By analyzing the understandings of water points (acupoints connected with the kidney) and its association with water (kidney), zangfu organs and meridian-collateral recorded in Suwen: Shuire Xue Lun (Discussion on Water and Heat Diseases in Plain Question), it is found that the recognition on the water points is different from that on water diseases in Huangdi Neijing (the Yellow Emperor 's Inner Classic). The recognition on the water points focuses on the core theory, "rooted at the kidney", to explain the water diseases. Besides, in association with the study on the connotation of "luo" in Huangdi Neijing, it is discovered that "yinluo" discussed in water points is actually the misunderstanding of "zang zhi yinluo" that means "the connection by the kidney". It is shown that the discussion of water points refer to the elaboration of zangfu organs and 57 acupoints connected with water (the kidney), rather than the theory of collaterals. The characteristics of these 57 acupoints involved and the related needling techniques provide a new approach to the treatment of zangfu diseases.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Meridians ; China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Acupuncture Therapy/history*

The diseases and pathological manifestations associated with chongmai (thoroughfare vessel) are the representative in the practical applications of chongmai theory. Elucidating this theory serves as a prerequisite of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. Based on literature analysis, the diseases and clinical manifestations of chongmai recorded in the time of Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) were analyzed so as to reinterpret the diagnostic process, pathological characteristics, and clinical manifestations of disorders, and evaluate the value of chongmai theory. Chongmai diseases were identified from the palpation initially, known as the "palpation on abdominal pulse". The "qi reversion" of chongmai represents a typical clinical manifestation of chongmai diseases, such as ji (abdominal mass), jia (abdominal hematoma), and shan (hernia), occurring in different sites of the abdomen and in different pathological stages. A part of distribution of chongmai is considered in clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion. To emphasize the significance of chongmai in modern acupuncture-moxibustion theory and practice, the diagnostic and therapeutic patterns of the related disorders should be considered in clinical practice. The characteristics of chongmai are reflected in three aspects: qi, blood and abdomen, which are determined by both its inherent properties and the clinical manifestations of related diseases.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion ; History, Ancient ; Meridians ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective    To explore the treatment strategies for patients with fever and pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery during COVID-19 epidemic. Methods    The clinical data of 537 patients who ungerwent selective surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shangjin Branch of West China Hospital between February and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 242 (45.1%) males and 295 (54.9%) females aged 53.3±13.4 years. We have established a procedure for the patients with fever and pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery to investigate the cause of the disease and track risk factors. Results    The overall postoperative complication rate was 16.4% (88/537), and 1 (0.2%) patient died. Of 537 patients, 179 (33.3%) patients were enrolled in our model according to the inclusion criteria: ratio of males [112 (62.6%) vs. 130 (36.3%), P<0.010], patients with a history of smoking [74 (41.3%) vs. 87 (24.3%), P<0.010], or with esophageal cancer surgery [36 (20.1%) vs. 15 (4.2%)], or with traditional thoracotomy [14 (7.8%)  vs. 4 (1.1%)] was higher than that of the other patients. Patients in our process due to fever or pulmonary complications had longer ICU stay and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.010). Logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that gender was an independent risk factor for postoperative fever or pulmonary complications. Conclusion    In low-risk areas of the epidemic, the treatment process is simple and feasible, and the cause traceability and corresponding treatment can basically be completed within 24 hours. At the same time, the treatment process has been running stably for a long time.

Objective    To analyze the operation outcomes and learning curve of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods    All consecutive patients who underwent uniportal VATS between November 2018 and December 2020 in Shangjin Branch of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively enrolled, including 62 males and 86 females with a mean age of 50.1±13.4 years. Operations included lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection, mediastinal mass resection and hemopneumothorax. Accordingly, patients' clinical features in different phases were collected and compared to determine the outcome difference and learning curve for uniportal VATS. Results    Median postoperative hospital stay was 5 days, and the overall complication rate was 8.1% (12/148). There was no 30-day death after surgery or readmissions. Median postoperative pain score was 3. Over time, the operation time, incision length and blood loss were optimized in the uniportal VATS lobectomy, the incision length and blood loss increased in the uniportal VATS segmentectomy, and the postoperative hospital stay decreased in the uniportal VATS wedge resection. Conclusion    Uniportal VATS is safe and feasible for both standard and complex pulmonary resections. While, no remarkable learning curve for uniportal VATS lobectomy is observed for experienced surgeon.

Objective To investigate the expression of insulin-like growth factor Ⅱ mRNA-binding protein 3( IMP3 ) in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder( TCCB ) and its clinical significance. Methods The IMP3 expressions in 6 normal bladder tissues and 48 TCCB tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry staining, and the relationships between IMP3 expression and gender, age, pathological grading and staging were analyzed statistically. Results The positive expression rate of IMP3 was 62.5% ( 30/48 ) in bladder cancer,which were significantly higher than that in normal control ( 0/6 ) ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The positive rate of IMP3 expression were significantly lower in superficial TCCB ( 46. 15%, 12/22 ) or early TCCB [ Grade Ⅰ 12. 5%(1/8) ,Grade Ⅱ 60. 0% (12/20) ] than that in invasive TCCB [T2 or above,81.8% (18/22) ] or advanced TCCB [ Grade Ⅲ ,85% ( 17/20 ) ] ( Ps ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion IMP3 is a promising biomarker for eraly detection and assessment of the malignancy degree in TCCB.