[Electroacupuncture preconditioning alleviates podocyte injury via PTEN/PI3K pathway in type 2 diabetes rats].

Objectives: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on podocytes and phosphatase and tension homologous protein (PTEN)/phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway in rats with type 2 diabetic kidney injury, so as to explore its potential mechanisms.

Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model, EA, inhibitor, and sham EA groups, with 10 rats in each group. Diabetes model was established by high-fat and high-sugar diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg).

Intraoral Acupuncture for Sialorrhea in Stroke Patients: a Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Importance: Post-stroke sialorrhea (PSS) refers to excessive saliva flowing out the lip border after a stroke. PSS negatively affects patient self-image and social communication and may lead to depression. Limited evidence supports the link between excessive salivation and PSS.

Effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on artery elasticity for early carotid atherosclerosis.

Objectives: To observe the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on arterial elasticity in patients with early carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods: A total of 62 patients with early carotid atherosclerosis were randomly divided into a blank group (12 cases, 1 cases dropped-off), a sham-acupuncture group (25 cases, 5 cases dropped-off) and an acupuncture group (25 cases, 3 cases dropped-off). Patients in the acupuncture group received acupuncture treatment, including ①acupuncture：Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV24), Renying (ST9), Neiguan (PC6), Yanglingquan (GB34)；②moxibustion：Yinqiguiyuan (Zhongwan ［CV12］, Xiawan ［CV10］, Qihai ［CV6］, Guanyuan ［CV4］), Sihua (Geshu ［BL17］, Danshu ［BL19］)；③Intradermal needle：Xinshu (BL15), Danshu (BL19).

Subregions of the fusiform gyrus are differentially involved in the attentional mechanism supporting visual mental imagery in depression.

Background: Impaired visual mental imagery is an important symptom of depression and has gradually become an intervention target for cognitive behavioral therapy.

Methods: Our study involved a total of 25 healthy controls (HC) and 23 individuals with moderate depressive symptoms (MD). This study explored the attentional mechanism supporting visual mental imagery impairments in depression using the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ), attentional network test (ANT), and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Perceived stress and brain connectivity in subthreshold depression: Insights from eyes-closed and eyes-open states.

Perceived stress is an acknowledged risk factor for subthreshold depression (StD), and fluctuations in perceived stress are thought to disrupt the harmony of brain networks essential for emotional and cognitive functioning. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between eye-open (EO) and eye-closed (EC) states, perceived stress, and StD. We recruited 27 individuals with StD and 33 healthy controls, collecting resting state fMRI data under both EC and EO conditions.

Professor 's experience in treating "five delays and five weaknesses" in children with -oriented approach.

Professor , based on the concept of the "-oriented approach", identifies " deficiency with excess " as the underlying pathological mechanism of "five delays and five weaknesses" in children. He recommends a treatment model that included acupuncture, moxibustion, and rehabilitation, integrating various therapeutic methods of acupuncture, refined moxibustion, and auricular point sticking. Specific acupoints along the conception vessel, governor vessel, and bladder meridian, as well as related acupoints with tonifying effects on spleen and kidney, are selected to achieve the therapeutic goal of "promoting and nourishing simultaneously".

[From the body-mind holism to psychosomatic medicine: theory and practice of acupuncture and moxibustion].

The traditional life concept of "body-mind holism" in Chinese medicine has drawn a special attention with the development of modern psychosomatic medicine. The "body-mind holism" is valuable in the guidance for clinical acupuncture practice, but, it is only remained on the theoretical significance by the medical masters in the past dynasties. In the paper, based on the understanding of (), the similarities and differences are compared between the body-mind theory and psychosomatic medicine.

[Effect of acupuncture combined with low frequency rTMS on comorbid mild-to-moderate depressive disorder and insomnia: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the impacts of acupuncture on depressive mood and sleep quality in patients with comorbid mild-to-moderate depressive disorder and insomnia, and explore its effect mechanism.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with comorbid mild-to-moderate depressive disorder and insomnia were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the observation group, acupuncture and low frequency repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) were combined for the intervention.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of serum exosomes and pro-inflammatory factors in spinal cord of rats with spinal cord injury].

Objective: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the morphology and microstructure of spinal cord tissue, the expression of serum exosomes, and the pro-inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in spinal cord of rats with spinal cord injury (SCI), so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA in the treatment of SCI.

Methods: Twenty-four female Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, EA group, EA+GW4869 group, with 6 rats in each group. The SCI model was established by impinging spinal cord at T10 with a hammer, while the vertebral lamina was only opened without impingement for rats in sham operation group.

[Effect of acupuncture combined with western medication on depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine: a multi-central randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture (acupuncture for soothing the liver and regulating the mentality) combined with western medication on depression and sleep quality in the patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine, and investigate the potential mechanism from the perspective of cortical excitability.

Methods: Sixty patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a sham-acupuncture group, 30 cases in each one. The patients of both groups were treated with oral administration of sertraline hydrochloride tablets.

Electroacupuncture on Hemifacial Spasm and Temporomandibular Joint Pain Co-Morbidity: A Case Report.

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain are common facial diseases which cause depression, anxiety, insomnia, and poor quality of life. However, currently there are still no effective therapies to treat HFS and TMJ. Electroacupuncture (EA) has advantages of safety, rapid work, easy operation and convenience.

[Consolidating the foundation, highlighting the practice and strengthening the training of clinical thinking of acupuncture and moxibustion: the thoughts of compiling the China national standardized training textbook for residents of traditional Chinese medicine].

Based on the clinical needs and examination requirements of standardized training students, the China national standardized training textbook for residents of traditional Chinese medicine has made innovations in the textbook content and form. In the part of meridians and acupoints, the classic original text is introduced and the main indications and operation methods of 200 commonly-used acupoints are summarized in the form of tables. In the part of acupuncture and moxibustion technique, the operating procedures are standardized and the core technical points of 20 commonly-used acupuncture and moxibustion techniques are summarized in the form of flow chart.

['s experience in treatment of depression complicated with obsessive-compulsive disorder from perspective of heart and gallbladder].

Based on the thinking of integrative and holistic acupuncture and moxibustion, - proposes to treat depression complicated with obsessive-compulsive disorder from perspective of heart and gallbladder. In clinical practice, the treatment pattern of "acupuncture at the top priority, followed by moxibustion, and consolidation at the end" is applied, acupuncture, refined moxibustion, intradermal needle and other therapies are comprehensively adopted, acupoints on the heart meridian, pericardium meridian and gallbladder meridian are selected or back- points and front- points of the heart, gallbladder and pericardium are matched, and the acupoints on the conception vessel and governor vessel and with the functions of tonifying kidney and regulating are added to calm the heart and tranquilize the mind, so as the symptoms of depression and obsessive-compulsive can be effectively relieved.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on BNDF/mTORC1 signaling pathway and synaptic plasticity in prefrontal cortex of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress].

Objective: To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of related proteins in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway and synapse-associated proteins and the density of dendrite spines in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of depression model rats, and to reveal the underlying mechanism by which EA regulates the synaptic plasticity to improve depressive symptoms.

Methods: Thirty-six healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, EA group, and scopolamine (SCOP) group, with 9 in each group. The depression model was established by exposing rats to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) combined with isolated feeding.

The Effect of Virtual Reality on Motor Anticipation and Hand Function in Patients with Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Trial on Movement-Related Potential.

Background: Impaired cognitive ability to anticipate the required control for an upcoming task in patients with stroke may affect rehabilitation outcome. The cortical excitability of task-related motor anticipation for upper limb movement induced by virtual reality (VR) training remains unclear.

Aims: To investigate the effect of VR training on the cortical excitability of motor anticipation when executing upper limb movement in patients with subacute stroke.

The Role of Acupuncture in Hormonal Shock-Induced Cognitive-Related Symptoms in Perimenopausal Depression: A Randomized Clinical Controlled Trial.

Perimenopausal depression is predominantly caused by hormone shock, but the underlying physical and psychological factors are still unclear. To explore the constituent components of perimenopausal depression by dynamically depicting its influencing factors and interactive pathways from the perspective of embodied cognition. This is a randomized clinical controlled trial.

[Professor 's experience in treatment of mental disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion from perspective of "psychosomatic medicine"].

The paper summarizes the ideas and characteristics of acupoint selection in treatment of mental disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion by professor . Professor believes that mental disorder is manifested as the simultaneous illness of "heart" and "body". On the base of "holism" for the unity of body and mind, professor proposes the treating idea as "soothing the liver, regulating the mind and focusing on the heart and the gallbladder in treatment".

[Clinical observation of refined moxibustion for sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease with stagnation and blood stasis].

Objective: To compare the curative effect of refined moxibustion, traditional moxa box moxibustion and Chinese patent medicine on the sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease with stagnation and blood stasis.

Methods: A total of 150 patients with sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease with stagnation and blood stasis were randomized into a refined moxibustion group (50 cases), a box-moxibustion group (50 cases) and a Chinese medication group (50 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the refined moxibustion group were treated with refined moxibustion at Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1) and Shuidao (ST 28), 2 moxa-cones for each acupoint.

Acupuncture for comorbid mild-moderate depression and chronic musculoskeletal pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Depression and chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) are the leading causes of years lived with disabling diseases worldwide. Moreover, they often commonly coexist, which makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. A safe and effective treatment is urgently needed.

[A preliminary discussion of the necessity of controlled setting of placebo moxibustion].

Compared with acupuncture research, moxibustion research has made slow progress with great obstacles. With randomized controlled trials as the widely accepted gold standard for the evaluation of clinical effect, moxibustion therapy is facing a great challenge: how to establish a reasonable placebo control group. This article reviewed the current application of placebo moxibustion, analyzed the difficulties in setting up placebo moxibustion, and explored corresponding solutions, in order to attract more attention to moxibustion therapy among traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

Multiple Signal Pathways Involved in Crocetin-Induced Apoptosis in KYSE-150 Cells.

Background: Crocetin is a carotenoid extracted from the traditional Chinese medical herb saffron. Previous studies have demonstrated that crocetin possesses anticancer properties that are effective against various cancers. As an extension of our earlier study, the present study explored the underlying mechanisms in crocetin's anticancer effect on KYSE-150 cells.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Electroacupuncture for Perimenopause Women with Mild-Moderate Depression.

Objective: Up to 62% of perimenopausal women have depression symptoms. However, there is no efficacy treatment. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of EA therapy and escitalopram on perimenopause women with mild-moderate depressive symptom.

Wnt signaling pathways in myocardial infarction and the therapeutic effects of Wnt pathway inhibitors.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most serious health threats, resulting in huge physical and economic burdens worldwide. Wnt signaling pathways play an important role in developmental processes such as tissue patterning, cell differentiation and cell division. Appropriate regulation of the activities of Wnt signaling pathways is also important for heart development and healing in post-MI heart.

Role of 5-HT1A in the nucleus of the solitary tract in the regulation of swallowing activities evoked by electroacupuncture in anesthetized rats.

Somatic stimulation therapy, such as electroacupuncture (EA), has been widely applied in the clinic to treat dysphagia. However, its underlying mechanism has remained unknown. In the present study, the effect of EA at acupoints Fengfu (DU16) and Lianquan (RN23) on swallowing activities and the involvement of 5-HT in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) were examined in anesthetized rats.

[Thunder-fire Moxibustion for Deficiency-induced Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Under-going Chemotherapy].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of thunder-fire moxibustion in the treatment of qi deficiency-induced fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: Sixty breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were randomly divided into thunder-fire moxibustion (Moxi) and conventional nursing (nursing) groups (＝30 in each group). Patients in the Moxi group were treated with thunder-fire moxibustion applied to the back part of body from Pishu (BL 20) to Qihaishu (BL 24) on the bilateral sides and to the abdominal part from Zhongwan (CV 12) to Guanyuan (CV 4) for 30 min, once a day for 14 days.