This article summarizes recent years’ advances in the study of the immunoregulatory mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and shows that RA occurrence involves a complex process in which immunocytes, cytokines, Immunoreactive substances and neuro-endocrino-immune network participate together. The article proposes that the future study should utilize the newest achievements in modern medical development and conduct a thorough and systematic investigation from multiple disciplines, levels and angles to promote the study of the immunoregulatory mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in RA treatment and make traditional acupuncture-moxibustion therapy still play its unique advantages in the RA field.

Objective To investigate the immediate effect of twirling reinforcing manipulation, twirling reducing manipulation and mild reinforcing-reducing manipulation on motor functions for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods Totally 116 patients with ischemic stroke were randomly divided into twirling reinforcing manipulation group (TRFM, n=39), mild reinforcing-reducing manipulation group (TRRM, n=37), and twirling reducing manipulation group (TRDM, n=40) by stratified blocked randomization. Each group was treated in Baihui-Taiyang acupoint area accordingly with twirling reinforcing manipulation, mild reinforcing-reducing manipulation and twirling reducing manipulation once. The operation time for each needle was 1 minute. Interval time between every 2 needles was 10 minutes, and each needle was retained for 30 minutes. Neurological deficit score (NDS) and simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) were evaluated before and immediate time, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h after treatment. Results FMA in TRFM was higher than that of TRDM and TRRM at immediate time, 1 h and 2 h after treatment (P<0.05), but there was no difference at 3 h after treatment (P>0.05). DNS in TRFM decreased sharply at immediate time, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h compared with TRDM and TRRM (P<0.05). The statistical analysis showed no significant difference between TRDM and TRRM at all time points (P>0.05). Conclusion TRFM has an advantage over TRDM and TRRM in immediate effect of motor functions for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the regulating effect of heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation on body energy metabolism enzymes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and preliminarily explain the mechanism of heat-producing action of heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation. Method Forty chinchilla rabbits were randomized into normal, model, equal reinforcement and reduction, twirling reinforcement, and heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation groups. A model of cold syndrome-type RA was made by ovalbumin induction and exposure to low temperature in the other four groups not including the normal group. From two days after successful model making, the normal and model groups were grabbed and fastened (bound) by the same way as for the acupuncture groups, 30 min once daily. The equal reinforcement and reduction group received even reinforcing-reducing method;the twirling reinforcement group, twirling reinforcement method;the heat reinforcing group, heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation. The needle was manipulated for 1 min and retained for 30 min once daily, for a total of seven days. The RA rabbit knee joint circumference was measured and the inflammation score was recorded according to synovial histopathological sections before and after treatment. After the completion of intervention, the rabbits were sacrificed and the articular synovium was rapidly separated for frozen sections. Articular synovium lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and cytochrome oxidase (CCO) activities were measured by histochemical staining. Result After acupuncture intervention, the RA rabbit knee joint circumference was shortened in all the equal reinforcement and reduction, twirling reinforcement, and heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation groups, but the shortening effect on the RA rabbit knee joint circumference was better in the heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation group than in the equal reinforcement and reduction and twirling reinforcement method groups (P<0.05);the inflammation score recorded according to the RA rabbit synovial histopathological sections was also decreased more in the heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation group than in the equal reinforcement and reduction and twirling reinforcement method groups (P<0.05). Synovial LDH integral optical density, total positive area and area percentage were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group (P<0.05), and significantly lower in the equal reinforcement and reduction, twirling reinforcement, and heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation groups than in the model group(P<0.05) and also in the heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation group than in the equal reinforcement and reduction and twirling reinforcement method groups (P<0.05). Rabbit synovial SDH and CCO activities were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group (P<0.05). Rabbit synovial SDH and CCO integral optical density, total positive area and area percentage were significantly higher in the equal reinforcement and reduction, twirling reinforcement, and heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation groups than in the model group (P<0.05) and also in the heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation group than in the equal reinforcement and reduction and twirling reinforcement method groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation has a definite therapeutic effect on RA and can increase SDH and CCO activities to enhance aerobic metabolism and produce more local energy in a rabbit model of RA. That may be the mechanism by which heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation produces heat.

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine on glucose absorption and mRNA expression of 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 ( 11β-HSD1 ) in insulin-resistant HepG2 cell model.Methods HepG2 cells were incubated with high-concentration insulin for 24 hours to build insulin-resistant cell model.In order to evaluate the cells for insulin resistance,the cells were cultured with different concentrations of insulin for 24 hours.The insulin-resistant cells were treated with different concentrations of berberine and insulin for 24 hours and the non insulin-resistant cells were used as a control.The glucose concentration in culture medium was detected by the method of glucose oxidase-peroxidase (GOD-POD).According to the glucose concentrations in blank medium and those in the medium of culturing cells 24 hours later,the rate of absorpting glucose by the cells was calculated.The mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 in the insulin-resistant cells was detected by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results Incubated with 10-7mol/L insulin for 24 h,the insulin-resistant cell model had been built.The rate of glucose absorption of the model cell treated with high concentration berberine ( 10 μmol/L) was significantly improved [(42.53 ±1.99)％ vs (28.16±1.99)％,t =12.9457,P ＜0.01].High-concentration berberine showed a strong synergy with insulin on glucose absorption of the model cells.As the cells became resistant to insulin,the mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 increased significantly compared to non insulin-resistant cells( relative expression quantity was (4.60 ±0.96 vs 0.67 ±0.42,t =4.9476,P ＜0.05 ).While the mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 reduced in the insulin-resistant cells after treated with high-concentration berberine,and the relative expression quantity was not significantly different with non insulin-resistant cells ( 1.12 ±0.35 vs 0.67 ±0.42,P ＞0.05).However,low-concentration ( 1 μmol/L) of berberine had not the same role.Conclusions It is concluded that one of the acting mechanism of berberine improving the insulin sensitivity may be that the mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 is downregulated in the insulin-resist-ant liver cell model depending on concentration.

OBJECTIVETo observe differences of immediate effect of twirling reinforcing-reducing manipulation at head acupoints on muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODSA total of 126 patients who met the inclusive criteria were randomly divided into a twirling reinforcing group, a mild reinforcing-reducing group and a twirling reducing group, 42 cases in each one. The lines between Baihui (GV 20) and bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN 5) were selected and treated with successive insertion of three needles. The twirling reinforcing method was used in the twirling reinforcing group, and mild reinforcing-reducing method was used in the mild reinforcing- reducing group, and twirling reducing method was used in the twirling reducing group. Each needle was manipulated for 1 min, which was repeated once every 10 min. The needles were retained for 30 min. Muscle force was evaluated immediately after treatment.

RESULTS(1) Muscle force of upper limb: after acupuncture, the muscle force of proximal and remote ends were all improved significantly in three groups (all P < 0.05), which was more obvious in proximal end (all P < 0.05). The improvement of the muscle force of proximal end in the twirling reinforcing group was superior to those in the mild reinforcing-reducing group and twirling reducing group (both P < 0.05); the differences of the muscle force of remote end were not significant among three groups (all P > 0.05). (2) Muscle force of lower limb: after acupuncture, the muscle force of proximal and remote ends was all improved significantly in the three groups (all P < 0.05). The improvement of the muscle force of proximal end was superior to that of remote end in the twirling reinforcing group and mild reinforcing-reducing group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe twirling reinforcing manipulation at head acupoints is superior to mild reinforcing-reducing and twirling reducing manipulation for muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke, which is more significant in proximal end of limbs.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; therapy ; Lower Extremity ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Upper Extremity ; physiopathology

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of shenfu injection on airway resistance and oxygenation during one-lung ventilation (OLV) in patients undergoing lobectomy.MethodsSixty ASA Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 50-80,BMI 20-29 kg/m2,scheduled for lobectomy under thoracic epidural block combined with general anesthesia,were randomly divided into 2 groups( n =30 each):normal saline control group (group C) and shenfu injection group (group S).In group S,shenfu injection was infused intravenously at 4.5 ml·kg-1 ·h-1 for 20 min before anesthesia induction.In group C,equal volume of normal saline was infused instead of shenfu injection.Airway peak pressure was recorded and arterial blood samples were taken for determination of PaO2 before OLV,at 30,60 min of OLV and the end of surgery.Oxygenation index was calculated.ResultsCompared with group C,airway peak pressure was significantly decreased and oxygenation index increased at 30,60 min of OLV in group S ( P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionShenfu injection can decrease airway resistance and increase oxygenation during OLV in patients undergoing lobectomy,indicating that shenfu injection has a lung-protective effect.

Objectives To observe the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)for the treatment of patients with acute cerebral infarction combined with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)and to investigate the influence of CPAP therapy on the recovery of neurological function in patients. Methods From April 2014 to September 2015,68 consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction combined with OSAS admitted to the Department of Neurology,General Hospital of Wanbei Coal and Electricity Group were enrolled retrospectively. According to whether received the CPAP therapy,they were divided into an observation group (n = 31)and a control group (n = 37). The control group was treated with conventional therapy,and on the basis of the treatment plan of the control group,the observation group was also treated with CPAP therapy. They were all the patients with cerebral infarction who were treated for 14 d. The oxygen desaturation index (ODI),lowest oxygen saturation (LS a O2 ),oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL),and superoxide dismutase (SOD)concentration,National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)scores and Barthel index (BI)scores,and the modified Rankin scale (mRS)scores after 3 months before and after the therapy in the patients of both groups were documented. The total effective rate was assessed. Results (1)The ODI and LS a O2 in the observation group and the control group after treatment were better than those before treatment. There were significant differences between the 2 groups (ODI:16 ± 6% vs. 35 ± 21%,26 ± 15% vs. 36 ± 21 %;LS a O2:88 ± 6% vs. 75 ± 11%,80 ± 8% vs. 75 ± 11%;all P < 0. 05). (2)After treatment,ox-LDL of the observation group was lower than that of the control group. There was significant differences between the 2 groups (ox-LDL:487 ± 90 μg/ L vs. 548 ± 77 μg/ L,SOD:111 ± 10 kU/ L vs. 94 ± 15 kU/ L,all P < 0. 01). (3)After treatment,the NIHSS and BI scores of the observation group and the control group were better than those before treatment. There were significant differences (the NHISS scores:5. 2 ± 2. 2 vs. 12. 9 ± 3. 9;7. 6 ± 3. 1 vs. 12. 5 ± 4. 2;the BI scores:88 ± 10 vs. 52 ± 30;81 ± 4 vs. 58 ± 30;all P < 0. 01). The NIHSS and BI scores of observation group were better than those of the control group. There were significant differences (all P < 0. 01). They were followed up for 3 months,the mRS score (1. 3 ± 0. 4)of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (2. 0 ± 1. 1). There was significant difference between the 2 groups (t = 3. 362,P <0. 01). (4)The total effective rate of the observation group and control group was 74. 2% (23 / 31)and 48. 6% (18 / 37)respectively. There was significant difference between the 2 groups (χ2 = 4. 598,P <0. 05). Conclusion The CPAP therapy can alleviate the oxidative stress levels in patients with acute cerebral infarction combined with OSAS in short term and improve the neurological function of patients.

Objective To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) progression in patients with high risk of stroke,and to provide clinical evidence for the primary prevention of stroke.Methods Three hundred and thirty-two patients with high risk of stroke were screened from 2 800 people who were consecutively selected and had health examination from June to December 2014 in the Department of Medical Center,General Hospital of Wanbei Coal and Electricity Group.Their clinical information was collected.A total of 267 patients whose carotid ultrasound examinations showed plaques and stenosis were selected for the study.Two hundred and three of the 267 patients who met the screening conditions and completed the follow-up were selected as study subjects.The Hp infection status was detected by the 14C urea breath test and the dynamic progression of CAS was observed.The risk factors of CAS progression were also analyzed.Results Hp infection was found in 170 of 332 patients with high risk of stroke.Among the 267 patients who prompted plaques and stenosis in carotid ultrasound in 2014,203 patients were followed up for 1 year,and 133 patients (65.5％,133/203) were found infected by Hp.Forty-six patients had suggestive carotid stenosis and stenosis aggravating in 2015,31 (67.4％,31/46) of which were found infected by Hp.Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking (OR =1.632,95％ CI 1.275-1.940,P =0.011),systolic blood pressure (OR =1.343,95％ CI 1.105-1.632,P =0.019),low density lipoprotein (OR =1.590,95％ CI 1.188-2.005,P =0.005),oxidative low density lipoprotein (OR =1.732,95％ CI 1.325-2.170,P =0.000) and Hp infection (OR =1.672,95％ CI 1.180-2.154,P =0.016) were independent risk factors for carotid atheroslerosis progression.Conclusions Hp infection was found closely related to CAS progression in patients at high risk of stroke.Positive and effective prevention of Hp infection,advocating smoking cessation and controlling blood pressure and blood fat can effectively reduce the incidence of stroke.

Objective To observe the effects of Three-in-one Acupuncture on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke. Methods 146 patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke were randomly allocated into trial group (n=73) and control group (n=73). The trial group accepted Three-in-one Acupuncture, while the control group accepted rehabilitation, for 4 weeks. They were assessed with Neurological Deficit Score (NDS), Functional Comprehensive Assessment (FCA) and Barthel Index (BI) before and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment. They were followed up for a year. Results The NDS decreased since 7 days after treatment in the trial group (P<0.05), while it decreased since 21 days in the control group (P<0.05). The NDS was less in the trial group than in the control group 7 and 14 days after treatment (P<0.05). The FCA score increased since 21 days after treatment in both groups, and the BI score increased since 14 days after treatment in both groups (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference between the trial group and the control group (P>0.05). The rate of improvement was 87.9% in the trial group, similar with 84.1% in the control group (P>0.05). The recurrence rate was 11.54% in the trial group, less than 25.49% in the control group in a year (P<0.05). Conclusion Three-in-one Acupuncture is as effective as rehabilitation on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke, more quickly and with less recurrence.

Objective To evaluate the myocardial protective effects of Histidine-TryptophanKetoglutarate (HTK) solution on infants with tetralogy of fallot in cardiac operation through comparison with St.Thomas Ⅱ cardioplegia(STH) and HTK cardioplegia in the operation of tetralogy of fallot.Methods Forty infants with tetralogy of fallot(TOF) were enrolled in this study.Their age ranged from 7 to 35 months,and body mass from 5.3 to 9.5 kg.The infants were randomly divided into HTK (n =20) group and STH (n =20) group who received HTK or STH solution respectively.Then 3 ml blood sample were got at 1,2,4,8,24 and 48 h after the opening of ascending aorta.The serum levels of cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnI),creatine kinase(CK) and creatine kinase MB(CK-MB) were measured.Results There was significant difference between two groups in terms of the level of cTnI at different time (F(inner group)=49.94,P＜0.001;F(between group) =10.23,P＜0.001;F (across group) =28.49,P＜0.001),and the level of cTnI in HTK group was lower than that of STH group at 1,2,4,8,24 and 48 h after the opening of ascending aorta (P＜0.05).There was significant difference between two groups in terms of the level of CK at different time (F(inner group) =58.85,P＜0.001;F(between group) =16.43,P＜0.001;F(across group)=18.32,P＜0.001),and the level of CK in HTK group was lower than that of STH group at 1,2,4,8,24 and 48 h after the opening of ascending aorta (P＜0.05).There was significant difference between two groups in terms of the level of CK-MB at different time (F(inner group)=34.51,P ＜0.001;F(between group)=11.03,P＜0.001;F(across group)=10.28,P＜0.001),and the level of CK-MB in HTK group was lower than that of STH group at 1,2,4,8,24 and 48 h after the opening of ascending aorta (P ＜0.05).Conclusion HTK is more valid than STK for improving the ability of anti ischemia of myocardium and cardiac function,reducing arrhythmia and ischemia reperfusion injury on infants with TOF in cardiopulmonary bypass.