A study of acupoint specificity and mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention on chronic colitis in rats based on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Objective:This study aimed to elucidate the differences in effects and mechanisms of action of electric-needle therapy at Tian Shu(ST25),Da Chang Shu(BL25),Zu San Li(ST36)and Shang Ju Xu(ST37)acupoints on chronic experimental colitis in rats through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.Methods:Sixty pathogen-free SD rats were randomly assigned to six groups:the normal,model,Tian Shu(ST25),Da Chang Shu(BL25),Zu San Li(ST36)and Shang Ju Xu(ST37)groups,each with 10 rats.Chronic colitis was induced in rats by combining immunization and local stimulation.After model establishment,electrical needle intervention combined with dispersing wave of 2 Hz/50 Hz with a current intensity of 2 mA once daily for 20 min was applied on acupoints of each group.Subsequently,the inflammation of colonic mucosa and serum levels of inflammatory factors(IL-23,IL-17,IL-10)were observed;ELISA was used to detect mRNA expressions of PI3K,Akt and mTOR in colitic tissues by RT-PCR as well as protein content of p-PI3k/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,and p-mTOR/mTOR in colitic tissues by Western blotting.Result:Compared with the normal group,the model rats showed a poor general condition,serious damage to the colonic mucosa with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration.The serum IL-23 and IL-17 expressions were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the serum IL-10 expression was significantly decreased(P<0.01);the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,mTOR and p-PI3K,p-Akt and p-mTOR were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the pathological slices of rats in each acupoints intervention group showed obvious improvement of colitis inflammatory reaction and tissue damage;the serological levels of IL-23 and IL-17 were significantly reduced(P<0.01),while the serology level of IL-10 was significantly increased(P<0.01);the expressions of PI3K,Akt,mTOR mRNA and p-PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with Tian Shu(ST25),Da Chang Shu(BL25),Zu San Li(ST36)groups,the recovery degree of mucosa layers in Shang Ju Xu(ST37)group was closer to that of normal group,and the curative effect was relatively the best;in terms of serological levels of IL-23 and IL-17,the Shang Ju Xu(ST37)group was significantly lower(P<0.05),while the level of IL-10 was significantly higher(P<0.01);the expressions of PI3K,Akt,mTOR mRNA and p-PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion:Results indicate that electrical acupuncture at Tian Shu(ST25),Da Chang Shu(BL25),Zu San Li(ST36)and Shang Ju Xu(ST37)show similar effects in relieving the colitis-induced damage in the mucosa of chronic colitis rats,as well as inflammatory response.Among them,Shang Ju Xu(ST25)has a superior overall effect in treating chronic colitis compared to Tian Shu(ST25),Da Chang Shu(BL25)and Zu San Li(ST36).The mechanism may be related to inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

THE EXTENSIVENESS AND SPECIFICITY OF EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT DIFFERENT ACUPOINTS ON NOCICEPTIVE RESPONSE OF CONVERGENT NEURONS IN TRIGEMINAL NUCLEUS CAUDALIS

Experiments were carried out on rats anaesthetized with uraethane. The sponta-neous discharges and nociceptive responses of convergent neurons in the right trigerninal nucleus cau-dalis(TNC) to noxious stimuli at receptive field (cheek) were recorded extracellularly with glass mi-cro-electrode. Electroacupuncture (EA ) was applied at bilateral " Xiaguan" (ST 7 on face ) or "Zusanli" (ST 36 on shank) acupoint with Iow (2V) and high (18V) intensity. The noclceptive re-sponse of convergent neurons in TNC could be inhihited by low intensity EA applied at "Xiaguan" butnot "Zusanlil", showing the specificity of acupoints. High intensity EA at either "Xiaguan" or "Zusan-li" also reduced the nociceptive responses, showing the analgesic extensiveness of acupoints. We sug-gest that "the gate of control" mechanism plays a main role in low intensity EA and "diffuse noxiousinhibitory controls" (DNIC) rnechanism does so in high intensity EA.The results suggest that we should pay attention to the location of acupoints,

Cerebral functional imaging of Waiguan (SJ 5) acupoint specificity using single-photon emission computed tomography

