. SPSS Modeler18.0 software was used to analyze the association rules of acupoints (including the core acupoint nodes and compatibility relationship), and Gephi0.9.2 software was employed to conduct a complex network analysis about the compatibility rules of acupoints and their application characteristics of moxibustion and needling methods in the treatment of KOA (shown by a complex network schematic diagram). RESULTS: A total of 444 acupuncture prescriptions were extracted, including 6 single-acupoint prescriptions (1.35%) and 438 multiple-acupoint prescriptions (98.65%). A total of 112 acupoints were involved, with the application frequency of 3 389. Among them, the application frequency of the Neixiyan (EX-LE4)is the highest (354 times, 10.45%), followed by Dubi (ST35), Xuehai(SP10), Yanglingquan(GB34), Liangqiu(ST34), Zusanli(ST36), etc. The mainly involved meridians are the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming and the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin. The involved specific acupoints are the Five-shu (stream) acupoints, being the most commonly used, followed by the crossing points, and lower confluent (sea) acupoints. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of KOA with acupuncture and moxibustion, the regularities and characteristics of acupoint combinations (acupoint prescriptions) are: 1) often selecting local acupoints at the lower limbs, 2) frequently applying the Five-shu acupoints (specific acupoints), and 3) matching the acupoints of the outside meridians and inside meridians, especially those of the Spleen Meridian and Stomach Meridian.

[Analysis on rules of acupoint compatibility and application characteristics in acupuncture treatment of migraine based on complex network technique].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the compatible rules of acupoints in the treatment of migraine with acupuncture and moxibustion based on complex network technique so as to provide a reference for composing best acupoint recipes. METHODS: Clinical papers about acupuncture treatment of migraine published from January of 2010 to October of 2020 were searched from Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Pubmed by using keywords of acupuncture, moxibustion and migraine. According to our inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected papers were screened out to set up a database. The SPSS Modeler 18.0 software was used to analyze the association rules of acupoints, and the Gephi 0.9.2 software was used to conduct a complex network analysis about the compatibility rules of acupoints and their application characteristics of moxibustion and needling methods in the treatment of migraine. RESULTS: In the end, 572 articles meeting the conclusive criteria were selected, and a total of 1 091 acupoint prescriptions for the treatment of migraine were extracted, including 230 acupoints with a total appea-rance frequency of 7 902. Those acupoints most frequently used were mainly attributed to the Gallbladder Meridian, with Fengchi (GB20) being the highest in the cumulative frequency. The association rule analysis showed that the highest supporting degree acupoints was GB20-Taiyang(EX-HN5). The highest levels of confidence were EX-HN5-Touwei(ST8), GB20-Baihui(GV20), and GB20-ST8. The analysis of complex network topology showed that a total of 17 acupoints including GB20, EX-HN5, Shuaigu(GB8), Taichong(LR3), GV20, Ashi point, etc. were the core node acupoints for acupuncture treatment of migraine. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of migraine, the acupoints selected are mainly distributed in the head region. When the specific acupoints chosen, the five Shu acupoints, Yuan (source) acupoints and the confluent acupoints of eight meridians are frequently used. In terms of composing acupoint recipes, the acupoints in the local and distant part of the body are often used in combination. These outcomes may have a certain guiding significance for clinical treatment of migraine.

Direct contact moxibustion promotes apoptosis of gastric cancer cells in rats by regulating intestinal flora.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether direct contact moxibustion (DCM) can prevent and treat gastric cancer (GC) by regulating intestinal flora in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, normal + DCM control group, model group, and model + DCM group. Gastric cancer rats were induced by N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG, 20 mg/mL) by gavage. At the same time, the model rats and normal rats were given DCM at Zusanli (ST36), Weishu (BL21), and Zhongwan (CV12) for 16 weeks. After treatment, gastric tissues were collected to analyze the pathological changes and the apoptosis of gastric mucosa cells. In addition, the cecal stool was taken and analyzed by 16s rRNA sequencing. RESULTS: Gastric cancer-like pathological changes and different abundance of the intestinal flora were found in the model group. DCM promoted mucosa tissue apoptosis and regulated the abnormal changes of the intestinal microflora caused by MNNG; DCM also inhibited the growth of Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae flora and promoted the growth of probiotic Akkermansia. Furthermore, DCM made the composition and abundance of intestinal microflora in the GC rats tending to the normal rats. CONCLUSION: DCM stimulating Zusanli (ST36), Weishu (BL21), and Zhongwan (CV12) promoted the apoptosis of gastric mucosa and delayed the progression of gastric cancer, possibly by decreasing Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae bacteria (bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids in the intestine) and promoting the growth of probiotic Akkermansia.

