Acupuncture for Opioid Dependence Patients Receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Opioid dependence has been a threat to public health for hundreds of years. With the increasing number of studies on acupuncture-related therapies for opioid dependence patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), its effect of acupuncture therapy in treating MMT patients remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a multiple-treatments meta-analysis, and incorporated both direct and indirect comparisons, in order to discover the most effective treatment for opioid dependence patients receiving MMT. Methods: Five English databases and three Chinese databases were searched from its inception to August 20, 2020, in order to compare the effects of acupuncture-related therapies and MMT, which was summarized as Western medicine (WM) in the following texts. The quality of studies was assessed according to Cochrane's risk of bias tool 5.1.0, and a pair-wise meta-analysis, cumulative meta-analysis, and the network meta-analysis was performed using the R software (Version 3.6.1) and STATA (Version 14.0). The primary outcome was the effective rate, which was calculated by the ratio of detoxifying patients to the total. The secondary outcome was the Modified Himmelsbach Opiate Withdrawal Scale (MHOWS). Results: A total of 20 trials were included, which consisted of comparisons among WM, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the four types of acupuncture, namely, manual acupuncture (MA), electro-acupuncture (EA), auricular acupuncture (AA), and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS). Though none of the trials were at low risk of bias. In the pair-wise meta-analysis, no statistically significant differences were observed in terms of the effective rate. Furthermore, MA was more efficacious than WM, EA, and TEAS in MHOWS, with mean differences (MDs) of (-8.59, 95% CI: -15.96 to -1.23, P < 0.01), (-6.15, 95% CI: -9.45 to -2.85, P < 0.05), and (-10.44, 95% CI: -16.11 to -4.77, P < 0.05), respectively. In the network meta-analysis, MA was more effective than WM (RR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.99) on the effective rate, and (MD: -5.74, 95% CI: -11.60 to -0.10) on MHOWS. TEAS was more effective than WM (MD: -15.34, 95% CI: -27.34 to -3.46) on MHOWS. Synthetically, MA had the highest probability to rank first in treating opioid dependence. Conclusions: The existing evidence shows that acupuncture related-therapies may effectively be used for treating patients receiving MMT, and that manual acupuncture may be the best choice for opioid dependence among all kinds of acupuncture-related therapies. Nevertheless, reducing the relapse and promoting the recovery of opioid dependence need more efforts from not only the medical industry but also government support, security system, and educational popularization. To strengthen the assurance of acupuncture-related therapies in the treatment of opioid dependence, we expected that clinical trials with high quality would be conducted, to provide more confident evidence.

Multidrug resistant and extensively drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii hospital infection associated with high mortality: a retrospective study in the pediatric intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii presents challenges for clinical treatment and causes high mortality in children. We aimed to assess the risk factors and overall mortality for MDR/XDR Acinetobacter baumannii infected pediatric patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included 102 pediatric patients who developed MDR/XDR Acinetobacter baumannii infection in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Shanghai Children's Hospital in China from December 2014 to May 2018. Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates were recovered from different specimens including blood, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, hydrothorax, and urine. Antibiotic susceptibility test was determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute interpretive criteria. Clinical and biological data were obtained from the patients' medical records. RESULTS: 102 patients with Acinetobacter baumannii infection were enrolled. The median age was 36 (9.6, 98.8) months, and there were 63 male in the case group. The overall mortality rate was 29.4%, while the Acinetobacter baumannii-associated mortality rate was 16.7% (17/102, 12 bloodstream infections, 4 meningitis and 1 intra-abdominal infection). Bloodstream infections occurred in 28 patients (27.5%), and 10 patients (9.8%) among them had central line-associated bloodstream infections (6 central venous catheters, 2 PICCs, 1 venous infusion port and 1 arterial catheter). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures were positive in 4(3.9%) patients. 14(13.7%) patients got positive cultures in ascites and hydrothorax. Lower respiratory isolates (56/102) accounted for 54.9% of all patients. Non-survival patients appeared to have a lower NK cell activity (6.2% ± 3.61% vs. 9.15% ± 6.21%, P = 0.029), higher CD4+ T cell ratio (39.67% ± 12.18% vs. 32.66% ± 11.44%, P = 0.039),and a higher serum level of interlukin-8 (IL-8, 15.25 (1.62, 47.22)pg/mL vs. 0.1 (0.1, 22.99)pg/mL, P = 0.01) when Acinetobacter baumannii infection developed. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that high serum level of Cr (RR, 0.934, 95%CI, 0.890-0.981; P = 0.007) and high BUN/ALB level (RR, 107.893, 95%CI, 1.425-870.574; p = 0.005) were associated with high risk of mortality in MDR/XDR Acinetobacter baumannii infected patients. CONCLUSION: MDR/XDR Acinetobacter baumannii infection is a serious concern in pediatric patients with high mortality. Bloodstream and central nervous system infection accounted for high risk of death. Acute kidney injury is associated with high risk of mortality.

