An enhanced model for environmental dry eye: Exploring pathological features and underlying factors.

This study aimed to develop an enhanced environmental dry eye (EDE) model that accurately reproduces the etiology of prolonged visual fatigue and investigates the underlying pathological features. A total of 40 adult SPF-grade Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 20) and model (n = 20) groups. Rats in the control group were maintained under normal conditions, while rats in the model group were exposed to a controlled frontal airflow of 2-4 m/s from a fan for 7.5 h daily while placed on a suspended cylindrical wire mesh frame. Various assessments were performed at different time points during the 14-day experiment, including blink frequency, tear secretion (phenol red thread test), tear film breakup time (BUT), fluorescein staining (FL), corneal epithelial status (light microscopy), ultrastructure of corneal epithelial cells (electron microscopy), and expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, TNF-α) in tears (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Additionally, mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-9, IL1ß, IL6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and caspase-3 in corneal tissues were quantified (real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting). Compared to the control group, the model group rats exhibited significant decreases in blink frequency (P < 0.001), tear secretion (Schirmer I test) values (P < 0.001), and tear film breakup time levels (P < 0.001). There was also a significant increase in fluorescein staining scores (P < 0.001) in the model group. Histological examination revealed distinct differences of the corneal epithelium between groups. The corneal epithelium of the model group appeared thicker, with disorganized cell arrangement in the superficial and basal layers, partial defects or detachment of superficial epithelial cells, and a rough, uneven surface. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed a rough corneal epithelial surface with numerous cracks and scattered vesicular-like structures in the model group. Furthermore, the model group rats exhibited a significant increase in expression of IL-1ß and TNF-α in tears (P < 0.001), and upregulated expression levels of MMP-9, TNF-α, IL-1ß, caspase-3, IL-6, and IFN-γ at both the mRNA and protein levels in corneal tissues (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the modified "wire-meshing cylindrical board" model effectively overcomes the limitations of the traditional "jogging board " dry eye model and successfully simulates the etiology of prolonged visual fatigue. This innovative EDE model demonstrates a high degree of relevance to dry eye conditions resulting from prolonged visual tasks, with a high success rate of model induction. Moreover, it proves to be a simple, practical, and easily replicable model, making it highly suitable for further studies on prolonged visual fatigue and facilitating its widespread adoption in research and clinical applications.

Electroacupuncture of neiguan (PC 6) inhibits enhanced voltage-gated sodium currents in ischemic ventricular myocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) on voltage-gated Na+ currents (I(Na)) and channels (Na(v)) in ischemic ventricular myocytes. METHODS: EA serum was prepared from six male adult Sprague-Dawley rats that had received EA at bilateral Neiguan (PC 6). Eighteen ventricular myocytes were prepared from six SD rats using an enzymolysis approach. Myocardial ischemia was mimicked by perfusion of ischemic solution. Whole-cell patch-clamping was used to record three currents evoked from isolated cells. The first current was the control, and recorded in absence of ischemic solution current. The second was the ischemic current, and recorded after perfusion of ischemic solution for 5 min, while the EA current was last, and recorded after perfusion of EA serum for 5 min. Na(v) kinetic curves were fitted using related formulas. RESULTS: Compared with those in controls, in the presence of ischemic solution, peak amplitudes of I(Na) significantly increased from - 40 mV to +30 mV, and half-maximal inactivation potentials of Na(v) increased significantly, while half-maximal activation potentials, slope factors and the recovery time from inactivation to activation of Na(v) were unchanged. Compared with those in the ischemic solution, in the presence of EA serum, peak ischemic current amplitudes significantly reduced from - 40 mV to +40 mV, and half-maximal inactivation potentials were restored, while half-maximal activation potentials, slope factors and the recovery time from inactivation to activation of Na(v) were unchanged. CONCLUSION: EA at bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) can reduce enhanced I(Na) via restoration of delayed Na(v) inactivation in ischemic ventricular myocytes.

Correlation between jingjin injury and wulao and the relevant prevention and treatment strategies. / 经筋损伤与"五劳"çš„ç›¸å ³æ€§åŠé˜²æ²»ç­–ç•¥.