[Characteristics of clinical application of electroacupuncture therapy for peripheral neuropathy based on data mining].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application characteristics of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, so as to provide a basis for clinical use of EA therapy. METHODS: Keywords of "electroacupuncture""peripheral neuropathy" "facial paralysis" "trigeminal neuralgia" "sciatica" "common peroneal nerve injury" "diabetic peripheral neuropathy" "intercostal neuralgia" "gluteal epithelial neuritis" "ulnar nerve injury" "median nerve paralysis" "postherpetic neuralgia", and "great occipital neuralgia" were used to search articles in both English and Chinese published from 1999 to 2019 in databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, Ovid, PubMed and Embase and related books such as electroacupuncture, and neurology, followed by establishing a database of "Electroacupuncture Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy". Then, the collected articles were put into statistical analysis after sorting, screening, input, checking, and data extracting by using data mining technology and statistical software EpiData. RESULTS: Of the searched 1 528 papers, 778 were eligible, involving 13 types of peripheral neuropathy which the facial paralysis and facial spasm were most frequently seen, followed by trigeminal neuralgia and sciatica, with an effective rate being above 90% for nearly all the 13 diseases. The acupoints employed were chiefly those close to the affected area and distribute along the nerve trunk.In addition, about the needling techniques, the penetration needling was frequently used, and the triple needling, quintuple needling and accompanied needling were also used. Regarding the related needle manipulations, the uniform reinforcing-reduction technique was most frequently used. The duration of EA was 30 min, with a highest stimulating frequency of 50 Hz. The acupoint injection was frequently supplemented, followed by moxibustion, and the treatment sessions were usually about 30 times. CONCLUSION: EA therapy is frequently used in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, and has some characteristics in acupoint selection, stimulating parameters and some additional needling techniques.

[Comparison and analysis on different academic schools of scalp acupuncture].

The scalp acupuncture therapy, an important component of the microneedle system of the acupuncturology, is effective in the treatment of multiple types of diseases. In the present paper, we made a comparative analysis about the theoretical basis, acupoint location and main clinical indications of the ten academic schools of scalp-acupuncture, including FANG Yun-peng's Scalp Acupuncture, JIAO Shun-fa's Scalp Acupuncture, ZHU Ming-qing's Scalp Acupuncture, etc. which are widely used in clinic at present after collecting the related articles published in recent 60 years from databases of CNKI, Wanfang and VIP, and relevant books. These nine academic schools are similar in clinical indications (such as neurological disorders, brain-derived di-seases) and in needle inserting angle and depth, and different in the needling manipulations, needlingmethods, needle retaining time, theoretical basis, attending diseases of the same one stimulated region, and the position and yin or yang of holograms. The main problems facing the scalp acupuncture are non-uniform positioning method, non-uniform needling method, and non-uniform indications of the same scalp acupoint. Up to now, it remains unclear that which academic school is better in the therapeutic efficacy, thus, we should strengthen clinical research to find out its inherent law in diagnosis and treatment, constantly optimize the needle scheme, determine the best scalp-acupoint position and best needling manipulations, quantize and standardize the related issues, and accelerate the integration of the different academic schools, so as to improve clinical curative effect and to further promote the application and popularization, serving the patients in a better way.

