OBJECTIVE: To reveal the research status of fire needle by analyzing its patent applications, so as to provide reference for the development of fire needle equipment and the promotion of this therapy. METHODS: By searching the incoPat global patent database, from its inception to December 29th, 2024, the patent data on fire needle was collected. The patent analysis was employed on patent application trends, geographical distribution, patent types, current legal status, applicants and inventors, overall technical composition and distribution of applicable diseases. With the help of incoPat's "shared value" evaluation model, the technical efficacy value of patent was comprehensively measured from 3 dimensions, i.e. technical stability, technological advancement and protection scope. Using SWOT analysis, the matrix of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of fire needle technique was constructed, and then its development trend was analyzed systematically. RESULTS: A total of 346 patents were included, comprising 23 granted invention patents (6.65%), 219 utility model patents (63.29%), and 157 patents were in an effective state of validity (45.38%). The number of fire needle patent applications showed a growing trend since 2013 and peaked in 2021. The top 3 provinces and cities in terms of the number of applications were Guangdong, Beijing and Shandong. Existing patents focus on improving convenience, reducing complexity, enhancing safety and increasing efficiency; and are specialized in treatment of dermatological diseases. The results of patent research on fire needle show the application of updated materials, invention of equipment and expansion of applicable diseases. However, there are still some limitations such as technical complexity, high cost, lack of composite talents, lack of awareness of patent maintenance and insufficient international promotion. CONCLUSION Multiple strategies are proposed on the development of fire needle therapy, i.e. enhancing financial support and expanding the number of diseases, giving full play to regional characteristics and advantages to promote resource sharing, deepening the integration of industry, research and education to improve the quality of patents, strengthening supervision to reduce low-quality patents, and carrying out high-level research to promote technical standardization and internationalization, and enhance global competitiveness.
Patents as Topic ; Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Needles ; China

Objective To explore the value of serum family with sequence similarity 19 member A5(FAM19A5)and vitronectin in evaluating the degree of coronary artery disease and major adverse cardiovas-cular events(MACE)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)complicated with heart failure(HF).Methods From March 2022 to March 2023,120 patients with CHD complicated with HF in this hospital were collected as the study group,and 76 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in the hospital were as the control group.Patients in the study group were divided into mild group(41 cases),moderate group(59 cases)and severe group(20 cases)according to Gensini score and degree of coronary artery dis-ease.Meanwhile,they were divided into MACE group(36 cases)and non-MACE group(84 cases)according to whether MACE occurred 6 months after treatment.Serum FAM19A5 and vitronectin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the correlation between serum FAM19A5 and vitronec-tin levels and Gensini score in CHD patients with HF was analyzed by Pearson method.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of MACE in CHD patients with HF,and receiver operat-ing characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of FAM19A5 and vitronectin for MACE in CHD patients with HF.Results The serum FAM19A5 level in the study group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the serum vitronectin level was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The serum FAM19A5 level in severe group was significantly lower than that in mild and moderate groups(P＜0.05),and the serum vitronectin level was significantly higher than that in mild and moderate groups(P＜0.05).The serum FAM19A5 level in MACE group was significantly lower than that in non-MACE group(P＜0.05),and the serum vitronectin level was significantly higher than that in no-MACE group(P＜0.05).Ser-um FAM19A5 level in CHD patients with HF was negatively correlated with Gensini scores(r=-0.755,P＜0.001),and vitronectin level was positively correlated with Gensini scores(r=0.697,P＜0.001).The risk factors for MACE in CHD patients with HF were cardiac function grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ,decreased FAM19A5 lev-el,increased LDL-C,vitronectin level and Gensini scores(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of ser-um FAM19A5,vitronectin and the combination of FAM19A5 and Vitronectin were 0.882,0.877,and 0.962,respectively,which were superior to the AUC of FAM19A5 and Vitronectin alone(Z=2.612,2.188,P=0.009,0.029).Conclusion The serum levels of FAM19A5 and vitronectin are significantly correlated with the degree of coronary artery disease in CHD patients with HF,and the combination of Fam19A5 and Vitronectin has a high predictive value for the occurrence of MACE.

Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension （nOH） is a common neurodegenerative disease， and is usually differentiated as kidney-yang depletion syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Fire needling on governor vessel （督脉） acupoints as well as Shenshu （BL 23） and Zhishi （BL 52） can dredge the qi and blood of governor vessel， so as to warm yang and unblock the channels， supplement essence and boost marrow. A case of elderly nOH treated by fire needling mainly at governor vessel points， Shenshu （BL 23） and Zhishi （BL 52） was reported. After nearly two months of treatment， the patient's orthostatic blood pressure difference and yang deficiency-related symptoms were significantly improved， and the results of blood pressure monitoring， TCM syndrome scale evaluation and Shenshu （BL 23） area infrared imager detection all showed definite clinical effect.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of Yupingfeng granules on the improvement of epithelial barrier function and the inhibition of tumor metastasis by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）. METHODS Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the normal group （distilled water），model group （distilled water） and Yupingfeng granule group （40 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. The model group and Yupingfeng granule group were inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells subcutaneously in the right armpit to induce the spontaneous lung metastasis model. After modeling，each group was given water/ relevant medicine intragastrically，once a day，for 15 consecutive days. The effects of Yupingfeng granules on tumor metastasis were investigated by observing or determining the pathomorphology of lung tissue，metastatic lesion count on the surface of the lung， tumor metastatic lesion and the expression of carcinoembryonic antigens. qRT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of β-catenin，E-cadherin and vimentin in the lung tissue of mice. RESULTS Compared with the model group，the total number of pulmonary metastases on the surface was decreased significantly in Yupingfeng granule group （P＜ 0.05），the general morphology of lung tissue was recovered，and the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen in lung tissue was significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin in lung tissue were significantly increased （P＜ 0.05），while mRNA and protein expressions of vimentin and β-catenin were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Yupingfeng granules can inhibit EMT by regulating the expression of β-catenin，thus improving epithelial barrier function，and inhibiting the ability of tumor cells to invade and metastasize.

The development of gastritis is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Current invasive gastritis diagnostic methods are not suitable for monitoring progress. In this work based on 78 gastritis patients and 50 healthy individuals, we observed that the variation of tongue-coating microbiota was associated with the occurrence and development of gastritis. Twenty-one microbial species were identified for differentiating tongue-coating microbiomes of gastritis and healthy individuals. Pathways such as microbial metabolism in diverse environments, biosynthesis of antibiotics and bacterial chemotaxis were up-regulated in gastritis patients. The abundance of Campylobacter concisus was found associated with the gastric precancerous cascade. Furthermore, Campylobacter concisus could be detected in tongue coating and gastric fluid in a validation cohort containing 38 gastritis patients. These observations provided biological evidence of tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine, and indicated that tongue-coating microbiome could be a potential non-invasive biomarker, which might be suitable for long-term monitoring of gastritis.

The morbidity and mortality rate of neonatal infectious pneumonia take the first place in neonatal infectious diseases.Neonatal infectious pneumonia is also one of the main causes of neonatal death.Severe pneumonia could cause multiple organ inflammatory reaction and dysfunction.The etiology of neonatal severe infectious pneumonia is mainly exposure to pathogen and neonatal hypoimmunity.The passways inducing infection include prenatal,intrapartum and postpartum infection.Bacteria is the first pathogen in neonatal severe pneumonia and Gram-negative bacteria is the main pathogenic bacteria.The main bacteria of hospital acquired infection are enzyme production and multiple drug-resistant bacteria.Key treatment is reasonable anti-infection treatment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects of moxibustion and moxa smoke on blood lipids,hepatic pathological changes and intrahepatocytic molecules related to cholesterol metabolism and analyze the regulating effects of moxibustion and moxa smoke on cholesterol metabolism and explore the mechanisms of actions of moxibustion and moxa smoke. MethodFifty-one 8-week-old ApoE-/-mice were randomized into model, moxa smoke and moxibustion groups, 17 mice each. Twenty C57BL/6 mice comprised a blank control group. The normal and model groups of mice were routinely grabbed and fastened. The moxa smoke group of mice was exposed to 10-15 mg/m3moxa smoke circumstances. The moxibustion group of mice was given moxibustion on point Guanyuan(CV4). All interventions were made 20 min daily, 6 times a week, for 12 consecutive weeks. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Hepatic pathologic morphology was observed by HE staining. Hepatic CD36 and ABCA1 expressions were determined by immunohistochemical method.ResultIn the model group of mice, serum TG and LDL-C contents were significantly higher than in the normal group (P=0.003;P=0.001);HDL-C content was significantly lower than in the normal group (P=0.007); TC content had no significant difference compared with the normal group (P>0.05). In the moxibustion group of mice, serum TG and LDL-C contents were significantly lower than in the model group (P=0.03;P=0.001) and HDL-C content had no significant difference compared with the model group (P=0.11). In the moxa smoke group of mice, serum TG and LDL contents were significantly lower than in the model group (P=0.01;P=0.008) and HDL content had no significant difference compared with the model group (P=0.11). There were no significant differences in various blood lipid indicators between the moxibustion and moxa smoke groups (P>0.05). There were hepatic cell cord and sinusoid derangement and obvious hepatocytic swelling in the model group of mice. In the moxa smoke and moxibustion groups, hepatocytic swelling subsided significantly, and inflammatory cell infiltration reduced compared with the model group. In the model group,CD36 expression was significantly higher than in the normal group (P=0.004) and ABCA1 expression was significantly lower than in the normal group (P=0.001). In the moxibustion group, CD36 expression had no significant difference compared with the model group (P=0.09) and ABCA1 expression was significantly higher than in the model group (P=0.03). In the moxa smoke group, CD36 expression was significantly lower than in the normal group (P=0.02) and ABCA1 expression was significantly higher than in the model group (P=0.002). There were no significant differences in CD36 and ABCA1 expressions between the moxibustion and moxa smoke groups (P>0.05).ConclusionEarly moxibustion on point Guanyuan can regulate disorders of blood lipid metabolism, delay the occurrence of hepatic lesions and reduce intrahepatic accumulation of cholesterol to a certain extent in an ApoE-/-mouse model of atherosclerosis. That may be one of the mechanisms by which moxibustion therapy prevents atherosclerosis. Moxa smoke as the product of moxibustion is an effective factor in moxibustion producing a therapeutic effect.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of moxa smoke versus tobaccosmoke on autonomous behaviors and hippocampal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in apolipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE-/-) mice.Method Thirteen 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice constituted a blank control group. Twenty-seven ApoE-/-mice of the same age were randomized into ApoE-/-model, moxa smoke and tobacco smoke groups. The tobacco smoke and moxa smoke groups of mice were exposed to smoke 5-15 mg/m3circumstances. Every group of mice was intervened in 20 min. daily, six days a week, for atotal of 12 weeks. A behavioral test was conducted in week 13. The animals were then sacrificed to take the materials. Hippocampal GFAP in the brain was measured by an immunohistochemical method.ResultAutonomous activities were significantly more in theblank group than in the model group (P<0.05) and significantly fewer in the tobacco smoke group than in the blank group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in autonomous activities between the tobacco smoke group and the model or moxa smoke group (P>0.05). Moving distance was longer in the moxa smoke group than in the model group (P<0.05). Standing-up number was smaller in the moxa smoke group than in the blank group (P<0.05). Integral optical density of GFAP immune reaction products in the hippocampus was significantlyhigher in the model group of mice than in the blank and moxa smoke groups (P<0.05). Hippocampal GFAP expression was significantly higher in the group of mice than in the moxa smoke and blank groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Moxa smoke can increase the excitability of central nervous system in mice and reduce hippocampal GFAP expression in a mice model of Alzheimer disease.

This article summarized clinical studies and mechanism research literature on acupuncture in treating chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in the latest 20 years. It found that the domestic and foreign researches tend to regard acupuncture as an effective method for the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, which still requires further high-level clinical researches to verify. Acupuncture may prevent and treat chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting through multiple mechanisms, and studies on these mechanisms show extensive research prospect.

Objective To observe the effect of PM10 (inhalable particles) in moxa smoke on apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line-A549 cells, and explore the possible mechanisms of inducing apoptosisMethods The A549 cells were studied in vitro experiment method, which were stained by Hoechest33258 staining method. Their morphological changes of apoptosis were observed by the fluorescence microscopy. The levels of intracellular Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and expression of NF-κB p65 were also measured.Results Some apoptotic cells were observed after treated with moxa smoke PM10 in the concerntration of 400μg/mL. After 4 hours intervention by moxa smoke PM10 in A549 cells, the intracellular Ca2+ level increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the expression of NF-κB p65 decreased significantly (P<0.05) after intervention of moxa smoke PM10 with different concerntrations for 4 hours. When the A549 cells were cultured with moxa smoke PM10 for 20 hours, the expression of p65 decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the concerntrations of 70, 280μg/mL, while there was no significant change in the concerntration of 140μg/mL (P>0.05). Compared with the blank control group, ROS level was significantly lower (P<0.05) in A549 cells after intervention of moxa smoke PM10.Conclusion PM10 in moxa smoke could induce apoptosis of A549 cells, could increase cytosolic Ca2+ level.