It is regarded that the disease location of refractory facial paralysis is in the channel sinews of the face， with its primary pathogenesis characterized by a combination of deficiency and stasis of the channel sinews. The integration of repeated shallow needling method and fire acupuncture can first remove stagnation within the channel sinews， and second utilize the warming effect of fire to reinforce yang， stimulate meridian qi， and nourish the channel sinews. This approach balances both supplementation and drainage manipulation， aligning with the underlying pathogenesis of deficiency and stasis combination. In clinical practice， diagnostic methods should be applied flexibly to accurately identify the affected channel sinews. The severity of facial symptoms， the size and mobility of the paralyzed facial muscles， as well as the depth and size of the reactive points identified through palpation， should be considered when determining the extent of the condition. By adjusting the appropriate level of stimulation， the fire acupuncture with repeated shallow needling method could effectively improve facial muscle morphology and function， promoting recovery from the disease.

By systematically sorting out the theoretical origin， manipulation key points， and clinical applications of sparrow-pecking needling， it is believed that sparrow-pecking needling method involves performing small-amplitude， high-frequency lifting and thrusting of the needle tip in the original position， with heavy thrusting and light lifting， starting slowly and then becoming rapid， thus forming a characteristic needling sensation that spreads to the surroundings in a wavelike manner. The sparrow-pecking needling plays a role in stimulating the conduction of channel qi and regulating the circulation of qi and blood. Additionally， this paper summarized the clinical applications of sparrow-pecking needling in five aspects， regulating mind， regulating channel sinews， regulating zang-fu organs， regulating ying-wei （nutrient and defense qi）， and regulating yang qi， so as to provide references for inheriting and expanding the theory and clinical application of sparrow-pecking needling.

Objective To investigate the expansion margins of the planning target volume (PTV) and the planning organ at risk volume (PRV) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients immobilized with Styrofoam and head-neck-shoulder mask. Methods A convenient sample of 33 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who received radiotherapy at Huanggang Central Hospital from January to October 2024 were selected as the research subjects. All patients underwent cone beam CT scans during the first three treatments and weekly thereafter. After registration and calibration, the setup errors in the X (LAT), Y (LNG), and Z (VRT) directions were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed on the setup errors in each direction to determine differences, and the expansion margins for PTV and PRV were calculated using empirical formulas. Results A total of 229 cone beam CT images were collected. Statistical analysis found that the setup errors (systematic error ± random error) of the patients in the X, Y, and Z directions were 1.05 ± 0.72, 1.30 ± 0.80, and 1.29 ± 0.82 mm, respectively. The expansion margins for PTV in the left-right, superior-inferior, and anterior-posterior directions were 1.40, 1.76, and 1.8 mm, respectively. The expansion margins for PRV in these directions were 0.83, 1.02, and 1.05 mm, respectively. Conclusion For patients immobilized using Styrofoam and head-neck-shoulder mask, it is recommended that the expansion margins for PTV and PRV be set at 2 mm and 1 mm, respectively, in the left-right, superior-inferior, and anterior-posterior directions, and the PRV margin for the spinal cord be set at 3 mm in all directions.

This paper summarizes Professor ZHAO Jiping's acupuncture diagnostic and therapeutic approach for tic disorders (TD). Focusing on the pathological characteristics of tic disorder (TD), this study analyzes TD's multilayered disease localization. Based on disease-based differentiation, it is proposed that the fundamental pathological location lie in the liver and brain, while the manifestation is in the sinew meridians. The core pathogenesis is characterized as "internal stirring of wind due to liver hyperactivity, upward disturbance of the mind in the brain, and external disharmony of the sinews", based on which the fundamental therapeutic principles are established as calming the liver and extinguishing wind, tranquilizing the mind and awakening the brain, and dredging and regulating the sinews. In clinical practice, attention is paid to meridian and acupoint examination, integrating the four diagnostic methods to assess the deficiency or excess of the liver, the state of the mind, and the condition of the sinews. Acupoint selection emphasizes three regulatory strategies: (1) liver regulation: Taichong (LR3), Hegu (LI4) are selected to soothe the liver and regulate qi; (2) brain regulation: Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Yintang (GV24⁺), Fengchi (GB20) are selected to calm the mind and stabilize the spirit; (3) sinew regulation: Yanglingquan (GB34), Zusanli (ST36), Quchi (LI11) are selected to regulate qi and blood and relax the sinews. Manipulation techniques, as well as various acupuncture and moxibustion methods, are also emphasized. A differential treatment framework of "layered disease localization-corresponding pathogenesis-precise acupoint selection and technique" has been established to provide a clinical guide for the diagnosis and treatment of TD.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Tic Disorders/diagnosis* ; Acupuncture Points ; Meridians ; Diagnosis, Differential ; China

