Objective To explore serum Cystain C (Cys C) level in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and its relation?ship with cardiac function and ventricular remodeling. Methods Patients with heart failure (n=75) and healthy adult (n=35) were enrolled in this study. According to the NYHA classification,CHF patients is divided into NYHA Ⅱ, NYHAⅢand NYHAⅣ;CHF patients can also be divided into 2 groups base on their level of serum Cys C:Cys C>0.95 mg/L is defined as elevated serum Cys C group, serum Cys C≤0.95 mg/L is defined as normal serum Cys C group;According to left ventricu?lar ejection fraction (LVEF), CHF patients can also be divided into 2 groups:LVEF≥0.50 is defined as ejection fraction re?served group, LVEF<0.50 is defined as the ejection fraction reduced group. Cys C, N terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), serum creatinine(Scr),UREA and Echocardiography were analyzed in all groups and their correlation was studied. Results Serum Cys C level in CHF patients was obviously higher than that in healthy controls, and it increased with NYHA heart function classification;compared with normal Cys C group,Cys C elevated group presented higher NT-proBNP level but lower eGFR and LVEF (P<0.05);compared with ejection fraction reduced group, ejection fraction reserved group demonstrated lower NT-proBNP, LVEDD, LVMI and Cys C levels (all P<0.05);Correlation analysis revealed that Cys C is correlated with age, NT-proBNP, LVEF, LVEDD, Scr and UREA (r=0.411, 0.658, 0.465, 0.310, 0.552, 0.486, P<0.01). Conclusion Serum Cys C can be used to evaluate cardiac function of heart failure, and is associated with ventricular remodeling.

In order to explore the clinical application and mechanism of the ghost points in the treatment of mental diseases, taking "the ghost points" and "mental diseases" as the theme and the key words, the literatures in recent 10 years on the treatment of mental diseases with the ghost points were collected from CNKI and Wanfang database and analyzed. It is discovered that the ghost points can treat schizophrenia, manic-depressive disorder, dementia, stroke, loss of consciousness, insomnia. anxiety, depression and hysteria and the efficacy is favorable. It is believed that the ghost points act on balancing yin and yang, regulating qi and blood, regaining consciousness and tranquilizing the mind and they achieve the very excellent effect on mental diseases. At present, the reports on this aspect are limited. Hence, it is required to promote the study on the clinical application and mechanism of the ghost points so as to enlarge the clinical indications of the ghost points and provide the powerful support on mechanism for the treatment of mental diseases.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; therapy

Objective:To investigate the effects of acupuncture of Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang (BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)on the main symptoms of unstable bladder (USB)and explore the specificity of different points in treating USB through a clinical randomized controlled trial.Methods:Eighty-nine USB patients were allocated to three groups:Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35).I-PSS was used as an observation index.The effects were evaluated and a comparison was made between the groups after three and six treatments.Resuits:I-PSS significantly improved in all Shenshu (BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups of USB patients (P＜0.05).The effect was significantly beaer in the Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups than in the Shenshu(BL 23)group(P＜0.05).The efficacy rate was 50.0% in the Shenshu(BL 23)group,82.8% in the Huiyang(BL 35)group and 90.0% in the Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)group.It was significantly higher in the Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups than in the Shenshu(BL 23)group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Points Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)can all regulate voiding dysfunction and improve quality of life in USB patients.Shenshu (BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)has the most marked therapeutic effect.

Objective To evaluate and verify the preventive and therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) plus pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in treating mild-moderate female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Method By adopting a single-blind randomized controlled design, eighty-two SUI patients were randomized into an observation group of 40 cases and a control group of 42 cases. The observation group was intervened by EA plus PFMT, while the control group only received PFMT. Before the treatment and after 4-week treatment, the 1 h urine leakage amount, Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICI-Q-SF) and improvement rate were evaluated in the two groups, to analyze the effects of the two methods in improving mild-moderate SUI. Result For mild SUI patients, the 1 h urine leakage amount and ICI-Q-SF score dropped significantly after the treatment in the observation group (P<0.05), and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). For moderate SUI patients, the 1 h urine leakage amount and ICI-QSF score dropped significantly in both groups after the intervention (P<0.05), the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05), and the improvement rate in the observation group was markedly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion EA plus PFMT caneffectively improve the urine leakage and urination in mild-moderate SUI patients. EA plus PFMT can effectively prevent the aggravation of moderate female SUI, and its effect is better than PFMT alone.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA).MethodTotally105 patients with KOA were randomly divided intoamoxibustion group (n=39), anelectroacupuncture group(n=44) andaCelebrex group (n=22).The three groups were treatedsuccessively for 4 weeks.The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of knee-joint pain and knee-joint function score were observed.ResultSeven days,fourteen days and twenty-eight daysrespectivelyafterthe treatment,theVAS scores of knee-joint pain and knee-joint function scoresweresignificantlydecreased in the three groups (P<0.001). Fourteen days and twenty-eight days afterthe intervention,the knee-joint function scores ofthemoxibustion group and electroacupuncture group weresignificantlyhigherthan those oftheCelebrex group (P<0.05).ConclusionMoxibustion therapy can improve the clinical symptoms and the knee-joint function in patients with KOA,similar to the electroacupuncture group and Celebrex group, and the moxibustion group has better effect in improving theknee-joint functioncompared to the Celebrex group.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture treatment on nitrergic neurotransmitter in bladder neck and detrusor of rats with unstable bladder. METHODS: Rat models of unstable bladder were established by operation to induce urethral obstruction. Electroacupuncture treatment was given by acupuncturing Huiyang and Zhonglushu points for a week. Then the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)- and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-positive cells in bladder neck and detrusor of the rats were observed. RESULTS: The nitrergic neurotransmitter in bladder neck and detrusor were obviously decreased in rats with unstable bladder. The electroacupuncture treatment could significantly increase the contains of NOS in bladder tissue. CONCLUSION: To promote the synthesis and secretion of nitrergic neurotransmitter in bladder tissue may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in adjusting bladder function.

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in clinical efficacy on peripheral facial paralysis at acute stage between the opposing needling technique and routine acupuncture at the affected side so as to provide the evidence on the acupuncture treatment for peripheral facial paralysis at acute stage.

METHODSForty patients were rando- mized into an opposing needling technique group (19 cases) and an affected side needling technique group (21 cases). The basic medication was same in the two groups. The acupoints were Fengchi (GB 20), Yangbai (GB 14) to Yuyao (EX-HN 4) (penetrating needling method), Jingming (BL 1), Chengqi (ST 1), Xiaguan (ST 7), Jiache (ST 6) to Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). In supplementation, in the opposing needling technique group, the acupoints were stimulated on the face of healthy side. In the affected side needling technique group, the acupoints were stimulated on the face of the affected side. The treatment was given three times a week, for 4 weeks. House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function assessment was used to evaluate facial nerve function before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe facial nerve function was recovered in the two groups and the total effective rate was 100.0% in the two groups (P>0.05). The curative rate was 68.4% (13/19) in the opposing needling technique group and better than 47.6% (10/21) in the affected side needling technique group (P<0.05). On the 7th and 14th day, scores of H-B in the opposing needling technique group were better than those in the affected side needling technique group (both P<0.05). The curative time in the opposing needling technique group was apparently shorter than that in the affected side needling technique group ((23.95 +/- 4.30) days vs. (29.14 +/- 5.43) days, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe opposing needling technique accelerates the recovery of facial nerve function in peripheral facial paralysis at acute stage and apparently shortens the curative time. The efficacy is better than that in acupuncture on the affect- ed side of the face.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Aim To investigate the effects of isoliquiri-tigenin ( ISL) on anti-angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo and its mechanisms. Methods We assessed the antiangiogenic activities of ISL on proliferation viabili-ty, migration and tube formation of human microvascu-lar endothelial cell line-1 (HMEC-1) in vitro. The cell proliferation viability was assessed using the Sulforho-damine B ( SRB ) assay. Modified Boyden Transwell chamber assay was done to study the effect of ISL on HMEC-1 cells migration. 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescein di-acetate ( DCFH-DA) was used to measure the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) , which was induced by VEGF. Metalloproteinase-2 ( MMP-2 ) and metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9 ) expressions by HMEC-1 cells were assessed through gelatin zymogra-phy assay. HMEC-1 cells cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Moreover, we investigated the in vivo anti-angiogenic activity of ISL on chicken embryos nap al-lantoic membrane model ( CAM ) . Results ISL con-centration-dependently inhibited the growth of HMEC-1 cells as well as SW620 and A549 cells. ISL signifi-cantly and concentration-dependently suppressed the migration activity of HMEC-1 cells. Tube sample struc-ture formation further confirmed the effect of ISL on an-ti-angiogenesis. Moreover, ISL also inhibited intracel-lular ROS level, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression by HMEC-1 cells. ISL induced endothelial cell apoptosis at a low concentration ( ISL 12 . 5 μmol · L-1 ) and blocked the cells in S phase of mitosis at higher con-centrations ( ISL 25~100 μmol·L-1 ) . Furthermore, ISL distinctly inhibited the angiogenesis of chick em-bryos in vivo. Conclusions ISL has anti-tumor and angiogenesis effects on HMEC-1 cells. The mechanism may be related to intracellular ROS scavenging and ap-optosis induction of HMEC-1 cells.

Objective To study relationships between myocardial injury and the levels of serum complement C3, C4 and C5b-9 in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods A retrospectively analysis was conducted. 170 ACS patients [including 110 cases of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 60 cases of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS)] with ischemic chest pain or chest discomfort onset within the prior 12 hours admitted to the cardiology department of Tianjin Union Medicine Center from January 2014 to July 2016 were enrolled. Thirty-six healthy cases were enrolled as control during the same time. The levels of serum complement C3, C4 and C5b-9 on 1, 3 and 7 days after admission and myocardial function indicators were analyzed. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and readmission rate were analyzed after 1 year follow-up. The correlation between serum complement levels and myocardial function indicators was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results ① The levels of serum C3, C4 and C5b-9 on the first day in NSTE-ACS group and STEMI group were significantly higher than control group [C3 (g/L): 1.04±0.33, 1.26±0.35 vs. 0.39±0.21, C4 (g/L): 0.31±0.14, 0.33±0.10 vs. 0.19±0.07, C5b-9 (g/L): 575.46±197.26, 659.26±160.77 vs. 501.40±141.51, all P < 0.05]. There were no changes of serum C3, C4 in NSTE-ACS group, but C5b-9 decreased after a peak (g/L: 700.63±218.42) at 3 days. Serum complements in STEMI group reached peak on the third day [C3 (g/L): 1.37±0.33, C4 (g/L): 0.42±0.12, C5b-9 (g/L): 754.72±136.22]. The levels of serum C4 and C5b-9 in STEMI group were higher than NSTE-ACS group on the third and seventh day. ② The levels of troponin T (TnT), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), solution intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) scores and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) numbers in STEMI group were significantly higher than those in the NSTE-ACS group, which were as opposite as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, there were no significant differences in levels of serum N-terminal pro-brain nitric peptide (NT-proBNP), Fibrinogen (Fib), readmission rate and incidence of MACE between STEMI and NSTE-ACS groups. ③ According to GRACE, patients with ACS were divided into low risk group (≤ 108 scores, 26 cases), intermediate risk group (109-140 scores, 61 cases) and highest group (> 140 scores, 83 cases). TnT and sICAM-1 in intermediate risk group were significantly increased as compared with low risk group. Levels of TnT, sICAM-1, C3, C4 and C5b-9 in the highest group were significantly higher than the low and intermediate risk groups, however the lowest LVEF was found in the highest group. ④ It was shown by Pearson correlation analyses that levels of serum C3, C4, C5b-9 were positively correlated with TnT (r value was 0.481, 0.367, 0.292, respectively, all P <0.01), sICAM-1 (r value was 0.298, 0.249, 0.365, respectively, all P < 0.01), but negatively correlated with LVEF (r value was -0.384, -0.260, -0.200, respectively, all P < 0.01). In addition sICAM-1 positively correlated with TnT (r = 0.536, P = 0.000), but negatively correlated with LVEF (r = -0.341, P = 0.001). Conclusions Serum complements activation was found in the acute phase of ACS patients. Serum complement C3, C4 and C5b-9 are involved in the process of myocardial injury, and may reflect severity of myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction.