Point application with Angong Niuhuang sticker protects hippocampal and cortical neurons in rats with cerebral ischemia

Angong Niuhuang pill, a Chinese materia medica preparation, can improve neurological func-tions after acute ischemic stroke. Because of its inconvenient application and toxic components （Cinnabaris andRealgar）, we used transdermal enhancers to deliverAngong Niuhuang pill by modern technology, which expanded the safe dose range and clinical indications. In this study, Angong Niuhuang stickers administered at different point application doses （1.35, 2.7, and 5.4 g/kg） were administered to theDazhui （DU14）, Qihai（RN6） andMingmen （DU4） of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia, for 4 weeks. The Morris water maze was used to determine the learning and memory ability of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe neuronal damage of the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia. The middle- and high-dose point application ofAngong Niuhuangstickers attenuated neuronal damage in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region, and improved the memory of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia with an efifcacy similar to interventions by electroacupuncture at Dazhui （DU14）,Qihai （RN6） andMingmen （DU4）. Our experimental ifndings indicate that point application withAngong Niuhuang stickers can improve cognitive function after chronic cerebral ischemia in rats and is neuroprotective with an equivalent efifcacy to acupuncture.

Expressions of apoptosis-related proteins in rats with focal cerebral ischemia after Angong Niuhuang sticker point application

In this study, we extracted and purified components in the Angong Niuhuang pill. Then we applied transdermal enhancers to Angong Niuhuang stickers by modern technology. The Angong Niuhuang sticker includes extracts from curcuma, berberine hydrochloride, baicalin, geniposide, borneol, and musk. Angong Niuhuang stickers at different point application doses （1.35, 2.7, and 5.4 g/kg） were administered to Dazhui （DU14）, Qihai （RN6） and Mingmen （DU4）. Rats in the different dose point application and acupuncture groups were continuously administered for 7 days. Then a middle cerebral artery occlusion model was prepared for simulating human cerebral ischemia. Twelve hours later, expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 protein in hippocampal CA1 were detected with immunohistochemistry. The expression level of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, significantly increased in the high-, medium- and low-dose point application groups and the acupuncture group, while the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax and p53, significantly decreased compared with the middle cerebral artery occlusion rats; and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly increased. The difference was noticeable for the high-dose point application group, which showed statistical difference compared with the low-dose point application group and the acupuncture group. Our experimental findings indicate that point application with Angong Niuhuang stickers promotes the expression of Bcl-2, and inhibits the expressions of Bax and p53 in the hippocampal CA1 area of rats after focal cerebral ischemia. Thus, point application of Angong Niuhang stickers protects brain tissues from cerebral ischemia.

Long-term efficacy of point application therapy on different acupoints and durations in the treatment of asthma:a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To optimise point application therapy for the treatment of asthma.METHODS:A total of 456 patients with asthma were randomly divided into treatment groups 1,2,and 3,with 152 patients each.The Dazhui(GV14),Feishu(BL13),Xinshu(BL15),Geshu(BL17),Pishu(BL20),Shenshu(BL23),and Guanyuan(CV4)acupoints were selected for treatment groups 1 and 2,with 2 and 4 h of application,respectively.The Feishu(BL13),Xinshu(BL15),and Geshu(BL17)acupoints were selected in group 3,with 2 h of application.All patients underwent application of the“prevention of disease”plaster during the dog days of summer(approximately July and August each year)between 2015 and 2019.RESULTS:The analysis showed that the numbers of asthma attacks and total serum immunoglobulin E(IgE)levels of the three groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment.In addition,the reductions in treatment groups 1 and 2 were more significant than those in group 3.The total treatment efficacy rates and post-treatment quality of life scores of the patients in treatment groups 1 and 2 were significantly higher than those in group 3.CONCLUSIONS:Point application therapy can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with asthma,reduce the number of attacks,improve the quality of life,and decrease the total serum IgE level.The choice of acupuncture points,but not the length of the application time,influenced the therapeutic effect of point application therapy in asthma.

