Study on the relationship between relieving energy crisis in myofascial trigger points with An-Pressing manipulation and AMPK/PGC-1α pathway activation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To explore the mechanism of An-Pressing manipulation in relieving energy crisis in chronic myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by observing the effects of An-Pressing manipulation on adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) pathway and mitochondrial ultrastructure of skeletal muscle cells in MTrPs rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a lidocaine group, and an An-Pressing manipulation group, with 12 rats in each group. The model group, lidocaine group and An-Pressing manipulation group were used to replicate the MTrPs rat model by blunt shock and centrifugal motion method. After modeling, the An-Pressing manipulation group was subjected to 7 times An-Pressing manipulation, once every other day; the lidocaine group was treated with 3 times of injection of lidocaine at the MTrPs, once every 6 d. The blank group and the model group were fed normally without intervention. After the intervention, local muscle tissue was taken to detect the content of ATP and the expression of AMPK, phosphorylated AMPK (phospho-AMPK), PGC-1α, and glucose transporter 4 (GluT4), and the ultrastructure of mitochondria was observed under an electron microscope. Results: Compared with the blank group, the ATP content in the model group was decreased (P<0.05), the protein expression levels of phospho-AMPK, PGC-1α, and GluT4 and the ratio of phospho-AMPK to AMPK were decreased (P<0.05); under the electron microscope, the number of mitochondria decreased, and they were deformed, small in volume, and had deformed cristae. Compared with the model group, the ATP contents in the An-Pressing manipulation group and the lidocaine group were increased (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of phospho-AMPK, PGC-1α, and GluT4 and the ratio of phospho-AMPK to AMPK were increased (P<0.05); under the electron microscope, the number of mitochondria increased, the shape and size of the mitochondria were basically normal, and the cristae could be seen. Compared with the lidocaine group, phospho-AMPK and the ratio of phospho-AMPK to AMPK in the An-Pressing manipulation group were increased (P<0.05); under the electron microscope, the numbers of mitochondria were similar, and the shape and size of the mitochondria were basically normal without swelling, and the cristae could be observed. Conclusion: An-Pressing manipulation can increase the ATP content in MTrPs tissue, improve the expression levels of PGC-1α and GluT4 proteins and the ratio of phospho-AMPK to AMPK; its mechanism may relate to the activation of AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway to promote the repair of mitochondrial damages.

Effects of electroacupuncture at acupoints with different nerve segments on gastric emptying in OT gene knockout mice / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at acupoints with different nerve segments on gastric emptying in oxytocin (OT) gene knockout mice, and to explore the role of paraventricular nucleus OT in EA regulating gastric function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty OT knockout mice and twenty wild-type mice (8-9 weeks old, male and female in half) were divided into a control group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, a Neiguan (PC 6) group and a Weishu (BL 21) group randomly, 5 mice in each group. The mice in the control group received no acupuncture; the mice in the Zusanli (ST 36) group, Neiguan (PC 6) group and Weishu (BL 21) group were treated with EA at unilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Weishu" (BL 21) for 15 min respectively. Subsequently, the mice were treated with intragastric administration with milk loaded with technetium-99m diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Tc-DTPA), immediately followed by scanning of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to test gastric emptying for 50 min; the original data was collected and analyzed to obtain the half gastric emptying time (GET 1/2), 50-min stomach residue rate and gastric emptying curve.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The wild-type mice group:compare with the control group, after EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Neiguan" (PC 6), the GET 1/2 and 50-min stomach residue rate were significantly reduced, which could improve the gastric emptying of wild-type mice (<0.01,<0.05); after EA at "Weishu" (BL 21), the GET 1/2 and 50-min stomach residue rate were significantly increased, which could inhibit the gastric emptying of wild-type mice (<0.01,<0.05). The OT gene knockout mice group:compared with the control group, EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) had no significant effects on gastric emptying (both>0.05); after EA at "Weishu" (BL 21), the GET 1/2 and 50-min stomach residue rate were significantly increased, which could inhibit the gastric emptying of OT gene knockout mice (both<0.01). Gastric emptying curve:the gastric emptying of OT gene knockout mice was significantly faster than that of wild-type mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The effects of EA at acupoints with different nerve segments on gastric emptying in mice are different, and the knockout of OT gene could accelerate the gastric emptying, and influence the acupuncture effect of several acupoints. It is suggested the paraventricular nucleus OT neurons, as the initiating device of autonomic nervous pathways, might participate in EA regulating the gastric function to inhibit the gastric emptying, with the form of neural and neuroendocrine.</p>

