The landscape of novel strategies for acute myeloid leukemia treatment: Therapeutic trends, challenges, and future directions.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous subtype of hematological malignancies with a wide spectrum of cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities, which makes it difficult to manage and cure. Along with the deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AML pathogenesis, a large cohort of novel targeted therapeutic approaches has emerged, which considerably expands the medical options and changes the therapeutic landscape of AML. Despite that, resistant and refractory cases caused by genomic mutations or bypass signalling activation remain a great challenge. Therefore, discovery of novel treatment targets, optimization of combination strategies, and development of efficient therapeutics are urgently required. This review provides a detailed and comprehensive discussion on the advantages and limitations of targeted therapies as a single agent or in combination with others. Furthermore, the innovative therapeutic approaches including hyperthermia, monoclonal antibody-based therapy, and CAR-T cell therapy are also introduced, which may provide safe and viable options for the treatment of patients with AML.

Brucella meningoencephalitis in children with status epilepticus A case report and literature review / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To investigate the clinical characteristics and incidence of Brucella encephalitis and meningitis in children. Methods We report the clinical data of a child with Brucella melitensis meningitis in children, and summarize the incidence, diagnosis methods and treatment of Brucella encephalitis or meningitis in children, taking into account the relevant domestic and foreign literature from January 2014 to December 2020. Results　A 4-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital with status epilepticus on March 15, 2021 because of interrupted right limb numbness for 16 hours and convulsions for 2 hours. She had 2 non-febrile convulsions three months before admission and was diagnosed with epilepsy. This incident was acute, accompanied by low fever, with epilepsy as the main manifestation. Cerebrospinal fluid test suggested central nervous system infection, but the nature of infection could not be determined by routine and biochemistry of cerebrospinal fluid.The cerebrospinal fluid next generation sequencing confirmed that the pathogen of the infection was B. melitensis, which was further verified by the peripheral blood antibody test. After effective antibiotics combined with a full course of treatment, the patient recovered after six months of treatment. A total of 60 articles were retrieved in the database, including 29 in Chinese. During this period, a total of 7 cases of brucellosis in children with nervous system involvement were reported, one of which was a case report, and the other 6 cases were mentioned in the comprehensive analysis of children with brucellosis. Conclusions　Brucella encephalitis or meningitis in children has a low incidence and various clinical features, which are easy to be misdiagnosed or missed.

Establishment of a culture system for human nasal mucosa organoids with controllable differentiation / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a culture system for human nasal mucosal organoids with controllable differentiation to reproduce the structure and function of the source tissue through staged expansion-differentiation culture.@*METHODS@#Fresh samples of surgically resected middle turbinate and nasal polyp tissues were collected, from which the nasal mucosa epithelial cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion and filtration for continuous culture at the air-liquid interface for expansion (EO group) or staged culture for expansion and differentiation (DO group). Immunohistochemical staining was used to characterize the structure, cellular composition and ciliary function of nasal mucosal organoids in the two groups. The secretion function of the differentiated nasal mucosal organoids in DO group was evaluated using PAS staining.@*RESULTS@#Both of the two organoid culture systems yielded vacuolar or solid spherical 3D organoids, and their diameters increased progressively with time. On day 16 of culture, more vacuolar organoids occurred in DO group, while more solid spherical organoids were seen in EO group, and the proportion of vacuoles was significantly greater in DO group than in EO group [(54.67±13.26)% vs (21.67±8.57)%, P < 0.05]. Short tandem repeat (STR) test of the nasal mucosal organoids and the source tissue showed a 100% match between them. On day 21 of culture, scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the nasal mucosal organoids identified ultrastructure of cilia in DO group and short villi structure in most of the organoids in EO group. Immunohistochemical staining showed positivity for P63 (basal cells), β-tubulin (ciliated columnar cells), and MUC5AC (goblet cells) in the organoids. Compared with those in EO group, the organoids in DO group showed significantly greater percentages of ciliated cells [(7.95±1.81)% vs (27.04±5.91)%, P < 0.05] and goblet cells [(14.46±0.93)% vs (39.85±5.43)%, P < 0.05) with a similar percentage of basal cells [(56.91±14.12)% vs (53.42±15.77)%, P > 0.05]. The differentiated nasal mucosal organoids in DO group were positively stained for glycogen.@*CONCLUSION@#The staged expansion-differentiation culture method allows more stable and prolonged growth of the cultured cells in vitro to produce organoids with controllable differentiation closely resembling the morphological structure and functions (ciliary function and secretory function) of the source tissue.

Impacts of climate change and human activities on net primary productivity of grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China during 1982-2015.

We analyzed the impacts of climate change and human activities on the net primary productivity of grasslands in Inner Mongolia during 1982-2015. The results showed that the growth rates of actual net primary productivity (ANPP) were 1.08 and 1.36 g C · m-2 · a-1 in 1982-1998 and 1999-2015, respectively. Such changes were largely due to restoration, with restoration implementing in 81.6% and 76.3% of the total study area in 1982-1998 and 1999-2015, respectively. The area of degraded grasslands tends to increase. The effects of climate change and human activity varied across different types of grassland. Climate change was the main contributor to grassland restoration over the two periods, with the contribution rates being 79.3% and 94.1%, respectively. The ANPP was positively correlated with precipitation but not with temperature, indicating that precipitation was the main climate factor influencing grassland restoration. Human activities contributed most to grassland degradation over the two periods, with the contribute rate being 83.3% and 87.8%, respectively. Our results suggested that the climate change was the dominant contributor to grassland restoration, while human activities, such as increase in livestock numbers, cultivation and afforestation, accelerated grassland degradation.

Vancomycin-induced thrombocytopenia in endocarditis: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is a serious complication in the medical practice of numerous drugs. Vancomycin is frequently used for the prophylaxis and treatment of suspected or identified methicillin-resistant positive infections. Several cases with vancomycin-induced thrombocytopenia (VIT) have been reported. However, these have rarely been extensively reviewed. The present report describes a case of VIT in endocarditis, and reviews all VIT cases reported in the literature. CASE SUMMARY: A 26-year-old male diagnosed with infective endocarditis was admitted. The patient was treated with multiple drugs, including vancomycin, which was initially intravenously given at 1000 mg every 12 h and subsequently at 500 mg every 8 h on day 3. On day 11, the platelet count decreased to 51 × 109/L, vancomycin was switched to 500 mg every 12 h, and platelet transfusion was given. On day 17, the platelet count dropped to 27 × 109/L, and platelet transfusion was administered again. On day 23, vancomycin was adjusted to 500 mg every 8 h as the trough concentration dropped to the minimum effective concentration. On day 33, the platelet count declined to approximately 40 × 109/L. After platelet transfusion, the platelet count rebounded to 90 × 109/L on day 35 but dropped again to 42 × 109/L on day 43. Based on the time-to-platelet count curve and Naranjo's Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale score, VIT was suspected. After vancomycin discontinuation and platelet transfusion, the platelet count gradually normalized. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of VIT can be achieved through the time-to-platelet count curve and Naranjo's Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale score. The platelet count cannot be normalized simply by platelet transfusion alone, and vancomycin discontinuation is essential.

Phenolic glycosides from the stems of Homalium stenophyllum / 中国天然药物

The phytochemical investigation of the stems of Homalium stenophyllum afforded seven new phenolic glycosides (1-5 and 8-9) and two known compounds (6 and 7). Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of NMR spectroscopic, mass spectrometric data and chemical hydrolysis. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory activities against the NO production in LPS-induced macrophages were evaluated.

An Open Pilot Trial of Written Exposure Therapy for Patients With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Korea

Objective@#Written exposure therapy (WET) is exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compared to evidencebased treatments for PTSD, WET requires only five sessions, has a shorter session time, and no between-session assignments. The current study examined the efficacy of WET among Korean patients with PTSD due to various traumatic events on PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and global functioning levels. @*Methods@#The study recruited 41 patients with a current primary diagnosis of PTSD in psychiatric outpatient clinics. Assessments were conducted at baseline, and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks following the first treatment session. @*Results@#In total, 25 patients started WET. Findings showed a significant reduction in the rate of PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity scores. Fourteen of 23 (60.9%) patients at 6 weeks, 15 of 22 (68.2%) patients at 12 weeks, and 14 of 18 (77.8%) patients at 24 weeks no longer met the diagnosis of PTSD. Depressive symptoms and global function scores also improved after WET. The dropout rate was 8% (n=2). @*Conclusion@#This study suggests the feasibility of implementing WET among various types of patients with PTSD in Korea and other Asian countries.

An Open Pilot Trial of Written Exposure Therapy for Patients With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Korea

Objective@#Written exposure therapy (WET) is exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compared to evidencebased treatments for PTSD, WET requires only five sessions, has a shorter session time, and no between-session assignments. The current study examined the efficacy of WET among Korean patients with PTSD due to various traumatic events on PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and global functioning levels. @*Methods@#The study recruited 41 patients with a current primary diagnosis of PTSD in psychiatric outpatient clinics. Assessments were conducted at baseline, and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks following the first treatment session. @*Results@#In total, 25 patients started WET. Findings showed a significant reduction in the rate of PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity scores. Fourteen of 23 (60.9%) patients at 6 weeks, 15 of 22 (68.2%) patients at 12 weeks, and 14 of 18 (77.8%) patients at 24 weeks no longer met the diagnosis of PTSD. Depressive symptoms and global function scores also improved after WET. The dropout rate was 8% (n=2). @*Conclusion@#This study suggests the feasibility of implementing WET among various types of patients with PTSD in Korea and other Asian countries.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Cognitive Fucntioning:A Literature Review / 신경정신의학

Cognitive deficits due to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affect patients’ social and occupational functioning and lead to social costs. Thus, it is important to understand the nature and extent of PTSD-related neurocognitive deficits to clarify the mechanisms underlying cognitive changes, identify factors that interfere with treatment, and help interpret clinical profiles. This study reviewed recent studies on the relationships between PTSD and neurocognitive domains. The magnitude of the influence of PTSD differs across cognitive function domains. Also, the extent of the effect on any given domain may also differ according to the type of trauma experienced by the subject. In addition to its negative effects on cognitive functioning, PTSD was associated with increased response to threats or trauma-related stimuli, which compromised task performance. Although each PTSD symptom may have a different effect on each cognitive function, it was difficult to generalize the results. This study is significant in that our conclusions, which emerged through a review of studies regarding the relationship between PTSD and cognitive functioning, provide a theoretical basis for further research.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Cognitive Fucntioning:A Literature Review / 신경정신의학

Cognitive deficits due to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affect patients’ social and occupational functioning and lead to social costs. Thus, it is important to understand the nature and extent of PTSD-related neurocognitive deficits to clarify the mechanisms underlying cognitive changes, identify factors that interfere with treatment, and help interpret clinical profiles. This study reviewed recent studies on the relationships between PTSD and neurocognitive domains. The magnitude of the influence of PTSD differs across cognitive function domains. Also, the extent of the effect on any given domain may also differ according to the type of trauma experienced by the subject. In addition to its negative effects on cognitive functioning, PTSD was associated with increased response to threats or trauma-related stimuli, which compromised task performance. Although each PTSD symptom may have a different effect on each cognitive function, it was difficult to generalize the results. This study is significant in that our conclusions, which emerged through a review of studies regarding the relationship between PTSD and cognitive functioning, provide a theoretical basis for further research.

Desmoglein 3 gene mediates epidermal growth factor/epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway involved in inflammatory response and immune function of anaphylactic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of desmoglein 3 (DSG3) gene mediating epidermal growth factor/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF/EGFR) signaling pathway on inflammatory response and immune function of anaphylactic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Ten of the seventy male BALB/c mice were randomly selected as the normal control group, and the remaining 60 were used to construct the AR mice model. AR model mice were divided into 6 groups: model group (instilled with 5 µL saline), empty vector group (instilled with 5 µL of liposome and empty vector mixture), siRNA-DSG3 group (instilled with 5 µL of liposome and siRNA-DSG3 carrier mixture), AG1478 group (instilled with 5 µL of EGF/EGFR inhibitor AG1478), siRNA-DSG3+AG1478 group (instilled with 5 µL of liposome and siRNA-DSG3 carrier and EGF/EGFR inhibitor AG1478 mixture) and oe-DSG3 group, 10 in each group. After taking serum, each group of mice was sacrificed to get nasal mucosa tissues. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of nasal mucosa tissues in each group. The expression levels of DSG3, EGF and EGFR in nasal mucosa tissues of mice in each group were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot methods respectively. TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of nasal mucosa cells in mice. The expression of IgE, INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 in serum of mice was determined by ELISA method. The immune adhesion function of red blood cells was detected by complement sensitization yeast hemagglutination method. RESULTS: All the mice with AR showed different degrees of nasal mucosa injury and inflammatory cell infiltration, and silencing DSG3 or inhibiting the activity of EGF signaling pathway could alleviate the nasal mucosa injury. Compared with control group, the INF-γ and IL-2 levels of serum in AR model mice were significantly decreased; IgE, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-6 levels were significantly increased (all P < 0.05); the mRNA expression levels and protein levels of DSG3, EGF and EGFR were significantly increased (all P < 0.05); C3b receptor rosette rate and Ic rosette rate were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). Detected by ELISA method, the expression levels of IgE, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-6 were increased, while the expression levels of INF-γ and IL-2 were decreased after DSG3 silencing or using AG1478. Detected by qRT-PCR and western blot methods, the expression of DSG3, EGF and EGFR did decrease after DSG3 silencing. There was no significant difference in the EGF and EGFR expression between DSG3 silencing and using AG1478, and the expression decreased even more under the double effect. The mRNA and protein expression levels of DSG3, EGF and EGFR in the nasal mucosa tissues of mice with overexpression of DSG3 plasmid were significantly higher than those of normal mice (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Silencing DSG3 gene can inhibit the activation of EGF signaling pathway, alleviate the inflammation of AR nasal mucosa, and enhance red blood cells immune adherence function.

The efficacy and safety of salvage surgery for local recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a systematic review and Meta-analysis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective@#To assess the current evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, and potential advantages of endoscopic compared with open salvage surgery for patients with local recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.@*Methods@#A systematic search of Pubmed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases ranged between 2000 and 2017 was conducted. Included studies reported specific residual or local recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer survival data. Proportional Meta-analysis was performed on both outcomes with a random-effects model and the 95% confidential intervals were calculated by Stata 12.0 software.@*Results@#A total of 24 case series studies were included in the Meta-analysis.The pooled 2-year overall survival rates of endoscopic and open group were 84% (95%CI:72%-93%), 68%(95%CI:59%-77%),respectively.The pooled 2-year disease-free survival rates of endoscopic and open group were 68%(95%CI:53%-81%), 65%(95%CI:54%-75%),respectively. The pooled 5-year overall survival rates of endoscopic and open group were 72%(95%CI:37%-97%), 48% (95%CI:40%-56%),respectively.The pooled 5-year disease-free survival rates of endoscopic and open group were 65%(95%CI:29%-93%), 50%(95%CI:43%-57%),respectively.The combined outcome of endoscopic was higher than open procedure. In addition, less severe complications, lower local recurrence rates(27%vs32%).The 2-year overall survival rates of endoscopic was higher than open procedure in the staging of rT1, rT2, and rT3 (93%vs87%; 77%vs63%; 67%vs53%) , but was equal to open in the staging for rT4 (35%vs35%) .Meta-regression showed that the heterogeneity was correlated with advanced tumor ratio.@*Conclusions@#The present Meta-analysis reveals that endoscopic approach offers a safe and efficient alternative to open approach with better short-term outcome and fewer postoperative complications in selecting patients strictly.

Sesquiterpenes from Artabotrys hongkongensis / 中国中药杂志

The chemical consituents from Artabotrys hongkongensis were separated and purified by column chromatographies with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and RP-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparisons with the data reported in the literature. As a result, 16 sesquiterpenes were isolated and elucidated as blumenol A (1), 4, 5-dihydroblumenol A (2), (6R, 9S)-3-oxo-a-ionol (3), 3-hydroxy-β-ionone (4), dehydrovomifoliol (5), (3R, 6R, 7E) -3-hydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-9-one (6), sarmentol F (7), 10-oxo-isodauc-3-en-15-oic acid (8), fukinone (9), petasitolone (10), β-eudesmol (11), trans-3β-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)- 8aβ-methyl-5-methylenedecalin-2-one (12), 10-hydroxyaristolan-9-one (13), aristol-8-en-1-one (14), aristolan-9-en-1-one (15), and aristolan-1, 9-diene (16). This is the first study on the chemical consituents of A. hongkongensis, and all compounds were isolated from the genus Artabotrys for the first time.

Profiling of Proteins Regulated by Venlafaxine during Neural Differentiation of Human Cells

OBJECTIVE: Antidepressants are known to positively influence several factors in patients with depressive disorders, resulting in increased neurogenesis and subsequent relief of depressive disorders. To study the effects of venlafaxine during neural differentiation at the cellular level, we looked at its effect on protein expression and regulation mechanisms during neural differentiation. METHODS: After exposing NCCIT cell-derived EBs to venlafaxine during differentiation (1 day and 7 days), changes in protein expression were analyzed by 2-DE and MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Gene levels of proteins regulated by venlafaxine were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Treatment with venlafaxine decreased expression of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HB), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2K (HIP2) and plastin 3 (T-plastin), and up-regulated expression of growth factor beta-3 (TGF-beta3), dihydropyrimidinase-like 3 (DPYSL3), and pyruvate kinase (PKM) after differentiation for 1 and 7 days. In cells exposed to venlafaxine, the mRNA expression patterns of HIP2 and PKM, which function as negative and positive regulators of differentiation and neuronal survival, respectively, were consistent with the observed changes in protein expression. CONCLUSION: Our findings may contribute to improve understanding of molecular mechanism of venlafaxine.

Late-onset depression in the absence of stroke: associated with silent brain infarctions, microbleeds and lesion locations.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset depression (LOD) is a frequent mood disorder among elderly. Previous studies have proved that LOD is associated with cerebral silent lesions especially white matter lesions (WML) and yielded the "vascular depression" hypothesis to explain the pathogenesis of LOD. However, there were relatively few studies about the association between silent brain infarctions (SBIs), microbleeds (MBs) and the prevalence of LOD. In this study we sought to evaluate the presence, accumulation and locations of SBIs and MBs, and explore the possible association between them and LOD. METHODS: 65 patients of LOD diagnosed according to DSM-IV and 270 subjects of control group were enrolled and scanned by MRI to analyze the presence, numbers and locations of SBIs and MBs. Clinical and radiological characteristics were compared between LOD patients and control group. Logistic regression models were constructed to identify the independent risk factors for LOD. RESULTS: LOD patients had higher prevalence and numbers of both SBIs and MBs. SBIs and MBs in the left hemisphere, SBIs in basal ganglia and lobar MBs were all independent risk factors for LOD. CONCLUSION: The presence of both SBIs and MBs were associated with a higher rate LOD. Lesions in some specific locations might be critical for the presence of LOD.

Depression in silent lacunar infarction: a cross-sectional study of its association with location of silent lacunar infarction and vascular risk factors.

Most previous studies reported a close link between fresh infarcts and post-stroke depression. However, studies on the relation of depression and silent lacunar infarction (SLI) are limited. This study aims to analyze the effects of SLI and the vascular risk factors on depression. A total of 243 patients with SLI were divided into depression and non-depression groups. The presence and location of SLI were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. Depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and vascular risks factors were collected. We used t tests and χ (2) test to compare the baseline characteristics of the two groups and the multivariate logistic regression model to identify the risk factors for depression. Univariate analysis results showed that the proportion of patients with SLI in basal ganglia was significantly higher in the depression group (65.0 versus 32.8 %; P < 0.001) than in the non-depression group, and multiple prevalent factors had significant differences between the two groups. However, on multivariate logistic analysis, some of these factors were eliminated, and SLI in basal ganglia remained an independent predictor of depression with an odds ratio of 3.128 (P = 0.018). In addition, vascular risk factors, including high body mass index level, presence of inflammation markers (e.g., CRP, TNF-α, Hs-CRP, and IL-6), and lack of physical activity, were associated with depression. Our findings suggest that SLI in basal ganglia is associated with a higher risk of depression. Vascular risk factors, which are intertwined, may propose the pathological basis of depression in SLI.

F-01A, an antibiotic, inhibits lung cancer cells proliferation / 中国天然药物

AIM@#In an effort to identify novel, small molecules which can affect the proliferation of lung cancer cells, F-01A, a polyether antibiotic isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces was tested.@*METHOD@#F-01A was tested for its antitumor properties on the lung cancer cell line SPC-A-1, at six doses (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 μmol·L(-1)), using various cellular assays. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay, Hochest 33258 was used to study nuclear morphology; DNA ladder and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were also evaluated.@*RESULTS@#F-01A induces apoptosis against SPC-A-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 is 0.65 μmol·L(-1), and the inhibition at 5 μmol·L(-1) is 87.89%. Further, JC-1 staining indicates F-01A could induce the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and the DNA fragment is evident.@*CONCLUSION@#Mechanistic analysis showed that F-01A induced apoptosis of cancer cells probably in the mitochondrial pathway. The antitumor actions of F-01A involve activation of the apoptotic pathway against SPC-A-1 cells, and it may be valuable for further drug development.

[Efficacy observation on chronic tension-type headache treated with acupuncture at galea tendon-muscle node].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the better therapy for chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-eight cases were randomized into a sticking needling group (150 cases) and an acupuncture group (138 cases). In the sticking needling group, the manual sticking needling technique was adopted to stimulate the galea tendon-muscle node. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture therapy was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Touwei (ST 18), Hegu (LI 4), etc. The treatment was given once a day, and 30 days made one session. After two sessions of treatment and after three months follow-up, CTTH score (including the score of headache attack frequency and the score of headache severity) was observed and compared before and after treatment separately. The efficacy was evaluated in two groups. RESULTS: CTTH score was all reduced after treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01), the score in the sticking needling group was lower than that in the acupuncture group (2.38 +/- 1.22 vs 4.16 +/- 2.54, P < 0.01). The effective rate was 97.3% (146/150) in the sticking needling group, which was better than 88.4% (122/138) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The manual sticking needling technique at galea tendon-muscle node achieves the superior results of reducing the pain attack frequency and severity of CTTH as compared with the acupuncture therapy of the routine acupoint selection.

Efficacy observation on chronic tension-type headache treated with acupuncture at galea tendon-muscle node / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the better therapy for chronic tension-type headache (CTTH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and eighty-eight cases were randomized into a sticking needling group (150 cases) and an acupuncture group (138 cases). In the sticking needling group, the manual sticking needling technique was adopted to stimulate the galea tendon-muscle node. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture therapy was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Touwei (ST 18), Hegu (LI 4), etc. The treatment was given once a day, and 30 days made one session. After two sessions of treatment and after three months follow-up, CTTH score (including the score of headache attack frequency and the score of headache severity) was observed and compared before and after treatment separately. The efficacy was evaluated in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CTTH score was all reduced after treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01), the score in the sticking needling group was lower than that in the acupuncture group (2.38 +/- 1.22 vs 4.16 +/- 2.54, P < 0.01). The effective rate was 97.3% (146/150) in the sticking needling group, which was better than 88.4% (122/138) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The manual sticking needling technique at galea tendon-muscle node achieves the superior results of reducing the pain attack frequency and severity of CTTH as compared with the acupuncture therapy of the routine acupoint selection.</p>