Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine in the treatment of pediatric cough variant asthma(CVA)and the effects on clinical symptoms and inflammatory factor levels.Methods:A total of 136 children with CVA were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group using the random number table method,with 68 cases in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with Chinese medicine,while patients in the treatment group were treated with Jiang Qi Ping Chuan(Qi-descending and asthma-relieving)acupuncture therapy in addition to the intervention of the control group.The clinical efficacy,cough severity,secondary symptom score,levels of inflammatory factors in induced sputum,and adverse reactions were observed after 4 weeks of treatment.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The daytime cough score,nighttime cough score,and total cough score decreased significantly after treatment in both groups(P<0.05),and were notably lower in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05);the secondary symptom score and induced sputum inflammatory factor levels[interleukin(IL)-5,nerve growth factor(NGF),and substance P(SP)]decreased significantly after treatment in both groups(P<0.05),and were notably lower in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The efficacy of acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine in the treatment of pediatric CVA is better than that of Chinese medicine alone;this combined method can rapidly relieve clinical symptoms and effectively inhibit inflammatory responses,with high safety.

This paper introduces the clinical experience of Professor AN Junming in treating spinal cord injury(SCI)with FANG's scalp acupuncture plus body acupuncture.Professor AN Junming holds that the key pathogenesis of SCI should be"deficient kidney and cold Governor Vessel",and the treatment should target the axis of"brain-Governor Vessel-kidney-Conception Vessel".SCI will definitely cause damage to the Governor Vessel and the counterflow of Qi and blood.Hence,treating SCI with acupuncture-moxibustion should unblock the Governor Vessel and strengthen Yang.The kidney and the Governor Vessel mutually benefit and support each other.After SCI,the kidney essence is weakened and damaged,and the kidney Yang is deficient.Thus,warming and tonifying kidney Yang should be the key to the treatment.Further,as the Governor Vessel is injured,the disease of Yang will gradually affect Yin,and the Conception Vessel will consequently get involved over time.Therefore,in the treatment,points from the Conception and Governor Vessels should be selected simultaneously to"treat Yang from Yin"and balance Yin and Yang.Based on the above considerations,Professor AN Junming usually treats SCI with FANG's scalp acupuncture plus body acupuncture to unblock the Conception and Governor Vessels,supplement the kidney and marrow,harmonize Qi and blood,and balance Yin and Yang,providing novel ideas and methods for clinical treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of laser moxibustion(LM)on tumor-related immunity in tumor-bearing mice.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into a control group,a model group,and an LM group,with 10 mice in each group.Mice in the control group did not receive any intervention,and mice in the model group and LM group were injected into the right armpit with 1×107 cells/mL Lewis lung carcinoma cells to induce tumor models.From the first day after the injection,the LM group mice were irradiated with LM at Guanyuan(CV4)and bilateral Zusanli(ST36),5 min each point for a total of 15 min,once daily for 15 consecutive days.From the day of visible tumor formation(i.e.,day 8),mice in the model and LM groups were measured every other day with a vernier caliper to calculate the tumor volume.On day 16 after injection,the serum,lung,spleen,and tumors of the mice were harvested.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe tumor pulmonary metastasis.Changes in the serum levels of programmed death 1(PD-1)and programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;the abundance of PD-1 and PD-L1 proteins in tumors was determined by Western blotting;and the proportions of lymphocyte subsets and myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)in tumors and spleen were determined by flow cytometry.Results:Compared to the model group,the tumor volume of mice in the LM group decreased significantly on days 8 and 10(P<0.05);the lung tissues of the LM group showed no apparent tumor atypia;the proportion of monocytic MDSCs(M-MDSCs)in the tumors of LM group mice decreased(P<0.05);the PD-1 and PD-L1 levels in the serum of mice in the LM group declined with statistically significant variation in the reduction of PD-L1(P<0.01);PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expression in the tumor tissues of mice in the LM group reduced significantly(P<0.01).Conclusion:LM intervention can reduce the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in the serum of tumor-bearing mice,decrease the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 proteins and the proportion of M-MDSCs in tumor tissues.These effects may be one of the mechanisms by which LM slows the early-stage growth of Lewis lung carcinoma tumor in mice.

Objective:To explore the effects of early electroacupuncture(EA)intervention on the high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)signaling pathway-related protein expression and oligodendrocytes in mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS),and uncover the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the improvement of motor function in ALS mice by early EA intervention.Methods:ALS mice carrying the SOD1G93A gene were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group,with 10 mice in each group;10 littermate mice with a negative SOD1G93A genotype served as the control group.In the EA group,Baihui(GV20),Tianzhu(BL10),and Tianshu(ST25)were selected with needles retained for 10 min,5 consecutive days per week,with 2 days of rest.One week constituted a course of treatment,and a total of 3 consecutive courses were performed.The other groups were grasped and fixed similarly,but without intervention.Motor function was assessed using the open field test(OFT)and Morris water maze(MWM).Subsequently,hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe neuron morphology in the M1 region of the cerebral cortex.Immunofluorescence was performed to detect the positive cell rate of TAR DNA-binding protein 43(TDP-43),and double immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the positive cell rate and cell states of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba-1)and myelin basic protein(MBP)in the M1 region of the cerebral cortex.Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression levels of TDP-43,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,HMGB1,and TLR4 proteins.Results:Compared to the control group,the model group exhibited a reduced total movement distance in the OFT,and an increased escape latency,as well as fewer platform crossings in the MWM,with statistically significant differences(P<0.01).In the model group,the number of degenerated and necrotic neurons in the M1 region of the ALS mouse cerebral cortex increased,with significant nuclear shrinkage and cytoplasmic vacuolization;the percentage of TDP-43 immunofluorescence positive cells in the M1 region of the cerebral cortex increased(P<0.01),and the relative expression level of TDP-43 protein in the cerebral cortex showed a significant increase(P<0.01);the Iba-1 positive cell percentage increased,while the MBP positive cell percentage decreased(P<0.01);the relative expression levels of TNF-α,HMGB1,and TLR4 proteins increased(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,the EA group showed an increased total movement distance(P<0.01),and a reduced escape latency,and more platform crossings in the MWM,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).In the EA group,neurons showed improvement,with reduced degeneration and necrosis,and larger,clearer nuclei;the percentage of TDP-43 immunofluorescence positive cells in the M1 region of the cerebral cortex decreased(P<0.05),and the relative expression level of TDP-43 protein also decreased(P<0.05);the percentage of Iba-1 positive cells in the M1 region of the cerebral cortex decreased,while the percentage of MBP positive cells increased(P<0.01);the relative expression levels of TNF-α,HMGB1,and TLR4 proteins decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:EA intervention can suppress microglial activation,improve the state of oligodendrocytes,and reduce abnormal TDP-43 aggregation in the M1 region of the cerebral cortex in ALS model mice;its mechanism of action may be related to the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects of moxibustion,filiform needle acupuncture,and electroacupuncture on synovial hypoxia and expression of synovial fibrosis markers[transforming growth factor(TGF)-β and collagen alpha-1(Ⅰ)chain(COL1A1)]in knee osteoarthritis(KOA)rats.Methods:Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a moxibustion group,an acupuncture group,and an electroacupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,rats in the other four groups were injected with sodium iodoacetate into the right knee joint cavity to establish KOA models.The right Futu(ST32)and Zusanli(ST36)were selected in the moxibustion,acupuncture,and electroacupuncture groups to perform the mild moxibustion with moxa sticks,filiform needle acupuncture,or electroacupuncture,respectively.Each intervention lasted 15 min,once every other day,and continued for 4 weeks,with a total of 14 interventions.The Lequesne score was used to evaluate the degree of knee dysfunction before and after intervention,and the rat's right knee joint diameter was measured to evaluate the degree of knee swelling.Morphological changes of the right knee joint synovial tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.Hypoxia probe immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the degree of synovial hypoxia in rats.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α,TGF-β,and COL1A1 in the synovial tissue of the right knee joints.Results:Before intervention,the Lequesne score and the right knee joint diameter in the other four groups increased significantly compared to the normal group(P<0.01).After intervention,the Lequesne score and the right knee joint diameter increased significantly in the model group compared to the normal group(P<0.01)together with worsened cartilage deformation and osteophytes,inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis in synovial tissue,and hypoxia degree,and the expression levels of HIF-1α,TGF-β,and COL1A1 proteins in the knee joint synovial tissue of rats increased(P<0.01).The Lequesne score and the right knee joint diameter decreased significantly(P<0.01 or P<0.05),the cartilage morphology was normal without obvious osteophytes,and the hypoxia degree reduced in the three intervention groups compared to the model group.Among them,the moxibustion group had the most notable improvement in hypoxia,synovial tissue fibrosis,angiogenesis,and inflammatory cell infiltration.The expression levels of HIF-1α,TGF-β,and COL1A1 proteins decreased in the moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups(P<0.01),and the expression levels of HIF-1α and TGF-β proteins were decreased in the acupuncture group(P<0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion,filiform needle acupuncture,and electroacupuncture improve knee joint function and reduce knee joint swelling in KOA rats.The mechanism may be to improve synovial fibrosis of the knee joint by regulating HIF-1α;moxibustion has the best effect on improving hypoxia among the three interventions,but the effect of filiform needle acupuncture on COL1A1 is not significant.

Objective:To observe the effects of shallow needling at Baihui(GV20)on neurological function and cerebral hemodynamics in patients with poststroke depression(PSD).Methods:A total of 90 PSD patients were divided into a Western medication group and a shallow needling group using the random number table,with 45 cases in each group.The Western medication group was treated with oral paroxetine tablets.The shallow needling group was treated with shallow needling at Baihui(GV20).The treatment course for both groups was 4 weeks.After treatment,the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.The scores of Hamilton depression scale-24(HAMD-24)and National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS),the cerebral hemodynamic changes,and the adverse reactions were observed.Results:After treatment,the total effective rate was 88.9%in the Western medication group and 84.4%in the shallow needling group;the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).After treatment,the scores of HAMD-24 and NIHSS in both groups decreased(P<0.05).The difference in the HAMD-24 score between the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The NIHSS score in the shallow needling group was lower than that in the Western medication group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,there were no significant differences in the blood flow resistance index of the left middle cerebral artery(LMCA),right middle cerebral artery(RMCA),and basilar artery(BA)in the Western medication group compared to those before treatment.The blood flow resistance index of LMCA,RMCA,and BA in the shallow needling group was lower than that before treatment(P<0.05),and was significantly lower compared to the Western medication group(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in the shallow needling group was significantly lower than that in the Western medication group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The curative effect of shallow needling at Baihui(GV20)in the treatment of PSD is equivalent to that of oral paroxetine tablets.However,shallow needling at Baihui(GV20)is more effective in improving neurological function and cerebral perfusion,and the incidence of adverse reactions is lower.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of combined acupuncture and medication therapy in treating cerebral infarction in the acute stage and its impact on cerebral blood flow.Methods:A total of 160 patients with cerebral infarction were divided into 4 groups using the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Conventional treatment was given to all groups.Besides,the Chinese medication group received Tong Shen Fu Nao Wan;the acupuncture group received Xing Nao Kai Qiao(mind-refreshing and orifice-opening)needling therapy;the acupuncture-medication group received both Tong Shen Fu Nao Wan and Xing Nao Kai Qiao needling therapy.After 4 weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy was assessed,and changes in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score and hemodynamics were compared among the four groups,as well as complications and adverse reactions.Results:After treatment,the acupuncture-medication group had a higher total effective rate compared to the other three groups(P<0.05).After the intervention,the National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score dropped in all groups(P<0.05)and was lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the other three groups(P<0.05);all groups showed a decrease in the TCM symptom score(P<0.05),and the acupuncture-medication group was significantly lower than the other groups(P<0.05).After treatment,the blood flow velocity of the bilateral anterior cerebral artery(ACA),middle cerebral artery(MCA),and posterior cerebral artery(PCA)increased in every group(P<0.05),and the acupuncture-medication group had higher blood flow velocities compared to the other three groups(P<0.05).The acupuncture-medication group had the fewest number of complications among the four groups(P<0.05),and there was no statistical significance when comparing the adverse reactions among the groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Compared to the separate use,the combined use of acupuncture and medication enhances the clinical efficacy,accelerates cerebral blood circulation,and boosts the recovery in treating cerebral infarction.

Objective:To observe the efficacy of synchronous scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training in the treatment of poststroke dysphagia.Methods:A total of 106 participants were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method,with 53 cases in each group.The control group was treated with scalp acupuncture in addition to conventional rehabilitation training.The observation group was treated with synchronous scalp acupuncture and conventional rehabilitation training.Water swallowing test(WST),blood oxygen-saturation change amplitude,mini-mental state examination(MMSE),and standardized swallowing assessment(SSA)were assessed before treatment,after 2 weeks of treatment,and at follow-ups at week 4 and week 6.The effective rate was calculated based on the change in the WST grading after 2 weeks of treatment.Results:After 2 weeks of treatment,there was an insignificant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups(P>0.05),but the inter-group difference in the cured plus markedly effective rate was significant(P<0.01).The intra-group differences in the WST grading,blood oxygen-saturation change amplitude,and the scores of MMSE and SSA were significant among the 4 time points in the two groups(P<0.01).At follow-up at week 6,the WST grading and SSA score in the observation group were superior to those in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion:Both intervention protocols can improve the swallowing function,physical function,and psychological status;the observation group's intervention is better than that of the control group in improving swallowing function.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of subcutaneous row needling at the Foot Motor Sensory Area combined with point application therapy and its influence on defecation-related symptoms.Methods:Seventy eligible patients with poststroke constipation were assigned to an observation group or a control group using the random number table method,with 35 patients in each group.The observation group received subcutaneous row needling at the Foot Motor Sensory Area combined with point application therapy,whereas the control group received lactulose oral solution.After treatment,the total effective rate and safety were compared between the two groups,and changes in the patient assessment of constipation symptom(PAC-SYM),stool form,and constipation symptom scores were observed.Results:The total effective rate was 87.9%in the observation group and 69.7%in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).No obvious adverse reactions occurred in either group.After treatment,PAC-SYM and constipation symptom scores in both groups were lower than before treatment(P<0.05),with the observation group scoring lower than the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the Bristol stool form scale(BSFS)score in both groups increased(P<0.05)and approached the score of normal stool form;the difference in the BSFS score between the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:Compared to oral lactulose,subcutaneous insertion with row needling at the scalp Foot Motor Sensory Area combined with point application therapy can better improve poststroke constipation symptoms,shorten both the interval between bowel movements and the duration of each bowel movement,and reduce rectal and abdominal discomfort,with fewer adverse reactions and good safety.

Gongfa is an essential approach to prevent and treat diseases in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),often used to prevent a disease before it arises.Guided by TCM and modern scientific theories,the Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)Gongfa prescription theory implements the principle,method,prescription,and form in clinical pattern-identified treatment to prescribe the corresponding Tuina Gongfa prescription,i.e.,to prescribe a basic Tuina Gongfa prescription,specifically for a systemic disease,and modify Gongfa forms based on the basic prescription according to different patterns.The Gongfa prescription for pulmonary diseases designs corresponding Gongfa forms from six perspectives:lifting Yang,securing the exterior,opening the orifices,soothing the chest,harmonizing the stomach,and regulating Qi to prevent and treat diseases.The application of the pulmonary Gongfa prescription indicates the potential to apply the Tuina Gongfa prescription theory for the clinical prevention,treatment,and rehabilitation of disorders of other systems,thereby fully realizing the unique role of TCM Gongfa.