Clinical effect on infantile food accumulation treated with centripetal tuina therapy at spleen meridian site of different location / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on infantile food accumulation treated with centripetal tuina therapy at spleen meridian site of different location.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of infantile food accumulation were randomized into a palmar thumb surface group and a radial margin group, 30 cases in each one. In the palmar thumb surface group, the spleen meridian was stimulated with the pushing technique centripetally on the palmar side of the thumb. In the radial margin group, the spleen meridian was stimulated with the pushing, technique centripetally along the radial margin of the thumb. The traditional tuina techniques, such as tuisanguan, yun neibagua were combined in the two groups. The treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week, 12 treatments as one session. After the 1 session of treatment, the main symptom scores before and after treatment were compared in the patients of the two groups, the improvements in the accompanied symptoms were observed, such as appetite, defecation and tongue coating; and the efficacy was evaluated in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30) and 90.0% (27/30) in the palmar thumb surface group and the radial margin group respectively and the difference was not significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the main symptom score was improved significantly in the two groups, indicating the significant difference as compared with that before treatment (both P < 0.05). The improvement in foul breathing in the palmar thumb surface group was better than that in the radial margin group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Between the two kinds of pushing techniques at spleen meridian site, pushing on the palmar surface of the thumb and pushing along the radial margin, there is no difference in the total efficacy on infantile food accumulation. Regarding the improvement in foul breathing, the effect in the palmar thumb surface group is better than that in the radial margin group.</p>

Clinical observation of Liu’s infantile tuina therapy for allergic rhinitis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To discuss the clinical efficacy of Liu’s infantile tuina therapy in treating kid’s allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods:Sixty eligible AR kids were randomized into a tuina group and a Western medication group by their visiting sequence, 30 cases in each group. The tuina group was intervened by Liu’s infantile tuina therapy, once daily, 5 times as a treatment course, with a 2-day interval after a course; the control group was by orally taking Loratadine. The therapeutic efficacies were compared and analyzed after treatment for 4 successive weeks. Results:After treatment, the symptoms such as itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, and stuffy nose were significantly improved in both groups (P Conclusion:Liu’s infantile tuina therapy can produce a better therapeutic efficacy in treating AR kids compared to oral administration of Loratadine.

A study of changes in volume and location of target areas and organs at risk in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for cervical cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the changes in volume and spatial location of target areas and normal tissues before and during intensity?modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for cervical cancer by quantitative means. Methods Forty patients with cervical cancer who were treated with IMRT were enrolled as subjects. Computed tomography ( CT) was performed before IMRT and during IMRT when a dose of 27 Gy ( 15 fractions) was reached. Clinicians delineated the target areas and organs at risk in the two groups of CT images. The target areas and organs at risk in one group of images were mapped to the other group of CT image by image registration using the Pinnacle treatment planning system. Volume changes in target areas and organs at risk were analyzed, and changes in the spatial location were evaluated by volume difference method and Dice similarity method. Comparison was made by paired t?test. Results There were significant differences in gross target volumes of primary tumor lesions ( GTV?T) and pelvic metastatic lymph nodes (GTV?N) before and during IMRT ( P= 0?? 000; P= 0?? 000). According to the evaluation by volume difference method, the average rate of change in GTV?T was (38.64±19?? 50)% with a range between 3?? 16%and 86?? 49%, while the average rate of change in GTV?N was (42.49± 25?? 68)% with a range between 2?? 79% and 87?? 42%. In the organs at risk, the bladder had the maximum rate of volume change, the average of which was (55.13±33?? 40)% with a range between 3?? 25% and 116?? 01%. According to the evaluation by Dice similarity method, the average Dice similarity coefficient for GTV?T was 0.50± 0?? 18 with a range between 0?? 10 and 0?? 85, while the average Dice similarity coefficient for GTV?N was 0.31±0?? 20 with a range between 0?? 00 and 0?? 71. The rectum had the minimum Dice coefficient in the organs at risk, the average of which was 0.57± 0?? 14 with a range between 0?? 18 and 0?? 76 . Conclusions For patients with cervical cancer to receive IMRT, since there are substantial changes in volume and spatial location of target areas and normal tissues before and during treatment, it is quite necessary to modify the treatment regimen in time in order to provide adequate doses for target areas and avoid overdose for organs at risk.

