Objective: To seek the optimal acupuncture time for primary dysmenorrhea and provide clinical basis for optimal acupuncture treatment protocol. Methods:A total of 90 eligible cases were randomly allocated into three groups, 30 cases in each group. Points Guanyuan (CV 4), bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected for patients in all three groups, with a different treatment duration: 15 min in group A, 30 min in group B and 45 min in group C. Then the clinical efficacy in each group was evaluated by pain symptom scoring. Results:As for the pain symptom scores, there were statistically significant intra-group differences between before and after treatment in three groups (allP<0.05); coupled with statistically significant inter-group differences between group B and the other two groups (bothP<0.05). As for clinical efficacy, there were statistical differences between group B and the other two groups (bothP<0.05), indicating that 30 min of acupuncture is the optimal duration in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Conclusion:With the same needling manipulation, 30 min of acupuncture treatment achieves a better efficacy for primary dysmenorrhea.

Objective To observe the effects of Qingzhi soft capsule(QSC) on improving experimental memory in mice.Methods The model of vascular dementia was made by means of bilateral carotid artery ligation and reperfusion after 8 minutes in mice.Another model of learn and memory disorder was induced by subcutaneous injection of sodium nitrite.The effects of Qingzhi soft capsule on memory disorder were evaluated by step-down test,Y-maze test in mice.Results Compared with sham-operated group,for the mice model of vascular dementia suffered cerebral ischemia and neural cell injury,the step down latency of animal model was shorter(P

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture at points selected from different regions on the positive expression of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and the stem cell factor (SCF) in gastric antrum tissues in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, and to explore the influence of region-based point selection on the acupoint combination efficacy. Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (group A), a model group (group B), a group of Zusanli (ST 36) plus Zhongwan (CV 12) (group C), a group of Zusanli (ST 36) plus Neiguan (PC 6) (group D), and a group of Zusanli (ST 36) plus non-meridian non-acupoint points (group E), based on the random number table (n=12). DGP rat model was established by single intraperitoneal injection of 2% streptozotocin and common diet. After successful modeling, the rats were treated once a day for 4 weeks. Positive ICC and SCF expressions were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with group A, the gastrointestinal propulsion rate of group B showed a statistically significant decrease (P<0.05). Compared with group B, the gastrointestinal propulsion rate and the expression of ICC in the gastric antrum were significantly higher in group C, group D and group E, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); the expression of C-kit protein in group C was statistically significantly higher than that in group D and group E (P<0.05). The expression of SCF protein was significantly increased in group C than in group B, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture can improve the symptoms of delayed gastric emptying in DGP model rats, and regulate the expression of ICC and SCF in gastric antrum tissues. The effect of Zusanli (ST 36) plus Zhongwan (CV 12) in the gastric region is superior to that of the Zusanli (ST 36) plus distal Neiguan (PC 6) or non-meridian non-acupoint point, indicating that region-based point selection is the key factor affecting the effect of acupoint combination.

Objective:To investigate the effects of mixed probiotics on food allergy and the underlying mechanism.Methods:BALB/c mice on the 15 th day of pregnancy were randomly (random number table method) classified into the control group, food allergy model group and mixed probiotics group.Mice in the food allergy model and mixed pro-biotics group were subjected to ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization after birth, and those in the mixed probiotics group were then given probiotic solution by gavage from day 21 to day 35.Mice in control group were similarly given 9 g/L saline.Twenty-four hours after the last OVA sensitization, intestinal histopathological sections were prepared to observe intestinal pathological changes.Blood smears were prepared to detect eosinophil count.In addition, serum samples were collected to measure cytokine levels and OVA specific antibodies.The number of dendritic cells (DCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mouse mesenteric lymph nodes was calculated.Differences among 3 groups were compared by the One- Way ANOVA or Kruskal- Wallis H test. Results:Compared with those of food allergy model group, diarrhea score, the ratio of eosinophils and serum levels of interleukin(IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, mast cell protease 1 (MCPT-1), and OVA specific antibodies IgE and IgG were significantly lower in mixed probiotics group[(2.00±0.71) points vs.(3.22±0.97) points, (2.28±1.61)% vs.(10.99±2.26)%, (413.68±22.81) ng/L vs.(708.78±27.66) ng/L, (36.64±3.74) ng/L vs.(46.05±4.95) ng/L, (201.37±65.61) ng/L vs.(495.22±96.66) ng/L, (31 924.15±1 177.77) ng/L vs.(36 175.77±618.29) ng/L, (9.10±8.08) ng/L vs.(19.69±0.84) ng/L, (30.50±8.81) ng/L vs.(190.32±6.40) ng/L], while IL-10 level was significantly higher[(164.12±3.88) ng/L vs.(123.90±7.31) ng/L] ( t=3.37, 8.72, 16.07, 3.90, 7.40, 7.95, 3.91, 44.00 and 7.76, respectively, all P<0.01). Compared with those of food allergy model group, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) level on the surface of CD 103+ DCs and CD 103+ CD 80-CD 40-DCs, the proportion of Tregs in CD4 + T cells, and the level of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) on the surface of Tregs were significantly higher in mixed probiotics group[(75.59±0.45)% vs.(45.60±4.73)%, (67.56±1.87)% vs.(37.12±6.07)%, (8.24±0.69)% vs.(6.20±0.66)%, (11.25±3.12)% vs.(4.08±2.33)%]( t=7.88, 4.48, 3.63 and 3.71, all P<0.01). Conclusions:Mixed probiotics can alleviate the symptoms of food allergy and inflammatory response of young rats through mediating Tregs via the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

Objective:To analyze the anatomical relations between operating spaces of different paths via far lateral approach and exposure of the anterior part of the foramen magnum based on data of virtual reality three-dimensional model. Methods:The CT and MRI images of 50 patients with trigeminal neuralgia, admitted to our hospital from September 2015 to January 2019 were extracted from Gamma Knife databases and inputted into Vitrea virtual reality system to establish a three-dimensional anatomy model of the posterior cranial fossa. Posterior margin of the articular surface of occipital condyle was selected as starting point to open the skull via far lateral approach; the ipsilateral sublingual neural tube opening, anterior margin of the jugular tubercle, and anterior margin of the foramen magnum were selected as the exposed targets in the base of skull bony structure; the ligatures between starting point and the 3 exposed targets were used as axis to reveal a radius of 5 mm cylinder to simulate the surgical paths exposed the anterior margin of the foramen magnum via far lateral approach, and these surgical paths were named as Path 1, 2 and 3. The operating spaces of different paths were observed, and the frequency of each path passing through certain anatomical tissues was recorded and the volume of anatomical structures was measured. Results:There were significant differences in operating space volume, bony structure and volume of lower cranial nerves among the 3 paths ( P<0.05). The operating space volume of Path 3 was significantly increased as compared with that of Path 1 and 2, and bony structure and volume of lower cranial nerves of Path 2 were significantly increased as compared with those of Path 1 and 3 ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The data collected in the surgical paths via distal lateral approach simulated by virtual reality technology can help reveal the anatomical relationship in the operating space and provide a basis for selecting the best surgical path.