Discussion on "sugar needle - comfortable acupuncture and moxibustion" / 中国针灸

The cases of feeling comfort during acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in literature were summarized and its biological basis was explored. A simple classification of comfort was made, and the importance of obtaining comfort in acupuncture treatment was pointed out. Considering the pursuit of less pain and harmlessness in modern clinical treatment, sugar needle should be advocated and popularized in current clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.

The effect of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of retinoblastoma cells by targeting miR-200b-5p / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To explore the effect of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of retinoblastoma cells and its possible mechanism. Methods: The tumor tissues of 31 patients with retinoblastoma admitted to Henan Provincial Eye Hospital from February to June 2020 and their corresponding normal tissues adjacent to the cancer were collected. The expression levels of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 and miR-200b-5p in retinoblastoma tissues and normal adjacent tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Human retinal epithelial cell ARPE-19, human retinoblastoma cell Y-79 and WERI-Rb-1 were cultured in vitro. The expression levels of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 and miR-200b-5p were detected by qRT-PCR. Y-79 cells were randomly divided into si-con group, si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 group, miR con group, miR-200b-5p group, si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1+ anti-miR con group, and si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1+ anti-miR-200b-5p group. The proliferation, cloning and apoptosis of cells in each group were detected by tetramethylazol blue method, plate cloning test and flow cytometry, respectively. The targeting relationship between lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 and miR-200b-5p was detected by double luciferase report test, and the expression level of cleaved-caspase-3 protein was detected by western blot. Results: Compared with the adjacent tissues, the expression of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 in retinoblastoma tissues was increased (P<0.05), while the expression of miR-200b-5p was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with ARPE-19 cells, the expression of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 in Y-79 and WERI-Rb-1 cells was increased (P<0.05), while the expression of miR-200b-5p was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the si-con group, the cell viability of the si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 group was reduced (1.06±0.09 vs 0.53±0.05, P<0.05), the number of cell clone formation was reduced (114.00±8.03 vs 57.00±4.13, P<0.05), while the apoptosis rate [(7.93±0.68)% vs (25.43±1.94)%] and the protein level of cleaved-caspase-3 were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the miR-con group, the cell viability of the miR-200b-5p group was decreased (1.05±0.08 vs 0.57±0.05, P<0.05), the number of cell clone formation was decreased (118.00±10.02 vs 64.00±5.13, P<0.05), while the apoptosis rate [(7.89±0.71)% vs (23.15±1.62)%] and the protein level of cleaved-caspase-3 were increased (P<0.05). lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 could target the expression of miR-200b-5p. Compared with the si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1+ anti-miR-con group, cell viability of the si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1+ anti-miR-200b-5p group was increased (0.53±0.04 vs 1.25±0.10, P<0.05), and the number of cell clones was increased (54.00±4.39 vs 125.00±10.03, P<0.05), while the rate of apoptosis [(25.38±1.53)% vs (9.76±0.71)%] and the protein level of cleaved-caspase-3 were decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Interfering with the expression of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 could inhibit the proliferation and clone formation and induce apoptosis of retinoblastoma cells by targeting the expression of miR-200b-5p.

Anatomical basis of transition from eleven to twelve meridians in Han dynasty / 中国针灸

The discovery of modern evolutionary anatomy shows that the persistent median artery in the upper arm is a common variant with an increasing trend. This phenomenon can explain well the transition from the eleven meridians described in the Han silk and bamboo slips to the twelve meridians finalized in

In the search of mobile target for acupuncture: why is mast cell? / 中国针灸

Both clinical practice and basic research of acupuncture have pointed out that acupuncture treatment has specific tissue and cellular targets. In addition to the known fixed tissue targets such as nerves and blood vessels, the author analyzes the biological characteristics of other skin resident cells in the skin and concludes that cutaneous mast cells are the most suitable candidate for the cellular target of acupuncture. A hypothesis of the bionic acupuncture is proposed to explain the biological principles by which the innate immunity and healing system respond to acupuncture. The distribution of mast cells in the human skin is characterized by "approaching to the terminals and gathering at the orifices", and the cell density is highly correlated with the density of acupoints and the micro-acupuncture systems. These evidences all support that mast cells are the mobile target cells for acupuncture, which can explain some clinical phenomena and principles of acupuncture, and suggest mast cells as one of the tissue markers for acupoints.

