The Effect of Acupuncture on Enteral Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Dynamics in Patients Who Have Suffered a Severe Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore and analyze the effect of acupuncture on improving the enteral nutrition level and gastrointestinal dynamics in patients who had suffered a severe stroke. METHODS: A total of 122 patients who experienced a severe stroke who were treated in the intensive care unit of the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University (China) between September 2021 and March 2022 were randomly divided into two groups as follows: 1) the observation group, the participants of which received acupuncture combined with early enteral nutrition (61 cases); 2) the control group, the participants of which received early enteral nutrition (61 cases). Following treatment, the hemoglobin, neutrophil count, blood glucose, albumin, pre-albumin, immediate postprandial antral area, antral contraction frequency (at 2 min), and antral motility index on days 1 and 7 of treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The total clinical effective rate was 96.72% in the observation group and 77.05% in the control group. The curative effect comparison between the two groups after seven days of treatment showed a lower probability of gastrointestinal bleeding, faster recovery of gastrointestinal motility, and a higher level of nutrient absorption in the observation group. Serum albumin, pre-albumin, hemoglobin, total lymphocyte count, immediate postprandial maximum (max) and minimum (mix) area of the gastric antrum, antral contraction frequency (at 2 min), and antral motility index were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The difference in blood glucose levels between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture improved the enteral nutrition status of patients who had suffered a severe stroke and promoted gastrointestinal motility. The combination of acupuncture and early enteral nutrition could reduce damage to the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier caused by stress, changes in metabolism, and improved gastrointestinal function.

Anti-inflammatory effect, plasma effective components and therapeutic targets of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on ulcerative colitis mice / 中国中药杂志

This paper was to investigate the effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction(HLJD) on ulcerative colitis(UC) in mice, and determine the effective components in plasma, and virtually screen its therapeutic target, and predict its mechanism. Sixty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, mesalazine treatment group(0.3 g·kg~(-1)), and HLJD treatment groups(24.66, 12.33, 6.17 g·kg~(-1)). Excepted for the blank group, all the mice in HLJD and mesalazine treatment groups were gavage administration. All mice freely drank 2.5% DSS solution for seven days to induce UC. The disease activity index(DAI) was detected each day. At the end of the experiment, HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in colon. The content of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in colon were determined by ELISA. The effective components in plasma were determined by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The reverse docking in PharmMapper was used to screen the component targets. The disease targets of UC were collected by searching TTD, OMIM and GeneCards databases. The intersection of the component targets and disease targets was selected as the therapeutic targets. Then the therapeutic targets were imported into the STRING for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Discovery Studio was used to simulate the docking between the components and the targets. RESULTS:: showed that the DAI in the model group increased significantly(P<0.05), and the number of inflammatory cells and infiltration degree increased significantly compared with the blank group. The DAI in HLJD treatment group was significantly reduced(P<0.05), and the number and infiltration degree of inflammatory cells were reduced compared with the model group. The ELISA results showed that the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were increased significantly in the model group(P<0.01) compared with the blank group, and significantly down regulated in the HLJD treatment group(P<0.05) compared with the model group. After UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analyse, ten components were identified. The network pharmacology analysis showed that the action targets were significantly enriched in 129 of biological processes, such as response to organic substance, chemical and oxygen-containing compound, etc., as well as 16 of signal pathways, such as IL-17, TNF and hepatitis B signal pathways, were enriched too. The results of molecular docking showed that limonin, palmatine and berberine could bind to CASP3 and MMP9 by hydrogen bond. In conclusion, HLJD could alleviate the colonic mucosal inflammatory infiltration and mucosal damage in UC mice. The mechanism may be related to the anti-inflammatory effect on UC mice by reducing the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in colon through limonin, palmatine and berberine regulating IL-17 signal pathway and TNF signal pathway via CASP3 and MMP9 meditated.

Treatment of Chilomastix mesnili infection with traditional Chinese medicine: a case report / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This paper reports a case with Chilomastix mesnili infections, and summarizes the diagnosis and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.

[Deep acupuncture of Lianquan (CV23) and Yifeng (TE17) in combination with conventional acupuncture of other acupoints is superior to swallowing rehabilitation training in improving post-stroke dysphagia in apoplexy patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of dysphagia in apoplexy patients. METHODS: A total of 104 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomized into a control (conventional swallowing rehabilitation training) group and an acupuncture group (n＝ 52 cases in each one). In the control group, the conventional swallowing rehabilitation training was conducted, twice daily, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. In the acupuncture group, deep needling of main acupoints Lianquan (CV23) and Yifeng (TE17), and conventional acupuncture of adjuvant acupoints as Fengchi (GB20) and Fengfu (GV16), Wangu (GB12), Lieque (LU7), Jinjin (EX-HN12), Yuye (EX-HN13), etc. as well as electroacupuncture stimulation (15－20 Hz, 5 mA, and duration of 30 min) of ipsilateral CV23-GV16, TE17-GB20, and bilateral Neidaying acupoints were conducted. The acupuncture treatment was given once daily, 6 times a week for consecutive 4 weeks. In addition, patients of the two groups also received routine symptomatic treatment with drugs for anti-platelet aggregation, nourishing cranial nerve, lowering blood pressure, controlling blood glucose, improving cerebral circulation, etc. Before and after the treatment, the standard swallowing assessment (SSA, 18－46 points) and Kubota water swallowing test (WST, 1－5 grades) were conducted to evaluate the patient's swallowing function. The comprehensive therapeutic effect was assessed in accordance with the SSA and Kubota WST, and adverse reactions were recorded. RESULTS: After the treatment, the SSA score was considerably reduced in the two groups relevant to their own pre-treatment (both P<0.05), and was significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the control group (P<0.05). The Kubota WST grade was evidently increased in the number of patients with grade Ⅰ (P<0.05) and reduced in the numbers of patients with grade Ⅲ－Ⅴ in both groups relevant to their own pre-treatment, and was more patients with grade Ⅰ in the acupuncture group than in the control group (P<0.05). Outcomes of the comprehensive therapeutic effect indicated that of the two 52 cases in the control and acupuncture groups, 8 (15.38%) and 19 (36.53%) were cured, 7 (13.46%) and 15 (28.45%) had marked improvement, 17 (32.69%) and 12 (23.08%) were effective, and 20 (38.46%) and 6 (11.54%) failed in the treatment, with the effective rate being 61.54% and 88.46%, respectively. The total effective rate of the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The adverse reactions such as regional hematoma (in 3 cases) and pain (in 2 cases) in the acupuncture group, and choking-coughing in the control group were seen, being 9.62% and 11.54% in the incidence rate, respectively. CONCLUSION: Deep needling of main acupoints Lianquan (CV23) and Yifeng (TE 17) in combination with conventional acupuncture of other acupoints is effective in improving local glossopharyngeal function in apoplexy patients with dysphagia, which is obviously superior to conventional swallowing rehabilitation training in the therapeutic effect and is applicable in clinical practice.

Efficacy and safety of Buyang Huanwu Decoction for early-stage diabetic nephropathy: a Meta-analysis / 中国中药杂志

Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BHD) has the effect in benefiting Qi and activating blood circulation,and is the representative prescription for benefiting Qi and activating blood. At present,it is used for treatment of early diabetic nephropathy. However,its efficacy and safety remained to be verified. Therefore,this study aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Buyang Huanwu Decoction for early-stage diabetic nephropathy. Data of randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of Buyang Huanwu Decoction for earlystage diabetic nephropathy were collected through the retrieval of electronic databases,including PubMed,EMbase,the Cochrane Library,CBM,CNKI,VIP and Wan Fang Data from inception to September 16,2018. Two reviewers independently screened out literatures,extracted data,and assessed the risk of bias. And then Meta-analysis was conducted by Rev Man 5. 3 software. A total of 15 RCTs involving 1 402 patients were included. The results of Meta-analysis indicated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction and conventional treatment group(combination treatment group) were superior to conventional treatment group in reducing 24 h urinary albumin excretion rates(MD =-40. 23,95% CI[-71. 25,-9. 21],P = 0. 01) and total cholesterol(MD =-0. 75,95% CI[-1. 02,-0. 48],P <0. 000 01). The effects of the two groups in reducing serum creatinine were similar(MD =-1. 48,95%CI[-4. 48,1. 53],P = 0. 34).However,the reduction of triglyceride was affected by the course of treatment. The effects were similar in less than or equal to eight weeks(MD =-0. 33,95%CI[-0. 97,0. 31],P = 0. 31),whereas the combination group was superior to the conventional treatment group in 12 weeks(MD =-0. 30,95%CI[-0. 58,-0. 22],P = 0. 03) and more than or equal to 16 weeks(MD =-0. 49,95% CI[-0. 9,-0. 08],P= 0. 02). There were no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups(OR= 1. 38,95%CI[0. 28,6. 8],P = 0. 69). The results showed that combination treatment group has a significantly higher efficacy on early diabetic nephropathy.The above conclusion shall be verified with more high-quality RCTs because of the low quality of the included studies.

A zinc(II)-based two-dimensional MOF for sensitive and selective sensing of HIV-1 ds-DNA sequences.

Coordination reaction of a known three-dimensional (3D) polymer precursor {Na3[Na9(Cbdcp)6(H2O)18]}n (A, Cbdcp = N-(4-carboxybenzyl)-(3,5-dicarboxyl)pyridinium) with Zn(NO3)2·6H2O in H2O or H2O/DMF at 100 °C and in the presence of aspirin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as modulators, trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpea) as ancillary ligands afforded six novel Zn(II)-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), that is, {[Zn(Cbdcp)(H2O)3]·H2O}n (1, 1D zigzag chain), {[Zn(HCbdcp)2]·H2O}n (2, 2D sheet), {[Zn(Cbdcp)(bpe)1/2]·2H2O}n (3, 3D polymer), {[Zn(Cbdcp)(bpe)1/2]·2H2O}n (4, 2D network), {[Zn(Cbdcp)(bpea)1/2]·2H2O}n (5, 3D polymer) and {[Zn(Cbdcp)(bpea)1/2]·2H2O}n (6, 2D network). Among them, compound 2 contains aromatic rings, positively charged pyridinium, Zn(2+) cation centers and carboxylic acid groups lined up on the 2D sheet structure with a certain extended surface exposure. The unique structure of 2 facilitates effective association with carboxyfluorescein (FAM) labeled probe single stranded DNA (probe ss-DNA, delineates as P-DNA) to yield a P-DNA@2 system, and leads to fluorescence quenching of FAM via a photoinduced electron transfer process. The P-DNA@2 system is effective and reliable for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus 1 ds-DNA (HIV ds-DNA) sequences and capable of distinguishing complementary HIV ds-DNA from mismatched target sequences with the detection limit as low as 10 pM (S/N = 3).

A zwitterionic 1D/2D polymer co-crystal and its polymorphic sub-components: a highly selective sensing platform for HIV ds-DNA sequences.

Polymorphic compounds {[Cu(dcbb)2(H2O)2]·10H2O}n (2, 1D chain), [Cu(dcbb)2]n (3, 2D layer) and their co-crystal {[Cu(dcbb)2(H2O)][Cu(dcbb)2]2}n (4) have been prepared from the coordination reaction of a 2D polymer [Na(dcbb)(H2O)]n (1, H2dcbbBr = 1-(3,5-dicarboxybenzyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium bromide) with Cu(NO3)2·3H2O at different temperatures in water. Compounds 2-4 have an identical metal-to-ligand stoichiometric ratio of 1 : 2, but absolutely differ in structure. Compound 3 features a 2D layer structure with aromatic rings, positively charged pyridinium and free carboxylates on its surface, promoting electrostatic, π-stacking and/or hydrogen-bonding interactions with the carboxyfluorescein (FAM) labeled probe single-stranded DNA (probe ss-DNA, delineates as P-DNA). The resultant P-DNA@3 system facilitated fluorescence quenching of FAM via a photoinduced electron transfer process. The P-DNA@3 system functions as an efficient fluorescent sensor selective for HIV double-stranded DNA (HIV ds-DNA) due to the formation of a rigid triplex structure with the recovery of FAM fluorescence. The system reported herein also distinguishes complementary HIV ds-DNA from mismatched target DNA sequences with the detection limit of 1.42 nM.

[Meta analysis of effectiveness of acupoint application therapy for infantile diarrhea].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of acupoint application therapy for infantile diarrhea so as to provide an objective evidence for clinical decision making. METHODS: The authors of the present paper did a literature retrieval using The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, Chinese bio-medical database and Wanfang database covering the period of January 1, 1990-June 30, 2012, and made a systemic evaluation on the retrieved randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of acupoint application therapy for infantile diarrhea using Cochrane system evaluation method. Following excluding the repetitive, irrelevant and non-randomized controlled trials, those meeting the standards of randomized controlled trials were collected. Trial quality was assessed using the Jadad score which evaluates the randomization process, blinding, and the description of withdrawals or dropouts. The RevMan 5. 1 software was used to make statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 16 papers (2,151 patients) were included in the Meta analysis. The homogeneity test was better (chi2 = 8.09, P = 0.92, I2 = 0%), displaying a homogenicity of most studies. Meta analysis showed the merger effect quantity odds ratio (OR) = 4.68, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 3.41, 6.42, and the merger effect value test Z = 9.58, P < 0.00001. Statistical difference indicates a better therapeutic effect of acupoint application group than the control group, providing evidence in favor of acupoint application therapy for infantile diarrhea. Funnel chart displays that the researched object distribution is symmetric, being smaller in the bias. But the potential publication bias still possibly exists. CONCLUSION: Acupoint application therapy for infantile diarrhea has some advantages, which needs further confirmation due to lower quality of the collected literatures. Larger sample, high quality and randomized controlled clinical trials are highly recommended.

[Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy: superiorities and principles of application].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the superiorities of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy, discuss its law of clinical application and provide scientific decision-making for clinical treatment. METHODS: Literatures on acupoint catgut-embedding therapy in the recent 40 years were selected, input, examined and verified, picked up and analyzed by establishing database with the modern computer technology. RESULTS: (1) One thousand and seventy-five literatures were input. It shows that the acupoint catgut-embedding therapy has an extensive application in all departments, especially in the internal department, accounting for 48.54% (50/103) of the total disease category. It has the most extensive application on treatment of epigastric pain, with the frequency of 102 times, and obesity of 74 times. The next is surgery, accounting for 14.56% (15/103). The major application is on low back pain and leg pain with the frequency of 79 times. Psoriasis, with the frequency of 30 times, holds the major application in dermatological department. And blepharoplasty, with the frequency of 30 times, gains the most application in department of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology. (2) In the included literatures, selection of adjacent acupoints and distal acupoints are held as the major method of acupoint selection. The adjusted lumbar puncture needle is taken as the major tool for the acupoint catgut-embedding therapy. And catguts of different sizes are adopted for the operation. (3) Analysis of the therapeutic effect shows that acupoint catgut-embedding therapy has obvious effect in all departments, especially in surgery and dermatology, with the total effective rate over 90%. CONCLUSION: Epigastric pain, obesity, epilepsy, asthma, abdominal pain, facial paralysis and constipation of the internal medicine, low back pain and leg pain of the surgical department, psoriasis of the dermatological department and blepharoplasty of the department of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology are considered as the dominant diseases for acupoint catgut-embedding therapy.

