OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE TAPPING PLUS MEDICATION FOR HERPES ZOSTER

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping combined with intravenous drip of Acyclovir for herpes zoster. Methods; A total of 40 herpes zceter patients were randomized into acupuncture plus medication group （ n = 21 ） and medication group （ n = 19） which were treated respectively with topical plum-blossom needle tapping in the focus region combined with intravenous drip of Acyclovir （250 rng＋250 mL normal saline, twice daily） and simple intravenous drip of Acyclovir. Results： After treatment, of the 21 and 19 cases in acupuncture plus medication and medication groups, 18 （85.7%） and 10 （52.6%） were cured, 3 （ 14.3% ） and 7 （36.8%） had marked improvement, 0 （0） and 2 （ 10.5% ） failed, with the effective rates being 100,0% and 89,5% respectively. The cure duration of acupuncture plus medication end medication groups were （2.5± 1.0） days and （4.0±2.3） days separately. The therapeutic effect of the former group was significantly superior to that of the later group （P〈 0.05） and the duration of cure of acupuncture plus medication group was evidently shorter than that of medication group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping plus Acyclovir is significantly superior to that of simple Acyclovir in relieving pain, promoting scabbing, and shortening the therapeutic duration.

THIRTY-SIX CASES OF NEURITIS OF LATERAL CUTANEOUS NERVE OF THIGH TREATED BY MAGNETIC ROUND PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE PLUS INFRARED RADIATION

Thirty-six cases of neuritis of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh were treated by mag-netic round plum-blossom needle plus infrared radiation and it was compared with simpleacupuncture treatment.Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in thetheraPeutic effects between the two methods,but magnetic round Plum-blossom needle Plus in-frared radiation had as high therapeutic effect as simple acupuncture treatment and with themethod pateints suffered less without infection and it was easily to be accepted by patients.

TREATMENT OF 42 CASES OF ALOPECIA AREATA WITH PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE

In the present study, 42 cases of alopecia areata were treated by tapping the locus with plum-blossom needle and rubbing the local skin with fresh ginger. After 1 - 3 courses of treatment, 41 cases were cured, with the cure rate being 97. 62%.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFICACY IN TREATING SCLERITIS BY PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE

Scleritis is a disease commonly seen inclinic.In traditional Chinese medicine,thecondition is considered to be related to theLungs.Based on this theory,we treated 28cases(29 eyes)of scleritis by the plum-blos-som needle with fairly good results.Pres-ented in this paper is a report of the 28 casesso treated.

TREATMENT OF NEURASTHENIA WITH ELECTRIC PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE THERAPY AND OBSERVATIONS OF BODY SURFACE REACTIONS

Neurasthenia is a psychoneurotic ma-lady usually in the young and middle aged,but also encountered not infrequentlyamong other age groups.The author treated124 cases of neurasthenia with electricplum-blossom needle therapy according tothe types of symptom differentiation,withsatisfactory results.The relation betweenneurasthenia and changes in the body sur-

Efficacy observation on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type treated by the warm needling at Jiájǐ(夹脊EX-B 2) and tapping with plum-blossom needle

Objective To observe the clinical effect on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type treated by warm needling therapy at Jiáj （夹脊 EX-B 2） and plum-blossom needle therapy. Methods According to the random number table, 150 cases of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group （75 cases） and a control group （75 cases）. In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, the warm needling at EX-B 2 and tapping with plum-blossom needle were applied. EX-B 2 on the affected segments were selected and stimulated with warm needling technique for 20– 30 min. Afterward, the plum-blossom needle was used to tap the skin around the acupoints, for 3 min on each site. The treatment was given once every day. Seven treatments made one session. The interval between two sessions was 1 day. In the control group, the medication was used in combination with traction therapy. The intravenous drip with 5% glucose 250 mL and compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection 40 mL was used, once a day. In traction treatment, the patient was in a sitting position, neck anteflexion at 15°–30°, traction force at 10%–20% of the body mass, for 20–30 min in each time. The treatment was given once every day. The appointed person evaluated therapeutic effects after the three sessions of treatment in the two groups. Results The clinical curative rate was 49.3% （37/75） and the total effective rate was 94.7% （71/75） in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and those were 24.0% （18/75） and 81.3% （61/75） respectively in the control group. The total effective rate and clinical curative rate in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were superior to the control group （both P0.05）. In the comparison of the duration of treatment and effect in the cured patients between the two groups, the curative rate in the 1st session of treatment in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was higher than that in the control group （P0.05）. In the comparison of the 6-month follow-up visit in the cured patients between the two groups, the effect in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was much more stable （P0.05）. Conclusion The warm needling therapy at EX-B 2 and tapping therapy with plum-blossom needle achieve the significant effect on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type.

Treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: acupuncture at neck Jiájǐ points and blood-letting puncture with the plum-blossom needle

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at neck Jiájǐ （EX） points and blood-letting puncture with the plum-blossom needle on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Methods Sixty cases of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were divided into a treatment group and a control group with 30 cases in each group. Acupuncture at neck Jiájǐ （EX） points （Extra） and blood-letting puncture with the plum-blossom needle were adopted for the treatment group. And acupuncture at neck Jiájǐ （EX） points was adopted for the control group. The therapeutic effect, visual analogue scale （VAS） and the numbness score were observed after 2 treatment courses. Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）, while the rate of the control group was 83.3% （25/30）. Comparison of the differences of the two groups was without statistic significance （P0.05）. The VAS scores of the two groups after treatment were both improved （both P0.01）, but without statistic significance between the two groups （P0.05）. The numbness scores of the two groups after treatment were both better than those before treatment （P0.01）. The therapeutic effect on numbness of the extremities of the treatment group was better than that of the control group （P0.05）. Conclusion Blood-letting puncture with the plum flower needle has a satisfactory effect on treatment of numbness of the extremities of patient with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Thin cotton moxibustion combined with plum-blossom needle in treatment of herpes zoster:a controlled trial

Objective To compare the difference of clinical efficacy of thin cotton moxibustion combined with plum-blossom needle and western medication in treatment of herpes zoster.Method Eighty patients with herpes zoster were divided into thin cotton moxibustion group（group A,n=40） and western medication group（group B,n=40） according to the sequence of admission.Patients in group A received thin cotton moxibustion that the colton was used as thin as a cicada＇s wings,combined with plum-blossom needle,and patients in group B received intravenous infusion with 0.25 g of acyclovir once a day,and acyclovir ointment application on affected part for 3-5 times per day.Five days were considered as a course of treatment.Analgesic effect and the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia were observed after two consecutive courses.Result The total effective rate was 97.5%（39/40） in group A,and80.0%（32/40） in group B（P〈0.05）;it was shown from the comparison of course between two groups that the cure rate after one in group A was markedly higher than that in group B（P〈0.01,P〈0.05）;the differences in effectual time and analgesic time between group A and group B were statistically significant（P〈0.05）;after treatment,the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia in group A was markedly lower than that in group B（P〈0.05）.Conclusion Thin cotton moxibustion combined with plum-blossom needle in treatment of herpes zoster can obviously shorten the time of therapy,effectively control pain,and reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia.

Observation on the therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture, plum-blossom needle combined with speech rehabilitation training on aphasia of ischemic apoplexy

Objective To compare clinical therapeutic effects of scalp acupuncture, plum-blossom needles tapping the head area combined with speech training and simple speech training on aphasia of ischemic apoplexy. Methods Sixty cases of aphasia of ischemic apoplexy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group received speech training, and in the observation group, on the basis of speech training, acupuncture was given at the anterior oblique line of vertex temporal, the posterior oblique line of vertex temporal and the middle line of vertex, and after withdrawal of the needles, the area enclosed by the 4 lines of the anterior oblique line of vertex temporal, the middle line of vertex, the posterior oblique line of vertex temporal, and connective line of Qǔbìn （曲鬓 GB 7） with Xuánlí（悬厘 GB 6） was tapped 2-3 times with plum-blossom needles. The assessment criteria in Chinese Aphasia Set Tests were used for comparison of scores of all the sub-items between the two groups. Results After treatment, scores of information amount, fluency, retelling, naming of words, naming of colors, naming of response, answer to yes or no question, hearing and recognizing, executing an order, etc. were signif icantly increased in both the two groups （all P0.05）, and the scores of all the above items in the observation group were more significantly increased as compared with those in the control group （all P0.05）. Conclusion Scalp acupuncture, plum-blossom needle tapping combined with speech training has a significant therapeutic effect on aphasia of ischemic apoplexy, which is better than that of simple speech training.

Effect of plum-blossom needle tapping with different stimulation intensities on hair regrowth in hair removal mice

Objective： To determine the role of intensity of plum-blossom needle tapping in treating alopecia areata. Methods： The BALB/c mice were randomized into a normal group, a control group, a roller-needle（RN） group, a mild plum-blossom needle（MP） group, and a heavy plum-blossom needle（HP） group. An area of hair was removed by external application of 8% sodium sulfide on BALB/c mice. The hair regrowth, hair follicle changes, and local inflammatory factor changes after cutaneous acupuncture were observed. Results： After treated with sodium sulfide, the hair was completely removed, the local hair follicles reached the catagen phase, and the expressions of interleukin（IL）-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α, interferon（IFN）-γ, and IL-17 were increased. Mice intervened by RN achieved the same hair growth rating as the controls but with thicker hair shafts; mice in the MP group had incomplete and uneven hair growth but thicker hair shafts; mice in the HP group didn＇t show hair growth. Pathological analysis revealed significant inflammatory infiltration into the local follicle bulbs and increased catagen-phase follicles in the control group, while RN and MP groups showed significantly increased anagen-phase follicles, coarser individual hairs, and obvious hair shafts. Meanwhile, most of the hair follicles in the HP group were in telogen phase and showed obvious surrounding inflammatory infiltration. RN, MP, and HP significantly down-regulated the increased IL-2, IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels（P〈0.05）, but didn＇t notably affect the increased CD34 expression（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Cutaneous acupuncture with heavy stimulation intensity can inhibit hair growth in hair removal mice, while RN, with the lightest stimulation intensity, is unlikely to affect hair growth but may make hair shafts thicker and follicles larger.

Clinical study on abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping for primary insomnia

Objective： To investigate the clinical efficacy and action mechanism of abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping for primary insomnia. Methods： A total of 66 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group（n=33） and a control group（n=33）. Cases in the observation group received abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping, whereas cases in the control group received abdominal acupuncture alone. After 2, 6 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks after end of treatment, the patients in both groups were evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index（PSQI） and measure your medical outcome profile（MYMOP） based on the patients＇ self-report. Results： After 2 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate was 90.9% in the observation group, versus 63.6% in the control group, showing a statistical difference（P〈0.05）. After 6 weeks of treatment, there were no between-group statistical differences in total effective rate（P〈0.05）. After 6 weeks, the sleep quality and efficiency scores in the observation group were better than those in the control group. Four weeks after end of treatment, the scores of sleep quality and MYMOP in the observation group were better than those in the control group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping can obtain fast, accurate effect for primary insomnia and improve patients＇ sleep quality and efficiency.

Thirty Cases of Infantile Anorexia Treated by Acupuncture and Tapping with Plum-blossom Needle

Objective： To explore the effects of acupuncture therapy on mtantlle Anorexia. Method： Sixty cases were randomly allocated into treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, patients were managed by acupuncture Sifeng （Ex-UE 10） in combination with plum-blossom blood-letting puncture on Back-Shu and Zusanli （ST 36） acupoints, while multienzyme tablets and motilium suspension were administered to patients in the control group. Results： The cure rate and efficient rate in the treatment group were 83.3% and 96.6% respectively, while 26.7% and 90.0% in the control group, the treatment group has a better curative effect （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The combination of needle puncture with plum-blossom blood-letting puncture employed for children with Anorexia is of positive effects with no adverse reactions.

External Application of Chinese Medicine following Tapping Using a Plum-blossom Needle for Allergic Rhinitis

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of external application of Chinese medicine following tapping using a plum-blossom needle for allergic rhinitis. Methods： All 328 cases were randomized into an observation group of 206 cases, Chinese medicine group of 70 cases and point application group of 52 cases. Results： The differences between the observation and Chinese medicine groups （P〈0.01） and between the observation and point application group （P〈0.05） were both of statistical meaning. The cases in the observation obtained the best effect, the point application group obtained a moderate effect and the Chinese medicine group obtained the least effect. A younger age and an increased number of treatments contributed to a better effect. Conclusion： External application of Chinese medicine following tapping using a plum-blossom needle is safe and effective for allergic rhinitis.

改进型超声引导下针状可视肾镜(Needle perc)钬激光碎石术治疗肾下盏结石的临床评价:与输尿管软镜对比

目的比较改进型超声引导下针状可视肾镜(Needle perc)钬激光碎石术和输尿管软镜下钬激光碎石术治疗1~2 cm肾下盏结石的效果,为临床治疗方式的选择提供参考。方法回顾性分析2022年1月—2023年5月郑州市第一人民医院收治的60例肾内单发下盏结石(最大径1~2 cm)患者的临床资料,比较行输尿管软镜钬激光碎石术的30例患者(软镜组)和改进型超声引导下Needle perc钬激光碎石术的30例患者(Needle perc组)的临床资料。结果Needle perc组较软镜组的整体住院时间[(3.00±1.25)d vs.(4.00±1.25)d]、手术时间[(44.63±5.42)min vs.(48.50±7.24)min]和住院花费[(15518±441)元vs.(16872±903)元]均较少(P<0.05)。Needle perc组术后清石率高于软镜组[93.3%(28/30)vs.50.7%(15/30),P<0.001]。术后降钙素原(PCT)上升幅度低于软镜组[(0.02±0.01)vs.(0.12±0.18),P=0.007],而并发症发生率低于软镜组[3.3%(1/30)vs.26.7%(8/30),P=0.030]。结论对于1~2 cm的肾下盏单发结石,改进型超声引导下Needle perc钬激光碎石术清石率较高、并发症发生率低,安全且有效。

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital on Needle Stick Injury

Purpose: Needle-stick injury (NSI) is one of the most potential occupational hazards for healthcare workers because of the transmission of blood-borne pathogens. As per recent data, around 30 lakh healthcare workers sustain Needle stick injuries each year. This study was conducted to assess healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitude and practices regarding needle stick injury. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital over the period of 3 months. The study population consisted of Intern Doctors, Post Graduate resident Doctors, Staff Nurses, laboratory technicians of Government Medical College and New Civil Hospital, Surat (n = 300). The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire via the means of Google Forms. Questionnaire was made with prior review literature. The data obtained were entered and analysed in Microsoft Excel. Results: The prevalence of NSI in our study was 46%, with a higher prevalence among the PG residents (72%). Overall scores regarding knowledge and attitude were better in PG residents (knowledge score > 7 in 71% and Attitude Score > 7 in 68% of PG Residents). Even though the PG residents scored highest in the knowledge category, the majority of them suffered needle stick injuries as a result of poor practice scores. Among those who had NSI (n = 139/300), 70% of study participants had superficial injuries, only 9% reported the incident, 18% got medical attention within 2 hours of the incident, and 7% followed up to recheck their viral markers status. Most incidents of NSI were due to hypodermic needles while recapping needles. Conclusion: Exposure to needle stick injuries and their underreporting remains a common problem. It is imperative that healthcare workers receive regular training on the proper handling of sharp objects. We can also draw the conclusion that preventing NSIs requires putting knowledge into practice.

MXene Enhanced 3D Needled Waste Denim Felt for High‑Performance Flexible Supercapacitors

MXene,a transition metal carbide/nitride,has been prominent as an ideal electrochemical active material for supercapacitors.However,the low MXene load limits its practical applications.As environmental concerns and sustainable development become more widely recognized,it is necessary to explore a greener and cleaner technology to recycle textile by-products such as cotton.The present study proposes an effective 3D fabrication method that uses MXene to fabricate waste denim felt into ultralight and flexible supercapacitors through needling and carbonization.The 3D structure provided more sites for loading MXene onto Z-directional fiber bundles,resulting in more efficient ion exchange between the electrolyte and electrodes.Furthermore,the carbonization process removed the specific adverse groups in MXenes,further improving the specific capacitance,energy density,power density and electrical conductivity of supercapacitors.The electrodes achieve a maximum specific capacitance of 1748.5 mF cm-2 and demonstrate remarkable cycling stability maintaining more than 94%after 15,000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles.Besides,the obtained supercapacitors present a maximum specific capacitance of 577.5 mF cm^(-2),energy density of 80.2μWh cm^(-2)and power density of 3 mW cm^(-2),respectively.The resulting supercapacitors can be used to develop smart wearable power devices such as smartwatches,laying the foundation for a novel strategy of utilizing waste cotton in a high-quality manner.

Is magnesium deficiency the major cause of needle chlorosis of Pinus taeda in Brazil?

Needle chlorosis(NC)in Pinus taeda L.systems in Brazil becomes more frequent after second and third harvest rotation cycles.In a study to identify factors contributing to yellowing needle chorosis(YNC),trees were grown in soils originating from contrasting parent materials,and soils and needles(whole,green and chlorotic portions)from 1-and 2-year-old branches and the first and second needle flush release at four sites with YNC on P.taeda were analyzed for various elements and properties.All soils had very low base levels(Ca^(2+),Mg^(2+)and K^(+))and P,suggesting a possible lack of multiple elements.YNC symptoms started at needle tips,then extended toward the needle base with time.First flush needles had longer portions with YNC than second flush needles did.Needles from the lower crown also had more symptoms along their length than those higher in the canopy.Symptoms were similar to those reported for Mg.In chlorotic portions,Mg and Ca concentrations were well below critical values;in particular,Mg levels were only one third of the critical value of 0.3 g kg^(-1).Collectively,results suggest that Mg deficiency is the primary reason for NC of P.taeda in various parent soils in Brazil.

Time-resolved characteristics of a nanosecond pulsed multi-hollow needle plate packed bed dielectric barrier discharge

In this paper,self-designed multi-hollow needle electrodes are used as a high-voltage electrode in a packed bed dielectric barrier discharge reactor to facilitate fast gas flow through the active discharge area and achieve large-volume stable discharge.The dynamic characteristics of the plasma,the generated active species,and the energy transfer mechanisms in both positive discharge(PD)and negative discharge(ND)are investigated by using fast-exposure intensified charge coupled device(ICCD)images and time-resolved optical emission spectra.The experimental results show that the discharge intensity,number of discharge channels,and discharge volume are obviously enhanced when the multi-needle electrode is replaced by a multihollow needle electrode.During a single voltage pulse period,PD mainly develops in a streamer mode,which results in a stronger discharge current,luminous intensity,and E/N compared with the diffuse mode observed in ND.In PD,as the gap between dielectric beads changes from 0 to250μm,the discharge between the dielectric bead gap changes from a partial discharge to a standing filamentary micro-discharge,which allows the plasma to leave the local area and is conducive to the propagation of surface streamers.In ND,the discharge only appears as a diffusionlike mode between the gap of dielectric beads,regardless of whether there is a discharge gap.Moreover,the generation of excited states N_(2)^(+)(B^(2)∑_(u)^(+))and N2(C^(3)Π_(u))is mainly observed in PD,which is attributed to the higher E/N in PD than that in ND.However,the generation of the OH(A^(2)∑^(+))radical in ND is higher than in PD.It is not directly dominated by E/N,but mainly by the resonant energy transfer process between metastable N_(2)(A^(3)∑_(u)^(+))and OH(X^(2)Π).Furthermore,both PD and ND demonstrate obvious energy relaxation processes of electron-to-vibration and vibration-to-vibration,and no vibration-to-rotation energy relaxation process is observed.

A Set of Acupuncture Needles in the Late Qing Dynasty Collected by George Souliéde Morant

In the early 20th century,French vice-consul George Souliéde Morant encountered acupuncture during his visit to China,and then brought it back to France.After more than a century,his collection was transported from Paris,France to Kunming,China,and later recognized as a Chinese national third-class precious cultural heritage.Currently housed in the Museum of Western Studies on Chinese Medicine at Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine,this set of instruments includes one needle holder converted from a fan-shaped holder,ten acupuncture needles,and eleven paper tags handwritten in English with names of diseases and body parts.This article attempts to present the foundational information and historical significance of this collection of this set of late Qing dynasty acupuncture instruments by reviewing the collection and related research on acupuncture instruments,consulting acupuncture professionals,measuring the detailed information of the set of instruments,and employing a method of translating and summarizing the content of the attached tags.

Formation of diffuse and spark discharges between two needle electrodes with the scattering of particles

The development of a nanosecond discharge in a pin-to-pin gap filled with air at atmospheric pressure has been studied with high temporal and spatial resolutions from a breakdown start to the spark decay.Positive and negative nanosecond voltage pulses with an amplitude of tens of kilovolts were applied.Time-resolved images of the discharge development were taken with a fourchannel Intensified Charge Coupled Device(ICCD)camera.The minimum delay between the camera channels could be as short as≈0.1 ns.This made it possible to study the gap breakdown process with subnanosecond resolution.It was observed that a wide-diameter streamer develops from the high-voltage pointed electrode.The ionization processes near the grounded pin electrode started when the streamer crossed half of the gap.After bridging the gap by the streamer,a diffuse discharge was formed.The development of spark leaders from bright spots on the surface of the pointed electrodes was observed at the next stage.It was found that the rate of development of the spark leader is an order of magnitude lower than that of the wide-diameter streamer.Long thin luminous tracks were observed against the background of a discharge plasma glow.It has been established that the tracks are adjacent to brightly glowing spots on the electrodes and are associated with the flight of small particles.