How basic research promotes acupuncture to the world: a book review of Chun Hua Qiu Shi written by HAN Ji-sheng and WAN You / 针刺研究

The book titled Chun Hua Qiu Shi (Glorious Flowers in Spring and Rich Fruits in Autumn) by Prof. HAN Ji-sheng and WAN You, published by Peking University Medical Press in 2018, describes the research on acupuncture by HAN Ji-sheng and his team over the past 50 years, including both happy and hard times. With efforts over half a century, Prof. HAN has made internationally recognized achievements in the basic science of acupuncture and has played a significant role in promoting Chinese acupuncture to the world. This article attempts to explain why Prof. HAN can become a model scientist with great achievements from an ordinary youth in south China.

Application of energy cost in evaluating energy expenditure in multi-ball practice with table tennis players / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the feasibility of applying the measure of energy cost, utilized widely in cyclic sports, in table tennis multi-ball practice.@*METHODS@#Eleven collegiate table tennis players volunteered (18±1 yrs, 177±2 cm, 71±3 kg, approximately 10 yrs' training experience) to participate in one graded exercise test on treadmill, and two step tests (forehand and backhand, 3 min × 6, 35～85 stroke/min). A portable spirometric system and heart rate monitor were utilized for the three trials. Earlobe blood samples were collected and analyzed prior to and post the test. Energy cost was calculated for one stroke at each stroke frequency.@*RESULTS@#The energy cost of loop drive multi-ball practice was decreased with increased stroke frequency (P＜0.05). The energy cost of forehand loop drive was higher than backhand, with the difference significant at 35, 45, 55, 65, and 85 stroke·min (P＜0.05). The function between energy cost and frequency were y=166.4x (R=0.9731), and y=33.21x (R=0.8423), respectively, where y was energy cost, and x was stroke frequency.@*CONCLUSION@#The measure of energy cost utilized in cyclic sports could be applied to evaluate the energy expenditure in table tennis multi-ball practice of single technique, and indicate the stroke efficiency of table tennis muti-ball practice with different stroke frequencies.

The Incorrect Translation, Misinterpretation and Misunderstanding of "Superficial Fascia" in Acupuncture / 针刺研究

The "superficial fascia" is often interpreted as "tendon-membrane like structure" in acupuncture field and it is speculated that acupuncture stimulation-induced structural alteration of the superficial fascia may contribute to the alleviation of many medical conditions. The fact is that the superficial fascia mainly consists of subcutaneous adipose tissue and fibrotic network (which function in storing, supporting and buffering external pressure and are not responsible for producing "Deqi" or "needling sensations"), and has no typical tendon or membrane structure in hypodermis. In the present paper, the author tries to clarify its incorrect translation, misinterpretation, and misunderstanding in acupuncture and propose that the target of acupuncture stimulation is probably not only the subcutaneous soft tissue per se, but also the contents in subcutaneous soft tissue network as the nerves, blood vessels, lymph-vessels, cutaneous accessory structures, mast cells, multiple movable cells, related receptors, etc.

Evidence and expert opinions: Dry needling versus acupuncture (I) : The American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety (AAPAS) White Paper 2016 / 中国结合医学杂志

In the last twenty years, in the United States and other Western countries, dry needling (DN) became a hot and debatable topic, not only in academic but also in legal fields. This White Paper is to provide the authoritative information of DN versus acupuncture to academic scholars, healthcare professional administrators, lawmakers, and the general public through providing the authoritative evidence and experts' opinions regarding critical issues of DN versus acupuncture, and then reach consensus. DN is the use of dry needles alone, either solid filiform acupuncture needles or hollow-core hypodermic needles, to insert into the body for the treatment of muscle pain and related myofascial pain syndrome. DN is sometimes also known as intramuscular stimulati on, trigger points (TrP) acupuncture, TrP DN, myofascial TrP DN, or biomedical acupuncture. In Western countries, DN is a form of simplified acupuncture using biomedical language in treating myofascial pain, a contemporary development of a portion of Ashi point acupuncture from Chinese acupuncture. It seeks to redefine acupuncture by reframing its theoretical principles in a Western manner. DN-like needling with filiform needles have been widely used in Chinese acupuncture practice over the past 2,000 years, and with hypodermic needles has been used in China in acupuncture practice for at least 72 years. In Eastern countries, such as China, since late of 1800s or earlier, DN is a common name of acupuncture among acupuncturists and the general public, which has a broader scope of indications, not limited to treating the myofascial pain.