OBJECTIVES: To explore the bioactive components in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills (JWXYP) and their mechanisms for alleviating depression-like behaviors. METHODS: The active compounds, key targets, and pathways of JWXYP were identified using TCMSP and TCMIP databases. Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into 6 groups including a control group and 5 chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression groups. After modeling, the 5 model groups were treated with daily gavage of normal saline, 1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride (positive control drug), or JWXYP at 1.44, 2.88, and 4.32 g/kg. The depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests, and pathological changes in the liver and hippocampus were examined with HE staining. The biochemical indicators in the serum and brain tissues were detected using ELISA. Serum metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the differential metabolites using OPLS-DA, and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: Network pharmacology revealed that menthone and paeonol in JWXYP were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier to regulate inflammatory pathways and protect the nervous system. In the rat models subjected to CUMS, treatment with JWXYP significantly improved body weight loss, sucrose preference and open field activities, reduced liver inflammation, alleviated structural changes in the hippocampal neurons, decreased serum levels of TNF‑α, IL-1β, IL-6 and LBP, and increased 5-HT and VIP concentrations in the serum and brain tissue, and these effects were the most pronounced in the high-dose group. Metabolomics analysis showed changes in such metabolites as indole-3-acetamide and acetyl-L-carnitine in JWXYP-treated rats, involving the pathways for bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. 16S rDNA analysis demonstrated increased gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in JWXYP-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS JWXYP alleviates depression-like symptoms in rats by regulating the neurotransmitters, inhibiting inflammation and oxidation, and modulating gut microbiota.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Rats ; Inflammation ; Male ; Hippocampus ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

Objective To explore the clinical effect and safety of remimazolam combined with alfentanil in painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients.Methods 188 elderly patients who were scheduled to undergo painless gastroenteroscopy from October 2021 to February 2023 were selected and divided into group A,group B,group C,and group D by random number table method,with 47 cases in each group.The group A,group B and group C were used remimazolam 0.2,0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg,and alfentanil 3 μg/kg respectively,and the remimazolam 2.5 mg/time was added during the operation.The group D was used propofol 1.5 mg/kg and alfentanil 3 μg/kg,and a single dose of propofol 0.5 mg/kg was added during the operation.The hemodynamics at different time points[3 min before anesthesia administration(T0),immediately after endoscopy(T1),3 min after endoscopy(T2),at the end of examination(T3),at the time of awakening(T4)],anesthesia onset time,sedation success rate,gastrointestinal endoscopy time,awakening time,time to leave the observation room and intraoperative/postoperative complications were compared,and the test results of neurobehavioral cognitive state examination(NCSE)were compared at different times.Results The percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2)at T1 and T2 time point were higher than group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the heart rate(HR)and mean arterial pressure(MAP)among group A,group B,group C and group D at each time point(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in SpO2 between group A and group B at each time point(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of sedation,gastrointestinal endoscopy examination time and time of leaving the observation room among the four groups(P>0.05),but the onset time of anesthesia in group A was longer than that in group B,group C and group D,and the awakening time in group A and group B was shorter than that in group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in awakening time between group A and group B(P>0.05).The incidence rate of bradycardia in group A and group B was lower than in group D,and the incidence rates of hypoxemia,respiratory depression,hypotension,and dizziness in group A were lower than those in group D,and the incidence rate of injection pain in group A,group B and group C was lower than that in group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).After 10 minutes of complete wakefulness,there was no statistically significant difference in the passing rates of calculation ability and the memory tests between group A and group B(P>0.05),but the passing rates of calculation ability and memory test in group A were higher than those in group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion During painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients,the sedative effect of using 0.3 mg/kg remimazolam combined with alfentanil is good,and it has stable hemodynamics,and the occurrence rate of complications such as bradycardia and espiratory depression is low,and the early postoperative cognitive function is recovered well.

