Needling pain is one of the reasons that patients resist acupuncture treatment, and also one of the major obstacles that students encounter during the study of acupuncture-moxibustion. It has become the target for acupuncturists from each generation to study and pursue to realize painless needle insertion. In ancient times, medical experts emphasized rapid needle insertion, needle insertion along with cough, and the assistance of the pressing hand. In modern times, when some scholars proposed to strengthen the basic training of finger force for rapidly puncturing the skin, some other great acupuncturists used slow needle insertion methods. Therefore, an observational study of slow needle insertion was conducted. After years of clinical and teaching practice, the scientificity and feasibility of slow needle insertion were verified, and the painless needle insertion method by puncturing the meshes of skin veins was brought up.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on the expression ofα-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor associated protein glutamate receptor interacting protein (GRIP)1 and GRIP2 in hippocampal neurons of rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD) model induced by Aβ25-35. Methods 40 Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, sham operation group, model group and electroacupuncture group with 10 rats in each group. The AD rat model was prepared by injecting Aβ25-35 in the hippocampus CA1 of rats, while the sham operation group was injected with equal amount of normal saline at the same loca-tion. On the second day after successful modeling, the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and bilateral Shenshu (BL23) acupoints, once a day, 6 times a week for 2 weeks. The expression of GRIP1 and GRIP2 were detected with immunohisto-chemistry. Results There was no difference in the expression of GRIP2 and GRIP1 proteins in hippocampus between the normal group and sham operation group (t<1.7438, P>0.05), but was lower in the model group and the electroacupuncture group than in the sham operation group (t>9.5928, P<0.001), and was higher in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (t>9.5326, P<0.05). Conclusion Elec-troacupuncture may increase the number of AMPA receptors on the postsynaptic membrane by increasing GRIP1 and GRIP2.

Objective:Our purpose was to investigate the growth regulation and postreceptor signal transduction of somatostatin (SS) on human colon cancer cell line. Methods:Low differentiated clone A cells of human carcinoma were treated with different concentrations of SS and the growth status was observed. Intracellular 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were extracted, then the concentrations of them were measured by liquid scintillation technique and gamma scintillation counter.Intracellular free calcium concentration was detected by loading Fura-2 and fluorescental technique. Protein kinase C (PKC) was extracted from cytosol and membrane, then the activity of both parts was determined with TaKai method. Results:The clone A cell growth was inhibited greatly by different concentrations of SS (10-10 to 10-5　mol/L) and it is related to the doses of SS.Somatortatin could largely inhibit the production of intracellular IP3, ［Ca2+］i, and cAMP, and decrease the activity of PKC. Conclusion:The growth of Clone A cell can be inhibited by SS. The inhibition may be mediated by phosphate inositol pathway, so intracellular IP3, ［Ca2+］i decreased, or inhibited the cell growth by inhibiting the activity of PKC.On the other hand, the cell proliferation may be inhibited by adenosine cyclase pathway, that is decreasing intracellular cAMP ,inhibiting cAMP-depending protein kinase.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture ( EA) on learning and memory ability and the expression of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion factor ( NSF) in experimental Alzheimer′s disease ( AD) and to explore the mechanism involved. Methods Sixty healthy, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an EA group, each of 15.The model group and the EA group were injected with Aβ25-35 bilaterally in the CA1 area of the hippocampus, while the sham operation group was injected with the same amount of normal saline in the same regions. From the 1stday after the AD model had been es-tablished successfully, EA was applied to the Shen Shu ( BL23) and Bai Hui ( GV20) acupoints in the EA group once a day,6 days a week for 2 weeks. No EA was given to the other 3 groups. After the treatment, Morris water maze tests were conducted to determine assess the rats′ learning and memory ability, and immunohistochemical methods were used to test the expression level of NSF in the CA1 areas of the rats′hippocampus. Results The average es-cape latent period of the EA group was significantly shorter than that of the model group and their average platform crossing time was significantly longer. The average expression of NSF in the EA group measured as integrated optical intensity was significantly higher than that in the model group. Conclusion EA can effectively improve learning and memory ability in AD, at least in rats. The mechanism may involve increasing the expression of NSF in the CA1 area of the hippocampus.

We have designed and carried out problem based learning (PBL) pedagogy since 2004. According to clinical eases, students learnt the pathophysiology of heart failure knowledge by themselves. Each group recommen-ded one student to make an oral presentation and wrote a review about heart failure. Preparing clinical cases and group discussions are very important. At the same time we should pay attention to the change in role of the teacher in PBL and cooperation with other disciplines.

Objective To evaluate the effect of nicotine pretreatment on cardiac function following myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20 each):sham operation group (group S),group I/R and nicotine pretreatment group (group N).The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 20％ urethane 1 g/kg,tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated.Myocardial ischemia was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion.The left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was only exposed,but not occluded in group S.Nicotine 400 μg/kg was injected intravenously via the right jugular vein at 30 min before myocardial ischemia in group N.The equal volume of normal saline was injected instead in groups S and I/R.Before ischemia,at 30 min of ischemia and at 30 and 120 min of reperfusion,10 rats from each group were chosen for record of left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP),left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP),± dp/dtmax,HR and mean arterial pressure (MAP).Blood samples were collected from the right carotid artery of the left 10 rats in each group at 60 min of reperfusion to measure plasma CK-MB activity and cTnI and TNF-α concentrations.Results Compared with group S,MAP and LVSP at T2,3 and HR,LVDP and ± dp/dtmax at T1-3 were significantly decreased,and the plasma CK-MB activity and cTnI and TNF-α concentrations were increased in group I/R,and LVDP at T1,2 and HR and ± dp/dtmax at T1-3 were significantly decreased,and the plasma CK-MB activity and cTnI and TNF-α concentrations were increased in group N (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,MAP,HR,LVSP,LVDP and ± dp/dtmax were significantly increased at T3,and the plasma CK-MB activity and cTnI and TNF-α concentrations were decreased in group N (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Nicotine pretreatment can reduce myocardial I/R injury through activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway,thus improving cardiac function in rats.

Objective To explore the application of 3D printing technology in individual pelvic structure of female and its value in obstetrics and gynecology based on the CT datasets of the pelvic structure and digital three-dimensional reconstruction. Methods CTA image dataset of a patient from gynecology department was obtained for constructing three-dimensional models of each organ using the digital three-dimensional reconstruction technology , then the digital 3D model with the same size as the model displayed was printed with Z510 3D printer. Results 3D models of patient′s lumbosacral vertebrae, aorta artery, common iliac artery, internal and external iliac artery , postcava , common iliac vein , internal and external iliac vein , pelvis ureter , uterus and uterine artery were printed out in the same size replica of the virtual reality model. Conclusion 3D printed model has all the features of 3D vision and can be touched and felt by people , which can provide new insights for medical education, clinical and medical research.

Objective To investigate the relationship between Wnt5a gene and E-cadherin or vimentin gene in breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Methods RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Wnt5a, E-cadherin and vimentin in breast cancer MCF-7 cells and the normal human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A, respectively, and their correlation was analyzed. Results The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a and E-cadherin in cell line MCF-7 were significantly lower than those in cell line MCF-10A [(16.93± 2.97)%vs. (27.47±2.76) %, (12.97±1.35) % vs. (20.43±2.60) %, both P<0.05]. The mRNA expression level of vimentin in cell line MCF-7 was significantly higher than that in cell line MCF-10A [(16.53±0.85)%(6.33± 2.08) %, P<0.05 ]. In cell line MCF-7, the expression of Wnt5a was positively related to E-cadherin (г=0.997, P<0.05), but it was negatively related to vimentin (г=-0.998, P<0.05). Conclusions The expression of Wnt5a in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 is significantly lower than that in cell line MCF-10A, which indicates that Wnt5a is a cancer suppressor gene in breast cancer. The expression of Wnt5a in cell line MCF-7 is positively related with E-cadherin, and it is negatively related with vimentin. Wnt5a may cause invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cell through the breast epithelial mesenchymal transitions.

Objective Comparison of the levator ani muscles in three-dimensional (3D) MRI-based models in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse at rest to analyze the morphological characteristics of levator ani muscles in women with POP. Methods Twenty-five women with POP and 22 women with normal pelvic support were selected from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University. Axial, sagittal, and coronal T2-weighted pelvic magnetic resonance scans were obtained with the women in the supine position.The 3D models were reconstructed from the source images. Morphological changes was compared within the two groups of levator ani muscles, and the 3D models were measured to determine the levator ani muscle volume (LVOL), levator plate angle (LPA), levator hiatus width (LH-W) and length (LH-L), distance between symphysis and levator sling muscle (LSG). Results There were no puborectalis avulsions in control, in POP, 3 cases of avulsions just in left, 3 cases of avulsions just in right, 7 cases in bilateral. The shape of iliococcygeus were all dome-shaped in control, 11 cases were U-shaped and 14 cases were dome-shaped in POP. The shape of levator hiatus were 7 cases of U-shape, 12 cases of V-shape, 3 cases of irregular in control; 5 cases of U-shape, 4 cases of V-shape, 16 cases of irregular in POP. POP versus control: LH-L: (68.0 ± 8.9) versus (61.6 ± 7.2) mm (P<0.05); LH-W: (41.4 ± 3.9) versus (38.0 ± 3.2) mm (P<0.05); LSG-L: (29.6 ± 7.4) versus (24.6 ± 3.7) mm (P<0.05); LSG-R: (28.4 ± 6.8) versus (23.9 ± 3.2) mm (P<0.05); LPA: (51.0 ± 11.3)° versus (40.6 ± 6.3)° (P<0.05); LVOL: (23.7 ± 5.8) versus (24.6 ± 5.0) cm3 (P>0.05). Conclusions It is possible to assess the morphologic changes of levator ani by using 3D MRI models objectively, our 3D data demonstrate larger in LVOL, LPA, LH-W, LH-L, LSG, and the changes in shape. It is helpful to diagnose and assess the specific situation of patients POP in clinic.

Objective To explore the value of pelvic CT angiography(CTA)digital three-dimensional reconstruction model(abbreviated as"three-dimensional model")in the diagnosis of female pelvic mass.Methods A total of 98 patients with pelvic mass who were hospitalized and operated in Xi'an People's Hos-pital(Xi'an Fourth Hospital)from January 2021 to April 2023 were selected.All patients underwent B-ultra-sound and CTA examination before operation,and the original data of CTA were collected.The digital three-dimensional model of pelvic mass was established by three-dimensional reconstruction software,and the source of pelvic mass was judged according to the blood supply of pelvic mass.Taking postoperative pathological di-agnosis as the gold standard,the coincidence rate between different preoperative diagnosis methods(B-ultra-sound,CTA examination and three-dimensional model)was compared.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to evaluate the efficacy of different preoperative diagnostic methods in judging the ovarian origin of pelvic tumors.Results A total of 130 pelvic masses were included in 98 patients,and the average maximum diameter of the mass was(71.61±3.03)mm,including 83 ovarian masses and 47 non-ovarian masses.Taking postoperative pathological diagnosis as the gold standard,the diagnostic coincidence rate of the preoperative three-dimensional model was 72.31％,which was higher than that of B-ultrasound(58.46％)and CTA(52.31％),and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,accuracy,Kappa value,and area under the ROC curve were 79.51％,91.49％,94.29％,71.67％,83.85％,0.67 and 0.855,respectively,when the three-dimensional model showed that the blood supply of the mass originated from ovarian artery or uterine artery-ovarian branch.Conclusion The three-dimensional model of pelvic CTA can directly display the blood supply source,characteristics of mass,and the relationship between mass and adjacent organs,which can guide the clinical treatment.It has certain clinical value to judge the ovarian origin of pelvic mass by using ovarian artery and uterine artery-ovarian branch.