Needle retaining after electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training for post-stroke cognitive impairment: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To compare the efficacy of needle retaining after electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training and electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training in the treatment of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).@*METHODS@#A total of 206 patients with PSCI were randomized into a needle retaining group (103 cases, 9 cases dropped out) and an electroacupuncture group (103 cases, 6 cases dropped out). In addition to the conventional basic medical treatment and the rehabilitation treatment, in the needle retaining group, electroacupuncture at Shenting (GV 24) and Baihui (GV 20) was applied, with continuous wave of 50 Hz in the first 15 min and with disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/50 Hz in the last 15 min, the needles were continuously retained for 1 h after electroacupuncture, during which cognitive training was adopted; in the electroacupuncture group, cognitive training was performed after the same electric stimulation exerted for 30 min, without additional needles retaining. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week for totally 8 weeks in the two groups. Before and after 8-week treatment, the TCM syndrome score was observed; before and after 4,8-week treatment, the scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and ability of daily living were observed in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated after 8-week treatment.@*RESULTS@#After 8-week treatment, the TCM syndrome scores were increased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05); the TCM syndrome score in the needle retaining group was higher than that in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05).After 4,8-week treatment, the scores of MMSE, MoCA and ability of daily living were increased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05); MMSE, MoCA scores after 4,8-week treatment and ability of daily living score after 8-week treatment in the needle retaining group were higher than those in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 90.4% (85/94) in the needle retaining group, which was superior to 82.5% (80/97) in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Both needle retaining after electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training and electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training can effectively treat PSCI, improve the clinical symptom, cognitive function and ability of daily living in PSCI patients. Needle retaining after electroacupuncture combined with cognitive training has a better therapeutic effect.

Effect of moxibustion on M2 and P2X3 receptors of bladder tissue in rats with neurogenic bladder of detrusor areflexia after lumbar-sacral spinal cord injury / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Shenque" (CV 8) on acetylcholine (Ach), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and muscarinic-type choline receptor (M2) and purine receptor P2X3 in bladder tissue in the rats with neurogenic bladder (NB) of detrusor areflexia after lumbar-sacral spinal cord injury and explore the underlying mechanism of moxibustion for promoting detrusor contraction.@*METHODS@#Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into a model preparation group (n=45) and a sham-operation group (n=15). In the model preparation group, the modified Hassan Shaker spinal cord transection method was used to prepare the model of NB. In the sham-operation group, the spinal cord transection was not exerted except laminectomy and spinal cord exposure. Among the rats with successfully modeled, 30 rats were selected and divided randomly into a model group and a moxibustion group, with 15 rats in each one. On the 15th day after the operation, moxibustion was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Shenque" (CV 8) in the moxibustion group, 10 min at each acupoint, once a day. The consecutive 7-day treatment was as one course and the intervention for 2 courses was required. Urodynamic test was adopted to evaluate bladder function in rats. Using HE staining, the morphological changes in bladder tissue were observed. The content of Ach and ATP in bladder tissue was measured with biochemical method, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of M2 and P2X3 receptors in bladder tissue were detected with Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantification PCR method.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham-operation group, the maximum bladder capacity, leakage point pressure and bladder compliance were increased in the rats of the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the maximum bladder capacity, the leakage point pressure and bladder compliance were decreased in the rats of the moxibustion group (P<0.05). In the model group, the detrusor fibres were arranged irregularly, bladder epithelial tissues were not tightly connected and cell arrangement was disordered, combined with a large number of vacuolar cells. In the moxibustion group, compared with the model group, the detrusor fibres were arranged regularly, bladder epithelial cells were well distributed and vacuolar cells were reduced. Compared with the sham-operation group, the content of Ach and ATP in bladder tissue was decreased (P<0.05), the protein and mRNA expression levels of M2 and P2X3 receptors were reduced (P<0.05) in the model group. In the moxibustion group, the content of Ach and ATP in bladder tissue was increased (P<0.05) and the protein and mRNA expression levels of M2 and P2X3 receptors were increased (P<0.05) as compared with the model group.@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Shenque" (CV 8) may effectively improve bladder function in the rats with NB of detrusor areflexia after lumbar-sacral spinal cord injury and its underlying mechanism is related to promoting the release of Ach and up-regulating the expression of M2 receptor, thereby enhancing the release of ATP and increasing the expression of P2X3 receptor. Eventually, detrusor contraction is improved.

Acupoint selection rules of post-stroke cognitive impairment treated with acupuncture based on ancient and modern medical record cloud platform / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the acupoint selection rules of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) treated with acupuncture by ancient and modern medical record cloud platform (V1.5).@*METHODS@#The published randomized controlled trial (RCT) literature of PSCI treated with acupuncture was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science, and the data was extracted to establish prescription database. The ancient and modern medical record cloud platform (V1.5) was used to analyze the data.@*RESULTS@#A total of 185 articles was included, involving 91 acupoints, the total using frequency was 1174 times. The top 5 acupoints in frequency of PSCI treated with acupuncture were Baihui (GV 20, 151 times), Shenting (GV 24, 97 times), Sishencong (EX-HN 1, 83 times), Neiguan (PC 6, 69 times) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6, 64 times); the most involved meridian was the governor vessel, and the generally used acupoints were mainly distributed in the head, face and neck. The top 5 acupoint combinations in frequency were Baihui (GV 20)-Shenting (GV 24, 89 times), Baihui (GV 20)-Sishencong (EX-HN 1, 79 times), Baihui (GV 20)-Neiguan (PC 6, 59 times), Baihui (GV 20)-Sanyinjiao (SP 6, 56 times) and Baihui (GV 20)-Zusanli (ST 36, 51 times). The acupoint combination with the strongest association was Shenting (GV 24)→Baihui (GV 20). There were 6 acupoint cluster groups according to the cluster analysis, and the main core prescription was Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoints on the governor vessel, and distributed in head, face and neck are the main acupoints for PSCI treated with acupuncture, Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can be used as the main acupoints, but it is still necessary to combine with syndrome differentiation.

Slow Breathing Training for Hypertension: A Systematic Review / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To evaluate the effects of slow breathing training on hypertension. Methods:Articles about slow breathing training for hypertension were retrieved from CNKI, Wangfang Data, PubMed and Web of Science, until March, 2021. The authors, publishing time, subjects, interventions and courses, and outcome indexes and conclusion were extracted. Results:There were 924 articles returned, and 35 included, which published mainly from 2009 to 2020. The subjects were patients with hypertension, and the outcome index was blood pressure. Conclusion:Slow breathing training may work for hypertension, which associates to baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, sympathetic nerve activity and cardiopulmonary diastolic receptors.

Targeting-YAP/TAZ therapies for head and neck cancer, directly or indirectly? / 华西口腔医学杂志

YAP/TAZ are wild over-activated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with high potential as a direct therapy target for HNSCC treatments. However, the efforts on the directly targeting-YAP/TAZ therapies over the past decade, have very limited impacts, mainly caused by: 1. There is still none effective and specific YAP/TAZ inhibitor with clinical potential; 2. YAP/TAZ might not be directly targeted, because of their multiple important biological functions, such as: regulation of cell proliferation and survival, stem cell maintain, regulation of organ development, organ size control, and tissue regeneration. Interestingly, the over-activation of YAP/TAZ in HNSCC mainly be regulated by upstream abnormal molecular or biological events, instead of genes alteration of YAP/TAZ. Therefore, exploring the alternative molecular events regulating YAP/TAZ activation and molecular mechanism in HNSCC might help to uncover novel indirect targets of YAP/TAZ therapies for HNSCC prevention and treatment.

Application of Surface Electromyography in Assessment of Dysphagia after Cricopharyngeal Achalasia / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To apply surface electromyography (sEMG) in assessment of swallow function for patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia. Methods:From January, 2015 to December, 2019, 48 patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke accepted videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS); those with cricopharyngeal achalasia were as observation group (n = 24), and those without cricopharyngeal achalasia were as control group (n = 24). Other 24 healthy subjects were as healthy group. They accepted sEMG at infrahyoid muscles and submental muscles as they were resting, and swallowing nothing (saliva), water, thick fluid and semiliquid food. The root mean square (RMS) of sEMG was recorded. The correlation of RMS and VFSS was anlyzed. Results:The RMS of both muscle groups increased with the difficuty of swallowing in all the groups (F > 77.652, P < 0.001). For every condition, the RMS of both muscle groups was the most in the observation group, and then for the control group and the healthy group (F > 42.505, P < 0.001). The RMS of both muscle groups positively correlated with VFSS score (r > 0.548, P < 0.05). Conclusion:sEMG can be used to quantitatively assess the contraction of submental muscles and infrahyoid muscles in cricopharyngeal achalasia patients after ischemic stroke, which may help to evaluate swallowing function.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Learning and Memory and Expression of Beclin-1 in Rats after Cerebral Ischemic-reperfusion / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Shenting (GV24) on learning and memo-ry in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and explore the possible mechanism. Methods A total of 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=15), ischemia group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The left middle cerebral arteries of the latter two groups were occluded with the modified Longa's method for two hours and reperfused, and the electroacupuncture group received elec-troacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting once a day for seven days, then. They were assessed with Longa's score one, three, five and seven days after intervention. They were tested with Morris water maze since four days after intervention, once a day for four days. The cerebral infarction volume was measured with TTC staining seven days after intervention, while the protein expression of Beclin-1 was detected with Western blotting. Results Longa's score improved in the electroacupuncture group compared with that in the ischemia group since three days after intervention (P<0.05). The escape latency decreased and the times cross the area of platform increased in the electroacupuncture group compared with that in the ischemia group at every point (P<0.05). The cerebral infarction volume reduced (F=7.651, P<0.001) and the expression of Beclin-1 decreased (P<0.05) in the elec-troacupuncture group compared with that in the ischemia group.Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve learning and memory in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which may relate with regulation of autophagy network.

Clinical observation on moxibustion combined with intermittent urethral catheterization for treatment of neurogenic vesical dysfunction / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of moxibustion combined with intermittent urethral catheterization on vesical function in the patient of neurogenic vesical dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-six cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 38 cases in each group. The control group was treated with routine intermittent urethral catheterization and the observation group with the intermittent urethral catheterization and moxibustion on Guanyuan (CV 4), Mingmen (GV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Changes of residual urine volume, white cell count and the balance state of the urinary bladder were selected as the indexes of therapeutic effect and the therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 97.4% in the observation group and 79.0% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05); after treatment, there were significant differences between the two groups in the residual urine volume, the bladder volume and the case numbers reaching to the functional balance state of bladder (all P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups in white cell count change (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion combined with intermittent urethral catheterization can significantly improve vesical function in the patient of neurogenic vesical dysfunction, reducing residual urine volume, increasing volume of bladder, promoting the balance state of vesical function, but it is basically same as intermittent urethral catheterization in prevention of urinary infection and therapeutic effect.</p>

Clinical significance of sentinel lymph node detection by combining the dye-directed and radioguided methods in gastric cancer / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) with combining the dye-directed and radioguided methods in gastric cancer and assess its potential role in determining the rational extent of lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six patients of gastric cancer diagnosed as T(1)-T(3) were enrolled in this study. Endoscopic injection submucosally of (99m)Tc labeled sulfur colloid solution was performed around the primary tumor 2 - 4 h before operation. Immediately after laparotomy, patent blue violet was injected into subserosal layer adjacent to the tumor. SLNs were defined as blue stained nodes or(and) those containing 10 times more radioactivity than surrounding tissue with a gamma probe. Standard radical gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy (D(2) or D(3)) was performed in most of the patients, however, limited surgery was performed in early gastric cancer (EGC) when a rapid frozen examination indicated negative SLNs. All resected nodes were examined postoperatively by routine HE stain and those negative SLNs were examined with further cytokeratin immunohistochemistical staining. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, negative predictive value and false-negative rate of regional lymph node status on the basis of SLN status were calculated respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SLNs were dectected in 25 of 26 patients with a successful detection rate of 96%. The number of SLNs ranged from 1 to 6, with a mean value of 3.2 per case. The SLNs of gastric cancer were only found in N(1) area in 50% of the cases, and only in N(2) or N(3) in 12%. The incidence of metastasis was significantly higher in SLNs than in non-SLNs (35% vs 7%). The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, negative predictive value and false-negative rate were 96%, 94%, 7/8 and 6% respectively. Complete analysis of SLN upstaged 2/7 of patients of gastric cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The SLN concept is validated in gastric cancer. Combined-agent SLN mapping is an accurate diagnostic procedure for detecting lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer and may indicate rational extent of lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer.</p>

Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma: a clinicopathologic study of eight cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight cases of SEF were investigated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were five males and three females. Clinically, most patients presented as a slowly growing mass. Six tumors were located in the extremities or limb girdles, and two in the trunk. Grossly, most lesions were relatively well-circumscribed with a nodular or lobulated appearance. They ranged from 2.0 to 10.5 cm in size (mean 6 cm). On sectioning, they had a gray-whitish cut surface and were firm in consistency. Microscopically, the tumors were composed of uniformly round or polygonal epithelioid cells with clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm. The tumor cells were arranged predominantly in single strands or cords and embedded in a heavily hyalinized matrix. In some areas, nests, sheets, acini or alveolar structures were also noted. Nuclei atypia and brisk mitotic activity was not evident. The mitotic count measured less than 1 per 10 high power fields. However in two cases, focal areas exhibited increased cellularity, nuclei atypia and higher mitotic activity, resembling conventional fibrosarcoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse and strong positivity for vimentin and focal or weak positivity for EMA. There was no expression for AE1/AE3, S-100 protein, HMB45, alpha-SMA, MSA, desmin, CD34, bcl-2, CD30 and LCA. Follow-up information in six patients revealed local recurrence in 3 cases and lung metastasis in 1 case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SEF is a rare variant of fibrosarcoma. Despite the relatively bland appearance and low mitotic activity, the tumor is capable of local recurrence and distant metastasis. Thus, it should be considered and treated as a low to intermediate grade sarcoma. SEF needs to be differentiated from a variety of benign or malignant tumors exhibiting epithelioid features and sclerotic stromal response.</p>

Pathological changes of lungs in patients with severity acute respiratory syndrome / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the progression in morphologic changes of lungs in SARS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four cases of SARS with lung tissue samples available (including one for ultrastructural examination) were enrolled into the study. Histochemical study for VG, Masson, reticulin, orcein, PAS, sirius red stains and immunohistochemical study for vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin, HHF-35, CD34, F8, collagen types I and III were also performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to the morphologic changes, lung lesions in SARS were subcategorized into 3 phases: acute exudative inflammation, fibrous proliferation and the final fibrotic stage. Two cases belonged to the acute exudative phase, in which the course was less than 20 days. The principal lesions consisted of acute alveolar exudative inflammation, hyperplasia of alveolar epithelium, necrosis, alveolar hyaline membrane formation, alveolar desquamation and focal fibroplasia. The acute exudative protein was PAS-positive. There was an increase in reticulin fiber formation. The reactive fibroblasts were highlighted by desmin and vimentin. One case belonged to the fibroproliferative stage, in which the course was around 25 days. Major lesions included proliferative interstitial pneumonia with early pulmonary fibrosis. There was also evidence of organizing pneumonia, with an increase in reticulin fiber formation, which had a glomeruloid appearance on special stain. The mesenchymal cells showed either myofibroblastic (which expressed desmin, HHF-35, smooth muscle actin and vimentin) or fibroblastic (which expressed vimentin only) differentiation. Fibroelastosis and fibroplasia was also noted. The remaining case belonged to the fibrotic stage, in which the course was around 75 days. The main features included diffuse fibrosis and honeycomb change, which were highlighted by sirius red stain. Immunohistochemistry showed mainly types I and IV collagen fibers. In all lesions, there was also an increase of number of CD68-positive macrophages.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The morphologic progression in lungs of SARS patients is characterized by the development of increased fibrosis. The primitive mesenchymal cells, hyperplastic alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages play an important role in the pathogenesis.</p>

Pathological and ultramicrostructural changes of tissues in a patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the morphological, ultramicrostructural and pathological changes of tissues from a patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One autopsy case of diagnosed SARS was investigated. Lung puncture was performed immediately after the patient died, and the autopsy was done after 12 h. The specimens from lymph nodes, spleen, small intestine, colon and bone marrow were studied by immunohistochemical technique. The antibodies used included CD20, CD45RO (UCHL-1), CD4, CD8, CD68 and CD34.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The principal lesions of the SARS case consisted of acute lobular intrastitial pneumonia, hyaloid membranes of pulmonic alveoli and hyperplasia and shedding of alveolar epithelium of. Virus-like inclusions occasionally contained cytoplasm of the alveolar epithelium, which were positive by histochemical staining. The adjacent blood-vessels were changed by hyperplasia and enlargement. The structures of lymph nodes and spleen were damaged with lymph follicles depletion and splenic nodules atrophy. The specific changes included reduction of lymphocytes and hyperplasia of histiocytes, depletion of the follicles of small intestine and colon wall, decreased hyperplasia of the bone marrow and increased number of the megakaryocyte. Meanwhile, in the immunohistochemical study, CD(20)(+) B cells were fully expressed in lymph nodes and spleen, and the CD45RO (UCHL-1)(+) T cells were scatteredly expressed. The number of CD4(+) help T cell was markedly decreased, while the number of CD8+ poisonal T cells increased, and the ratio of the former and latter was no more than 0.5. Under the electronic microscopy observation, virus-like particles with 80 - 160 nm diameter and halo or garland envelope were found in mononuclear macrophage and cytoplasm of alveolar epithelium.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The specific lesions of SARS consist of lobular intrastitial pneumonia with the formation of hyaline membranes of lung, haemorrhage, necrosis, inflammation of blood vessels and the damages of extralung lymphohemopioetic system. The damages were very similar to the pathological features of tissues infected by human immunodeficiency virus, in which numbers of T cells decreased and CD(4)(+) T cell/CD(8)(+) T cell ratio was no more than 0.5. According to the virus-like particles found in lung of the SARS case, it is considered that these virus-like particles may be a new kind of coronavirus which caused the "atypical pneumonia".</p>