OBJECTIVETo explore the essence of acupoints by studying its anatomical characteristics and classification.

METHODSBased on numerous previous anatomic researches of acupoints, an adult male and a female corpses infused with red rubber at the location of acupoints were selected in order to observe the level and sectional anatomy of the acupoints, especially the specificity of the known structural distribution of acupoints.

RESULTS(1) The distribution of acupoints has two primary elements. Firstly, it is neurovascular bundles or connective tissue containing abundant nerves and blood vessels, which has the function of qi and blood infusion. It is considered as the acupoint kernel. Secondly, it is the cleft or the tunnel that formed by bones, muscles or fascia, which is also held as the acupoint shell. Different conditions of the human body can influence the opening and closing of the shell, control as well as regulate the function of the kernel so as to regulate the qi and blood circulation. (2) Based on anatomical characteristics, acupoints can be classified into 3 types: the type of cleft, the type of tunnel, and the terminal type. Points of the cleft and tunnel types can be mainly found in the twelve regular meridians which are composed of the kernel and the shell. The points of terminal type are on the Conception Vessel, the Governor Vessel and auricular point, the superficial fascia is the confluence of cerebro-spinal nerve terminal ramus and its concomitant vessels, and it is the site where the qi and blood of meridians distribute to the body surface.

CONCLUSIONAcupoints is the pore formed by bone, muscle or fascia where neurovascular bundles or connective tissue containing abundant nerves and blood vessels pass through and the position where the terminal branch of cranial and spinal nerves and their accompanying by blood vessels emerge and converge at the supiyeficial layer of central body axis. Acupoints are the nodes and terminal point where the zang-fu organs and meridians and qi and blood infused to body surface.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Connective Tissue ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Muscles ; anatomy & histology ; Skin ; anatomy & histology ; Skull ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo provide an appropriate angle and depth of needle insertion in acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and avoid injuring the nerve and blood vessel and exert the most effect.

METHODSEighty adult lower-limb samples were used to dissect and observe the relative layered structures and adjoining important nerves and blood vessels in needling Zusanli (ST 36) according to the national standard.

RESULTSThe needling depth from the skin to the interosseous membrane and from the skin to posterior border of tibialis posterior is (2.22 +/- 0.31) cm and (4.42 +/- 0.53) cm, respectively. There are flabellate branches of anterior tibial arteries and deep peroneal nerves around the needle in the superficial layer of interosseous membrane. The vessel and nerve bundles containing tibial nerve and posterior tibial vessels can be touched when the needle body past through tibialis posterior.

CONCLUSIONIt is recommended that ideal average depth of acupuncture is 2.22 cm and the maximum depth is 4.42 cm for oblique needling Zusanli (ST 36). When it is injected, the needle should be perpendicularly inserted or deviated slightly to the direction of tibia and paralleled to medial surface of tibia. And the safe needling depth is generally less than 5 cm. The point of the body surface between tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus at 3 cun below Dubi (ST 35) is also an effectively stimulating point.

Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Needles ; Tibia ; anatomy & histology

Objective: To explore the effect of Chaishao Shugan Lidan Paishitang on inflammation, stress response and gastrointestinal function in gallstones patients with chronic cholecystitis. Method: Gallstones patients with chronic cholecystitis treated in our hospital from March 2017 to May 2018 were randomly divided into two groups, with 65 cases in each group. The control group was orally given ursodeoxycholic acid combined with metronidazole. In addition to the therapy of the control group, the Observation group was also given Chaishao Shugan Lidan Paishitang. Traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), superoxide disproportionation alcohol (SOD), propylene glycol (MDA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), gastric dynamic element (MOT), gastrin-releasing (GAS) and somatostatin (SS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspertate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL) and total bile acid (associates), and total cholesterol (TC) levels before and after treatment were observed in two groups, and the curative effect, reactions and relapse were also observed. Result: The inflammatory effect, stone ablation effect and clinical effect of observation group were significantly better than those of control group (Z=2.329, P<0.05; Z=2.686, P<0.05; Z=2.940, P<0.05). The scores of right upper abdominal dull pain, abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting, and pale red tongue in the observation group after treatment were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). The levels of ALT, AST, TC, TNF-α, hs-CRP, IL-6, CEA, CA19-9, SS and MDA in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05), while the levels of MOT, GAS and SOD in the observation group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The recurrence rates of observation group and control group were 3.17%(2/63) and 14.29%(9/63), respectively, with statistically significant difference between two groups (χ²=5.140, P<0.05). Conclusion: The treatment of gallstones patients with chronic cholecystitis by Chaishao Shugan Lidan Paishitang has a good curative effect, and can alleviate clinical symptoms, inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation, improve liver and bile functions and gastrointestinal function, and reduce the recurrence rate.

