Modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion for allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion for allergic rhinitis (AR).@*METHODS@#A total of 80 patients with AR were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. In the observation group, modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion was given, 30 min each time, 2 times a week and with an interval of 3-4 days. In the control group, budesonide nasal spray was given. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS) were observed before treatment, after first treatment, after last treatment and 4 weeks after treatment; the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) were observed before treatment, after last treatment and 4 weeks after treatment; the recurrence condition was evaluated 4 weeks after treatment; the clinical efficacy was evaluated after last treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared with before treatment, the total scores and each score of TNSS, TNNSS scores after first treatment, after last treatment and 4 weeks after treatment were decreased in both groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). After first treatment, the total score, stuffy nose score, itchy nose score of TNSS and TNNSS score in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After last treatment, the total score, stuffy nose score, itchy nose score of TNSS in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). Four weeks after treatment, the total score and each score of TNSS, TNNSS score in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the scores of VAS and RQLQ after last treatment and 4 weeks after treatment were decreased in both groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). The recurrence rate was 13.5% (5/37) in the observation group, which was lower than 44.8% (13/29) in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 92.5% (37/40) in the observation group, which was higher than 72.5% (29/40) in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Modified acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion could effectively improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with AR, and the recurrence rate is lower.

Effect of acupuncture on NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20) through "Qubin" (GB 7) on NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and to explore the action mechanism of acupuncture on promoting the recovery of neural function in rats with ICH.@*METHODS@#Forty SPF six-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a non-acupoint group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each group. The rats in the model group, non-acupoint group and acupuncture group were intervened with autologous blood injection to prepare ICH model, while the rats in the sham operation group were only intervened with operation but not injection with autologous blood. About 3 hours after the establishment of the model, the rats in the acupuncture group were intervened with acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20) through "Qubin" (GB 7), once every 12 hours, for 7 days; the rats in the non-acupoint group were intervened with acupuncture at the non-acupoint [parallel to the "Baihui" (GV 20), 1 cm next to the midline] on the affected side, and other treatment was the same as the acupuncture group. At the end of the intervention, the composite nerve function score of each group was evaluated; the histomorphology of the hemorrhage penumbra was observed by HE staining; the expression of NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle in the brain was detected by immunohistochemistry; the relative protein expression levels of NLRP3, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in brain were detected by the method of Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Seven days into intervention, compared with the sham operation group, each item score and total score of composite nerve function in the model group were significantly reduced (<0.01, <0.05). There was edema and karyopyknosis in brain neuron as well as necrocytosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group. Compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, the total score of composite nerve function and the scores of symmetrical movement of limbs (LS) and proprioception of tentacles (VP) in the acupuncture group were increased (<0.01, <0.05), and the cell necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were relieved. Compared with the sham operation group, NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle expression and the relative protein expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in brain tissue in the model group were increased (<0.01); compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle expression and the relative protein expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in brain tissue in the acupuncture group were reduced (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20) through "Qubin" (GB 7) could downregulate the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in the brain tissue of ICH rats, inhibit the inflammatory response, and promote the recovery of neural function.

Post-stroke constipation treated with acupoint embedding therapy: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To verify the clinical effect of acupoint embedding therapy on post-stroke constipation.@*METHODS@#The multi-central randomized controlled trial was adopted. 210 patients of post-stroke constipation were divided into an acupoint embedding group (105 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a sham-embedding group (105 cases, 6 cases dropped off). In the acupoint embedding group, the acupoint embedding therapy was used at Tianshu (ST 25), Daheng (SP 15), Xiawan (CV 10), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Daju (ST 27). In the sham-embedding group, the sham-embedding therapy was given, in which, the acupoint selection, needle devices and manipulation were the same as the acupoint embedding group. But, no absorbable surgical suture was used in the needle tube. The treatment was given once every two weeks and 4 treatments were required in either group. It was to compare the weekly average complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) during treatment (from the 3rd to the 8th week) between the two groups, the weekly average spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), Bristol stool form score (BSFS), the score of the patient assessment of constipation quality of life questionnaire (PAC-QOL) and the score of defecation difficulty before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The percentage of the cases with weekly average CSBMs ≥ 3 times in the patients of the acupoint embedding group was higher markedly than the sham-embedding group [91.1% (92/101) vs 43.4% (43/99), <0.01]. Compared with the values before treatment, the weekly average SBMs and BSFS scores after treatment were all increased obviously in the two groups (<0.01), and PAC-QOL score and the score of defecation difficulty were reduced remarkably (<0.01). After treatment, the increase range of SBMs and BSFS scores, as well as the decrease range of PAC-QOL score and the defecation difficulty score in the acupoint embedding group were all higher than the sham-embedding group respectively (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupoint embedding therapy remarkably increases the spontaneous bowel movements, improves in feces form and defecation difficulty and strengthens the quality of life in the patients of post-stroke constipation.

