Role of TRPV1 in electroacupuncture-mediated signal to the primary sensory cortex during regulation of the swallowing function.

Aims: Electroacupuncture (EA) at the Lianquan (CV23) could alleviate swallowing dysfunction. However, current knowledge of its neural modulation focused on the brain, with little evidence from the periphery. Transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily 1 (TRPV1) is an ion channel predominantly expressed in sensory neurons, and acupuncture can trigger calcium ion (Ca ) wave propagation through active TRPV1 to deliver signals.

Dexmedetomidine relieves inflammatory pain by enhancing GABAergic synaptic activity in pyramidal neurons of the anterior cingulate cortex.

Pyramidal neuron (Pyn) hyperactivity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in the modulation of pain. Previous studies indicate that the activation of α2 adrenoceptors (α2-ARs) by dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a safe and effective means of alleviating multiple types of pain. Here, we showed that systemically administered DEX can ameliorate the inflammatory pain induced by hindpaw injection of formalin (FA) and further examined the molecular and synaptic mechanisms of this DEX-elicited antinociceptive effect.

Participation of the nucleus tractus solitarius in the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on post-stroke dysphagia through the primary motor cortex.

Background: Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD), a common and serious disease, affects the quality of life of many patients and their families. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been commonly used effectively in the treatment of PSD, but the therapeutic mechanism is still under exploration at present. We aim to investigate the effect of the nucleus tractus solitarus (NTS) on the treatment of PSD by EA at Lianquan (CV23) through the primary motor cortex (M1).

Acupuncture-related therapies for protracted opioid abstinence syndrome:A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: An increasing amount of clinical evidence of acupuncture's effect on protracted opioid abstinence syndrome (POAS) has emerged in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluating the evidence of efficacy of acupuncture for POAS. clinical and scientific research work.

Quality appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for motor neuron diseases or related disorders using the AGREE II instrument.

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically assess the quality of CPGs for motor neuron diseases (MNDs) or related disorders and identify the gaps that limit evidence-based practice.

Methods: Four scientific databases and six guideline repositories were searched for eligible CPGs. Three researchers assessed the eligible CPGs using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II instrument.

Meta-analysis of effects of yoga exercise intervention on sleep quality in breast cancer patients.

Objective: This study seeks to systematically evaluate and test the effects of yoga exercise intervention programs on sleep quality in breast cancer patients in order to suggest more optimized exercise programs.

Method: Computer searches of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases are conducted from the date of their inception to June 8, 2022 to collect randomized controlled trials on the effects of yoga exercise intervention on sleep quality in breast cancer patients. Two investigators independently carry out the inclusion and exclusion criteria literature screening, data extraction and methodological quality assessment of the included literature by applying the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

A two-branch trade-off neural network for balanced scoring sleep stages on multiple cohorts.

Introduction: Automatic sleep staging is a classification process with severe class imbalance and suffers from instability of scoring stage N1. Decreased accuracy in classifying stage N1 significantly impacts the staging of individuals with sleep disorders. We aim to achieve automatic sleep staging with expert-level performance in both N1 stage and overall scoring.

Electroacupuncture-modulated extracellular ATP levels in prefrontal cortex ameliorated depressive-like behavior of maternal separation rats.

Maternal separation (MS) is a type of early-life stress that has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorders, especially depression. Increasing evidence indicates that the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in the pathophysiology of depression. To investigate the potential relationship between ATP in PFC and antidepressant effects of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment, we assessed genes involved in ATP biosynthesis as well as the extracellular ATP levels in a rat model exposed to neonatal MS.

Enhanced acupuncture therapy for radiotherapy-related neuropathic pain in patients with gynecologic cancer: a report of two cases and brief review.

As radiation therapy is increasingly utilized in the treatment of cancer, neuropathic pain (NP) is a common radiotherapy-related adverse effect and has a significant impact on clinical outcomes negatively. However, despite an improved understanding of neuropathic pain management, pain is often undertreated in patients with cancer. Herein, we reported two cases with radiotherapy-related neuropathic pain (RRNP) who presented a positive reaction to acupuncture.

Activation of astrocytes in the basal forebrain in mice facilitates isoflurane-induced loss of consciousness and prolongs recovery.

Objectives: General anesthesia results in a state of unconsciousness that is similar to sleep. In recent years, increasing evidence has reported that astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating sleep. However, whether astrocytes are involved in general anesthesia is unknown.

IGF2BP3-induced activation of EIF5B contributes to progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

In this study, we investigated the functional role of eukaryotic initiation factor 5B (EIF5B) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that the EIF5B transcript and protein levels as well as the EIF5Bcopy number were significantly higher in the HCC tissues compared with the non-cancerous liver tissues. Down-regulation of EIF5B significantly decreased proliferation and invasiveness of the HCC cells.

Identifying promising GSK3β inhibitors for cancer management: a computational pipeline combining virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3β), a serine/threonine protein kinase, has been discovered as a novel target for anticancer drugs. Although GSK3β is involved in multiple pathways linked to the etiology of various cancers, no specific GSK3β inhibitor has been authorized for cancer therapy. Most of its inhibitors have toxicity effects therefore, there is a need to develop safe and more potent inhibitors.

Efficacy and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for PTSD: evidence from animal and clinical studies.

As a major public health problem, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a substantial impact on individuals and society. The total excess economic burden of PTSD in the US is estimated to be more than $232.2 billion a year.

Mechanism of Qihuang needle therapy in the management of tic disorders: a clinical trial protocol.

Background: Qihuang needle therapy is a newly developed acupuncture therapy to treat tic disorders in clinical practice. However, the mechanism to reduce tic severity remains unknown. Changes in intestinal flora and circulation metabolites are perhaps the potential pathogenesis of tic disorders.

Activation of POMC neurons to adiponectin participating in EA-mediated improvement of high-fat diet IR mice.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the common pathological manifestations of metabolic-related diseases, and the prevalence of relevant diseases is high. Acupuncture is beneficial to IR patients, but the central mechanism underlying this treatment remains unclear. This study provides mechanistic insights into how electroacupuncture (EA) improves IR through the response of Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to adiponectin (Adipo).

Colorectal cancer with testicular metastasis: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. About 50% of patients will have metastases during the course of the disease. The common sites of metastasis are the liver, lung, peritoneum, lymph, etc.

Polysaccharides from Ostrea rivularis rebuild the balance of gut microbiota to ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in ApoE mice.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of polysaccharide from Ostrea rivularis (ORP) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice and the underlying mechanism. The results showed that NAFLD model group mice had significant fatty liver lesions. ORP could significantly reduce TC, TG and LDL level, and increase HDL level in serum of HFD mice.

[Empirical analysis on lumbar disc herniation treated with "sinew-bone three needling technique" of Chinese medicine].

The paper presents professor 's experience in treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with "sinew-bone three needling technique" of Chinese medicine. Based on the theory of meridian sinew, the points are located by "three-pass method" in terms of the distribution of meridian sinew and syndrome/pattern differentiation. The cord-like muscles and adhesion are relieved by relaxing technique to work directly on the affected sites and alleviate the local compression to the nerve root.

Comparative efficacy of psychosocial interventions for opioid-dependent people receiving methadone maintenance treatment: A network meta-analysis.

Aims: To estimate the efficacy of multiple psychosocial interventions for opioid-dependent people receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Methods: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the effect of psychosocial intervention for opioid-dependent people receiving MMT in outpatient clinics. We searched multiple data sources (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library) from inception to January 2022, finding 21 RCTs evaluating a total of 2862 people with opioid dependence receiving MMT.

Electroacupuncture improves swallowing function in a post-stroke dysphagia mouse model by activating the motor cortex inputs to the nucleus tractus solitarii through the parabrachial nuclei.

As a traditional medical therapy, stimulation at the Lianquan (CV23) acupoint, located at the depression superior to the hyoid bone, has been shown to be beneficial in dysphagia. However, little is known about the neurological mechanism by which this peripheral stimulation approach treats for dysphagia. Here, we first identified a cluster of excitatory neurons in layer 5 (L5) of the primary motor cortex (M1) that can regulate swallowing function in male mice by modulating mylohyoid activity.

The activation of histone deacetylases 4 prevented endothelial dysfunction: A crucial mechanism of HuangqiGuizhiWuwu Decoction in improving microcirculation dysfunction in diabetes.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The regulation of epigenetic factors is considered a crucial target for solving complex chronic diseases such as cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. HuangqiGuizhiWuwu Decoction (HGWWD), a classic Chinese prescription, is mainly used to treat various vascular diseases. Although our previous studies reported that HGWWD could effectively prevent vascular dysfunction in diabetic rodent models, the precise mechanism is still elusive.

A protocol for the integration of multi-omics bioinformatics: Mechanism of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for alcohol use disorder.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has become a significant global factor in various diseases. As a non-pharmacological therapy, certain therapeutic potential has been found in acupuncture; however, in-depth mechanistic studies related to acupuncture for patients with AUD are still insufficient.

Methods: Based on a randomized control design and a multi-omics analysis plan, this protocol details the recruitment (42 AUD patients), group allocation (21 in acupuncture group vs.