Immediate analgesic effect of electroacupuncture combined with diclofenac sodium on acute gouty arthritis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the immediate analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with diclofenac sodium on acute gouty arthritis (AGA).@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients with AGA were randomly divided into a low-dose medication (LM) group (30 cases, 1 case was eliminated, 1 case dropped off), a conventional medication (CM) group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a combination of acupuncture and medication (AM) group (30 cases ). The LM group was given oral administration of 50 mg diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsule; the CM group was given oral administration of 100 mg diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsule; on the basis of the treatment of LM group, the AM group was treated with electroacupuncture at ashi points, Dadu (SP 2), Taichong (LR 3), Taibai (SP 3), Neiting (ST 44), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) on the affected side, and Taichong (LR 3) and Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) were connected to electroacupuncture respectively, continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain before treatment and after 10 min, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h of treatment completion, joint tenderness and swelling scores before treatment and after 10 min and 6 h of treatment completion were compared, and the rate of diclofenac sodium addition within 24 h after treatment completion was recorded among the three groups.@*RESULTS@#After 10 min of treatment completion, the scores of VAS, joint tenderness and joint swelling in the AM group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the VAS score in the AM group was lower than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). After 2, 4 and 6 h of treatment completion, the VAS scores of the three groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores in the AM group were lower than those in the LM group (P<0.05). After 6 h of treatment completion, the joint tenderness scores of the three groups and the joint swelling scores of the AM group and the CM group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the joint tenderness and swelling scores of the AM group were lower than those of the LM group (P<0.05). The rate of diclofenac sodium addition was 3.3 % (1/30) and 3.4 % (1/29) in the AM group and the CM group, respectively, which were lower than 17.9% (5/28) in the LM group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture combined with diclofenac sodium have a good immediate analgesic effect in the treatment of AGA, and have the advantages of small dosage of analgesic drugs and less adverse reactions.

Reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk is associated with the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea: A multi-center observational study in Shanghai, China / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Omicron, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant, is responsible for numerous infections in China. This study investigates the association between the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea (SFHT) and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection to develop precise and differentiated strategies for control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).@*METHODS@#This case-control study was conducted at shelter hospitals and quarantine hotels in China. A total of 5348 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled between April 1 and May 31, 2022, while 2190 uninfected individuals served as healthy controls. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographics, underlying diseases, vaccination status, and use of SFHT. Patients were propensity-score-matched using 1:1 nearest-neighbor matching of the logit of the propensity score. Subsequently, a conditional logistic regression model was used for data analysis.@*RESULTS@#Overall, 7538 eligible subjects were recruited, with an average age of [45.54 ± 16.94] years. The age of COVID-19 patients was significantly higher than that of uninfected individuals ([48.25 ± 17.48] years vs [38.92 ± 13.41] years; t = 22.437, P < 0.001). A total of 2190 COVID-19 cases were matched with uninfected individuals at a 1:1 ratio. The use of SFHT (odds ratio = 0.753, 95% confidence interval: 0.692, 0.820) was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to untreated individuals.@*CONCLUSION@#Our findings suggest that taking SFHT reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is a useful study in the larger picture of COVID-19 management, but data from large-sample multi-center, randomized clinical trial are warranted to confirm the finding. Please cite this article as: Zhang SX, Chen XX, Zheng Y, Cai BH, Shi W, Ru M, Li H, Zhang DD, Tian Y, Chen YL. Reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk is associated with the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea: A multi-center observational study in Shanghai, China. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4):369-376.

Detection of Metabolism Function of Microbial Community of Corpses by Biolog-Eco Method / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To detect the changes of microbial community functional diversity of corpses with different postmortem interval （PMI） and to evaluate forensic application value for estimating PMI.@*METHODS@#The cultivation of microbial community from the anal swabs of a Sus scrofa and a human corpse placed in field environment from 0 to 240 h after death was performed using the Biolog-Eco Microplate and the variations of the absorbance values were also monitored. Combined with the technology of forensic pathology and flies succession, the metabolic characteristics and changes of microbial community on the decomposed corpse under natural environment were also observed.@*RESULTS@#The diversity of microbial metabolism function was found to be negatively correlated with the number of maggots in the corpses. The freezing processing had the greatest impact on average well color development value at 0 h and the impact almost disappeared after 48 h. The diversity of microbial metabolism of the samples became relatively unstable after 192 h. The principal component analysis showed that 31 carbon sources could be consolidated for 5 principal components （accumulative contribution ratio >90%）.The carbon source tsquare-analysis showed that N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and L-serine were the dominant carbon sources for estimating the PMI （0=240 h） of the Sus scrofa and human corpse.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The Biolog-Eco method can be used to reveal the metabolic differences of the carbon resources utilization of the microbial community on the corpses during 0-240 h after death, which could provide a new basis for estimating the PMI.

Detection of Metabolism Function of Microbial Community of Corpses by Biolog-Eco Method / 法医学杂志

Objective To detect the changes of microbial community functional diversity of corpses with different postmortem interval(PMI)and to evaluate forensic application value for estimating PMI. Methods The cultivation of microbial community from the anal swabs of aSusscrofaand a human corpse placed in field environment from 0 to 240 h after death was performed using the Biolog-Eco Mi-croplate and the variations of the absorbance values were also monitored. Combined with the technology of forensic pathology and flies succession, the metabolic characteristics and changes of microbial commu-nity on the decomposed corpse under natural environment were also observed.Results The diversity of microbial metabolism function was found to be negatively correlated with the number of maggots in the corpses. The freezing processing had the greatest impact on average well color development value at 0 h and the impact almost disappeared after 48 h. The diversity of microbial metabolism of the samples be-came relatively unstable after 192 h. The principal component analysis showed that 31 carbon sources could be consolidated for 5 principal components(accumulative contribution ratio >90%). The carbon source tsquare-analysis showed thatN-acetyl-D-glucosamine andL-serine were the dominant carbon sources for estimating the PMI(0=240 h)of theSusscrofaand human corpse.Conclusion The Biolog-Eco method can be used to reveal the metabolic differences of the carbon resources utilization of the microbial community on the corpses during 0-240 h after death, which could provide a new basis for estimating the PMI.

The Community Succession of Sarcosaphagous Insects on Pig Carcasses in Summer Indoor and Outdoor Environment in Shenzhen Area / 法医学杂志

Objective To explore the growing development and community succession of main sarcos-aphagous insects on pig carcasses in summer indoor and outdoor environment in Shenzhen area and to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI). Methods From early May to August in 2013, in Forensic Med-ical Examination Center of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau, the main insect species and the decomposi-tion process were observed in two adult pig carcasses of simulative indoor and outdoor environment. The different decomposition stages and the community succession of insects were recorded. Results The indoor and outdoor pig carcasses showed skeleton 412.5 and 325 hours after death, respectively. The main species of flies on pig carcasses were Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya chani. The main species of beetles were Crecphilus maxillosus, Necrobia ruficollis, Saprinus splendens and Dermestes maculatu. The dominant species of flies in the outdoor pig carcasses obviously produced the second generations due to the effect of mass rainfall, nor in the indoor pig carcasses. Conclusion There are regular patterns on the community succession of insects on pig carcasses in summer indoor and out-door environment in Shenzhen area. The activity patterns of seven typical insects and their larva show important value for estimating PMI.

Comparative study on effects between electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture for methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy difference of electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety male patients of methamphetamine addiction were randomized into an electroacupuncture group, an auricular acupuncture group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the electroacupuncture group, Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Jiaji (EX-B 2) at T5 and L2 were selected bilaterally. In the auricular acupuncture group, jiaogan (AH(6a)), shenmen (TF4), fei (CO14) and gan (CO12) were selected unilaterally. The treatment was given 3 times a week, totally 12 treatments were required. In the control group, no any intervention was applied. Separately, before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks treatment, the scores of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, Hamilton anxiety scale and Hamilton depression scale were observed in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total score of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score were obviously reduced in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment as compared with those before treatment in the electroacupuncture group and the auricular acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), and showed a trend of gradual decline as the extension of treatment. In 1,2,3,4 weeks of treatment, the total score of withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score in the electroacupuncture group and auricular acupuncture group were lower significantly than those in the control group (all P < 0.05), in which, the total score of withdrawal syndrome in the electroacupuncture group was lower significantly than that in the auricular acupuncture group in the 4th week of treatment (3.69 +/- 2.446 vs 5.73 +/- 3.169, P < 0.05); the anxiety scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (8.19 +/- 4.57 vs 9.65 +/- 4.24, 5.27 +/- 2.89 vs 7.38 +/- 3.10, both P < 0.05); the depression scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (15.35 +/- 5.64 vs 19.81 +/- 5.37, 10.96 +/- 4.52 vs 15.00 +/- 4.53, 7.96 +/- 2.69 vs 12.35 +/- 3.59, all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture at the body points and auricular acupuncture play the therapeutic role in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety and depression. The longer time the treatment is with electroacupuncture at the body points, the more obvious the efficacy will be on the above symptoms.</p>

The community succession of sarcosaphagous insects on pig carcasses in summer indoor and outdoor environment in Shenzhen area / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the growing development and community succession of main sarcosaphagous insects on pig carcasses in summer indoor and outdoor environment in Shenzhen area and to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI).@*METHODS@#From early May to August in 2013, in Forensic Medical Examination Center of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau, the main insect species and the decomposition process were observed in two adult pig carcasses of simulative indoor and outdoor environment. The different decomposition stages and the community succession of insects were recorded.@*RESULTS@#The indoor and outdoor pig carcasses showed skeleton 412.5 and 325 hours after death, respectively. The main species of flies on pig carcasses were Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya chani. The main species of beetles were Crecphilus maxillosus, Necrobia ruficollis, Saprinus splendens and Dermestes maculatu. The dominant species of flies in the outdoor pig carcasses obviously produced the second generations due to the effect of mass rainfall, nor in the indoor pig carcasses.@*CONCLUSION@#There are regular patterns on the community succession of insects on pig carcasses in summer indoor and outdoor environment in Shenzhen area. The activity patterns of seven typical insects and their larva show important value for estimating PMI.

Effects of acupuncture combined general anesthesia on endorphin and hemodynamics of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in the perioperative phase / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of different anesthesia ways on endorphin and hemodynamics of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in the perioperative phase.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 90 laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients, 29 to 80 years old, were randomly assigned to Group A (treated with electroacupuncture at acupoints combined general anesthesia), Group B (treated with electroacupuncture at non-acupoints combined general anesthesia), and Group C (treated with general anesthesia) according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II, 30 cases in each group. All patients were induced by 3 microg/kg Fentanyl (Fen), 2 mg/kg Propofol (Pro), and 0.1 mg/kg Vecuronium (Vcr). Bispectral index (BIS), being 40 -65, indicated the state of general anesthesia. The anesthesia was maintained by intravenous injecting Pro, interruptedly intravenous injecting Fen and Vcr. Each patient received patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after operation. On these bases, patients in Group A received electrical acupuncture at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Quchi (Ll11), Zusanli (ST36), and Yanglingquan (GB34). Patients in Group B received electrical acupuncture at the points beside acupoints. The electroacupuncture was lasted from 15 -30 min before anesthesia induction to the end of the operation in Group A and B. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and acceleration index (ACI) were recorded before anesthesia induction, immediate before pneumoperitoneum, 5 min after pneumoperitoneum, excision of gallbladder, and at the end of operation. The time consumption from discontinuation to spontaneously breathing recovery, analeptic, and extubation were recorded. The blood samples (3 mL each time) were collected from the peripheral vein before anesthesia induction, 2 h after operation, the 1st day after operation, and the 3rd day after operation to detect the beta-endorphin (beta-EP) level. The visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed and recorded in the 3 groups at post-operative 4, 6, 8, 24, and 44 h, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with before anesthesia induction in the same group, the CI, CO, ACI of all patients decreased significantly at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum and at excision of gallbladder (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The HR, MAP, SVRI obviously increased in Group B and Group C at each time point (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Less change happened in Group A. Compared with Group C, the increment of MAP was less in Group A at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). (2) The time consumption from discontinuation to analeptic and extubation was obviously shorter in Group A than in Group B and Group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) The level of beta-EP on the 1st day of operation was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.01). (4) The VAS score at post-operative 44 h was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B and Group C (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Electroacupuncture at acupoints combined general anesthesia could maintain the stabilization of haemodynamics, and relieve the stress reaction after pneumoperitoneum and operation, and prolong it to early post-operative period, and strengthen the effects of post-operative analgesia. The post-operative recovery was fast, safe, and reliable.</p>

Changes of biomechanical properties of soft tissues in underwater corpse for postmortem interval estimation / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the postmortem changes of biomechanical properties of underwater corpses and value for estimating postmortem interval.@*METHODS@#SD rats were sacrificed by cervical vertebra dislocation and stored in the water at constant temperature. The vessel wall, skin, muscle, small intestine and colon were sampled at different postmortem time points (0h, 6h, 12h, 18h, 24h, 30h, 36h, 42h, 48h, 60h, 72h, 96h, 120h, 144h, 168h, 192h). The biomechanics properties of different soft tissues including ultimate load, strain, maximum stress were measured by electronic universal material testing machine.@*RESULTS@#Except for the vessel wall, the biomechanics properties of skin, muscle, small intestine and colon showed linear decrease gradually after death. Each tissue displayed its obvious "window period" for PMI estimation.@*CONCLUSION@#The time-sequential changes of biomechanical property parameters of soft tissue in underwater corpses are significantly correlated with PMI and it could be a simple and quantitive new technology for estimating PMI. The specific heat capacity of the heat-eliminating medium around the corpses probably is one of the physical factors to influence algor mortis, autolysis, putrefaction and biomechanics properties.

The improvement of mixed human serum-induced anaphylactic reaction death model in guinea pigs / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To increase the death rate of fatal anaphylaxis in guinea pigs and the detectahie level of the tryptase of mast cell in hlood serum.@*METHODS@#Seventy-four guinea pigs were randomly divided into five groups: original model group, original model control group, improved model group, improved model control group, improved model with non-anaphylaxis group. Using mixed human serum as the allergen, the way of injection, sensitization and induction were improved. ELISA was used to detect the serum mast cell tryptase and total IgE in guinea pigs of each group.@*RESULTS@#The death rate of fatal anaphylaxis in original model group was 54.2% with the different degree of hemopericardium. The severe pericardial tamponade appeared in 9 guinea pigs in original model group and original model control group. The death rate of fatal anaphylaxis in improved model group was 75% without pericardial tamponade. The concentration of the serum total IgE showed no statistically difference hetween original model group and original model control group (P > 0.05), hut the serum mast cell tryptase level was higher in the original model group than that in the original model control group (P > 0.05). The concentration of the serum total IgE and the serum mast cell tryptase level were significantly higher in improved model group than that in the improved model control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The death rate of the improved model significantly increases, which can provide effective animal model for the study of serum total IgE and mast cell tryptase.

