The Chinese herbal prescription JieZe-1 inhibits caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis induced by herpes simplex virus-2 infection in vitro.

Objective: JieZe-1 (JZ-1), a Chinese herbal prescription, has an obvious effect on genital herpes, which is mainly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Our study aimed to address whether HSV-2 induces pyroptosis of VK2/E6E7 cells and to investigate the anti-HSV-2 activity of JZ-1 and the effect of JZ-1 on caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis.

Methods: HSV-2-infected VK2/E6E7 cells and culture supernate were harvested at different time points after the infection.

Effect of Acupuncture on Endometrial Blood Flow in Women Undergoing in vitro Fertilization Embryo Transfer: A Single Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on endometrial blood flow parameters by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in women undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Methods: Seventy patients undergoing IVF-ET were equally randomized into traditional or sham acupuncture treatment group for totally 4 days (from the day of oocyte aspiration to the day of embryo transfer) of treatment by random envelope method at the Reproductive Medicine Center and Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients in the traditional acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with manual acupuncture, and Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR 3), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Zusanli (ST 36) were chosen.

Efficacy of Electro-acupuncture in Treatment of Functional Constipation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Functional constipation (FC) is a chronic disease that significantly affects the life quality of patients. Acupuncture has been used for the treatment of FC for many years, but its effectiveness has not been scientifically assessed. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electro-acupuncture (EA) in relieving the symptoms, mental states and quality of life (QOL) of FC patients.

[Progress of fMRI Research on "" of Acupuncture and Our Considerations About Further Studies].

The objectification of "" of acupuncture is a hot topic in acupuncture research at present, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is one of the most frequently-used techniques for revealing its brain responses. We searched literature about "" from PubMed in recent 10 years by using key words """acupuncture sensation""needling sensation" and fMRI, trying to expound the central mechanism of "" and to put forward our understandings. Acupuncture "" evoked deactivation of the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network (LPNN)/ default mode network (DMN), including medial prefrontal cortex (frontal pole, anterior cingulate), temporal lobe (amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampus gyrus, temporal pole), and apparent activation of brain regions as the somatosensory cortex, thalamic-somatosensory area-insular lobe, orbitofrontal cortex, etc.

Needle Sensation and Personality Factors Influence Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture for Treating Bell's Palsy: A Secondary Analysis of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: It has not been solved what kind of needle sensation might influence outcomes of acupuncture treatment. Effects of personality factors on the therapeutic effect of acupuncture have not been investigated. This study aimed to find the effects of the traits of personality on the objective outcome when different acupuncture techniques were used in treating patients with Bell's palsy.

A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture to treat functional constipation: design and protocol.

Background: Functional constipation (FC) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) which has a major impact on the quality of life. Acupuncture is widely used as an alternative and complementary medicine (CAM) for FC, but the available evidence of its effectiveness is scarce. Therefore, we will perform a randomized controlled trial to determine whether acupuncture improves symptom and quality of life in FC patients more effectively than sham acupuncture or gastrointestinal prokinetic agent.

Clinical study of electro-acupuncture treatment with different intensities for functional constipation patients.

Functional constipation (FC) is a common functional bowel disorder disease that affects life quality of a large number of people. This study aimed to explore the impact of different intensities of electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment for FC patients. Totally, 111 patients with FC meeting the Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to different intensities of EA groups (low and high intensity of EA groups) and medicine-controlled (MC) group.

De qi, a threshold of the stimulus intensity, elicits the specific response of acupoints and intrinsic change of human brain to acupuncture.

Objectives.  De qi is the subjective constellation of sensations perceived by the acupuncturists and patients as described in several literatures, but the absence of quantitative evaluation methods in de qi restricts the use of acupuncture treatment widely in the world. In the present study, we tried to investigate the intrinsic property of de qi is and how evaluate it quantitatively.

Effects of acupuncture on progesterone and prolactin in rats of embryo implantation dysfunction.

Objective: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on progesterone (P4) and prolactin (PRL) in rats of embryo implantation dysfunction (EID).

Methods: On the first day of pregnancy, 72 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into the normal group, the EID model group, the acupuncture group and the P4 group (18 in each group). The normal group was injected sesame oil, while the other three groups were given mifepristone to establish the EID model.

Effect of acupuncture on CXCL8 receptors in rats suffering from embryo implantation failure.

To observe the effect of acupuncture on CXCL8 receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) in rat endometrium experiencing embryo implantation failure, 72 pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group (N), embryo implantation failure group (M), acupuncture treatment group (A), and progestin treatment group (W). Then the rats in each group were equally randomized into a day-6 (D6) group, a day-8 (D8) group, and a day-10 (D10) group. The rats in group M, group A, and group W were treated with mifepristone-sesame oil solution on day 1, while the rats in group N were injected with the same amount of sesame oil.

Electro-acupuncture with different current intensities to treat functional constipation: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Functional constipation (FC) is highly prevalent in the general population of the world and has a substantial negative impact on the health-related quality of life of individuals. Many clinical trials have indicated that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of FC. However, the sample sizes of these previous studies were too small.

Effect of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue recipe on placental vasculature in pregnant rats with fetal growth restriction induced by passive smoking.

Interactions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with receptors VEGFR1/Flt1 and VEGFR2/Flk1, and those of angiopoietins (Ang-1, Ang-2) with receptor Tie2 play important roles in placental angiogenesis. This study investigated vascular morphology and expression of these angiogenic factors in rat placenta on the day 15, 18, 21 of gestation (D15, D18 and D21). The rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups: normal group, model group [fetal growth restriction (FGR) model], and Bushen Yiqi Huoxue (BYHR) recipe treatment group (BYHR group, the pregnant rats with FGR were treated with BYHR recipe).

Effectiveness of strengthened stimulation during acupuncture for the treatment of Bell palsy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The traditional Chinese theory of acupuncture emphasizes that the intensity of acupuncture must reach a threshold to generate de qi, which is necessary to achieve the best therapeutic effect. De qi is an internal compound sensation of soreness, tingling, fullness, aching, cool, warmth and heaviness, and a radiating sensation at and around the acupoints. However, the notion that de qi must be achieved for maximum benefit has not been confirmed by modern scientific evidence.

Synthesis and characteristics of (Hydrogenated) ferulic acid derivatives as potential antiviral agents with insecticidal activity.

Background: Plant viruses cause many serious plant diseases and are currently suppressed with the simultaneous use of virucides and insecticides. The use of such materials, however, increases the amounts of pollutants in the environment. To reduce environmental contaminants, virucides with insecticidal activity is an attractive option.

The role of acupuncture in assisted reproductive technology.

The aim of this paper was to provide reliable evidence by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis for evaluating the role of acupuncture in assisted reproductive technology. All randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of acupuncture, including manual, electrical, and laser acupuncture (LA) techniques, on the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination were included. The controlled groups consisted of no acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups.

Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Patient(s): Women undergoing IVF in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) who were evaluated for the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes.

De-qi, not psychological factors, determines the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

Objective: To study the impact of De-qi (, obtaining qi) and psychological factors on the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea, with an attempt to explore the relationship among De-qi, psychological factors, and clinical efficacy.

Methods: The patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned to a group of acupuncture with manual manipulation (manipulation group, n=67) and an acupuncture group without manipulation (non-manipulation group, n=64). Pain intensity and pain duration were used as measures for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of the acupuncture treatment.

[Efficacy impacts of psychological factors on primary dysmenorrhea treated with acupuncture].

Objective: To explore the relationship between psychological factors and efficacy of acupuncture on primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods: Sixty cases of primary dysmenorrhea were observed. Before acupuncture treatment, the self-designed confidence questionnaire was used to assess patients' confidence in acupuncture efficacy.

Acupuncture for infertility: is it an effective therapy?

Acupuncture has been used to treat infertility extensively, including ovulatory dysfunction, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and male infertility. This review summarizes the recent studies which investigated the role of acupuncture in infertility. In conclusion, most of the existing studies suggest a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility treatment.

[Effects of gap junction blocking on the oxygen partial pressure in acupoints of the bladder meridian].

Objective: To explore the relation between gap junction and meridian phenomenon.

Methods: The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints [see text for formula] and in their corresponding non-acupoints of the Bladder Meridian was observed with the needle-type tissue oxygen tension sensor in the gap junction blocking goats by 1-Heptanol injection and the Connexin 43 (Cx43) gene knockout mice.

Results: (1) The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints of Bladder Meridian on goats was higher than that in non-acupoints after 1-Heptanol injection with significant differences between them (both P < 0.

Effects of Bushenyiqihexue formula on the endometrial gland apoptosis in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction.

Objective: To observe the effects of Bushenyiqihexue Formula (Formula for Tonifying the Kidney, Replenishing qi and Harmonizing Blood, FTKRQHB) on the endometrial gland apoptosis in the mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction.

Methods: The mice with the first-day pregnancy were divided into the control, model and treatment groups, with 30 in each group, and blastocyst implantation dysfunction was induced by subcutaneous injection of mifepristone in the mice of the model and treatment groups. The pregnancy rate and implantation number of blastocysts were measured and the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, and activated caspase-3 were detected in all the three groups.

[Effect of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue Recipe on placental trophoblast apoptosis in fetal growth restricted pregnant rat].

Objective: To observe the effect of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue Recipe (BYHR, a Chinese medical prescription for reinforcing Shen, replenishing qi and promoting blood circulation) on placental trophoblast apoptosis in fetal growth restricted (FGR) pregnant rat for the sake of explore its mechanism of action in treating FGR.

Methods: FGR animal model was established by passive smoking, 32 pregnant rats were divided into four groups at random: the normal group, the model group, the Chinese medicine (CM) group (model rats treated by BYHR) and the Western medicine (WM) group (model rats treated by arginine). The histological change of placenta was examined with HE stain, the trophoblast apoptosis was detected by TUNEL and RT-PCR, and the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in the placenta were detected by immunohistochemical method.

[Influences of acupuncture on infertility of rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome].

Objective: To observe the effect and mechanism of acupuncture on infertility of rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: PCOS rat model was induced by subcutaneous injection of oil solution of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in immature (24-day-old) female rats for continuous 20 days. Rats for control were given with same dose of oil for instead.

[Effects of acupuncture on the luteal function of rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation].

Objective: To observe the influence of acupuncture on the luteal function of rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation, and investigate its mechanism.

Methods: The early pregnant female rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an acupoint group and a non-acupoint group. The model rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation were established with Mifepristone.

Involvement of connexin 43 in the acupuncture effect of improving rat blastocyst implantation.

Acupuncture can improve blastocyst implantation in rats. Connexin 43 may be involved in this effect.