[Development history of acupuncture and moxibustion diagnosis and treatment institutions since the founding of the People's Republic of China].

The development process of acupuncture and moxibustion diagnosis and treatment institutions since the founding of the People's Republic of China is summarized and analyzed. The main forms of acupuncture and moxibustion diagnosis and treatment institutions have shifted from the individual, joint clinic and outpatient department of acupuncture and moxibustion in the early years of the founding of the People's Republic of China to the present acupuncture and moxibustion departments in Chinese medicine hospitals and general hospitals.The construction and development of public and private acupuncture and moxibustion hospital and key specialty of acupuncture and moxibustion fully expand the clinical application of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. In the future, the development of acupuncture and moxibustion diagnosis and treatment institutions should highlight its own features to satisfy the requirements of different levels of society.

Carbazole Alkaloids from Clausena anisum-olens: Isolation, Characterization, and Anti-HIV Evaluation.

Two new carbazole alkaloids (1,2) and six known carbazole alkaloids (3-8) were isolated from Clausena anisum-olens. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis. All isolated compounds (1-8) were evaluated for their anti-HIV effects on virus replication in MT-4 lymphocytes infected by HIV-1NL4-3 Nanoluc-sec virus, and new carbazole alkaloid 1 exhibited anti-HIV activity with an EC50 value of 2.4 µg/mL and SI of 7.1.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture at "Shenmen" (HT 7)- "Tongli" (HT 5) of Heart Meridian on Neuronal Activities in Paraventricular Nucleus of Hypothalamus in Myocardial Ischemia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Shenmen" (HT 7) - "Tongli" (HT 5) segment of the Heart Meridian on neuronal electrical activities of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in rats with myocardial ischemia (MI), so as to investigate its possible mechanism underlying improvement of MI. METHODS: Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into sham control, model, HT 7-HT 5 and "Taiyuan" (LU 9)- "Lieque" (LU 7) groups (n=8 in each group). EA preconditioning (2 Hz, 1 V, 20 min) was applied to bilateral HT 7-HT 5 and bilateral LU 9-LU 7, respectively, once everyday for 7 days. The electrical activities of the right PVN region were recorded by the implanted microelectrode array(2×4)and Plexon multi-channel acquisition system. Cluster analysis of neuronal signals was carried out by Offline Sorter software. The discharge waveforms, autocorrelation and cross-correlation of neuronal activities were analyzed by using Neuro Explorer software. RESULTS: Cluster analysis of neuronal signals showed that 2, 2, 1 and 1 interneuron in the sham, model, HT 7-HT 5, and LU 9-LU 7 groups, and 3 pyramidal neurons in the HT 7-HT 5 were acquired. Cross correlation analysis showed that the SPK 02 a and SPK 02 b neurons of the HT 7-HT 5 group had an inhibitory relationship. The total discharge frequency was significantly increased in the model group relevant to the sham group (P<0.01), and was markedly lower in the HT 7-HT 5 group than in the model group and LU 9-LU 7 group (P<0.01). Real-time spectrum analysis showed that the local field potential spectrum energy of the HT 7-HT 5 group was significantly lower than that of the model group and the LU 9-LU 7 group. CONCLUSION: EA of HT 7-HT 5 segment of the Heart Meridian can inhibit the electrical activity of interneuron and activate the electrical activity of pyramidal neuron in PVN region, and an inhibitory relationship exists between the interneuron and pyramidal neuron in MI rats, which may be a mechanism of EA in regulating activities of the ischemic heart.

Electroacupuncture modulates the activity of the hippocampus-nucleus tractus solitarius-vagus nerve pathway to reduce myocardial ischemic injury.

The hippocampus is involved in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, together with the hypothalamus and brainstem nuclei, such as the paraventricular nucleus and nucleus tractus solitarius. The vagus nerve-nucleus tractus solitarius pathway has an important role in cardiovascular reflex regulation. Myocardial ischemia has been shown to cause changes in the autonomic nervous system, affecting the dynamic equilibrium of the sympathetic and vagal nerves. However, it remains poorly understood how the hippocampus communicates with brainstem nuclei to regulate the autonomic nervous system and alleviate myocardial ischemic tissue damage. A rat model of acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) was made by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Three days before ischemia, the hippocampal CA1 region was damaged. Then, 3 days after ischemia, electroacupuncture (EA) at Shenmen (HT7)-Tongli (HT5) was performed (continuous wave, 1 mA, 2 Hz, duration of 30 minutes). Cluster analysis of firing patterns showed that one type of neuron was found in rats in the sham and AMI groups. Three types of neurons were observed in the AMI + EA group. Six types of neurons were found in the AMI + EA + Lesion group. Correlation analysis showed that the frequency of vagus nerve discharge in each group was negatively correlated with heart rate (HR) (P < 0.05, r = -0.424), and positively correlated with mean arterial pressure (MAP) (P < 0.05, r = 0.40987) and the rate-pressure product (RPP) (P < 0.05, r = 0.4252). The total frequency of the nucleus tractus solitarius discharge in each group was positively correlated with vagus nerve discharge (P < 0.01, r = 0.7021), but not with hemodynamic index (HR: P > 0.05, r = -0.03263; MAP: P > 0.05, r = -0.08993; RPP: P > 0.05, r = -0.03263). Some neurons (Neuron C) were negatively correlated with vagus nerve discharge, HR, MAP and RPP in the AMI + EA group (vagus nerve discharge: P < 0.05, r = -0.87749; HR: P < 0.01, r = -0.91902; MAP: P < 0.05, r = -0.85691; RPP: P < 0.01, r = -0.91902). Some neurons (Neurons C, D and E) were positively correlated with vagus nerve discharge, HR, MAP and RPP in the AMI + EA + Lesion group (vagus nerve discharge: P < 0.01, r = 0.8905, P < 0.01, r = 0.9725, P < 0.01, r = 0.9054; HR: P < 0.01, r = 0.9347, P < 0.01, r = 0.9089, P < 0.05, r = 0.8247; MAP: P < 0.05, r = 0.8474, P < 0.01, r = 0.9691, P < 0.01, r = 0.9027; RPP: P < 0.05, r = 0.8637, P < 0.01, r = 0.9407, P < 0.01, r = 0.9027). These findings show that the hippocampus-nucleus tractus solitarius-vagus nerve pathway is involved in the cardioprotective effect of EA at the heart meridian. Some interneurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius may play a particularly important role in the cardiomodulatory process.

Electroacupuncture Improved the Function of Myocardial Ischemia Involved in the Hippocampus-Paraventricular Nucleus-Sympathetic Nerve Pathway.

We investigated the hippocampus-paraventricular nucleus- (PVN-) sympathetic nerve pathway in electroacupuncture (EA) at the heart meridian for the treatment of myocardial ischemia by observing PVN neuronal discharge, sympathetic nerve discharge, and hemodynamics parameters. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were equally divided into four groups: Sham, Model, Model + EA, and Model + EA + Lesion. The model rat was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Changes in the sympathetic nerve discharge and hemodynamic parameters were observed. The Model + EA exhibited a significantly lower discharge frequency of PVN neurons compared with the Model. The Model + EA + Lesion had a significantly higher discharge frequency compared with the Model + EA. The total discharge frequency of PVN neurons and interneurons were positively correlated with the sympathetic nerve discharge. The total discharge frequency of PVN neurons was positively correlated with heart rate (HR) and negatively correlated with mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rate pressure product (RPP). The discharge frequency of interneurons was positively correlated with HR and negatively correlated with MAP and RPP. The hippocampus-PVN-sympathetic nerve pathway is involved in electroacupuncture at the heart meridian and interneurons are the key neurons in PVNs.