Objective:To understand the iodine nutrition status of 8 - 10 years old children in Yantai City, and to provide a scientific basis for scientific iodine supplementation according to local conditions.Methods:Using multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method, each county (city and district, hereinafter referred to as county) in Yantai City in 2022 was divided into 5 areas according to east, west, south, north and center, and 1 township (street) was selected as the survey site for each area, and 1 school was selected for each survey site, and 40 non-residential children aged 8 - 10 years old in each elementary school were selected as the target respondents, and the salt samples of edible salt in their homes were collected, and the urine samples of salt iodine and urinary iodine content were measured at random. A sample of salt and a random sample of urine were collected from the children's homes, and the salt iodine and urine iodine content were measured. Some of the children were sampled and their thyroid gland was tested using ultrasound. Each survey site is based on administrative villages (communities); administrative villages with centralized water supply collect one sample of terminal water; administrative villages with decentralized water supply take two wells (or all of them if there are fewer than 10 wells) in each of the five directions: east, west, south, north, and central, and collect water samples from the wells to test the iodine content of the water. Zhifu District and Zhaoyuan City each took 2 canteens of enterprises and institutions and 5 medium-sized and 5 small restaurants to collect salt samples of edible salt and test the salt iodine content.Results:A total of 2 343 children were tested for urinary iodine and salt iodine; the median urinary iodine was 147.10 μg/L, and the median urinary iodine in children from different regions was 173.96, 148.20, 148.05, and 136.04 μg/L, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( H = 15.55, P = 0.001); the median salt iodine was 17.81 mg/kg, and the different regional The median salt iodine was 0.00, 0.00, 20.02, and 22.48 mg/kg, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( H = 263.48, P < 0.001); the iodized salt coverage rate (15.34%, 48.37%, 69.63%, and 76.69%) and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt (13.50%, 39.14%, 61.86%, and 69.17%) were compared in different regions were compared, and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 257.65, 235.64, P < 0.001). A total of 1 419 children underwent ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, and there were no statistically significant differences when comparing the rates of goiter (2.44%, 2.18%, 3.04%, and 3.12%) and nodule detection (3.90%, 4.90%, 5.89%, and 2.18%) among the children in different regions (χ 2 = 0.85, 6.69, P > 0.05). A total of 2 488 water samples were monitored, and the median water iodine was 3.70 μg/L. When comparing the median water iodine in different regions, the difference was statistically significant ( H = 141.21, P < 0.001). A total of 120 salt samples of edible salt from catering units were tested, and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 62.50%. Conclusion:The consumption rate of qualified iodized salt among children in Yantai was below 90%, but their iodine nutrition was at an appropriate level, suggesting that the iodine intake of children in Yantai may not be entirely dependent on iodized salt.

Aim To investigate the inhibition role and mechanism of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell(ADMSC)exosomes(Exo)on adverse ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction(MI).Methods The chan-ges of autophagy and inflammasomes phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts after H2O2 treatment were observed.MI rats were in-jected with an equal volume of normal saline,adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes(MSC-Exo)or fibroblast exosomes(MEF-Exo)via a tail vein.The expression of autophagy related 16 like protein 1(ATG16L1),autophagy re-lated protein 7(ATG7)and NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),inflammatory response,the degree of myocardial fi-brosis,and the cardiac function were observed in different groups.Results After treatment with H2O2 on cardiac fi-broblasts,the expressions of ATG16L1 and ATG7 were significantly decreased(P＜0.001),NLRP3 was significantly in-creased(P＜0.001),and the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were significantly elevated(P＜0.001).After MI rats were intervened with MSC-Exo,the expressions of autophagy related proteins ATG16L1 and ATG7 were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.001),NLRP3 was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.001),serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.001),fibrosis-related proteins collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were significantly reduced(P＜0.001),myocardial fibrosis was significantly relieved(P＜0.001),and cardiac function was sig-nificantly improved(P＜0.001).Conclusion Adipose derived MSC-Exo play a role in inhibiting adverse ventricular remodeling after MI by regulating the balance of autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Objective:To explore the clinical, imaging, and genetic characteristics of an adult patient with sporadic Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID).Methods:A patient who had visited the First People′s Hospital of Chenzhou on August 6, 2023 was selected as the study subject. Results of clinical examination, neuroimaging, and genetic testing were retrospectively analyzed along with a literature review. The number of GGC trinucleotide repeats in the 5′-untranslated region of the NOTCH2NLC gene was determined by GC-PCR. Results:The patient had presented with episodic encephalopathy, with enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showing enhancement features of the posterior cerebral cortex during the period of acute episode. Genetic testing revealed an increased number of GGC repeats ( n = 97) in the 5′- untranslated region of the NOTCH2NLC gene, which confirmed the diagnosis of NIID. Conclusion:Clinical attention should be paid to the enhanced MRI findings of patients with adult-onset NIID, for whom posterior cortical enhancement may be characteristic manifestation during the acute phase of encephalopathy-like episode.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impact of indirect moxibustion with Taiyi moxa stick on pain severity and the quality of life in the patients with back myofascitis, and evaluate its clinical effect and safety. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with back myofascitis were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 1 cases dropped out) and a control group (36 cases, 3 cases dropped out). Three to six ashi points were selected using acupoint diagnosis methods. In the observation group, the indirect moxibustion with Taiyi moxa stick was operated at the ashi points, once every other day, three times a week. In the control group, the topical treatment with diclofenac sodium gel was given at ashi points, three times daily. The treatment was delivered consecutively for 2 weeks in the two groups. The scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) and the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were recorded before treatment, after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, and after 4 weeks of treatment completion (follow-up visit) in the two groups separately. The difference value between VAS score after 2 weeks of treatment and that before treatment was taken as the primary outcome. The SF-36 score was observed before treatment, after 2 weeks of treatment and during the follow-up visit, and the safety was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: The difference value of VAS scores was (-4.57±1.50) points and (-2.40±1.31) points in the observation group and the control group, respectively, the reduction of the score in the observation treatment was larger than that of the control group (P<0.001). After 1 and 2 weeks of treatment and during the follow-up visit, VAS and SF-MPQ scores were reduced when compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups, and VAS and SF-MPQ scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the follow-up visit, VAS and SF-MPQ scores in the observation group were dropped in comparison with those after 1 week of treatment (P<0.05), and these scores in the control group were elevated compared with those after 2 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment and during the follow-up visit, the score of each dimension and total score of SF-36 scale were increased in comparison with those before treatment in the observation group (P<0.05); and the scores of the dimensions except that of mental health of SF-36 scale were elevated in the control group (P<0.05). During the follow-up visit, in the control group, the scores of physical functioning, bodily pain, general health and role emotional were elevated when compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment and during the follow-up visit, the score of every dimension and total score of SF-36 scale in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). During the follow-up visit, the score of bodily pain was increased when compared with that after 2 weeks of treatment in the observation group (P<0.05), while the scores of bodily pain and vitality were dropped in the control group (P<0.05). No adverse event happened in the two groups. CONCLUSION The indirect moxibustion with Taiyi moxa stick effectively reduces pain severity and improves the quality of life in the patients with back myofascitis. This therapy presents the superior and persistent effect compared with topical application of diclofenac sodium gel.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Quality of Life ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes/therapy*