Effectiveness and Safety of Acupoint Catgut Embedding for the Treatment of Poststroke Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Acupoint catgut embedding therapy has shown effectiveness in treating functional constipation; however, relevant, high-quality clinical evidence is scarce. This study aimed to systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of acupoint catgut embedding in treating poststroke constipation. Methods: Correlative randomized controlled trials were identified through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library/Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Internet, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang, and VIP databases from inception until February 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Fifteen trials involving 1084 patients were identified. The meta-analysis revealed that the acupoint catgut embedding group was significantly superior to the non-catgut embedding group with regard to the efficacy rate (RR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.19, 1.37), P < 0.05), the first defecation time (MD = -3.08, 95% CI (-4.53, -1.63), P < 0.05), the defecation sensation score (MD = -0.44, 95% CI (-0.61, -0.26), P < 0.05), the degree of difficulty in defecation (MD = -0.73, 95% CI (-1.10, -0.37), P < 0.05), the PAC-QOL scale score (MD = -10.06, 95% CI (-13.47, -6.64), P < 0.05), and the symptom integral (MD = -3.15, 95% CI (-3.60, -2.71), P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the stool property score (MD = 0.06, 95% CI (-0.39, 0.50), P > 0.05) as well as the incidence of adverse reactions (RD = 0.01, 95% CI (-0.01, 0.03), P > 0.05) between the two groups. Conclusions: The results showed that acupoint catgut embedding is probably an effective and safe acupuncture treatment strategy for poststroke constipation. Nevertheless, more rigorously designed, standardized, large-sample, and multicenter randomized controlled designs are warranted to further verify the findings of this study.

The A930G polymorphism ofP22phox (CYBA) gene but not C242T variation is associated with hypertension: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, it has been reported that the A930G and C242T polymorphisms within p22phox (CYBA) gene are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. However, the results remain controversial. Furthermore, no previous meta-analysis has been conducted to evaluate the relationship between the A930G and C242T polymorphisms and hypertension. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to clarify these controversies. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: All of the included articles were retrieved from the PubMed and Embase databases, as well as the CNKI, CBM, Chongqing VIP and Wan Fang databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. Accounting for heterogeneity, a fixed or random effects model was respectively adopted. Heterogeneity was checked using the Q test and the I(2) statistic. A cumulative meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the tendency of pooled OR. Funnel plots and Egger's tests were performed to test for possible publication bias. RESULTS: Five articles on A930G with 2003 cases/2434 controls and eight articles on C242T with 2644 cases/1967 controls were identified. A significant association of A930G polymorphisms with the risk of hypertension was found in the dominant model (OR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.38-0.92, p=0.021) and allelic model (OR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.46-0.95, p=0.024). In the stratified analysis, a significant association could be found among the hospital-based and population-based studies. However, no evidence of a significant association of the C242T polymorphism with hypertension was found in the overall analysis and subgroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicates that the A930G polymorphism, but not the C242T variation, might be a protective factor for hypertension.

Discussion on knowledge structural system of modern acupuncture professionals / 中国针灸

To explore the knowledge structural system that the modern acupuncture professionals should have. The current situation of personnel training for modern acupuncture professionals was multi-dimensionally and comprehensively analyzed from course offering of higher education, laws of famous physicians growth, and discipline development features of the acupuncture and moxibustion subject, and suggestions were made to the shortages. The reasonable knowledge structural system that the modern acupuncture professionals should have included establishment of good Chinese medicine thoughts, mastery of complete Chinese medicine therapy, and ability of followup of dynamic development of subject. The reformation of course design is imperative in order to promote the reasonable knowledge structural system formation of modern acupuncture professionals.

Inspiration of the development of acupotomy therapy to acupuncture and moxibustion science / 中国针灸

The inspiration of acupotomy therapy to acupuncture and moxibustion was explored in view of the development of acupotomy device, the clinical practice model and the theoretical innovation. The results show that the acupotomy therapy develops rapidly because that the great attention has been paid to the development of the device, the communication and integration with the other disciplines and the theoretical innovation. These three aspects should also be emphasized for the development of acupuncture and moxibustion. The development of acupotomy therapy provides the beneficial inspiration to acupuncture and moxibustion science.

Controlled observation on effects of different needle retaining time in scalp acupuncture on motor function in the infant of cerebral palsy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare therapeutic effects of different needle retaining time in scalp acupuncture on motor function in the infant of cerebral palsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Randomized controlled design and Jin three needle therapy were used, and the therapeutic effects of needle retaining time of 1 h and 30 min on cerebral palsy were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment for 2 months, the improvement of motor function in the group of retaining needle of lh was better than that in the 30 min group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Prolonging the retaining needle time for sufficient stimulation amountis an important factor for achieving a better therapeutic effect in scalp acupuncture treatment of infant cerebral palsy.</p>