Clinical Study on Point Application Using Chinese Herbal Medicine for Pediatric Chronic Cough

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of point application using Chinese herbal medicine for chronic cough in children. Methods： A total of 200 children with chronic cough were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 100 cases in each group. Conventional Western medication was used for cases in the control group, whereas conventional Western medication plus point application using Chinese herbal medicine were used for cases in the observation group. Changes of indexes including eosinophils （EOS）, peak expiratory flow （PEF） and forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1） were observed before and after treatment. In addition, the clinical effects were compared between the two groups. Results： After treatment, coughs in children were alleviated in both groups; however, it took a shorter period of time for cough alleviation in the observation group than that in the control group （P^0.01）. On the 28th day of treatment, the EOS, PEF and FEVl were improved in both groups （P〈0.01）, and the improvements were more significant in the observation group （P〈0.05）. Additionally, the frequencies of cough variant asthma attacks were decreased in both groups, but a better effect in the observation group than the control group. Conclusion： Complementary point application using Chinese herbal medicine could substantially improve the clinical effect, alleviate coughs and benefit lung functions.

The Anatomical Physiology and Clinical Application of the Points Huiyang and Zhonglushu

Both Huiyang (BL 35) and Zhonglushu (BL 29) are the acupoints of the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang located in the sacral region. These two points are often used in combination to treat urinary dysfunction, and their regulatory effects are very satisfactory.1 In this article, the clinical mechanism of Huiyang and Zhonglushu is explained in accordance with the theory of Channels and neurophysiology. ……

Clinical Experience in Application of the Point Wangu

Wangu (GB 12) is a point of the Gallbladder Channel of Foot Shaoyang, located in the depression posteroinferior to the temporal process. And it is a hui point of Foot Taiyang and Shaoyang Channels, with the effects of eliminating pathogenic wind and heat, and tranquilizing the mind. This point is located superior to the attachment point of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, in which there distribute the stem of the lesser occipital nerve, and branches of the posterior auricular artery and vein. It can be needled perpendicularly 0.5-1 cun deep. In clinical practice, the author has applied the point for treatment of various diseases, and obtained quite satisfactory therapeutic results. The following is a report of some illustrative cases. ……

Clinical Application of the Point Taichong

Taichong (LR 3) is a yuan (source) point of the Liver Channel of Foot Taiyin. Having the effects of relieving the depressed liver, and regulating the circulation of qi to relieve pain, this point is widely used in clinic with quite satisfactory therapeutic effects. The following is a report of example cases.

Clinical Experience in Application of the Point Zhongzhu

In recent years, based on the experience of predecessors, the authors of this article have applied Zhongzhu point (TE 3) in treatment for various diseases and obtained satisfactory therapeutic results. Some of the illustrative cases are introduced below.……

Clinical Application of the Point Baihui

The authors of this article have successfully treated various cases of urinary dysfunction by means of acupuncture. Some of the cases are reported in the following.

Clinical Experience in Application of the Point Zhaohai

Zhaohai (KI 6) is a point on the Kidney Channel of Foot Shaoyin, and it is one of the eight confluent points, connecting with the Yinqiao Channel. It is located in the depression of the lower border of the medial malleolus, indicated for the disorders along the distributing courses of the Foot Shaoyin Channel and Yinqiao Channel. Connecting with the kidney and bladder collaterally, it gives the effect of reinforcing the kidney and strengthening qi, and promoting the function of the bladder.

AN APPLICATION OF A FIXED POINT THEOREM TO BEST SIMULTANEOUS APPROXIMATION

Using a recent result regarding the fixed points of multivalued mappings, the existence of invariant best simultaneous approximation in chainable metric space is proved.

DISTRIBUTION OF ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE OF RETAINING WALL WITH WALL MOVEMENT OF ROTATION ABOUT TOP

Based on the Coulomb's theory that the earth pressure against the back of a retaining wall is due to the thrust exerted by the sliding wedge of soil from the back of the wall to a plane which passes through the bottom edge of the wall and has an inclination equal to the angle of θ, the theoretical answers to the unit earth pressure, the resultant earth pressure and the point of application of the resultant earth pressure on a retaining wall were obtained for the wall movement mode of rotation about top. The comparisons were made among the formula presented here, the formula for the wall movement mode of translation, the Coulomb's formula and some experimental observations. It is demonstrated that the magnitudes of the resultant earth pressures for the wall movement mode of rotation about top is equal to that determined by the formula for the wall movement mode of translation and the Coulomb's theory. But the distribution of the earth pressure and the points of application of the resultant earth pressures have significant difference.