Gastric distention-related neurons in dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve of rats in response to different acupuncture acupoints / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Preliminary studies of our research group mainly focus on the role of nucleus of solitary tract in gastric noxious stimulation and acupuncture point, while dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve, nucleus of solitary tract and area postrema are the necessary component for vagus nerve complex, and dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve plays a crucial role in the regulation of gastric functions. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu acupoints on the gastric-related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. METHODS:The gastric related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of gastric distension rats were identified using extracellular recording technique, according to neuroelectrophysiology method. Acupuncture stimulation was given to Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu for 15 seconds. The effect of body stimulation on the gastric distension related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of rats was recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Among the involved 24 rats, 90 neurons at paraventricular hypothalamic necleus exhibited discharge. Among the discharged neurons, 54 neurons were related to gastric distension. After acupuncture stimulation at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu, there were 44, 39, 38, 27 neurons giving a response, the reaction rate was 82%, 72%, 70%and 50%, respectively. Acupunture at different nerve segment acupoints can activate the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve to different degrees, which is involved in the regulation of gastric motility.

Response of gastric-related neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus to acupuncture at Neiguan and Zusanli in a rat model of gastric distension / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Previous studies concerning neuromechanism of acupuncture for regulating gastric function mainly focused on peripheral nerve, involving in central nervous system. In particular, there are few studies addressing higher central nervous system. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) on gastric-related neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. METHODS:Using microelectrode extracellular recording technique, gastric related neurons in the paraventricular nucleus were found in gastric distension rats. Stimulation was conducted for 30 seconds by hand acupuncture at Neiguan and Zusanli. The effects of acupuncture on gastric-related neurons in the paraventricular nucleus were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The discharge of 109 neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of 60 rats was recorded. A total of 56 gastric-related neurons of the 109 neurons were observed. The number of neurons response to acupunctures at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu (BL20) and Weishu (BL21) were respectively 44, 47, 29, and 33, with the reaction proportion of 78.57%, 83.47%, 51.79%and 58.93%. Results suggested that there exist gastric distension stimulation and acupuncture stimulations from neurons soma to visceral reaction in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, which simultaneously participates in the regulation of acupuncture on the gastric function.

Clinical analysis and treatment of central pain due to head injury / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Central pain is induced by the involvement of the abnormal pain pathway due to diseases of the central nervous system. Central pain after brain trauma is common clinically, but it is often misdiagnosed and neglected because of lack of objective disturbances. We treated 20 cases of central pain after head injury by invigorating blood circulation and satisfactory result was obtained.

Application of Multi-slice Spiral CT Angiography in Thoracic Vascular Emergency / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) angiography in diagnosis of thoracic vascularemergency.Methods 25 cases suspected of thoracic vascular emergency were examined with MSCT. Two dimensional and three dimensionalimaging methods were used. Results Central pulmonary embolism 10 cases, aortic dissection 12 cases,aneurysm 2 cases and takayasuarteritis with stricture of kidney artery were found by two dimensional imaging(MPVR,CPR),and the extent, size and details of lesions couldbe showed well. The space relationship and calcifation of aorta were displayed in three dimensional imaging(SSD,VR,MIP). Therelationship between intraluminal embolism and the wall of pulmonary artery, as well as intimal flap and reentry of dissection could bevealuated by CTVE.Conclusion Associated with imaging post processing,MSCT angiography is an effective method in diagnosis of thoracic vascular emergency.