Substituting one Paris for another? In vitro cytotoxic and in vivo antitumor activities of Paris forrestii, a substitute of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chong-lou (Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis or P. polyphylla var. chinensis) is traditionally used as an anticancer medicine in China. It is also the material basis of some Chinese patent anticancer medicines, such as Gan-Fu-Le capsules, Bo-Er-Ning capsules, Lou-Lian capsules, Ruan-Jian oral liquid, and Qi-Zhen capsules. P. forrestii, a substitute for Chong-lou, is planted at a large scale in the Yunnan Province of China. AIM OF THE STUDY: To clarify the active chemical constituents of P. forrestii and evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities of the total saponins from P. forrestii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total saponins of P. forrestii were extracted and separated to yield pure compounds by chromatographic techniques, and the structures of the isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxicity of the crude extracts, total saponins, and chemical constituents were evaluated using an MTS assay. In vivo antitumor activities of the total saponins from P. forrestii were measured using H22 tumor-bearing mice by intraperitoneal (ip) administration. RESULTS: Eight compounds, including polyphyllin D (1), formosanin C (2), dioscin (3), diosgenin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4), paris saponin H (5), pennogenin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)]-ß-d-glucopyranoside (6), pariposide A (7), and crustecdysone (8), were isolated from the total saponins of P. forrestii. The total saponins and compounds 1-6 showed significant inhibitory activity against the growth of the HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines. The total saponins from P. forrestii had a tumor-inhibitory effect in H22 tumor-bearing mice upon ip (2.25 mg/kg dose) administration, with an inhibition rate of 42.6% compared with cisplatin (ip, 2 mg/kg dose, 53.9% inhibition rate). CONCLUSION: The results support that P. forrestii could be a substitute for P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis as an anticancer medicine.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Heart Meridian on Autonomic Nervous Activities in Acute Myocardial Ischemia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of the Heart Meridian on electrical activities of neck sympathetic and vagal nerves in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rats. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, sham operation (sham), model and EA(n=10 rats in each group). The left anterior descending branch (LADB) of the coronary artery was occluded to make an acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) model.For rats of the sham group, a surgical suture was simply threaded beneath the LADB without ligation. EA stimulation (2 Hz, 1 mA)was applied to bilateral "Shenmen" (HT 7), "Tongli" (HT 5) and the middle-point between HT 7 and HT 5 for 20 min. The electrical activities of the left cervical sympathetic and vagal nerves were recorded using a bipolar platinum wire electrodes and a BIOPAC MPl 50 system, and the electrocardiogram (ECG) of the standard limb lead Ⅱ was recorded simultaneously. The AMI severity was evaluated by using J-spot height of ECG. RESULTS: After AMI, the heart rate (HR), J-spot of ECG, and the discharge frequency of the cervical sympathetic nerve were significantly increased in the model group compared with the sham group (P<0.01), while the discharge frequency of vagal nerve was obviously decreased (P<0.01). Following EA stimulation, the increased levels of HR, J-spot height and discharge frequency of sympathetic nerve, and the decreased discharge frequency of vagus were significantly suppressed at time-points of 1, 3, 5 and 15 min after EA (P<0.01). In addition, the ratio of discharge frequencies of vagal/sympathetic nerves was notably down-regulated after AMI (P<0.01). After EA stimulation, the ratios of vagal/sympathetic discharge at the time-points of 1, 3, 5 and 15 min following EA were significantly increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EA stimulation of the Heart Meridian may improve AMI by inhibiting sympathetic discharges and elevating vagal discharges in AMI rats, i.e., coordinating activities of the autonomic nerve systems.