OBJECTIVETo explore effective ways of integrated clinical and basic studies.

METHODSTry to sum up clinically basic laws of acupuncture from the study thinking of clinical and basic integration.

RESULTSSome laws of clinical acupuncture were raised based on classical theories of the channel and a great of clinical experiences, in combination with basic studies of modern neuroanatomy and physiology.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical symmetry-corresponding law, the segmental innervation law, the central-axial law, the distal limb dominance law, the law of sallow-deep correlation and the law of local feedback confirm with classical theories of the channels and clinical experiences.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Thinking

OBJECTIVETo observe the anatomical structure of Jiaji (EX-B 2) points at the level of lower lumbar region so as to provide evidence for the insertion angle and depth.

METHODSThirty spine samples of male adults were adopted, and perpendicular insertion of the needle was applied at 3 locations including 1 cun, 0.5 cun and 0.3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the lumbar vertebra. The needles were fixed at the local region. Structures and the adjacent major blood vessels and nerves were observed during the anatomy.

RESULTSWhen the needle was inserted perpendicularly at the point 1 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the lumber vertebra with the insertion depth of (35.77 +/- 5.86) mm, the zygapophyseal joints, the adjacent osteo-fibrous canal and osteo-fibrous aperture were touched by the tip of the needle, and the medial ramus of dorsal primary ramus of spinal nerve and concomitant vessels were stimulated. Then, needles were inserted perpendicularly 0.5 cun and 0.3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the lumber vertebra with the insertion depth of (32.89 +/- 4.79)mm for both. When needle was inserted 0.5 cun lateral, the medial ramus of dorsal primary ramus of spinal nerve and the concomitant vessels were touched by the tip of the needle at where they across the lamina periosteum and erector spinae. When needle was inserted 0.3 cun lateral, the body of the needle reached the terminal branches of the medial ramus of dorsal primary ramus of spinal nerve and the concomitant vessels through the deep paraspinal muscles and the thoracolumbar fascia.

CONCLUSIONThe medial ramus of dorsal primary ramus of lumbar spinal nerve and concomitant vessels distributed at the region 1 cun, 0.5 cun and 0.3 cun beside the lower border of each lumbar spinous process. Therefore, the location of Jiaji (EX-B 2) points can be considered in the region from 0.3 cun to 1 cun beside the lower border of each spinous process.

Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; anatomy & histology ; Male ; Spine ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution of the blood vessels in the integument tissue of the channel area of legs.

METHODSThe integument tissue of the lower limbs in the 12 cadavers were dissected with macro-and micro-dissection, radiographical technique of systemic artery and technique of image pattern analysis to observe and analyze the origins, branches and anastomoses in the integument tissues along the channels of legs.

RESULTSThe distributional density of the blood vessels in the integument tissues of legs along the channel area of the three-yin meridians of the foot, the Gallbladder Meridian, and the Urinary Bladder Meridian was higher than that in the other parts. They formed an obvious nutrient vascular chain on the arteriogram. The distributional density in the channel area of the Stomach Meridian was not obviously increased and the obvious nutrient vascular chain could not be seen.

CONCLUSIONAn obvious nutrient vascular chain is formed in the integument tissue along the channel area of legs except the Stomach Meridian.

Blood Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Leg ; blood supply ; Meridians

The effect of Rhizoma curcumae oil on the learning and memory in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia and the possible mechanisms were investigated. The rats were divided randomly into 5 groups (14 animals in each group): control, chronic hypoxia, chronic hypoxia with low (5 mg/kg body weight), middle (10 mg/kg body weight) and high (20 mg/kg body weight) concentrations of Rhizoma curcumae oil injection. The animals undergoing chronic hypoxia were exposed to hypoxia in a hypoxic chamber containing 10% O(2) and 5% CO(2) for 10 h/d, lasting 28 d. Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to obtain the scores of leaning and memory. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malonaldehyde (MDA) content were determined in the serum and hippocampus as well as [Ca(2+)](i) in the hippocampus. The expression of phosphorylated Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (p-CaMKII) in the hippocampus was evaluated by using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Compared with the control group, the chronic hypoxia group showed the following changes: (1) The escape latency to the hidden platform was remarkably prolonged (P<0.05); (2) The content of MDA and [Ca(2+)](i) were obviously higher, but the activity of SOD and the expression of p-CaMKII were significantly lower (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the chronic hypoxia group, groups with Rhizoma curcumae oil injection had the following changes: (1) The escape latency to the hidden platform was remarkably shorter in 10, 20 mg/kg body weight groups (P<0.05); (2) The content of MDA and [Ca(2+)](i) were markedly decreased in 5, 10, 20 mg/kg body weight groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), but the activity of SOD in the serum and the expression of p-CaMKII were significantly higher in 10, 20 mg/kg body weight groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results showed that the capacity of learning and memory was degraded following chronic hypoxia. The decrease in MDA content and [Ca(2+)](i) and (or) the increase in SOD activity and p-CaMKII expression might participate in the enhancing effect on learning and memory induced by Rhizoma curcumae oil.
Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; metabolism ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Memory ; drug effects ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the anatomical structures, and depth and direction of needling at Jingming (BL 1), so as to provide anatomical basis for its clinical application.