Simple ilioinguinal approach combined with screwing for complex acetabular fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of single ilioinguinal approach combined with screwing for treatment of complex acetabular fractures.Methods Twenty-six patients with complex acetabular fracture were treated by single ilioinguinal approach combined with screwing from May 2015 to April 2017 at Department of Orthopaedics,Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Xinjiang Medical University.They were 17 men and 9 women,aged from 31 to 69 years (average,54 years).By the Judet-Letournel classification,there were 9 anterior + posterior hemitransverse fractures,13 double-column fractures and 4 T-type fractures.They were treated by pilot surgical plan based on preoperative CT reconstruction,disinfection at floating position for the standby posterior approach,single ilioinguinal approach for standard reduction,followed by intraoperative fixation with lag screws,posterior column screws,or acetabular screws.Operation time,intraoperative blood loss and complications were documented.Fracture reduction was assessed postoperatively using the modified Matta system for X-rays.The function of affected hip was evaluated using Harris hip score at the last Follow-ups.Results The 26 patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months (average,11 months).Their operation time averaged 210 min and intraoperative blood loss 600 mL.The postoperative modified Matta scores showed that 14 cases obtained excellent anatomic reduction,9 good anatomic reduction,one poor anatomic reduction,and 2 articular outline reduction.Fracture union was achieved in all after an average time of 2.3 months.Their Harris hip scores at the last Follow-ups ranged from 70 to 86 points,averaging 80 points.The function of affected hip was excellent in 13 cases,good in 6,fair in 4 and poor in 3,giving an excellent to good rate of 73.1％ (19/26).Postoperatively,deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity was found in 3 patients,injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in 5,and incision complication in one.No re-displacement of the fracture occurred.Conclusion In treatment of complex acetabular fractures,single ilioinguinal approach combined with screwing can lead to a high rate of fine reduction,limited complications,a low displacement risk,and good clinical efficacy.

Therapeutic observation of Fu's subcutaneous needling for scapulohumeral periarthritis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis (SP). Methods: Eighty patients with SP were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received FSN treatment while those in the control group received conventional acupuncture treatment. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of motion (ROM) were observed before and after the treatment, and the therapeutic efficacy was also evaluated. Results: After the treatment, the VAS scores decreased significantly in the two groups, and the VAS score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). After the treatment, the ROM increased significantly in both groups (both P<0.01), and the ROM in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The recovery rate and the total effective rate in the observation group were respectively 40.0% and 95.0%, significantly higher than 12.5% and 77.5% in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusion: FSN can effectively relieve pain and improve the joint motion in treating SP, thus offering a novel option to the treatment of this kind of musculoskeletal disorder.

Effects of Electro-acupuncture on Insulin Resistance and Hypothalamic Agouti Gene-related Protein and Neuropeptide Y in Obesity Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on body weight, insulin resistance, hypothalamic agouti gene-related protein (AGRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in diet induced obesity (DIO) rats; To discuss its mechanism for DIO.Methods Fifty SD male rats were randomly divided into low fat diet groups (LFD) and high fat diet group. After the DIO models were established, the successful model rats were randomly divided into model group, EA group and Orlistat (OLST) group. EA was applied to “Zusanli” (ST36) and “Quchi” (LI11) for 20 minutes. The treatment was done once a day for 28 days. OLST was treated with orlistat by gavage. LFD and model did not receive treatment. Body weight was recorded every day. FPG and FINS were detected. The expressions of AGRP and NPY were detected by RT-QPCR. Morphological changes of adipocyte and liver were examined by HE staining.Results The body weight, HOMA-IR, AGRP, NPY and diameter of adipocyte of EA group and OLST group were significantly lower than model group (P<0.05), difference between EA group and OLST group. The states of hepatic steatosis were improved in EA group and OLST group.Conclusion EA has the effects on weight loss by inhibiting the expressions of AGRP and NPY by improving IR.

Discussion on Clinical and Diagnosis Program of Integrative Medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

Facing current situation of integrative medicine (IM), authors put forward that clinical and diagnosis program of IM could be carried out from clinical path, pathogenesis, treatment theory and philosophy, and so on, but with different integration degrees. Meanwhile, formulation of concrete program should be disease-targetedly set up, and adjusted from person to person, from place to place, from time to time. As for settled IM program , authors could evaluate it from whether Chinese medicine and Western medicine have formed complementary, synergistic, excitatory actions, and toxicity attenuation; whether more problems could be solved in efficacy, safety, practicability, and economy than previous single mode.

Study on Acupoint Selection Principles of Facial Paralysis Treatment for Acupuncture and Moxibustion Based on Ancient Literature / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate principles of acupoint selection for the ancient acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of facial paralysis.Methods The ancient literature about acupuncture and moxibustion was collected and reviewed from the pre-Qin period to the late Qing Dynasty. According to the data selection criteria, acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions of facial paralysis were collected and input into an ancient acupuncture and moxibustion prescription database. By use of frequency analysis and factor analysis, the principles of acupoint selection were obtained.ResultsTotally 257 prescriptions were collected which involve 74 acupoints. Through frequency analysis, 19 acupoints were obtained whose frequencies were equal or greater than 9, such as Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Tinghui (GB 2), Shuigou (GV 26), Hegu (LI 4), etc. Through factor analysis of acupoint variables, 6 common factors were obtained.Conclusion Based on analysis of the common factors, the principles of acupoint selection are summarized which were according to meridian, part and etiology for the ancient acupuncture treatment of facial paralysis. The results could provide a reference for clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. It is feasible that factor analysis was applied to study principles of acupoint selection for acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions.