Therapeutic analysis of laser moxibustion for different KL graded knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies showed that laser moxibustion may be effective in alleviating the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. However, the therapeutic effect in patients with different Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades is still unclear. We aimed to compare the efficacy of laser moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with different KL grades. METHODS: A total of 392 symptomatic KOA patients with different KL grades were randomly assigned to the laser treatment or sham laser control group (1:1). The patients received laser moxibustion treatment or sham treatment 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and the primary outcome measurement was the change in WOMAC pain scores from baseline to week 4. RESULTS: Among 392 randomized participants, 364 (92.86%) completed the trial. Participants with KL grades 2, 3, and 4 had significantly higher pain, functional, and total WOMAC scores than those with KL grade 1. Spearman correlation test results showed a positive correlation between KL grade and WOMAC pain, function, stiffness scores, and WOMAC total scores. That is, the higher the KL grade, the higher the WOMAC pain, function, stiffness, and WOMAC total scores. After 4 weeks of treatment, patients with KL grades 2 and 3 had significantly higher improvement scores in pain, function, and total scores than those with KL grade 1, whereas those with KL grade 2 had significantly higher improvement scores in stiffness than those with KL grade 1. Patients with KL grade 4 showed no significant effects after laser moxibustion treatment. CONCLUSION: Laser moxibustion is effective for pain reduction and functional improvement in the treatment of KOA with KL grades 2 and 3.

AC field modulated DC magnetic field sensor based on optical whispering gallery mode microcapillary resonator.

A sensitive DC magnetic field sensor is constructed by measuring the signal-to-noise ratio of an AC-modulated magnetic field at a particular frequency from an optical whispering gallery mode microcapillary resonator. The sensing element consists of an optical whispering gallery mode microcapillary resonator bonded to a magnetostrictive material that enables it to respond to external magnetic fields. A DC magnetic field sensitivity of 0.1703dB/Oe and a linear detection range from 4.8Oe to 65.7Oe are realized under an AC modulation field of 168.1kHz in the unshielded environment at room temperature. To our best knowledge, this sensitivity is about 2.3 times of the maximum sensitivity of other DC magnetic field sensors based on magnetic fluid or magnetostrictive material integrated fiber systems that use the dissipative sensing scheme. Furthermore, the sensor can operate at a stable temperature in the range of [-11∼45]°C, as long as the modulation frequency of the AC-modulation field is adjusted according to the ambient temperature. This sensor provides us with a novel DC magnetic field sensing scheme, which may play a role in industrial fields related to current and position detection in the future.

A randomized sham-controlled trial of manual acupuncture for infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex polygenic disease and is one of the most common endocrinological and reproductive disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture combined with herbal medicine among infertile females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHOD: A total of 86 women with PCOS, experiencing infertility, were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either manual acupuncture (MA) or sham acupuncture (SA) twice per week for three menstrual cycles. Both groups received herbal medication. The evaluations were conducted after three menstrual cycles and 24 weeks' follow-up. RESULTS: The trial was completed by 79 (91.86%) of the 86 randomly selected patients. During this study, the pregnancy rate in the MA group (46.34%) was significantly higher than the SA group (18.42%), with a P-value of 0.008. Moreover, the ovulation rate of the MA group (58.14%) was higher than that of the SA group (45.74%), with a P-value of 0.046. The improvement rate of PCOS score and testosterone level showed a statistical difference between the two groups (P-values were <0.05). There were no other differences between the two groups. Sex hormones level, including E2, T, P, LH, and LH/FSH were significantly lower after intervention in the MA group (P-values were <0.05) compared with baseline, while only the progesterone level was reduced in the SA group (P-value = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Manual acupuncture combined with herbal medicine may be clinically useful for infertile women with PCOS in improving pregnancy and ovulation rate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800014997.

[Influence of "danxi theory" in Korea and Japan].

"Danxi Theory" had deep influence on the traditional medicine in Korea and Japan. In Korea, the compilation of Yi Fang Lei Ju and Dong Yi Bao Jian referred to the medical works of ZHU Danxi and that of his students, the Korean doctors advocated the theory of ZHU Danxi's theory of "four injuries by qi, blood, phlegm and stagnation", and quoted large number of formulas and herbs from Dangxi's works into the above books. In Japan, Tashiro Sanki had came to China and studied medicine from Japanese monk Yue Hu, who was the disciple of YU Tianmin (a private disciple of ZHU Danxi). After returned to Japan he energetically initiated Danxi's theory and classified diseases to blood disease, qi disease and phlegm disease (water toxin) according to Danxi's theory of "four injuries by qi, blood, phlegm and stagnation". His student Manase Dosan set up a "Danxi Society" and spread Danxi Theory in Japan and therefore the unique medical system "Gose Ha shcool" was formed. His student Manase Gensaku, and Manase Gensaku's students Okamoto Genya, Nagasawa Doju and Hurubayashi Kengi spread and developed Danxi Theory, hich was popular in Japan for more than 200 years. It was proved that Danxi Theory had deep and far influence on the formation and development of overseas traditional medicine in Korea and Japan.

[Analysis and prevention of the complications after treatment of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures with internal fixation].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospective analysis the complications after treatment of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures with internal fixation, and propose measures to prevent or reduce surgical complications. METHODS: From July 2007 to October 2009, 342 patients with metacarpal and phalangeal fractures were treated with internal fixation,including 203 males and 139 females with an average age of 30.4 years old ranging from 18 to 56 years. There were 217 right hands and 125 left hands, 38 cases of the first metacarpal fracture, 47 cases of the second metacarpal fracture, 52 cases of the third metacarpal fracture, 40 cases of the forth metacarpal fracture, 39 cases of the fifth metacarpal fracture, 43 cases of the proximal phalangeal fractures, 52 cases of the middle phalangeal fractures, and 48 case of the distal phalangeal fractures. The fractures were fixed with K-wires in 129 patients, mini plates in 153 cases, screws in 48 cases, wires in 12 cases. RESULTS: All 324 patients were followed up for 3 to 15 months (averaged 8.5 months) and complications occurred in 74 patients (22.84%). The main complication was unhealthy wound healing in 24 patients (7.4%), others was adhesion of tendon in 54 patients (16.67%), malunion in 34 patients (10.49%), nonunion in 13 patients (4.01%) and shortening of metacarpal and phalangeal in 21 patients (7.41%). CONCLUSION: The important reasons responsible for complications are iatrogenic factors such as unsuitable implant selection, unskillful surgical technique and improper post-operative functional rehabilitation.