Exploration of the theory of Renying Cunkou pulse method recorded in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon / 中国针灸

Renying Cunkou pulse method is one of the classical pulse methods of acupuncture-moxibustion in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, which is also a classical clinical paradigm for diagnosing and treating meridian diseases in the ancient times. Based on comprehensive review of literature and clinical practice, this paper reveals that this method compares the size of the neck Renying pulse with hand Cunkou pulse to determine the change of yin-yang and excess-deficiency identifying the affected meridians. The jing-well, xing-spring, and shu-stream points of the surface and interior meridians of affected meridians are mainly selected to regulate deficiency and excess through reinforcing and reducing methods. The Renying Cunkou pulse method possesses a simple and practical medical theory, easy diagnostic procedure, and clear meridian selection for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment, warranting further exploration of its essence and diagnostic therapeutic principles.

Effect of sinapine on H2O2-induced adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effects of sinapine,an effective monomer of Chinese medicine,on hydro-gen peroxide(H2O2)-induced adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs).METHODS:The undifferentiated rat BMSCs were identified and screened by flow cytometry.The adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs was induced by H2O2,and the toxicity of sinapine on BMSCs was tested by CCK-8 assay.After the modeling method and the concentration range of sinapine were determined,the lipid droplets in the cells were detected by Oil Red O semi-quanti-tative assay,and the optimal drug concentration was selected.Finally,Oil Red O assay was observed 24 h after drug inter-vention,and the expression of adipogenic differentiation-related proteins,adipocyte protein 2(aP2),peroxisome prolifera-tor-activated receptor γ(PPARγ)and glucose transporter 4(Glut4),at mRNA and protein levels in the BMSCs was deter-mined by qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Treatment with H2O2at 200 μmol/L for 1 h induced BMSCs to differentiate into adipocytes.Below the concentration of 40 μmol/L,sinapine had no toxicity to BMSCs.The best inhibitory concentra-tion of sinapine on adipogenic differentiation was at 15 μmol/L.The number of lipid droplets in sinapine(15 μmol/L) group was significantly lower than that in model group.In sinapine group,the expression of aP2,PPARγand Glut4 at mR-NA and protein levels was lower than that in model group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Sinapine inhibits H2O2-induced adipogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs.The mechanism may be related to the PPARγ/AMPK signaling pathway.

Role of Soluble ST2 Levels and Beta-Blockers Dosage on Cardiovascular Events of Patients with Unselected ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Serum soluble ST2 (sST2) levels are elevated early after acute myocardial infarction and are related to adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and cardiovascular outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Beta-blockers (BB) have been shown to improve LV remodeling and survival. However, the relationship between sST2, final therapeutic BB dose, and cardiovascular outcomes in STEMI patients remains unknown.</p><p><b>Methods</b>A total of 186 STEMI patients were enrolled at the Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital between January 2015 and June 2015. All patients received standard treatment and were followed up for 1 year. Serum sST2 was measured at baseline. Patients were divided into four groups according to their baseline sST2 values (high >56 ng/ml vs. low ≤56 ng/ml) and final therapeutic BB dose (high ≥47.5 mg/d vs. low <47.5 mg/d). Cox regression analyses were performed to determine whether sST2 and BB were independent risk factors for cardiovascular events in STEMI.</p><p><b>Results</b>Baseline sST2 levels were positively correlated with heart rate (r = 0.327, P = 0.002), Killip class (r = 0.408, P = 0.000), lg N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (r = 0.467, P = 0.000), lg troponin I (r = 0.331, P = 0.000), and lg C-reactive protein (r = 0.307, P = 0.000) and negatively correlated to systolic blood pressure (r = -0.243, P = 0.009) and LV ejection fraction (r = -0.402, P = 0.000). Patients with higher baseline sST2 concentrations who were not titrated to high-dose BB therapy (P < 0.0001) had worse outcomes. Baseline high sST2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.653; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.201-8.929; P = 0.041) and final low BB dosage (HR: 1.904; 95% CI, 1.084-3.053; P = 0.035) were independent predictors of cardiovascular events in STEMI.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>High baseline sST2 levels and final low BB dosage predicted cardiovascular events in STEMI. Hence, sST2 may be a useful biomarker in cardiac pathophysiology.</p>

Efficacy and Safety of the WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage System for Stroke Prevention in Chinese Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Single-center, Prospective, Observational Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), embolic stroke is thought to be associated with left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi. The WATCHMAN LAA Occlusion Device has been shown to be noninferior to conventional oral anticoagulation with warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with NVAF. This study aimed to evaluate the procedural feasibility, safety and 12-month outcomes of the WATCHMAN LAA Occlusion Device in NVAF patients with high risk for stroke in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 106 NVAF patients, who were consecutively underwent LAA closure with the WATCHMAN Device between April 2014 and May 2015, were collected. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge. A transesophageal echocardiograph was performed at 45 days after implantation and repeated in case of an unexpected event during the follow-up period.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This study included 106 NVAF patients with a mean age of 64.2 ± 8.6 years (ranging from 50 to 88 years), and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of all patients was 3.6 ± 1.6 (ranging from 2 to 9). Among those 106 NVAF patients, 100 (94.3%) patients were implanted with the device successfully. The procedural success rate was 94.3% (100/106), and the occlusion rate was 100.0% (100/100). There were one tamponade, one ischemic stroke, and eight minor pericardial effusions during hospitalization. During 12-month follow-up period, two patients developed a thrombus layer on the device that resolved with additional anticoagulation: one with visible device-thrombus experienced transient ischemic stroke, and one had a hemorrhagic stroke. There were no deaths in this study. The overall survival rate was 100.0%, and nonmajor adverse event rate was 95.0% (95/100). In this study, the expected annual rate of ischemic stroke risk in these patients according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.0%, while the observed ischemic stroke rate was 2.0% per year.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LAA closure with the WATCHMAN Device was feasible, efficient, and safe for NVAF to prevent the accidence of stroke in Chinese patients. During the 12-month follow-up period, the observed ischemic stroke rate (2.0% per year) in our study was lower than the predicted annual stroke risk (4.0%) using the CHA2DS2-VASc score.</p>

Brief discussion on the life of ZENG Tian-zhi, a follower of Chengjiang acupuncture school / 中国针灸

ZENG Tian-zhi, as one of the disciples of Mr. CHENG Dan-an, is considered as one of the major successors of the Chengjiang acupuncture school in the South of the Five Ridges. By collecting Mr. ZENG's works and papers as well as the interviews with his followers, his life and achievements are verified and his existing representative works are introduced. It is found out that following CHENG Dan-an's steps, ZENG Tian-zhi has practiced the medicine and performed great deeds, established schools and taught students. Also he established the first educational institution of acupuncture in Hong Kong, namely College of Scientific Acupuncture. He has traveled to many places to promote the acupuncture and cultivate a large number of acupuncturists. His works are characterized by organized edition, bringing in modern medical theory and focusing on clinic applicability.