The action of needling in acupoint therapy has to first be regulated and integrated by the brain, and then it affects the target organ and manifests its therapeutic effects, which is dependent on the specificity of the acupoints. The authors put forward the hypothesis of the ＂acupoint-related brain＂. Single-photon emission computed tomography was used to explore the activation of brain regions following true needling in true acupoint Waiguan （SJ 5）, sham needling in true acupoint Waiguan, true needling in a sham point, and sham needling in a sham point. The relative specificity of Waiguan in normal persons was analyzed by observing changes in regional cerebral blood flow. Compared with the sham needling in true acupoint group and sham needling in the sham point group, acupuncture at Waiguan can activate brain regions controlling movement. Compared with true needling in the sham point group, acupuncture at Waiguan can also activate brain regions controlling movement. The results suggest that the specificity of needling at an acupoint is related to certain activated cerebral functional regions, which are associated with the clinical application of the acupoint.

Positron emission tomography study of the specificity of Waiguan (SJ 5) acupoint

Functional brain imaging studies of the specificity of acupoint stimulation have revealed that needling at particular acupoints can induce activation of corresponding brain areas, examined in physiological and pathological states. The present study examined Waiguan （SJ 5） as the acupoint of interest. We tested five conditions： a true needling at true acupoint group, a sham needling at true acupoint group, a true needling at sham acupoint group, a sham needling at sham acupoint group, and a healthy control group. We examined changes in glucose metabolism in different functional cortical regions to determine the specific brain activation elicited by acupuncture at Waiguan. The results revealed that true and sham acupuncture at the same acupoint activated different brain regions. In addition, applying acupuncture at a genuine acupoint and a neighboring sham acupoint activated different brain regions. These findings suggest that acupuncture at Waiguan causes activation in some brain regions.

Functional brain imaging studies on specificity of meridian and acupoints

At present, the specificity of meridians and acupoints has been studied using functional brain imaging techniques from many standpoints, including meridians, acupoints, and sham acupoints, as well as different meridians and acupoints, coordination of acupoints, and factors influencing meridian and acupoint specificity Preliminary experimental data have demonstrated that acupuncture at meridians and acupoints is specific with regard to brain neural information. However, research findings are contradictory, which may be related to brain functional complexity, resolution of functional brain imaging techniques, and experimental design. Future studies should further improve study method, and should strictly control experimental conditions to better analyze experimental data and acquire more beneficial data. Because of its many advantages, the functional brain imaging technique is a promising method for studying meridian and acupoint specificity.

Editor's Choice—Specificity of acupuncture acupoints:observation by functional magnetic resonance imaging

Acupuncture at certain acupoints （specific sites for needle insertion） can induce the activation of specific regions of the brain. This activated brain region influences the target organ or tissue in order to treat the disease. Acupoint specificity is the basis of acupuncture therapy.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF BIRD-PECKING MOXIBUSTION OF SPECIFIC ACUPOINTS IN THE TREATMENT OF FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of moxibustion of some specific acupoints for treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD, qi-distension type). Methods:A total of 50 cases of FD patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=26) and medication group (n=24). In treatment group, bird-pecking moxibustion was applied to Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Neiguan (PC 6) and Gongsun (SP 4) 5～6 times in every treatment till the local skin got flush. The treatment was given once daily, continuously for 10 days. In control group, the patients were ordered to take Motilium 10 mg/time, 3 times daily. Following 10 days’ treatment the therapeutic effect was assessed.Results:After treatment, of the 26 cases in treatment group, 11 (42.3%) were cured, 7 (26.92%) had remarkable improvement in their symptoms, 6 (23.07%) had improvement and 2 (7.69%) failed, with a total effective rate of 92.31%. Of the 24 cases in medication group, 9 (37.50%) were cured, 6 (25.00%) experienced remarkable improvement in their symptoms, 6 (25.00%) were improved and 3 (12.50%) failed, with a total effective rate of 87.50%. Comparison between two groups showed that the therapeutic effect of moxibustion was significantly superior to that of medication (P<0.05). In addition, the difference value of the therapeutic effect index (TEI) between post-and pre-treatment in treatment group was also significantly higher than that of medication group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Bird-pecking moxibustion of specific acupoints can effectively improve clinical symptoms of FD patients.

欧李种质资源自交不亲和S-RNase基因的克隆及序列分析

为鉴定不同欧李种质资源的S基因型,分析欧李S基因序列特点,以70份欧李种质为材料,通过PCR特异性扩增S基因,并克隆测序得到其基因序列。结果表明:利用BFP93/BFP94-1引物,在52份种质中各鉴定到2个S基因,在16份种质中各鉴定到单个S基因,在3-32-扁黄和10-32两份种质中未扩增出条带;共克隆得到120条基因,鉴定得到36种S基因型,并将其中的新基因登录到NCBI中,登录号依次为OQ124075~OQ124109。

血清Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β联合检测对一氧化碳中毒患者并发急性脑梗死的诊断及预后评估

目的探究血清脂蛋白磷脂酶A2(Lp-PLA2)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、可溶性蛋白100β(S-100β)联合检测对一氧化碳中毒(CMP)患者并发急性脑梗死(ACI)的诊断及预后评估。方法选取2020年1月至2021年11月该院收治的CMP并发ACI患者102例为研究组,同期选择单纯CMP患者102例为对照组。对研究组患者出院后进行6个月的随访,根据随访结果分为预后良好组(60例)和预后不良组(42例)。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β水平;采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β联合对CMP并发ACI患者的早期诊断及预后评估价值。结果与对照组比较,研究组Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β水平升高(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,血清Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β联合诊断CMP并发ACI的曲线下面积(AUC)大于各指标单独诊断的AUC(P<0.001)。与预后良好组比较,预后不良组Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β水平升高(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,血清Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β联合对CMP并发ACI患者预后预测的AUC大于各指标单独检测的AUC(P<0.05)。结论CMP并发ACI患者血清中Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β呈高表达,3项指标联合检测对CMP并发ACI患者具有一定诊断及预后评估价值。

血清NSE、S-100β、CRP/PA预测重度脑挫裂合并脑疝患者院内短期死亡的价值

目的分析血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、S-100β、C反应蛋白(CRP)/前白蛋白(PA)预测重度脑挫裂合并脑疝患者院内短期死亡的价值。方法回顾性分析2020年5月至2023年5月在西安高新医院接受去骨瓣减压术治疗的130例重度脑挫裂合并脑疝患者的临床资料,男85例,女45例,年龄(55.13±10.33)岁;入院时格拉斯哥昏迷量表(GCS)评分3~8分56例,>8分74例;脑挫伤部位:单发79例,多发51例。记录术后30 d患者生存情况并进行分组,26例(20.00%)于院内死亡为死亡组,104例(80.00%)治疗后顺利出院为存活组。收集两组年龄、性别等基线资料,入院时采用酶联免疫吸附法和电化学发光法检测血清NSE、S-100β、CRP、PA水平,并计算CRP/PA水平。采用t检验和χ^(2)检验,采用多因素logistic回归分析法分析重度脑挫裂合并脑疝患者院内短期死亡的危险因素,以受试者操作特征曲线(ROC)观察血清NSE、S-100β、CRP/PA水平预测重度脑挫裂合并脑疝患者院内短期死亡的价值。结果死亡组入院时格拉斯哥昏迷量表(GCS)评分3~8分、多发脑挫伤、入院前1周使用抗凝药物的患者占比以及血清NSE、S-100β、CRP/PA水平均高于存活组(均P<0.05);多因素logistic回归分析显示,入院时GCS评分、脑挫伤部位、入院前1周使用抗凝药物及血清NSE、S-100β、CRP/PA水平均为重度脑挫裂合并脑疝患者院内短期死亡的危险因素(均P<0.05);ROC分析证实血清NSE、S-100β、CRP/PA水平均可用于预测重度脑挫裂合并脑疝患者院内短期死亡,曲线下面积分别为0.795、0.753、0.801(均P<0.05)。结论入院时GCS评分、脑挫伤部位、入院前1周使用抗凝药物、血清NSE、S-100β、CRP/PA水平均为重度脑挫裂合并脑疝患者院内短期死亡的危险因素,临床应结合以上指标对高危患者进行重点筛查,及时采取干预措施。

A High Efficiency Hardware Implementation of S-Boxes Based on Composite Field for Advanced Encryption Standard

The SubBytes (S-box) transformation is the most crucial operation in the AES algorithm, significantly impacting the implementation performance of AES chips. To design a high-performance S-box, a segmented optimization implementation of the S-box is proposed based on the composite field inverse operation in this paper. This proposed S-box implementation is modeled using Verilog language and synthesized using Design Complier software under the premise of ensuring the correctness of the simulation result. The synthesis results show that, compared to several current S-box implementation schemes, the proposed implementation of the S-box significantly reduces the area overhead and critical path delay, then gets higher hardware efficiency. This provides strong support for realizing efficient and compact S-box ASIC designs.