[Regularities of acupoint combinations and characteristics of core acupoint application for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia based on complex network analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the acupoint combination regularities and application characteristics of core acupoints in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) by using complex network technology, so as to provide reliable evidence for clinical selection of acupoints and treatment ideas. METHODS: The articles related to acupuncture treatment of MGH published from January of 1981 to May of 2020 were collected from databases as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP (VIP), PubMed, the Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science and Ovid database (OVID) according to the set inclusion and exclusion criteria of the present paper and by using keywords of "mammary gland hyperplasia", "mastalgia" or "fibrocystic breast change", "breast cystic hyperplasia ", etc. plus "acupuncture", "moxibustion", etc. Then, a correlative database model was established by using SPSS Modeler 18.0 to analyze their association regularities, followed by conducting a complex network analysis with Gephi 0.9.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 312 eligible articles containing 343 acupoint prescriptions and 113 acupoints were collected. The total frequency of use of the 113 acupoints was 1 998. The association regularity analysis showed a top relativity between Danzhong(CV17) and Zusanli(ST36). The analysis of the complex network topology revealed that CV17, Qimen(LR14), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Taichong(LR3), ST36, Jianjing(GB21), Rugen(ST18), Wuyi(ST15), Neiguan(PC6), Ashi-points, Fenglong (SP40), Guanyuan(CV4), Taixi(KI3), Tianzong(SI11), Ganshu (BL18), and Hegu(LI14) are the core acupoints for treatment of MGH. The principle for composing acupoint prescriptions is mainly the combination of acupoints on the left and right sides, the upper and lower parts, front and back parts of the body, respectively, and those of the outer and inner meridians, and those of the same name meridians and Zangfu-organ syndrome differentiation. The needle-insertion direction is mostly toward the focus. CONCLUSION: The composition of acupoint prescriptions for treating MGH with acupuncture and moxibustion is mainly based on the combination of specific acupoints among which the confluent acupoints are most frequently used, followed by the combination of acupoints distributing at the chest, back, upper and lower limbs, and the local acupoints.

[Application characteristics of abdominal acupuncture based on data mining technique].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the disease spectrum and predominant diseases treated by abdominal acupuncture by data mining and analysis of journal articles on abdominal acupuncture, and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Based on the database of abdominal acupuncture established by the research group, the data mining technique was used for the analysis and extraction of the articles on abdominal acupuncture included in this study. RESULTS: A total of 788 original journal articles were included. Six departments and 96 disease categories, among which there were 45 internal diseases (46.84%) and 18 surgical diseases (18.75%) were involved. As for the diseases involved, cervical spondylosis had the highest frequency of 84, followed by low back and leg pain with a frequency of 77 and stroke sequela with a frequency of 67. Of all 788 studies, 519 (65.86%) used abdominal acupuncture combined with other therapies with a total frequency of 552, among which acupuncture had the highest frequency of 135 (24.46%), followed by oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine with a frequency of 81 (14.67%) and moxibustion with a frequency of 80 (14.49%). Abdominal acupuncture had a marked clinical effect in the treatment of various diseases, with the highest effective rate of 95.10% in surgical diseases. CONCLUSION: Abdominal acupuncture has a wide disease spectrum and is most frequently used for the treatment of cervical spondylosis, with a marked clinical effect. Abdominal acupuncture has unique therapeutic characteristics and advantages, but it can achieve a better clinical effect when combined with other therapies.

[Regularities of clinical application of hand acupuncture therapy to treatment of various diseases based on data mining].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regularities of clinical application of hand acupuncture therapy to the treatment of diseases of different departments by using data mining technique, so as to provide a reference for clinical practice. METHODS: We searched papers, academic dissertations and case reports (published in journals from Jan 1, 1953 to December 31, 2017) from databases of China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), VIP, and Wanfang, and also searched papers from medical books about hand acupuncture treatment of different diseases/illness by using keywords of "hand acupuncture" and "hand acupoints"， 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 characteristics and rules of the hand acupuncture therapy in clinical application. RESULTS: The hand acupuncture therapy in Chinese medical journals was found to be applied to various clinical departments, with the frequency from high to low successively being 16 types of diseases (37.21%) in the surgery, 15 diseases (34.88%) in the internal medicine, 2 diseases (4.65%) in the pediatrics, 8 diseases (18.60%) in the ophthalmology-otorhinolaryngology, 1 disease (2.33%) in the genecology and 1 disease (2.33%) in the dermatology. In the treatment of diseases, the cure plus markedly effective rate of hand acupuncture was found to be highest for diseases of the pediatrics (90.65%), and was 88.45% surgery, 78.06% internal medicine, 89.96% ophthalmology-otorhinolaryngology, 60.61% gynecology, and 67.73% dermatology, respectively. When hand acupuncture used, the acupoints of the hand region on both sides, healthy side and affected side were often selected, and movement exercise was often used in combination, particularly for problems of the surgery. In the collected medical records and 6 acupuncture books, the hand acupuncture was employed for treatment of 34 and 123 kinds of diseases or problems, respectively, with the tissue injury, lumbocrural pain being most frequently seen in the records, and abdominal pain, lumbocrural, chest obstruction, etc. most frequently seen in the acupuncture books. CONCLUSION: Hand acupuncture therapy is widely used in the treatment of many clinical problems of different departments, such as tissue injury, leg pain, etc. of the surgery; abdominal pain, asthma, etc. of the internal medicine; infantile enuresis, diarrhea, etc. of the pediatrics. Acupoints of the hand on the unilateral side are frequently employed and may have a better therapeutic effect.

