Effects of combined acupuncture and medication on hyperarousal state and serum copeptin in patients with chronic insomnia / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effect of combined acupuncture and medication on hyperarousal state and serum copeptin(CPT)in patients with chronic insomnia(CI),and to explore its possible mechanism of action.Methods:A total of 70 CI patients meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 35 cases in each group.The control group was given estazolam tablets before bedtime,1 mg/time,once a day.The observation group was treated with additional Yi Nao An Shen acupuncture therapy(acupuncture for benefiting the brain and tranquillization)on the basis of the medication treatment,4 times a week.After 4 weeks of treatment,the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)score,insomnia severity index(ISI)score,pre-sleep arousal scale(PSAS)score,hyperarousal scale(HAS)score,and the change in serum CPT level were compared between the two groups.Results:During the study,there were 2 dropout cases in the observation group and 1 dropout case in the control group.After treatment,the PSQI,ISI,PSAS,and HAS scores and the serum CPT level in both groups decreased compared with the same group before treatment,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,changes in each above scale score and the serum CPT level in the observation group were much more significant and were statistically different from those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture plus medication can improve sleep quality,reduce the degree of insomnia,and regulate hyperarousal state in patients with CI,and its mechanism of action may be related to the down-regulation of serum CPT level.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on labor analgesia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on labor pain.@*METHODS@#A total of 151 primiparas who were vaginal delivery were randomized into a TEAS group (76 cases) and a peridural group (75 cases). In the peridural group, peridural blockage was applied to analgesia. In the TEAS group, TEAS was applied at Hegu (LI 4)，Neiguan (PC 6), Jiaji T~L (EX-B 2) and Ciliao (BL 32), disperse-dense wave (2 Hz/100 Hz), 15-50 mA in current intensity. The analgesic time was from 3 cm to completely opening of cervix. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were observed before analgesia, after 30, 60, 120 min of analgesia in the two groups. The time of different stages of labor, usage rate of oxytocin, incidence rate of adverse reaction and amount of postpartum hemorrhage were recorded. The newborn's 1 and 5 min Apgar scores were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#The VAS scores showed a downward trend in the two groups after analgesia (0.05). The usage rate of oxytocin and incidence rate of adverse reaction in the TEAS group were 9.2% (7/76) and 2.6% (2/76), which were lower than 34.7% (26/75) and 18.7% (14/75) in the peridural group (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The analgesic effect of TEAS is inferior to peridural blockage, but TEAS could relieve labor pain to the tolerance, shorten the time of active phase on the first stage and second stage of labor and reduce the use of oxytocin, has mild adverse reaction.

Clinical observation on filiform fire-needling plus continuous passive motion therapy for frozen shoulder / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of filiform fire-needling plus continuous passive motion (CPM) therapy for frozen shoulder. Methods: A total of 72 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 36 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received celecoxib capsule plus CPM, while those in the observation group received filiform fire-needling plus CPM. The whole course of treatment lasted for 2 weeks in both groups. The visual analog scale (VAS), Constant-Murley score (CMS) and range of motion of shoulder joint were measured for therapeutic efficacy evaluation. Results: The total effective rate was 91.7％ in the observation group, higher than 72.2％ in the control group, and the between-group comparison showed statistical significance (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores in the two groups dropped significantly, the CMS as well as the range of motion including abduction, forward flexion and extension were all increased significantly, and the intra-group comparisons showed statistical significance (all P<0.05). The betweengroup comparisons showed the improvements in these items in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Filiform fire-needling plus CPM can produce more significant efficacy than celecoxib capsule plus CPM for frozen shoulder; it can alleviate pain, improve shoulder function and restore joint range of motion in such patients.

Acupoints selection rules analysis of ancient acupuncture for urinary incontinence based on data mining technology / 中国针灸

Based on ancient literature of acupuncture in Canon of Chinese Medicine (4th edition), the articles regarding acupuncture for urinary incontinence were retrieved and collected to establish a database. By Weka data mining software, the multi-level association rules analysis method was applied to analyze the acupoints selection characteristics and rules of ancient acupuncture for treatment of urinary incontinence. Totally 356 articles of acupuncture for urinary incontinence were collected, involving 41 acupoints with a total frequency of 364. As a result, (1) the acupoints in the yin-meridian of hand and foot were highly valued, as the frequency of acupoints in yin-meridians was 2.6 times than that in yang-meridians, and the frequency of acupoints selected was the most in the liver meridian of foot-jueyin; (2) the acupoints in bladder meridian of foot-taiyang were also highly valued, and among three yang-meridians of foot, the frequency of acupoints in the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang was 54, accounting for 65.85% (54/82); (3) more acupoints selected were located in the lower limbs and abdomen; (4) specific acupoints in above meridians were mostly selected, presenting 73.2% (30/41) to the ratio of number and 79.4% (289/364) to the frequency, respectively; (5) Zhongji (CV 3), the front-mu point of bladder meridian, was seldom selected in the ancient acupuncture literature, which was different from modern literature reports. The results show that urinary incontinence belongs to external genitalia diseases, which should be treated from yin, indicating more yin-meridians be used and special acupoints be focused on. It is essential to focus inheritance and innovation in TCM clinical treatment, and applying data mining technology to ancient literature of acupuncture could provide classic theory basis for TCM clinical treatment.

Quality classification criteria of Paeonia suffruticosa seeds / 中国中药杂志

In order to establish the quality classification criteria of Paeonia suffruticosa seeds, thirty-one batches of P. suffruticosa seeds from different provenances were selected. The seed rooting rate, seed germination rate, seed purity, seed viability, 1,000-seed weight and moisture content were determined and analyzed through SPSS 20.0 software. Seed rooting rate, seed germination rate and seed purity were selected as the main index for classification, while 1,000-seed weight, seed viability and moisture content could be used as important references. The seed quality grading of P. suffruticosa was set as three grades. The seed quality of each grade should meet following requirements: For the first grade seeds, seed rooting rate ≥ 80%, seed germination rate ≥ 80%, seed purity ≥ 90%, seed viability ≥ 80%, 1,000-seed weight ≥ 250 g, moisture content, ≤ 10. For the second grade seeds, seed rooting rate ≥ 50%, seed germination rate ≥ 60%, seed purity ≥ 70%, seed viability ≥ 75%, 1,000-seed weight ≥ 225 g, moisture content ≤ 10. For the third grade seeds, seed rooting rate ≥ 20%, seed germination rate ≥ 45%, seed purity ≥ 60%, seed viability ≥ 45%, 1,000-seed weight ≥ 205 g, moisture content ≤ 10. The quality classification criteria of P. suffruticosa seeds have been initially established.

A new saikogenin from the roots of Bupleurum bicaule / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Buleurum bicaule Helm (Apiaceae).@*METHOD@#Silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, MPLC Rp-C18 column chromatography, and HPLC were used for isolation of compounds. The structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR technology and HRESI-MS. Compounds were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory ability against the proliferation of rat mesangial cells by the MTT method.@*RESULTS@#Twelve compounds were isolated, and their structures were identified on the basis of their spectroscopic and physico-chemical properties as 13, 28-epoxy-olean-11-en-3-one (1), saikogenin E (2), saikogenin G (3), 11α-methoxy-3β, 16β, 23, 28-tetrahydroxyolean-12-ene (4), saikogenin D (5), prosaikogenin F (6), prosaikogenin A (7), prosaikogenin G (8), prosaikogenin D (9), laccaic acid (10b), methyl gallate (11), and ethyl gallate (12). Compounds 1, 2, 7, 8, and 10 were observed to have inhibitory activity against mesangial cell proliferationin to different degrees.@*CONCLUSION@#Compound 1, 8, and 10 exhibit significant inhibitory effects on rat mesangial cell proliferation induced by Ang II.

New hydrolysable tannin from Cibotium barometz / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from Cibotium batometz.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Column chromatograph and HPLC were used to isolate and purify the compound, and the structure was elucidated on the basis of MS and NMR spectroscopic methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A new phenolic compound, 4-O-caffeoyl-D-glucopyranose, has been isolated from the rhizome of C. barometz. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods, including intensive 1D, 2D NMR and ESI-MS data analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>4-O-caffeoyl-D-glucopyranose was a new phenolic compound.</p>

Observation of the therapeutic effect on COPD of cold phlegm blocking the lung type at stable stage treated with acupoint sticking therapy in different season / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To systematically observe the clinical effect on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the stable stage, differentiated as cold phlegm blocking the lung type, treated with acupoint sticking therapy during the dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice so as to propose the latest clinical idea and theoretic evidence for the treatment of COPD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and fifty cases of COPD at stable stage, which were in accordance with the inclusive standard were randomly divided into three groups, named group A (treatment in dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice), group B (treatment in dog days) and group C (treatment in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice), 50 cases in each group. The ingredients (Semen Brassicae, Euphoribia Kansui, Asarum, Rhizome Corydalis, Cinnamon, ginger juice) and doses of herbal medicine plaster were same in each group. The herbal plaster was applied to Feishu (BL 13), Shenshu (BL 23), Dazhui (GV 14), Tiantu (CV 22), Danzhong (CV 17) and Zhongfu (LU 1). In group B, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each dog-day period, totally 3 treatments were included. In group C, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each nine-day periods after the winter solstice, totally, 3 treatments were involved. In group A, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each dog-day period and each nine-day periods after the winter solstice separately, totally 6 treatments were required. The therapeutic effect was evaluated in 4 aspects, named comprehensive clinical efficacy, survival quality (the scores for symptoms, activity limitation and influence on daily life), the attach frequency and pulmonary function.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 88.0% (46/50) in group A, which was superior to 76.0% (38/50) in group B and 70.0% (35/50) in group C separately (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The results of the attack frequency, clinical symptom score and pulmonary function indices after treatment were all improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in each group (all P < 0.01). All the above indices in group A were improved much apparently as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Except for the level of forced vital capacity (FVC), the results of clinical symptom score and the other pulmonary function indices in group B were all improved significantly as compared with group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupoint sticking therapy during different season of the year achieves a superior clinical efficacy for the patients with COPD at stable stage. This therapy can reduce the attack frequency and improve the survival quality and pulmonary function for the patients. It is concluded that the efficacy of the treatment in dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice is superior to simple dog-day treatment and the treatment in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice, and the efficacy of dog days treatment is better than that in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice.</p>

Chemical constituents and activities of total flavonoids from Yushen Tang / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents and activity of total flavonoids contained in Yushen Tang,in order to lay a foundation for defining active consituents of the prescription and their mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The activity of total flavonoids contained in Yushen Tang were evaluated by in vitro H2O2-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury experiment. The chemical constituents were separated and purified by such methods as silica column chromatography, macroporous resin chromatography, sephadex and HPLC preparation,and their structures were identified on the basis of their spectral data and physicochemical properties.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Total flavonoids contained in Yushen Tang showed the effects in inhibiting hydrogen peroxide-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury and down-regulating PAI-1 expression (P<0.05). Nine flavonoids were separated from total flavonoids contained in Yushen Tang and identified as calycosin (1), linarin (2), 3',4',7 -trihydroxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone-7-glucoside (4), quercetin (5), kaempferol (6), rutin (7), pratensein-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (8) and 7-O-glucosyl liquiritigenin (9).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Total flavonoids contained in Yushen Tang showed the effect in inhibiting HUVEC injury. All of the nine flavonoids were separated from Yushen Tang for the first time, and compounds 1,3,4,8,9 may be derived from astragalus mongholicus, while compounds 4,5-7 may be derived from herba cepbalanoplosis segeti and hairyvein agrimony. Among them, compounds 3,4 and 9 were seperated from single ingredient of the prescription for the first time.</p>

Impacts on repeated common cold for the adults with different constitutions treated by acupoint application in the dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impacts on repeated common cold for the adults with different constitutions treated by acupoint application in the dog days (the three periods of the hottest days) and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice (the three periods of the coldest days).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and fifty-two cases of repeated common cold were divided into four zones according to the body constitution. Each zone was sub-divided into a group of the dog days + the three nine-day periods of the coldest days (group A), and a simple group of the dog periods (group B). In both groups, Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Tiantu (CV 22), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongfu (LU 1) and Shenshu (BL 23) were selected. In group A, the acupoint application was given on the 1st or 2nd day of the first, second and third periods of the hottest days in 2010, as well as the 1st or 2nd day of the first, second and third periods of the coldest days in 2010 separately. In group B, the acupoint application was only given on the 1st or 2nd day of the first, second and third periods of the hottest days in 2010. The follow-up visit was conducted before the acupoint application in the three periods of the coldest days in 2010 and before the acupoint application in the three periods of the hottest days in 2011. Additionally, the frequency of disease attack and the symptom score in sickness were taken as the observation indices for the efficacy assessment in both groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In both groups, the attack frequency was reduced obviously in half a year after the three periods of the hottest days for the patients of qi deficiency constitution, yang deficiency constitution and qi stagnation constitution and the clinical symptom score were reduced apparently (all P<0.01), which were superior to those for the patients of phlegm damp constitution (P<0.01, P<0.05). For the patients of phlegm damp constitution, only the clinical symptom score was reduced (P<0.01). (2) In group A, the improvements were received in the attack frequency and the clinical symptom score in half a year after the three periods of the coldest days for the patients of those four constitutions as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). In group B, the attack frequency and the clinical symptom score were all back to the level as those before treatment. (3) In group A, in half a year after the three periods of the coldest days, the efficacy for reducing the attack frequency and the improvements in the clinical symptoms were better than those in group B (all P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupoint application in the dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice reduces the attack frequency and relieves the clinical symptoms of common cold for the adults of individual constitutions to different extents. The efficacy can be further improved in the treatment with the acupoint application in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice half a year after the acupoint application in the dog days.</p>

Molecular cloning and characterization of hemoglobin alpha and beta chains from plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) living at high altitude.

Hemoglobin (Hb) plays an important role in oxygen transfer from lung to tissues. Possession of a Hb with high oxygen affinity helps highland animals to adapt to high altitude, has been studied profoundly. Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae), a native species living at 3,000-5,000 m above sea level on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a typical hypoxia and low temperature tolerant mammal. To investigate the possible mechanisms of plateau pika Hb in adaptation to high altitude, the complete cDNA and amino acid sequences of plateau pika hemoglobin alpha and beta chains have been described. Compared with human Hb, alterations in important regions can be noted: alpha111 Ala-->Asn, beta35 Tyr-->Phe, beta112 Cys-->Val, beta115 Ala-->Ser, and beta125 Pro-->Gln. Phylogenetic analysis of alpha and beta chains shows that plateau pika is closer to rabbit than to other species. This study provides essential information for elucidating the possible roles of hemoglobin in adaptation to extremely high altitude in plateau pika.