CLINICAL RESEARCH OF IMPACTS ON PLASMA ENDOTHELIN AND INTELLIGENCE IN MULTI-INFARCT DEMATIA TREATED WITH CLUSTER PRICKING ON HEAD POINTS

Objective To probe into the impacts on the therapeutic effects and endothelin （ET） in multi-infarct dementia （MID） treated with cluster pricking on head points.Methods 60 cases of MID were randomized into acupuncture group and western medicine group,treated with cluster pricking on head points and huperzien A tablet respectively.Plasma ET lever,HDS,ADL and CNFDS （clinical neurological functional defect scoring） were determined before treatment,and the statistical analysis showed that there were no significant difference （P〉0.05）.Results In 8-week treatment,ET level in both groups were decreased,but it was decreased much more obviously in acupuncture group,indicating significant difference in the statistical comparison （P〈0.05）.The scores of HDS and ADL were all up in acupuncture and western medicine groups,but the significant statistical difference was obtained in the comparison between acupuncture group and western medicine group （P〈0.05）.In acupuncture group,the result of CNFDS was much down comparing with that before the treatment,indicating significant difference （P〈0.05）;but in western medicine group,there was no significant difference in CNFDS before and after treatment （P〉0.05）,suggesting that acupuncture reduces CNFDS of MID patient,neither for western medicine.Conclusion Cluster pricking on head points improves the intelligence of MID patient,reduces ET level and grades up HDS and ADL,moreover,it reduces CNFDS of MID patients and releases the symptoms.

Clinical effect of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride on mild-to-moderate depression

BACKGROUND Depression is a common,chronic,and recurrent mood disorder that has become a worldwide health hazard.Fluoxetine hydrochloride,a common treatment method,can inhibit 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)recycling in the presynaptic membrane;however,the efficacy of a single drug is inadequate.At present,mildto-moderate depression can be treated with acupuncture of ghost caves,but the clinical curative effect of combined therapy with fluoxetine hydrochloride has not been sufficiently reported.AIM To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression.METHODS This retrospective study included 160 patients with mild-to-moderate depression who were admitted to Shanghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,between January 2022 and June 2023.Patients were separated into a single-agent group(fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment,n=80)and a coalition group(fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment combined with acupuncture at ghost points,n=80).Pre-treatment symptoms were recorded,and the clinical curative effect and adverse reactions[Asberg Antidepressant Side Effects Scale(SERS)]were assessed.Depression before and after treatment[Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)-24],neurotransmitter levels[5-HT,norepinephrine(NE),dopamine(DA)],oxidative stress indicators[superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA)],and sleep quality[Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)]were compared.RESULTS The total efficacy rate was 97.50%in the coalition group and 86.25%in the single-agent group(P<0.05).After 2,4,6,and 8 wk of treatment,the HAMD,self-rating depression scale,and SERS scores of the coalition and single-agent groups decreased compared with pre-treatment,and the decrease was more significant in the coalition group(P<0.05).After 8 wk of treatment,the levels of NE,DA,5-HT,and SOD in the coalition and single-agent groups increased,while the levels of MDA decreased;the increases and decrease in the coalition group were more significant(P<0.05).The PSQI scores of the coalition and single-agent groups decreased,and the decrease was more significant in the coalition group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Acupuncture at ghost points combined with paroxetine tablets can safely improve depressive symptoms and sleep disorders,regulate neurotransmitter levels,and reduce stress responses in patients with mild-to-moderate depression.

Food intolerance and skin prick test in treated and untreated irritable bowel syndrome

AIM： To correlate the clinical features of treated and untreated patients with irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） to the results of skin prick test （SPT） for food and inhalant allergens. METHODS： We recruited 105 subjects to form three different target groups： treated group （n=44） undergoing treatment for IBS, untreated group （n =31） meeting the Rome Ⅱ criteria without treatment for IBS, control group （n = 30） with no IBS symptoms. RESULTS： SPT results were different among the three groups in which SPT was positive in 17 （38.6%） treated patients, in 5 （16.1%） untreated patients and in 1 （3.3%） control （P〈0.01）. The number of positive SPTs was greater in the IBS group than in the control group （P〈 0.001）. The number of positive food SPTs was higher in the treated IBS group than in the untreated IBS group （P= 0.03）. CONCLUSION： Positive food SPT is higher in IBS patients than in controls.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON SITTING STILL OF QIGONG PLUS PRICKING BLOOD THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF 21 CASES OF AIDS

In this paper,the author introduced her clinical observation and main points ofoperation on sitting still of Qigong plus blood pricking therapy founded by herself for treatment of 21cases of Aids.Results showed that this therapy had actions in clearing away heat and toxic materials,strengthenign the body resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors and enhancing the immune functionand the ability against diseases of the human body which played important roles in controlling syrup-toms of patients with Aids and prolonging their life span.

OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF GOUTY ARTHRITIS BY PRICKING BLOOD PLUS CUPPING

In this study,the changes of clinical symptoms and signs,contents of uric acid inthe blood and urine and RNAase activities were observed to investigate the therapeutic role of prickingblood plus cupping in the treatment of gouty arthritis.It was observed that the effective rate was100％in the pricking blood group and 68.43％in the medicine group.Besides,there was a statisticallysignificant difference in chemical indexes between the two groups.The results indicate that prickingblood may cure the disease by promoting the excretion of uric acid,inhibiting the synthesis of uric acidand regulating the metabolism of pruines in organism.

Characterisation of Fractures and Fracture Zones in a Carbonate Aquifer Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Pricking Probe Methodes

Position, width and fragmentation level of fracture zones and position, sig-nificance and characteristic distance of fractures were aimed to determine in a carbonate aquifer. These are fundamental parameters, e.g. in hydrogeological modelling of aquifers, due to their role in subsurface water movements. The description of small scale fracture systems is however a challenging task. In the test area (Kádárta, Bakony Mts, Hungary), two methods proved to be applicable to get reasonable information about the fractures: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Pricking-Probe (PriP). PriP is a simple mechanical tool which has been successfully applied in archaeological investigations. ERT results demonstrated its applicability in this small scale fracture study. PriP proved to be a good verification tool both for fracture zone mapping and detecting fractures, but in certain areas, it produced different results than the ERT. The applicability of this method has therefore to be tested yet, although its problems most probably origin from human activity which reorganises the near-surface debris distribution. In the test site, both methods displayed fracture zones including a very characteristic one and a number of individual fractures and determined their characteristic distance and significance. Both methods prove to be able to produce hydrogeologically important parameters even individually, but their simultaneous application is recommended to decrease the possible discrepancies.

Discussion on the Theory of Pricking Blood in Nei Jing from the Perspective of Time

Objective:The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of time factors recorded in Nei Jing,such as changes of Yin Yang in four seasons,the wax and wane of the moon and the rhythm of Yin Yang in a day,on pricking blood therapy.Methods:The contents of pricking blood according to time in Nei Jing is studied by using the method of literature review.Results:Through the research,this paper concludes that(1)pricking blood according to time takes"the correspondence between nature and man"as the dominant thought,"meridian Qi and Blood"as the regulating object,and"time factor"as the specie operation key,which reflects the influence of time on pricking blood therapy;(2)pricking blood therapy has different speci行c operations according to different time,which can be roughly divided into three situations.One is to prick blood according to the change of seasons,pricking shallowly with expelling less blood in spring and summer and pricking deeply with squeezing more blood out in autumn and winter.The second is pricking blood according to the laws of moon's wax and wane.When the moon is born,the amount of bleeding should be less;when the moon is full,the amount of bleeding should be more;when the moon wanes,pricking blood therapy should not be used.Thirdly,take pricking blood therapy according to circadian rhythm.It is more suitable to use pricking blood therapy in the morning than afternoon.Conclusion:As a characteristic therapy of TCM,pricking blood embodies the idea of"the correspondence between nature and man"in TCM.Adopting different pricking blood rules according to the change of time can improve the clinical therapeutic effect.The thought of pricking according to time plays an important guiding role in the application of pricking blood therapy in clinic.