血清S-100βNSEMBP动态变化对新生儿颅内出血预后的评估价值

目的探究血清S-100β蛋白(S-100β)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)动态变化对新生儿颅内出血预后的评估价值。方法选取2019-06—2023-06亳州市人民医院收治的85例ICH新生儿为观察组,并选取同期在本院分娩的健康新生儿70例作为对照组,根据观察组预后情况分为痊愈组(n=55)和未愈组(n=30),比较各组血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平,采用ROC曲线分析血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平对新生儿颅内出血患儿预后不良的预测价值。结果观察组患儿出生后24 h、72 h、7 d的血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平高于对照组(P<0.05),观察组患儿出生后72 h的血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平最高,出生后7 d下降(P<0.05)。ICH IV级患儿出生后24 h、72 h、7 d的血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平高于ICHⅢ级、Ⅱ级和Ⅰ级患儿,ICHⅢ级患儿出生后24 h、72 h、7 d的血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平高于ICHⅡ级和Ⅰ级患儿,ICHⅡ级患儿出生后24 h、72 h、7 d的血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平高于ICHⅠ级患儿(P<0.05)。未愈组患儿出生后24 h、72 h、7 d的血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平高于痊愈组(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示,出生后72 h的血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平联合预测新生儿颅内出血患儿预后不良的敏感度为93.35%,AUC为0.922,均高于单独检测(P<0.05)。结论ICH患儿血清S-100β、NSE、MBP水平随发病时间发生显著变化,与ICH分级、预后密切相关,且联合检测对ICH患儿预后不良的预测价值较高。

Acupuncture at the Taixi(KI3) acupoint activates cerebral neurons in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment

Our previous ifndings have demonstrated that acupuncture at the Taixi （KI3） acupoint in healthy youths can activate neurons in cognitive-related cerebral cortex. Here, we investigated whether acupuncture at this acupoint in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment can also activate neurons in these regions. Resting state and task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging showed that the pinprick senstation of acupuncture at the Taixi acupoint differed signiifcantly between elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment and healthy elderly controls. Results showed that 20 brain regions were activated in both groups of participants, including the bi-lateral anterior cingulate gyrus （Brodmann areas [BA] 32, 24）, left medial frontal cortex （BA 9, 10, 11）, left cuneus （BA 19）, left middle frontal gyrus （BA 11）, left lingual gyrus （BA 18）, right medial frontal gyrus （BA 11）, bilateral inferior frontal gyrus （BA 47）, left superior frontal gyrus （BA11）, right cuneus （BA 19, 18）, right superior temporal gyrus （BA 38）, left subcallosal gyrus （BA 47）, bilateral precuneus （BA 19）, right medial frontal gyrus （BA 10）, right superior frontal （BA 11）, left cingulate gyrus （BA 32）, left precentral gyrus （BA 6）, and right fusiform gyrus （BA 19）. These results suggest that acupuncture at the Taixi acupoint in elderly patients with mild cogni-tive impairment can also activate some brain regions.

补肾止颤方对帕金森病大鼠Caspase-4/11表达的影响

目的探讨补肾止颤方对帕金森病(Parkinson′s disease,PD)大鼠Caspase-4/11表达的影响。方法采用蛋白酶抑制因子注射法建立慢性PD大鼠模型,将造模成功的大鼠分为模型组、多巴丝肼组(2 g·kg^(-1)·d^(-1)),补肾止颤方低、中、高剂量组(15、30、60 g·kg^(-1)·d^(-1)),假手术组采用等量的70%乙醇溶液注射。假手术组、模型组给予10 mL·kg^(-1)·d^(-1)生理盐水;其余各组给予相应药物;连续灌胃3周。观察大鼠的一般情况,于灌药前1周及灌药后第3周进行悬挂实验并评分。采用HE染色、透射电镜观察中脑黑质区神经元病理改变,qPCR技术检测中脑黑质区α-syn、TH、IL-1β、GSDMD、Caspase-4/11的mRNA表达变化。结果补肾止颤方能增加悬挂实验时间及评分,减轻神经元病理损伤,明显抑制α-syn、IL-1β、GSDMD、Caspase-4/11表达,增加TH表达。结论补肾止颤方可有效改善PD模型大鼠的行为障碍、减轻神经元病理损伤,可能通过下调Caspase-4/11,抑制GSDMD蛋白的表达,减少α-syn、IL-1β分泌,从而减轻细胞焦亡,达到神经元保护作用。

Specific cerebral activation following true and sham Waiguan(SJ 5) needling Functional magnetic resonance imaging evidence

Positive activation and negative activation of glucose metabolism can be detected in different brain regions under acupuncture conditions using functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） which reveals acupoint function and location-acupoint specificity. This study observed the regional cerebral activation of the Waiguan （SJ 5） acupoint following true needling at the true Waiguan acupoint, sham needling at the true Waiguan acupoint and true needling at a sham point using fMRI. The fMRI results demonstrated that compared with sham needling, true needling at Waiguan activated the BA8 area and left cerebellum. Compared with needling at the sham point, needling at Waiguan activated the BA2 area, the left cerebellum and the right inferior semilunar lobule. Thus the activated brain areas caused by needling Waiguan may be the basis for treatment of certain diseases.

离心泵S形叶片流动特性及水力性能分析

对离心泵而言,叶片出口角β2是影响泵性能的一个重要参数。基于Fluent离心泵全流场数值模拟,对某型号低比转数离心泵进行了大出口角叶形的改形设计,研究了不同大出口角对离心泵水力性能的影响,并对比分析了原模型泵与S形叶片离心泵水力特性及流动特性。结果表明:离心泵扬程随着出口角的增大而增大,在出口角为90°时达到最大值。当出口角为90°时,S形叶片的水力性能最佳,在设计工况下及大流量工况泵扬程显著提升且效率有小幅度提升,但小流量工况下泵效率略有下降。S形叶片可以有效抑制离心泵叶轮内的边界层分离现象,且随着流量的增大抑制效果越明显。

Isolation and Identification of a Specific cDNA Mapping to the Bam HI-I2 and -LFragments within the Inverted Repeats ofUnique Long Re-gion (IRL) in the Genom e ofMarek′s Disease Herpesvirus (MDV) Oncogenic Strain Beijing-1

Objective\ To understand the transcription of BamHI L DNA fragment from genome of strong virulent GA strain of Marek′s disease herpesvirus (MDV) in lymphoblastoid tumor tissue induced by oncogenic strain Beijing 1 (a specific local strain in China) of MDV. Methods\ Two oligonucleotide primers were synthesized according to the reported sequence of \%meq\% gene an ideal oncogenic candidate and our previously determined sequence of BamHI L fragment of Marek′s disease herpesvirus (MDV), respectively. Reverse transcriptase PCR(RT PCR) assay was performed by using these primers and the mRNA as a template which was isolated from visceral lymphoblastoid tumors obtained from chickens artificially infected with strain Beijing 1 of oncogenic MDV. Southern blot molecular hybridization was further carried out to detect the product of RT PCR with digoxigenin labeled nucleotide probe from BamHI I2 and L fragment in the gene library of MDV strain GA, respectively. Results\ Two probes could simultaneously hybridize this cDNA amplified by RT PCR with a length of about 730 bp. Conclusion\ It is suggested that \%meq\% transcription could extend from the right hand end of BamHI I2 to the adjacent BamHI L, and the BamHI L region was likely to be transcribed in MDV induced lymphoblastoid tumors.

NSE、S-100β在基底节区高血压脑出血患者中的作用研究

目的:探讨神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、S-100钙结合蛋白β(S-100β)在基底节区高血压脑出血(HICH)患者中的作用。方法:选取2021年1月-2022年6月九江市第一人民医院收治的基底节区HICH患者作为研究观察组(n=60),根据神经功能缺损的严重程度分为轻度组(n=14)、中度组(n=30)、重度组(n=16),根据预后情况分为预后良好组(n=38)、预后不良组(n=22);另以同期于本院进行体检的健康人为正常对照组(n=56)。采用化学发光免疫分析法(CLIA)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测研究观察组术前、术后3、7 d及出院时和正常对照组体检时的血清NSE、S-100β水平。用Spearman相关性分析研究NSE、S-100β与神经功能缺损程度的相关性,用ROC分析研究NSE、S-100β评估预后的价值。结果:研究观察组各时间点的NSE、S-100β水平均明显高于正常对照组(P<0.05);研究观察组不同时间点NSE、S-100β水平比较,差异均有统计学意义(F=530.879、427.941,P<0.05)。轻度组NSE、S-100β水平均低于中度组和重度组,中度组NSE、S-100β水平均低于重度组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。基底节区HICH患者NSE、S-100β与美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分呈明显正相关关系(r_(s)=0.544、0.506,P<0.05)。ROC分析显示,NSE、S-100β评估预后的AUC分别为0.865、0.731,敏感度分别为81.82%、90.91%,特异度分别为89.47%、52.63%。结论:NSE、S-100β可以反映基底节区HICH患者的神经功能缺损程度,可为临床治疗进展及预后评估提供应用价值。

Ishii评分在养老机构老年人肌少症筛查中的应用

目的评价Ishii评分在养老机构老年人肌少症筛查中的准确性,为养老机构老年人肌少症筛查提供适用性工具。方法对养老机构386名老年人应用Ishii评分进行肌少症筛查,以亚洲肌少症工作组推荐的肌少症诊断标准为参考,使用灵敏度、特异度及ROC曲线下面积等指标评价Ishii评分肌少症筛查效应。结果肌少症检出率为49.7%,其中男91人,女101人;男性Ishii评分ROC曲线下面积为0.844,95%CI为0.786~0.902,女性Ishii评分ROC曲线下面积为0.806,95%CI为0.748~0.863;男性和女性分别在以137和161分为截断值时,约登指数达到最高水平。结论Ishii评分对于养老机构老年人肌少症筛查具有较高的筛检价值。

Pain management using Han’s acupoint nerve stimulator combined with patient-controlled analgesia following neurosurgery A randomized case control study

BACKGROUND： Han＇s acupoint nerve stimulator （HANS） has been frequently used to relieve pain by promoting the central nerve system＇s release of endogenous opioid peptides through electric stimulation to the body surface. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the pain-relieving effects of HANS, combined with patient-controlled analgesia, following neurosurgery, and to observe adverse reactions and effects. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized control observation was performed at the Department of Neurology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College （Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China） from January 2005 to February 2006. PARTICIPANTS： Forty patients, who were selected for craniotomy and required pain relief following surgery at the Department of Neurology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College （China）, were included in this study. METHODS： Forty patients underwent neurosurgery and were randomly divided into two groups： patient-controlled analgesia plus HANS （＋HANS, n = 20） and patient-controlled analgesia （-HANS, n = 20）. Both groups were well matched in baseline data. Automatic syringe infusion pump ZZB-150 was the product of Nantong Aipeng Medical Instruments Co., Ltd. （China）. Patient-controlled analgesia consisted of 100 mL 0.02% lappaconitine/0.02% metoclopramide. LH-402 HANS instrument was produced in Beijing （China）, with a serial number of 402183. The HANS instrumentation was used to stimulate the Hegu-Laogong acupoint on one side and Jiaogan, Shenmen penetrating Shen, Waifei, Naogan penetrating Pizhixia ear acupoints on the affected side for one hour, with 2-hour intervals. The disperse-dense wave was alternating, with a 2/100 Hz frequency of electrical stimulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE： The scores of visual analogue scale and incidence of adverse reaction were observed in two groups following surgery. RESULTS： Compared with the HANS group, the visual analogue scale scores were remarkably lower in the ＋HANS group six hours after surgery （P 〈 0.01）, and the incidence rate of adverse reactions, such as nausea and vomiting, was also decreased （P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： The application of HANS to induce body surface stimulation can enhance the effect of pain relief and reduce adverse reactions when used in combination with patient-controlled analgesia following neurosurgery. The effect of combined therapy is superior to patient-controlled analgesia alone.