Objective To investigate the effect of tritiated water on the immune system of zebrafish and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods Zebrafish embryos (2.5 to 3 hours post-fertilization [hpf]) were exposed to 3.7 × 10⁴ Bq/mL tritiated water (tritiated water group), and those exposed to E3 culture medium were used as the control group. The mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, heart rate, body length, yolk sac area, neutrophil count in the tail, immune-related gene expression, and immune-related protein expression of zebrafish in the two groups were determined. Then transcriptome technology was used to further analyze the possible mechanism of tritiated water affecting the immune system of zebrafish. Results Compared with the control group, zebrafish at 72 hpf in the tritiated water group had no significant changes in the mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, body length, and yolk sac area((t = 0.9045, 0.5000, 1.0000, 0.7238, 0.0337, P = 0.4169, 0.6433, 0.3739, 0.4785, 0.9735), but had significantly increased heart rate(t = 4.575，P = 0.002). At 4 days post-fertilization (dpf), the neutrophil count in the tail of zebrafish in the tritiated water group was significantly increased(t = 2.563，P = 0.0196), the mRNA expression of TNF-α was significantly decreased(t = 2.891, P = 0.045), the protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was significantly increased(t = 3.848, P = 0.018), and the protein expression of NLRP3 was significantly decreased(t = 14.98, P = 0.001). At 7 dpf, the neutrophil count in the tail and the protein expression levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, and interleukin-1β were significantly decreased(t = 3.772, 7.048, 15.620, 4.423, P = 0.014, 0.002, 0.0001, 0.012). Transcriptome sequencing revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the “neutrophil activation” and “platelet activation pathways” at 4 dpf and in the “neutrophil apoptosis”, “ferroptosis”, and “necroptosis” pathways at 7 dpf. Conclusion Tritiated water exposure induces a temporally dynamic immune response in zebrafish, potentially affecting immune homeostasis by regulating neutrophil activation and apoptosis, as well as the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3.

Objective:To investigate the impact of QiliQiangXin Capsules on ventricular remodeling and cardiac contraction and relaxation function in aging rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction.Methods:From August 2022 to August 2023, a total of 30 old rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-operated group, model group, and treatment group, with 10 rats in each group selected through a digital lottery method.The model and treatment groups were created by ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery.The rats in the treatment group received daily administration of Astragalosa hebecarpa Drabanemerosa Strong Heart Capsule(1.0 g/kg)via gavage after 4 weeks.After the 4-week drug administration period, echocardiography was performed to measure various parameters including left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter(LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter(LVIDs), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular anterior wall myocardial thickness(LVAWd), mitral valve early diastolic peak flow velocity(E peak), and early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus(e peak)detected by tissue Doppler(TDI). The E/e value was calculated based on these measurements.Additionally, serum levels of B-type brain natriuretic peptide(BNP), matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9), and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was employed to observe the morphological changes in myocardial tissue.Results:Compared to rats in the model group, rats in the treatment group exhibited lower left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole(LVIDd)(9.1±0.6 mm vs.11.4±0.8 mm, P<0.01), lower left ventricular internal dimension at end-systole(LVIDs)(5.9±0.8 mm vs.8.7±0.9 mm, P<0.01), lower E/e ratio(13.4±2.0 vs.16.3±2.8, P<0.05), higher left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(68.8±7.1% vs.52.0±8.4%, P<0.01), and elevated left ventricular anterior wall thickness at end-diastole(LVAWd)(1.5±0.2 mm vs.1.2±0.3 mm, P<0.05). In addition, compared to rats in the model group, the treatment group showed a decrease in brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)(0.26±0.04 μg/L vs.0.34±0.05 μg/L, P<0.01), decreased matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)(3697.0±857.7 μg/L vs.4719.5±703.5 μg/L, P<0.01), decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)(87.3±13.8 μg/L vs.116.5±9.6 μg/L, P<0.01), decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)(165.3±36.9 μg/L vs.269.8±35.0 μg/L, P<0.01), and lower TNF-α levels(165.3±36.9 μg/L vs.269.8±35.0 μg/L, P<0.01). Histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining revealed that the treatment group had less severe cardiac myocyte arrangement disorder and inflammatory reaction compared to the model group. Conclusions:Qiliqiangxin Capsules were found to effectively delay ventricular remodeling and improve myocardial contraction and relaxation function in aging rats with heart failure after acute myocardial infarction.