Treatment of Patients with Vitiligo by Intradermal Pricking of Vitiligenous Skin Using Sharp and Blunt Needle

Background: Vitiligo is a well known autoimmune disease, both cell mediated and humeral reaction are implicated in its etiopathogensis. Pricking of marginal pigmented of vitiligo skin to stimulate normal melanocytes to migrate into vitiligenous area and induce new melanogenesis and this is well known mechanism to induce repigmentation and supported by publications. Objective: To use needling technique by using blunt and sharp needle by doing pricking completely white vitiligo skin in order to stimulate residual melanocytes of basal layer and or the melanocytes of outer root sheath of hair follicles to proliferate and induce active melanogenesis. Patients and Methods: This is an interventional, therapeutic, comparative, study that was done in Department of Dermatology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq from April 2014-March 2015. Thirty five patient with vitiligo were enrolled in this study, their ages ranged from 5 - 55 (22.28 ± 12.09) years;15 patients treated with sharp needle, 2 males and 13 females and 20 patients treated with blunt needle, 4 males and 16 females. All clinical types of vitiligo including the generalized, localized and segmental were treated. The number of vitiligo patches varied between patients and the treated patches by sharp needle were 22 and by blunted needle were 20 patches. In both groups, needling was done geometrically, softly and rapidly in systemic horizontal rows away from pigmented margin and pigmented spot inside the patches and was not repeated. In Group A needle gauge 18 hold at 45° to skin surface and the distance between each pricking was 5 - 10 mm and similarly was done in Group B by using blunt needle. Each patient was advised to have daily sun light exposure for at least 15 min. Measuring the surface area of the lesions and calculating the reduction rate was done by using transparent with square paper and this was carried out every month till the end of the 4th month period of the treatment. All patients in both groups were evaluated every 2 weeks for the 1st month and then monthly for 3 months and the rate of reduction in surface area was measured. Also to record any side effects and complications. Results: After 2 week, 2 months, and 4 months of treatment, there was 0.5%, 4.31%, and 10% respectively reduction in the surface area of lesions in Group A, while in Group B, there was 7%, 18.42%,and 13.5% respectively reduction in the surface area. Conclusions: Pricking the vitiligo skin by needle, gauge 18 gave success rate 10% and 13.5% at four months after therapy and needling could be repeated once a week to accelerate melanogenesis and until get complete repigmentation.

Clinical Experience of Pricking Therapy

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Pricking cupping bloodletting combined with slide cupping for acne:a case report

Objective:To report a patient with acne by using the combined treatment of pricking cupping bloodletting and slide cupping.Methods:Pricking cupping bloodletting was prescribed at the points of Feishu(BL13)in the bladder meridian of foot-Taiyang and Dazhui(DU14)in governor vessel and slide cupping was prescribed at the points on the back in the bladder meridian of foot-Taiyang.Results:Clinical manifestations revealed that acne and scar were significantly reduced after two courses.Conclusion:Pricking cupping bloodletting combined with slide cupping can successfully relieve acne and promote skin healing,which may provide us a new idea for the non-drug therapy of acne.

Pricking,Cupping and Qu Feng Tiao Ying Decoction for Treatment of Chronic Urticaria

Chronic urticaria is a commonly encountered skin illness characterized by protracted course and recurrent episodes. The author had treated 26 cases of chronic urticaria by pricking, cupping and Qu Feng Tiao Ying (QFTY) decoction (祛风调营汤the Wind-dispelling and Ying system-regulating Decoction) with satisfactory results. A report is as follows.……

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF PRICKING BLOOD OF SHAOSHANG AND SHANGYANG FOR TREATMENT OF 100 CASES OF ACUTE TONSILLITIS

In this series of treatment, 100 cases of acute tonsillitis were treated using pricking blood therapy. After 1 session of treatment, 36 cases were cured; after 2 sessions, 44 cured and after 3 sessions, 18 cured, with the cure rate being 98%. This therapy works very well in treating acute tonsillitis.

南昌地区变应性鼻炎患者变应原皮肤点刺试验结果分析

由于生活习惯、地理环境和气候的不同,各地变应性鼻炎（AR）变应原分布特点有很大区别,了解和分析南昌地区常见变应原分布情况,对预防和治疗该地区AR具有重要的指导意义。我科对南昌地区959例AR患者进行变应原皮肤点刺试验（skin prick test,SPT）,现报道如下。

The optimization of phenolic compounds extraction from cactus pear(Opuntia ficus-indica) skin in a reflux system using response surface methodology

Objective:To extract,quantify,and evaluate the phenolic content in Opuntia ficus-indica skin for their antioxidant capacity with three different methods(ABTS,DPPH,and lipid oxidation)and to optimize the extraction conditions[time,temperature and ethanol concentration)in a reflux system.Methods:The extraction process was done using a reflux system.A San CristobalⅡexperimental design with three variables and three levels was used.The variables evaluated were time of extraction(h),concentration of ethanol(%,v/v)and temperature(°C).The extraction process was optimized using a response surface methodology.Results:It was observed that at higher temperature more phenolic compounds were extracted,but the antioxidant capacity was decreased.The optimum conditions for phenolic compounds extraction and antioxidant capacity mixing the three methods were as Follows:45%of ethanol,80℃and 2 hours of extraction.Values obtained in our results are little higher that other previously reported.Conclusions:It can he concluded the by-products of Opuntia ficus-indica represent a good source of natural antioxidants with possible applications in food,cosmetics or drugs industries.

Infrared Spectroscopy and Morphological Assessments on the Nutritional Value of Prickly Pear Fruit

The prickly pear fruit helps in combating viral based infections.It is used to treat diabetes and declared to possess hypoglycemic effects.There is also record of the usage of the fruit in the olden days as a remedy for diabetes,lipid disorders,inflammation,ulcers,and pharmacologic side effects.The chemical composition and nutritional values of skin,flesh and seed of prickly pear fruit were investigated and discussed on a dry weight situation.The infrared spectra as well as scanning electron microscopy(SEM)techniques were used to identify the functional groups of carbohydrates,amino acids,and protein.The infrared spectral data of all three(skin,flesh,and seeds)species were recorded and assigned to the presence of distinguish peaks that referred to the three different sugars(glucose,fructose and saccharose)and cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons moieties.On the other hand,the SEM is a powerful tool to investigate the morphological features of the components.SEM assays were examined on the surfaces of skin,flesh and seed branches showing a small particle that tends to form clusters with different shapes compared to each other.The Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX)is an analytical technique used for the elemental analysis or chemical characterization of a sample.The EDX spectral technique of the skin,flesh and seeds were confirmed the presence of different essential and useful elements such as carbon,oxygen,magnesium,calcium,potassium,sulfur,aluminum,silicon,chloride,and phosphorus.

Discrepancies between the responses to skin prick test to food and respiratory antigens in two subtypes of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To compare the response to skin prick tests (SPTs) to food antigens (FAs) and inhalant allergens (IAs) in patients with two subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy controls. METHODS:We compared the results of SPTs for IAs and FAs in 87 volunteers divided into three groups:diarrhea predominant IBS (D-IBS) GroupⅠ(n = 19), constipation predominant IBS (C-IBS) Group Ⅱ (n = 17), and normal controls Group Ⅲ (n = 51). RESULTS:Of the 285 tests (171 for FAs and 114 for IAs) performed in GroupⅠwe obtained 45 (26.3%) positive responses for FA and 23 (20.1%) for IA. Of the 153 tests for FA in Group Ⅱ, we obtained 66 (20.1%) positive responses, and of the 102 tests for IA, we obtained 20 (19.6%) positive responses. Of the 459 tests for FA performed in Group Ⅲ, we obtained 39 (84%) positive responses, and of the 306 for IA, we obtained 52 (16.9%) positive responses. The numbers of positive responses were not significantly different between the three groups, but in the D-IBS group, the number of SPTFA responses differed significantly from those for the other two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION:Despite the small number of cases studied, the higher reactivity to FAs in GroupⅠcompared to Groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ adds new information, and suggests the presence of a possible alteration in intestinal epithelial function.

