Electroacupuncture improves cerebral blood flow in pMCAO rats during acute phase via promoting leptomeningeal collaterals.

Perfusion through leptomeningeal collateral vessels is a likely pivotal factor in the outcome of ischemic stroke patients. Acupuncture has been reported to restore cerebral blood flow (CBF) after acute ischemic stroke, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study aimed to examine whether electroacupuncture (EA) could improve CBF following an acute ischemic injury by regulating leptomeningeal collaterals.

White matter substrates underlying morphological awareness deficit in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia.

Background: Morphological awareness (MA) deficit is strongly associated with Chinese developmental dyslexia (DD). However, little is known about the white matter substrates underlying the MA deficit in Chinese children with DD.

Methods: In the current study, 34 Chinese children with DD and 42 typical developmental (TD) children were recruited to complete a diffusion magnetic resonance imaging scan and cognitive tests for MA.

The Malus domestica metal tolerance protein MdMTP11.1 was involved in the detoxification of excess manganese in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Ion homeostasis is maintained in plant cells by specialized transporters. However, functional studies on Mn transporters in apple trees have not been reported. MdMTP11.

Smart phone-based transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation as adjunctive therapy for hypertension (STAT-H trial): protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Hypertension is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) may be effective for hypertension, but the evidence remains limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the smart phone-based TEAS as adjunctive therapy for hypertension.

Potential Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Functional Dyspepsia Based on Pathophysiology.

Functional dyspepsia (FD), a common disorder of gastrointestinal function, originated from the gastroduodenum. Although the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been investigated by various high-quality randomized controlled trials, the potential mechanisms showed obvious heterogeneity. This review summarized the potential mechanisms of acupuncture on FD in order to guide for future laboratory and clinical studies.

Is acupuncture effective for knee osteoarthritis? A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the leading causes of disability. The effectiveness of acupuncture for treating KOA remains controversial. This protocol describes the method of a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating KOA.

Acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for arrhythmia: a Delphi expert consensus survey.

Background: Current evidence suggests that acupuncture is an effective adjunctive therapy that can bring potential benefits to patients with cardiac arrhythmias. However, there are relevant gaps in the optimal therapeutic strategy, which may cause uncertainties on the best practice of acupuncture treatment for arrhythmia. We aim to develop consensus-based recommendations for clinical guidance on acupuncture treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Vascular Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Acupuncture may be a promising complementary therapy for vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and has been extensively applied in China. However, its potential effects remain uncertain, and the clinical findings are inconsistent. This review aimed to systematically appraise the overall effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in treating VCI.

Standardizing and optimizing acupuncture treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: A Delphi expert consensus study.

Background: Acupuncture has been widely utilized for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, heterogeneity is large among therapeutic strategies and protocols. The aim of this study was to propose some down-to-earth recommendations and establish an optimized protocol for acupuncture practice in IBS.

Electroacupuncture ameliorates intestinal inflammation by activating α7nAChR-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in postoperative ileus.

Inflammatory cytokines produced by muscularis macrophages largely contribute to the pathological signs of postoperative ileus (POI). Electroacupuncture (EA) can suppress inflammation, mainly or partly via activation of vagal efferent. The goal of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which EA stimulation at an hindlimb region ameliorates inflammation in POI.

Role of the biochar modified with ZnCl and FeCl on the electrochemical degradation of nitrobenzene.

The Zn/Fe-modified biochar on nitrobenzene (NB) removal during the electrolysis was investigated in this study. Both the Fe and Zn-modified biochar enhanced the NB adsorption compared with the un-modified biochar due to their greater specific surface area and more abundant surface function groups, respectively. The electrolysis under 2-11 V with the assist of both Fe/Zn-modified biochar achieved effective NB removal (>93%).

The Management of Sciatica by Acupuncture: An Expert Consensus Using the Improved Delphi Survey.

Objective: Acupuncture therapy is an effective non-drug therapy for sciatica, but it has not yet formed an effective treatment strategy and recommendations. Our objective was to establish an expert consensus on acupuncture treatment of sciatica for clinical guidance based on the improved Delphi survey.

Methods: A group of 80 clinical specialists was invited to participate in two rounds of semi-open clinical issue investigation.

Acupuncture Therapy for Cognitive Impairment: A Delphi Expert Consensus Survey.

Background: Current research evidence challenges clinical decision-making when acupuncture is taken into consideration in the treatment of cognitive impairment (CI). Aiming to provide some viable recommendations for acupuncture practitioners in dealing with actual clinic issues, an expert consensus study was conducted.

Methods: A clinical question investigation among 47 acupuncturists yielded 24 initial items.

Acupuncture Improves White Matter Perfusion and Integrity in Rat Model of Vascular Dementia: An MRI-Based Imaging Study.

White matter lesions induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion are associated with cognitive impairment in vascular dementia (VaD). Previous studies have shown that acupuncture can ameliorate the cognitive deficits of individuals with VaD. However, the neuroimaging mechanisms of acupuncture on white matter perfusion and integrity remain elusive.

Mechanisms of Acupuncture in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress in Treating Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic stroke is the major type of cerebrovascular disease usually resulting in death or disability among the aging population globally. Oxidative stress has been closely linked with ischemic stroke. Disequilibrium between excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inherent antioxidant capacity leads to subsequent oxidative damage in the pathological progression of ischemic brain injury.

Acupuncture Attenuates Inflammation in Microglia of Vascular Dementia Rats by Inhibiting miR-93-Mediated TLR4/MyD88/NF-B Signaling Pathway.

Background: It is widely accepted that inflammation may contribute to cognitive impairment in patients with vascular dementia (VD). Our prior clinical researches have reported that acupuncture can alleviate cognitive function in VD, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The purpose of this research was to explore whether acupuncture alleviates cognitive impairment by suppressing the microRNA-93- (miR-93-) mediated Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, which triggers inflammatory responses in the central nervous system.