With the unique structure and manipulation techniques of blood-letting and cutting, hook needle serves as a role in dredging meridians, removing blood stasis, purging heat for resuscitation and relaxing synechial tissues. There are three needling techniques of hook needle: swift pricking, bleeding and pricking. Six manipulations are commonly used as lifting-thrusting, plucking, pulling, pushing-scraping, vibration and massage. The mechanism and manipulations of hook needling are summarized systematically in the present paper. In this way, its manipulations, indications and contraindications are expounded in detail.
Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Needles

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of acupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Ximen" (PC 4) of the Pericardium Meridian in treatment of myocardial ischemia.

METHODSRats were randomly divided into 5 groups, sham-operation group, ischemia-reperfusion model group, Neiguan acupuncture group, Ximen acupuncture group and Zhigou acupuncture group. Electroacupuncture (EA) was given at corresponding acupoints for 20 min in the later 3 groups, followed by ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery and 40 min later, acupuncture was given at the points for another 20 min, reperfusion for 60 min, with ECG monitoring. Then the myocardial tissue sample (below the ligation site) of the left cardiac ventricle was taken for preparation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, and determination of Ca2+-ATPase activity according to quantitative analysis of phosphorum. The relative mRNA levels were determined by Northerm Bolt analysis.

RESULTSIn the acupuncture groups, both the activities of Ca2+-ATPase and the gene expressions increased significantly as compared with the model group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe points of the Pericardium Meridian can obviously improve the Ca2+-ATPase activity and the gene expressions, reduce the degree of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury, and strength myocardial functions.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; enzymology ; therapy ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; enzymology ; therapy ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective:To evaluate the biological characters of C57-TgN(HBV adr2.0)SMMU transgenic mice. Methods: Integration,expression,replication and histology change of hepatitis B virus gene in F6 transgenic mice were estimated by ge-nomic DNA PCR,Western blotting,ELISA,immunohistochemistry,serum DNA PCR,transmission electron microscopy and H-E staining. Results: Hepatitis B virus gene was integrated into F6 C57-TgN(HBV adr2. 0)SMMU transgenic mice and expressed HBsAg,HBcAg and X protein in liver tissue. HBsAg and HBeAg were expressed in serum of 19. 54% and 3. 39% F6 transgenic mice. Hepatitis B virus were replicated in serum and liver tissue of transgenic mice. Long-term integration,expression and replication of hepatitis B virus gene induced pathological lesion of transgenic mice liver and lung. Conclusion: C57-TgNCHBV adr2. 0)SMMU transgenic mice line has the biological characters including integration of hepatitis B virus gene into genomic DNA,expression and replication of hepatitis B virus gene in serum and liver, and histological change in liver and lung. It is a valuable animal system to study pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of hepatitis B virus.

This paper introduces the old nine-needle including its name, shape, function, manipulation and origination, as well as systematically introduces the new nine-needle as a new product which has been developed under the guidance of modern science and technology based on the old nine-needle since 1949. As a new tool, the new nine-needle provide much more choice for acupuncture treatment and obtained satisfied clinical effect. During the development of research and clinical practice on the new nine-needle, its theory has been consummated successively. Combining various kinds of needles for treatment is not only paying attention to the specificity of one kind of needles, but also emphasizing the whole function of all kinds of needles, which makes the new nine-needle formed the characteristic and distinct theory of its own.
Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; instrumentation ; methods ; China ; History, Ancient ; Needles

Mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of hypertension have been studied extensively from poly-aspects, poly-levels and poly-links. The present paper reviews the studies on nervous regulation, humoral regulation and regulation of peripheral vessel resistance and other pathways and their relationships in recent ten years, and indicates further perfecting these studies from the following aspects: studies on the mechanism of section and combination of blood pressure-decreasing points, relationship of time-effect and dose-effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, and studies on mechanisms of functions of nerve-endocrine-immune system.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiology ; Endothelins ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Moxibustion ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; physiology ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiology ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; physiology ; Vascular Resistance

Objective To investigate the influencing factors on behavior related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers under Structural Equation Model (SEM).Methods In Chongqing,Sichuan,Guangxi,Xinjiang provinces,1613 female commercial sex workers were participated in a questionnaire survey.Factors on behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers were analyzed based on SEM.Results Influencing factors on behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers would include social status,knowledge on AIDS,risk through self-evaluation,condom use,frequency of sexual services etc.GFI,AGFI,RMR were 0.9952,0.9898 and 0.0115 respectively.Conclusion Social status,knowledge on AIDS,risk through self-evaluation,condom use and frequency of sexual services were affecting the behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers.

A comparison of recognition to migraine and treatment methods for it was made between traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in this paper. Emphasis was made on standardized manipulation processes and techniques of sharp hooked needling for treating the disease, based on both the organic conception of the human body, the theory held by TCM, and on the principle of treatment according to pathogenesis obtained through differentiation of symptoms and signs. The necessary preparation before operations, methods for its application and announcements in the standardized manipulations of sharp hooked needling were all explained in detail. Based on its needling, pricking, dissecting and relaxing effects, the mechanisms of sharp hooked needling in treating the disease were investigated. It is concluded that sharp hooked needling is very effective in treating migraine.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Migraine Disorders ; therapy ; Needles ; Reference Standards

A 558 bp cDNA fragment was amplified by RT-PCR from adult Schistosoma japonicum(Chinese strain) mRNA with a pair of primers that were designed according to published Sj21.7p gene encoding 21.7 kD protein of Schistosoma japonicum(Philippines strain). Sequence analysis indicated that this frame, named Sj21.7 (Ch), with 99% homology to Sj21.7 p, contained a complete open reading fragment (ORF) of 21.7 kD protein gene of Schistosoma japonicum(Chinese strain). The amino acid sequence shared 98% homology with 21.7 kD protein of Schistosoma japonicum. This fragment was cloned into the expression vector pET28a (+) and subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli with IPTG induction. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the molecular weight of this expressed product was 25.4 kD. Western blotting showed that the recombinant protein reacted well with the rabbit serum immunized with Sj worm antigen, indicating that this expressed product had good antigenicity.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Helminth Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Open Reading Frames ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; immunology ; Schistosoma japonicum ; genetics ; Sequence Homology

Objective This study observed the clinical curative effects of aldose reductase inhibitor epalrestat in treat-ment of diabetic sensory neuropathy. Methods Thirty-four diabetic sensory neuropathy patients were selected. The nerve electrophysiological data were collected before and after treating with epalrestat. Results The ratios of nerve con-ductive velocity in peroneal nerve sensory showed slowing down than normal before and after the treatment, which were respectively 61% and 32%; The ratios of the nerve conductive velocity in tibial nerve sensory nerve segment 1 showed slowing down before and after the treatment,which were respectively 97% and 65%; The nerve conductive velocity of the peroneal sensory nerve after treatment was significantly faster than that before treatment, the nerve conductive ve-locity of the the tibial nerve sensory nerve motion segments in 1 after treatment was significantly faster than that before treatment. Conclusion Epalrestat is one of the effective methods in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.