Using Herbal-Cake-Separated Moxibustion for the Treatment of Rats with Chronic Renal Failure.

In the process of moxibustion in clinical practice, subjects need to be in a stable mood and comfortable posture to avoid problems such as moxa ash falling, scalding skin, and poor curative effect. Such problems also exist in the rat moxibustion experiment. To simulate clinical practice, it is necessary to introduce an experimental instrument in animal experiments, that is, a moxibustion device with fixed rats and moxibustion treatment synchronization, which can make experimental rats receive moxibustion treatment quietly and comfortably under non-anesthesia. Our research group designed a rat moxibustion experimental platform. The device was framed by a wooden board with a supporting base plate, multiple fixed components, and partitioned components. The device can achieve the operation mode of moxibustion in rats without binding, avoiding anesthesia and scalding and simultaneously exposing multiple acupoints on the back. This operation can avoid physical and mental injury to rats and operators, which improves the research efficiency and further promotes the development and research of moxibustion animal experiments. The device has a simple structure, is easy to operate and popularize, is comprehensively and innovatively designed, reusable, and is suitable for rat experiments mainly based on moxibustion. This article mainly introduces the structure of the experimental platform device for rat moxibustion, the basic procedure of herbal-cake-separated-moxibustion in experimental rats using the device and describes the establishment of a rat model of chronic renal failure (CRF) and representative experimental results.

In the Tumor Microenvironment, ETS1 Is an Oncogenic Immune Protein: An Integrative Pancancer Analysis.

Background: Previous research suggested that ETS1 (ETS proto-oncogene 1, transcription factor) could be useful for cancer immunotherapy. The processes underlying its therapeutic potential, on the other hand, have yet to be thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to look into the relationship between ETS1 expression and immunity. Methods: TCGA and GEO provide raw data on 33 different cancers as well as GSE67501, GSE78220, and IMvigor210. In addition, we looked at ETS1's genetic changes, expression patterns, and survival studies. The linkages between ETS1 and TME, as well as its association with immunological processes/elements and the major histocompatibility complex, were explored to effectively understand the role of ETS1 in cancer immunotherapy. Three distinct immunotherapeutic cohorts were employed to examine the relationship between ETS1 and immunotherapeutic response. Results: ETS1 expression was shown to be high in tumor tissue. ETS1 overexpression is linked to a worse clinical outcome in individuals with overall survival. Immune cell infiltration, immunological modulators, and immunotherapeutic signs are all linked to ETS1. Overexpression of ETS1 is linked to immune-related pathways. However, no statistically significant link was found between ETS1 and immunotherapeutic response. Conclusions: ETS1 may be a reliable biomarker for tumor prognosis and a viable prospective therapeutic target for human cancer immunotherapy (e.g., KIRP, MESO, BLCA, KIRC, and THYM).

Mechanism of Herb Pairs Astragalus mongholicus and Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton in Treating Gastric Carcinoma: A Network Pharmacology Combines with Differential Analysis and Molecular Docking.

Background: Gastric carcinoma (GC) is a kind of digestive tract tumor that is highly malignant and has a very poor prognosis. Although both Astragalus mongholicus (AM, huáng qí) and Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton (CPV, é zhú) can slow the onset and progression of GC, the mechanism by which AM-CPV works in the treatment of GC is uncertain. Materials and Methods: The traditional Chinese medicine network databases TCMSP, TCMID, and ETCM were used to identify the key functional components and associated targets of AM and CPV. To establish a theoretical foundation, the development of gastric cancer (GC) was predicted utilizing a GEO gene chip and TCGA difference analysis mixed with network pharmacology. A herbal-ingredient-target network and a core target-signal pathway network were created using GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. The molecular docking method was used to evaluate seventeen main targets and their compounds. Results: Cell activity, reactive oxygen species modification, metabolic regulation, and systemic immune activation may all be involved in the action mechanism of the AM-CPV drug-pair in the treatment of GC. It inhibits the calcium signaling route, the AGE-RAGE signaling system, the cAMP signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling network, and the MAPK signaling pathway, slowing the progression of GC. The number of inflammatory substances in the tumor microenvironment is reduced, GC cell proliferation is deprived, apoptosis is promoted, and GC progression is retarded through controlling the IL-17 signaling route, TNF signaling pathway, and other inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions: The AM-CPV pharmaceutical combination regulates GC treatment via a multitarget, component, and signal pathway with a cooperative and bidirectional regulatory mechanism. Its active constituents may treat GC by regulating the expression of STAT1, MMP9, IL6, HSP90AA1, JUN, CCL2, IFNG, CXCL8, and other targets, as well as activating or inhibiting immune-inflammatory and cancer signaling pathways.

Comparative efficacy and dysmenorrhea score of 6 object-separated moxibustions for the treatment of Chinese patients with dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD), one of the most common diseases in women, is known to be effective with object-separated moxibustion. However, because there is no large sample size for comparison, it is difficult to choose the best method for the clinical treatment of these different treatments. Therefore, our aim was to compare and rank different moxibustion methods to determine the most effective treatment method for PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature, to identify the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the object-separated moxibustion is associated with dysmenorrhea, as well as we also manually checked the bibliographies of eligible studies and topic-related reviews, RCTs from their inception to May 1, 2020. Three investigators read the citations and excluded quasi-randomized trials and trials that were incomplete. We extracted data following a predefined hierarchy. We assessed the studies' risk of bias in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. The primary outcomes were efficacy (response rate) and dysmenorrhea scores. We estimated the summary odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) using pairwise and network meta-analyses with random effects. STATA software version 16.0, ADDIS software version 1.16.5, and R software version 3.6.1 were used to statistically analyze all data. RESULTS: Fifty-six RCTs with 5550 patients were included, comparing 6 object-separated moxibustion therapies with acupuncture or oral medicine. All moxibustions were more effective than ibuprofen, with OR ranging between 6.75 (95%CI: 3.58 to 13.22) for moxibustion at the navel. For relieving pain which uses dysmenorrhea score to evaluate, mild moxibustion (MD = -1.42, -4.24 to 0.85) was more effective than others. A total of 24 (42.8%) of 56 trials were rated as having a high risk of bias, 31(55.4%) as moderate, and 1(1.8%) as low, and the certainty of the evidence was moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Mild moxibustion cannot only effectively treat PD but also relieve pain in comparison with ibuprofen. Although GRADE evidence indicate low to moderate for most comparisons, mild moxibustion seems to be an advisable option for PD treatment to relieve symptoms.

Electroacupuncture Involved in Motor Cortex and Hypoglossal Neural Control to Improve Voluntary Swallowing of Poststroke Dysphagia Mice.

The descending motor nerve conduction of voluntary swallowing is mainly launched by primary motor cortex (M1). M1 can activate and regulate peripheral nerves (hypoglossal) to control the swallowing. Acupuncture at "Lianquan" acupoint (CV23) has a positive effect against poststroke dysphagia (PSD). In previous work, we have demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) could regulate swallowing-related motor neurons and promote swallowing activity in the essential part of central pattern generator (CPG), containing nucleus ambiguus (NA), nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), and ventrolateral medulla (VLM) under the physiological condition. In the present work, we have investigated the effects of EA on the PSD mice in vivo and sought evidence for PSD improvement by electrophysiology recording and laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI). Four main conclusions can be drawn from our study: (i) EA may enhance the local field potential in noninfarction area of M1, activate the swallowing-related neurons (pyramidal cells), and increase the motor conduction of noninfarction area in voluntary swallowing; (ii) EA may improve the blood flow in both M1 on the healthy side and deglutition muscles and relieve PSD symptoms; (iii) EA could increase the motor conduction velocity (MCV) in hypoglossal nerve, enhance the EMG of mylohyoid muscle, alleviate the paralysis of swallowing muscles, release the substance P, and restore the ability to drink water; and (iv) EA can boost the functional compensation of M1 in the noninfarction side, strengthen the excitatory of hypoglossal nerve, and be involved in the voluntary swallowing neural control to improve PSD. This research provides a timely and necessary experimental evidence of the motor neural regulation in dysphagia after stroke by acupuncture in clinic.

Involvement of Hippocampal AMPA Receptors in Electroacupuncture Attenuating Depressive-Like Behaviors and Regulating Synaptic Proteins in Rats Subjected to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress.

