Recently a number of acupuncture clinical trial projects mainly conducted by conventional scientists have generated many negative results. A large meta-analysis of patient-level acupuncture data for the treatment of chronic pain conditions have demonstrated that the effects of verum acupuncture on pain improvement have statistically significant, but small, differences compared with sham-acupuncture procedures and no difference between acupuncture points and non-points. These conclusions have puzzled the acupuncture community and made confusion for acupuncture research and practices. The purpose of this paper was to compare differences between acupuncture clinical practices and the trial studies, which include "acupuncture technical principles", "acupuncture clinical trial design", and "acupuncture practice based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine". These factors contribute to the puzzle between the acupuncture community/practice and acupuncture clinical trials, which can be improved in future studies.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Chronic Disease ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Humans ; Meta-Analysis as Topic ; Pain Management ; methods ; Research Design

Background Many methods are widely studied to improve the therapeutic effect of trabeculectomy for glaucoma,and the clinical effectiveness of the amniotic membrane application during trabeculectomy is one of the research hotspots.Objective This study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety between trabeculectomy with (TE-AMT) and without amniotic membrane transplantation (TE-noAMT) for treating glaucoma.Methods Articles published from 1965 to December 2010 were searched from The Cochrane Library,PubMed,EMBASE,CNKI,Chinese Biomedicine Database,internet by computer,and manual search then was performed according to the predetermined strategy.Randomized controlled trials (RCT) on TE-AMT and TE-noAMT were included.The quality of included articles were scored based on Jadad table,and the relative parameters and information were extracted,including author,design of the trials,country,number of eyes and patients,gender,follow-up duration,age,classification of glaucoma,baseline IOP and loss rate.The main analysis indicators were the percentage of IOP reduction,completely operative successful rate,qualified success rate and adverse events.The pooled estimates were carried out with RevMan version 5.0 software.Results Nineteen RCTs documents were reviewed by meta-analysis with the Jaded scores ≥3 in 2 papers and ＜3 in 17 papers.Total 977 eyes of 818 patients were included.The weighted mean differences (WMD) of the percentage of IOP from baseline were (WMD =8.47％,95％ CI:5.20-11.75) at 6 months and (WMD=9.37％,95％ CI:4.97-13.77) at 12 months postoperatively.Relative risk (RR) of complete success rate and qualified success rate at postoperative 6 months were (1.40,95％ CI:1.19-1.65) and (0.47,95％ CI:0.22-1.00),respectively.RR values of adverse event such as shallow anterior chamber,hyphema,hypotony and choroidal detachment,failed filtering blebs at 6,12 months were 0.51 (95 ％ CI:0.30-0.85),0.43 (95％ CI:0.20-0.92),0.51(95％CI:0.26-1.00) and 0.57(95％CI:0.14-2.31),0.31(95％CI:0.20-0.47),0.31 (95％ CI:0.17-0.55),respectively.Conclusions TE-AMT appears to have better efficacy in lowering IOP,increasing complete success rate and reducing adverse event I in comparison with TE-noAMT.

OBJECTIVETo explore various factors affecting the clinical pregnancy outcomes of artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 15,744 cycles of AID in 6302 women and investigated the association of the clinical pregnancy outcomes of AID with the treatment protocols, the times of insemination per cycle, the age of the infertile women, the status of the oviduct, and the number of AID cycles.

RESULTSThe pregnancy rate of AID was higher in the chlomiphene-treated women than in those of the natural cycle group (P = 0.003) but showed no significant differences either between the chloramiphene and human menopause gonadotropin (HMG) or between the HMG and natural cycle groups (P > 0.05), and so was it in the women that had received AID twice per cycle before and after ovulation (26.3%) than in those that had undergone only once before (7.0%) or after ovulation (23.7%) (P < 0.05). However, the pregnancy rate was remarkably lower in the women aged 35-40 years (16.5%), especially in those over 40 years (1.2%), than in those under 35 years (26.0%) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the success rate of AID between the women with oviductal adhesion and those without (27.4% vs. 28.1%, P > 0.05). The pregnancy rate of the first cycle of AID (27.6%) was markedly higher than those of the second (24.7%), third (23.9%), and fourth (23.1%) (P < 0.01), but with no significant differences among the latter three cycles (P > 0.05), while that of the fifth cycle (19.0%) was remarkably lower than those of the first four (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe age of the infertile women is an important factor affecting the success rate of AID. AID twice per cycle is better than once only. For those without oviductal factors, at least 4 cycles of AID are required before in vitro fertilization.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; Insemination, Artificial ; Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous ; Ovulation ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To assess the relationship between the Chlamydia pneumonia(CPn)infection and coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods Blood samples from 200 CHD patients and 100 heathy controls were col-lected,and Cpn IgM and Cpn IgG were tested by ELISA.Results The Cpn IgM were found in 113 cases (56.5%) and in 24 controls(24.0%).The Cpn IgG positive cases were in 145(72.5%) patients and in 43 controls (43.0%).The positive rate of Cpn IgM and Cpn IgG in CHD group Was higher than that in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:CPn positive rate is higher in CHD group than that in control group.Cpn is closely related to the pathogenesis of CHD.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effects of different forms of traditional Chinese health-preservation exercises on osteoporosis (OP) using network meta-analysis.Methods: A systematic search on Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Springer Link, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang) and Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP) targeted the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying traditional Chinese exercises for OP published up to January 2020. Cochrane handbook was adopted to estimate the publication bias in the included studies, and statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 and GeMTC 0.14.3 when data were extracted. Results: Fifty RCTs were included in the network meta-analysis, comprising a total of 4505 OP patients. The network meta-analysis showed that in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) was the most efficacious, followed by Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises), Ba Duan Jin (Eight-sectioned Exercise), Wu Qin Xi (Five-animal Exercises), sports training, drug and blank control; in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral neck, Yi Jin Jing was the most efficacious, followed by Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, Tai Ji Quan, sports training, blank control and drug; regarding the lumbar BMD, it was Yi Jin Jing, Tai Ji Quan, Ba Duan Jin, Wu Qin Xi, sports training, blank control and drug in the descending order of efficacy; in terms of serum alkaline phosphatase, it was Yi Jin Jing, Tai Ji Quan, sports training, Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, drug and blank control in the descending order of efficacy. Conclusion: The evidence to date suggests that the first choice for OP amongst the traditional Chinese exercises should be Yi Jin Jing, which can not only reduce the subjective pain, but also promote bone formation and increase BMD, though this conclusion requires more high-quality large-scale RCTs for further proof.

Objective To study the effects of nitrobenzene on macrophage function and lymphocyte proliferation in mice. Methods ICR mice were divided into groups and treated with nitrobenzene by gavage,once a day,at doses of 2,20 and 200 mg/kg respectively,for 21 consecutive days.The mice were killed after 21 days of treatment and then the effects of nitrobenzene on the organs index,the maerophage function and the lymphocyte proliferation were determined.Results The maerophage function and the lymphocyte proliferation decreased as the increase of the dose of nitrobenzene.Conclusion The results of the present paper show that nitrobenzene may inhibit the immunity function of mice.

Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) has become the standard first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations. However, acquired resistance cannot be avoided during the targeted treatment of EGFR-TKI, which may lead to the progression of NSCLC. Among them, approximately 50% of patients present with primary lung lesions and/or initial metastastic lesion progression. As a major local treatment, radiation therapy plays an irreplaceable role in the management of patients with advanced cancer. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which is implemented with the Cyberknife, is the most advanced radiation therapy technology to better meet clinical needs. In recent years, based on the abovementioned patterns of tumor recurrence, the treatment mode of pulmonary-lesion SBRT combined with EGFR-TKI can improve the tumor-free survival in advanced NSCLC patients, which has attracted widespread attention. In this article, the clinical research progresses on this combined therapeutic strategy were reviewed.

Objective To evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli and Chize on sepsisinduced acute lung injury (ALI) in patients.Methods Sixty patients with sepsis-induced ALI/respiratory distress syndrome,aged 43-78 yr,weighing 49-89 kg,with their APACHE-Ⅱ scores of 16-23 and oxygenation index of 125-256 mm Hg,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20 each):conventional therapy group (group S),conventional therapy + acupuncture at non-acupoint group (group SNE) and conventional therapy + acupuncture at acupoint group (group SE).Bilateral Huantiao and Chize points were stimulated with electric stimulator (frequency 2/50 Hz,wave length 300μs,starting at a voltage of 0 and increasing by 0.1 mA every time until the maximal tolerance level was reached) for 30 min once a day for 5 days based on the conventional therapy in group SE.In group SNE,EA was performed at the non-acupoint based on the conventional therapy and the parameters of EA were same as those previously mentioned in group SE.Before EA stimulation (T1) and at 3 and 5 days after the end of EA stimulation (T2-3),arterial blood samples were taken for blood gas analysis,oxygenation index (OI) was calculated,and APACHE-Ⅱ] scores were assessed.Venous blood samples were collected at T1 and T3 for detection of TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum (by ELISA).Results Compared with the baseline value at T1,OI was significantly increased and APACHE-Ⅱ scores were decreased at T2 and T3,and TNF-α concentrations in the BALF and serum were decreased and IL-10 concentrations in the BALF and serum were increased at T3 in the three groups (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).The OI was significantly higher and APACHE-Ⅱ scores were lower at T3 than at T2 in the three groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group S,the OI was significantly increased at T2 and T3,APACHE-Ⅱ scores and TNF-α concentrations in the BALF and serum were decreased at T3,and IL-10 concentrations in the BALF and serum were increased at T3 in group SE (P ＜0.05 or 0.01),and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in group SNE (P ＞0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence and survival rate of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion EA at Zusanli and Chize is helpful in mitigating sepsisinduced ALI in patients,and regulation of the balance between proinflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory factors and inhibition of inflammatory responses may be involved in the mechanism.

Background Choroidal melanoma(CM)is a common form of primary ocular cancer in adults.It is reported that indomethacin has inhibitory effect on many tumor in vitro and in vivo,but whether it can inhibit the growth of CM has not been published. Objective This study was to investigate the anti-tumor activity of indomethacin on the growth of human CM OCM-1 cell xenografts in nude mice. Methods OCM-1 cells were subcutaneously implanted on 24 SPF female BALB/C.nu/nu nude mice to establish ectopic models of human CM.The nude mice with the tumor 5 mm were randomly divided into 4 groups:untreated group,normal saline solution(NS) group,indomethacin 1 ms/kg group,indomethacin 2 ms/kg group.The 1 mS/kg or 2 ms/kg indomethacin was intraperitoneally injected for 14 consecutive days in indomethacin 1 ms/kg group and indomethacin 2 me/kg group respectively.and 0.2 ml of 2%NS-DMSO was used at a same way in the NS group.No any agent was used as the untreated group.The volume and weight of implanted tumor as well as inhibitory rates of indomethaein on tumor were calculated.The expression of ki67 and survivin proteins were measured with immunohistochemistry,and the expression of survivin mRNA in CM was assessed by RT-PCR. ResuIts The tumor of indomethacin treatment group was reduced in volume and weight with a significant difference between treatment group and control group as well as indomethacin 1 ms/ks group and indomethacin 2 ms/kg group(P＜0.05).The inhibitory rate of indomethacin 1 ms/kg and 2 ms/kg for tumor was 22.86%,48.00%respectively.The prolifiration index (PI)of ki67 in these 4 groups were (76.73±3.34)%,(73.30±2.95)%,(55.97±2.24)%,(32.87±2.91)%respectively,and significant difference was found in PI between indomethacin 2 mg/kg group and untreated group or NS group(P＜0.05),but there was not significant difference between indomethacin 1 mg/kg and 2 ms/kg group(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the indomethacin treatment groups showed the decreased expression of survivin protein and mRNA,and significant difference was found between indomethaein 2 ms/kg group and untreated group or NS group(P＜0.05),however,no significant difference was found between indomethacin 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg group(P＞0.05). Conclusion Indomethacin inhibits the growth of CM in nude mice through inhibiting the expression of survivin in the tumor and accelerating cell apoptosis and inhibiting tumor cell proliferation.