[Dong's extraordinary point needling technique combined with medication for postoperative complications of anal fistula: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Dong's extraordinary point needling technique on postoperative complications of anal fistula. METHODS: A total of 241 patients undergoing anal fistula surgery were randomly divided into an observation group (121 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (120 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with intramuscular injection of compound diclofenac sodium injection and oral administration of tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsules. In addition to the treatment in the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with Daoma needling technique at the "Sanqi points" (Qimen point, Qijiao point, and Qizheng point) combined with Dongqi needling technique at "Sanhuang points" (sub-Tianhuang point, Dihuang point, Renhuang point), with each session lasting 30 min. The treatment in the two groups both started on the first day after surgery, and was given once daily for 14 consecutive days. Visual analog scale (VAS) score was compared between the two groups on postoperative day 1, 7, and 14; bladder residual urine volume, spontaneous voiding volume, and urinary catheterization frequency were assessed after treatment on postoperative day 1; and anorectal dynamic indexes (anal canal resting pressure, rectal resting pressure, maximum squeeze pressure of the anal canal, and minimum rectal sensory threshold) were evaluated before surgery and on postoperative day 4. Clinical efficacy was assessed in both groups one month after surgery. RESULTS: On postoperative day 7 and 14, the VAS scores of both groups were lower than those on postoperative day 1 (P<0.05), and the VAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The bladder residual urine volume and urinary catheterization frequency in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), while the spontaneous voiding volume was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). On postoperative day 4, the anal canal resting pressure, maximum squeeze pressure of the anal canal, and the minimum rectal sensory threshold were lower than preoperative values (P<0.05), while the rectal resting pressure was higher than preoperative value (P<0.05) in both groups. The anal canal resting pressure, maximum squeeze pressure of the anal canal, and minimum rectal sensory threshold were lower than those in the control group, and the rectal resting pressure was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The effective rate was 93.2% (110/118) in the observation group, which was higher than 84.7% (100/118) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dong's extraordinary point needling technique could reduce postoperative pain, alleviate urinary retention, and improve defecation in patients undergoing anal fistula surgery.

A case of a 107-year-old elderly COVID-19 patient infected with Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 in Hainan / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　This article summarizes the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment experience of an elderly patient infected with Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 of COVID-19 in Hainan Province. Methods　The clinical data and treatment of an elderly patient infected with Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 of COVID-19 admitted to Haikou designated hospital on August 15, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Results　A 107-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with "fever and cough for 1 day". Two of her family members have infected with COVID-19. The patient initially developed fever, accompanied by cough, expectoration, a little white sticky sputum, accompanied by sore throat, muscle pain, fatigue. Nucleic acid test was positive in throat swab, indicating Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 infection. The patient was diagnosed as mild COVID-19 and treated with antiviral therapy, Chinese medicine conditioning, anticoagulation, electrolyte disorder regulation and symptomatic treatment for 9 days. The patient's clinical symptoms were relieved, and she was cured and discharged after two negative nucleic acid tests. One week later, the patient recovered well. Conclusions　Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 is highly infectious, and comprehensive treatment such as antiviral treatment and traditional Chinese medicine treatment has achieved good efficacy. For elderly patients, attention should be paid to maintaining the stability of organ function and internal environment, which is helpful to improve the prognosis of patients.

[Effect of Small Knife Needle on ß-enorpin and Enkehalin Contents of Tansverse Process Syndrome of the Third Vertebra].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the analgesic mechanism of small knife needle for treating transverse process syndrome of the third vertebra (TPSTV) by observing peripheral and central changesof ß-endorphin (ß-EP) and enkephalin (ENK) contents. METHODS: Totally 30 Japanese white big-ear rabbits of clean grade were divided into 5 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the small knife needle group, the electroacupunture (EA) group, and the small knife needle plus EA group, 6 in each group. The TPSTV model was established by inserting a piece of gelatin sponge into the left transverse process of 3rd lumbar vertebrae. Rabbits in the small knife needlegroup were intervened by small knife needle. Those in the EA group were intervened by EA at bilateralWeizhong (BL40). Those in the small knife needle plus EA group were intervened by small knife needleand EA at bilateral Weizhong (BL40). Contents of ß-EP and ENK in plasma, muscle, spinal cord, and hypothalamus were determined after sample collection at day 28 after modeling. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, contents of ß-EP and ENK in plasma and muscle increased significantly, and contents of ß-EP and ENK in spinal cord and hypothalamus decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Contents of ß-EP and ENK approximated normal levels in the three treatment groups after respective treatment. Compared with the model group, the content of ß-EP in muscle decreased, and contents of ß-EP and ENK in hypothalamus increased in the three treatment groups after respective treatment (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference among the three treatment groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Small knife needle treatment and EA had benign regulation on peripheral and central ß-EP and ENK in TPSTV rabbits. Small knife needle treatment showed better effect than that of EA.

Effects of acupuncture knife on inflammatory factors and pain in third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome model rats.

The aim of this paper was to explore the long-term effects and pain relief mechanism of acupuncture knife on third lumbar vertebrae (L3) transverse process syndrome. Forty SD rats were randomized into control, model, electroacupuncture (EA), and acupuncture knife (AK) group. Except control rats, other rats were subjected to an operation to emulate L3 transverse process syndrome. Fourteen days after the operation, EA and AK rats were given electroacupuncture and acupuncture knife treatments, respectively. Fifty-six days after the operation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure substance P (SP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) in peripheral blood. The tail flick test was used to observe pain threshold. We found that rats with the simulation operation had significantly higher levels of SP, 5-HT, IL-1, IL-10, TNF-α, and TGF-ß, while the AK rats had lower levels. In addition, the pain threshold of AK rats was similar to that of control rats. AK pretreatment could alleviate pain through modulating inflammatory response.

Da-Bu-Yin-Wan and Qian-Zheng-San, two traditional Chinese herbal formulas, up-regulate the expression of mitochondrial subunit NADH dehydrogenase 1 synergistically in the mice model of Parkinson's disease.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Da-Bu-Yin-Wan (DBYW) and Qian-Zheng-San (QZS), two traditional Chinese herbal formulas, were clinically employed to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) for decades. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our previous studies demonstrated neuroprotective effects of DBYW and QZS on mitochondrial function in mice model of PD induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In present research, we aimed to investigate the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of DBYW and QZS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of DBYW and QZS on the behavioral changes (pole test), expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) of substantia nigra by immunohistochemistry, monoaminergic contents and activity of striatum by high performance liquid chromatography, neuronal ultrastructure changes by transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage by long-extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and mRNA expression of mitochondrial subunit NADH dehydrogenase 1(ND1) by qualitative real-time PCR were investigated. RESULTS: Present study demonstrated that DBYW and QZS not only ameliorated the behavior induced by the administration of MPTP and synergistically prevented the decreasing of TH expression, but also increased monoaminergic contents and activity, improved the ultrastructural changes, decreased the mtDNA damage, and synergistically up-regulated the expression of ND1 in mRNA level. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that DBYW and QZS possess anti-parkinsonism and neuroprotective properties.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on learning-memory ability, and Abeta and LRP1 immunoactivity in hippocampal sulcus microvessels in APP transgenic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yongquan" (KI 1) on the expression of amyloid beta protein (Abeta) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein 1 (LRP 1) in the hippocampal sulcus microvessels in amyloid precursor protein (APP) 695 V717 I transgenic mice, so as to study its mechanism underlying relief of Alzheimer Disease (AD). METHODS: Twelve APP 695 V717 I transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group and EA group. Six C 57 BL/6 mice were used as the control group. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 3-5 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yongquan" (KI 1) for 15 min, once every other day for three months. The learning-memory ability of mice was detected by using Lashley III water maze system. The expression level of Abeta(1-42), and LRP 1 in the hippocampal sulcus microvessels were measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Water maze test showed that the swimming duration from the start to the goal box (terminal) in the Lashley III water maze was significantly longer in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.05), suggesting a markedly lower learning-memory capacity of APP 695 V717 I transgenic mice. Compared with the model group, the swimming duration in the EA group was decreased considerably (P < 0.05). The integrated optical density (IOD) value of hippocampal Abeta(1-42) immunoreaction (IR) positive products in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01) and the IOD value of hippocampal LRP 1 IR-positive products in the model group was apparently lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model group, the IOD value of Abeta(1-42) IR-positive products in the EA group was obviously lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05), while that of LRP 1 IR-positive products in the EA group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05), suggesting down-regulation of hippocampal Abeta(1-42) expression and up-regulation of LRP 1 expression after EA, and reduction of deposition of Abeta in the cerebral microvessels after EA. CONCLUSION: EA can improve the learning-memory capacity of APP transgenic mice, which is closely related to its effects in up-regulating hippocampal LRP 1 expression and down-regulating hippocampal Abeta(1-42) expression.

[Effect of acupotomy lysis on hypothalamic POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA expression in rats with 3rd lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis (AL) on hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMO) mRNA and preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA expression in rats with the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome (TLVTPS) so as to study its underlying mechanism in relieving symptoms of lumbar muscle strain. METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, AL group and electroacupunture (EA) group. The TLVTPS model was established by inserting a piece of gelatin sponge into the posterior of the left 3rd lumbar vertebrae transverse process. AL and EA were applied to the left "Shenshu"(BL 23) and "Yaoyangguan" (GV 3) respectively. The POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA expression levels in the hypothalamus were detected by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal group, the integrated optical density (IOD) values of hypothalamic POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA positive cells in the model group were increased significantly (P < 0.01); while compared with the model group, those of POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA positive cells in both left and right hypothalamus were increased further considerably in both AL and EA groups (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between AL and EA groups in POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA expression levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: AL and EA therapies can increase the expression of POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA in hypothalamus in rats with TLVTPS, which may contribute to its effect in relieving pain in the treatment of lumbar muscle strain.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on the behavior and the expression of amyloid beta-protein, amyloid precursor protein and ChAT in APP 695 V 717 I transgenic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) in hippocampal CA 1 area and cerebral cortex in APP 695 V717 I transgenic mice, so as to investigate its underlying mechanism in improving Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: APP 695 V 717 I transgenic mice were randomly divided into model and EA groups, with 6 cases in each. The other 6 negatively-transgenic mice (C 57 BL/6 J) were used as the normal control group. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 3 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yongquan" (KI 1) for 15 min, once every other day for 3 months. The learning-memory ability of mice was measured by Y-type maze test and the expression levels of APP, Abeta, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the cerebral cotex and hippocampal CA 1 area were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In comparison with control group, the times of training for gaining correct reaction and the expression levels of Abeta and APP in both cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA 1 area in model group increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the expression level of ChAT of cerebral cortex in model group decreased considerably (P < 0.05). Compared to model group, +he times of training for gaining correct reaction and the expression levels of APP in both cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA 1 area, and Abeta in CA 1 area of EA group lowered remarkably (P < 0.05), while those of ChAT in cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA 1 area of EA group increased evidently (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can improve the learning-memory capacity of the APP transgenic mice, which may be related to its effects in increasing the production of acetylcholine and lowering the levels of APP and Abeta in the brain.

[Effect of Ginkgo biloba Pingchan Recipe on neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in the brain of mouse models of Parkinson disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the Chinese compound prescription Ginkgo biloba Pingchan Recipe (GBPR) on experimental Parkinson disease (PD) in mice and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Male C57/BL6J mice were divided into normal control, PD model and treatment groups. PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection with 1-methl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin (MPTP) in the mice, and in the treatment group, GBPR was administered intragastrically after the injection. The mice were sacrificed 14 and 28 days later, and using in situ hybridization with Digoxin-labeled nNOS cDNA oligonucleotide probe, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA was detected in the striatum and substantia nigra in the brain of mice. RESULTS: nNOS mRNA expression was detected in the striatum and substantia nigra of the PD model mice, and GBPR treatment significantly reduced its expressions. CONCLUSION: GBPR has obvious inhibitory effect against the neurotoxicity of NO probably by producing an anti-oxiditive effect through decreasing nNOS synthesis in the brain.