Penetration moxibustion for postpartum subinvolution of uterus: Two case reports and mechanism analysis: 透灸法成功治疗产后子宫复旧不良:两则病例报告及机制分析

This article introduced the application of penetration moxibustion in successfully treating two cases of postpartum subinvolution of uterus. The main complaint of one case was increasing volume of abnormal vaginal bleeding for five days after delivery. The bleeding stopped after the patient received 7 times treatment of warming needle and penetration moxibustion on Zhōngjí (中极CV3), Guānyuán (关元CV4) and Qìhăi (气海CV6). The other case complained about persistent abdominal pain for 15 days, which was worsening for the recent 2 days. The symptom of abdominal pain was relieved after the penetration moxibustion was applied on CV4, CV6 and Zǐgōng (子宫 EX-CA1) for 5 times for the case. Penetration moxibustion can relieve abdominal pain during the postpartum period, accelerate lochia discharge, and recovery of menstrual and uterine cavity. Àiyè (艾叶 Artemisiae Argyi Folium) was proved to have antibacterial, hemostatic, and analgesic effects. The warming function and radiation features of moxibustion can help to alleviate spasm of the smooth muscle in the uterus and enhance the metabolism of the uterine tissue by expanding microvessels and improving the circulations of both blood and lymph. It can also activate cells in the uterine tissue by increased temperature in order to enhance the decomposition and elimination of pathological wastes, such as inflammation and hematoma. In addition, it can also relieve pelvic pain by inhibiting neuronal excitability.     

Study of electroacupuncture with different frequencies for the treatment of headache and anxiety-depression symptoms in patients with migraine: A randomized clinical trial: 不同频率电针改善偏头痛患者头痛及焦虑抑郁症状的差异性研究-随机临床试验

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with varied frequencies on headache and anxiety-depression symptoms in patients with migraine and to screen optimal frequency of EA for patients with such conditions.DesignSingle-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial was designed, and the outcome assessors and statisticians were blinded. The patients with migraine were randomized into 2 Hz EA group, 100 Hz EA group and sham-stimulation group. In each group, the changes in migraine attacks, days with headache, the scores of visual analogy scale (VAS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and migraine-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (MSQ), as well as the dosage of analgesics were observed at the baseline, during treatment, in 1, 2 and 3 months of follow-up separately.SettingPatients were enrolled in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, between 1^st August 2018 and 31^st July 2021.ParticipantsSixty-five migraine patients with or without aura.InterventionsIn the EA groups, the acupoints were bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Gongxue (Extra), Sizhukong (TE23), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Shuaigu (GB8), Waiguan (TE5) and Yanglingquan (GB34). Electric stimulation was exerted at GB20 and Gongxue (Extra), with 2 Hz and 100 Hz separately. In the sham-stimulation group, the shallow acupuncture was operated at the sites 1 cm lateral to GB20 and Gongxue (Extra), and on the radial side of TE5 and GB34. The output wires were cut off after attached to the acupoints. The patients in each group received the treatment 3 times weekly, once every two days, for consecutive 4 weeks. The complete intervention was composed of 12 treatments.Main outcome measuresChanges in numbers of migraine attacks at treatment phase (week 1 to week 4) from the baseline(week -4 to week 0) in patients of each groupResults(1) Changes in migraine attacks and days with headache: In the 2 Hz EA and 100 Hz EA groups, the changes for migraine attacks and days of headache were higher significantly when compared with that in the sham-stimulation group at the same time stage (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between two EA groups. (2) Changes of VAS score: In the 2 Hz EA and 100 Hz EA groups, the changes of VAS score were significantly higher when compared with that in the sham-stimulation group at the same time stage (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between two EA groups. (3) Assessment of anxiety and depression: The differences in the changes of SAS and SDS scores had no statistical significance in patients of each group at each assessment stage (P > 0.05). (4) Assessment on the quality of life: Compared with the sham-stimulation group at the same time stage, the improvement in MSQ score was increased significantly during treatment in patients of the 2 Hz EA and 100 Hz groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between two EA groups. (5) Assessment on safety and compliance: The patients of each group had sound compliance. There was no adverse events during trial, suggesting promising safety of treatment.ConclusionEA may effectively reduce the migraine attacks, and the days and intensity of headache, presenting promising safety. However, there was no significant improvement on anxiety-depression symptoms, and no significant difference between high and low frequencies of EA treatment in relieving headache and anxiety/depression symptoms in the patients with migraine.Trial registrationChiCTR1800017259     

The impact of different doses of antithymocyte globulin conditioning on immune reconstitution upon hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

IntroductionAnti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is used prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Two different ATG doses (7.5 or 10 mg/kg) were evaluated in comparison with a group without ATG therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 132 patients who were transplanted with HSCT without ATG (non-ATG), or who received 7.5 mg/kg ATG (ATG-7.5) or 10 mg/kg ATG (ATG-10) prior to transplantation. The immune cells (CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells, CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells, CD19⁺ B cells and CD16⁺CD56⁺ NK cells) were examined in peripheral blood every three months post-HSCT for 12 months.ResultsCompared with non-ATG group, combined ATG-7.5/ATG-10 groups had significantly lower CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells and higher CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells at 3, 6, 9, 12 months post-HSCT; thus, displaying a lower CD4/CD8 ratio in the ATG groups compared to non-ATG group. The ratio of CD19⁺ B cells was statistically lower (at 3rd month, p = .014; at 6th month, p = .025) in combined ATG-7.5/ATG-10 groups at 3 and 6 months post-HSCT, but not at 9 and 12 months after HSCT. The ratios of CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells, CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells, CD19⁺ B cells and CD16⁺CD56⁺ NK cells were similar between the ATG-7.5 and ATG-10 groups at all examined time points. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), relapse and acute GVHD (aGVHD) were comparable among recipients without ATG therapy and with ATG-7.5 or/and ATG-10 therapies. Multivariate analysis revealed that immune cells ratios were not independent factors affecting prognosis.ConclusionThe ATG therapy at higher and lower doses led to a delayed reconstitution of T cells and the inversion of CD4/CD8 ratio for at least one year after HSCT.     

Characteristics of injuries among infants who fall from bed

IntroductionAccidental falls are the most common causes of injury among infants. Due to their limited ability to move independently, falling from bed or other types of furniture (such as sofas or armchairs) is considered the most common reason for such injury. However, little is known about the frequency and types of injury associated with this type of fall among infants. This study aimed to determine the incidence and characteristics of injury among infants presented at emergency departments (ED) after falling from bed or similar furniture.MethodsThe retrospective analysis of infants under one year old presenting at ED after falling from bed (or similar furniture) was performed over a four-year period (2016–2019). Patient demographics, incidence and patterns of injury, outcomes, and ED resources use were evaluated as part of the study.ResultsIn total, 1,439 infants were included in the study, of whom 782 (54.3%) were male and 657 (45.7%) female. The median age of the patients was 7 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 6–9 months). More than half the infants (n = 812, 56.4%) had minor injuries, such as abrasions, bruising, contusions, and lacerations. There were significant injuries for 135 (9.4%) infants. The most common fracture was skull fracture (n = 59, 4.1%), followed by proximal fracture of the upper extremities (n = 26, 1.8%). Six (0.4%) patients had radial head subluxation. Traumatic brain injury featured for 30 (2.1%) infants (intracranial hemorrhage/cerebral contusion). While the majority of patients (n = 1352, 94%) were discharged from ED, 86 (6%) infants were hospitalized, all due to head injuries. A neurosurgical intervention was performed with three (0.2% of all patients) of the hospitalized patients.ConclusionFalling from bed causes skull fractures, traumatic brain injury, and long bone fractures among infants. Therefore, campaigns should be organized to raise awareness of these risks among parents and caregivers of infants. In addition, the use of safety equipment (such as bed rails) and creating a safe environment can help prevent significant injuries.     

Religious and secular spirituality: Methodological implications of definitions for health research

The importance of spirituality as a research topic has been increasingly recognized, which has led to several studies on the topic. Areas including psychology, medicine, and nursing have produced studies on spirituality under a plurality of definitions and methods, which reveals the complexity of the theme. However, this has resulted in a range of potential problems, including: (1) the use of overlapping and contradictory terms between studies, or even within the same study, (2) research methodologies that do not fit the definitions (sometimes unreflectively) assumed by the authors, (3) difficulties, or even the impossibility, of comparing the results of studies, (4) controversies in respect of the inclusion/exclusion of secular groups in research on spirituality, and (5) ambiguous measurements, often being exclusively dependent on each participant's individual interpretation of what spirituality means. This article discusses these problems, recommends theoretical and methodological alternatives and presents taxonomy of definitions of spirituality.     

Early changes in corneal densitometry after FS-LASIK combined with accelerated corneal cross-linking for correction of high myopia

AIM: To observe the effects of femtosecond laser-assisted excimer laser in situ keratomileusis combined with accelerated corneal cross-linking (FS-LASIK Xtra) on corneal densitometry after correcting for high myopia. METHODS: In this prospectively study, 130 patients underwent FS-LASIK or FS-LASIK Xtra for high myopia. Their right eyes were selected for inclusion in the study, of which 65 cases of 65 eyes in the FS-LASIK group, 65 patients with 65 eyes in the FS-LASIK Xtra group. Patients were evaluated for corneal densitometry at 1, 3, and 6mo postoperatively using Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging. RESULTS: Preoperative differences in corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK and FS-LASIK Xtra groups in different ranges were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Layer-by-layer analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the anterior (120 μm), central, and total layer corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK and FS-LASIK Xtra groups at 1 and 3mo postoperatively (all P<0.05), the FS-LASIK Xtra group is higher than that of the FS-LASIK group. Analysis of different diameter ranges showed statistically significant differences between the FS-LASIK group and the FS-LASIK Xtra group at 1mo postoperatively in the ranges of 0–2, 2–6, and 6–10 mm (both P<0.05); At 3mo postoperatively, the FS-LASIK Xtra group is higher than that of the FS-LASIK group in the ranges of 0–2 and 2–6 mm (P<0.05). At 6mo postoperatively, there were no statistically significant differences in corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK group and the FS-LASIK Xtra group in different diameter ranges (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: There is an increase in internal corneal densitometry during the early postoperative period after FS-LASIK Xtra for correction of high myopia. However, the densitometry values decreased to the level of conventional FS-LASIK at 6mo after surgery, with the most significant changes observed in the superficial central zone.     

中药上市后安全性医院集中监测技术规范(征求意见稿)

为了推动中药药品生产企业开展药品重点监测工作,积极响应国家食品药品监督管理总局发布的相关工作指南具有重要意义。因此,该技术规范在经过多次专家论证后,现公开征求意见,旨在为中药上市后安全性再评价监测研究真实报告不良反应/事件并进行客观评价提供技术支撑。该技术规范围绕中药上市后监测的关键环节进行阐述,目的是对大样本、观察性医院集中监测方案设计与实施;采用巢式病例对照设计对"过敏反应的发生特征及机制进行深入研究"的设计与实施进行指导。     

马黄酊复方提取物凝胶的制备与抗炎活性

目的:制备马黄酊复方提取物凝胶并研究其抗炎活性。方法:利用减压干燥法制备马黄酊复方提取物;分别取0.5%、1.0%、1.5%用量的卡波姆来制备凝胶基质,以确定具有最佳涂布性能的凝胶基质中卡波姆的用量;将马黄酊复方提取物、尼泊金甲酯等加入空白凝胶基质中,搅拌均匀,制备复方凝胶剂;以耳肿胀和足跖肿胀试验初步测定马黄酊凝胶的抗炎活性。结果:通过观察凝胶均匀性、细腻度、黏稠度、舒适度等,发现质量百分比浓度1%卡波姆空白凝胶较为适宜作为凝胶基质,制备的马黄酊复方提取物凝胶外观颜色均匀,涂布性能良好;5%与10%马黄酊复方提取物凝胶显示出较好的抗炎活性。结论:马黄酊复方提取物凝胶处方和制备工艺可行,质量稳定,具有较好的抗炎活性。     

挖掘中医证候结构的方法学研究

从研究中医证候的发生规律入手,发现了中医证候内蕴的拓扑结构,形成了挖掘中医证候结构的拓扑学方法。这一方法学的优势体现在,可以实现中医证候信息完整保留基础上的分析运算,使证候结构拓扑分析结果的自然性与病机演变规律相吻合。运用拓扑学的方法,可以破解出中医证候的复杂结构,阐释中医证候判定标准的科学内涵,建立中医证候的判定诊断标准,形成"四特征五阶段"新辨证方法,并为探索中医证候的生物学基础提供理论依据;可以阐释中医理法方药精准对应的规律,建立中医辨证论治过程的可视化系统,形成辨证论治水平的评价体系;可以还原中医诊疗原型的基本结构,阐释中医诊疗原型系统,建立中医临床疗效评价体系。随着中医证候复杂结构的破解和释译,找到了中医证候理论的数学科学基础,使中医证候理论与现代科学有了对话与交流的结合点,有希望开启中医理论发展与临床实践的新时代。     

针刺风府穴对紧张型头痛大鼠张颌反射的影响

目的：探索针刺风府穴对紧张型头痛大鼠张颌反射波幅和潜伏期的影响。方法采用大鼠双侧半棘肌注射三磷酸腺苷二钠注射液（ATP）的方法制备紧张型头痛大鼠模型。体重220~260 g的SPF级Wistar大鼠40只,雌雄各半,分为空白组、模型组、风府穴组和假穴组四组,通过定量分析紧张型头痛模型大鼠张颌反射波幅及潜伏期,反映头颈部皮肤肌肉筋膜痛阈及敏感性变化。结果空白组半棘肌注射生理盐水不引起张颌反射波幅及潜伏期变化（P〉0.05）;模型组半棘肌注射ATP导致张颌反射波幅下降（P〈0.05）,潜伏期见缩短趋势,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;针刺风府穴可见风府穴组JOR波幅升高（P〈0.05）,潜伏期延长（P〈0.05）;针刺假穴见张颌反射波幅升高（P〈0.05）,潜伏期延长,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。与模型组相比,风府穴组波幅明显升高（P〈0.01）,假穴组差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;风府穴组波幅较假穴组升高明显（P〈0.01）。与模型组相比,风府穴组潜伏期明显延长（P〈0.01）,假穴组差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;风府穴组潜伏期与假穴组相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论针刺风府穴可提高张颌反射波幅,延长潜伏期,即提高痛阈,降低头颈部肌筋膜敏感性。