[Analysis on characteristics and regularities of efficacies of acupoint injection by using data mining technique].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the potential learning and regularity characters of clinical application of acupoint injection in modern literature of Chinese medicine by using data mining technique, so as to provide a reference for clinical application of this therapy. METHODS: A database was established first by computer recording of the standardized information data after collection of papers about acupoint injection therapy published in modern medical journals, collections of theses of medical academic conferences, dissertations for medical master's and doctor's degrees. Then, the data mining technique was employed to conduct cross link design about the types or categories of illnesses or clinical conditions, categories of departments, selection of Chinese materia medica, acupoint recipes, and clinical outcomes, etc. At last, the rules and characteristics of the acupoint injection were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: The acupoint injection therapy enjoys the first rank of therapies for the treatment of diseases or clinical conditions of the internal medicine, and the second rank in the treatment of surgical problems. With respect to the types of illnesses or clinical conditions, it is used most frequently for hiccup and backlog pain. Generally, about 4 acupoints and 2 categories of medicines (Chinese herbal medicine or western medicine preparations) are selected in one session of treatment by using the acupoint injection therapy. The acupoints used are those close to and remote to the loci. The drugs predominately employed are single or compound western medicine preparations. The total effective rate is up to more than 93%. CONCLUSION: The acupoint injection therapy has some obvious advantages in the treatment of clinical conditions or illness of the internal medicine and surgical problems, especially for hiccup and backlog pain. It is simple in clinical application and has a higher therapeutic effect.

Radiosensitivity enhancement by arsenic trioxide in conjunction with hyperthermia in the EC-1 esophageal carcinoma cell line.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect on radiosensitivity of arsenic trioxide (As203) in conjunction with hyperthermia on the esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cell line. METHOD: Inhibition of EC-1 cell proliferation at different concentrations of As203 was assessed using the methyl thiazolyl blue colorimetric method (MTT method), with calculation of IC50 value and choice of 20% of the IC50 as the experimental drug concentration. Blank control, As203, hyperthermia, radiotherapy group, As203 + hyperthermia, As203 + radiotherapy, hyperthermia + radiotherapy and As203 + hyperthermia + radiotherapy groups were established, and the cell survival fraction (SF) was calculated from flat panel colony forming analysis, and fitted by the 'multitarget click mathematical model'. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis and the cell cycle. RESULTS: As203 exerted inhibitory effects on proliferation of esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cells, with an IC50 of 18.7 µmol/L. After joint therapy of As203 + hyperthermia + radiotherapy, the results of FCM showed that cells could be arrested in the G2/M phase, and as the ratio of cells in G0/G1 and S phases decreased, cell death became more pronounced. CONCLUSION: As203 and hyperthermia exert radiosensitivity effects on esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cells, with synergy in combination. Mechanistically, As203 and hyperthermia mainly influence the cell cycle distribution of EC-1 esophageal carcinoma cells, decreasing the repair of sublethal damage and inducing apoptosis, thereby enhancing the killing effects of radioactive rays.

[Comparative study on therapeutic effect between SXDZ-100 and SDZ-II on chronic functional constipation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects between the Hwato neuro and muscle stimulator (SXDZ-100) and the regular electronic stimulator (SDZ-II) on chronic functional constipation. METHODS: Sixty-four cases of chronic functional constipation were randomly divided into a (SXDZ-100) observation group (n = 33) and SDZ-II control group (n = 31). For the SXDZ-100 group, under the considerations of patients' endurance, Zhigou(TE 6) and Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) were punctured and then the courle of acupoints on the same side were connected with SXDZ-100 apparatus in reinforcing and reducing by twirling and rotating manipulation wave for 30 min, while in the control group SDZ-II apparatus was applied in the same way mentioned above with disperse-dense wave at frequency of 1Hz/20Hz for 30 min. By means of clinical therapeutic effect evaluation and clinical symptom score, the contrast between two groups can be made. RESULTS: Although the total effective rates were both 100.0%, the rate of short term effects in SXDZ-100 group (54.6%, 18/33) is significantly higher than that in SDZ-II group (29.0%, 9/31) (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the clinical symptom scores in both groups decreased significantly (both P < 0.05). And the therapeutic effective indices of the SXDZ-100 group were significantly higher than those of the SDZ- II group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of Hwato neuro and muscle stimulator (SXDZ-100) on chronic functional constipation is superior to that of a regular electronic stimulator (SDZ-II).

[Basic rules and characteristics of acupoint application therapy based upon data mining].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the basic characteristics of effects of acupoint application therapy in order to guide clinical decision better. METHODS: A database on acupoint application therapy was established first by collection, sorting, screening, recording, collation, data extraction, and statistical analyses of the related literature published in recent 60 years, and using modern computer system. Then, its predominant indications and application rules in clinical practice were analyzed using data mining techniques. RESULTS: Outcomes of data mining showed that the acupoint application therapy was extensively utilized in the treatment of a variety of diseases or clinical conditions (142 in total) in different clinical departments, particularly in the internal medicine which contains 51 types of clinical conditions or diseases (accounting for 35.92%). Among them, the top 3 are asthma, cough, and abdominal pain, with the appearance frequency being 161, 79 and 45 times (= articles) in the domestic journals, respectively. The second one is the paediatric department, containing 30 kinds of diseases or clinical conditions (accounting for 21.13%). Among them, cough (106 articles), asthma (104 articles) and diarrhoea (82 articles) are frequently seen. The surgery department takes the third place, involving 27 disorders (accounting for 19.01%), with lumbago-leg pain being the most (31 articles). In the departments of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, 14 types of disorders (accounting for 9.86%) have been reported, with nasosinusitis being the most (56 papers). This therapy has also been used to treat 10 types of gynecopathy (7.04%) and 10 kinds of dermopathy (7.04%), with dysmenorrhea (37 articles) and shingles (6 articles) being the most. For acupoint application, complex prescriptions of Chinese herbal medicines in the forms of paste and cataplasm are frequently adopted, but with fewer application of enhancer of cutaneous penetration. Regarding the utilized acupoint, local points are often chosen. In the light of the collected papers, the highest effective rate is for dermopathy, followed by surgical problems, gynecopathy, paediatric conditions, and disorders of the internal medicine, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology. CONCLUSION: Acupoint application therapy has been used for 142 kinds of disorders of different clinical departments, with the dominant indications being asthma, cough, abdominal pain, facial paralysis and constipation in the internal medicine, cough, asthma and diarrhoea in the paediatrics, lumbago-leg pain in the surgery, nasosinusitis in the otorhinolaryngology, and dysmenorrhea of gynecopathy.

Clinical study on auricular acupoint penetration needling along the skin for treatment of a variety of pain syndrome and dysfunction.

This paper is a summary of clinical studies on auricular acupoint penetration needling along the skin for treatment of pain and dysfunction in recent 10 years. Auricular acupoint penetration needling along the skin was used to observe rapid analgesic effects and clinical efficacy on cervical spondylopathy, periarthritis of shoulder, pain in waist and lower extremities, migraine, and other peripheral neuropathic pain, and stroke sequels, soft tissue injury, and so on. Self-control method was used in the studies at the first stage, and clinically randomized control trial methodwas used for systematic comparison with other therapies at the second stage. Results indicated that the auricular acupoint penetration needling along the skin had obviously clinical effects on cervical spondylopathy, periarthritis of shoulder, pain in waist and lower extremities, migraine, soft tissue injuries and stroke sequels, with a better rapid analgesic effect as compared with ear perpendicular needling method.

[Research on characteristics of different clinical conditions treated by red-hot acupuncture needle based on data mining needle].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the regularities and characters of clinical application of red-hot needle therapy in ancient and modern literature of Chinese medicine by using data mining techniques, so as to provide a reference for study on the specificity of efficacy of red-hot needle therapy. METHODS: Sample data was collected from some medical books, medical cases, reports of modern journals for calculating frequent item sets by using methods of association rules of data mining. Then, the collected data was extracted, sorted out, and summed up by using our newly developed literature database platform of red-hot needle therapy in order to find out the most suitable indications of this therapy in clinical practice. RESULTS: A total of 6 categories of clinical conditions treated by red-hot needle therapy were found. Among them, the frequency times (percentages) of red-hot needle application for surgical problems appeared in journals, medical cases and medical books are 287 times (49.83%), 235 times (48.96%), 154 times (41.73%), respectively. The frequency times of red-hot needle application for disorders of internal medicine and dermatology are 276 times and 360 times. Among the 115 categories of clinical conditions or diseases treated by red-hot needle appeared in journals, arthromyodynia and struma are frequently found, with the frequency being 115 and 46 times, separately. The total effective rates of the present therapy from higher to lower are 99.46% for pediatric problems, 98.65% five sensory organs department, 97.32% surgery, 96.66% dermatology, 96.34% gynecology, and 93.95% internal medicine, respectively. Among the 97 types of clinical conditions recorded in the literature on medical cases, aural verruca is more frequently seen apart from arthromyodynia and struma. In medical books, 94 types of clinical conditions treated by red-hot needle therapy are found, including 32 types of problems of internal medicine. CONCLUSION: Data mining results show that red-hot needle therapy has been widely used in different clinical departments, and more frequently used in surgery (mainly orthopedic and general surgery), internal medicine (mainly neurology and gastroenterology), dermatology.

Effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 on postoperative life span of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 (Shenyi Capsule) on the postoperative life span of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The prospective, randomized, controlled method was adopted. One hundred and thirty-three patients with NSCLC were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Shenyi Capsule group (43 cases), combined therapy group (Shenyi Capsule plus chemotherapy, 46 cases), and chemotherapy group (44 cases). The survival rates, immune function and the correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and clinical effect were analyzed in the three groups. RESULTS: (1) The 1-year survival rate in the Shenyi group, the combined group and the chemotherapy group was 76.7% (33/43), 82.6% (38/46), and 79.5% (35/44), respectively; the 2-year survival rate was 67.4% (29/43), 71.7% (33/46), and 70.5% (31/44), respectively; and the 3-year survival rate was 46.5% (20/43), 54.3% (25/46), and 47.7% (21/44), respectively. There was no significant difference among the 3 groups (P>0.05). (2) NK cells were increased to different degrees and the ratio of CD4/CD8 was normal in the Shenyi Capsule group and the combined group, while the ratio of CD4/CD8 was disproportional in the chemotherapy group. (3) In the chemotherapy group, the 3-year survival rate was lower in patients with positive expression of VEGF than in patients with negative expression (37.0% vs 64.7%, chi2=17.9, P<0.01), but no signifi cant statistical difference was shown in the other two groups (53.6% vs 55.6%, P>0.05; 44.4% vs 50.0%, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Shenyi Capsule, especially in combination with chemotherapy, can improve the life span of patients with NSCLC after operation. The mechanism might be correlated with improving the immune function and anti-tumor angiogenesis

[Effects of EGb 761 on the cell apoptosis induced by H2O2 in RIN-m beta cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in RIN-m beta-cells. METHODS: The apoptotic model was made by H2O2 exposed for six hours with a concentration of 500 micromol/L The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT. Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining were used to detect the protective effect of EGb 761 on the apoptosis of RIN-m beta-cells induced by H2O2. Annexin V-PI double staining of Flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis quantitively. RESULTS: Compare to control group, after exposed to 500 micromol/L H2O2 for 6 hours, the apoptosis rate incereased and cell survival rate were decreased considerably (P < 0.01). Pretreated for 10 hours with EGb 761, the flow cytometry results showed that the apoptosis rate decreased and cell survival rate were increased considerably (P < 0.01, compared to H2O2 control group). CONCLUSION: EGb 761 can decrease RIN-m beta-cells damage and apoptosis induced by H2O2.