[Features of clinical application of eye acupuncture therapy revealed by data mining].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the features, dominant indications and application regularities of eye acupuncture therapy in clinical practice. METHODS: We first collected original articles, academic dissertations, conference articles, and case reports from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, and Chinese biomedical literature (CBM) from Jan. 1 of 1980 to Dec. 31 of 2017, and medical records from medical books of Zhonghua Yan Zhen (Chinese Eye Acupuncture Therapy), Yanzhen Shijian Lu (Records of Application of Eye Acupuncture Therapy), and Peng Jing-shan's Yanzhen Liaofa Yanjiu (Peng Jing-shan's Eye Acupuncture Therapy) by using keyword of "eye acupuncture". Then, we established an "Eye-acupuncture Database" after sorting, screening, typing-in, checking, and extraction of the collected data by SQL server 2005 and 2005 Analysis Services (SASS), followed by analysis of the dominant indications, needling methods, needle manipulations, principles for acupoint selection, and clinical effect. RESULTS: Among the 850 articles retrieved, 178 were eligible to be subjected to analysis, including 42 disorders/diseases in 7 categories. The eye acupuncture therapy has the highest application frequency for 19 types of disorders/diseases of the internal medicine, such as sequela of apoplexy, hiccup, insomnia, vertigo, hypertension, etc., followed by head and body pain (7 types: headache, lumbago, sciatica, shoulder pain, etc.), disorders of the ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology (deafness, squinting eyes, dry eye syndrome, amblyopia, etc.), traumatic injury, gynecopathy, acute pain (biliary colic, renal colic). The effect rate was 95.87% for disorders of the gynecopathy, 95.54% for head and body pain, 94.53% for traumatic skin injury, 92.16% for emergency, 91.98% for disorders of the five sense organs, 91.43% for problems of the internal medicine, etc. Regarding the principle of acupoint selection, acupoints were chosen mainly according to the meridian running (146 articles), local region of the eye (14 articles) and diseased location (153 articles). A total of 157 articles have a marked description about the needling methods, including horizontal needling (81 articles), intra-orbital straight needling (22 articles), extra-orbital oblique needling (13 articles), etc. The duration of needle retaining was mostly from 15 to 30 minutes, and the handle-scraping was frequently adopted (34 articles), and the overall treatment frequency ranged from 11 to 20 times. In regard to the medical records, a total of 53 types of disorders were involved, including 37 types of the internal medicine such as stroke sequelae (34 articles), facial paralysis (11 articles), etc. The acupoints were selected according to the local region of eye (129 articles), the needle insertion involved horizontal needling (102 articles), and cured rate reported was higher than 90%. CONCLUSION: Eye acupuncture therapy is widely used for a variety of disorders and has a positive effect, particularly for stroke sequelae and various acute and chronic pain problems.

[Exploration of dominant diseases and clinical application characteristics of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy based on data mining technology].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the literature regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy by data mining technology, and the dominant diseases of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy were summarized to provide reference for evaluation of specificity effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy. METHODS: The journal articles regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy from the CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP since January 1, 1975 to December 31, 2017, and the medical cases regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy in Practical Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture Therapy and Microacupuncture System Diagnosis and Treatment were retrieved. Based on the disease types of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy in the journal articles and medical cases, the association rules method of data mining technology was applied to calculate frequent itemsets. The self-developed database platform for wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy was used to extract and summarize the information to explore the rules of clinical application. RESULTS: The scope of disease involved a total of 7 disease entities in the literature regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy. In the journal articles, there were 83 disease types and the most common surgical diseases were soft tissue injury and periarthritis of shoulder, the frequency were 34 and 24 times respectively. The total effective rates of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy were 92.74% in internal medicine, 91.39% in surgery, 91.51% in gynecology, 90.88% in dermatology, 96.20% in pediatric, 89.05% in ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology and 88.78% in psychiatry. In the medical cases of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy, there were 118 disease types and the most common diseases were pain and Bi syndrome, herpes zoster was also a common disease. Psychiatric diseases used more wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy, and the common diseases were anxiety and mania. CONCLUSION: Wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy is widely used in treatment of clinical diseases and has significant therapeutic effects. It is mostly used in the treatment of surgery, internal medicine (neurology particularly), dermatology (herpes zoster particularly). Besides, the wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy is also applicable in the treatment of diseases of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, gynecology, pediatric and psychiatry.

[Comparison of Therapeutic Effects Between Thermosensitive Moxibustion and Medication in the Treatment of Insomnia of Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of thermosensitive moxibustion (TSM) and medication in the treatment of insomnia patients with the syndrome of stagnation of liver-qi. METHODS: A total of 60 insomnia patients with the syndrome of liver-qi stagnation were randomly divided into TSM group and medication group (n ＝ 30 in each). Mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral Taichong (LR 3) and Qiuxu (GB 40) alternatively till the patient experienced an intense warmth (diathermic, heat transmission, etc.) feeling in the local region. The treatment was conducted once daily for 15 d. Patients of the medication group were ordered to take Estazolam tablets (1 mg/d) 1 h before sleeping, once daily for successive 15 days. The sleep quality (sleeping quality, falling asleep time, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders, hyponotic and day time dysfunction, 0－21 points) was evaluated by using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The therapeutic effect was assessed in accordance with the "Guide Principles for Clinical Trials on New Drugs of Chinese Materia Medica (1993)" and international united sleep efficiency value. RESULTS: Following the treatment, the PSQI of both groups were significantly decreased relevant to their own pre-treatment (P<0.05), but without significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Of the two 30 cases in the medication and moxibustion groups, 12 (40.00%) and 20 (66.67%) had marked improvement, 7 (23.33%) and 6 (20.00%) were effective, and 11(36.67%) and 4 (13.33%) were invalid, with the effective rates being 63.33 % (19/30) and 86.67% (26/30), respectively. The effective rate of the TSM group was significantly higher than that of the medicine group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Thermosensitive moxibustion applied to the source points of the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians can improve the quality of sleep in insomnia patients with syndrome of liver-qi stagnation.

[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.

[Effect of Manual Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture and Moxibustion on Intestinal Motility and Expression of Enteric Nervous Activity Related Proteins in Functional Constipation Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of manual acupuncture (MA), electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion interventions on intestinal motility and expression of enteric nervous activity related proteins calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV 1) and proteinase activated receptor-4 (PAR-4) in colon tissue of rats with functional constipation (FC), so as to select a better intervention method for FC. METHODS: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control (n=8), model (n=11), medication (n=8), MA (n=11), EA (n=11), and moxibustion (n=11) groups. The FC model was established by gavage of suspension of loperamide hydrochlorid for 6 days. Rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of cisapride (3 mg/kg), once daily for 6 days. MA, EA or moxibustion was separately applied to bilateral "Tianshu"(ST 25) and "Shangjuxu"(ST 37) for 15 min, once daily for 6 days. The stool weight within 24 h was measured every day, and the intestinal propulsive rate was calculated by feeding the rats with suspension fluid containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose and active carbon powder (3%) on the last day of the experiment. The expression levels of CGRP, TRPV 1 and PAR-4 proteins and genes in the colon tissue were measured by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the stool weight within 24 h and intestinal propulsive rate were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the two indexes considerably increased in the medication, MA and EA groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the intestinal propulsive rate was also notably increased in the moxibustion group (P<0.05), suggesting an improvement of the intestinal motility after the treatment. The expression levels of intestinal CGRP, TRPV 1 and PAR-4 proteins and genes were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P<0.01), and considerably lower in the medication, MA, EA and moxibustion groups than in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01, except the protein expression of CGRP in the moxibustion group). No significant differences were found among the medication, MA, EA and moxibustion groups in the stool weight, between the medication and EA groups and between the EA and moxibustion groups in the intestinal propulsive rate, and among medication, EA and moxibustion groups in the expression levels of TRPV 1 mRNA, and among the medication, MA and EA groups in the expression levels of CGRP, TRPV 1 and PAR-4 proteins (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MA, EA and moxibustion interventions can promote the intestinal motility in FC rats, which may be related to their functions in down-regulating the expression of CGRP, TRPV 1 and PAR-4 proteins and genes (except CGRP in the moxibustion group).

[Effects of Different Acupuncture and Moxibustion Methods on Plasma NO, NOS and VIP Contents and the Expression of Colonic VIP Protein in Functional Constipation Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of filiform needling, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion on functional constipation in rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of these three different methods. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group (n=8), model group (n=11), medication group (n=8), filiform needling group (n=11), electroacupuncture group (n=11), and moxibustion group (n=11). Functional constipation model was established by intragastric administration with the suspension of loperamide hydrochloride, daily for six days in a week. One hour after each gavage, the medication group was treated with cisapride suspension, while the other three groups were treated with filiform needling, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion, respectively, at "Tianshu"(ST 25), "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) acupoints. The first defecation time was recorded. NO, NOS and VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) levels in plasma were detected by ELISA. Immuohistochemical and Western blot methods were applied to test VIP expression in the colonic tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the first defecation time was prolonged, and the NO, NOS and VIP contents in plasma were increased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), accompanied with increased score of VIP in the smooth muscle of colonic wall(P<0.05)and elevated VIP expression in colonic tissue(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the first defecation time was shortened in the medication, filiform needling, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion groups(P<0.05), while decreased NO, NOS and VIP contents in plasma (P<0.01,P<0.05), decreased score of VIP in the smooth muscle of colonic wall(P<0.05), and lower expression level of VIP in colonic tissue(P<0.01)were observed in the four treatment groups. In contrast, the plasma VIP content in the electroacupuncture group was lower than that in the medication group (P<0.01), while colonic VIP expression decreased in the moxibustion group(P<0.01). The NO, NOS and VIP contents in plasma and score of VIP in the smooth muscle of colonic wall in the electroacupuncture group were lower than those in the filiform needling group and the moxibustion group(P<0.01, P<0.05), but the colonic VIP expression in the moxibustion group was lower than that in the filiform needling group(P<0.05)and electroacupuncture group(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: All the three different kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion methods have positively regulatory effect on functional constipation; electroacupuncture is the best for the regulation of plasma NO, NOS and VIP contents, while moxibustion is the best for the regulation of VIP expression in colonic tissue.

[Rule of Clinical Application of Auricular Acupuncture Based on Data Mining].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rule of clinical application of auricular acupuncture therapy by data mining in order to guide clinical practice. METHODS: The data base about single auricular acupuncture therapy for different clinical diseases was established by collection, sorting, screening, recording, collation, data extraction, statistic analysis on data samples from journals, academic theses dissertations published in near 60 years. The application rules of auricular therapy including its predominant diseases, stimulus modality, therapeutic effect, and angle of needling were summarized by data mining technique. RESULTS: Auricular acupuncture therapy has been widely and mostly used in the internal medicine department, accounting for 48.56%. Of stimulus modalities, auricular point paste and pressure is applied with the highest frequency, accounting for 64%. The highest effective rate is found in the surgery department diseases(81.41%). Pressure is the most effective stimulus in the internal medi-cine department, and bloodletting combined with paste and pressure in the surgery department, auricular point injection in the gynecology and pediatrics departments, bloodletting in the ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology department, and auricular point incision in the dermatology department. Auricular point injection has remarkable effect. Bloodletting combined with paste and pressure has nearly the same effect as bloodletting in the same medical department except dematology department. Otherwise, angle of needling is rarely studied. CONCLUSIONS: Auricular therapy is widely used and has remarkable effect in treating diseases by using different stimulus modalities. Whereas the angle of needling is rarely studied and future investigation is needed.

[Influence of Electroacupuncture Intervention on Glutamic Acid and Ca2+ Contents and Expression of NMDA Receptor Protein in Hippocampus in Vascular Dementia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on hippocampal glutamate (Glu) and Ca2+ contents, and expression of Glu-N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor(NMDAR) and the learning-memory ability in vascular dementia (VD) rats, so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of VD. METHODS: SD rats were rando-mized into sham operation (sham) group (n=9), model group (n=11) and EA groups (n=10). The VD model was established by repeated bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion and reperfusion plus intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside. EA (2 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20)-"Housanli" (ST 36) and "Geshu" (BL 17)-"Dazhui" (GV 14) for 10 min, once a day for 15 consecutive days. The neurological function was assessed by using stroke index (0-10 points) and neurological deficit scaling(0-10 points). The learning-memory ability was evaluated by using step-down tests. The contents of Glu and Ca2+ in the right hippocampal tissue were determined by using aspectrophotometer and the expression of NMDAR protein in the right hippocampus was detected by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the stroke index and neurological deficit scores, and the reaction latency and the error times of step-down tests, as well as the contents of Glu and Ca2+ and the expression level of NMDAR in the right hippocampus were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the step-through latency was considerably decreased (P<0.01), suggesting a neurological disorder and a cognitive decline. After EA intervention, the reaction latency and error times of step-down tests, the contents of Glu and Ca2+ and the expression level of NMDAR in the right hippocampus were significantly down-regulated, and the step-through latency was notably increased in comparison with the model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EA intervention is able to improve the cognitive ability of VD rats, which may be associated with its effects in reducing the excitatory neurotoxicity of hippocampal Glu-NMDAR and lowering cellular Ca2+ load to resist neuronal injury.

[Effects of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise on body weight, body mass index and serum leptin level in simple obesity patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise on the body weight, body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin content of patients with simple obesity, so as to evaluate the efficacy of the present therapy in the treatment of simple obesity. METHODS: A total of 61 cases of out-patients were randomly divided into control (n=30) and treatment (n=31) groups. Patients in the control group were treated with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise everyday (30 min/d), continuously for 51 days, and those of the treatment group were treated with acupuncture [Zhong-wan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), etc.] plus dietary adjustment and aerobic exercise everyday, with 15 days being a course of treatment, 3 days' interval between every two courses, and 3 courses altogether. Serum leptin content was detected by using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Compared with pre-treatment, the body weight and BMI and serum leptin levels in the control and treatment groups were all decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Comparison between the two groups showed that the body weight at the end of the 1st and 3rd course of treatment, the BMI at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd course of treatment, and serum leptin level after the treatment in the treatment group were all significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The difference values of body weight and BMI between pre-treatment and post-treatment of the treatment group were obviously higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01), suggesting a better therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise in the treatment of simple obesity. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise can reduce the body weight, BMI and serum leptin level, which is better than dietary adjustments plus aerobic exercise.

[Effects of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise on weight and waist-hip ratio in simple obesity patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise and simple diet adjustment combined with aerobic exercise for treatment of simple obesity, in order to scientifically evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise for simple obesity. METHODS: Sixty-one cases were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The control group was treated with diet adjustment combined with aerobic exercise, on the basis of this, the observation group was treated with acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) etc., once a day, 15 days constituting one course. After three course of treatment, the changes of body weight and waist-hip ratio (WHR) in both groups were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After one course of treatment, both the body weight and WHR in the observation group were obviously lower than those of control group (both P < 0.05); after two courses of treatment, there were no significant differences of body weight and WHR between two groups (both P > 0.05); after three courses of treatment, the body weight of observation group was obviously lower than that of control group (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference of WHR between two groups (P > 0.05); the body weight and WHR of both groups were obviously decreased after treatment (both P < 0.01); the difference comparison of the body weight in observation group was obviously higher than that of control group before and after treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Both two treatments can decrease the body weight and WHR of patients with simple obesity, while the effect of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise is more obvious in the early stage of the treatment for body weight and WHR.