OBJECTIVE: Comorbid pain and depression are common but remain difficult to treat. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively improve symptoms of depression and relieve pain, but its neural mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to detect cerebral changes after initiating a mouse pain model via constriction of the infraorbital nerve (CION) and then treating these animals with EA. METHODS: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups: control, CION model, EA, and sham acupuncture (without needle insertion). EA was performed on the acupoints Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) for 20 min, once a day for 10 consecutive days. The mechanical withdrawal threshold was tested 3 days after the surgery and every 3 days after the intervention. The depressive behavior was evaluated with the tail suspension test, open-field test, elevated plus maze (EPM), sucrose preference test, and marble burying test. The rs-fMRI was used to detect the cerebral changes of the functional connectivity (FC) in the mice following EA treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the CION group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold increased in the EA group at the end of the intervention (P < 0.05); the immobility time in tail suspension test decreased (P < 0.05); and the times of the open arm entry and the open arm time in the EPM increased (both P < 0.001). There was no difference in the sucrose preference or marble burying tests (both P > 0.05). The fMRI results showed that EA treatment downregulated the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity values, while these indicators were elevated in brain regions including the amygdala, hippocampus and cerebral cortex in the CION model for comorbid pain and depression. Selecting the amygdala as the seed region, we found that the FC was higher in the CION group than in the control group. Meanwhile, EA treatment was able to decrease the FC between the amygdala and other brain regions including the caudate putamen, thalamus, and parts of the cerebral cortex. CONCLUSION EA can downregulate the abnormal activation of neurons in the amygdala and improve its FC with other brain regions, thus exerting analgesic and antidepressant effects. Please cite this article as: Yin X, Zeng XL, Lin JJ, Xu WQ, Cui KY, Guo XT, Li W, Xu SF. Brain functional changes following electroacupuncture in a mouse model of comorbid pain and depression: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 159-168.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Depression/diagnostic imaging* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Pain/diagnostic imaging* ; Acupuncture Points

Ecological cultivation is an important way for the sustainable production of traditional Chinese medicine in the context of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Facility cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation modes have been developed and applied to develop the endangered Dendrobium huoshanense on the basis of protection. However, the differences in the greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential of these cultivation modes remain unexplored, which limits the accurate assessment of carbon-friendly ecological cultivation modes of D. huoshanense. Greenhouse gas emission flux monitoring based on the static chamber method provides an effective way to solve this problem. Therefore, this study conducted a field experiment in the facility cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation modes at a D. huoshanense cultivation base in Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province. From April 2023 to March 2024, samples of greenhouse gases were collected every month, and the concentrations of CO_2, CH_4, and N_2O of the samples were then detected by gas chromatography. The greenhouse gas emission fluxes, cumulative emissions, and global warming potential were further calculated, and the following results were obtained.(1)The two cultivation modes of D. huoshanense showed significant differences in greenhouse gas emission fluxes, especially the CO_2 emission flux, with a pattern of facility cultivation>simulative habitat cultivation [(35.60±11.70)mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1) vs(2.10±4.59)mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)].(2) The annual cumulative CO_2 emission flux in the case of facility cultivation was significantly higher than that of simulative habitat cultivation[(3 077.00±842.00)kg·hm~(-2) vs(221.00±332.00)kg·hm~(-2)], while no significant difference was found in annual cumulative CH_4 and N_2O emission fluxes.(3) The facility cultivation mode had a significantly higher global warming potential than the simulative habitat cultivation mode [(3 053.00±847.00)kg·hm~(-2) vs(196.00±362.00)kg·hm~(-2)]. Overall, the simulative habitat cultivation of D. huoshanense has obvious carbon-friendly characteristics compared with facility cultivation, which is in line with the concept of ecological cultivation of medicinal plants. This study is of great reference significance for the implementation and promotion of the ecological cultivation mode of D. huoshanense under carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Greenhouse Gases/metabolism* ; Carbon/analysis* ; Ecosystem ; Carbon Dioxide/metabolism* ; China ; Global Warming

As a physical treatment technique, modified electro-convulsive therapy (MECT) is used to treat mental and certain neurological disorders by causing seizures with short, suitable electrical currents applied to the brain while the patient is under general anesthesia and muscle relaxants. MECT is recognized for its therapeutic efficacy and clinical safety, rendering it one of the most prevalent interventions in psychiatric care. To enhance clinical outcomes and minimize adverse effects, this consensus document delineates the indications, therapeutic parameters, therapeutic procedures, potential adverse effects, and associated management strategies for MECT. These guidelines are informed by the latest clinical research and expert consensus, integrating evidence-based medicine methodologies. The objective is to furnish clinicians with precise operational guidelines and to advance the standardization of MECT practices in clinical settings.

As a physical treatment technique, modified electro-convulsive therapy (MECT) is used to treat mental and certain neurological disorders by causing seizures with short, suitable electrical currents applied to the brain while the patient is under general anesthesia and muscle relaxants. MECT is recognized for its therapeutic efficacy and clinical safety, rendering it one of the most prevalent interventions in psychiatric care. To enhance clinical outcomes and minimize adverse effects, this consensus document delineates the indications, therapeutic parameters, therapeutic procedures, potential adverse effects, and associated management strategies for MECT. These guidelines are informed by the latest clinical research and expert consensus, integrating evidence-based medicine methodologies. The objective is to furnish clinicians with precise operational guidelines and to advance the standardization of MECT practices in clinical settings.

BACKGROUND: The effects of acupuncture have varied in different randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and there are many factors that influence treatment effect of acupuncture in different outcomes, with conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors and their impact on the treatment effect of acupuncture in different outcomes. METHODS: Acupuncture RCTs were searched from 7 databases including Medline (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine disc between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2019. Eligible studies must compare acupuncture to no acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or waiting lists, and report at least 1 patient-important outcome. A multi-level meta-regression was conducted using a 3-level robust mixed model and univariate analyses were performed for all independent variables, even those excluded from the multivariable model due to collinearities. We used thresholds of 0.2 and 0.4 for the difference of standardized mean differences (SMDs), categorising them as small (<0.2), moderate (0.2-0.4), or large (>0.4) effects. RESULTS: The pain construct analysis involved 211 effect estimates from 153 studies and 14 independent variables. High-frequency acupuncture treatment sessions produced larger effects compared to low-frequency sessions [large magnitude, the difference of adjusted SMDs 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07 to 0.84; P=0.02]. The non-pain symptoms construct analysis comprised 323 effect estimates from 231 studies and 15 independent variables. Penetrating acupuncture showed moderately larger effects when compared to non-penetrating acupuncture (0.30, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53; P=0.01). The function construct analysis included 495 effect estimates from 274 studies and 14 independent variables. Penetrating acupuncture and the flexible acupuncture regimen showed moderately larger effects, compared to non-penetrating acupuncture and fixed regimen, respectively (0.40, 95% CI 0 to 0.80; P=0.05; 0.29, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS High-frequency acupuncture sessions appear to be a more effective approach to managing painful symptoms. Penetrating acupuncture demonstrated greater effect in relieving non-painful symptoms. Both penetrating acupuncture type and flexible acupuncture regimen were linked to significant treatment effects in function outcomes. Future studies should consider the factors that are significantly associated with the effects of acupuncture in patient-important outcomes.
Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Pain ; Pain Management ; China

Aim To explore the effect of total flavonoid extract(TFE)of Ampelopsis megalophylla on the pro-liferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells and its mechanism in autophagy inhibition.Methods For human cervical cancer cell Hela,human lung cancer cell A549,human liver cancer cell SMMC-7721,human breast cancer cell MCF-7,MDA-MB-231 and human normal liver cell L-02,MTT method was used to select sensitive cell lines.The inhibitory effect of TFE combined with autophagy inhibitor 3-methylade-nine(3-MA)on sensitive cell proliferation was detec-ted using MTT assay.The morphological changes of cells were observed using transmission electron micros-copy and Hoechst 33258 single staining method.The changes in cell apoptosis rate were detected using An-nexin V-FITC/PI dual staining method.The expression levels of apoptosis related proteins and pathway pro-teins(death receptor pathway,mitochondrial pathway,endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway)were detected uisng Western blot.The expression of the key protein Cyt-c in mitochondrial pathway was determiend by im-munofluorescence,and the autophagy agonist rapamy-cin was selected for reverse validation.Results TFE could inhibit the proliferation of human breast cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner,and MCF-7 cells were sensitive cell lines.Compared with the TFE group,the TFE+3-MA group significantly increased the inhibition rate of MCF-7 cells at 24,48,and 72 h(P＜0.01).The number of cells decreased,the gap increased,the number of apoptotic bodies increased,and the apoptosis rate increased(P＜0.01).The ex-pression levels of Bax/Bcl-2(P＜0.01),cleaved-caspase3(P＜0.01),Cyt-c(P＜0.05),FADD,and cleaved-caspase-12 all increased,and the expres-sion of apoptotic protein Cyt-c in nucleus increased.The fluorescence of the TFE+RA group decreased,re-versing the mitochondrial pathway apoptosis induced by TFE.Conclusions TFE can significantly inhibit the proliferation of human breast cancer cells.When inhib-iting autophagy,it may promote the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells through the mitochondrial pathway,and activa-ting autophagy can reverse apoptosis.

