Study on the explicitation of implicit knowledge and the construction of knowledge graph on moxibustion in medical case records of ZHOU Mei-sheng's Jiusheng / 中国针灸

To explore the methods of the explicitation of implicit knowledge and the construction of knowledge graph on moxibustion in medical case records of ZHOU Mei-sheng's Jiusheng. The medical case records data of Jiusheng was collected, the frequency statistic was analyzed based on Python3.8.6, complex network analysis was performed using Gephi9.2 software, community analysis was performed by the ancient and modern medical case cloud platform V2.3.5, and analysis and verification of correlation graph and weight graph were proceed by Neo4j3.5.25 image database. The disease systems with frequency≥10 % were surgery, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, locomotor, digestive and respiratory systems. The diseases under the disease system were mainly carbuncle, arthritis, lumbar disc herniation and headache. The commonly used moxibustion methods were fumigating moxibustion, blowing moxibustion, direct moxibustion and warming acupuncture. The core prescription of points obtained by complex network analysis included Yatong point, Zhiyang(GV 9), Sanyinjiao(SP 6), Dazhui(GV 14), Zusanli(ST 36), Lingtai(GV 10), Xinshu(BL 15), Zhijian point and Hegu(LI 4), which were basically consistent with high-frequency points. A total of 6 communities were obtained by community analysis, corresponding to different diseases. Through the analysis of correlation graph, 13 pairs of strong association rule points were obtained. The correlation between Zhiyang(GV 9)-Dazhui(GV 14) and Yatong point-Lingtai(GV 10) was the strongest. The acupoints with high correlation with Yatong point were Zhiyang(GV 9), Lingtai(GV 10), Dazhui(GV 14), Zusanli(ST 36) and Sanyinjiao(SP 6). In the weight graph of the high-frequency disease system, the relationship of the first weight of the surgery system disease was fumigating moxibustion-carbuncle-Yatong point, and the relationship of the first weight of the ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology system disease was blowing moxibustion-laryngitis-Hegu (LI 4). The results of correlation graph and weight graph are consistent with the results of data mining, which can be used as an effective way to study the knowledge base of moxibustion diagnosis and treatment in the future.

Effect of moxibustion on cognitive function and proteins related with apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in rats with vascular dementia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of moxibustion on proteins related with apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in rats with vascular dementia (VD), and to explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion on improving VD.@*METHODS@#Thirty SD rats were selected from 100 rats (3 rats were excluded) and randomly divided into a normal group and a sham operation group, 15 rats in each group. The remaining 67 rats were treated with ischemia-reperfusion method at bilateral common carotid artery to establish VD model. The 45 rats with successful VD model were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and a medication group, 15 rats in each group. On the 7th day after successful modeling, the rats in the moxibustion group were treated with suspended moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Mingmen" (GV 4) and "Dazhui" (GV 14), 15 min per acupoint, once a day; there was 1 d of rest after 6 d of moxibustion, and the treatment was given for 4 weeks. The rats in the medication group was treated with nimodipine tablets by gavage, 2 mg/kg per day, 3 times a day for 4 weeks. Before and after intervention, the Morris water maze test was used to detect the escape latency of rats in each group; after the intervention, the TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis rate of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area; the immunofluorescence double labeling method was used to detect the number of co-expression positive cells of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)/NeuN in hippocampal CA1 area; the immunofluorescence single labeling method was used to detect cytochrome C (cytC) and outer mitochondrial membrane receptor Tom20 (Tom20) in hippocampal CA1 area; the Western blot method was used to detect the p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) in hippocampus.@*RESULTS@#Before intervention, compared with the normal group and the sham operation group, the escape latency in the model group, the moxibustion group and the medication group was prolonged (@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could improve the cognitive function of VD rats, which may be related to reducing the expression of Bax, cytC, Tom20 and PUMA protein in hippocampal CA1 area, promoting the release of Bcl-2 and inhibiting the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons.

Moxibustion improves learning-memory ability by promoting cellular autophagy and regulating autophagy-related proteins in hippocampus and cerebral cortex in APP/PS1 transgenic Alzheimer's disease mice / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion of acupoints of the Governor Vessel on the levels of cellular autophagy, β amyloid protein (Aβ) immunoactivity, and expression of LC3-Ⅰ， LC3-Ⅱ， p62 and p-P70S6K proteins in the hippocampal tissue of APPswe/PS1de9 (APP/PS1) double-transgenic Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, so as to reveal its underlying mechanisms in improving AD. METHODS: APP/PS1 double-transgenic AD mice were randomly divided into AD model, moxibustion, autophagy-inducer (Rapamycin) and autophagy-inhibitor (3-MA)＋moxibustion groups (n＝10 in each group), and other 10 C57BL/6J male mice (the same age) were used as the normal control group. Herbal-cake (made of Chuanwu [Radix Aconiti Praeparata]) partitioned moxibustion was applied to "Baihui"(GV20), moxibustion was applied to "Fengfu"(GV16) and "Dazhui"(GV14), all for 20 min, once daily for 2 weeks, with one day's off between two weeks. For mice of the autophagy-inducer and 3-MA＋moxibustion groups, Rapamycin (2 mg•kg－1•d－1) and 3-MA (1.5 mg•kg－1•d－1) were separately administered by intraperitoneal injection for 2 weeks. The cognitive ability was examined by Morris water maze tests, and the ultrastructural changes (including autophagic lysosomes, etc.) of hippocampal neurons were observed by using transmission electron microscopy. The immunoactivity of cerebral cortex and hippocampal Amyloid β peptide 1-42 (Aβ1-42) was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of hippocampal LC3-Ⅰ， LC3-Ⅱ， p62 and p-P70S6K proteins were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After modeling, the escape latency of Morris water maze tasks was prolonged in the model group than in the normal control group (P<0.05) and obviously shortened in the moxibustion and autophagy-inducer groups (not the autophagy-inhibitor group) than in the model group (P<0.05). Results of transmission electron microscope showed deformed, irregular or atrophic neurons with rough and incomplete and fuzzy nuclear membrane, and decreased intracellular autophagosomes in the hippocampus in the model group, and partial irregular, atrophic neurons with more autophagic vesicles and lysosomes in the moxibustion group. The expression levels of Aβ1-42 in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissues, and LC3-Ⅰ， p62 and p-P70S6K proteins in the hippocampus were consi-derably up-regulated in the model group relevant to the normal control group (P<0.01), and evidently down-regulated in both moxibustion and autophagy-inducer groups (not the autophagy-inhibitor group) than in the model group (P<0.01), while that of hippocampal LC3-Ⅱ protein and LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio levels were obviously down-regulated in the model group relevant to the normal control group (P<0.01), and significantly up-regulated in both moxibustion and autophagy-inducer groups (not the autophagy-inhibitor group) than in the model group (P<0.01)．. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can improve the cognitive ability of APP/PS1 double-transgenic AD mice, which is associated with its effects in promoting hip-pocampal and cerebral cortex autophagy level, and down-regulating the expression levels of Aβ1-42, LC3-Ⅰ， p62 and p-P70S6K proteins in the hippocampus.

Moxibustion at acpoints of governor vessel on regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and enhancing autophagy process in APP/PS1 double-transgenic Alzheimer's disease mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the eliminating effects of moxibustion at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) on amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) in brain of the amyloid precursor protein/presenili1 (APP/PS1) double-transgenic mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice with AD were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, a rapamycin group and a combination group (treated with moxibustion and inhibitor), 15 mice in each group, another 15 male C57BL/6J mice with same age and background were selected as the control group. In the moxibustion group, pressing moxibustion was applied at "Baihui" (GV 20) while the mild moxibustion was applied at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Dazhui" (GV 14). The treatment was manipulated for 20 min each time, once a day for 2 weeks. In the rapamycin group, rapamycin (2 mg/kg) was given by intraperitoneal injection once a day for 2 weeks. On the basis of the treatment in the moxibustion group, 3-methyladenine (1.5 mg/kg) was given by intraperitoneal injection once a day for 2 weeks. The mice in the control and the model group received normal diet and no intervention was given for 2 weeks. Immunohistochemica method was used to measure the levels of Aβ in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal, transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the formation of autophagosome in hippocampus, and Western blot method was used to observe the levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR and p-mTOR in hippocampus.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the levels of Aβ in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal were increased in the model group (0.05）. Compared with the rapamycin group, the levels of Aβ in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal were increased in the combination group (<0.01). In the model group, the cytoplasmic utophagic vacuoles and organelles of neuron were reduced. In the moxibustion group, the utophagic vacuoles were increased, and the organelles showed deformation and atrophy. In the rapamycin group, the utophagic vacuoles were widely disturbed and few deformed organelles were found. In the combination group, few utophagic vacuoles were found and additional organelles showed deformation and atrophy. Compared with the control group, the levels of PI3K、Akt、p-Akt、mTOR and p-mTOR were increased in the model group (all <0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of PI3K、Akt、p-Akt、mTOR and p-mTOR were reduced in the moxibustion group, the rapamycin group and the combination group (all <0.01). Compared with the moxibustion group, the levels of PI3K、Akt、and p-mTOR were increased in the rapamycin group and the levels of PI3K、Akt、p-Akt、mTOR and p-mTOR were increased in the combination group (all <0.01). Compared with the rapamycin group, the levels of PI3K、Akt、p-Akt、mTOR and p-mTOR were increased in the combination group (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion at acupoints of governor vessel can enhance the autophagy process on Aβ in brain of the APP/PS1 double-transgenic AD mice, which may be associated with its effects on inhibiting the abnormal activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Clinical study on primary osteoporosis treated with spreading moxibustion for warming yang and activating blood circulation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy on primary osteoporosis treated with spreading moxibustion for warming yang and activating blood circulation so as to provide the effective clinical therapeutic methods for osteoporosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of primary osteoporosis were randomized into a spreading moxibustion group (30 cases) and a calcium tablet group (30 cases). In the calcium tablet group, caltrate was prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg per day. In the spreading moxibustion group, on the basis of the treatment as the calcium tablet group, the spreading moxibustion was applied at Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) for warming yang and activating blood circulation. The duration of treatment was 12 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, TCM clinical symptom score and bone mineral density (BMD) were observed and compared before and after treatment in the patients between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VAS scores were reduced apparently after treatment in the two groups (both P < 0.01) and the results in the spreading moxibustion group were obviously superior to that in the calcium tablet group (2.36 +/- 0.43 vs 4.52 +/- 0.35, P < 0.01). BMD were all increased in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the results in the spreading moxibustion group were superior to those in the calcium tablet group (both P < 0.05). The total clinical effective rate was 86.67% (26/30) in the spreading moxibustion group, apparently better than 63.33% (19/30) in the calcium tablet group (P < 0.05). TCM clinical symptom scores after treatment were all reduced apparently in the two groups (both P < 0.01), and the result in the spreading moxibustion group was obviously superior to that in the calcium tablet group (4.72 +/- 1.90 vs 6.82 +/- 2.30, P < 0.01). The total effective rate of TCM symptoms was 93.33% (28/30) in the spreading moxibustion group, apparently better than 70.00% (21/30) in the calcium tablet group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of spreading moxibustion for warming yang and activating blood circulation and the oral administration of caltrate apparently relieves pain and TCM clinical symptoms, improves BMD in the patients of osteoporosis and achieves definite clinical efficacy in the patients of osteoporosis.</p>