The paper explores the correlation between jingjin (muscle regions of meridians, sinews/fascia) injury and wulao (five types of exhaustion) and the relevant prevention and treatment strategies, and determines the internal mechanism of the disease so as to provide the ideas for prevention and treatment of jingjin injury. Wulao may result in jingjin injury not only through the damages of blood, qi, muscles, bones and tendons indirectly, but also through the damage of soft tissues directly. The great attention should be paid to preventing from jingjin injury, especially wulao, due to which, the appropriate combination of the static and the dynamic skills is emphasized in the way of physical exercise. When the injury occurred, the conditions of the whole body should be analyzed comprehensively and the local affected regions be concentrated simultaneously in treatment. For the indirect injury, the holistic idea should be the basis of regulating five zang organs and restoring the physiological functions of blood, qi, muscles, bones and sinews so as to adjust jingjin. Regarding the direct injury, the staging regimen for the local treatment is considered to harmonize qi and blood and balance sinews and bones. When the injury has been cured, the physical exercise is recommended to strengthen sinews and bones according to individual conditions to prevent from recurrence.

[Pathogenesis and staging treatment for non-specific low back pain based on the meridian sinew theory].

Based on the physiological and pathological characteristics of meridian sinew theory, the staging treatment of non-specific low back pain (NLBP) is explored to provide the reference of clinical practice. The twelve meridian sinews of the human body communicate with the bones and joints of the whole body, which governs the movement, body protection and defense, and meridian regulation. Physiologically, the meridian sinew maintains the functions of the lumbar region. In pathology, the meridian sinew may encounter stasis and pain, contraction and spasm or "transverse collateral" formation. According to the pathological staging of meridian sinew disorders, the progress of NLBP is divided into 3 phases and the corresponding treatments are provided. Mild stimulation and rapid analgesia is suggested to promote tissue repair at the early phase; muscle spasm is relieved to adjust muscular status at the middle phase; and the "cord-like" muscle foci is removed at the later phase of the disease.

[Combination of acupuncture and medication for dry eye complicated with computer vision syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture, Chinese medication and combination of acupuncture and medication in the treatment of dry eye complicated with computer vision syndrome (CVS). METHODS: A total of 152 patients with dry eye complicated with CVS were randomly divided into an acupuncture-medication group (38 cases, 1 case was removed), an acupuncture group (38 cases, 1 case dropped off), a Chinese medication group (38 cases, 1 case was removed), and a western medication group (38 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the western medication group, sodium hyaluronate eye drop combined with esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drop were used. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN 5)， Cuanzhu (BL 2), Fengchi (GB 20), Qimen (LR 14) , and Hegu (LI 4) etc., once a day. In the Chinese medication group, Yiqi Congming decoction formula ganule was given orally, one dose a day. In the acupuncture-medication group, acupuncture combined with Yiqi Congming decoction formula granule were used. All groups were treated for 14 d. The non-invasive first tear film break-up time (NIBUT f), non-invasive average tear film break-up time (NIBUT av), tear meniscus height (TMH), ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, and CVS symptom score were compared between the patients of each group before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the NIBUT f, NIBUT av, and TMH were increased compared with those before treatment in the patients of the 4 groups (P<0.01); the NIBUT f and NIBUT av in the acupuncture-medication group and the acupuncture group were higher than those in the Chinese medication group and the western medication group (P<0.05), and the TMH in the acupuncture-medication group and the Chinese medication group were higher than those in the acupuncture group and the western medication group (P<0.05). After treatment, the OSDI scores, the various scores and total scores of CVS (except for head symptom score in the western medication group) were decreased compared with those before treatment in the patients of the 4 groups (P<0.01). The OSDI score, total score, eye symptom score, and body symptom score of CVS in the acupuncture-medication group were lower than those in the acupuncture group, the Chinese medication group, and the western medication group (P<0.01, P<0.05), the head symptom score of the acupuncture-medication group was lower than that in the western medication group (P<0.05), and the CVS physical symptom scores and mental cognitive symptom scores of the acupuncture-medication group and the acupuncture group were lower than those in the Chinese medication group and the western medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture has advantages in improving NIBUT f, NIBUT av, and CVS physical symptoms and cognitive symptoms, and the Chinese medication has advantage in improving TMH. The combination of acupuncture and Chinese medication has better effects compared with monotherapy.

[Construction of jingjin differentiation system based on holistic concept].

As a diagnostic method to guide the treatment of sinew/fascia diseases, jingjin (muscle regions of meridians) differentiation is an important component of syndrome differentiation system of acupuncture and moxibustion. In clinical practice, because of the limitations of the ideological guidance of the holistic view, the systemic and dialectical thinking and the syndrome element collection, the system of diagnosis and treatment of sinew/fascia diseases is not comprehensive. Through combing the origin of the holistic view of jingjin, the paper expounds the differentiation framework of sinew/fascia diseases from 4 aspects of differentiation, i.e. the location of disease, etiology, nature of disease and condition of disease. It suggests to construct jingjin differentiation system by taking the holistic ideas as the core, the syndrome element research as the common method and the evidence-based medicine as the theoretical basis so that the thinking of syndrome differentiation and the diagnostic approaches based on jingjin theory can be enriched.

Basic research of meridian-tendon based on fascia: review and prospects. / åŸºäºŽç­‹è†œçš„ç»ç­‹åŸºç¡€ç ”ç©¶ï¼šè¿°è¯„ä¸Žå±•æœ›.

Meridian-tendon is a central concept in meridian theory of TCM, and its basic research has been increasingly emphasized. While there is no unified understanding of the essence of meridian-tendon, the concept that function of fascia could partially reflect the functions of meridian-tendons has reached consensus in the academic community. This article suggests that under the guidance of meridian-tendon theory, based on previous research foundation of fascia, focusing on adopting fascia research methods, the mechanisms of tender point hyperalgesia and abnormal proliferation related to meridian lesions should be adopted to explain yitong weishu (taking the worst painful sites of muscle spasm as the points), and the mechanisms of meridian intervention efficacy should be adopted to explain yizhi weishu (feelings from patients and acupuncture operators). Furthermore, this article provides an analysis of the future trends in basic research of meridian tendons.

Electroacupuncture Promotes Motor Function Recovery in MCAO/R Rats by Activating Astrocyte-Related PI3K/AKT Pathway.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine method to manage various diseases, including cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). Objectives: We assessed the neuroprotective effects of EA and examined its mechanism in a rat model of the middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO/R). The gait analysis was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects. Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were carried out to determine the molecular mechanisms of EA. Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, right MCAO/R group, and EA group. EA was administered every day (4/20 Hz, 10 min/1 d) at the following acupoints: Baihui (DU20), Yintang (EX-HN3), and Zusanli (ST36). Gait and motor function were analyzed from day 8 onward. Results: The plantar support and balance coordination of MCAO/R rats decreased, and the cellular structure of the ischemic penumbra was unclear. EA improved the gait dynamics of the rats, adjusted the cell structure, further activated astrocytes, and increased the expression and phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/PKB or AKT). Conclusion: EA promoted astrocyte-related effects in the rat model. Our findings suggest that the neuroprotective mechanism of EA may be related to the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The intervention enhanced brain protection and improved motor functions.

[Difference of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging of focus of knee joint tendon between patients with knee osteoarthritis and healthy subjects].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the imaging features of focus of knee joint tendon in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) technique. METHODS: One hundred KOA patients and 100 healthy subjects were included. All the KOA patients were palpated by the sequence of foot yangming meridian, foot shaoyang meridian, foot taiyang meridian and foot three yin-meridians, and the focus of knee tendon and its frequency were recorded by MSUS technique. The top-5 focus of knee tendon of KOA patients and the corresponding focus of knee tendon of healthy subjects were selected as the observation sites to compare the differences of thickness of ligament and tendon soft tissue in the extension and flexion positions of the knee joint. RESULTS: The top-5 focus of knee tendon of KOA patients were located in medial inferior patella, medial tibial condyle, inferior patella, Zusanlici and Hedingci. The thickness of ligaments and tendons in extension and flexion positions in KOA patients were thicker than that in healthy subjects (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The focus of knee joint tendon in KOA patients shows significantly thickened musculoskeletal imaging features.

[Analysis on clinical palpation laws of muscle meridian focus in scapulohumeral periarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution rules of proximal and distal focus of muscle meridian region in scapulohumeral periarthritis. METHODS: Three hundred and six shoulder joints of affected side were selected in 216 patients of scapulohumeral periarthritis. Under the guidance of muscle meridian theory, with the anatomical characteristics of muscle meridian focuses, the frequency and location where proximal and distal focus appeared were calculated by palpation. RESULTS: The percentages of the frequency that the focus of muscle meridian of Hand-Yangming, Hand-Shaoyang, Hand-Taiyang, and three yin meridians of hand appeared at proximal points of shoulder joint were 25.6% (1 146/5 657), 30.9% (1 749/5 657), 19.0% (1 075/5 657), and 24.5% (1 387/5 657), respectively, the focuses of muscle meridian region were Jianyuci, Juguci, Xiaoshuoci, Naohuici, etc. The percentages of the frequency that the focus of muscle meridian region appeared at distal points of shoulder joint were 31.77% (287/905), 23.2% (210/905), 10.9% (99/905), and 34.1% (304/905), the focuses of muscle meridian were Yangxici, Shousanlici, Yangchici, etc. CONCLUSION: The location and frequency of proximal and distal focus of muscle meridian in scapulohumeral periarthritis are closely related with the anatomical structure and biomechanical characteristics of the shoulder joints, thus new therapy for scapulohumeral periarthritis is implied.

[Application of associated symptom and sign-based acupoint selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment].

Based on traditional acupuncture-moxibustion treatment ideas, with differentiation of channels and collaterals as main part and feature, the important role of associated symptom and sign-based acupoint selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment is explained from angles of philosophy and medicine. Combined with clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion, the category of associated symptom and sign-based acupoint selection is explained in detail to make sure the accuracy of acupuncture-moxibustion differentiation. It could show uniqueness and advantage of theory and clinic in acupuncture-moxibustion and provide theoretical references in making acupuncture-moxibustion prescription to improve effectiveness of clinical treatment.

[Analysis of palpation laws of muscle meridian focus on knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution regulars of proximal and distal focus of muscle meridian regions in knee osteoarthritis patients. METHODS: Seven hundred and sixty-five knees were selected in 516 cases of knee osteoarthritis. Under the guidance of muscle meridian theory, with the anatomical features of muscle meridian focus, the frequency and the location where the proximal and distal focus of muscle meridian regions appeared were calculated by palpation. RESULTS: Of all the points, 11 835 points of proximal focus of muscle meridian regions were found out by palpation, and 9455 points of distal focus of muscle meridian regions were found out. The percentages of the frequency that the focus of muscle meridian of Foot-Yangming, Foot-Taiyang, Foot-Shaoyang and three foot Yin meridians appeared at proximal points of knee were 37.1% (4388/11 835), 34.9% (4127/11 835), 9.5% (1129/11 835) and 18.5% (2191/11 835) respectively; and the percentage of the frequency that the focus of muscle meridian appeared at distal points of knee were 24.7% (2333/9455), 25.2% (2380/9455), 28.5% (2700/9455) and 21.6% (2042/9455). CONCLUSION: The proximal and distal focus of muscle meridian in knee osteoarthritis patients are closely related with anatomy structure and biomechanical characteristics; the distribution regulars of focus of muscle meridians study provides evidence for the selection of effective treatment points from different clinical acupuncture therapies.

[Study on origin of meridians and collaterals through pain relieving effect of muscle regions].

Through analysis on sequencing of meridians and their muscle regions, their pertaining organs, run ning courses, linking and indications described in Zubi Shiyimai (Eleven Meridian of Foot and Hand), Yinyang Shiyimai (Eleven Meridian of Yinyang), Lingshu: Jingmai (Miraculous Pivot: Meridian) and Lingshu: Jinjing (Miraculous Pivot: Muscle Meridian), it is found that most of the indications of acupuncture in ancient time are symptoms of the muscle regions. 62.59% points of the national standard acupoints location close to tender points of the muscle regions, which indicates that the origin of early acupoints are tender points along the running courses of the muscle regions. Thus, it is concluded that meridians and their muscle regions have the same origin, which provides new train of thinking for a better comprehension of origin of meridians and collaterals.