Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)in the treatment of mild to moderate depression with the method of"Regulating the Governor Vessel to Relieve Depression".Methods In a randomized,single-blind,parallel-controlled design,64 patients with depression were enrolled and assigned to the EA group and the control group in a 1∶1 ratio.In the EA group,Baihui,Shenting,Yintang,Neiguan,Sanyinjiao,Hegu and Taichong were selected,electrodes were connected to Baihui and Yintang,continuous wave and frequency of 2 Hz were applied,and each session was given for 30 min,3 times a week for 8 weeks.The control group used Streitberger needles which couldn't be inserted into the skin,and the acupoints and treatment course were the same as the EA group.The primary outcome was the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-17);secondary outcomes included the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9),the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the 36-item Short-form Health Survey(SF-36).Patients were assessed before treatment,at weeks 4 and 8 after treatment,and at the follow-up visit at week 12.Results 31 cases in the EA group finished the trial and 30 in the control group,with an overall dropout rate of 4.7％.Using the intention-to-treat analysis,patients'HAMD-17 scores in the EA group were lower than those in the control group at weeks 4,8 and 12 of treatment(P＜0.01).HAMD-17 scores decreased over time in both groups,but the EA's downward trend was more pronounced.At week 8,compared with the control group,the PHQ-9 and SAS scores were lower in the EA group(P＜0.01),the EA group scored higher on all 3 dimensions of SF-36,energy,social functioning and mental health(P＜0.01).Conclusion Compared with sham acupuncture,the EA treatment was more effective in improving depression,relieving anxiety and improving the quality of life of patients with mild to moderate depression.

Objective This study aim to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ultrasound-guided acupuncture,specifically targeting the Tiaokou(ST38)acupoint through Chengshan(BL57)to elicit the Deqi sensation,in the context of acute scapulohumeral periarthritis.Methods Utilizing a randomized controlled trial design,a total of 60 subjects diagnosed with acute scapulohumeral periarthritis underwent random allocation into either the observation or control group,with 30 subjects in each.Under ultrasound guidance,acupuncture was administered unilaterally at the specific acupoint ST38 through BL57.The observation group received needling traversing the calf interosseous membrane,reaching the deep fascia of the tibialis posterior muscle,employing lifting and inserting twisting techniques to induce Deqi.In contrast,the control group received acupuncture targeting the sub-superficial fascia without needle manipulation or the requirement for Deqi.Both groups underwent a singular acupuncture session,with a standardized 20-minute needle retention period.Results Post-acupuncture intervention,the observation group exhibited a statistically significant total effective rate of 76.66％,greater than that in the control group at 30％(P＜0.01).Comparative analysis revealed substantial enhancements in the observation group,including improvements in VAS score,Constant shoulder joint function score,the highest △T of red external thermal imaging around the shoulder,and patients'subjective acupuncture sensation scores(P＜0.05).Additionally,within the observation group,post-treatment reductions were observed in VAS score and △ T of red external thermal imaging,coupled with an elevation in Constant shoulder joint function score(P＜0.01).Importantly,neither group manifested discernible adverse reactions.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided acupuncture,facilitating Deqi at Tiaokou(ST38),emerges as a clinically significant and secure intervention for acute scapulohumeral periarthritis.These findings substantiate its potential as a viable therapeutic modality,promoting broader clinical adoption.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)in the treatment of mild to moderate depression with the method of"Regulating the Governor Vessel to Relieve Depression".Methods In a randomized,single-blind,parallel-controlled design,64 patients with depression were enrolled and assigned to the EA group and the control group in a 1∶1 ratio.In the EA group,Baihui,Shenting,Yintang,Neiguan,Sanyinjiao,Hegu and Taichong were selected,electrodes were connected to Baihui and Yintang,continuous wave and frequency of 2 Hz were applied,and each session was given for 30 min,3 times a week for 8 weeks.The control group used Streitberger needles which couldn't be inserted into the skin,and the acupoints and treatment course were the same as the EA group.The primary outcome was the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-17);secondary outcomes included the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9),the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the 36-item Short-form Health Survey(SF-36).Patients were assessed before treatment,at weeks 4 and 8 after treatment,and at the follow-up visit at week 12.Results 31 cases in the EA group finished the trial and 30 in the control group,with an overall dropout rate of 4.7％.Using the intention-to-treat analysis,patients'HAMD-17 scores in the EA group were lower than those in the control group at weeks 4,8 and 12 of treatment(P＜0.01).HAMD-17 scores decreased over time in both groups,but the EA's downward trend was more pronounced.At week 8,compared with the control group,the PHQ-9 and SAS scores were lower in the EA group(P＜0.01),the EA group scored higher on all 3 dimensions of SF-36,energy,social functioning and mental health(P＜0.01).Conclusion Compared with sham acupuncture,the EA treatment was more effective in improving depression,relieving anxiety and improving the quality of life of patients with mild to moderate depression.

Objective This study aim to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ultrasound-guided acupuncture,specifically targeting the Tiaokou(ST38)acupoint through Chengshan(BL57)to elicit the Deqi sensation,in the context of acute scapulohumeral periarthritis.Methods Utilizing a randomized controlled trial design,a total of 60 subjects diagnosed with acute scapulohumeral periarthritis underwent random allocation into either the observation or control group,with 30 subjects in each.Under ultrasound guidance,acupuncture was administered unilaterally at the specific acupoint ST38 through BL57.The observation group received needling traversing the calf interosseous membrane,reaching the deep fascia of the tibialis posterior muscle,employing lifting and inserting twisting techniques to induce Deqi.In contrast,the control group received acupuncture targeting the sub-superficial fascia without needle manipulation or the requirement for Deqi.Both groups underwent a singular acupuncture session,with a standardized 20-minute needle retention period.Results Post-acupuncture intervention,the observation group exhibited a statistically significant total effective rate of 76.66％,greater than that in the control group at 30％(P＜0.01).Comparative analysis revealed substantial enhancements in the observation group,including improvements in VAS score,Constant shoulder joint function score,the highest △T of red external thermal imaging around the shoulder,and patients'subjective acupuncture sensation scores(P＜0.05).Additionally,within the observation group,post-treatment reductions were observed in VAS score and △ T of red external thermal imaging,coupled with an elevation in Constant shoulder joint function score(P＜0.01).Importantly,neither group manifested discernible adverse reactions.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided acupuncture,facilitating Deqi at Tiaokou(ST38),emerges as a clinically significant and secure intervention for acute scapulohumeral periarthritis.These findings substantiate its potential as a viable therapeutic modality,promoting broader clinical adoption.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a group of immature and heterogeneous cells that can inhibit T cell function. In pathological conditions such as tumors, infections, and chronic inflammation, the large expansion of MDSCs is involved in processes of immune escape, immune tolerance and inflammatory reactions. MDSCs are also crucial in the pathophysiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, however, their activation, differentiation, and function during HBV infection are still unclear. This article reviews the general characteristics and roles of MDSCs in HBV infection, as well as related drug therapies, in order to provide information for further research on the related mechanism and potential targeted treatment.

Objective To study the effects of previous analgesia of acupuncture on patients with the mixed hemorrhoid surgery pain.MethodsA total of 70 patients with mixed hemorrhoid treated with “Milligan-morgan hemorrhoids” were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, 35 patients in each group. The treatment group was treated 30 min prior to the surgery with needling and manipulating Baliao, Chengshan, Hegu every five minutes until the operation, while the control group was not treated before the operation. The patients were assessed by Visual Aualogue Scale and self-reporting Inventory.ResultsAfter the operation, the treatment group was significantly better than the control group in the outcome index of beginning time of pain (14.3 ± 4.9 hvs. 4.2 ± 2.3 h, Z=-5.666,P<0.01) and peak time of pain (17.3 ± 4.5 hvs. 6.0 ± 2.9 h,Z=-5.581,P<0.01). The treatment group was significantly better than the control group in decreasing the pain beginning VAS score (3.3 ± 1.7vs. 4.6 ± 1.7,Z=-2.820, P<0.01) and pain peak VAS score (4.5 ± 2.0vs. 6.5 ± 1.2,Z=-4.025,P<0.05). After surgery, the treatment group was significantly better than the control group in decreasing the score of Self-reporting Inventory scale at the 1stday (1.8 ± 1.3vs. 3.0 ± 1.3),Z=-3.472,P<0.01) and 2ndday (1.2 ± 0.9vs. 1.9 ± 1.2,Z=-2.464,P<0.05). And the treatment group was significantly better than the control group inreducing the quantities of compound aminopyrine phenacetin tablet (0.5 ± 0.9vs.1.5 ± 1.7,t=3.167,P=0.002).ConclusionAcupuncture analgesia 30 minutes prior to the mixed hemorrhoid surgery can significantly reduce the postoperative pain.

Objective To evaluate the role of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in preoperative evaluation of the depth of invasion in rectal carcinoma.Methods Fifty-eight cases with rectal carcinoma confirmed by pathology underwent TRUS before surgery.Preoperative staging was performed using the T staging system on the basis of TRUS sonogram.The T staging results by TRUS were compared with those of postoperative pathologic staging.Results The preoperative overall accuracy rate of TRUS was 82.76％ (48/58).The diagnostic accuracy rates in T1-T4 stage by TRUS were 94.83％(55/58),86.21％(50/58),86.21％ (50/58) and 98.28％ (57/58).Staging rectal carcinoma with TRUS showed better consistency with postoperative pathologic staging.Conclusions TRUS has a better accuracy in preoperative evaluation of the depth of invasion in rectal carcinoma.TRUS is an important factor in rational treatment.