OBJECTIVE: To analyze the disease patterns and acupoint selection characteristics of acupuncture for epilepsy in ancient acupuncture texts, providing references and ideas for clinical acupuncture treatment of epilepsy. METHODS: Texts from the Chinese Medical Classics (5th edition) regarding acupuncture for epilepsy are reviewed. The frequency of acupoints, meridian association, distribution, specific points, corresponding epilepsy subtypes, and needling techniques are statistically analyzed. The Apriori algorithm is used for association rule analysis, and a complex network analysis is conducted for high-frequency acupoints and their corresponding subtypes and treatments. RESULTS: A total of 205 acupuncture prescriptions are identified. Ancient texts favored differentiation-based treatments for epilepsy, primarily classified into epilepsy, wind epilepsy, and five epilepsy. Commonly used acupoints include Baihui (GV20), Jiuwei (CV15), Shenmen (HT7), Shenting (GV24), and Xinshu (BL15), with a focus on the acupoints of the governor vessel, the bladder meridian, and the conception vessel. The acupoints on the head, face are combined with the acupoints on the limbs, with skillful use of the five-shu points and intersection acupoints. The most frequent combinations are Shenmen (HT7)-Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24)-Baihui (GV20), and Xinshu (BL15)-Shenmen (HT7). Visual network analysis revealed that Baihui (GV20)-Shenting (GV24), Baihui (GV20)-Shenmen (HT7), and Baihui (GV20)-Zhaohai (KI6) are core acupoint combinations. Treatment mainly involved moxibustion or combined acupuncture and moxibustion. CONCLUSION The acupoint selection for epilepsy treatment in ancient texts is precise, frequently using Baihui (GV20), Jiuwei (CV15), Shenmen (HT7), Shenting (GV24), and Xinshu (BL15), etc., with emphasis on calming epilepsy, awakening the spirit, relaxing tendons, and nourishing the heart.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Epilepsy/history* ; History, Ancient ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Medicine in Literature/history* ; Meridians ; China

Background and Aims:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)is a highly malignant liver tumor,with an increasing incidence worldwide,particularly in Asia.Although radical surgical resection is currently the only potentially curative treatment,the high recurrence rate and low postoperative overall survival(OS)rate of ICC remain major clinical challenges.Adjuvant therapy(AT)and neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)are important strategies to reduce postoperative recurrence and prolong OS.Several studies have shown certain efficacy of these treatments.However,the specific efficacy and safety of combined NAT and AT in ICC treatment require further validation.This study was conducted to evaluate the value of combining NAT and AT in improving the therapeutic outcomes of ICC patients through a multicenter retrospective analysis,so as to provide scientific evidence for optimizing treatment strategies.Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 576 patients with ICC who underwent radical resection and were pathologically confirmed from 13 hospitals in China between December 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively collected.Patients were grouped based on their treatment modality:NAT+AT group,AT group,and non-NAT/AT group.The three patient groups were matched pairwise in a 1∶1 ratio using propensity score matching(PSM)to balance baseline data.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze OS and disease-free survival(DFS),and subgroup analyses were conducted according to the 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system.Results:A total of 395 ICC patients were included in the final analysis,with 42 patients(10.6%)in the NAT+AT group,62 patients(15.7%)in the AT group,and 291 patients(73.7%)in the non-NAT/AT group.Before PSM,significant differences were observed between groups in terms of CA19-9,liver function Child-Pugh classification,intraoperative blood loss,surgical margin,differentiation grade,vascular invasion,ECOG score,and lymph node dissection ratio(all P<0.05).After PSM,there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups(all P>0.05).After matching,the median OS and DFS in the NAT+AT group were significantly better than in the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P>0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that in TNM stage I patients,DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(P<0.05),but OS was not significantly different(P>0.05).In TNM stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,both OS and DFS in the NAT+AT and AT groups were significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(both P<0.05),and DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the AT group in TNM stage Ⅲ patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:NAT combined with AT provides better survival benefits for patients with locally advanced ICC,but its benefit for early-stage ICC patients is limited.However,the retrospective design and sample size limitations of this study may affect the stability of the results,and future large-sample,multicenter,prospective studies are needed for further validation.

Objective To retrospectively analyze multicenter data from domestic sources, aiming to explore the link between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tumor size and prognosis, establishing a classification system based on tumor size. Methods Between December 2011 and September 2018, 280 ICC patients from 13 hospitals were included. The tumor size prognosis cutoff was identified by the minimum P-value method, and the classification's overall survival related effectiveness was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results All 280 patients were divided into the group of tumor maximum diameter ≤4 cm and >4 cm. Tumor size was confirmed as an independent prognosis factor by multivariate COX regression analysis (HR=2.110, 95% CI: 1.358-3.280). Conclusions The tumor size dichotomy classification system based on the Chinese patient group can expediently predict ICC prognosis and offers an important basis for selecting post-operative individualized adjuvant therapy and follow up plans.

Objective:To investigate the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine (DEX) pretreatment combined with intraoperative nalbuphine anesthesia on hemodynamics and recovery quality in patients undergoing transabdominal myomectomy.Methods:A total of 100 patients scheduled for elective transabdominal myomectomy at Mingguang People’s Hospital were selected from Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2025 were randomly divided into four groups ( n=25) : the control group (group C) received saline infusion before anesthesia induction; the low-dose (group D1), medium-dose (group D2), and high-dose DEX groups (group D3) received 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 μg/kg DEX, respectively. All patients followed a unified anesthesia induction and maintenance protocol. Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters (MAP, HR) were monitored, and postoperative recovery time, Ramsay sedation score, and VAS pain score were assessed. Adverse reactions were recorded. Results:The medium-dose DEX group (group D2) demonstrated the best performance in hemodynamic stability, recovery quality, and adverse reaction control. Group D2 showed the smallest fluctuations in MAP and HR, the shortest recovery time (12.31±2.11 min), the lowest postoperative VAS score (2.11±0.82 points), and the lowest incidence of postoperative agitation (4.00%). The high-dose DEX group (group D3) exhibited excessive inhibition, leading to significantly higher incidences of hypotension (24.00%) and bradycardia (24.00%), as well as prolonged recovery time (20.12±3.52 min). The low-dose DEX group (group D1) showed limited effects, with no significant differences compared to the control group.Conclusion:Pretreatment with 1.0 μg/kg DEX combined with nalbuphine anesthesia provides the best clinical outcomes in transabdominal myomectomy, effectively stabilizing hemodynamics, optimizing recovery quality, and reducing adverse reactions. Insufficient or excessive doses may diminish its benefits.

Objective:To investigate the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine (DEX) pretreatment combined with intraoperative nalbuphine anesthesia on hemodynamics and recovery quality in patients undergoing transabdominal myomectomy.Methods:A total of 100 patients scheduled for elective transabdominal myomectomy at Mingguang People’s Hospital were selected from Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2025 were randomly divided into four groups ( n=25) : the control group (group C) received saline infusion before anesthesia induction; the low-dose (group D1), medium-dose (group D2), and high-dose DEX groups (group D3) received 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 μg/kg DEX, respectively. All patients followed a unified anesthesia induction and maintenance protocol. Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters (MAP, HR) were monitored, and postoperative recovery time, Ramsay sedation score, and VAS pain score were assessed. Adverse reactions were recorded. Results:The medium-dose DEX group (group D2) demonstrated the best performance in hemodynamic stability, recovery quality, and adverse reaction control. Group D2 showed the smallest fluctuations in MAP and HR, the shortest recovery time (12.31±2.11 min), the lowest postoperative VAS score (2.11±0.82 points), and the lowest incidence of postoperative agitation (4.00%). The high-dose DEX group (group D3) exhibited excessive inhibition, leading to significantly higher incidences of hypotension (24.00%) and bradycardia (24.00%), as well as prolonged recovery time (20.12±3.52 min). The low-dose DEX group (group D1) showed limited effects, with no significant differences compared to the control group.Conclusion:Pretreatment with 1.0 μg/kg DEX combined with nalbuphine anesthesia provides the best clinical outcomes in transabdominal myomectomy, effectively stabilizing hemodynamics, optimizing recovery quality, and reducing adverse reactions. Insufficient or excessive doses may diminish its benefits.

Background and Aims:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)is a highly malignant liver tumor,with an increasing incidence worldwide,particularly in Asia.Although radical surgical resection is currently the only potentially curative treatment,the high recurrence rate and low postoperative overall survival(OS)rate of ICC remain major clinical challenges.Adjuvant therapy(AT)and neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)are important strategies to reduce postoperative recurrence and prolong OS.Several studies have shown certain efficacy of these treatments.However,the specific efficacy and safety of combined NAT and AT in ICC treatment require further validation.This study was conducted to evaluate the value of combining NAT and AT in improving the therapeutic outcomes of ICC patients through a multicenter retrospective analysis,so as to provide scientific evidence for optimizing treatment strategies.Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 576 patients with ICC who underwent radical resection and were pathologically confirmed from 13 hospitals in China between December 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively collected.Patients were grouped based on their treatment modality:NAT+AT group,AT group,and non-NAT/AT group.The three patient groups were matched pairwise in a 1∶1 ratio using propensity score matching(PSM)to balance baseline data.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze OS and disease-free survival(DFS),and subgroup analyses were conducted according to the 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system.Results:A total of 395 ICC patients were included in the final analysis,with 42 patients(10.6%)in the NAT+AT group,62 patients(15.7%)in the AT group,and 291 patients(73.7%)in the non-NAT/AT group.Before PSM,significant differences were observed between groups in terms of CA19-9,liver function Child-Pugh classification,intraoperative blood loss,surgical margin,differentiation grade,vascular invasion,ECOG score,and lymph node dissection ratio(all P<0.05).After PSM,there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups(all P>0.05).After matching,the median OS and DFS in the NAT+AT group were significantly better than in the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P>0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that in TNM stage I patients,DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(P<0.05),but OS was not significantly different(P>0.05).In TNM stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,both OS and DFS in the NAT+AT and AT groups were significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(both P<0.05),and DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the AT group in TNM stage Ⅲ patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:NAT combined with AT provides better survival benefits for patients with locally advanced ICC,but its benefit for early-stage ICC patients is limited.However,the retrospective design and sample size limitations of this study may affect the stability of the results,and future large-sample,multicenter,prospective studies are needed for further validation.

Objective To explore the core acupoints and compatibility rules of acupuncture and moxibustion for epilepsy by using complex network method. Methods A prescription database was established through inclusion and exclusion criteria for searching literatures for databases from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Pubmed. SPSS Modeler software was used to analyze the frequency and correlation of acupoints, and Gephi0.10.1 software was used to establish a complex network model to explore the core acupoints and acupoint selection rules of prescriptions for epilepsy. Results Ultimately, 144 valid literatures were included, 199 prescriptions were extracted, involving 102 acupoints. Baihui acupoint had the highest frequency of use, specific acupoints were mainly Five-shu acupoint, the Eight Meridian Intersection acupoint, and the Back-shu acupoint. In selection of meridians, most acupoints were selected from governor meridian. Association rule analysis showed that Baihui-Taichong had the highest level of support and confidence. The analysis of complex network topology showed that 36 acupoints such as Baihui, Dazhui, Yaoqi and Fenglong were the core acupoints in the treatment of epilepsy by acupuncture and moxibustion. The analysis of acupoint communities revealed three major acupoint groups including governor meridian passing through treatment group, far and near matching acupoint group of the four limbs and head, and differentiation group of Zang-fu and body fluid for epilepsy treatment. Conclusion Acupoint compatibility of epilepsy by acupuncture and moxibustion should be mainly based on principle of the governor meridian combined with the differentiation of viscera and body fluid, and attention should be paid to distal-proximal point association.

The medical records from 20 pregnant women with pregnancy preservation who underwent only cardiac surgery in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the fetal outcome: fetal survival group and fetal loss group. Eleven patients were included in fetal survival group and 9 patients in fetal loss group. The overall fetal mortality rate was 45%. In fetal loss group, 2 cases died during operation, and the other 7 cases died at 26 (29) days after operation. The valvular disease and infective endocarditis were the most common heart diseases diagnosed in fetal survival group, while type A aortic dissection in fetal loss group. There were 2 cases and 6 cases with pulmonary hypertension, 2 cases and 3 cases with a history of cardiac surgery, and 3 cases and 5 cases underwent emergency surgery in fetal survival group and in fetal loss group, respectively. Four pregnant women underwent deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in fetal loss group. One patient with type A aortic dissection died 15 days after cardiac surgery, with an overall maternal mortality rate of 5% in fetal loss group. The incidence of adverse events after maternal cardiac surgery was 25%, all of which occurred in fetal loss group. In conclusion, the adverse fetal outcomes may be related to type A aortic dissection, pulmonary hypertension, recardiac surgery, emergency surgery, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, adverse events after cardiac surgery, and long-term related factors after surgery in pregnant women with pregnancy preservation undergoing cardiac surgery alone.

Objective To investigate the anticoagulation status of patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)-related acute ischemic stroke(AIS)after revascularization therapy in the real world.Methods A retrospective study was performed on patients diagnosed as AIS and AF from Jan.2019 to Jan.2022 at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University.Patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis(IVT),endovascular thrombectomy(EVT),or both were enrolled.Clinical information,timing of anticoagulation initiation,treatment regimens,and outcomes were documented and statistically analyzed.Additionally,a questionnaire was administered to the primary physicians to understand reasons for delaying or not initiating anticoagulation.Results A total of 189 patients with AF-related AIS met the screening criteria,including 86(45.5%)cases in the IVT group,63(33.3%)cases in the EVT group,and 40(21.2%)cases in the IVT+EVT group.The mean age of 189 patients was(72.90±9.23)years old.There were 93(49.2%)female patients.Anticoagulation was initiated within 14 d after revascularization therapy in 36.0%(68/189)of patients,with the highest rate in the IVT group(58.8%,40/68),followed by the EVT group(22.1%,15/68)and IVT+EVT group(19.1%,13/68).A significant difference was found in the proportion of patients receiving anticoagulation within 14 d among the 3 groups(P=0.020).Univariate analysis was performed on the clinical data of patients who initiated anticoagulation within 14 d after revascularization therapy(68 cases)and those who delayed or did not initiate anticoagulation(121 cases).The results showed that there were significant differences in the stroke history,National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score before revascularization therapy,Alberta Stroke Program early computed tomography score,modified Rankin scale(mRs)score before revascularization therapy,imaging characteristics(lesions near cortex,large infarction,severe stenosis or occlusion of major intracranial arteries),revascularization therapy method,NIHSS score 3 d after revascularization therapy,and intracranial hemorrhagic transformation after revascularization therapy between the 2 groups(all P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher NIHSS scores 3 d after revascularization therapy(odds ratio[OR]=1.113,95%confidence interval[CI]1.053-1.176,P＜0.001)and the presence of intracranial hemorrhage after revascularization therapy(OR=6.098,95%CI 2.004-18.193,P=0.001)were significant factors that contraindicated the initiation of anticoagulation.Large infarcts(40.8%),infarct location(35.8%),and hemorrhagic transformation after stroke(40.8%)were the common reasons cited by physicians for not initiating anticoagulation.In the 90-d prognosis of patients with AF-related AIS,6 patients had bleeding events,and 116 patients had a good prognosis(mRS score of 0-2).The 90-d good prognosis rate in the initiated anticoagulation group within 14 d after revascularization therapy(89.7%,61/68)was significantly higher than that in the delayed or non-anticoagulation group(45.5%,55/121;P＜0.001).Conclusion For patients with AF-related AIS who receive IVT,EVT or IVT+EVT,it is safe to initiate anticoagulation early after revascularization therapy,but the timing of anticoagulation in most patients is later than the currently recommended anticoagulation timing.

Objective:To analyze the medication characteristics of ancient prescriptions for pediatric epilepsy (PE) through data mining; To summarize the compatibility law; To provide a reference for the treatment selection of Chinese materia medica and the development of patent drugs related to PE in clinic.Methods:Those with definite composition, dosage and efficacy for the treatment of PE was screened from the data of TCM prescription designed by Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Information, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Excel 2013 was used to analyze the frequency of Chinese materia medica and its flavor and meridian tropism in the included prescriptions. The arules package in R 3.6.3 was used for association analysis based on Apriori algorithm. The sankey package and ggraph package of R 3.6.3 were used to draw the network diagram of the property, taste, meridian tropism and association rules of high-frequency Chinese medicine, so as to realize data visualization.Results:A total of 360 ancient prescriptions for the treatment of PE were included, and the dosage form was mainly pills. Most of the prescriptions were composed of 1 to 10 kinds of Chinese materia medica, with a total of 192 (53.33%, 192/360) prescriptions. 152 kinds of Chinese materia medica were included. The most commonly used types of Chinese materia medica were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Moschus, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Gastrodiae Rhizoma, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. The properties of high-frequency Chinese materia medica (frequency≥30) were characterized by warm and mild, and the tastes were mainly pungent, bitter and sweet, and the meridians were mainly spleen and liver meridians. Through Apriori association analysis, the commonly used combination drugs were Bovis Calculus-Moschus, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Poria and Saposheikovize Radix-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Similarly, the commonly used triple drugs included Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Bombyx Batryticatus, Poria-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and Moschus-Bovis Calculus-Realgar.Conclusions:The ancient prescriptions for the treatment of PE is mainly composed of wind-calming, resuscitation and tonifying drug. The core prescription ideas of the ancient prescriptions are as follows: dispelling phlegm and dispelling wind, warming the meridian and dispelling yang, resuscitating and relieving spasms, clearing heat and reducing depression, and tonifying qi and blood.