Electroacupuncture Ameliorates the Coronary Occlusion Related Tachycardia and Hypotension in Acute Rat Myocardial Ischemia Model: Potential Role of Hippocampus.

Mechanisms for electroacupuncture (EA) in disease treatments are still enigmatic. Here, we studied whether hippocampus was involved in the protection of EA stimulation on myocardial ischemia injury. Acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) model was produced. EA stimulation at heart meridian from Shenmen (HT7) to Tongli (HT5) was applied to rats 3 times a day for continuous three days. Coronary occlusion related tachycardia and hypotension, indicated by heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and rate pressure product, were apparently impaired after AMI injury. By contrast, EA stimulating could ameliorate the impairments of heart function (P < 0.05). Interestingly, lesion of CA1 region of hippocampus abolished the protection of EA. Neuronal activity in CA1 area was affected by AMI. As evidenced, cell counts, cell types, and frequency of the discharged neurons were facilitated after AMI, while EA stimulation attenuated the abnormalities. Furthermore, c-Fos expression was significantly facilitated in CA1 area after AMI, which was reduced by EA stimulation. Correlations were established between c-Fos expression and cell counts of discharged neurons, as well as between heart function and cell counts of discharged neurons. Taken together, EA stimulation at heart meridian protects against heart dysfunction induced by AMI possibly through suppressing the neuronal activity in CA1 region.

[Research progress on effects of traditional Chinese medicines on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are a kind of pluripotent stem cells derived from bone marrows, which can not only support hematopoiesis, but also have capabilities of multidifferentiation, high-proliferation and self-renewing. They have become one of hotspots in stem cell studies. Studies on in vitro intervention with BMSCs with TCMs have made remarkable progress in recent years. According to the findings, some traditional Chinese medicines can promote proliferation of BMSCs, some can inhibit the apoptosis of BMSCs, while others can induce BMSCs to differentiate into multiple cell types, such as osteoblast. Furthermore, some studies also involved relevant action mechanisms. The authors summarized the advance in relevant studies by reference to relevant literatures of this field.

[Comparative study on effects of electroacupuncture stimulation of Shenmen (HT 7) and Taiyuan (LU 9) on P 300 of event-related potentials and brain electrical activity mapping in healthy young adults].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect difference of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of Shenmen (HT 7) and Taiyuan (LU 9) on P 300 of event-related potentials (ERPs) in volunteer subjects, so as to explore functional specificity of acupoints in processing cerebral information. METHODS: Sixty healthy volunteer college students were randomly and equally divided into Shenmen (HT 7) group and Taiyuan (LU 9) group (30 persons/group). EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral Shenmen (HT 7) and Taiyuan (LU 9) for 15 min. The ERPs were acquired by averaging EEG activity following Oddba II auditory tone-double stimuli and brain electrical activity mapping (BEAM) acquired by means of Scan 4.5 collection and analysis system. Data were calculated and analyzed with SPSS 17.0 for Windows. After testing, the subjects were inquired about the perception for acupuncture stimulation and other sensations or psychological activities. RESULTS: Following EA stimulation of both HT 7 and LU 9, the amplitude of P 300 in the ERPs were significantly decreased in comparison with pre-EA stimulation in the same one group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). No significant changes were found in the latencies of P 300 after EA stimulation of both HT 7 and LU 9 (P > 0.05). But, EA of HT 7 had a slightly stronger effect in shortening P 300 latency. With regard to the potential intensity distribution of BEAM, there were some differences between HT 7 and LU 9 groups. The high potential responses for HT 7 were found mainly in the occipital lobe, and in the left parietal lobe and the right temporal lobe, whereas those for LU 9 were found to mainly disperse in the left occipital lobe and the parietal lobe. CONCLUSION: EA stimulation of HT 7 and LU 9 has a slight difference on lowering P 300 amplitude of ERPs, and may result in different distribution of the high potential responses in different lobes of the cerebral cortex in healthy subjects. The functional specificity of EA stimulation of different acupoints needs further study.

