Acupoint thread-embedding for children with tic disorders of spleen deficiency and liver hyperactivity and its effect on serum level of NSE / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding for children with tic disorders of spleen deficiency and liver hyperactivity and its effect on serum level of neuron-specific enolase (NSE).@*METHODS@#A total of 68 children with tic disorders of spleen deficiency and liver hyperactivity were randomized into an observation group (34 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (34 cases, 3 cases dropped out, 1 case was eliminated). In the observation group, acupoint thread-embedding was applied at Baihui (GV 20) and bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Pishu (BL 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36),etc., once every 4 weeks. In the control group, tiapride hydrochloride tablet was given orally, twice a day. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the Yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS) score and serum level of NSE were observed in the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, except for vocal tic score of YGTSS in the control group, the each-item scores and total scores of YGTSS and serum levels of NSE in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05); the each-item scores and total score of YGTSS and serum level of NSE in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 87.9% (29/33), which was higher than 76.7% (23/30) in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupoint thread-embedding has a good effect in the treatment of children with tic disorders of spleen deficiency and liver hyperactivity, could reduce the YGTSS score and serum level of NSE.

Discussion on Pathogenesis of Major Depressive Disorder from Correlation of "Brain-Heart-Triple Energizer" / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Major depressive disorder （MDD） is an affective disorder characterized by significant and long-lasting depression， hypoactivity， and thinking and cognitive retardation. Some patients may conduct self-hram or suicide and have delusion， hallucination， and other mental symptoms. MDD is believed to be correlated with brain and heart， but there is no complete theory or mechanism fully explaining the pathogenesis of MDD. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） holds that the brain and heart dominate the formation of and change in mind， and MDD falls into the category of mental disease. It is mainly diagnosed as depression， visceral agitation， or Lily disease. Triple energizer is a key zang-fu organ that governs Qi transformation. There has always been some controversy about its anatomical structure. In recent years， important progress has been made in the research on the substantive structure of triple energizer. It is found that the structure and function of triple energizer are highly consistent to those of "mesenchyme"， a fluid space supported by a complex network of collagen fibers and widely distributed throughout the body. Different from known tissues and organs， it is a large organ responsible for information communication， material exchange， and energy metabolism. The triple energizer is partially contained in the structure of brain and heart and connects with the brain and heart， thus forming a "brain-heart-triple energizer" system with close physiological and pathological connections. With the association of "brain-heart-triple energizer" as the basis and Qi transformation as the core link， this paper elucidated the pathogenesis of MD and put forward that MDD resulted from "brain and heart Yang deficiency and Qi depression due to triple energizer obstruction"， so as to improve TCM understanding of the pathogenesis of MDD and perfect the TCM theories of encephalopathy and triple energizer.

Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on dysphagia in children with severe hand foot and mouth disease / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with conventional symptomatic and supportive treatments on swallowing function and nutritional status in children with severe hand foot and mouth disease complicated with dysphagia.@*METHODS@#A total of 68 children with severe hand foot and mouth disease complicated with dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 34 cases in each one. Symptomatic and supportive treatments such as lowering temperature, tranquilizing and mechanical ventilation were adopted in the control group. On the basis of the treatments in the control group, acupuncture was applied at Lianquan (CV 23), Jialianquan (Extra), cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2), Fengfu (GV 16), Fengchi (GB 20), Yamen (GV 15), scalp motor and sensory areas in the observation group, once a day, 6 times a week, one month as a course and totally 3 courses were required. Time spent on restoring swallowing function was observed in both groups. Besides, score of dysphagia disorder survey (DDS) and nutritional status were evaluated before and after treatment, and the clinical effects were compared.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the observation group, which was superior to 73.5% (25/34) in the control group (<0.05). The time of restoring swallowing function in the observation group was advanced than the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the DDS scores after treatment were decreased in both groups, and the reduction in the observation group was larger than the control group (all <0.05). After the treatment, the normal rate of nutritional status was 61.8% (21/34) in the observation group, which was superior to 32.4% (11/34) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of conventional treatment, acupuncture can effectively treat the severe hand foot and mouth disease complicated with dysphagia, improve the swallowing function and nutritional status.