Autism spectrum disorder(ASD)is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder with onset in infancy or early childhood.Mendelian randomization(MR)is a statistical method used to infer causal relationships between exposures and outcomes.This article summarizes MR studies related to ASD.Existing research supports a causal relationship between maternal inflammatory bowel disease in children with ASD,parental education levels,screen time exposure,obesity,insomnia,serum transferrin,decreased blood selenium,abnormal signals in brain functional MRI,interleukin-6,phosphodiesterase 2A,mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3,mitochondrial ribosomal protein L33,serotonin,and ASD.However,it does not support a causal relationship between parental rheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,neonatal jaundice in children with ASD,cytomegalovirus infection,asthma,oral ulcers,vitamin D levels,and ASD.This article reviews the etiological factors related to ASD and MR studies,aiming to explore and deepen the understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD.It provides strong statistical support for the prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of ASD,and offers new methods and strategies for the etiological analysis of complex traits.

Femoral neck fracture (FNF) in the elderly patients is currently a major health challenge worldwide, with excessive consumption of medical resources, high incidence of complications as well as suboptimal outcome and prognosis. Hip joint arthroplasty (HJA) has been the mainstream treatment for FNF in the elderly, but the conventional surgical approaches and techniques are still confronted with a series of bottlenecks such as dislocation, limp and limb length discrepancy. In recent years, direct anterior approach (DAA) for HJA (DAA-HJA) has been a major new choice in the field of joint replacement, which achieves improved clinical effectiveness of HJA in the treatment of elderly FNF, due to the fact that DAA approach involves the neuromuscular interface and accords with the idea of soft tissue retention and enhanced recovery after surgery. However, there is still a lack of unified understanding of standard technique and procedure of DAA-HJA in the treatment of elderly FNF. Therefore, relevant experts from the Hip Joint Group of Chinese Orthopedics Association of Chinese Medical Association, Youth Arthrology Group of Orthopedic Committee of PLA, Orthopedic Committee of Chongqing Medical Association, Branch of Orthopedic Surgeons of Chongqing Medical Doctor Association and Sport Medicine Committee of Chongqing Medical Association were organized to formulate the " Chinese expert consensus on the technical standard of direct anterior hip arthroplasty for elderly femoral neck fracture ( version 2023)" based on evidence-based medicine. This consensus mainly proposed 13 recommendations covering indications, surgical plans, prosthesis selections, surgical techniques and processes, and postoperative management of DAA-HJA in elderly patients with FNF, aiming to promote standardized, systematic and patient-specific diagnosis and treatment to improve the functional prognosis of the patients.

The PRR11 gene (Proline Rich 11) has been implicated in lung cancer; however, relationship between PRR11 and immune infiltration is not clearly understood. In this study, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data to analyze the lung adenocarcinoma patients; PRR11 gene expression, clinicopathological findings, enrichment, and immune infiltration were also studied. PRR11 immune response expression assays in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) were performed using TIMER, and statistical analysis and visualization were conducted using R software. All data were verified using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). We found that PRR11 was an important prognostic factor in patients with LUAD. PRR11 expression was correlated with tumor stage and progression. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) showed that PRR11 was enriched in the cell cycle regulatory pathways. Immune infiltration analysis revealed that the number of T helper 2 (Th2) cells increased when PRR11 was overexpressed. These results confirm the role of PRR11 as a prognostic marker of lung adenocarcinoma by controlling the cell cycle and influencing the immune system to facilitate lung cancer progression.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Biological Assay ; Cell Cycle

Objective To explore the effect of Yiqi Tongluo Anshen Recipe combined with statins on coronary blood flow and blood pressure in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with hy-pertension.Methods A total of 120 patients with coronary heart disease combined with hypertension were selected as study objects,and were divided into two groups according to treatment methods,with 60 patients in each group.The conventional group was treated with amlodipine tablets combined with atorvastatin calcium tablets,and the Anshen prescription group was treated with Yiqi Tongluo Anshen Recipe on the basis of the conventional group.The levels of Salusin-β,lipoprotein-associated phospho-lipase A2(LP-PLA2),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),pentamylin 3(PTX3),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and blood pressure of the two groups were recorded before and after treat-ment,and the TIMI3 rate of coronary blood flow in myocardial infarction thrombolysis test(TIMI)and the adverse reaction rate during treatment were analyzed.Results The total effective rate of TCM syn-drome in the Anshen prescription group was higher than that in conventional group(P＜0.05).After treatment,systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)in two groups were lower than before treatment,and SBP and DBP in the Anshen prescription group were lower than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).The rate of coronary blood flow TIMI3 in the Anshen prescrip-tion group was higher than that in the conventional group(P＜0.05).After treatment,levels of Sa-lusin-β,LP-PLA2,PTX3,hs-CRP and TNF-α in two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment,and levels of Salusin-β,LP-PLA2,PTX3,hs-CRP and TNF-α levels of in the Anshen prescription group after treatment were lower than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the Anshen prescription group and the conventional group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Tongluo Anshen Recipe combined with statins in the treatment of coronary heart disease with hypertension can reduce the expression of related factors,improve coronary blood flow and the curative effect.

Objective To explore the effect of Yiqi Tongluo Anshen Recipe combined with statins on coronary blood flow and blood pressure in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with hy-pertension.Methods A total of 120 patients with coronary heart disease combined with hypertension were selected as study objects,and were divided into two groups according to treatment methods,with 60 patients in each group.The conventional group was treated with amlodipine tablets combined with atorvastatin calcium tablets,and the Anshen prescription group was treated with Yiqi Tongluo Anshen Recipe on the basis of the conventional group.The levels of Salusin-β,lipoprotein-associated phospho-lipase A2(LP-PLA2),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),pentamylin 3(PTX3),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and blood pressure of the two groups were recorded before and after treat-ment,and the TIMI3 rate of coronary blood flow in myocardial infarction thrombolysis test(TIMI)and the adverse reaction rate during treatment were analyzed.Results The total effective rate of TCM syn-drome in the Anshen prescription group was higher than that in conventional group(P＜0.05).After treatment,systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)in two groups were lower than before treatment,and SBP and DBP in the Anshen prescription group were lower than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).The rate of coronary blood flow TIMI3 in the Anshen prescrip-tion group was higher than that in the conventional group(P＜0.05).After treatment,levels of Sa-lusin-β,LP-PLA2,PTX3,hs-CRP and TNF-α in two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment,and levels of Salusin-β,LP-PLA2,PTX3,hs-CRP and TNF-α levels of in the Anshen prescription group after treatment were lower than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the Anshen prescription group and the conventional group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Tongluo Anshen Recipe combined with statins in the treatment of coronary heart disease with hypertension can reduce the expression of related factors,improve coronary blood flow and the curative effect.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis, treat-ment and prognosis of gallbladder cancer in China from 2010 to 2017.Methods:The single disease retrospective registration cohort study was conducted. Based on the concept of the real world study, the clinicopathological data, from multicenter retrospective clinical data database of gallbladder cancer of Chinese Research Group of Gallbladder Cancer (CRGGC), of 6 159 patients with gallbladder cancer who were admitted to 42 hospitals from January 2010 to December 2017 were collected. Observation indicators: (1) case resources; (2) age and sex distribution; (3) diagnosis; (4) surgical treatment and prognosis; (5) multimodality therapy and prognosis. The follow-up data of the 42 hospitals were collected and analyzed by the CRGGC. The main outcome indicator was the overall survival time from date of operation for surgical patients or date of diagnosis for non-surgical patients to the end of outcome event or the last follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribu-tion were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range), and com-parison between groups was conducted using the U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Univariate analysis was performed using the Logistic forced regression model, and variables with P<0.1 in the univariate analysis were included for multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Logistic stepwise regression model. The life table method was used to calculate survival rates and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves. Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Case resources: of the 42 hospitals, there were 35 class A of tertiary hospitals and 7 class B of tertiary hospitals, 16 hospitals with high admission of gallbladder cancer and 26 hospitals with low admission of gallbladder cancer, respectively. Geographical distribution of the 42 hospitals: there were 9 hospitals in central China, 5 hospitals in northeast China, 22 hospitals in eastern China and 6 hospitals in western China. Geographical distribution of the 6 159 patients: there were 2 154 cases(34.973%) from central China, 705 cases(11.447%) from northeast China, 1 969 cases(31.969%) from eastern China and 1 331 cases(21.611%) from western China. The total average number of cases undergoing diagnosis and treatment in hospitals of the 6 159 patients was 18.3±4.5 per year, in which the average number of cases undergoing diagnosis and treatment in hospitals of 4 974 patients(80.760%) from hospitals with high admission of gallbladder cancer was 38.8±8.9 per year and the average number of cases undergoing diagnosis and treatment in hospitals of 1 185 patients(19.240%) from hospitals with low admission of gallbladder cancer was 5.7±1.9 per year. (2) Age and sex distribution: the age of 6 159 patients diagnosed as gallbladder cancer was 64(56,71) years, in which the age of 2 247 male patients(36.483%) diagnosed as gallbladder cancer was 64(58,71)years and the age of 3 912 female patients(63.517%) diagnosed as gallbladder cancer was 63(55,71)years. The sex ratio of female to male