[Effects of acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) or Taiyuan (LU9) on P3a and P3b of event-related potentials in healthy young adults].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of manual acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) or Taiyuan (LU9) on the attention function of the brain, and to lay an experimental foundation for researching brain function and integration mechanisms of the human brain in relation to acupuncture stimulation. METHODS: Ten healthy young college students were selected as experimental subjects. P3a and P3b potentials were induced by novel stimulation and target stimulation with vision and were observed using Neuroscan event-related potentials system at time windows of ms 330-430 or 400-600 ms for observing the change of intensity distribution of P300 after manual acupuncture at HT7 or LU9. RESULTS: The amplitude of P3a and P3b decreased significantly after manual acupuncture at HT7 or LU9, but the degree of decreases affected by the acupoints was different. The decrease of the amplitude of P3a due to acupuncture at HT7 was more significant than acupuncture at LU9 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The attention function of the brain is affected by manual acupuncture at HT7 or LU9 and manual acupuncture at HT7 has a greater influence on the attention function of the brain.

[Effects of acupuncture on expression of norepinephrine transporter mRNA in the cervical sympathetic ganglion and beta1-AR mRNA in the heart in cerebral-cardiac syndrome rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on the expression of norepinephrine transporter (NET) mRNA in the middle cervical-stellate ganglion complex (MC-SGC) and beta1-adrenergic receptor (beta1-AR) mRNA in the left ventricular myocardium in cerebral-cardiac syndrome (CCS) rats, so as to study its underlying mechanism in the prevention and treatment of CCS. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized into sham operation, model and EA groups (n=6). CCS model was duplicated by intravenous injection of 1 microL of saline containing collagenase (1 U/microL) + heparin (7 U/microL) into the caudate nucleus. EA (2 Hz, 5 V) was applied to "Shuigou" (GV 26)-"Fengfu" (GV 16), and "Neiguan" (PC 6)-"Xinshu" (BL 15) for 20 min, once daily for 3 days. Seventy-two hours after modeling, pathological changes of the brain and cardiac tissues were observed after sectioning and stained with HE method. The expression of MC-SGC NET mRNA and the myocardial p1-AR mRNA of the left ventricle were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS: (1) In comparison with the model group, the number of the exuded red blood cells in the brain tissue around the caudate Nucleus region was fewer, the severity of the tissue edema, cell necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration lighter in the EA group. Compared with the model group, the severity of degeneration and necrosis of myocytes was lighter and the number of the broken cardiac smooth muscle fewer in the EA group. (2) The expression levels of both MC-SGC NET mRNA and myocardial beta1-AR mRNA were significantly lower in the model group than in the sham operation group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of both MC-SGC NET mRNA and myocardial beta1-AR mRNA were upregulated considerably in the EA group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EA of GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 can upregulate the expression of both MC-SGC NET mRNA and myocardial beta1-AR mRNA in CCS rats which may contribute to its effect in the prevention and treatment of CCS syndrome.

[Study on the relative specificity of the heart and lung meridians in brain with fMRI].

OBJECTIVE: To study the central modulation mechanism on the relative specificity of the Heart and Lung Meridians and to provide the experimental evidence for deeply study on correlation between meridian-viscera and brain. METHODS: Ten healthy students in Anhui College of TCM were chosen and a modified block design was adopted. After 32 time points of resting and 32 of rotation needling, then 48 of resting and 32 stimulating, and 16 resting time points, functional imagings were collected at last. All the process would last for 10 min 44 sec. Acupuncture work was finished by one acupuncturist with extensive experience by acupuncture at the left Shenmen (HT 7) or Taiyuan (LU 8) with the disposable sterile stainless steel needle, and uniform reinforcing-reducing method was used with frequency of 1 Hz and depth of 1.0 cm. After the experiment, the sensation of acupuncture and the other feeling or psychic process were inquired and recorded detailedly. These data were analyzed by AFNI software. RESULTS: Acupuncture at Taiyuan (LU 8) could excite the contralateral frontal lobe, apical lobe, cerebral ganglion, VI, VIII areas and inferior semilunar lobule of cerebellum, and restrain bilateral callosal gyrus and homolateral gyrus rectus. Acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) could excite the contralateral IV-VIII areas of cerebellum, and homolateral VI, VII areas of cerebellum, and restrain parts of homolateral apical lobe. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) of the Heart Meridian and Taiyuan (LU 8) of the Lung Meridian can excite or restrain different brain areas, indicating that there are relatively specific corresponding brain areas for the Heart Meridian and Lung Meridian.

[Nutrition effectiveness of infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months by Yingyangbao in Lixian County affected by Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan Province].

OBJECTIVE: This project aimed to investigate the nutrition status of infants and young children aged 6-23 months before and after the Yingyangbao intervention in Lixian county in Sichuan province. METHODS: The infants and young children aged 6-23 months in Lixian county were fed one sachet Yingyangbao which contains protein, vitamins and micronutrients per day for 15 months. The length, body weight and hemoglobin were measured for 510 infants and young children featured representative characteristics in Lixian County before and after Yingyangbao intervention. The statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the WAZ, HAZ, the low weight rate, the stunting rate, the anemia rate and the hemoglobin concentration of the infants and young children aged 6-11 months, 12-17 months, 18-23 months and 24-29 months, respectively. RESULTS: The results of the statistical analysis showed that the HAZ scores of the infants and young children aged 6-11 and 18-23 months increased 0.51 and 0.44 compared to the baseline, respectively. They were significantly higher than those of the baseline (P < 0.05). The stunting rate of young children aged 18-23 months was significantly lower than the baseline (P < 0.05). The concentration of the hemoglobin in each group among the 4 groups increased 12.7, 11.4, 16.7 and 15.7 g/L compared to the baseline, respectively. The total anemia prevalence among infants and young childre in each age group was significantly lower than the baseline (chi2 = 15.863, 24.302, 37.365, 25.990, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Yingyangbao which contains quality protein, vitamins and micronutrients intervened 15 months could be effective for the growth and improvement of anemia of infants and young children aged 6-23 months.

[Study on the mechanism of electroacupuncture of different acupoint groups in the treatment of cerebrocardiac syndrome in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoint groups on heart rate variability (HRV) and cerebral glutamate (Glu) and aspartic acid (Asp) contents in cerebrocardiac syndrome (CCS) rats. METHODS: A total of 52 Wistar rats were randomized into normal (n = 8), sham-operation (sham, n = 8), model (n = 12), Shuigou-Fengfu (GV 26-GV 16, n = 12), and Neiguan-Xinshu (PC 6-BL 15, n = 12) groups. CCS model was established by intracerebral (Caudate nucleus) injection of clostridiopeptidase (1 U/microl) plus heparin (7 U/microl). EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 for 20 min, once daily for 3 days. Cerebral Glu and Asp contents were detected by high performance liquid chromatography, and HRV was analyzed by SMUP Software. RESULTS: In comparison with normal and sham groups, the R-R interval (RRI) of electrocardiogram and total variability (TV) of HRV, cerebral Glu and Asp contents in model group increased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the ratio of low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) decreased evidently (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, RRI and TV values, and cerebral Glu and Asp contents of EA of GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 groups reduced markedly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), LF/HF of the later two groups increased evidently (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 groups in RRI, TV and LF/HF of HRV, and cerebral Glu and Asp contents (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of both GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 can effectively improve CCS in rats, which is closely associated with their effects in lowering cerebral Glu and Asp levels and in suppressing the excitability of sympathetic nerve.

[Differentially expressed genes involving the correlativity between heart meridian and hypothalamus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the bio-molecule basis of correlativity between Heart Meridian and hypothalamus from gene differential expression. METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups randomly: normal control, model, Heart Meridian-electroacupuncture (EA) and Lung Meridian-EA groups, with 7 cases in each. Acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) model was duplicated by occlusion of the left anterior descending branch (LAD) of the coronary artery under anesthesia (3% Nemb, 40 mg/kg). EA (1.1 mA, 2 Hz, duration of waves 300 micros) was applied to bilateral "Shenmen" (HT 7)-"Tongli" (HT 5, Heart Meridian), "Taiyuan" (LU 9)-"Lieque" (LU 7, Lung Meridian) separately for 20 min, once daily for 3 days. Then, hypothalamus tissue was taken for differentially expressed gene profiling analysis (Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Genome U 230 Affymetrix). RESULTS: Compared with model group, among the differentially expressed genes above 2 times in Heart-Meridian-EA group and Lung-Meridian-EA group, 190 and 57 were up-regulated, 34 and 26 down-regulated separately. Compared with Lung-Meridian-EA group, among the 175 differentially expressed genes above 2 times in hypothalamus tissues of Heart-Meridian-EA group, 147 were up-regulated and 28 down-regulated. CONCLUSION: In comparison with EA of Lung Meridian, a different gene expression profile of hypothalamus tissue is involved in the effect of EA of Heart-Meridian on acute myocardial ischemia.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of different acupoints on cardiac function in acute myocardial ischemia rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Shenmen" (HT 7), "Taiyuan" (LU 9), "Zhizheng" (SI 7) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) on cardiac function in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rabbits. METHODS: A total of 60 rabbits were randomly divided into normal control, model, EA-PC6, EA-HT7, EA-LU9, EA-S17 and EA-SP6 groups. AMI model was established by intravenous administration of pituitrin. ECG, maximal ascending rate ( + dp/dt max) and maximal descending rate (- dp/dt max) of the left ventricular pressure, and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) were recorded. RESULTS: The heart rate (HR), +dp/dt max, -dp/dt max and LVSP decreased significantly after AMI (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the 4 indexes of EA-PC6, EA-HT7 and EA-S17 groups increased considerably (P<0.05, 0.01) at most time-points after AMI, and the effects of EA-PC6 and EA-HT7 were markedly better than those of EA-SI7, EA-LU9 and EA-SP6 (P<0.05, 0.01). No significant differences were found among model group, EA-LU9 and EA-SP6 groups in HR, + dp/dt max, -dp/dt max and LVSP at most time-points after AMI. CONCLUSION: EA of PC6, HT7 and SI7 has a good effect in improving ischemic cardiac performance, and the effect of PC6 and HT7 is markedly better than that of SI7. The effect of EA of SP6 and LU9 is poorer on ischemic cardiac function.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Zhizheng" (SI 7) on cardiac function and electrical activities of cardiac sympathetic nerve in acute myocardial ischemia rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Zhizheng" (SI 7) on cardiac function and electrical activities of the cardiac sympathetic nerve in acute myocardial schemia rabbits. METHODS: Forty livid-blue rabbits were randomly divided into normal control, model, "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Zhizheng" (517) groups with 10 cases in each group. Acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) model was established by intravenous injection of pituitrin (3 U/kg). Changes of heart rate (HR), maximum rising rate (+dp/dt max) and maximum descending rate (-dp/dt max) of the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and discharges of cardiac sympathetic nerve (superior cardiac branch) were recorded. EA (2 Hz, 5 V) was applied to bilateral "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Zhizheng" (SI 7) for 30 mm. RESULTS: After AMI, HR, LVSP, +dp/dt max and firing frequency of cardiac sympathetic nerve decreased significantly (P < 0.01), and -dp/dt max increased obviously in model group (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, HR, +dp/dt max and cardiac sympathetic discharge of HT7 and S17 groups increased significantly 10 mm and 20 mm after EA (P < 0.05, 0.01), and -dp/dt max of the later 2 groups reduced evidently 20 mm after EA (P < 0.05, 0.01). No significant differences were found between HT7 and control groups in HR, LVSP and the firing frequency of cardiac nerve 20 mm and 30 mm after EA, and between S17 and control groups in the firing frequency of cardiac nerve 30 mm after EA (P > 0.05). The effects of group HT7 were significantly better than those of S17 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of both HT7 and S17 can obviously improve cardiac function and electrical activity of cardiac sympathetic nerve in AMI, and the effects of HT7 are markedly better than those of S17.