Evidence and expert opinions: Dry needling versus acupuncture (II) : The American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety (AAPAS) White Paper 2016 / 中国结合医学杂志

In the United States and other Western countries, dry needling has been a topic in academic and legal fields. This White Paper is to provide the authoritative information of dry needling versus acupuncture to academic scholars, healthcare professionals, administrators, policymakers, and the general public by providing the authoritative evidence and expertise regarding critical issues of dry needling and reaching a consensus. We conclude that Dr. Travell, Dr. Gunn, Dr. Baldry and others who have promoted dry needling by simply rebranding (1) acupuncture as dry needling and (2) acupuncture points as trigger points (dry needling points). Dry needling simply using English biomedical terms (especially using "fascia" hypothesis) in replace of their equivalent Chinese medical terms. Dry needling is an over-simplified version of acupuncture derived from traditional Chinese acupuncture except for emphasis on biomedical language when treating neuromuscularskeletal pain (dry needling promoters redefined it as "myofascial pain"). Trigger points belong to the category of Ashi acupuncture points in traditional Chinese acupuncture, and they are not a new discovery. By applying acupuncture points, dry needling is actually trigger point acupuncture, an invasive therapy (a surgical procedure) instead of manual therapy. Dr. Travell admitted to the general public that dry needling is acupuncture, and acupuncture professionals practice dry needling as acupuncture therapy and there are several criteria in acupuncture profession to locate trigger points as acupuncture points. Among acupuncture schools, dry needling practitioners emphasize acupuncture's local responses while other acupuncturists pay attention to the responses of both local, distal, and whole body responses. For patients' safety, dry needling practitioners should meet standards required for licensed acupuncturists and physicians.

Acupuncture's Role in Solving the Opioid Epidemic: Evidence, Cost-Effectiveness, and Care Availability for Acupuncture as a Primary, Non-Pharmacologic Method for Pain Relief and Management-White Paper 2017 / 中西医结合学报

The United States (U.S.) is facing a national opioid epidemic, and medical systems are in need of non-pharmacologic strategies that can be employed to decrease the public's opioid dependence. Acupuncture has emerged as a powerful, evidence-based, safe, cost-effective, and available treatment modality suitable to meeting this need. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for the management of numerous types of pain conditions, and mechanisms of action for acupuncture have been described and are understandable from biomedical, physiologic perspectives. Further, acupuncture's cost-effectiveness can dramatically decrease health care expenditures, both from the standpoint of treating acute pain and through avoiding addiction to opioids that requires costly care, destroys quality of life, and can lead to fatal overdose. Numerous federal regulatory agencies have advised or mandated that healthcare systems and providers offer non-pharmacologic treatment options for pain. Acupuncture stands out as the most evidence-based, immediately available choice to fulfil these calls. Acupuncture can safely, easily, and cost-effectively be incorporated into hospital settings as diverse as the emergency department, labor and delivery suites, and neonatal intensive care units to treat a variety of commonly seen pain conditions. Acupuncture is already being successfully and meaningfully utilized by the Veterans Administration and various branches of the U.S. Military, in some studies demonstrably decreasing the volume of opioids prescribed when included in care.

Scientific Positioning of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

Whether traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could be categorized as a kind of science or not has been a controversial issue over last century. Part of the confusion is caused by the indistinguishable usage of Chinese words "science" and "scientific" during discussion. According to western academic standards, TCM cannot be considered as pure or conventional science. However, in author's view, the foundation of a majority part of TCM practice is probably scientific, while many TCM theories remain unproved. In this article, medical theories and practices are classified based on scientific content into eight levels: medical science, scientific medicine, medical system, medical theory, medical opinion, medical belief, medical cultism, and medical fraud. Both Western medicine and TCM are positioned in this system accordingly. Currently, the scientific level of TCM is much lower than that of Western medicine, and more research is needed for its improvement.

Puzzles and hypotheses of acupuncture / 中国中西医结合杂志

Some results of clinical trials from the West on traditional acupuncture with modern research design have puzzled the acupuncture community. These include (1) what is the implication of acupuncture, (2) whether acupuncture point has its specificity, and 3) why practical experience in the East is quite different from research observations in the West. Three hypotheses, namely, Acupuncture Healing Effect, Pan-acupoint Phenomenon, and Hard Acupuncture and Soft Acupuncture, are proposed here to explain these sensitive issues. Further investigation with scientific approach may prove or reject these hypotheses. The resolving of these issues will shed light on the re-evaluation of traditional acupuncture and promote the maturation of modern acupuncture theory.

Expression of MMP-13/TIMP-1 and signal transduction pathways in response to mechanical strain in human periodontal ligament cells / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the effects of different magnitudes of mechanical strain on the expression of MMP-13/TIMP-1 and try to determine the signal transduction pathways in response to mechanical strain in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) in vitro. MethodHPDLCs were subjected to 0%，6%，12% or 18% elongation for 24 h by using cell stress loading system simultaneously. Then the MMP-13/TIMP-1 mRNA and protein expression in cells were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting respectively. Furthermore, specific inhibitors were employed to examine the role of different signal transduction pathway on the expression of strain induced MMP-13 /TIMP-1 in HPDLCs. ResultsThe expression of MMP-13 /TIMP-1 in HPDLCs significantly increased in groups of 6%，12%, 18% elongation in a magnitude-dependent manner compared with the control group (0%) after the mechanical strain treatment for 24 h. PD098059 and cycloheximide could inhibit the increase in MMP-13 and TIMP-1 mRNA expression in response to mechanical strain respectively. Conclusions Different magnitudes of mechanical strain can affect the expression of MMP-13/TIMP-1 in HPDLCs in a magnitude dependent manner, and further affect the periodontium remodeling with the characteristics of degradation and synthesis of extracellular matrix in response to mechanical strain. The ERK-MAPK pathway is involved in strain induced MMP-13 expression while the strain-induced TIMP-1 expression depends on de novo protein synthesis.

Ten challenging issues in the clinical research of Chinese medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

While continuing its journey to the West, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encounters various barriers. The ten most challenging issues in TCM clinical research are: (1) the justification of the specificity of acupuncture points; (2) the evidence of the effectiveness of manual needle manipulation; (3) the role of placebo in TCM practice; (4) the advantage of TCM pattern differentiation in clinical management; (5) quality control of Chinese herbs and optional formulation for current practice; (6) the classification of herbal medicine based on safety and toxicity; (7) the efficacy of herbal medicine for specific diseases or symptoms proven by randomized double blinded controlled clinical trial; (8) interactions between Western drugs and herbal medicine; (9) the application of Western medical diagnosis, pathology, imaging data, and test results in TCM pattern differentiation; (10) the best clinical set-up and model for TCM practice in modern society. There is no doubt that the understanding and resolving of these issues will significantly accelarate the acceptance of TCM by the scientific community and the Western society.

Effect of cyclic-tension force on the expression of osteogenesis genes in human periodontal ligament cells / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of cyclic-tension force on the expression of osteogenesis genes in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HPDLC were cultured on flexible-bottomed plates and subjected to 12% elongation by strain unit at 6 cycles/min (i.e.5-s elongation and 5-s relaxation) for 48 hours in the experimental groups. GEArray Q series Human Osteogenesis Gene Array was used to identify the genes expressed in HPDLC, including growth factors and associated molecules, extracellular matrix and its associated proteins, cell adhesion molecules and housekeeping genes. The changes in the expression of 96 representative transcripts were determined by arrayed cDNA hybridization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After application of tension force, 21 genes were significantly upregulated, including 10 growth factors and associated molecules, 10 extracellular matrix and its associated protein and 1 cell adhesion molecules. Two genes were significantly downregulated, including 1 growth factors and associated molecules and 1 cell adhesion molecules.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The HPDLC can differentiate into osteoblast-like cells by mechanical stretch induction through the activation of some osteogenesis genes.</p>

Cell-penetrating peptide-based functional study of p38 MAPK / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a p38 MAPK protein delivery system based on TAT protein and study its functions in eukaryotic cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Recombinant vectors pHis-TAT-p38 and pHis-TAT-p38(AF) were constructed, and two recombinant proteins, His-TAT-p38 and His-TAT-p38(AF), were expressed and purified in E. coli. The two fusion proteins were then incubated with ECV304 cells, respectively. The phosphorylation of ATF2 was detected to assay the effect of His-TAT-p38 on endogeneious p38 activity after the cells were stimulated by sorbitol.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing showed that the two recombinant vectors were correctly constructed. The recombinant proteins of His-TAT-p38 and His-TAT-p38(AF) were isolated and purified by SDS-PAGE, and Western blotting suggested that His-TAT-p38 and its mutant with dual phosphorylation sites could enter the cells efficiently in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. His-TAT-p38 was found capable of increasing the activity of endogenous p38 in ECV304 cells, but His-TAT-p38(AF) inhibited the phosphorylation of ATF2 so as to block the transduction of p38 signal pathway when the cells were stimulated with sorbitol.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>p38 MAPK protein delivery system based on TAT protein has been constructed successfully. It is confirmed that TAT can transfer the proteins into the cells in a time- and dose-depended manner. TAT-p38 and its dominant negative form possess high biological activity after transduction into ECV304 cells by TAT protein delivery system, and the former can increase the activity of endogenous ATF2, but the latter inhibits the transduction of endogeneious p38 signal pathway in ECV304 cells with high osmotic stress.</p>