AIM To investigate the effects of ampelopsin-mediated autophagy and apoptosis of human cervical cancer SiHa cells.METHODS After 24 h corresponding administration and culture among the control group,the 3-MA (5 mmol/L) group,the Z-VAD-FMK (50μmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80μmol/L) group,the 3-MA+ampelopsin group and the Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin group,the cells had their cell proliferation inhibition rate detected by MTT method.After 24 h corresponding administration and culture among the control group,the 3-MA (5 mmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80 μmol/L) group and the 3-MA+ampelopsin group,the cells had their morphological changes observed under electron microscope and their apoptosis detected by Hoechst33258 and AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining.After 24 h corresponding administration and culture among the control group,the Z-VAD-FMK (50μmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80μmol/L) group and the Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin group,the cells had their autophagy and ultrastructure observed by MDC method and transmission electron microscopy.After 12 h corresponding administration and culture among the control group,the 3-MA (5 mmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80 μmol/L) group,the 3-MA+ampelopsin group or control group,the Z-VAD-FMK (50 μmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80 μmol/L) group,and the Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin group,the cells had their protein expressions of cleaved-PARP,cleaved-Caspase3,Bax,Bcl-2,Atg13,Beclin-1,LC3,and P62 detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the ampelopsin group displayed enhanced proliferation inhibition of SiHa and C-33A cells (P<0.01).Compared with the ampelopsin group,the groups intervened with 3-MA+ampelopsin and Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin showed more significantly inhibited proliferation of the two cell lines (P<0.01),and decreased number of living cells.Compared with the ampelopsin group,the 3-MA+ampelopsin group showed increased bright blue fluorescence and apoptosis rate of SiHa cells (P<0.05),increased cleaved PARP,Bax,and P62 protein expressions (P<0.01),and decreased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and Bcl-2 protein expression (P<0.01).Compared with the ampelopsin group,the Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin group demonstrated increased green dot fluorescence and number of autophagosomes and autopolysosomes,increased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio,Atg13 and Beclin-1 protein expression (P<0.05,P<0.01);and decreased protein expressions of P62,cleaved-PARP,cleaved-Caspase3 (P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Being an antagonist of human cervical carcinoma SiHa cells,ampelopsin can induce autophagy and apoptosis of the cells through its key target on Beclin-1/Bcl-2.

AIM To investigate the effects of ampelopsin-mediated autophagy and apoptosis of human cervical cancer SiHa cells.METHODS After 24 h corresponding administration and culture among the control group,the 3-MA (5 mmol/L) group,the Z-VAD-FMK (50μmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80μmol/L) group,the 3-MA+ampelopsin group and the Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin group,the cells had their cell proliferation inhibition rate detected by MTT method.After 24 h corresponding administration and culture among the control group,the 3-MA (5 mmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80 μmol/L) group and the 3-MA+ampelopsin group,the cells had their morphological changes observed under electron microscope and their apoptosis detected by Hoechst33258 and AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining.After 24 h corresponding administration and culture among the control group,the Z-VAD-FMK (50μmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80μmol/L) group and the Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin group,the cells had their autophagy and ultrastructure observed by MDC method and transmission electron microscopy.After 12 h corresponding administration and culture among the control group,the 3-MA (5 mmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80 μmol/L) group,the 3-MA+ampelopsin group or control group,the Z-VAD-FMK (50 μmol/L) group,the ampelopsin (80 μmol/L) group,and the Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin group,the cells had their protein expressions of cleaved-PARP,cleaved-Caspase3,Bax,Bcl-2,Atg13,Beclin-1,LC3,and P62 detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the ampelopsin group displayed enhanced proliferation inhibition of SiHa and C-33A cells (P<0.01).Compared with the ampelopsin group,the groups intervened with 3-MA+ampelopsin and Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin showed more significantly inhibited proliferation of the two cell lines (P<0.01),and decreased number of living cells.Compared with the ampelopsin group,the 3-MA+ampelopsin group showed increased bright blue fluorescence and apoptosis rate of SiHa cells (P<0.05),increased cleaved PARP,Bax,and P62 protein expressions (P<0.01),and decreased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and Bcl-2 protein expression (P<0.01).Compared with the ampelopsin group,the Z-VAD-FMK+ampelopsin group demonstrated increased green dot fluorescence and number of autophagosomes and autopolysosomes,increased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio,Atg13 and Beclin-1 protein expression (P<0.05,P<0.01);and decreased protein expressions of P62,cleaved-PARP,cleaved-Caspase3 (P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Being an antagonist of human cervical carcinoma SiHa cells,ampelopsin can induce autophagy and apoptosis of the cells through its key target on Beclin-1/Bcl-2.

OBJECTIVES: To explore a new method for electroencephalography (EEG) background analysis in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its relationship with clinical grading and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the video electroencephalography (vEEG) and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monitoring data within 24 hours after birth of neonates diagnosed with HIE from January 2016 to August 2022. All items of EEG background analysis were enrolled into an assessment system and were scored according to severity to obtain the total EEG score. The correlations of total EEG score with total MRI score and total Sarnat score (TSS, used to evaluate clinical gradings) were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The total EEG score was compared among the neonates with different clinical gradings and among the neonates with different head MRI gradings. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under thecurve (AUC) were used to evaluate the value of total EEG score in diagnosing moderate/severe head MRI abnormalities and clinical moderate/severe HIE, which was then compared with the aEEG grading method. RESULTS: A total of 50 neonates with HIE were included. The total EEG score was positively correlated with the total head MRI score and TSS (r_s=0.840 and 0.611 respectively, P<0.001). There were significant differences in the total EEG score between different clinical grading groups and different head MRI grading groups (P<0.05). The total EEG score and the aEEG grading method had an AUC of 0.936 and 0.617 respectively in judging moderate/severe head MRI abnormalities (P<0.01) and an AUC of 0.887 and 0.796 respectively in judging clinical moderate/severe HIE (P>0.05). The total EEG scores of ≤6 points, 7-13 points, and ≥14 points were defined as mild, moderate, and severe EEG abnormalities respectively, which had the best consistency with clinical grading and head MRI grading (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The new EEG background scoring method can quantitatively reflect the severity of brain injury and can be used for the judgment of brain function in neonates with HIE.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Brain Injuries ; Electroencephalography ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and identify the available instruments/methods assessing the adequacy of acupuncture in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for proposing a new improved instrument. METHODS: A systematic literature search was carried out in 7 electronic databases from inception until 21st November 2022. Any study evaluating the adequacy or quality of acupuncture, specifying specific acupuncture treatment-related factors as criteria of subgroup analysis, or developing an instrument/tool to assess the adequacy or quality of acupuncture in an RCT was included. Basic information, characteristics and contents of acupuncture adequacy assessment were presented as frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: Forty studies were included in this systematic review. Thirty-five studies (87.50%) were systematic reviews, none of which used formal methods to develop the assessment instruments/methods of acupuncture adequacy; of 5 methodological studies, only 1 study used a relatively formal method. Thirty-two studies (82.05%) assessed the components of acupuncture, while 7 (17.95%) assessed the overall quality of acupuncture. An independent assessment instrument/method was used to assess acupuncture adequacy in 29 studies (74.35%), whereas as one part of a methodological quality assessment scale in 10 (25.65%). Only 9 (23.00%) studies used the assessment results for subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis or the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. CONCLUSION Assessment contents for adequacy or quality of acupuncture in RCTs hadn't still reached consensus and no widely used assessment tools appeared. The methodology of available assessment instruments/scales is far from formal and rigorous. A new instrument/tool assessing adequacy of acupuncture should be developed using a formal method.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic