The present paper reviewed the literatures at home and abroad in the recent ten years; it stated the effects of acupuncture on local mast cells around meridian acupoints and affected area; it stated the advanced development in the possible mechanism of the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for diseases related to mast cells in recent ten years. Currently, the underlying mechanism of the efficacy of acupuncture on mast cells still remains mysterious. It needs further investigations to study the effect of mast cells in acupuncture treatment and the mechanism of the effects of moxibustion on mast cells.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; immunology ; Moxibustion

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine metabolic disease of women. Clinical studies have shown that PCOS patients are likely having abnormal bone metabolism, and with increased risk of osteoporosis. This review summarized the common pathological mechanisms for both PCOS and osteoporosis, and elucidated the research progress on PCOS-inducing bone metabolism disorders from emphasizing on the regulation of endocrine hormones including insulin, androgen, growth hormone, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. It is expected that this review will shed new light on monitoring and intervention for bon health of PCOS patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect between Fanzhen Jieci (warming acupuncture plus fast needling) combined with conventional acupuncture and simple conventional acupuncture on discogenic sciatica. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with discogenic sciatica were randomized into a Fanzhen Jieci group and a conventional acupuncture group, 38 cases in each one. Conventional acupuncture was applied at Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), L₁-L₅ Jiaji (EX-B 2) and Huantiao (GB 30) on the affected side, etc. in the conventional acupuncture group. On the basis of the treatment in the conventional acupuncture group, Fanzhen Jieci was applied at L₁-L₅ Jiaji (EX-B 2) and Huantiao (GB 30) on the affected side in the Fanzhen Jieci group, i.e. warming acupuncture was applied at L₁-L₅ Jiaji (EX-B 2), and fast needling was applied at Huantiao (GB 30) on the affected side for a depth of 40-60 mm, so as to introduce a sensation of electric shock transmitting to lower limb, and then the needle was immediately withdrawn. The treatment was given once every other day, 3 times a week for 3 weeks in both groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of leg and low back pain, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) score before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS scores of leg and low back pain and the ODI scores after treatment were decreased in both groups (P<0.001), the changes of the VAS scores of leg and low back pain in the Fanzhen Jieci group were larger than those in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, except for the role emotional and health transition scores, the various scores of SF-36 were increased compared before treatment in the Fanzhen Jieci group (P<0.01); except for the role physical, role emotional and health transition scores, the various scores of SF-36 were increased compared before treatment in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.01). After treatment, the physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, mental health and general health scores of SF-36 in the Fanzhen Jieci group were higher than those in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Fanzhen Jieci combined with conventional acupuncture can effectively relieve the pain and improve the mental state in patients with discogenic sciatica, its therapeutic effect is superior to simple conventional acupuncture.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Low Back Pain/therapy* ; Sciatica/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate the effect of long-term deep slow-wave sleep deprivation on the gonad axis, sperm abnormality rate, and structure of the testis in male rats and possible mechanisms. Methods: A total of 30 specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats aged 5 weeks were randomly divided into slow-wave sleep deprivation group 1 (SD1 group) , slow-wave sleep and sleep time deprivation group 2 (SD2 group) , and control group, with 10 rats in each group. The flower pot method was used to establish a model of sleep deprivation. In addition to 12-hour sleep deprivation at night, the rats in the SD1 group were given interference once every 24 minutes, and those in the SD2 group were deprived of sleep for 8 minutes every 24 minutes; the rats in the control group were given 12-hour light illumination and then placed in dark environment for 12 hours. All rats were sacrificed by exsanguination from the femoral artery, and the testis, the epididymis, and blood were collected for analysis. Sperm abnormality rate and sperm motility rate were measured, and cauda epididymal sperm counting was performed. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of testosterone (T) , follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) , and luteinizing hormone (LH) . Results: Compared with the control group, the SD2 group had a significant increase in organ coefficient of the epididymis (P<0.05) and a significant reduction in sperm motility rate (P<0.05) . There were significant differences between the SD1 group and the SD2 group in the increase in sperm abnormality rate (P<0.05) and the reduction in cauda epididymal sperm count (P<0.05) . The levels of FSH and T tended to increase, and the level of LH tended to decrease. Pathological examination showed degeneration and vacuolization of a small amount of spermatogenic cells in the SD1 group; in the SD2 group, there were significant degeneration, edema, and vacuolization of most spermatogenic cells, some spermatogenic cells were observed in the lumen, and there were no sperms in the lumen. Conclusion Long-term deep slow-wave sleep deprivation impairs the structure of the testis, affects sperm motility rate and sex hormones, and increases the risk of sperm abnormality.

