ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of establishing intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) model by using minimally invasive acupuncture and rotary-cutting. MethodsForty New Zealand white rabbits [male or female, (2.9±0.3) kg in weight] were randomly divided into control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=20). No treatment was done in the control group; percutaneous puncture was performed on L4, 5 and L5, 6 intervertebral disc by using 18G needle under C-arm X-ray monitoring for rotary-cutting of nucleus pulposus to promote degeneration of the disc in the experimental group. At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after operation, general observation and MRI observation were done, and intervertebral disc degeneration was accessed based on Pfirrmann grade; the specimens were harvested for Masson staining and Safranine O staining. ResultsThe nucleus pulposus showed dark colors and reduced elasticity in the experimental group when compared with the control group. T2-weighted MRI images indicated that the disc signal intensity of control group had no obvious change at early stage, and weakened slightly at late stage; disc signal intensity of the experimental group decreased with time. According to Pfirrmann grade for disc degeneration, disc degeneration degree was significantly aggravated with time in 2 groups (P < 0.05); degeneration was significantly more severe in the experimental group than the control group at the other time points (P < 0.05) except 4 weeks (P > 0.05). Masson staining results showed that irregular arrangement of annulus with integrate structure was observed in the control group with time; the annulus of the experimental group arranged in disorder, or even disc fibrous circle rupture appeared with time. Safranin O staining showed that the nucleus pulposus cells reduced significantly in the experimental group, but did not in the control group. ConclusionMinimally invasive acupuncture and rotary-cutting could successfully establish the IDD model in rabbits.
This study aimed to provide suggestions for future researchers to select and optimize sham acupuncture reporting guidelines in acupuncture clinical trials. Through qualitative analysis, we compared the basic information and concrete contents between Acupuncture Controls gUideline for Reporting humAn Trials and Experiments (ACURATE) and SHam Acupuncture REporting guidelines in clinical trials (SHARE) developed by researchers from China and Korea. In addition, the similarities and differences of the two guidelines were illustrated through a specific case. We found that the two guidelines had their own characteristics and emphasis in content, but both emphasized the reports of detailed information and background factors of sham acupuncture compared with the previous STRICTA and TIDieR-Placebo checklist. In terms of item division, we found that the ACURATE split the same topic into several items to emphasize the importance of each item content. SHARE emphasized the comprehensive reports of sham acupuncture by combining several items into a single item. In terms of item content, ACURATE also focused on combination therapy, the information regarding sham acupuncture provided to participants, and any differences in treatment settings between versus/sham acupuncture, which had some referential meaning for setting sham acupuncture control. SHARE also focused on sham acupuncture detailed information, practitioner, and modifications, etc. Case analysis showed that there were some "not reported" or "partially reported" items in both guidelines. Therefore, it is suggested that researchers can use the above two guidelines to complement and learn from each other to report sham acupuncture. In addition, it is necessary for researchers to verify the operability and practicability of the above two guidelines, and provide suggestions for optimizing and updating them in the future.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for patients with hiccups after stroke. Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for patients with hiccups after stroke were collected by searching PubMed, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, and WangFang databases. The quality of the included studies was evaluated and the data were retrieved according to the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Meta-analyses were conducted by using RevMan software. Results Three trials involving 143 patients were included. All of them were open-label controlled without observing the effective rate and mortality rate (or dependence rate) at the end of follow-up visit lasting for at least three months. The result of meta-analyses showed that the group of acupuncture plus drug was more effective for hiccup after stroke than the drug group at the end of the treatment, and the difference was significant (OR=9.05, 95%CI 3.17 to 25.82, Plt;0.000 01). The three studies did not report any adverse reactions. Conclusion Although the acupuncture has the short-term improvement trend without adverse events for hiccups after stroke, the confirmed conclusion of long-term effectiveness has not yet been reached because both the methodological quality and the quantity of all included studies are poor, and especially the long-term outcome measures are insufficient. There is no enough evidence to recommend acupuncture as a routine treatment for hiccups after stroke. So more high-quality multi-center RCTs in large scale are required.
Objective To compare the effectiveness between unilateral and bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of Kümmell disease. Methods The clinical data of 45 patients with Kümmell disease that met the criteria between January 2014 and February 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 26 cases were treated by unilateral PKP (unilateral group), 19 cases were treated by bilateral PKP (bilateral group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, injured vertebral segment, bone mineral density (T value), and the preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), anterior vertebral height, and kyphosis Cobb angle between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, amount of injected bone cement, and hospitalization time were recorded, and the situation of bone cement leakage was observed. The VAS score, ODI, anterior vertebral height, and kyphosis Cobb angle were evaluated before operation, at 1 day after operation, and at last follow-up. Results Bone cement leakage during the operation were found in 4 cases (15.38%) of unilateral group and 3 cases (15.79%) of bilateral group without obvious neurological symptoms; there was no significant difference in the incidence of bone cement leakage between 2 groups (χ2=0.000, P=1.000). The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and amount of injected bone cement in the unilateral group were significantly lower than those in the bilateral group (P<0.05); but there was no significant difference in the hospitalization time between 2 groups (P>0.05). The X-ray film examination showed that there was no pulmonary embolism in all patients at 1 day after operation. All the patients were followed up 12-24 months, with an average of 16.4 months. There was no complication such as vertebral re-fracture or cement block displacement in the injured vertebra. The VAS score, ODI, anterior vertebral height, and kyphosis Cobb angle at 1 day after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values in 2 groups (P<0.05); the VAS score and ODI in 2 groups were further reduced at last follow-up when compared with the value at 1 day after operation (P<0.05), but the anterior vertebral height and kyphosis Cobb angle in 2 groups at last follow-up did not change significantly (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in above indexes at 1 day after operation and at last follow-up between 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Both unilateral and bilateral PKP can achieve good effectiveness in treatment of Kümmell disease. But the unilateral puncture technique possesses advantages such as shorter operation time, less radiation dose, and less amount of injected bone cement.
Objective To investigate the effect of CT-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy and nursing of postoperative complications. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 522 patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy between May and August 2014 in the Department of Lung Cancer Center. Effect of the puncture biopsy, postoperative complications and nursing measures were summarized. Results After surgery, 507 cases of diagnosis were confirmed, 10 were not confirmed, and 5 cases of puncture were unsuccessful. There were 203 cases of complications, including 122 cases of pneumothorax (23.4%), 56 of hemoptysis 56 (10.7%), 20 of pleural effusion (3.8%), 4 of pleural reaction (0.8%), and 1 of mediastinal emphysema (0.2%). All the above complications were cured after positive symptomatic treatment and nursing care. There were no such complications as severe hemopneumothorax, severe hemoptysis or needle tract metastasis. Conclusions CT-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy is a safe and reliable method, but there are some patients with complications. Observation and postoperative care are particularly important. Timely detection and positive care will achieve satisfactory results.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the quality of methodology and evidence of the exiting systematic reviews (SRs) of acupuncture therapy for post-stroke spastic paralysis.MethodsCNKI, CBM, The Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMbase databases were electronically searched to collect SRs of acupuncture therapy for post-stroke spastic paralysis from inception to December 16th, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of methodology and evidence by AMSTAR 2 scale and GRADE system.ResultsA total of 7 SRs were included. The results showed that acupuncture therapy had obvious advantages in treating post-stroke spastic paralysis without obvious adverse reactions. The results of AMSTAR 2 scale showed that the failure of key items 2 and 7 resulted in extremely low methodological quality. The results of GRADE system showed that 46.15% of which were low-level evidence quality, 42.31% were medium, 11.54% were extremely low, and no evidence quality were high.ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy is effective in treating spastic paralysis after stroke, however, the quality of the SRs is low. The studies are required to be standardized and combined with the characteristics of TCM to obtain high quality evidence in the future.
In the realm of data mining based on modern acupuncture clinical research, the impact of literature features such as literature quality, evidence level, sample size, and clinical efficacy on the quality of data mining outcomes remains uncertain. These issues are significant factors restricting the translational application of data mining research results. We suggest employing both entropy weight and linear weighting techniques to assess the specified indicators. This assessment results in a comprehensive weighted score for acupuncture prescriptions, serving as the foundation for our ensuing data mining endeavors. In this study, migraine research serves as an example to contrast the efficacy of weighted algorithms against that of classical algorithms. The findings demonstrate that the algorithm introduced in this research significantly contributes to studies focusing on the dispersed selection of acupuncture points. Its superiority lies in cluster analysis, where it adeptly discerns potential patterns in the amalgamation of acupoints. This algorithm amalgamates evidence-based acupuncture with data mining processes, providing innovative perspectives that augment the caliber of research in acupuncture data mining. Nonetheless, additional research is essential to corroborate these results.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 in injured nerve. METHODS: Sciatic nerve injury model was established by transection of right side sciatic nerve in 90 male SD rats, which were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with electroacupuncture, no treatment in the control group. The distal part of the injured nerve was harvested after 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks of operation and stored in the liquid nitrogen. The total RNA was extracted by the TRIzol reagent. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to detected the mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of NGF in the experimental group was increased quickly from the second week, and reached to highest level in the fourth week. It was much higher than that of the control group (P lt; 0.05). Then it began to decline in following time and approximately reached to the level of the first week after 10 weeks of operation. The mRNA expression of IGF-1 in the experimental group was remarkably increased in the second and fourth week, and which was much higher than that of the control group respectively(P lt; 0.05). Although the mRNA expression of IGF-1 after 10 weeks of operation in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P gt; 0.05). There was linear correlation in the fourth week between mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 can be elevated in injured nerve at early stage interfered with electroacupuncture.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on postpartum depression (PPD).MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treatment of PPD from inception to February 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by using Stata16.0 software.ResultsA total of 13 RCTs involving 899 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference between hand acupuncture and fluoxetine hydrochloride in HAMD score (MD=0.45, 95%CI −0.52 to 1.41, P=0.36), clinical effective rate (RR=0.93, 95%CI 0.70 to 1.23, P=0.59), and clinical cure rate (RR=0.88, 95%CI 0.44 to 1.76, P=0.73). However, hand acupuncture was superior in safety to fluoxetine hydrochloride (RR=0.04, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.28, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in clinical effective rate (RR=1.08, 95%CI 0.87 to 1.36, P=0.49) and cure rate (RR=1.31, 95%CI 0.84 to 2.04, P=0.24) between both groups.ConclusionsThe current evidence shows that there are no differences between hand acupuncture and non-acupuncture in reducing HAMD score, improving the clinical effective rate and clinical cure rate. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusions.
ObjectiveTo assess the clinical efficacy of percutaneous transplantation of parathyroid glands into the subcutaneous tissue of the epigastrium for treating malignant secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). MethodsThe clinical data of the patients with SHPT who were treated by puncturing the subcutaneous tissue of the epigastrium and transplanting parathyroid glands in the Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were collected retrospectively. The preoperative and postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) level, calcium ion concentration, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level, and phosphorus ion concentration, as well as postoperative follow-up results were analyzed. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS 23.0 software, with a testing level of 0.01. ResultsA total of 21 patients successfully underwent this surgery, including 12 males and 9 females, with a median age of 48 years old and a range of 32–71 years old. The dialysis time was (8.62±2.27) years, and 12 patients had hypertension, 9 patients had anemia, 17 patients had bone pain, and 11 patients had skin itching. On day 1 after treatment, the PTH level decreased from (1 893.23±539.30) ng/L to (5.99±3.50) ng/L (P<0.001), the calcium ion concentration decreased from (2.52±0.31) mmol/L to (2.24±0.35) mmol/L (P=0.003), and the phosphorus ion concentration decreased from (2.25±0.71) mmol/L to (1.76±0.38) mmol/L (P=0.006) as compared with the values before surgery. Although the ALP level decreased from (321.78±151.01) U/L to (229.32±89.32) U/L, there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.016). Among the 12 patients with hypertension before surgery, 6 patients improved and reduced the use of antihypertensive drugs after surgery; among the 9 patients with anemia, 3 patients improved before discharge; 17 patients with bone pain showed markedly relief before discharge; and 9 patients with skin itching improved before discharge. There were no complications such as hoarseness, choking cough when drinking water, or incision infection after the operation. All 21 patients were followed up for 6–12 months. The parathyroid hormone levels of the 21 patients all dropped to the normal level within 12 months after the operation. Among them, 3 patients recovered to the normal level at the 3rd month after the operation, 16 patients recovered to the normal level at the 6th month after the operation, and 2 patients recovered to the normal level at the 12th month after the operation. The time to return to the normal level was (5.86±2.70) months. No serious complications occurred in all patients, and there was no recurrent case during follow-up period. Conclusion From the analysis results of our study, parathyroid autotransplantation into the subcutaneous tissue of the epigastrium via puncture is a safe and effective method for patients with SHPT.