Effects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy under different anesthetic methods on T-lymphocyte immune function and postoperative analgesia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with different anesthetic methods on T-lymphocyte immune function and postoperative analgesia as well as validate the specificity of meridian points.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety cases of LC were randomized into three groups, named group A (compound general anesthesia group with meridian points involved), group B (compound general anesthesia group with placebo points involved) and group C (general anesthesia group). In group A, electroacupuncture was applied at first for 15 to 30 min to bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Quchi (LI 11). Afterwards, the general anesthesia was conducted and electric stimulation lasted till the end of operation. In group B, the points adopted were the midpoints between the meridians in which the acupoints were selected in group A and the adjacent meridians on the lateral side, at the level of selected meridian points correspondingly. The method and time of electroacupuncture were same as those in group A. In group C, the general anesthesia was adopted simply. The changes of T-lymphocyte subgroup were detected before anesthesia, in 2 h, 1 day and 3 days after operation separately; and the dose of narcotic in operation as well as the dose of analgesia pumper in 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 24 h and 44 h after operation separately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In comparison between the result 2 h after operation and that before operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ in all of three groups were lower than those before operation. Except that the change in CD4+ in group A did not present significant statistical difference as compared with that before operation (P > 0.05), all of the other differences in T-lymphocyte subgroup indicated statistical significance (all P < 0.05). The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in three groups was higher than that before operation, but the difference in group A was significant statistically (P < 0.05). In 3 days after operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were all higher than those before operation, indicating significant statistical differences (all P < 0.05) except CD4+/CD8+ in group B (P > 0.05). (2) In group A, during operation, the dose of narcotic reduced apparently (P < 0.05). (3) Separately, in 4, 6 and 8 h after operation, the dose of analgesia pumper reduced significantly in group A (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound general anesthesia with meridian points involved can increase pain threshold of human body, reduce the dose of narcotic during operation, alleviate the suppression in body immune regulation due to stress reaction of general anesthesia and operation, prolong the time-effect of postoperative analgesia and explain the specificity of meridian points.</p>

The extraction of sperm DNA from mixed stain using DNase-Ⅰ purification combined with alkaline lysis method / 中国法医学杂志

Objective To establish a method of sperm DNA extraction in mixed stain by using DNase-Ⅰ purificationcombined with alkaline lysis method in forensic science.Methods 79 mixed stain samples of criminal cases were collected.Sperm DNA was extracted using the purification of DNase-Ⅰ binding alkaline lysis method.16 STR loci were genotyped with fluorescent multiplex amplification system.The typing results were compared with that of extracted using two-step differential extraction procedure.Results Of all 79 mixed stain samples,64 samples were genotyped successfully by using DNase-Ⅰ purification combined with alkaline lysis method while 57 samples were genotyped successfully with two-step differential extraction procedure.There was significant difference between two methods(P=0.039).The purification of DNase-Ⅰ binding alkaline lysis method had a higher success rate and lower cost than that of two-step differential extraction procedure.Conclusion Purification of DNase-Ⅰ binding alkaline lysis method can increase the typing success rate of the mixed stain samples.The method is simple,rapid and easy to be automated,and suitable for forensic identification test.

Systematic assessment of acupuncture for treatment of herpes zoster in domestic clinical studies / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of herpes zoster.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the requirement of evidence-based medicine, acupuncture, body acupuncture, electroacupuncture, head acupuncture, three edged needle, plum-blossom needle, fire needle, elongated needle, encircling needling, herpes zoster, etc. were selected as subject words to retrieve the relative medical database at home, and clinically randomized controlled trials were used as enrolled criteria, the treatment group were treated with acupuncture or acupuncture plus other therapies, and the control group with medicine, the cured rate and the time of killing pain for herpes zoster were used as assessment indexes. Altogether 43 papers were enrolled. Among them 10 papers were conducted for Meta-analysis by RevMan 4.2.9.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total OR was 4.27 with 95% CI [2.90, 6.29] of the clinically cured rate in the 10 studies, and the total OR was -7.64 with 95% CI [-8.12, -7.15] of the time of killing pain in the 4 studies. The therapeutic effect in the treatment group on herpes zoster was superior to that of the western medicine (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture therapy for herpes zoster is effective, but more high-quality studies are required to prove this view point.</p>

Comparative observation on therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture on female urethral syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate objectively clinical effects of different needling methods on urethral syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-nine cases of female urethral syndrome were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group and a hand-acupuncture group. The scores were evaluated with I-PSS of International Urine-Controlled Association and life quality before and after treatment, and their therapeutic effects were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The abnormal symptoms of urination alliviated in the both groups (P < 0.05); the short-term cured rate was 51.8% in the electroacupuncture group, which was higher than 17.1% in the hand-acupuncture group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on female urethral syndrome is better than that of the hand-acupuncture.</p>