OBJECTIVEIn March 2012, an H7N7 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) named A/wild goose/Dongting/PC0360/2012 (H7N7) (DT/PC0360) was recovered from a wild goose in East Dongting Lake. We performed whole-genome sequencing of the isolate, and analyzed the phylogenetic and molecular characterization.

METHODSRNA was extracted from environment samples (including fecal samples from wild bird or domestic ducks, and water samples) for detecting the presence of Influenza A Virus targeting Matrix gene, using realtime RT-PCR assay. The positive samples were performed virus isolation with embryonated eggs. The subtype of the isolates were identified by RT-PCR assay with the H1-H16 and N1-N9 primer set. The whole-genome sequencing of isolates were performed. Phylogenetic and molecular characterizations of the eight genes of the isolates were analyzed.

RESULTSOur results suggested that all the eight gene segments of DT/PC0360 belonged to the Eurasian gene pool, and the HA gene were belonged to distinct sublineage with H7N9 AIV which caused outbreaks in Mainland China in 2013. The hemagglutinin cleavage site of HA of DT/PC0360 showed characterization of low pathogenic avian influenza virus.

CONCLUSIONStrengthening the surveillance of AIVs of wild waterfowl and poultry in this region is vital for our knowledge of the ecology and mechanism of transmission to prevent an influenza pandemic.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; China ; Embryo, Nonmammalian ; virology ; Feces ; virology ; Geese ; virology ; Genome, Viral ; Influenza A Virus, H7N7 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Lakes ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry Diseases ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; veterinary

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect of conventional acupuncture combined with pricking and cupping at Jianbo area and conventional acupuncture in the treatment of scapulohumeral periarthritis of frozen stage. METHODS: A total of 66 patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis of frozen stage were randomly divided into a combination group (31 cases) and an acupuncture group (35 cases, 1 case dropped off). Both groups were given functional exercise. Patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), Binao (LI 14) and ashi point on the affected side, once every other day, three times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. On the basis of treatment in the acupuncture group, the patients in the combination group were treated with pricking and cupping at Jianbo area (the area surrounded by the 3 acupoints of Tianzong [SI 11], Naoshu [SI 10] and Jianzhen [SI 9]), once a week for 4 weeks. The University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder joint score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score before treatment, after treatment and after 6 months of treatment completion (follow-up) and tenderness threshold before and after treatment, and the clinical effects of the two groups after treatment and in follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: In the two groups, after treatment and in follow-up, the UCLA shoulder joint scores were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the VAS scores were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). In the combination group, after treatment and in follow-up, the UCLA shoulder joint score was higher than that of the acupuncture group (P<0.05), and the VAS score was lower than that of the acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the tenderness thresholds of the two groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the tenderness threshold in the combination group was higher than that in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment and in follow-up, the cured and markedly effective rate of the combination group was 48.4% (15/31) and 51.6% (16/31) respectively, which was higher than 23.5% (8/34) and 23.5% (8/34) of the acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Pricking and cupping in Jianbo area combined with conventional acupuncture can improve shoulder joint function and relieve shoulder joint pain in patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis of frozen stage, and the curative effect is better than that of single conventional acupuncture.
Humans ; Periarthritis/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Shoulder Pain/therapy* ; Shoulder Joint ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the role of clinical pharmacists on the pharmacological monitoring and management of diabetic patients. Methods 406 adult outpatients with diabetes in outpatient were selected as research object. The patients were given the questionnaire and intervened with diabetes education and management by the clinical pharmacist regularly. The patient’s knowledge of the diabetes medication before and after intervention, blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin values, treatment compliance, non-reserved outpatient visit, emergency, hospitalization, etc. were compared and statistically analyzed. Results After pharmacy intervention, the patients' knowledge of diabetes and drug-related information, treatment compliance, blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were better than before intervention, P<0.01. Non-reserved outpatient visits and emergency cases were better than before intervention, P<0.05. There are significant differences. Conclusion Clinical pharmacists carry out diabetes chronic disease management and build a clinical pharmacist-led chronic disease management model, which helps to promote standardized treatment, improve patient compliance, promote rationalized medication, achieve the goal of controlling blood sugar and reduce complications.

Abstract Allergic diseases can occur in all systems of the body, covering the whole life cycle, from children to adults and to old age, can be lifelong onset and even fatal in severe cases. Children account for the largest proportion of the victims of allergic disease, Children s allergies start from scratch, ranging from mild to severe, from less to more, from single to multiple systems and systemic performance, so the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases in children is of great importance, which can not only prevent high risk allergic conditions from developing into allergic diseases, but also further block the process of allergy. At present, there is no consensus on the management system of allergic children in kindergartens and primary schools. The "Consensus on Allergy Management and Prevention in Kindergartens and Primary Schools", which includes the organizational structure, system construction and management of allergic children, provides evidence informed recommendations for the long term comprehensive management of allergic children in kindergartens and primary schools, and provides a basis for the establishment of the prevention system for allergic children.

OBJECTIVE：To investigate the effects of curcumin on bone metabolism balance in ovariectomized osteoporosis model rats ，and to investigate its potential mechanism. METHODS ：Totally female Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group（group A ），model group （group B ），estradiol group [group C （positive control ），estradiol valerate 50 μg（/ kg·d）]， curcumin low-dose ，medium-dose and high-dose groups [group D-F ，55，110，165 μg（/ kg·d）]，with 15 rats in each group. Except for group A ，other rats were ovariectomized to establish osteoporosis model. After modeling ，group A and B were given normal saline intrgastrically ，and administration groups were given relevant medicine intrgastrically 30 mL/kg，once a day ，for consecutive 12 weeks. The contents of serum bone metabolism markers [BALP ，CBF-α1，CTX-Ⅰ，PINP and OC] were determined by ELISA. The bone mineral density （BMD）and trabecular structure indexes [relative bone volume fraction （BV/TV），trabecular number （Tb.N），trabecular thickness （Tb.Th），connectivity density （Conn. D ），trabecular separation （Tb.Sp）and structure model index （SMI）] were determined by micro CT imaging system. The mRNA and protein expression of OPG and RANKL in hypothalamus and femur were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting assay. RESULTS ：Compared with group A ，the contents of serum bone metabolism markers ，BMD，BV/TV，Tb.N，Tb.Th，Conn.D，mRNA and protein expression of OPG were decreased significantly in group B ，while Tb.Sp ，SMI，mRNA and protein expression of RANKL were increased significantly @qq.com （P＜0.05）. Compared with group B ，the contents of serum bone metabolism markers ，BMD，BV/TV，Tb.N，Tb.Th，Conn.D，mRNA and protein expression of OPG were increased significantly in administration groups ；Tb.Sp，SMI，mRNA and protein expression of RANKL were decreased significantly ，in a dose-dependent manner among curcumin groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ：Curcumin can improve the level of bone metabolism，increase BMD ，improve the trabecular microstructure and inhibit bone absorption in ovariectomized osteoporosis model rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of OPG/RANKL signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo summarize and critically assess the effificacy of Eastern and Western manipulative therapies for the treatment of neck pain in adults.

METHODSA search of PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE, etc. from their inception date to January 2014 with Chinese, Japanese, and Korean databases. Two reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with negative control or blank control, extracted data and assessed methodological quality. Meta-analysis and levels of evidence were performed by Revman5.1 and Grades of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

RESULTSNineteen clinical trials with adequate randomization were included in this review, 11 of them had a low risk of bias. The primary outcome for short-term pain had no significant differences, however, the secondary outcome, only the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score of intermediate-term [n=916, pooled mean differences (MD) =-0.29, P=0.02], the Neck Disability Index (NDI) score of short-term (n=1,145, pooled MD=-2.10, P<0.01), and intermediate-term (n=987, pooled MD=-1.45, P=0.01) were signifificantly reduced with moderate quality evidence. However, it supported the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) of the Visual Analogue Scale and NPRS pain score to be 13 mm, while NDI was 3.5 points. The meta-analysis only suggested a trend in favor of manipulative therapy rather than clinical signifificance.

CONCLUSIONSThe results do not support the existing evidences for the clinical value of Eastern or Western manipulative therapy for neck pain of short-term follow-up according to MCIDs. The limitations of our review related to blinding, allocation concealment and small sample size.