Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in patients with postpartum depression: a meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD). Methods: We systematically retrieved relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, EMBASE, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Chinese Biological Medical Database, and the Wanfang database from their inception to November 2023. The outcomes measured were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores, adverse events (AEs), and the total response rate. The study aimed to estimate heterogeneity, publication bias, mean difference (MD), and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: This study included 12 RCTs with a total of 1364 participants (571 in the treatment group and 793 in the control group) for analysis. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that EA did not significantly reduce HAMD (MD = 1.49, 95% CI = [-0.30, 3.27], P = 0.1, I2 = 0%) and EPDS (MD = 1.12, 95% CI = [-1.62, 3.85], P = 0.42, I2 = 32%) scores compared to sham EA among patients with PPD, resulting in low heterogeneity. In terms of the total response rate, the EA group exhibited superior results compared to the placebo group (RR = 1.77, 95% CI = [1.15, 2.74], P = 0.01, I2 = 0%) and the sham EA group (RR = 1.2, 95% CI = [1.02, 4.4], P = 0.02, I2 = 0%), with statistical significance and low heterogeneity. The incidence of AEs was lower, also with low heterogeneity (RR = 0.9, 95% CI = [0.57, 1.43], P = 0.66, I2 = 12%). Conclusion: The current evidence indicates that the effectiveness and safety of EA in the treatment of PPD warrant affirmation. However, EA does not demonstrate superiority over sham EA in reducing HAMD and EPDS scores in patients with PPD. Due to the limited quantity and quality of curent research, the above conclusion should be further validated through high-quality studies to confirm the efectiveness of EA in PPD management. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=318917, identifier CRD42023318917.

TNNT1 accelerates migration, invasion and EMT progression in lung cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, most patients with lung cancer (LC) die from tumor spread and metastasis. Specific metastasis-related molecules can provide reference for clinical prediction of efficacy, evaluation of prognosis, and search for the best treatment plan. Troponin T1 (TNNT1) is highly expressed in various cancer tissues, which affects malignant behavior of tumor cells and is related to patients' survival and prognosis. However, the role and molecular mechanism of TNNT1 in LC invasion and metastasis have not yet been investigated. METHODS: Gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) online analysis was used to analyze TNNT1 expression in LC tissues. Quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot were performed to measure TNNT1 or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related and Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related protein expression in LC cells. After TNNT1 knockdown, cell scratch healing and transwell assays were introduced to assess cell migration and invasion, respectively. RESULTS: TNNT1 expression in LC tissues and cells was increased. TNNT1 knockdown notably impaired LC cell migration, invasion and EMT. TNNT1 knockdown inhibited Wnt/ß-catenin pathway of LC cells. Lithium chloride (LiCl) addition partially restored the inhibition of TNNT1 knockdown on migration, invasion, EMT and Wnt/ß-catenin of LC cells. CONCLUSION: TNNT1 knockdown attenuated LC migration, invasion and EMT, possibly through Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

Micelle enabled C(sp2)-C(sp3) cross-electrophile coupling in water via synergistic nickel and copper catalysis.

A robust and sustainable C(sp2)-C(sp3) cross-electrophile coupling was developed via nickel/copper synergistic catalysis under micellar conditions. This protocol provided a general method to access alkylated arenes with good to excellent yields on a very large scale.

Effect of electroacupuncture at different acupoints in treating rapid gastric emptying: Zusanli (ST36) plus Zhongwan (CV12) versus Zhongwan (CV12) alone.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on rapid gastric emptying by comparing the effectiveness of electroacupuncture at both Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12) (He-Mu acupoints) versus electroacupuncture at Zhongwan (CV12) alone. METHODS: Sixty-five patients were randomly divided into two groups; 33 patients in the He-Mu acupoints group received electroacupuncture at both Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12), while 32 patients in the single acupoint group received electroacupuncture only at Zhongwan (CV12). Both groups were treated once daily for 30 min, five times per week for 3 weeks. Before and after the 3-week treatment course, patients underwent gastric emptying scintigraphy and were assessed using the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) symptom scale of gastrointestinal diseases. The two groups were compared regarding the percentages of gastric retention at 30 and 60 min and the TCM symptom scores. RESULTS: After the treatment course, the percentages of gastric retention at 30 and 60 min were significantly improved in both groups compared with the pre-treatment values (P < 0.01). The improvement in the gastric retention was significantly better in the He-Mu acupoints group than the single acupoint group at 30 min (P <0.01) and 60 min (P < 0.05). The TCM symptom score was significantly decreased after the treatment course in both groups (P < 0.01). The improvement in the TCM symptom score was significantly better in the He-Mu acupoints group than the single acupoint group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate was 93.55% (29/31) in the He-Mu acupoints group and 77.42% (24/31) in the single acupoint group. The treatment effect was better in the He-Mu acupoints group than the single acupoint group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electroacupuncture at both Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12) or at Zhongwan (CV12) alone is effective in treating rapid gastric emptying. Furthermore, electroacupuncture at both Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12) is more effective than electroacupuncture at Zhongwan (CV12) alone.

[Clinical data analysis of 2491 acupuncture inpatient consultations: a report from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the 2491 acupuncture inpatient consultations in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University during 2014, and analyze the application of acupuncture in comprehensive hospital, hoping to provide direction and methods for clinical practice and scientific research of acupuncture. METHODS: The consultation record and hospitalization information during 2014 in Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, were collected and summarized through Inpatient Information Management System. The distribution of consultation discipline and disease were analyzed. RESULTS: Among all the consultations, 15 second-class disciplines were involved, and the number of neurology and surgery was 1399, accounting for 59.00% of all consultation. 111 types of diseases were found in consultation, mainly postoperative complications, cerebrovascular disease and arthropathy. The primary disease of consultations involved all the systems, mainly nervous system disease, musculoskeletal system disease, connective tissue diseases and genitourinary system diseases, accounting for 73.89% of all consultations. . CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is closely related with clinical disciplines of neurology and surgery. The cooperation between acupuncture and pediatrics and oncology should be strengthened. Acupuncture has an advantage over treating postoperative complications and neuromuscular diseases.

[Mr ZHENG Yugui's academic thoughts: in memory of the successor of Chengjiang acupuncture school in Shandong province].

Mr ZHENG Yugui, a distinguished acupuncturist in Qilu area, is one of the successors of Chengjiang acupuncture school in Shandong province. Through collecting the papers and works concerning Mr ZHENG, the academic thoughts are summarized, including careful and clear differentiation of syndrome, specific and precise selection of acupoints, reinforcing and reducing methods based on qi, and gentle and soft manipulation of needles. He has discovered new acupoints such as Fengyan point, etc. He also focuses on moxibustion and creates Taiyang moxibustion method. In addition, to develop acupuncture education, Mr ZHENG has played a deep and important role in spreading Chengjiang acupuncture school in Shandong province.