Objective: To observe the efficacy of tuina manipulations for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). ＜br> Methods:Sixty eligible FMS patients were randomized into two groups, 30 in each group. Patients in the observation group were intervened by tuina manipulations to the corresponding segment of the spine based on the detection of disorders of the spine-related bones and tendons;patients in the control group were directed to practice functional exercises. Before and after intervention, the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted for evaluation. ＜br> Results:After intervention, the FIQ and VAS scores dropped significantly in both groups (all P＜0.05), and there were significant differences between the two groups (both P＜0.05). The total effective rate was 86.7%in the observation group versus 63.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). ＜br> Conclusion:Spinal tuina manipulations are effective and safe in treating FMS, for significantly promoting the quality of life of the FMS patients.

Objective To develop a method for determination of serumal copper ion in rabbit with implantation of copper intrauterine device.Methods At different time points after implantation,the serumal copper ion concentrations were determined by microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) using scandium(Sc) and indium(In) as internal standards to compensate sample matrix effects,and the pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated in order to reflect copper ion release and metabolic rule.Results The serumal copper ion concentrations were kept at a low and stable level.The recoveries were in the range of 98.7%-113.3%,with the relative standard deviations of less than 5.0%.Conclusion The analytical method is simple,fast,and can be used for the determination of serumal copper ion in rabbit.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of warm needling moxibustion for erectile dysfunction (ED).
Methods:A total of 46 eligible ED patients were randomized into a treatment group (n=24) and a control group (n=22). The treatment group was intervened by warm needling moxibustion while the control group by conventional acupuncture treatment, for a total of 4 courses. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by the international index of erectile function 5 (IIEF-5).
Results:After 4 courses of treatment, the overall effective rate was 91.3% in the treatment group (23 completed), versus 75.0% in the control group (20 completed), with a significant difference (P<0.05). After the treatment, the change of IIEF-5 score in the treatment group was significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion:Warm needling moxibustion can produce a more significant efficacy than conventional acupuncture in the treatment of ED.

Objective To investigate whether inhibiting the expression of typeⅠ collagen gene is one of the mechanisms of action of electroacupuncture in improving knee osteoarthritis.Methods Forty male adult SD rats were randomized into normal, model, medication and electroacupuncture group, 10 rats each. A rat model of MIA-induced knee osteoarthritis was made by injecting monomer sodium iodoacetate (MIA) and driving rat movement. After model making, the medication group received an oral gavage of celecoxib dissolved in 10% DMSO and the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture at points Zusanli and Yanglingquan. Pain thresholds and the levels of cartilage expression of typeⅠ collagen mRNA were compared between various groups of rats before and after treatment.Results There was a statistically significant difference in pain threshold between the model, medication or electroacupuncture group of rats and the normal group after model making (P<0.01) and between the medication or electroacupuncture group of rats and the model group before sacrifice (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in pain threshold between the medication and andelectroacupuncture groups of rats before sacrifice (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the expression of typeⅠ collagen mRNA between the model, medication or electroacupuncture group of rats and the normal group (P<0.01) and between the medication or electroacupuncture group of rats and the model group before sacrifice (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the expression of typeⅠ collagen mRNA between the electroacupuncture and medication groups of rats before sacrifice (P>0.05).Conclusion The mechanisms of actions of electroacupuncture and medication in treating knee osteoarthritis may be related to inhibiting the expression of typeⅠ collagen mRNA.

Objective: To summarize and critically assess the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture in treating dry eye syndrome (DES) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and the Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. Methods: A search of PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov and Embase was made from their inception to August 2016, as well as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean databases. Two reviewers independently selected RCTs and assessed the methodological quality. Meta-analysis and the level of evidence were processed by RevMan 5.3 and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: After selection, 8 trials were subjected to our systematic review. The methodological quality was low generally. The 3-10 weeks follow-up showed that acupuncture improved the tear film break-up time (BUT) (MD=1.33, 95%CI=1.01-1.66, 619 participants). The mean difference of Schirmer's test was 1.73 mm (95%CI=1.28-2.18, 618 participants) between the acupuncture group and the control group. The subjective variables exhibited no significant differences. Conclusion: The low methodological quality of the trials does not suggest drawing firm conclusions on the value of acupuncture therapy for DES. Acupuncture treatment may have some effects on the tear film BUT and Schirmer's test, but not on the subjective symptoms. Well-planned large-scale high-quality RCTs are needed to make it clear whether acupuncture is effective in treating DES.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus functional exercises in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:Totally 108 eligible KOA patients were intervened by warm needling moxibustionplus functional exercises. The warm needling moxibustion was given 3 times a week, successively for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was adopted to evaluate the pain intensity of the knee joint. After 4-week treatment, the change of VAS score, range of motion (ROM) of knee, and Lysholm score were observed, and the clinical efficacy was also estimated. Results:After treatment, the VAS score dropped obviously, and the ROM and Lysholm score increased markedly; the total effective rate was 83.3%. Conclusion:Warm needling moxibustionplus functional exercises is effective in treating KOA, as it can relieve the knee joint pain and improve the joint motion.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of acupuncture combined with sitting-position knee-adjustment manipulations in treating patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Methods: Ninety-two patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis were randomized into an observation group and a medication group, with 46 cases in each group. The observation group received acupuncture and sitting-position knee-adjustment manipulations, and the medication group received oral celecoxib capsules. After 8-week treatment, changes in the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Lysholm knee scoring scale (LKSS) scores were observed, and the clinical efficacy was compared.Results: The total effective rate was 87.0％ in the observation group and 63.0％ in the control group; the between- group difference was statistically significant. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the SF-MPQ score or LKSS score (P>0.05). After 8-week treatment, the SF-MPQ [including pain rating index (PRI), visual analog scale (VAS), and present pain intensity (PPI)] and LKSS scores showed notable changes in both groups (P<0.05); the SF-MPQ and LKSS scores in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Combining acupuncture and sitting-position knee-adjustment manipulations can reduce pain and ameliorate joint function in patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis, producing more significant efficacy than oral celecoxib capsules.

BACKGROUND: Silk fibroin, the main component of silk fibroin biofilm, is a natural protein, but it is still a heterologous protein to the body. Its immunogenicity/toxicity is an important factor in determining the development prospects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the toxicity of absorbable silk fibroin biofilm and its degradation products on the rat immune system by muscle implantation experiments in rats. METHODS: Ten Wistar rats from Beijing Weitong Lihua Experimental Animal Technology Co., Ltd. were implanted with a long strip of 1 mm× 10 mm in the right gluteal muscle to observe the implant absorption and determine the implantation cycle. Seventy-two Wistar rats were assigned into control and experimental groups (n=36/group, 18 in either sexes) . A long strip of 1 mm×10 mm was implanted into the rat right gluteal muscle in the experimental group, and the control group received no implantation. Some of the rats were taken for histological examination and calculate the organ/weight ratio, at 26 weeks postoperatively. The spleen lymphocyte proliferation ability, NK cell activity, cell classification of T lymphocytes, and levels of interleukin 2 and tumor necrosis factor α were detected. Another part of the animals was taken for macrophage phagocytosis of erythrocytes cell capacity and antibody producing cell count. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Silk fibroin biofilm was completely absorbed after implanted into the rat muscle for 26 weeks. (2) In female or male Wistar rats, the immune organs in the experimental group showed no significant changes in the appearance, weight and histological examination. There were no significant differences in the hematological indexes (hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hematocrit, blood platelet count and white blood cell count and classification) , spleen lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, the ratio of T lymphocytes and their subpopulations, and the levels of interleukin 2 and tumor necrosis factor α had no significant differences between two groups (P> 0.05) . (3) In female or male Wistar rats, the macrophage phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes cell capacity and antibody producing cell count showed no significant differences between two groups (P> 0.05) . (4) These results indicate that silk fibroin biofilm causes no immunosuppression or immunostimulation on immune organs, immune cells and immune molecules (cytokines) of rats.

Objective:To study the acute toxicity in mice and cytotoxicity of the impuritiy(3-amino-2-piperidinone hydrochloride) in ornithine. Methods:The mice were given the impurity by intravenous injection.The acute toxicity was observed and LD50in mice was calculated by Bliss method. According to the result of LD50,the mice were given the impurity respectively at high,medium and low dose. The changes of general condition and body weight were recorded,and the blood biochemical indices and histomorphology of organs and tissues were observed after 14 days. The cytotoxicity was measured on fibroblasts(L929) cells. Results:The LD50and 95% con-fidence limit of the impurity (intragastric administration) was 758.49-848.08 mg·kg-1.All the detected indices of the three groups (660,330 and 170 mg·kg-1) including general condition,weight change,biochemical indices,organ morphological and histological change were all within the normal ranges. The impurity significantly decreased the viability of L929 cells. The NOAEL value was 660 mg·kg-1in mice. Conclusion:The impurity has certain toxicity to mice and cells. The data can provide experimental basis for the quality standard establishment for ornithine and the safety improvement in clinic use.

Chemogenetic technology is a receptor-ligand system that regulates cell viability and function by changing receptor specificity and affinity, and it achieves precise neuronal regulation by specifically regulating neurons and neural circuits. At present, this technique is widely used in the study of neural circuits. This article briefly describes the application and progress of chemogenetic technology in the study of depression neural circuits, reviews the application of chemogenetic technology in several brain regions closely related to depression, such as ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and lateral habenula, and discusses the potential and challenges of chemogenetic technology as a technology for precise regulation of neural activity in future research, in order to provide reliable ideas and directions for chemogenetic technology in the study of depression neural circuits.