OBJECTIVE: A large body of evidence has suggested that the disruptions of neural plasticity in the brain play a pivotal role in major depressive disorder (MDD). Electroacupuncture (EA) therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment modality for MDD. However, the mechanism underling the antidepressive effect of EA treatment has not been clearly elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant-like effects of EA associated with its protection effect of synaptic structural plasticity. METHODS: An MDD model was induced by exposing Sprague Dawley rats to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). EA stimulation (Hegu and Taichong) and AMPA receptor (AMPAR) antagonist NBQX intrahippocampal injection were used to treat the depressed rats. RESULTS: We found EA improved behavioral performance, enhanced synaptic structural plasticity, and upregulated gene and protein levels of GluR1, GluR2, Stargazin, Pick1, SYP, PSD-95, and GAP-43. AMPAR antagonist NBQX had the opposite effect on behavioral performance, synaptic plasticity, and the aforementioned genes and proteins. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EA has a potent antidepressant effect, likely through upregulated expression of the AMPAR and protected neural plasticity in CUMS-treated rats.

[Professor YI Wei's clinical experience in treatment of infertility of ovulation disturbance with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy].

The characteristics of syndrome differentiation and the experience of professor YI Wei were briefly introduced for the treatment of infertility of ovulation disturbance, including three aspects, named the thought of diagnosis and treatment, the therapeutic method and the acupoint prescription, as well as the clinical case report. Academically, professor YI Wei is deeply influenced by professor JIN Rui, the acupuncture master of Xin'an school and Lingnan school. Regarding the treatment of gynecological diseases, the academic thought of professor LUO Song-ping and ZHANG Yu-zhen is contributed. Professor YI attaches the importance to the syndrome differentiation based on meridian and collateral, supplemented by the syndrome differentiation of zangfu, yinyang, qi and blood, cold and heat, as well as the deficiency and excess. In clinical treatment, the acupoints are selected specially from the conception vessel, the governor vessel, the thoroughfare vessel and the belt vessel. The extra meridians are equally important as the regular ones in the treatment, especially the belt vessel. Additionally, the treatment focuses on communicating the congenital qi with the acquired one, regulating the liver and benefiting the kidney, as well as adjusting the heart, the spleen and the stomach to ease the uterus. Simultaneously, the great consideration is paid to the menstruation regulation so as to promote pregnancy.

[Effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on renal function and expression of renal connective tissue growth factor, integrin-linked kinase and bone morphogenetic protein-7 in chronic renal failure rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on renal function and expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in chronic renal failure (CRF) rabbits, so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of CRF. METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control, model, medication and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion (moxibustion) groups (n=6 rabbits in each group). The CRF model was established by gavage of suspension of Adenine (150 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 21 days. Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion was applied to "Mingmen"(GV4) and bilateral "Shenshu"(BL23), "Pishu"(BL20) and for 5 moxa-cones every time. Rabbits of the medication group was treated by gavage of Losartan Potassium (2.33 mg·kg-1·d-1). All the treatments were conducted once daily,12 times a course for consecutive 3 courses with a two-day rest after each course of treatment. Serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and 24 h urine protein contents were detected by using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The expression levels of CTGF, ILK and BMP-7 proteins and mRNA in the kidney tissue were determined by Western blot and quantitative real time-PCR, separately. RESULTS: Following modeling, Scr and BUN and 24 h urine protein contents were significantly increased in the model group in comparison with the control group (P<0.01). After the intervention, Scr and BUN contents were all significantly decreased in both the moxibustion and medication groups relevant to the model group (P<0.01), suggesting an improvement of the renal function. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of ILK and CTGF mRNAs and proteins were obviously up-regulated (P<0.01), and those of BMP-7 mRNA and protein significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the expression levels of ILK and CTGF mRNAs and proteins were significantly down-regulated in the two treatment groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), and those of BMP-7 mRNA and protein markedly increased in the two treatment groups (P<0.01). In comparison with the medication group, the expression level of ILK protein was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01) and BMP-7 protein was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01) in the moxibustion group. No significant differences were found between the medication and moxibustion groups in down-regulating the levels of Scr, BUN and 24 h urine protein and expression of ILK mRNA, CTGF mRNA and protein and BMP-7 mRNA(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can improve renal function in CRF rabbits, which may be related to its effects in suppressing the expression of ILK and CTGF, and in up-regulating the expression of BMP-7 in the kidney tissue.

[Design of moxibustion device for experimental rabbits].