was 1.74:1. Of 6 159 patients, 3 886 cases(63.095%) were diagnosed as gallbladder cancer at 56 to 75 years old. There was a significant difference on age at diagnosis between male and female patients ( Z=-3.99, P<0.001). (3) Diagnosis: of 6 159 patients, 2 503 cases(40.640%) were initially diagnosed as gallbladder cancer and 3 656 cases(59.360%) were initially diagnosed as non-gallbladder cancer. There were 2 110 patients(34.259%) not undergoing surgical treatment, of which 200 cases(9.479%) were initially diagnosed as gallbladder cancer and 1 910 cases(90.521%) were initially diagnosed as non-gallbladder cancer. There were 4 049 patients(65.741%) undergoing surgical treatment, of which 2 303 cases(56.878%) were initially diagnosed as gallbladder cancer and 1 746 cases(43.122%) were initial diagnosed as non-gallbladder cancer. Of the 1 746 patients who were initially diagnosed as non-gallbladder cancer, there were 774 cases(19.116%) diagnosed as gallbladder cancer during operation and 972 cases(24.006%) diagnosed as gallbladder cancer after operation. Of 6 159 patients, there were 2 521 cases(40.932%), 2 335 cases(37.912%) and 1 114 cases(18.087%) undergoing ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination before initial diagnosis, respec-tively, and there were 3 259 cases(52.914%), 3 172 cases(51.502%) and 4 016 cases(65.205%) undergoing serum carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9 or CA125 examination before initially diagnosis, respectively. One patient may underwent multiple examinations. Results of univariate analysis showed that geographical distribution of hospitals (eastern China or western China), age ≥72 years, gallbladder cancer annual admission of hospitals, whether undergoing ultrasound, CT, MRI, serum carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9 or CA125 examination before initially diagnosis were related factors influencing initial diagnosis of gallbladder cancer patients ( odds ratio=1.45, 1.98, 0.69, 0.68, 2.43, 0.41, 1.63, 0.41, 0.39, 0.42, 95% confidence interval as 1.21-1.74, 1.64-2.40, 0.59-0.80, 0.60-0.78, 2.19-2.70, 0.37-0.45, 1.43-1.86, 0.37-0.45, 0.35-0.43, 0.38-0.47, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that geographical distribution of hospitals (eastern China or western China), sex, age ≥72 years, gallbladder cancer annual admission of hospitals and cases undergoing ultrasound, CT, serum CA19-9 examination before initially diagnosis were indepen-dent influencing factors influencing initial diagnosis of gallbladder cancer patients ( odds ratio=1.36, 1.42, 0.89, 0.67, 1.85, 1.56, 1.57, 0.39, 95% confidence interval as 1.13-1.64, 1.16-1.73, 0.79-0.99, 0.57-0.78, 1.60-2.14, 1.38-1.77, 1.38-1.79, 0.35-0.43, P<0.05). (4) Surgical treatment and prognosis. Of the 4 049 patients undergoing surgical treatment, there were 2 447 cases(60.435%) with complete pathological staging data and follow-up data. Cases with pathological staging as stage 0, stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲa, stage Ⅲb, stage Ⅳa and stage Ⅳb were 85(3.474%), 201(8.214%), 71(2.902%), 890(36.371%), 382(15.611%), 33(1.348%) and 785(32.080%), respectively. The median follow-up time and median postoperative overall survival time of the 2 447 cases were 55.75 months (95% confidence interval as 52.78-58.35) and 23.46 months (95% confidence interval as 21.23-25.71), respectively. There was a significant difference in the overall survival between cases with pathological staging as stage 0, stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲa, stage Ⅲb, stage Ⅳa and stage Ⅳb ( χ2=512.47, P<0.001). Of the 4 049 patients undergoing surgical treatment, there were 2 988 cases(73.796%) with resectable tumor, 177 cases(4.371%) with unresectable tumor and 884 cases(21.833%) with tumor unassessable for resectabi-lity. Of the 2 988 cases with resectable tumor, there were 2 036 cases(68.139%) undergoing radical resection, 504 cases(16.867%) undergoing non-radical resection and 448 cases(14.994%) with operation unassessable for curative effect. Of the 2 447 cases with complete pathological staging data and follow-up data who underwent surgical treatment, there were 53 cases(2.166%) with unresectable tumor, 300 cases(12.260%) with resectable tumor and receiving non-radical resection, 1 441 cases(58.888%) with resectable tumor and receiving radical resection, 653 cases(26.686%) with resectable tumor and receiving operation unassessable for curative effect. There were 733 cases not undergoing surgical treatment with complete pathological staging data and follow-up data. There was a significant difference in the overall survival between cases not undergoing surgical treatment, cases undergoing surgical treatment for unresectable tumor, cases undergoing non-radical resection for resectable tumor and cases undergoing radical resection for resectable tumor ( χ2=121.04, P<0.001). (5) Multimodality therapy and prognosis: of 6 159 patients, there were 541 cases(8.784%) under-going postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and advanced chemotherapy, 76 cases(1.234%) under-going radiotherapy. There were 1 170 advanced gallbladder cancer (pathological staging ≥stage Ⅲa) patients undergoing radical resection, including 126 cases(10.769%) with post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy and 1 044 cases(89.231%) without postoperative adjuvant chemo-therapy. There was no significant difference in the overall survival between cases with post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy and cases without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy ( χ2=0.23, P=0.629). There were 658 patients with pathological staging as stage Ⅲa who underwent radical resection, including 66 cases(10.030%) with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and 592 cases(89.970%) without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in the overall survival between cases with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and cases without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy ( χ2=0.05, P=0.817). There were 512 patients with pathological staging ≥stage Ⅲb who underwent radical resection, including 60 cases(11.719%) with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and 452 cases(88.281%) without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in the overall survival between cases with postoperative adjuvant chemo-therapy and cases without post-operative adjuvant chemo-therapy ( χ2=1.50, P=0.220). Conclusions:There are more women than men with gallbladder cancer in China and more than half of patients are diagnosed at the age of 56 to 75 years. Cases undergoing ultrasound, CT, serum CA19-9 examination before initial diagnosis are independent influencing factors influencing initial diagnosis of gallbladder cancer patients. Preoperative resectability evaluation can improve the therapy strategy and patient prognosis. Adjuvant chemotherapy for gallbladder cancer is not standardized and in low proportion in China.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics and rules of acupoint sensitization phenomena based on knee osteoarthritis (KOA), one of the clinical dominant diseases of acupuncture-moxibustion. METHODS: In combination with literature and expert experiences, the acupoints with the highest use frequency in treatment of KOA were screened, e.g. Heding (EX-LE 2), Liangqiu (ST 34), Mingmen (GV 4), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Ququan (LR 8) and Dubi (ST 35). In 814 patients with KOA and 217 healthy subjects, the acupoint temperature, mechanic pain threshold and pressure pain threshold were detected separately. Using machine learning method, the sensitization was judged at each acupoint. RESULTS: Compared with healthy subjects, the acupoint temperature was increased and the mechanic pain threshold and pressure pain threshold were reduced in KOA patients (P<0.05). Besides, the cut-off value was presented to distinguish whether the acupoint was sensitized or not. The results of machine learning showed that the highest prediction accuracy of acupoint sensitization was 86.7% (Shenshu [BL 23]) and the lowest one was 73.9% (Heding [EX LE 2]). The prediction accuracy at the third clinical stage trial was higher, the highest was 93.3% (Ququan [LR 8]) in KOA patients. CONCLUSION It is confirmed that the acupoint sensitization reflects the characteristics of disease and is correlative with the conditions of illness, which may provide the reference for the auxiliary diagnosis and condition assessment of KOA.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on postoperative pain in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease, and explored the relationship between the postoperative analgesic effect of acupuncture and the sensation of acupuncture experienced by the patients. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 97 patients who had undergone an operation by the same surgeon due to degenerative lumbar disease. These patients were divided into acupuncture group (n = 32), patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) group (n = 27), and oral analgesia group (n = 38) according to the different postoperative analgesic methods. During their hospitalization, patients completed daily evaluations of their pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and injection times of supplemental meperidine were recorded. Also, the Chinese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS) was used in the acupuncture group. RESULTS: Each of the three treatment groups showed significant reductions in postoperative pain, as shown by reduced VAS scores. The acupuncture group, however, had less rebound pain (P < 0.05) than the other two groups. Both the acupuncture and PCA groups experienced acute analgesic effects that were superior to those in the oral analgesia group. In addition, the higher the C-MASS index on the second day after surgery, the lower the VAS score on the fourth day after surgery. There was also a significant difference in the "dull pain" in the acupuncture sensation. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that acupuncture was beneficial for postoperative pain and discomfort after simple surgery for degenerative spinal disease. It is worth noting that there was a disproportionate relevance between the patient's acupuncture sensation and the improvement of pain VAS score.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Analgesia/methods* ; Analgesics/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Humans ; Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensation