The crevice theory proposed by professor WANG Juyi is analyzed in this article. In the crevice theory, it is believed that the meridians are located among "skin, pulse, flesh, tendon and bone", and the crevice is the path for the transportation of qi-blood and body fluid in the body, which is the essential condition for vital movement. This is in agreement with the idea of "action through inaction" from Tao Teh King. Based on crevice theory, the abnormalities of meridians can reflex the deficiency and excess of diseases, and regulating meridians is a significant way to treat diseases, and maintaining smooth meridian is important for healthcare.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; Books ; history ; China ; Diagnosis, Differential ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians ; Qi

Objective To investigate the distribution of CYP2C9*3 and methionine synthetase(MSA2756G) genes related to drug therapy in hyperlipidemia patients of Ningxia region as well as its relation with hyperlipidemia.Methods Genotype was determined by using amplication-created restriction sites(ACRS) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) in hyperlipidemia patients.Results Among the 180 hyperlipidemia patients of Ningxia Hui population,the frequency of CYP2C9*3 alleles was 3.33% and mutation rate in men(3.05%) was significantly higher than that in women(0.28%)(P0.05).The frequency of MSA2756G(15.83%) alleles was significantly higher than that in healthy control group(10.25%)(P

Objective To collect the hot spots, development trends, high yield authors and their affiliated institutions by analyzing the papers on pancreatic cancer chemotherapy in recent 5 years. Methods The papers on pancreatic cancer chemotherapy were downloaded from PubMed. Their high frequency subject headings extracted by BICOMB were analyzed by bibliometric double clustering analysis and strategic coordinate analysis. The high yield authors were analyzed by co-authorship group analysis. Results The current studies on pancreatic cancer chemotherapy in foreign countries were focused on the pathological features of pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma before and after chemotherapy, drug therapy of pancreatic cancer according to its genetics, metabolism and pharmacology of antitumor drugs, surgical treatment combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. The high yield authors could be divided into two large groups from Japan and USA and a number of small groups. Conclusion New breakthrough points should be found from the matured topics, the topics with a further developmental space should be greatly concerned, and cooperation should be strengthened between study groups or teams.

BACKGROUND: Zero-P anterior cervical fixation system is an important means for treatment of cervical myelopathy in recent years. Zero-P fixation system can achieve effective decompression of spinal cord and nerve, and restore cervical curvature, with good stability.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biocompatibility of Zero-P for multilevel cervical myelopathy.METHODS: Totally 62 patients with multilevel cervical disease who were treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with Zero-P were selected, including double segments in 47 cases, three segments in 13 cases and four segments in 2 cases. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by pain visual analogue scale score, Japanese Orthopedic Association score, neck disability index score at postoperative 1, 6, 12, 24 months. Simultaneously, incidence of postoperative complications, cervical intervertebral space height and Cobb angle changes were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) 54 patients were followed 2 years after treatment by clinic or telephone. Mean operative time was (102.00±32.41) minutes; average blood loss was (62.45±18.36) mL. (2) Two patients affected mild throat discomfort at one day after operation, and the symptoms went to lift six days after. The remaining patients did not experience any other complications. (3) Visual analogue scale score and neck disability index score at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation were all less than preoperatively (P < 0.05); Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were higher than preoperatively (P < 0.05); the Cobb angle was improved significantly and greater than before treatment (P < 0.05).Postoperative cervical intervertebral space height was significantly higher than preoperatively (P < 0.05). Japanese Orthopedic Association results showed that among 54 patients, excellent was found in 34 cases, good in 14 cases,average in 6 cases and poor in 0 cases; the excellent and good rate was 89%. (4) Zero-P has a good clinical efficacy for multilevel cervical myelopathy, relieves symptoms significantly and restores cervical curvature and height, and has a good biocompatibility.

BACKGROUND: Bushen Huoxue Tongluo Capsule, a well-known traditional prescription, exhibits remarkable treatment outcomes in knee osteoarthritis, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory effect of Bushen Huoxue Tongluo Capsule on miR-27a of synovial cells in Sprague-Dawley rats with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: The model of knee osteoarthritis was established in 120 Sprague-Dawley rats using Hulth method, and then these rat models were randomized into four groups, followed by given75 mg/kg normal saline (blank control group), 34 (low-dose group), 75 (medium-dose group) and 140 (high-dose group) mg/kg Bushen Huoxue Tongluo Capsule aqueous solvent via gavage according to body mass, respectively, twice daily, for consecutive 2 courses (15 days as a course) with 2 days in between. The synovium and cartilages were removed after each course, and the expression of miR-27a in the knee joint synovium and chondrocytes was determined by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Gross observation found that the degeneration of synovium and cartilage in the Bushen Huoxue Tongluo Capsule groups was milder than that in the blank control group. Real-time PCR revealed that there was an increasing trend in the expression of miRNA-27a in the synovium and cartilage in each group, especially in the high-dose group, and there was a significant difference between groups (P < 0.05). Our findings show that Bushen Huoxue Tongluo Capsule can suppress the reduced expression of miRNA-27a in the synovium and chondrocytes in rats with knee osteoarthritis, further alleviating knee degeneration and protecting the knee from damage.

BACKGROUND:Different anesthesia methods significantly impact mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, arterial blood pH and blood viscosity, but what kind of anesthesia method is more suitable for preparation of animal model does not reach an agreement. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of local anesthesia and general anesthesia for preparation of rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration model in procession of percutaneous acupuncture rotary cut. METHODS:A total of 48 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the local anesthesia group and the general anesthesia group. The local anesthesia group was anesthetized with 0.5% lidocaine. The general anesthesia group was intraperitoneally injected with 3% sodium pentobarbital (30 mg/kg). In the two groups, models of intervertebral disc degeneration were established by minimally invasive percutaneous acupuncture rotary cut at L4/5, L5/6 levels. Modeling time was observed in both groups. Disc degeneration was evaluated by the gross observation, MRI detection, and histopathological examination at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after modeling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) General observation: the nucleus pulposus gradually with darker color and elasticity reduced in two groups after modeling. (2) MRI T2-weighted image results showed no significant changes in disc signal intensity at early stage, but the signal strength showed a decreasing trend with time. (3) Disc degeneration was evaluated according to Pfirrmann grading. Disc degeneration was gradually increased with time in two groups (P< 0.05), but there was no significant difference at postoperative time points in both groups (P > 0.05). (4) Masson staining showed that different degrees of annulus irregular arrangement appear in the two groups 8 and 12 weeks after modeling, but the structure was still intact. 16 weeks later, annulus disorganized, or even breakage in the two groups; no significant difference was detected between the two groups. (5) Safranin O staining showed that nucleus pulposus cells were not significantly reduced in the two groups at 4 weeks, but were significantly reduced at 16 weeks. (6) The average modeling time of local anesthesia group [(15.24±2.67) minutes] was significantly shorter than that in the general anesthesia group [(25.64±6.85) minutes] (P < 0.05). These results indicate that intervertebral disc degeneration model can be successfully established by minimally invasive percutaneous acupuncture rotary cut by using local anesthesia and general anesthesia; however, local anesthesia has a shorter operating time and simple anesthetic procedure. The efficacy was identical between the two methods.

BACKGROUND:The Herbal Compound formula Yaotu Granules for lumbar disc degeneration has achieved satisfactory efficacy, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible molecular mechanisms ofYaotu Granules for lumbar disc degeneration based on transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). METHODS: Ten New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control and experimental groups (n=5 per group), followed by intragastric injection of 20 mL of normal saline and 20 mL of water decoction of Yaotu Granules, respectively, twice daily for consecutive 1 week. The different drug serums were prepared using serum samples obtained from the common carotid artery at 2 hours after the last injection. Human nucleus pulposus cells were cultured in DMEM containing 10% different drug serums to observe the cellular morphology in each group. The cell viability was detected by trypan blue staining. The passage 3 human nucleus pulposus cells were pretreated for 48 hours, the mRNA level was detected using RNA-seq, and the differentially expressed mRNA was screened by RNA-seq. Subsequently, the differential gene expression, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Pathway enrichment analysis were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the experimental group, there were round or fusiform cells with abundant cytoplasm and clear nuclei that showed smooth surface and complete nuclear membrane; elongated rough endoplasmic reticulum arranged regularly, and less mitochondrion, scattered lysosomes and filaments were visible in the cytoplasm. In the control group, spindle and polygonal cells were found, and the large nuclei with 2 or 3 nucleoli and slightly rough surface were observed; there were mildly dilated endoplasmic reticulum, and few mitochondria with incomplete membrane. The adherent rate, generation time and cell viability of passage 1, 2 and 3 cells in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Sequencing results found that there were 464 differentially expressed genes including 143 upregulated, and 321 downregulated genes. GO analysis revealed that the differentiated genes were mainly concentrated on cell regulation and metabolism. Pathway analysis found that mainly differentiated genes focused on the metabolism related pathways. These findings suggest that the differentially expressed gene profile of Yaotu Granules for lumbar disc degeneration is obtained by RNA-seq technology.Yaotu Granules mainly upregulate extracellular matrix metabolism-related genes and downregulate polysaccharide synthesis related genes in the prevention and treatment of lumbar disc degeneration, which provides basis for further research.

BACKGROUND:Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is highly expressed in the degenerated intervertebral disc. The Herbal Compound formula Yaotu Granules for lumbar disc herniation has achieved good clinical results;however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE:To explore mechanisms underlying the effects of the drug serum of Yaotu Granules on NF-κB signaling pathway. METHODS:Eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into normal saline group, low-, middle-, and high-dose drug groups. Normal saline, 10, 20, and 40 mL of water decoction of Yaotu Granules were administered intragastrical y in the normal saline, low-, middle-, and high-dose drug groups for 7 days, respectively. The drug serum of Yaotu Granules was prepared using serum samples obtained from the common carotid artery at 2 hours after the last administration. Human nucleus pulposus cel s were maintained in DMEM containing 10%(v/v) drug serum for 24 hours. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, p-P65, P50, IκB-α(the NF-κB inhibitor), and IκB kinaseβ(IKK-β) mRNA in human nucleus pulposus cel s in three drug serum groups were significantly decreased compared with the normal saline group;in addition, a similar change in the expression levels of p-P65, P50, IκB-α, and IKK-βprotein between groups were detected. Noticeably, the expression levels of IL-8, TNF-α, p-P65, P50, IκB-α, and IKK-βmRNA, as wel as the expression levels of p-P65, P50, IκB-α, and IKK-βprotein were gradual y decreased with the increased drug dose. Al these results suggest that the drug serum of Yaotu Granules can protect nucleus pulposus cel s and delay their degeneration through blocking NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the event-related potentials (ERPs) P300 is changeable or not before and after treatment. Methods 99 cases of patients with first onset of depression diagnosed by DSM-Ⅳ as case group,and 100 cases matched with patients as control group were collected. P300 of two groups were obtained before and after treatment for 6 weeks,12 weeks,24 weeks. T test was used to analysis the difference of indicators of P300 among groups; repeated measure analysis of variance was used to analysis the longitudinal changes. Results shorter latency of N2-P3 ( (P ＜ 0.01 ); and lower amplitude of N2, P3, N2-P3 (P ＜ 0. 05 ), higher amplitude of P2-tency and a upward one in N2-P3 latency in the four periods; a upward trend could also be found in P3, N2-P3 amplitude, but there were no statistical differences(P ＞ 0. 05 ). The results of paired-samples t test: P3, N2-P3 amplitude in case group were higher after treatment for 6 weeks than before, the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.01 ); no significant results were found in P300 latency or amplitude between the 62 cases of depression after treatment for 24 weeks and the 65 normal controls selected (P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusion P300 latencies and amplitudes tend to be partly recovered after the acute treatment in patients with depression, but after the long-term therapy not clear.

[Objective]To explore SUN Congtian,a bibliophile,library scientist and proofreader in the Qing Dynasty,his achievements in collecting and reviewing ancient books of Chinese medicine and his academic thoughts on medicine.[Methods]Using the method of literature research,it summarized the medical bibliographies in SUN Congtian's Shangshantang Bibliograph,and studied Huoren Jinglun,Shizhi Medical Talk.[Results]In terms of ancient medical books,SUN Congtian collected and reviewed many ancient medical books,and put forward the idea of purchasing and collecting ancient medical books and editions.In terms of medical theory,he enlightened the student YE Tianshi's"collateral disease"theory and SHEN Jin'ao's"depression disease"diagnosis and treatment thought,and put forward the medical theory of"spleen and stomach construction".[Conclusion]SUN Congtian's Shangshantang Bibliography records 28 ancient Chinese medicine books,including many rare and precious editions.Huoren Jinglun and Shizhi Medical Talk have innovated medical theory and promoted the development of medical academia.His medical academic thought needs to be further explored and sorted out.