[Objective] To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture(EA) collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in rats and explore the partial mechanism via regulating blood rheology.[Methods] Bovine type II collagen was intradermally injected into the back of anesthetized rats to induce arthritis,the animal model of rheumatoid arthritis.Electroacupuncture(continuous waves,2 Hz,5 mA) was applied unilaterally and alternatively to Zusanli(ST 36) and Sanyinjiao(SP 6) for 30min,given once a day for 30 days.The paw edema,pain threshold and joint pathological changes in CIA rats were observed.Some indexes in blood rheology such as viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation were also examined.[Results] EA at point Zuansanli(ST 36) and Sanyinjiao(SP 6) reduced paw swelling and increased pain threshold significantly.Pathological damages of joint in CIA rats were effectively prevented by EA treatment.Meanwhile,the low blood viscosity in EA group were lower obviously than that in control group,and the erythrocyte aggregation indexes were down-regulated by EA.[Conclusion] EA has a pronounced therapeutic effect on collagen-induced arthritis in rats.Regulating the blood rheology in CIA rats may be the mechanism of EA.

There are many eminent acupuncture masters in modern times in the regions of Zhejiang province, which has developed the acupuncture schools of numerous characteristics and induces the important impacts at home and abroad. Through the literature collection on the acupuncture schools in Zhejiang and the interviews to the parties involved, it has been discovered that the acupuncture manipulation techniques of acupuncture masters in modern times are specifically featured. Those techniques are developed on the basis of Neijing (Internal Classic), Jinzhenfu (Ode to Gold Needle) and Zhenjiu Dacheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). No matter to obey the old maxim or study by himself, every master lays the emphasis on the research and interpretation of classical theories and integrates the traditional with the modern. In the paper, the acupuncture manipulation techniques of Zhejiang acupuncture masters in modern times are stated from four aspects, named needling techniques in Internal Classic, feijingzouqi needling technique, penetrating needling technique and innovation of acupuncture manipulation.
Acupuncture ; education ; history ; instrumentation ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; instrumentation ; methods ; China ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature

Objective To investigate the efficacy of modified 270°spinal canal decompression combined with one-stage pedicle screw fixation and vertebral reconstruction for severe thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A retrospective case-control study was made on 44 cases of severe thoracolumbar fractures treated from January 2009 to June 2014.There were 34 males and 10 females, with age range of 20-68 years (mean, 37.9 years).The injured vertebrae included T11/12 in one case, T12-L1 in 10, L1/2 in 21, L2/3 in nine and L3/4 in three.Injury type was all AO type B2.According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), neurological deficit was Grade A in three cases, Grade B in five, Grade C in 22, and Grade D in 14.Load sharing score (LSC) was 7-9 points (mean, 8.1 points), while the thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) was 7-9 points (mean, 8.2 points).According to the difference of surgical procedures, all cases were divided into traditional group (21 cases) and improved group (23 cases).The patients in traditional group were treated by 270° spinal canal decompression combined with one-stage pedicle screw fixation and vertebral reconstruction, and those in improved group were treated by modified 270°spinal canal decompression combined with one-stage pedicle screw fixation and vertebral reconstruction.Between-group differences were compared with regard to operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, allogeneic blood transfusion, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) at postoperative 72 hours, Cobb angle, anterior vertebral height, spinal canal compromise, Denis score, work state, neurological function, bone graft fusion and complications.Results Duration of follow-up was (32.4±15.8)months (range, 12-60 months).No wound infection or deterioration of neurological function was found after operation.Operation time was (2.4±0.5)hours in traditional group, less than (2.8±0.6)hours in improved group (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in intraoperative bleeding, postoperative draining and blood transfusion between the two groups (P>0.05).VAS was (3.2±0.9)points in traditional group and (3.3±0.9)points in improved group at postoperative 72 hours (P>0.05).Cobb angle, anterior vertebral height and spinal canal compromise in both groups obtained well recovery and maintained after operation (P<0.05), but the recovery of spinal canal compromise was better in improved group than traditional group [(2.1±1.8)% vs.(11.8±6.1)%] (P<0.05).Denis score and work state were similar between the two groups (P>0.05).At the last follow-up, ASIA Grade A was noted in three cases, Grade C in two, Grade D in 23, and Grade E in 16.Bone union was achieved in all cases, with no implant loosening or breakage observed.Thirteen cases in traditional group were found with residual bone fragments in the spinal canal after surgery, and two of them received revision surgery.Conclusions Either modified or traditional 270° spinal canal decompression combined with one-stage pedicle screw fixation and vertebral reconstruction can attain satisfactory clinical results in treatment of severe thoracolumbar fractures.However, the modified 270°spinal canal decompression can achieve more thorough decompression without reducing stability of the spine.

Objective To observe the effect of transcutanous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)on the exercise ability of rats.Methods After stereotaxis surgery,twenty male adult SD rats wera randomly divided into control group (n=10)and TEAS group(n=10).Two days after surgery.the rats were trained to adapt the treadmill mnning and TEAS(continuous wave,2Hz,5mA)was applied to right Zusanli (ST 36) for 30min,once a day for 6 days.Basic microdialysis samples of extracellular serotonin(5-HT)in rats'dorsal raphe nucleus(DRN)were collected 7 days after surgery.During experiment,rats were running on treadmill (10m/min for 10min,then gradually increased to 24m/min for 1 hour,0% grade).Microdialysis samples were collected continuously until 5 hours after treadmill running.The frequency of brush-stimulation during the running was recorded.Meanwhile,plasma amino acid content was examined 5 hours after exercise.Results The frequencies of brush-stimulation during the treadmill running in control group and TEAS group were 2.04+0.46 and 0.40+0.080 times per minute,respectively (P<0.05).There were no significant differences in plasma total-TRP(T-TPP)and branched chain amino acid(BCAA)contents between two groups(P>0.05).However,plasma free-TRP(f-TRP)content,f-TRP/T-TRP ratio and f-TRP/BCAA ratio decreased significantly(P<0.05) in TEAS group as compared with the control group.Extracellular 5-HT levels in DRN in control group soon after exercise were higher than their base levels(P<0.05),and decreased in sequential two hours,and then increased significantly 3 hours and 4 hours after exercise as compared with that 2 hours after exercise(P<0.05).There was a slow decline in the levels of extracellular 5-HT in TEAS group at each time-point after exercise,and significant lower than that in control group within 5 hours after exercise(P<0.05).Conclusion TEAS atZusanli(ST36)can effectively improve exercised ability by reducing peripheral free-TRP level and transporting TRP into the brain,and thus decreasing the synthesis of 5-HT in the brain.

Purpose: In order to explore the clinical mechanism of Neiguan (PC 6) in the treatment of acute seizure of migraine and the relationship between Neiguan (PC 6) and cerebral blood flow. Methods: Clinically, 30 cases of the patients with acute seizure of migraine (ascending phase) were selected, in TCD abnormality, and divided randomly into the treatment group and control group, 15 cases in each group. In acute seizure of migraine, Neiguan (PC 6)was punctured with electric stimulation on the healthy side of the patients in the treatment group and Xuehai (SP 10) was punctured with electric stimulation on the healthy side of the patients in the control group. TCD was determined in the patients 30 min before and after the treatment. Results and conclusion: After transdermal electric stimulation on Neiguan (PC 6),the velocity of intracranial blood flow was obviously slowed down, indicating that transdermal electric stimulation on Neiguan (PC 6) can effectively relieve the spasm of intracranial blood vessels and also shows its relative specificity.

AIM: To investigate the properties of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) at two different age groups. METHODS: Human RMECs with high affinity were isolated from donors at two age groups: 30 d (group A) after birth and 40 - 60 years of age (group B). The RMECs were characterized for expression and localization of endothelial cell markers by immunofluorescence staining of CD31, yon Willebrand factor(vWF) and uptake of acetylated low - density lipoprotein. The ability of tube formation was assessed on Matrigel, and vWF distribution in- cells was ob-served by confocal immunofluorescence microscope and Western blotting analysis, respectively. RESULTS: High purity RMECs can be obtained readily from each group with modified methods. At 6 hours, cells from both groups formed tube structures successfully, but there was a significantly higher incidence of branching in RMECs of infant group (group A) by 27.2%±2.2% compared with adult group (group B) at 12 h (P<0.05). Group A maintained intact structure even at 30h, but group B partially lost the basic tube structure. In addition, vWF was translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus with aging. CONCLUSION: Human RMECs at different ages have specific properties. Cell properties related with age of the donors should be considered in in vitro studies.

OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical effect of the penetration acupuncture at the acupoints of governor vessel(GV) and bladder meridian on head for mild cognitive disorder after stroke.

METHODSOne hundred and ten patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 55 cases in each one. Penetration acupuncture was used at the acupoints of GV and bladder meridian on head in the observation group,namely Wuchu (BL 5) to Chengguang (BL 6) and Tongtian (BL 7) to Luoque (BL 8) bilaterally, and Shenting (GV 24) to Xinhui (GV 22), Qianding (GV 21) to Baihui (GV 20), Houding (GV 19) to Qiangjian (GV 18). Body acupuncture and conventional western medication were applied in the both two groups. Acupuncture was adopted once a day, five times a week and eight weeks totally. The changes of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini mental state examination scale(MMSE), self-rating depressive scale (SDS) and activities of daily living scale (Barthel index) were compared between the two groups before treatment, in the middle of treatment(at the forth week) after treatment(at the eighth week) and in three weeks after treatment(follow-up).

RESULTSAfter treatment of four and eight weeks and at the time of follow-up, the results of MoCA, MMSE, SDS and Barthel index were apparently im proved compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01). After treatment of eight weeks and at the time of follow-up, the scores of MoCA and SDS were obviously improved in the observation group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The improvements of MMSE in the observation group were more marked than those in the control group at all times (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But there was no statistical significance about the change of Barthel index between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPenetration acupuncture at the acupoints of GV and bladder meridian on head can remarkablely improve the cognitive function of the patients with mild cognitive disorder after stroke,and have some efficacy of relieving the bad mood such as depression.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo prepare ginkgolide B-loaded self microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) and evaluate its quality.

METHODThe solubility of ginkgolide B in different oil, surfactant and co-surfactant were measured by HPLC-ESI-MS. The GB-SMEDDS formulation was optimized by the self emulsifying efficiency of various combinations of oil and mix-surfactant evaluated by using pseudo-temary phase diagram. The preliminary stability of GB-SEMEDDS was evaluated by the variety of loading rate of GB and dispersed medium. The morphology, the particle size and the formulation stability were evaluated after diluting by 0.1 mol x L(-1) HCl.

RESULTThe blank self microemulsified system was composed of ethyl oleate-( cremophor EL-lecithin-ethanol, 4: 1:2) (40: 60), the loading dosage was 2.5%. Little influence of GB and emulsified medium was observed on the stability of GB-SEMDDS. After diluted with 0.1 mol x L(-1) HCl, the morphology of the microemulsion was homogeneous small spherical drops observed under electro-microscope. The particle size was (41.6 +/- 1.11) nm, the self microemulsifing time was around 2 min. The formulation was stable within 8 h, without significant changes in particle size and separation of drugs.

CONCLUSIONGB-SMEDDS is easy to prepare and its quality is stable. The solubility of GB was significantly improved by SMEDDS.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drug Delivery Systems ; instrumentation ; methods ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Ginkgolides ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Lactones ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Particle Size ; Solubility ; Surface-Active Agents ; chemistry

Objective: To account the direct cost of uterine cervix carcinoma treatment in China and to explore the related factors which influence the direct financial burden of the disease. Methods: Data was collected through the medical record system and telephone interviews in 14 county-level hospitals and 9 provincial and municipal hospitals from 14 provinces/municipalities enrolled in the Chinese National Health Industry Research Project in 2015. The direct financial burden of uterine cervix carcinoma treatment consisted of the direct medical cost and the direct non-medical cost of treatment in different pathological cervical cancer stages and precancerous lesions. Multiple liner regression method was used to analyze the factors affecting the costs. Results: The age of the 3 246 patients was (46.40±10.43) years, including 2 423 patients from provincial and municipal hospitals and 823 patients from county-level hospitals. The direct financial burden for one patient of pathological uterine cervix carcinoma stage or precancerous lesion ranged from 10 156.3 yuan to 75 716.4 yuan in provincial and municipal hospitals, and for patients from county-level hospitals, the cost was between 4 927.9 yuan and 47 524.8 yuan per person. There was a wide gap between the direct financial burden of patients in different disease stages. The direct financial burden of patients with precancerous lesions ranged from 4 927.9 yuan per person to 11 243.0 yuan per person, as for patients of pathological uterine cervix carcinoma stages, the direct financial burden was between 29 274.6 yuan and 75 716.4 yuan per person. The factors which influence direct financial burden would include: the levels of the hospital, pathological period, medicare reimbursement, days of treatment, and the methods of treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion The direct financial burden of diseases in patients with pathological uterine cervix carcinoma stage or precancerous lesion differed in different levels of hospital and pathological periods. In addition, medicare reimbursement, days of treatment, and the methods of treatment all had impact on it.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics and causes of endplate injury in the oblique lateral interbody fusion for the treatment of lumbar diseases, and summarize the precaution of endplate injury.Methods:Thirty-five cases of endplate injury were observed, which were originally treated with oblique lateral interbody fusion with or without pedicle screw fixation from October 2014 to December 2017. There were 7 males and 28 females, and the age ranged from 51 to 78 years old (averagely 62.8±8.13 years). There were 2 cases of lumbar disc degeneration, 10 cases of lumbar canal stenosis, 17 cases of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis, 2 cases of lumbar spondylolysis with or without spondylolisthesis, and 4 cases of lumbar degenerative scoliosis. Lesion sites contained L 3,4 in 2 cases, L 4,5 in 21 cases, L 2-4 in 3 cases, L 3-5 in 4 cases, L 2-5 in 3 cases and L 1-5 in 2 cases. Preoperative bone mineral density examination revealed there were 7 cases of T>-1 SD, 24 cases of -2.5 SD