The data of 44 scalp acupuncture schools are collected to analyze their commonalities in theoretical foundations, needling sites, techniques, and indications. The integration of these characteristics into an optimized, unified scalp acupuncture protocol has become an inevitable trend. The paper discusses the potential for a unified scalp acupuncture protocol from aspects such as theoretical unification, the relationships between point areas, lines, and sites, and needle numbers. It also explores the primary issues and solutions involved in unifying scalp acupuncture protocols, providing a reference for standardization and unification in scalp acupuncture protocol.
Scalp ; Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Acupuncture Points

This article analyzes the current status of the researches on acupuncture-moxibustion for idiopathic facial palsy (Bell's palsy). Acupuncture-moxibustion is widely applied in treatment of Bell's palsy and the relevant researches are enriched. But the hierarchical discussion on the effectiveness is reported inadequately. Consequently, the necessity and advantages of acupuncture-moxibustion are hardly prominent. Besides, the safety of acupuncture-moxibustion in treatment is not fully explored. The common shortcomings are presented in professional study and statistical designs, and the quality of the evidences is not high. The recommendation strength of acupuncture-moxibustion is weak in international guidelines. The crucial questions are not deeply discussed, and there are lack of the recognized optimal protocol in clinical practical guidelines. It is suggested that the researches should improve the evaluation of the disease itself that may affect the prognosis of Bell's palsy, such as location, conditions and duration of illness, basic diseases and syndrome/pattern differentiation. The effect of acupuncture-moxibustion should be verified hierarchically, the questions on safety should be emphasized, the quality of study should be improved, the staging of treatment should be specified and the effect of acupuncture-moxibustion should be evaluated in multi-dimensions, and the elements of acupuncture-moxibustion should be optimized systematically in the aspects of timing, acupoint selection, needle devices, manipulation, intervention measures and regimen composition. So as to promote the research of acupuncture-moxibustion for Bell's palsy to a new process.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion ; Bell Palsy/therapy*

The paper introduces Professor FAN Gangqi's clinical experience in treatment of migraine. Regarding the syndrome/pattern differentiation of TCM, a four-approach framework is established, identifying the nature of illness, analyzing the syndrome/pattern and pathogenesis, determining the stage of illness, and identifying body constitution. In treatment, the principle of treatment is determined in line with syndrome/pattern differentiation, so as to ensure the therapeutic effect by means of "four dimensions". The acupuncture regimens are formulated in terms of the illness stages, "strong needling stimulation in acute stage for analgesia, and needle retaining in chronic stage for long-term effect". "Focusing on neuovascular pathway" is the effective approach to treatment of migraine with acupuncture and moxiubstion. The clinical holistic model by combining acupuncture with medication is advocated because that "the single acupuncture is weak in therapeutic effect, but with medication combined, the effect is enhanced". The different acupuncture techniques are provided comprehensively in treatment of migraine such as horizontal and row-like needling, collateral needling at Taiyang (EX-HN5), acupuncture at Sankong (Yuyao [EX-HN4], Sibai [ST2] and Jiachengjiang [Extra]), acupoint injection at Tianyou (TE16) and Renying (ST9), and acupoint embedding therapy at Fengchi (GB20).
Humans ; Migraine Disorders/diagnosis* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Male ; Adult

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an extremely dangerous aortic dilating disease, with a high mortality rate once ruptured. With the advancement of imaging techniques such as computed tomography angiography (CTA), the detection rate of this disease has increased correspondingly. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial for reducing mortality and improving patient prognosis. Compared to traditional open surgery, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for AAA is minimally invasive, using a stent graft to isolate the aneurysm sac as a whole, preventing arterial blood from entering the sac and further preventing the aneurysm from progressing or rupturing. Due to the characteristics of EVAR, precise preoperative assessment of AAA anatomy is required to develop a surgical plan for selecting the appropriate stent diameter and length. However, current attention on preoperative assessment of EVAR is more focused on the neck landing zone of the aneurysm, its shape, calcification, etc., while there is relatively less attention and lack of uniform standards for the selection and positioning judgment of the distal landing zone of the iliac artery. And, a growing number of studies have shown that improper treatment of the distal landing zone may lead to complications such as type Ⅰb endoleak and restenosis after stent implantation, affecting the prognosis of patients. This article provides a review of the current domestic and international methods and progress in the preoperative assessment of the distal landing zone for EVAR.

Stroke, a major cerebrovascular disease, has high morbidity and mortality. Effective methods to reduce the risk and improve the prognosis are lacking. Currently, uric acid (UA) is associated with the pathological mechanism, prognosis, and therapy of stroke. UA plays pro/anti-oxidative and pro-inflammatory roles in vivo. The specific role of UA in stroke, which may have both neuroprotective and damaging effects, remains unclear. There is a U-shaped association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and ischemic stroke (IS). UA therapy provides neuroprotection during reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Urate-lowering therapy (ULT) plays a protective role in IS with hyperuricemia or gout. SUA levels are associated with the cerebrovascular injury mechanism, risk, and outcomes of hemorrhagic stroke. In this review, we summarize the current research on the role of UA in stroke, providing potential targets for its prediction and treatment.
Humans ; Uric Acid/metabolism* ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Hyperuricemia/drug therapy* ; Ischemic Stroke/blood* ; Biomarkers/blood*

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an extremely dangerous aortic dilating disease, with a high mortality rate once ruptured. With the advancement of imaging techniques such as computed tomography angiography (CTA), the detection rate of this disease has increased correspondingly. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial for reducing mortality and improving patient prognosis. Compared to traditional open surgery, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for AAA is minimally invasive, using a stent graft to isolate the aneurysm sac as a whole, preventing arterial blood from entering the sac and further preventing the aneurysm from progressing or rupturing. Due to the characteristics of EVAR, precise preoperative assessment of AAA anatomy is required to develop a surgical plan for selecting the appropriate stent diameter and length. However, current attention on preoperative assessment of EVAR is more focused on the neck landing zone of the aneurysm, its shape, calcification, etc., while there is relatively less attention and lack of uniform standards for the selection and positioning judgment of the distal landing zone of the iliac artery. And, a growing number of studies have shown that improper treatment of the distal landing zone may lead to complications such as type Ⅰb endoleak and restenosis after stent implantation, affecting the prognosis of patients. This article provides a review of the current domestic and international methods and progress in the preoperative assessment of the distal landing zone for EVAR.

Objective: To investigate the trends in mortality of malignant tumors in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province from 2002 to 2022, so as to provide the evidence for formulating malignant tumor control strategies in Ningbo City. Methods The data regarding the mortality of malignant tumors in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022 were collected through the Ningbo Municipal Death Cause Monitoring System, and the crude mortality and age-specific mortality of malignant tumors were calculated in Ningbo City. The mortality of malignant tumors was standardized by the population of the sixth National Population Census in China in 2010 (Chinese-standardized mortality) and the world standard population in 1960 (world-standardized mortality). The trends in mortality of malignant tumors were evaluated with annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Methods: The data regarding the mortality of malignant tumors in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022 were collected through the Ningbo Municipal Death Cause Monitoring System, and the crude mortality and age-specific mortality of malignant tumors were calculated in Ningbo City. The mortality of malignant tumors was standardized by the population of the sixth National Population Census in China in 2010 (Chinese-standardized mortality) and the world standard population in 1960 (world-standardized mortality). The trends in mortality of malignant tumors were evaluated with annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: The crude mortality of malignant tumors was 186.43/105 to 221.24/105 in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022, which showed a tendency towards a rise (AAPC=0.76%), and both the Chinese- (AAPC=-2.64%) and world-standardized mortality (AAPC=-2.74%) appeared a tendency towards a decline (all P<0.05). The world-standardized mortality of malignant tumors presented three changes in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022, with a more remarkable decline from 2011 to 2018 (APC=-3.53%) than from 2002 to 2011 (APC=-2.10%) and from 2018 to 2022 (APC=-2.00%) (all P<0.05). The annual decline in mortality of malignant tumors was higher in men (Chinese-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.68%; world-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.75%) than in women (Chinese-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.45%; world-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.57%), and higher in urban areas (Chinese-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.85%; world-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.92%) than in rural areas (Chinese-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.45%; world-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.57%) (all P<0.05). The mortality of malignant tumors appeared a tendency towards a rise with age in Ningbo City, with the highest mortality in residents at ages of 85 years and older (1 447.13/105). Death from malignant tumors were responsible for 31.86% of all causes of death in Ningbo City, and the five most common causes of cancer death included lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer. In addition, the world-standardized mortality of pancreatic cancer (AAPC=3.92%), prostate cancer (AAPC=4.71%), and cervical cancer (AAPC=1.60%) appeared a tendency towards a rise in Ningbo City (all P<0.05). Conclusions The crude mortality of malignant tumors appeared a tendency towards a rise in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022, while the standardized mortality showed a tendency towards a decline. Management of malignant tumors should be given a high priority among men and rural residents, and lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer should be emphasized.

Objective: To investigate the trends in incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province from 2011 to 2022, so as to provide insights into improving gastric cancer control strategy. Methods: The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in Ningbo City from 2011 to 2022 were collected through Ningbo Municipal Chronic Disease and Cause of Death Monitoring System. The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer were calculated, and standardized by the data from the Sixth Chinese National Population Census in 2020 (Chinese-standardized rate) and the world standard population first introduced by Segi in 1960 (world-standardized rate). The trends in incidence and mortality of gastric cancer were evaluated using annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Results : The crude incidence of gastric cancer was 45.69/105 in Ningbo City from 2011 to 2022, with no significant changing patterns seen during the study period (AAPC=-0.02%, P>0.05), and the Chinese- and world-standardized incidence of gastric cancer was 28.61/105 and 21.87/105, which both appeared a tendency towards a decline (AAPC=-3.19% and -3.05%, both P<0.05). The crude, Chinese-standardized and world-standardized mortality rates of gastric cancer were 28.56/105, 17.07/105 and 12.57/105, respectively, all showing a tendency towards a decline (AAPC=-3.00%, -6.26% and -6.34%, all P<0.05). The Chinese- and world-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer all appeared a tendency towards a decline in urban (AAPC=-2.72%, -2.53%, -5.91% and -5.96%, all P<0.05) and rural areas (AAPC=-3.61%, -3.53%, -6.79% and -6.89%, all P<0.05), and the Chinese- and world-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer were significantly higher among urban residents than among rural residents. The Chinese- and world-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer all appeared a tendency towards a decline among men (AAPC=-3.18%, -3.00%, -5.82% and -5.91%, all P<0.05) and women (AAPC=-2.98%, -2.90%, -7.12% and -7.12%, all P<0.05), and the Chinese- and world-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer was significantly higher among men than among women. In addition, the crude incidence and mortality of gastric cancer both appeared a tendency towards a rise with age among residents in Ningbo City (both P<0.05). Conclusions The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer both appeared a tendency towards a decline in Ningbo City from 2011 to 2022; however, the incidence and mortality remained high. Males and urban residents should be given a high priority for gastric cancer control, and gastric cancer screening should be strengthened among individuals at ages of 40 years and older.

Objective:To assess the efficacy of induction chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of FLT3-ITD + acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with normal karyotype. Methods:The clinical data of FLT3-ITD + AML patients with normal karyotype in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from Jan 2018 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Results:The study included 49 patients with FLT3-ITD +AML, 31 males, and 18 females, with a median age of 46 (16-59) years old. All patients received induction chemotherapy, and 24 patients received sequential allo-HSCT (transplantation group) . The median follow-up time was 465 days, the one-year overall survival (OS) from diagnosis was (70.0 ± 7.4) %, and one-year disease-free survival (DFS) was (70.3±7.4) %. The one-year OS was significantly different between the transplantation group and the non-transplantation group [ (85.2 ± 7.9) % vs (52.6 ± 12.3) %, P=0.049]. but one-year DFS [ (84.7 ± 8.1) % vs (55.2 ± 11.9) %, P=0.061] was not. No significance was found in one-year OS between patients with low-frequency and high-frequency FLT3-ITD + ( P>0.05) . There were 12 patients with high-frequency FLT3-ITD + in the transplantation and the non-transplantation groups, respectively. The one-year OS [ (68.8 ± 15.7) % in the transplantation group vs (26.2 ± 15.3) % in the non-transplantation group, P=0.027] and one-year DFS [ (45.5 ± 21.3) % in the transplantation group vs (27.8±15.8) % in the non-transplantation group, P=0.032] were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion:Induction chemotherapy followed by allo-HSCT can enhance the prognosis of FLT3-ITD + patients, particularly those with FLT3-ITD high-frequency mutation.

Objective: To analyze the trend in the mortality of liver cancer in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2021, so as to provide the evidence for improving the liver cancer control measures. Methods: The liver cancer mortality data in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2021 were collected from Ningbo Municipal Chronic Disease Surveillance System. The crude mortality and standardized mortality by the 2 000 national population census data of liver cancer were estimated, and the proportion of concomitant diseases was analyzed among all dead patients with liver cancer. In addition, the trends in liver cancer mortality were analyzed with annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). Results: Both the crude and standardized mortality of liver cancer appeared a tendency towards a decline year by year in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2021, with AAPC of -3.47% (95%CI: -4.08% to -2.85%, P<0.001) and -6.56% (95%CI: -7.25% to -5.87%, P<0.001), and a the decline in liver cancer mortality was larger during the period between 2006 and 2021 than during the period between 2002 and 2006. The annual mean crude and standardized mortality of liver cancer was 35.39/105 and 20.98/105, and the crude mortality of liver cancer was 52.69/105 in men and 18.13/105 in women, respectively. After adjustment for age, the risk of liver cancer mortality was 3.03 (95%CI: 2.96-3.09) times greater among men than among women, and the mortality of liver cancer appeared a tendency towards a rise with age (χ2trend=45 684.254, P<0.001). Concomitant diseases were found among 9 985 dead cases with liver cancer (24.44%), and the concomitant diseases mainly included digestive system diseases (predominantly liver diseases) and infectious and parasitic diseases (predominantly virus hepatitis). Conclusions The mortality of liver cancer appeared a tendency towards a decline in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2021, and men and middle-aged and elderly residents were at high risk of liver cancer mortality. Digestive system diseases and infectious and parasitic diseases were predominant concomitant diseases among dead patients with liver cancer.