METHODSForty-eight adult orbital specimens were observed by dissection.

RESULTSWhen a needle was vertically inserted into Jingming (BL 1), the needle tip will past through the skin, subcutaneous tissue, medial palpebral ligament, medialis rectus and orbital adipose body. Above the body of the needle, there are ophthalmic artery, anterior ethmoidal artery and nasociliary nerve. The average distance between the skin at the punctured point and the anterior ethmoidal artery is (18.25 +/- 4.45) mm, with an angle of (12.5 +/- 5.5) degrees, and the average distance between the skin at the punctured point and the optic nerve tunnel frontal point is (43.37 +/- 7.84) mm.

CONCLUSIONTo avoid bleeding caused by injuring the anterior ethmoidal artery, acupuncture at Jingming (BL 1) should avoid deeply inserting needled back-upwards and upwards, and the needling depth should not exceed 30.36 mm to avoid injury of the optic nerve tunnel frontal point.

Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit ; anatomy & histology

BACKGROUNDThe effect of chronic stress on cognitive functions has been one of the hot topic in neuroscience. But there has been much controversy over its mechanism. Such single stressor applied in the past could not simulate complicated living circumstances that people confronted with. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic multiple-stress on learning and memory as well as on the levels of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), calmodulin (CaM) mRNA, and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) mRNA in the hippocampus of rats.

METHODSThe rats were divided randomly into stressed and control groups. The stressed group was given chronic multiple-stress for 6 weeks to set up a chronic multiple-stressed model. The rats' performance of spatial learning and memory was tested using Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Y-maze. Meanwhile, the expressions of CaMKII, CaM mRNA and CREB mRNA of rats' hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. In addition, the width of synaptic cleft and the thickness of post-synaptic densities (PSD) were observed in the hippocampal CA3 region of rats by electron microscopy.

RESULTSAfter exposure to chronic multiple-stress for 6 weeks, the ability of learning and memory of the stressed group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The width of synaptic cleft was smaller and the thickness of PSD was larger in the hippocampal CA3 region of the stressed group than in that of the control group (P < 0.01). The CaMK II immunostaining of the stressed group was stronger than that of the control group in the stratum radiatum and oriens of the hippocampal CA1 and CA3, especially in the stratum oriens. Quantitative analysis indicated that the expression of CaMK II, CaM mRNA, and CREB mRNA in the hippocampus of the stressed group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe capacity of learning and memory can be enhanced after chronic multiple-stress. The increased levels of CaMK II, CaM mRNA, and CREB mRNA may contribute to the enhancing effect of chronic multiple-stress on learning and memory.

Animals ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases ; genetics ; Calmodulin ; genetics ; Chronic Disease ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; genetics ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Microscopy, Electron ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Physiological ; metabolism ; psychology ; Synapses ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo study the histopathological effect of hepatic arterial infusion of lipiodol on transplanted hepatoma in rats.

METHODSFourty-one rats bearing Walker-256 transplanted hepatoma were randomly divided into embolization group (n = 35, divided in 5 subgroups, with 7 rats in each) and control group (n = 6). Lipiodol (0.5 ml/kg)emulsified with 0.2 - 0.3 ml of 76% urografin (v:v = 1:1) was infused via gastroduodenal artery into hepatic artery in embolization group. Rats in the control group were given via the same route urografin only. Histopathological changes of the treated tumors were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSIn the control rats treated with urografin alone, the average tumor size increased 2.8 fold on day 3, while that in the lipiodol treated rats increased 1.7 fold (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, on day 3, 5, 10 after embolization treatment, tumor necrosis was more extensive (P < 0.01). In one of the treated rats, the tumor was completely necrotic on day 10. Inflammatory reaction was marked in the early post-embolic period, but it was replaced by fibrous tissue encapsulation. From day 1 on, in 17 of the 18 treated rats, apoptotic cells, identified by typical morphology under light and electronic microscopes, were observed, mainly in the tumor periphery.

CONCLUSIONIn addition to cellular necrosis, apoptosis may be another important mechanism leading to cell death in hepatoma treated with transarterial embolization.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma 256, Walker ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Iodized Oil ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley