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Objective@#To evaluate the methodological quality of papers that performed meta-analyzed and systematically reviewed acupoint selections for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) and to identify the ideal acupoint combinations for FD.@*Methods@#Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine (CBM), and Wanfang Database, as well as English databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched to retrieve papers about meta-analysis and systematic literature reviews on acupuncture for FD. The time span for the paper retrieval was set from the foundation of the databases to April 30, 2022. The Veritas scores of the papers based on their publication year, study type, Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2), Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), heterogeneity, and publication bias were rated to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Then, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were extracted from those meta-analysis papers or systematic literature reviews for analyzing acupoints frequency, meridian frequency, and association rules with the use of R software (V 4.3.1).@*Results@#Eight meta-analysis papers were included in the study after screening. The mean Veritas scores of the papers based on publication year, type of study, AMSTAR2, PRISMA, heterogeneity, and publication bias were 4.50, 8.00, 4.63, 4.63, 4.50, and 6.13, respectively. The analysis of the scores revealed insufficiencies in the reviews pertaining to the methodology, comprehension of the research strategy, detailed list of excluded studies, sources of funding, assessment of potential bias risks impact on meta-analysis results in each study, explanation of heterogeneity, and identification of potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, a total of 85 RCTs were obtained from the eight meta-analysis papers involving 85 acupuncture prescriptions and 67 acupoints for subsequent data mining. The most commonly used meridian was Stomach meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST). Zusanli (ST36), Neiguan (PC6), Zhongwan (CV12), Taichong (LR3), Tianshu (ST25), Gongsun (SP4), Weishu (BL21), Pishu (BL20), Neiting (ST44), and Yinlingquan (SP9) topped the list of frequently selected acupoints. Additionally, a total of 28 association rules were identified, including 10 second-order, 15 third-order, and 3 fourth-order association rules. The top-ranking association rules in each order were “Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)” “Zhongwan (CV12) + Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)” and “Zhongwan (CV12) + Taichong (LR3) + Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)”, respectively.@*Conclusion@#Acupuncture could alleviate the clinical symptoms of FD. However, the quality of methodology applied in the meta-analysis papers on the subject needs to be improved. Through data mining, a combination of Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), and Taichong (LR3) was identified as an essential acupoint combination for the treatment of FD.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of the calmodulin inhibitor W-7 on the expression of the key marker of ERS GRP78 and neuronal apoptosis in the immature rat hippocampus after status convulsion (SC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and seventeen male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 19-21 days were randomly divided into three groups: normal saline control (control), SC with and without W-7 pretreatment. Each of the 3 groups was further subdivided into subgroups sacrificed at 4, 24 and 48 hrs. SC model was prepared using lithium-pilocarpine. GRP78 mRNA expression in the hippocampus was detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). GRP78 protein was ascertained by immunohistochemistry. Neuronal apoptosis was observed with TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of GRP78 mRNA was significantly increased in the non-pretreated SC group compared with the control group 24 hrs after injection of saline or lithium-pilocarpine (P<0.01), and the expression of GRP78 protein also increased markedly in the seizure group compared with the control group 24 and 48 hrs after the injection (P<0.01). The expression of GRP78 mRNA and protein in the W-7 pretreatment group was significantly higher than both the control and the non-pretreated seizure groups 24 and 48 hrs after injection. The TUNEL positive cells in the hippocampus CA1 in the non-pretreated SC group 24 and 48 hrs after injection (21.0 ± 2.5 and 29.4 ± 2.8, respectively) were increased compared to the control group (7.1 ± 1.4 and 7.3 ± 1.6, respectively; P<0.01). W-7 pretreatment decreased TUNEL positive cells to 15.0 ± 2.5 and 20.0 ± 2.9 at 24 and 48 hrs after injection compared to the non-pretreated seizure group (P<0.01), but the number of TUNEL positive cells in the W-7 pretreatment group remained significantly greater than in the control group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>W-7 may up-regulate the expression of GRP78 and reduce the number of apoptotic neurons, thus provides a neuroprotective effect against brain damage following SC.</p>