Objective To explore clinical efficacy and mechanisms of medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) of spleen deficiency and dampness type.Methods Totally 60 cases were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to a random digits table, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was inserted into the anus with mesalamine suppository 1 g once a day, while the observation group was given medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment once a day based on the treatment for the control group. Medicinal cake (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata: Codonopsis Radix: Coptidix Rhizoma: Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma: Corydalis Rhizoma: Aucklandiae Radix=3:3:2:2:2:1) was put on the acupoints (Pishu, Zhongwan and Zusanli for the first group, Dachangshu, Tianshu and Shangjuxu for the second group, one group for each time, and 2 groups were used interchangeably). One wormwood cylinder was put on medicinal cake, 5 min each time, 3 doses each time, once a day. The treatment course for all was 8 weeks. The main symptom scores (diarrhea, bellyache, pus and blood stool) and total scores, colonoscopy Baron score and serum CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) expression level were compared between before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was evaluated and the adverse reactions were observed.Results The total effective rate in observation group was 93.33% (28/30) and significantly higher than that of the control group of 76.67% (23/30). After the treatment, the main symptom scores and total scores, colonoscopy Baron score and serum CCL20 expression level were significantly lower than those of pre-treatment in the same one group (P<0.05), which of the observation group were remakably lower than those of the control group (P<0.05); there was one case occured adverse reaction in the observation group and two cases in the control group, with no statistical significance between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment is effective and safe in patients with mild-to-moderate UC of spleen deficiency and dampness type, which effects might be involved in regulating the expression of serum CCL20.

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) in treating senile dementia. Methods:A total of74 patients were randomly divided into an EA group and a medication group based upon the random digital table, 37 cases in each group. EA at Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) was given in the EA group, once every day, for six treatments per week. Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets were given to the medication group, 5 mg per time and once a day in the former four weeks, 10 mg per time and once a day after 4 weeks, oral administration before sleep at night. The courses of the treatment were 12 weeks in both groups. The scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Barthel index (BI) were observed before and after the treatment, for processing the comparative analysis of the clinical effects after the course of the treatment. Results:The total effective rate was 86.5% in the EA group and 70.3% in the medication group. The therapeutic effect was better in the EA group than that in the medication group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). MMSE and BI scores after the treatment in the two groups were all elevated than those of the same groups before the treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01). The improving situation was obviously better in the EA group than that in the medication group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion:EA at Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) is affirmative in the therapeutic effect for senile dementia and can also improve the cognitive function and enhance the patients’ quality of life .

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of brain-benefiting and collateral-unblocking needling technique for chronic alcoholic gastritis complicated with depression. Methods:A total of 92 cases with chronic alcoholic gastritis complicated with depression were included in this trial. They were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=46) and a control group (n=46) by random number (envelope) method. Patients in the observation group received the brain-benefiting and collateral-unblocking needling technique. Scalp points included Shenting (GV 24), Xinhui (GV 22), Qianding (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Chengguang (BL 6), Tongtian (BL 7) and Luoque (BL 8). Body points included Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Gongsun (SP 4), Shenmen (HT 7), Daling (PC 7), Qimen (LR 14), Xinshu (BL 15) and Taichong (LR 3). The control group only received the same body acupuncture as the observation group. The treatment was conducted once a day, 30 min for each treatment, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. The efficacy was observed after 3 courses of treatment, and there was a 2-d interval between two courses. Results:After 3 courses of treatment, the clinical symptoms and gastroscopic features were significantly improved in the observation group than that in the control group. The clinical efficacy, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were significantly better than those in the control group (allP<0.05). Conclusion:The brain-benefiting and collateral-unblocking needling technique can significantly improve clinical symptoms in patients with chronic alcoholic gastritis complicated with depression and substantially alleviate their gastroscopic features, anxiety and depression.

Objective: To explore the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick and provide reference for clinical practice. Methods: A total of 16 healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years old in college were recruited and given mild moxibustion at Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23) and Tianshu (ST 25) with moxa stick, and the occurrence and frequency of moxibustion sensation were recorded at distances of 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm. Mild moxibustion scale was used to count the score. Results: Warm was the main moxibustion sensation, burning pain and soreness decreased with the rise of distance; for the same acupoint, score of mild moxibustion scale increased with the decrease of distance; score ranged between 5.5 and 6.5 at distance 3 cm, which was the most comfortable distance for volunteers. Conclusion: The distance of 3 cm is the most comfortable distance in mild moxibustion.

Objective: To explore the beneficial regulatory effect of mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) of healthy population on the functions of temperature-related brain regions. Methods: In 20 recruited healthy subjects, the change of the temperature-related brain regions induced by mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) was observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: In comparison of the values in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) during and before moxibustion, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left anterior cingulated cortex and lateral surrounding cerebral regions, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral regions of the peripheral cortex of the calcarine fissure; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial side and paracingulated gyrus, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral zone of the left middle temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial and paracingulated gyrus; and in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left hippocampus. In comparison of the value of regional homogeneity (ReHo), it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right occipital lobe; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the left cerebellar posterior lobe and left frontal lobe, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right inferior temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the right superior frontal gyrus and ReHo value decreased in the brain regions of the right parietal lobe and angular gyrus; in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the right frontal lobe and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right brainstem. Conclusion: In moxibustion of 3 cm distance, the changes in the brain regions basically conform to the transmission route of body trunk temperature.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis and observe the influence of this method on lumbar functions and inflammatory factors in patients with this condition. Methods: A total of 120 LDH patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups, including a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a Western medication group, with 40 patients in each group. The patients in the Western medication group were treated with diflunisal tablets, 0.5 g per dose, 2 doses a day. Those in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with additional herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group at Back-Shu Points and Jiaji (EX-B2) Points once a day. Those in the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with the same methods as in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, except that the herbal cake was replaced by a flour cake. All the patients were treated for 10 d. After treatment, the scores of the visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and the changes of the interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and substance P (SP) levels were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and SP were lower than those before treatment, and the JOA score was higher than that before treatment in the three groups, indicating intra-group statistical significance (P<0.05). The VAS score and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and SP of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were lower than those of the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medication group, while the JOA score of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was higher than that of the other two groups, indicating inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was 92.5％, higher than that of the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group (80.0％) and the Western medication group (72.5％), indicating inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: On the basis of Western oral medication, additional herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can alleviate the pain and improve the lumbar functions in patients with LDH due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis. The efficacy of the integrated method is better than that of either flour cake-partitioned moxibustion or Western medication alone, which may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects differences for the third lumbar transverse process syndrome between acupuncture mainly at zygapophyseal joint and transverse process and conventional acupuncture.

METHODSEighty cases were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the observation group, patients were treated with acupuncture at zygapophyseal joint, transverse process, the superior gluteus nerve into the hip point and Weizhong (BL 40), and those in the control group were treated with acupuncture at Qihaishu (BL 24), Jiaji (EX-B 2) of L-L, the superior gluteus nerve into the hip point and Weizhong (BL 40). The treatment was given 6 times a week for 2 weeks, once a day. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) low back pain score and simplified Chinese Oswestry disability index (SC-ODI) were observed before and after treatment as well as 6 months after treatment, and the clinical effects were evaluated.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the observation group was 95.0% (38/40), which was significantly higher than 82.5% (33/40) in the control group (<0.05). After treatment and at follow-up, the VAS score and SC-ODI score were lower and JOA score was higher than those before treatment in the two groups (all<0.05), with better results in the observation group (all<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture mainly at zygapophyseal joint and transverse process for the third lumbar transverse process syndrome achieves good effect, which is better than that of conventional acupuncture on relieving pain, improving lumbar function and life quality.

Objectvie: To observe the law of heat transfer in Zusanli during the process of moxibustion. Methods: Thetemperature change of Zusanli was detected by self-made high-precision temperature sensor while moxibustion on lowerextremities acupoints on six meridians of foot in healthy volunteers for fifteen minutes, the temperature change curve andtemperature change rate curve were drawn with Origin software. Results: Temperature change curve of Zusanli was thebiggest when moxibustion on acupoints in stomach meridian of foot yangming, especially for Shangjuxu acupoint.Whenthe acupoints near the level of Zusanli are moxibusted, the temperature change curve of Zusanli changes obviously.Temperature change rate curves of Zusanli were basically in coincidence when moxibustion on lower extremities acupoints on six meridians of foot, and it had a downward trend. Conclusion: Heat transfer between meridians andacupoints have propagated sensation along channel, regional characteristics, consistency of transmission rate, in theprosess of moxibustion.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy and partial mechanism of medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion for senile osteoporosis.

METHODSSixty cases of senile osteoporosis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random digits table, 30 cases in each one. The two groups were both treated with basic treatment of western medicine. The acupoints included four groups:① Dazhui (GV 14), Dazhu (BL 11) and Ganshu (BL 18); ② Zhongwan (CV 12), Danzhong (CV 17) and Zusanli (ST 36); ③ Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23) and Mingmen (GV 4); ④ Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4). Each group of acupoints was selected for one treatment. The observation group was treated with medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion, and the medicinal cake was consisted of fructus psoraleae (30 g), prepared rehmannia root (30 g), atractylodes (30 g), codonopsis pilosula (30 g), epimedium herb (20 g), rhizoma curculiginis (20 g), syzygium aromaticum (5 g) and cinnamon (5 g). The control group was treated with wheat-flour-cake moxibustion. Each acupoint was treated with 5 moxa cones in the two groups. The treatment was given once every other day for six months. The symptom score, lumbar and hip bone mineral density (BMD), serum type Ⅰ procollagen amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) and serum β-type Ⅰ collagen carboxy-terminal peptide (β-CTX) were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the symptom score and serum β-CTX were significantly lowered (all<0.05), while the lumbar and hip BMD and serum PINP were significantly increased (all<0.05) of the two groups. After treatment, the symptom score and serum β-CTX in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both<0.05), while the lumbar and hip BMD and serum PINP in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion has significant efficacy for senile osteoporosis, which is superior to wheat-cake-se-parated moxibustion.

BACKGROUND:Heterotopic ossification is a dynamic growth process.Diverse heterotopic ossification subtypes have diverse etiologies or induction factors,but they exhibit a similar clinical process in the intermediate and later phases of the disease.Acquired heterotopic ossification produced by trauma and other circumstances has a high incidence. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the molecular biological mechanisms linked to the occurrence and progression of acquired heterotopic ossification in recent years. METHODS:The keywords"molecular biology,heterotopic ossification,mechanisms"were searched in CNKI,Wanfang,PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,and Google Scholar databases for articles published from January 2016 to August 2022.Supplementary searches were conducted based on the obtained articles.After the collected literature was screened,131 articles were finally included and summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The occurrence and development of acquired heterotopic ossification is a dynamic process with certain concealment,making diagnosis and treatment of the disease difficult.(2)By reviewing relevant literature,it was found that acquired heterotopic ossification involves signaling pathways such as bone morphogenetic protein,transforming growth factor-β,Hedgehog,Wnt,and mTOR,as well as core factors such as Runx-2,vascular endothelial growth factor,hypoxia-inducing factor,fibroblast growth factor,and Sox9.The core mechanism may be the interaction between different signaling pathways,affecting the body's osteoblast precursor cells,osteoblast microenvironment,and related cytokines,thereby affecting the body's bone metabolism and leading to the occurrence of acquired heterotopic ossification.(3)In the future,it is possible to take the heterotopic ossification-related single-cell osteogenic homeostasis as the research direction,take the osteoblast precursor cells-osteogenic microenvironment-signaling pathways and cytokines as the research elements,explore the characteristics of each element under different temporal and spatial conditions,compare the similarities and differences of the osteogenic homeostasis of different types and individuals,observe the regulatory mechanism of the molecular signaling network of heterotopic ossification from a holistic perspective.It is beneficial to the exploration of new methods for the future clinical prevention and treatment of heterotopic ossification.(4)Meanwhile,the treatment methods represented by traditional Chinese medicine and targeted therapy have become research hotspots in recent years.How to link traditional Chinese medicine with the osteogenic homeostasis in the body and combine it with targeted therapy is also one of the future research directions.(5)At present,the research on acquired heterotopic ossification is still limited to basic experimental research and the clinical prevention and treatment methods still have defects such as uncertain efficacy and obvious side effects.The safety and effectiveness of relevant targeted prevention and treatment drugs in clinical application still need to be verified.Future research should focus on clinical prevention and treatment based on basic experimental research combined with the mechanism of occurrence and development.