Discussion on twenty four moxibustion styles of Meihua acupuncture-moxibustion school / 中国针灸

Nomination, apparatus, manipulating techniques, indications and theoretical basis of 14 single moxibustion styles including Chuijiu (insufflating moxibustion), Dianjiubi Jiu (pecking moxibustion with a pen-like stool), Jiujia Xunjiu (moxibustion with frame), Tongmai Wenyang Jiu (moxibustion for removing meridian obstructions and warming up yang), QifuJiu (moxibustion on umbilicus and abdomen), Xiongyang Jiu (moxibustion on the chest for reinforcing yang qi), Toujing Jiu (moxibustion on head and neck), Anmo Jiu (moxibustion with massage), Zhiti Jiu (moxibustion on extremities), Guan Jiu (moxibustion with a tube), Zu Jiu (moxibustion on foot), Wenzhenjiu (warm needling), Huanong Jiu (festering moxibustion) and Gewu Jiu (indirect moxibustion) are expounded in this article. And 10 compound moxibustion with the combination of 2 or more than 2 above mentioned single moxibustion style under the instruction of combination of local and distal points, combination of upper and lower points as well as combination of frontal and back points are also stated. It suggests to classify moxibustion into categories of festering moxibustion and mild moxibustion, indirect moxibustion and direct moxibustion, and to classify moxibustion apparatus into the categories of treating tools and assisting tools.

Effect of combination of bushen jianpi recipe and erythropoietin on serum tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with anemia / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of treatment of renal anemia by combination of Bushen Jianpi Recipe (BJR, a Chinese experience recipe for supplementing Shen and supporting Pi) and low dosage erythropoietin (EPO), and the influence of treatment on change of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) so as to explore the possible mechanism of integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating renal anemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with renal anemia were randomly divided into two groups, the ICWM group and the control group, symptomatic and supporting treatment such as dialysis, supplementing of ferrous, foliac acid and vitamin B12, was given to both groups. Additionally, to the ICWM group, 50 IU/kg of EPO subcutaneous injection for twice every week, and oral intake of BJR, one dose per day taken in two parts, were given, and to the control group, EPO alone, 50 IU/kg by subcutaneous injecting, 3 times per week, was given. The therapeutic course for two groups was 3 months. Blood levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), TNF-alpha were measured before treatment and the therapeutic effect was observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the levels of Hb and Hct increased significantly in both groups (P < 0.01), comparison between the two groups in Hb and Hct after being treated for 3 months showed significant difference (P < 0.05). The serum level of TNF-alpha was markedly higher than normal range in both groups before treatment, it significantly lowered after treatment in the ICWM group (P < 0.05), but unchanged in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combination of BJR and EPO could significantly inhibit the production of TNF-alpha, this may be an important factor for ICWM in effectively improving sensitivity to EPO.</p>