Approach to Assess Adequacy of Acupuncture in Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To summarize and identify the available instruments/methods assessing the adequacy of acupuncture in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for proposing a new improved instrument.@*METHODS@#A systematic literature search was carried out in 7 electronic databases from inception until 21st November 2022. Any study evaluating the adequacy or quality of acupuncture, specifying specific acupuncture treatment-related factors as criteria of subgroup analysis, or developing an instrument/tool to assess the adequacy or quality of acupuncture in an RCT was included. Basic information, characteristics and contents of acupuncture adequacy assessment were presented as frequencies and percentages.@*RESULTS@#Forty studies were included in this systematic review. Thirty-five studies (87.50%) were systematic reviews, none of which used formal methods to develop the assessment instruments/methods of acupuncture adequacy; of 5 methodological studies, only 1 study used a relatively formal method. Thirty-two studies (82.05%) assessed the components of acupuncture, while 7 (17.95%) assessed the overall quality of acupuncture. An independent assessment instrument/method was used to assess acupuncture adequacy in 29 studies (74.35%), whereas as one part of a methodological quality assessment scale in 10 (25.65%). Only 9 (23.00%) studies used the assessment results for subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis or the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis.@*CONCLUSION@#Assessment contents for adequacy or quality of acupuncture in RCTs hadn't still reached consensus and no widely used assessment tools appeared. The methodology of available assessment instruments/scales is far from formal and rigorous. A new instrument/tool assessing adequacy of acupuncture should be developed using a formal method.

Acupuncture for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: an overview of systematic reviews / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the report quality, methodological quality and evidence quality of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of acupuncture for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).@*METHODS@#The SRs/MAs of acupuncture for IVF-ET were searched electronically from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, from inception of each database to September 27th, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature and extracted the data. Using PRISMA statement, the AMSTAR 2 scale and the GRADE system, the report quality, methodological quality and evidence quality of the included SRs/MAs were assessed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 28 SRs/MAs were included, with PRISMA scores ranging from 8.5 points to 27 points. The problems of report quality focused on protocol and registration, retrieval, risk of bias in studies, additional analysis, limitations and funding. The methodological quality of included studies was generally low, reflecting on items 2, 3, 7, 10, 12 and 16. A total of 85 outcome indexes were included in the GRADE system for evidence grade evaluation. Most of the evidences were low or very low in quality. The reasons for the downgrade were related to study limitations, inconsistency, imprecision and publication bias.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupuncture therapy improves the outcomes of IVF-ET, but the methodological quality and evidence quality of related SRs/MAs are low. It is recommended to conduct more high-quality studies in the future to provide more reliable evidences.

Fidelity in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research: application and reflection / 中国针灸

As an indicator that measures the degree of implementation of intervention measures during the implementation process, fidelity could be used for monitoring and quality evaluation of the completion degree of intervention measures, and plays an important role in improving the degree of intervention implementation and clarifying the factors that affect intervention implementation. This article aims to introduce the connotation and significance, measurement, control, and current application status of fidelity, as well as the current application status of fidelity in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research and its inspiration for future research. Meanwhile, based on the existing evaluation tool development methods of fidelity and the characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research, a preliminary fidelity evaluation framework is proposed. Introducing fidelity into acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research could improve the implementation quality and compliance of acupuncture-moxibustion in clinical research, increase the credibility and effectiveness of clinical research results, and promote the transformation of acupuncture-moxibustion experience into easily learnable and promotable treatment plans.

Analysis on influencing factors of acupuncture curative effect based on experts' experience / 中国针灸

To explore the influencing factors of acupuncture curative effect in literature of experts' experience. The journal literature of experts' experience was retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed, starting from inception to September 4, 2020, and the influencing factors of acupuncture curative effect were extracted and analyzed. A total of 499 articles were included, involving 495 articles in Chinese and 4 articles in English. The influencing factors of acupuncture curative effect mainly include five aspects: diagnostic method, acupoint selection of acupuncture, acupuncture manipulation, regulating mind of acupuncture and acupuncture time, and provide reference for acupuncture protocol design in clinical trials.

A technique of pretightening dorsal vein complex can facilitate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The ligation of dorsal venous complex (DVC) is a very important procedure during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). Inaccurate DVC ligation may lead to severe bleeding or postoperative incontinence. We, therefore, designed the DVC pretightening technique to facilitate this procedure. The 32 involved patients with localized prostate cancer underwent LRP between July 2017 and October 2018. All of the patients received DVC pretightening technique. A laparoscopic intestinal clamp was used to narrow and strain DVC. The needle passage was limited between the bone and clamp. The ligation time, DVC-related blood loss, and continence data were recorded. The ligation of DVC in 32 patients was performed with DVC pretightening technique. Every suture was completed with one attempt. The mean ligation time was 2.7 ± 1.0 min. The DVC-related blood loss was 2.0 ± 1.3 ml. The 3-month continence rate was 81.3% (26/32). Positive margin rate was 9.4% (3/32). In conclusion, the DVC pretightening technique simplified the ligation of DVC during LRP. It is a safe and reliable technique. However, large-sample randomized controlled trials are still required to confirm the advantage of the new method in improving mean ligation time, DVC-related blood loss, continence rate, and positive margin rate.

The effect of aloesin on melanocytes in the pigmented skin equivalent model / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of aloesin, tea polyphenols, arbutin on melanocytes in the pigmented skin equivalent model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>First, we constructed the pigmented skin equivalent model in vitro. And then we detected the effect of aloesin, tea polyphenols and arbutin on the cells' shape, tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin in the constructed pigmented skin equivalent.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three depigmenting agents showed an inhibition effect on the tyrosinase activity of melanocytes and reduced significantly melanin content in the pigmented skin equivalent model, in which the tea polyphenols had the strongest effect, and then was the aloesin. But the tea polyphenols showed the strongest toxicity, while the aloesin and arbutin had a much lower toxicity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>All the three depigmenting agents showed a concentration dependent suppression effect on the tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin, in which the tea polyphenols was the strongest effect( P <0.05). Aoesin has a good suppression effect on the tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin, but has a much lower toxicity, which could be used as a safe depigmenting agent.</p>

Construction of an in vitro equivalent of the pigmented skin / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct an in vitro equivalent of the pigmented skin using tissue engineering methods.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surgically removed foreskins was used as the source of keratinocytes and melanocytes harvested by routine tissue digestion. The fibroblasts were enriched by tissue block culture and seeded into the scaffold constructed using mouse tail collagens to construct the pigmented skin equivalent model. The general structure and the melanocyte distribution and growth status in this model were observed with HE staining and Fontana Masson staining. The ultrastructure of the constructed pigmented skin equivalent was observed by transmission electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS AND CONCLUSION</b>The pigmented skin equivalent model was structurally intact, and allowed optimal cell growth. Fontana Masson staining identified in the basal layer numerous melanocytes in normal growth, and the constructed model was structurally similar to normal skin tissue, suggesting successful construction of the pigmented skin equivalent model.</p>

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of three conjunctive methods of free iliac bone graft for established mandibular body defects / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the stress and displacement distribution of 3D-FE models in three conjunctive methods of vascularized iliac bone graft for established mandibular body defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using computer image process technique, a series of spiral CT images were put into Ansys preprocess programe to establish three 3D-FE models of different conjunctions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The three 3D-FE models of established mandibular body defects by vascularized iliac bone graft were built up. The distribution of Von Mises stress and displacement around mandibular segment, grafted ilium, plates and screws was obtained.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It may be determined successfully that the optimal conjunctive shape be the on-lay conjunction.</p>

Experimental study on induction of the normal human melanocytes apoptosis in vitro by cycloheximide and TNF-alpha / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of cycloheximide and TNF-alpha on melanocyte (MC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Melanocyte apoptosis was studied with MTT, transmitting electron microscopy and fluorescence labeling of alive cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We added TNF-alpha and cycloheximide in melanocytes, and the typical apoptosis appeared 24 hours later, with chromatin condensation, nuclear pyknosis and apoptotic bodies formation. The results of cytometry showed the typical apoptotic peak.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TNF-alpha and cycloheximide together could inhibit MC proliferation and induce MC apoptosis.</p>

The effects of aloesin and arbutin on cultured melanocytes in a synergetic method / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of aloesin and arbutin on normal cultured human melanocytes in synergetic method.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Building up the system of cultured human melanocytes. The cultured melanocytes in vitro were treated with the mixture of aloesin and arbutin. The cell viability and tyrosinase activity was measured by MTT assay, utilization of L-Dopa as the substrate respectively; melanin content was measured by image analysis system. Furthermore, the effects of the mixture on melanocytes were compared with that of aloesin and arbutin.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mixture of aloesin and arbutin showed an inhibition on tyrosinase activity of human melanocytes and reduced significantly melanin content. Between the mixture and the single use of aloesin or arbutin, there is significant difference (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the mixture has little influence on melanocytes viability and there is negative significance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mixture of aloesin and arbutin can significantly inhibit the tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis of cultured human melanocytes. It showed the effects of aloesin and arbutin in a synergistic manner. It is worth to give farther study later.</p>