ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the effectiveness of puncturing Sifeng points (EX-UE10) and pricking Back-Shu points in treating dyspepsia due to chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Method Sixty patients were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The observation group was intervened by puncturing Sifeng points and pricking Back-Shu points, once a week. The selected Back-Shu points included bilateral Pishu (BL20), Weishu (BL21) and Geshu (BL17). The control group was treated by promoting gastrointestinal motility (itopride hydrochloride 50 mg) and supplementing digestive enzymes (compound azintamide tablets). The two groups were observed before and after treatment in terms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, nutritional status score and Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS). The therapeutic efficacies were also assessed. Result The total effective rate was 93.3％ (28/30) in the observation group versus 70.0％ (21/30) in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The TCM symptom score showed significant improvement in both groups after treatment (P<0.01), and the improvement in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the score of Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in the score between the two groups (P>0.05). The KPS score increased significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.01), and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), indicating a more significant improvement of KPS score in the observation group. Conclusion Puncturing Sifeng plus pricking Back-Shu points is effective in treating dyspepsia due to chemotherapy for TNBC. It can improve patient's appetite and quality of life.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating mild cognitive impairment based on constitution differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Method Eighty patients with mild cognitive impairment were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 40 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture-moxibustion according to their constitution, while the control group received oral administration of Nimodipine tablets. After successive 3-month treatment, changes in the scores of Classification and Diagnosis of Constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were observed. The clinical efficacies of the two groups were also compared. Result After the treatment, the constitution and MMSE scores of the treatment group were significantly different from those of the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 87.2％ in the treatment group versus 65.8％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Based on the constitution differentiation of TCM, acupuncture- moxibustion can precisely improve mild cognitive impairment in patients with different constitutions, and correct their cognitive bias.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of the present study was to study the Effects of 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) on cardioplegia and reperfusion arrhythmias in the isolated perfused immature rabbit hearts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Isolated immature rabbit hearts were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 (St. Thomas No.2 solution control n = 8) and group 2 (St. Thomas No.2 solution plus 11,12-EET n = 8). By means of Langendorff technique, these isolated rabbit hearts underwent (15 degrees C) hypothermia, 2 hours of ischemia after infusion of cardioplegic solution and 1 hour of reperfusion (37 degrees C). The mean times until the cessation of both electrical and mechanical activity were measured after infusion of cardioplegia. The same index until occurrence of both electrical and mechanical activity after reperfusion was observed too. We also measured the arrhythmias score, heart rate, coronary blood flow during the reperfusion and the myocardial water content, myocardial calcium content at the endpoint of the reperfusion period.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The times until electrical [(9.3 +/- 0.9) s vs (13.6 +/- 1.9) s, P < 0.01] and mechanical [(4.5 +/- 1.7) vs (7.3 +/- 2.1) s, P < 0.05] activity arrest were significantly shorter in the group 2 than those in the control group. 11,12-EET also provided significantly better myocardial water content [(84 +/- 4)% vs (90 +/- 5)%, P < 0.01], arrhythmia scores (2.03 +/- 0.83 vs 3.88 +/- 1.25, P < 0.01), coronary blood flow and myocardial calcium content [(3.22 +/- 0.33) micro mol/gram dry weight (gdw) vs (3.97 +/- 0.26) micro mol/gdw, P < 0.01] compared with control. There were no significant changes with heart rate and the mean times until occurrence of both electrical and mechanical activity after reperfusion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These data suggest that 11,12-EET added to the cardioplegic solution of St. Thomas No.2 has better cardioplegia effects and lower incidence of reperfusion arrhythmias.</p>