[Governor vessel moxibustion combined with warming acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis with yang deficiency and cold congelation based on the supporting-yang theory].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between governor vessel moxibustion combined with warming acupuncture based on the supporting-yang theory and simple warming acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with yang deficiency and cold congelation. METHODS: A total of 64 patients with KOA of yang deficiency and cold congelation were randomized into a combination group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a warming acupuncture group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the warming acupuncture group, warming acupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), etc. on the affected side, once a day. On the basis of the treatment in the warming acupuncture group, governor vessel moxibustion was applied in the combination group, once a week. The 14-day treatment was taken as one course, and totally 2 courses with 2-day interval were required in the two groups. The clinical symptom score, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC) score were observed before treatment, after treatment and in the follow-up of 12 weeks after treatment; the volume of suprapatellar bursa effusion was detected before and after treatment; the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment and in the follow-up in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment and in the follow-up, the scores of clinical symptom, VAS and WOMAC were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and those in the combination group were lower than the warming acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the volume of suprapatellar bursa effusion was decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.05). After treatment and in the follow-up, the total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30) and 86.7% (26/30) in the combination group, which were superior to 87.1% (27/31) and 74.2% (23/31) in the warming acupuncture group respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Governor vessel moxibustion combined with warming acupuncture can improve the clinical symptoms i.e. pain and dysfunction and reduce the volume of suprapatellar bursa effusion in KOA patients with yang deficiency and cold congelation, its short-term effect and long-term effect are both superior to simple warming acupuncture.

CerebraLux: a low-cost, open-source, wireless probe for optogenetic stimulation.

The use of optogenetics to activate or inhibit neurons is an important toolbox for neuroscientists. Several optogenetic devices are in use. These range from wired systems where the optoprobe is physically connected to the light source by a tether, to wireless systems that are remotely controlled. There are advantages and disadvantages of both; the wired systems are lightweight but limit movement due to the tether, and wireless systems allow unrestricted movement but may be heavier than wired systems. Both systems can be expensive to install and use. We have developed a low cost, wireless optogenetic probe, CerebraLux, built from off-the-shelf components. CerebraLux consists of two separable units; an optical component consisting of the baseplate holding the fiber-optic in place and an electronic component consisting of a light-emitting diode, custom-printed circuit board, an infrared receiver, microcontroller, and a rechargeable, lightweight lithium polymer battery. The optical component (0.5 g) is mounted on the head permanently, whereas the electronic component (2.3 g) is removable and is applied for each experiment. We describe the device, provide all designs and specifications, the methods to manufacture and use the device in vivo, and demonstrate feasibility in a mouse behavioral paradigm.