An experimental device is designed to solve the problem of fixing rabbits and providing moxibustion treatment at the same time. The device includes a rabbit fixing box and a moxibustion shelf. The rabbit fixing box and the moxibustion shelf are detachable, and could be used for moxibustion at the chest-back and abdomen of rabbits. A moxibustion device is placed on the moxibustion shelf. The moxibustion device can be moved forward, backward, leftward, rightward, upward and downward on the moxibustion shelf. It meets the requirements of moxibustion at multiple meridians or acupoints on the chest-back and abdomen at the same time. The moxibustion device is equipped with moxa cone or stick, which not only ensures the full burning of moxa, but also prevents the falling of moxa from hurting rabbits. In conclusion, the device has novel and unique structure, is safe and reliable, and easy to operate. It is an innovation in the experimental device of moxibustion, which could promote the animal experiment of moxibustion.

Acupuncture attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis via the TGF­ß/Smad pathway.

Acupuncture is one of the most useful tools in complimentary medicine, and has demonstrated potential value for treating chronic renal failure (CRF). However, the underlying mechanisms for its therapeutic effect remain unknown. In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) were explored in a rabbit model of CRF. Rabbits were assigned to the following five groups: sham, model, losartan potassium (Posi), acupuncture (Acup) and acupuncture+inhibitor (Acup+Inhib) groups. The CRF rabbits were administered a drug or/and acupuncture on Shenshu, Mingmen and Pishu. The body weights, urine protein, serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels of the rabbits were measured. Transforming growth factor ß (TGF­ß), integrin­linked kinase (ILK) and Smad3 expression were detected by qRT­PCR. Tumor necrosis factor­α (TNF­α) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression were analyzed by western blot methods. The concentrations of TGF­ß, IL­8, TNF­α and IL­1ß in blood serum were detected using ELISA kits. In addition, pathological characteristics of the rabbit tissues were evaluated by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining methods, and TGF­ß expression was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. Results showing decreased body weights and increased urine protein, SCr and BUN levels confirmed that the CRF model had been successfully constructed. It was also found that acupuncture significantly reduced the levels of TNF­α, Smad3, ILK and TGF­ß expression, dramatically decreased the concentrations of TGF­ß, IL­8, TNF­α and IL­1ß in blood serum, and significantly increased eNOS expression in the CRF model rabbits by affecting the TGF­ß/Smad signaling pathway. In addition, it was demonstrated that acupuncture could relieve RIF by affecting the TGF­ß/Smad pathway. These observations indicate that acupuncture may be useful for treating CRF, and suggest the TGF­ß/Smad pathway as a target for CRF therapy.

[Guan's acupuncture technique and the rules of acupoints selection on leg].

Guan's acupuncture technique is a kind of special acupuncture methods developed and improved by GUAN Zheng-zhai. It has unique curative effects on hysterical paralysis, schizophrenia, madness, epilepsy and traumatic paraplegia, etc. This acupuncture technique has the characteristics of "deep" "transparent" "moving" and "sensing". The acupoints selection is different from that of twelve meridian acupoints. The deep insertion of acupuncture needles is applied at acupoints located in the wrist joint, ankle joint and below, while the penetration needling method is applied at acupoints located in the area which has relatively thick muscles, and where yin-meridian and yang-meridian are symmetric with each other. The horizontal and deep connection of acupoints and the adjustment effect of qi-blood and yin-yang are emphasized during treatment.

[The status and development of acupuncture in northern Thailand].

To introduce the status and development of acupuncture in Thailand, and elaborate on the development of acupuncture education and acupuncture clinics in northern Thailand. It is pointed out that there are still a small number of Chinese medicine clinics in northern Thailand, a shortage of college acupuncturists, and there is no traditional Chinese medicine themes Confucius Institute and other issues. The author considered that through the cultivation of acupuncture skills and diagnosis and treatment ability, the development of Chinese medicine graduate education, the establishment of Confucius Institute of traditional Chinese medicine, to expand the influence of acupuncture in northern Thailand, hoping to provide references for the cooperation and exchanges between China and Thailand in acupuncture .

[Exploration on the treatment of xiaoke in terms of the conception vessel].

Diabetes is in the category of xiaoke in TCM, which is mainly discussed in light of yin deficiency. The conception vessel is the sea of yin meridians, acting on regulating the accumulation and irrigation of qi and blood of twelve meridians and collaterals. The physiological function of the conception vessel is closely related to the pathogenesis of xiaoke, its running course is highly coincident with the location of xiaoke and the symptoms of xiaoke are relevant with the indications of the conception vessel. Hence, harmonizing qi and blood of the conception vessel may be an effective approach to the prevention and treatment of xiaoke.