Comparison and Evaluation of Several Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus Allergen Extracts for Skin Prick Test

Objective To evaluate the significance of several Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen extracts for skin prick test(SPT) in patients allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.Methods Two hundred and nineteen patients enrolled in Peking Union Medical College Hospital underwent SPT and serum specific IgE assay to detect the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen.Three kinds of house dust mite allergen extracts were used for SPT,including the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract prepared by our laboratory(group A),standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract(group B),and mixed extracts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae(group C).Human serum specific IgE result was regarded as the reference standard for diagnosis of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergy.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of SPT with the extracts of three groups.Results SPT results showed that the median wheal diameter of group A,group B,and group C was 0.43,0.35,and 0.28 cm,respectively,with significant difference among three groups(P<0.05).The difference was significant between group A and B(P<0.01) as well as group A and C(P<0.01),but not between group B and C(P>0.05).There was no local urticaria or systemic allergic reactions following the procedure of SPT.Local reaction was observed in 5 patients and delayed reaction was in 2 patients of group A.As for group B and C,local reaction occurred in 3 cases and delayed reaction in 2 cases in each group.The area under ROC curve of SPT with extract in group A,group B,and group C was 0.765,0.801,and 0.782,respectively.Based on the detection results of serum specific IgE,the sensitivity of SPT in diagnosis of Dermato-phagoides pteronyssinus allergy with extract of group A,group B,and group C was 92.4%,87.0%,and 81.5%,and the specificity was 60.6%,73.2%,and 74.8%,respectively.Conclusion The Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract for SPT prepared by our laboratory offers good sensitivity and specificity comparable to commercially available allergen extracts,and it may be an appropriate candidate for clinical screening and diagnosis of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergy.

Analysis on Protection of GI Product Hanyuan Chinese Prickly Ash and Suggestions of its Industrial Development

Hanyuan Prickly Ash is a type of GI products with very deep cultural essence.From such humanistic factors as name origin,historical origin,fame,cultivation technology,and management measure,and such natural factors as climatic environment and soil conditions,this paper analysis key factors for protection of GI product Hanyuan Prickly Ash.Then it discusses about industrial development of Hanyuan Prickly Ash from suitable planting areas and climate.It proposes that we should gradually raise safety and hygienic indexes,revise and implement local standards,strengthen popularization of harmless production technologies and quality control of product,promote "enterprise + base" industrial model,and implement government marketing of brand and industry.

CLINICAL ANALYSIS TO 74 CASES OF MENOPAUSAL SYNDROME TREATED WITH SIMPLE FIRE NEEDLE

In this paper,simple fire needle pricking the points of Du（Governor）and Ren（Conception）meridians was employed to treat 74 cases of menopausal syndrome.The result showedthat 41 cases were clinically cured,17 markedly improved,15 improved and 1 ineffective,with thetotal effective rate 87％.With the advantages of extensive materials used,simple manipulation andlarge variety of indications,this method is worthy to be popularized.

OBSERVATION OF 14 CASES OF LARYNGEAL CARBUNCLE TREATED BY WEI JIA'S BLOOD-LETTING THERAPY

The author used the pricking-blood therapy to treat 14 cases of laryngeal car-buncle.The pricking-blood therapy included clumpy pricking(local area),spot pricking(prickingSanshang points on the thumb and three points of the helix).The therapy has role of clearing awaypathogentic heat and toxic materials and promoting subsidence of swelling.It could avoid forming py-opoiesis and free from operating treatment.The treatment was given once daily,result:13 cases cured(93%),1 case failed(7%).In 14 cases,antero-upper type has 13 cases which cured,postero-uppertype has only 1 case which treated failure.It is because its imflammation was located on posterior totonsillae,exposed bad and pricked difficulty.So the therapy only used antero-upper type of laryngealcarbuncle and had a good effect.