Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion in treating irritable bowel syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency type and explore the mechanism of its action.Methods Ninety-two patients with irritable bowel syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency type were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 46 cases each. The same acupoints were selected in the two groups. The treatment group received warm needling moxibustion and the control group, conventional acupuncture. The abdominal overall symptom grading score was observed before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 95.6% in the treatment group and 77.8% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). In the two groups, there was a statistically significant difference in the abdominal overall symptom grading score at the end of treatment and two months of follow-up compared with before treatment (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the Hamilton Depression Scale score at the end of treatment and two months of follow-up between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). In the control group, there was a statistically significant difference in the abdominal overall symptom grading score at two months of follow-up compared with the end of treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion Warm needling moxibustion is an effective way to treat irritable bowel syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency type.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at point Houxi (SI3) in treating cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy. Method Three hundred and fourteen patients with cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 158 cases and a control group of 156 cases. The treatment group received acupuncture at points Houxi, Fengchi (GB20), Wangu (GB12), Tianzhu (BL10) and cervical Huatuo jiaji (Ex-B2) points and the control group, no acupuncture at point Houxi. The therapeutic effects were evaluated in the two groups after treatment. The recurrence rates were compared at the one-year follow-up. Result The total efficacy rate was 94.9% in the treatment group and 87.2% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The recurrence rate was 5.1% in the treatment group and 13.6% in the control group at the one-year follow-up. There was a statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at point Houxi and other combined points has a better therapeutic effect on cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy. It can markedly reduce the recurrence rate in the patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupunctures variable with stages on lumbar intervertebral dise protrusion (LIDP). Methods 98 LIDP patients in our hospital from October, 2014 to July, 2015 were randomly divided into control group (n=49) and observa-tion group (n=49) according to the sequence of first diagnosis time. The control group received routine acupuncture, and the observation group acupunctured at Ouch point and Huantiao point (GB30) with different acupuncture according to manifestations and courses. Modified Yang acupuncture was adopted in acute phase, triple acupuncture was used in remittent phase, and lateral needling was used in the recovery phase. They were both treated once a day, 7 days as a course for 3 courses with 2 days of interval. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and clinical effects were assessed before and 1, 2, 3 courses after treatment. Results Both VAS and ODI scores im-proved after treatment (F>7.12, P<0.05), especially in the observation group (t>4.43, P<0.05). The efficiency was higher in the observation group than in the control group (χ2=5.594, P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with normal acupuncture, the acupunctures variable with stages is more effective on LIDP than routine.

Objective To investigate the effect of meridian-unblocking and mind-regulating acupuncture pretreatment on neurobehavioral functions and cerebral water content and explore its mechanism for modulating miRNA664 and MMP9 expressions in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats.Methods One hundred and thirty Wistar rats were randomized into group A (electroacupuncture pretreatment) of 30 rats, group B (moxibustion pretreatment) of 30 rats, group C (aspirin pretreatment) of 30 rats, group D (model) of 30 rats and group E (blank control) of 10 rats. Group A received electroacupuncture; group B, suspended moxibustion with moxa sticks; group C, an oral gavage of aspirin 10 mg/kg. A model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was made in every group after seven days. Rat neurobehavioral functions were observed and cerebral water content and relative miRNA664 and MMP9 expressions in the cortical region were determined at 24 hours after reperfusion.Results There was a statistically significant difference in the neurobehavioral score between group A, B, C or D and group E (P<0.01), between group A or B and group C (P<0.01) and between groups A and B (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in cerebral water content and relative miRNA664 and MMP9 expressions between group A, B, C or D and group E (P<0.01,P<0.05), between group A, B or C and group D (P<0.01), between group A or B and group C (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between groups A and B (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusions Meridian-unblocking and mind-regulating acupuncture pretreatment can effectively decrease the neurobehavioral score and cerebral water content and reduce relative MMP9 expression through modulating miRNA664 expression in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats. One of the mechanisms of Du meridian-unblocking and mind-regulating acupuncture pretreatment for protecting the brain may be reducing relative MMP9 expression, inducing tolerance to cerebral ischemia and relieving cerebral edema by the modulation of miRNA664 expression.

[Objective]To summarize Professor CHU Haoran's understanding and treatment experience on diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D).[Methods]Through clinical study with teachers,consulting ancient books and combining modern literature research,summarize the understanding and treatment ideas of Professor CHU for IBS-D,clarify the basic diagnosis and treatment rules of the disease,and provide a clinical medical case as evidence.[Results]Professor CHU believes that disordered movement of Qi in the middle-Jiao is the core pathomechanism of IBS-D.He advocates for the treatment principle of"ascending Qi mechanism,regulating the middle-Jiao,and nourishing vital energy".The acupoint Tianshu(ST25)is considered the focal point,complemented by Zhongwan(CV12),Zhangmen(LR13),Shangjuxu(ST37),Dachangshu(BL25),and Zusanli(ST36)to regulating the middle-Jiao.This is paired with the needling technique of"Dragon and Tiger battle"to assist in facilitating the flow of Qi in the middle-Jiao.A key selection is"Baihui(DU20)-Neiguan(PC6)"to regulate the clear Qi,comb the mind and spirit located in the head,and elevate the overall movement of Qi.Additionally,"Guanyuan(RN4)-Zusanli(ST36)"are used to firm the foundation and cultivate the primal Qi,supplementing the innate vital energy.In a case study,the patient was diagnosed with syndrome differentiation of spleen and stomach deficiency,with concurrent restlessness of the heart spirit and signs of deficient Yang Qi.Professor CHU treated the patient by using the method of raising the clear Qi,managing the middle-Jiao,and nourishing vital energy,supplementing the postnatal to nourish the prenatal while calming the spirit,resulting in significant effects.[Conclusion]In clinical practice,Professor CHU modifies acupoints according to syndrome differentiation.By integrating groups of acupoints,he facilitates the beneficial ascent and descent of Qi within the middle-Jiao,creating a distinctive"regulating the middle and restoring the vital energy"diagnostic and treatment system for IBS-D,which provides a new approach to the clinical treatment of IBS-D.

OBJECTIVETo observe the differences in onset time and the overall efficacy of the acupuncture therapy of dredging Governor Vessel and regulating mentality combined with fluoxetine and the fluoxetine for post-stroke depression(PSD).

METHODSSixty-three patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture intervention of dredging Governor Vessel and regulating mentality group(acupuncture and medication group, 33 cases) and a control group (medication group, 30 cases). In the medication group, 20 mg fluoxetine was used by oral administration, once a day at 7:00 in the morning, continuously for 4 weeks. In the acupuncture and medication group, based on the oral administration of fluoxetine, the acupuncture intervention of dredging Governor Vessel and regulating mentality was applied mainly at Baihui(GV 20), Fengfu(GV 16), Shenting(GV 24), Shuigou(GV 26), Dazhui(GV 14) and Shendao(GV 11), once a day, 6 times a week, continuously for 4 weeks. Twenty-four items in Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD), modified Edinburgh Scandinavia Stroke Scale(MESSS) and activity of daily life scale(ADL, Barthel index, BI) were used before and after 2-week and 4-week treatment. The efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 2-week treatment, the HAMD score and the MESSS score in the acupuncture and medication group were obviously decreased and the BI score was apparently increased(all P<0. 01). In the medication group, however, the score of every scale was not statistically different from that before treatment(P'>0. 05). After 4-week treatment, HAMD scores and MESSS scores in the two groups were obviously decreased and the BI scores I were apparently increased(all P<0. 01). After 2-week and 4-week treatment, the HAMD scores and the MESSS scores in the acupuncture and medication group were lower than those in the medication group and the BI scores were higher than those in the medication group(P<0. 01, P<0. 05). The total effective rate of anti-depression (97. 0%, 32/33) the total effective rate of nerve function impairment(90. 9%, 30/33) and the total effective rate of daily life activity(97. 0% 32/33) in the acupuncture and medication group were better than 80. 0% (24/30), 80. 0%(24/30), 83. 3%(25/30) in the medication group(all P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture therapy of dredging Governor Vessel and regulating mentality could reduce the onset time of anti-depression medicine treatment of PSD and enhance the overall efficacy. Therefore, it enhances the clinical compliance.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Antidepressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; drug therapy ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; psychology

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), by observing the effects of moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) on microRNA-133b (miRNA-133b), pituitary homeobox family factor 3 (Pitx3)/tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and neurotransmitters in the brain tissue of IBS-D rats. Methods: Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, and a Western medicine group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the IBS-D rat model was established by mother-offspring separation and acetic acid enema combined with restraint stress stimulation in all the other groups. No intervention was performed in the normal and model groups. Mild moxibustion was applied to both Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) in the moxibustion group. Rifaximin was given by gavage in the Western medicine group. The physical status of rats in each group was observed at different periods. After the intervention, hematoxylin- eosin staining was performed to observe the histopathological morphology of rat colon; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NE), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in plasma, colon, and midbrain tissue of rats; the relative expression levels of miRNA-133b, Pitx3 mRNA, and TH mRNA in the midbrain tissue were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the relative expression levels of Pitx3 and TH proteins in the midbrain tissue were measured by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results: The body weights of rats among groups and at different time points were statistically different (P<0.01). The body weight of the normal group was higher than that of the other groups over time (P<0.01). After modeling, the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) was significantly lower (P<0.01) and the loose stool rate was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the model, moxibustion, and Western medicine groups compared with the normal group; the miRNA-133b expression in the midbrain tissue was significantly lower (P<0.01), the expression levels of Pitx3 and TH in the midbrain tissue were significantly higher (P<0.01), and the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT in plasma, colon and midbrain tissue were significantly higher (P<0.01). After the intervention, the minimum volume threshold of AWR was significantly higher (P<0.01), the loose stool rate was significantly lower (P<0.01), the miRNA-133b expression was significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) and the expression levels of Pitx3 and TH were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the midbrain tissue, the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT in plasma, colon, and midbrain tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.01) in the moxibustion and Western medicine groups compared with the model group; the levels of 5-HT in the colon and midbrain tissue of the moxibustion group were significantly lower than those in the Western medicine group (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference compared with the remaining groups (P>0.05). Linear correlation analysis showed that miRNA-133b was negatively correlated with Pitx3 (r<0, P<0.01); Pitx3 with TH, TH with DA, and NE with 5-HT were positively correlated (r>0, P<0.01).Conclusion: Moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) improves diarrhea symptoms and visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats. The mechanism may be related to up-regulating miRNA-133b, inhibiting Pitx3/TH, and reducing neurotransmitter expression levels in the midbrain tissue.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of remotely obtaining complex information on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pulse conditions through voice signals. Methods: We used multi-label pulse conditions as the entry point and modeled and analyzed TCM pulse diagnosis by combining voice analysis and machine learning. Audio features were extracted from voice recordings in the TCM pulse condition dataset. The obtained features were combined with information from tongue and facial diagnoses. A multi-label pulse condition voice classification DNN model was built using 10-fold cross-validation, and the modeling methods were validated using publicly available datasets. Results: The analysis showed that the proposed method achieved an accuracy of 92.59% on the public dataset. The accuracies of the three single-label pulse manifestation models in the test set were 94.27%, 96.35%, and 95.39%. The absolute accuracy of the multi-label model was 92.74%. Conclusion Voice data analysis may serve as a remote adjunct to the TCM diagnostic method for pulse condition assessment.

Mitochondria are the main site of energy metabolism within cells,generating a substantial amount of ATP to supply energy to the human body.Research has shown that alterations in mitochondrial structure and function exist in individuals with schizophrenia,suggesting their potential impact on the onset of psychiatric disorders and clinical treatment efficacy.Therefore,understanding the research progress on the genetic mechanisms,pathological processes,image manifestations of schizophrenia and mitochondrial quality control,and summarizing the relevant evidence of mitochondrial-related targets as potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia,can provide references for further research.

Schizophrenia is a common chronic mental disorder.Cognitive dysfunction is one of its core symptoms,which severely affects the social functioning of patients.Currently,antipsychotic medication treatments have poor efficacy in improving cognitive functions.Recent studies have found that metformin can improve cognitive dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia.However,the mechanism of action remains unclear.This review summarizes the therapeutic effects of metformin on cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients such as improving insulin resistance,repairing neuronal damage,regulating neuroimmunity,and combating oxidative stress,thereby providing new insights for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.