Professor LU Fan's clinical experience in shallow needling technique of acupuncture / 中国针灸

Professor LU Fan adheres to the principle in clinical practice, "the needling principle concentrated on regulating qi ". She takes the advantages of shallow needling technique of acupuncture in treatment of various diseases, e.g. exogenous disease, initial onset of disorder, chronic bi disorder, intractable diseases, disorder of yang nature, disorder of heat nature, thin body, pediatric diseases, disorders on the unilateral side of the body and acute diseases. Besides in compliance with classics, she has broadened the application scope of shallow needling technique of acupuncture and improved the clinical therapeutic effect.

Systematic review and Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Toutongning Capsules in treatment of tension-type headache / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Toutongning Capsules in the treatment of tension-type headache(TTH), so as to provide a corresponding basis for clinical treatment. Eight commonly used medical research databases and two clinical trial registration systems were retrieved with the time interval from the establishment of the database or system to November 2020. The randomized controlled trials of Toutongning Capsules in the treatment of TTH were screened out according to the pre-set criteria. The quality of the included papers was evaluated by the bias risk assessment tool in Cochrane Reviewers Handbook 6.1 and the data were statistically analyzed by RevMan v5.4 provided by Cochrane collaboration. A total of 13 studies were included and the quality of methodology was generally low. Meta-analysis showed that Toutongning Capsules assisted with western medicine therapy can effectively reduce the pain intensity(MD_(VAS)=-1.94,95%CI[-2.50,-1.38],P<0.000 01;MD_(NRS)=-0.83,95%CI[-0.86,-0.80],P<0.000 01), headache duration(SMD=-0.98,95%CI[-1.17,-0.79],P<0.000 01), headache frequency(MD=-1.01,95%CI[-1.16,-0.85],P<0.000 01), headache index(MD=-11.13,95%CI[-12.10,-10.16],P<0.000 01), anxiety and depression scale score(MD_(HAMA)=-4.02,95%CI[-6.58,-1.46],P=0.002;MD_(HAMD)=-2.67,95%CI[-4.04,-1.29],P=0.000 1), while Toutongning Capsules as monotherapy only reduced the headache score(MD=-2.24,95%CI[-2.97,-1.51],P<0.000 01). The available clinical studies demonstrate that Toutongning Capsules combined with western medicine in the treatment of TTH can improve the related outcome indicators, but the clinical safety and efficacy of Toutongning Capsules alone remain unclear. Due to the small number and low quality of the included studies, large-sample, multi-center, high-quality and strictly designed randomized controlled trials are still needed to verify the clinical efficacy in the future.

Systematic review and Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of gastrodin in treatment of tension-type headache / 中国中药杂志

The efficacy of gastrodin as a Chinese herbal medicine extract in the treatment of tension-type headache has been confirmed. This paper systematically reviewed the efficacy and safety of gastrodin in the treatment of tension-type headache, aiming to provide a new choice for the treatment of this disease. In this study, four Chinese databases, four English databases and two trial registries were searched from the date of establishment to September 2020. The related randomized controlled trials(RCTs) were screened out according to the predetermined criteria. The bias risk assessment tool developed by Cochrane collaboration was used to evaluate the quality of the reports. RevMan 5.4.1 was used for Meta-analysis, and GRADE system for the evidence-based evaluation on the quality of outcome indicators. A total of 177 articles were retrieved and 8 articles were finally included for analysis, with a total sample size of 1 091 cases, which included 565 cases in the treatment group and 526 cases in the control group. The overall quality of included stu-dies was not high. The results of Meta-analysis are as follows:(1)In terms of headache frequency, gastrodin group was better than wes-tern medicine group(MD=-2.90, 95%CI[-3.76,-2.03], P<0.000 01).(2)In terms of number of abnormal blood vessels in TCD, gastrodin group was better than western medicine group(MD=-88.96, 95%CI[-102.36,-75.55], P<0.000 01).(3)In terms of effective rate, gastrodin group was better than western medicine group(RR=1.47, 95%CI[1.29, 1.68], P<0.000 01). The results of subgroup analysis are as follows:(1)Effective rate based on age, for the patients upper age limit 40-46 years old, gastro-din group was better than western medicine group(RR=1.69, 95%CI[1.50, 1.90], P<0.000 01); for the patients upper age limit 55-60 years old, gastrodin group was better than western medicine group(RR=1.27, 95%CI[1.16, 1.38], P<0.000 01).(2)Effective rate based on dosage form, both the gastrodin capsules and injection groups were better than western medicine group(RR_(capsules)=1.42, 95%CI[1.08, 1.88], P=0.01; RR_(injection)=1.50, 95%CI[1.26, 1.77], P<0.000 01). GRADE evaluation showed that the above outcomes had low quality of evidence. Only one article detailed the occurrence of adverse reactions and thus the present study cannot make a positive conclusion on the safety of gastrodin in the treatment of tension-type headache. The small number and low quality of the included reports affected the reliability of the results. In the future, more high-quality randomized controlled trails are needed to improve the evaluation on the efficacy and safety of gastrodin in the treatment of tension-type headache.

Outcome indicators in randomized controlled trials on traditional Chinese medicine intervention for tension-type headache in recent five years / 中国中药杂志

To evaluate the application of outcome indicators in randomized controlled trials(RCTs) concerning the treatment of tension-type headache(TTH) with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in recent five years, so as to provide a basis for the study of core outcome set(COS) for TCM intervention in TTH. The RCTs on TCM treatment of TTH in recent five years were systematically retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, EMbase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and China Clinical Trial Registry. After literature screening, data extraction and evaluation of the risk of bias, the outcome indicators in the included RCTs were subjected to qualitative analysis. The preliminary search yielded 19 042 articles, and 10 983 were left after the elimination of duplication. Finally, 52 RCTs(48 in Chinese and 4 in English) were included for qualitative analysis. The outcome indicators of RCTs included in this study were classified into seven domains: TCM syndrome, symptom and sign, physical and chemical detection, quality of life, long-term prognosis, economic evaluation, and safety event. The findings demonstrated that headache characteristic index in the symptom and sign domain was the index with the highest reporting frequency and reporting rate. Seventeen RCTs used TCM syndrome score as the outcome indicator. Further analysis revealed that there existed such problems in research design as non-distinction between primary and secondary outcome indicators, great difference in the adopted measurement tools for outcome indicators, and the neglect of measurement time of outcome indicators. Moreover, the syndrome indicators reflecting TCM advantages, objective evaluation indicators, safety and health-economic indicators were lacking. These limitations have affected the quality and reliability of RCTs on TTH treatment with TCM. It is suggested that the efficacy and characteristics of TCM should be combined into current clinical research, and the COS in RCTs regarding TCM treatment of TTH should be established according to internationally recognized standard procedures.

Effect of Acupuncture and Biofeedback on Fecal Incontinence after Anus Preservation Operation for Rectal Cancer / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the effect of acupuncture and biofeedback on the recovery of fecal incontinence after anus preservation operation for rectal cancer. Methods:From January 1st, 2016 to June 30th, a total of 226 patients with rectal cancer after anus preservation operation were selected. Finally, 120 patients with fecal incontinence were randomly divided into control group (n = 40), acupuncture group (n = 40) and observation group (n = 40). All the groups accepted levator ani movement. In addition, the acupuncture group received acupuncture, and the observation group received acupuncture and biofeedback, for three months. Cleveland Clinic Florida Faecal Incontinence Scores (CCF-FIS), anorectal pressure, pelvic floor surface electromyography and quality of life were measured before treatment, and one month, two months and three months after treatment. Results:There was no significant difference in CCF-FIS, anorectal pressure, pelvic floor surface electromyography and quality of life among three groups before treatment (F < 2.943, P > 0.05). After treatment, all the above indexes improved (F > 5.235, P < 0.01), and were better in the acupuncture group and observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05), especially in the observation group (P < 0.05) at each time point. The curative effect of the observation group was related to the location of the tumor (χ2 > 4.405, P < 0.05) one month after treatment, and it was related to whether pelvic autonomic nerve preservation was performed during the operation (χ2 > 4.706, P < 0.05) and whether radiotherapy was added after the operation (χ2 > 5.013, P < 0.05) at each time point after treatment. At three months follow-up, the recurrence rate was lower in the observation group (8.6%) than in the acupuncture group (35.7%) and in the control group (35.0%) (χ2 > 5.976, P < 0.05). No complication occurred in all groups. Conclusion:Acupuncture and biofeedback can improve the symptoms of defecation incontinence and promote the recovery of anal function after anus preservation operation for rectal cancer.

Research progress on exosomes in promoting bone regeneration / 基础医学与临床

Exosomes, small vesicles of endocytic origin, have attracted attention in bone regeneration field. The vesicles travel between cells and deliver functional cargoes like proteins and RNAs, thereby regulating targeted cells dif-ferentiation, commitment, function, and proliferation. Exosomes directly regulate MSCs into the osteoblastic lineage, stimulate bone regeneration by directly regulating osteoblast proliferation and activity, regulate osteoclast maturation and activity and stimulate bone growth and regeneration by increasing vessel formation. Meantime, exosomes resolves toxicity and immunogenicity problems caused by biomaterial treatment. Furthermore, compared with living cell trans-plantation, exosomes present a lower risk for severe complication(such as tumors, emboli formation).

[Optimization and comparison of extraction methods of mitochondrial DNA of Oncomelania hupensis].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the extraction methods of mitochondrial genome DNA (mtDNA) of Oncomelania hupen- sis. METHODS: The pyrolysis, protein K variable-temperature digestion and high-concentration potassium acetate purification were applied to optimize the high-concentration-salt precipitation method, and then the optimized method was compared with two common extraction methods, the sucrose density gradient centrifugation method and traditional high-concentration-salt precipitation method. The mtDNA samples were identified by using spectrophotometry, agarose gel electrophoresis and the amplification products of COX1. The nuclear DNA contamination was tested by the amplification products of ITS. RESULTS: The concentration and yield of the improved method was significantly higher than those of the traditional method (F = 3 032.65, 10 185.00, both P < 0.01). The mtDNA samples extracted were essentially free of nuclear DNA and protein, meeting PCR, sequence analysis and other molecular biology research requirements. CONCLUSIONS: The improved high-concentration-salt precipitation method for isolating mtDNA is simple, and it has high yield and low cost. The extracted mtDNA can meet relevant analysis requirements.

[Comparison of three different methods for isolating RNA from Oncomelania hupensis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of three kinds of Oncomelania hupensis RNA extraction methods, namely a modified SDS method, TRIzol reagent method, and CTAB method, so as to obtain an economical and efficient method for RNA extraction from O. hupensis. METHODS: The modified SDS method, TRIzol reagent method and CTAB method were applied to extract the RNA from O. hupensis. A nucleic acid protein analyzer was used to measure the concentration and purity of RNA. The yields were calculated by the concentration of the products. The purity was indicated by A260/A280 and A260/A230. The quality of RNA was inspected by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. The ß-acting gene was selected as the target gene for RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: The RNA yields obtained by using the three kinds of extraction methods were significantly different (F = 16 895.85, P < 0.01) according to the analysis of variance. The LSD test showed that the yields obtained by using the modified SDS method were the highest, and those obtained by the CTAB method were the lowest. The purity of RNA extracted by the CTAB method was superior to that by the other two methods, and the A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios of the CTAB method were in the range from 1.8-2.0 and 2.0-2.2. The A260/A230 ratios of the other two methods were both lower than 2.0. The RNA extracted by the modified SDS method had the better integrity. The electrophoresis results showed that the 28S rRNA band, 18S rRNA band and 5S rRNA band were clear, and there was no obvious smear between each band. The RNA obtained by the TRIzol reagent method had no 28S rRNA band, and that obtained by the CTAB method had no 28S rRNA and 5S rRNA bands. The ß-acting gene of the RNA extracted by all the three methods could be amplified by RT-PCR. The costs and time-consuming of the modified SDS method were less than those of the other two methods. CONCLUSIONS: The modified SDS method is an economic and efficient method, and it is suitable for extracting the RNA of O. hupensis, especially for large sample preparation.

[Investigation on mites and insects breeding status of bed mats in college dormitories in Wuhu City].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the breeding situations of mites and insects from bed mats in dormitories in a college in Wuhu City, so as to provide evidences for improving the prevention and control of mites. METHODS: From March to May, 2015, the dust samples from bed mats in student dormitories were collected and detected for mites and insects by microscopy. In addition, the intervention measures including soaking the mats in the warm water, exposing the mats to the sunlight for a long time and cleaning up the indoor environment were carried out, and the breeding situations of mites and insects before and after the intervention were compared. RESULTS: A total of 428 dust samples from bed mats were collected, and the total infestation rate of mites and insects was 71.03%. There were 11 species of mites and insects identified, among which, the infestation rate of Dermatophagoides farinae (60.05%) was the highest, following by that of Liposcelis bostrychophilus (40.89%) . The infestation rates of Cheyletus malaccensis, Blattisocius sp. and Pyemotes sp. were 9.81%, 3.74% and 1.64%, respectively, and the above mites might cause dermatits. The infestation rates of mites and insects in dust samples from bed mats stored in indoor corner, wardrobe, bed bottom, and the balcony corner were 74.75%, 71.26%, 61.17%, and 77.78%, respectively, and the differences among them were not statistically significant (χ2 = 7.030, P > 0.05) . The detectable rates of mites and insects in dust samples from bed mats with no cover, wrapped with cloth bags, and wrapped with plastic bags were 85.58%, 78.13%, and 14.29%, respectively, and the differences among them were statistically significant (χ2 = 164.303, P < 0.05) . After the intervention, both the infestation rates of mites and insects as well as the average density of mites were decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2 = 45.615, t = 3.203, both P < 0.05) . CONCLUSIONS: The infestation rates of mites and insects in bed mats of the dormitories in the college of Wuhu City are high, and among all the species of mites infested, D. farina are preponderant. The intervention measures, such as prepacking bed mats by adequate sealing, soaking bed mats in the warm water, exposing the bed mats to the sunlight and cleaning indoor environment, have an inhibiting effect to the infestation of mites and insects.

Thymidylate synthase genetic polymorphisms and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 37 case-control studies / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Several studies have evaluated the association between polymorphisms of thymidylate synthase (TS) and cancer risk in diverse populations but with conflicting results. By pooling the relatively small samples in each study, it is possible to evaluate the association using a meta-analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all case-control studies on TS on a 28-bp tandem repeats in 5'untranslated region (5'UTR) and a 6-bp insertion (ins) and deletion (del) mutation in 3'UTR of the gene and cancer risk. Meta-analysis was conducted using a fixed and random effect model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Our meta-analysis on a total of 13 307 cancer cases and 18 226 control subjects from 37 published case-control studies showed no significant association between the risk of cancer and the 5'UTR 28-bp tandem repeats polymorphism (3R/3R vs. 2R/2R: OR = 1.06, 95%CI, 0.93 - 1.20) or the 3'UTR 6-bp ins/del polymorphism (del6/del6 vs. ins6/ins6: OR = 0.93, 95%CI, 0.81 - 1.08) with significant between-study heterogeneity. In the cancer type- and ethnic subgroup-stratification analyses, we did not find any association between TS polymorphisms and cancer risk either.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TS 5'UTR 28-bp tandem repeats and 3'UTR 6-bp ins/del polymorphisms may not be associated with cancer risk.</p>

Therapeutic effect of a new recombinant immunotoxin mMIP-1alpha-DT390 on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of a new recombinant immunotoxin mMIP-1alpha-DT390 on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EAE was induced in the low-sensitive strain C57BL/6 mice with intraperitoneal injection of myelin basic protein (MBP) to simulate the human disease multiple sclerosis, followed by intramuscular injection of cationic liposome carrying the plasmid DNA SRalpha-mMIP-1alpha-DT390 in the leg muscle to elicit resistance to EAE development. The mice were then examined daily for clinical signs of EAE by an observer blind to the treatment protocol. For immunohistochemistry the mice were anesthetized and perfused with sterile PBS and paraformaldehyde, and the cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla and spinal cord were removed for preparation of serial sections. The mononuclear cells (MNCs) from the EAE mouse spleens were prepared for three-color flow cytometry analysis of the surface markers with appropriate antibodies following the BD Pharmingen cytokine staining protocol.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EAE model was successfully established by active MBP immunization in C57BL/6 mice. Administration of the immunotoxin mMIP-1alpha-DT390 significantly delayed the disease onset and lowered the mean clinical score for EAE as compared with the control mice. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated much less CCR5(+) infiltrating cells in the central nervous system in mMIP-1alpha-DT390-treated mice than in the control. The treatment also eliminated reactive T cells in the periphery blood without affecting the number of B cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The immunotoxin mMIP-1alpha-DT390 can attenuate the disease activity of EAE in mice, suggesting its potential use in the treatment of other autoimmune disorders.</p>

The dynamic observation of the levels of IL-2,IL-5 and IL-6 produced by Balb/c mice infected with Dengue Virus type Ⅱ clinic strain / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To observe the dynamic levels of IL-2,IL-5 and IL-6 produced by Balb/ c mice infected with DEN_2 clinical strains and to study their relation.Methods The Balb/c mouse in- feetion model was established by multiple-site subcutaneous injection with various doses of DEN_2 clini- cal strain.Mouse plasma samples collected from different experiment groups at various time after in fection were tested for IL-2,IL-5 and IL-6 levels with sandwich ELISA.Results After primary in- feeted with DEN_2 B strain,the levels of IL-2,IL-5 and IL-6 of all experimental groups were not sig- nificantly higher than the normal control group while the levels of experimental groups increased sig- nificantly after re-infection.The level of IL-2 reached to peak[average value of(101 522.44?10 465.375)pg/ml]at the 4th day after re-infection(the 20th day after the primary infection),and then the level gradually reduced.The levels of IL-5 in the Balb/c mice of the group 1 and 2 reached to peak at the 1st day after re infection(the 16th day after the primary infection),and there was signifi- cant difference between these two groups and the control group(P＜0.05).The levels of IL-6 in all experimental groups reached to peak at the 1st and the 2nd day after re-infection.The peak value of the third group is the highest comparing with the normal control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Th2 response was predominant in the second infection phase.