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.

Dr.Chen Xiangjun's Experience in Using Pair of Drugs to Treat Rheumatic Diseases

Dr. Chen Xiangjun of the Longhua HospitalAffiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has accumulated rich experience in treating rheumatic diseases with pair of drugs.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACU-MOXIBUSTION OF DIFFERENT ACUPOINT GROUPS IN STROKE PATIENTS IN CONVALESCENCE STAGE

Objective: To observe and compare clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion at different acupoint groups in stroke patients in the convalescence stage. Methods: Sixty stroke patients were evenly randomized into yin-meridian group and yang-meridian group. On the basis of the treatment with Chinese and Western medicines, these stroke patients of two groups were treated mainly by acupuncture of acupoints of yin meridians such as Jiquan (极泉HT 1), Tongli (通里HT 5), Neiguan (内关PC 6), etc., and those of yang meridians as Jianyu (NFDA1 LI 15), Quchi (曲池 LI 11), Shousanli (手三里LI 10), etc. respectively. After 30 days’ treatment, the therapeutic effect was evaluated by using American National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Hamilton Depression (HAMD) Rating Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale. Results: Following treatment, the therapeutic effect of yin-meridian group was significantly superior to that of yang-meridian group in improving stroke patients’ neurological deficits [Level B: 50% (15/30) vs 20% (6/30)] and ADL [Level Ⅱ: 40% (12/30) vs 13.3% (4/30)]. No significant difference was found between two groups in the neurological impairment domains. Conclusion: Acu-moxibustion of acupoints of yin meridians is superior to acupoints of yang meridians in improving stroke patients’ neurological impairment and daily living activities.

Response to Criticism Made by Gao Zhun in Taiwan

Gao Zhun,a radical who once participated in launching and organizing Taiwan 'Chinese Alliance for Reunification',has modestly alleged recently that he is leaving far away from politics and he is filled with disgust at it.

Stepwise Pyrolysis by LBCR Downstream to Enhance of Gasoline Fraction of Liquid Fuel from MMSW

Pyrolysis is one of the thermal cracking methods to convert hydrocarbon to liquid fuel.The quantity and quality of the process are dependent on several condition including temperature,reaction time,catalyst,and the type of reactor.Meanwhile,a gasoline fraction was maximum product to be considered in the pyrolisis process.Therefore,this study aims to increase the gasoline fraction in liquid fuel using stepwise pyrolysis with a long bed catalytic reactor downstream(LBCR).The LBCR downstream was equipped with the top and bottom outlet and the fed source was mixed municipal solid waste(MMSW).The activated natural dolomite at 500℃ was used to allow the repetition of the secondary cracking.Also,the reactor temperature was setup at around 200℃-300℃ and the pyrolizer was 400℃.To analyze the gasoline fraction and physical properties of liquid fuel,Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy(GC-MS)and ASTM standard were employed.The experimental results showed there was a significant increase in the gasoline fraction of liquid fuels compared to using direct catalytic cracking and absence of catalysts.By using a LBCR at 250℃,the liquid fuel obtained at top outlet(TO)and bottom outlet(BO)have 84.08 and 56.94 percent peak area of gasoline fraction(C5-C12),respectively.The average value(TO and BO)of the fraction at 250℃ by LBCR was 70.51 percent peak area and it was increased by about 93.6%and 51.14%compared to without catalyst and direct catalytic,respectively.Furthermore,pyrolytic liquid oils were found to have kinematic viscosity of 2.979 and 0.789 cSt,density of 0.781 and 0.782 g/cm^(3),and flash point<−5℃ for BO-250 and TO-250 liquid fuel,respectively.These results showed BO liquid fuel was comparable to diesel conventional fuel while TO liquid fuel was comparable to gasoline.Evidently,the presence of LBCR made a major contribution to generate multi secondary cracking and to produce more gasoline fraction from mixed MMSW feedstock,as well as to increase the physical properties of liquid fuel.

Study on the relationship between syndrome characteristics degree and inflammatory factor and negative emotional scale in"double heart disease"patients with Qi stagnation blood stasis and heart gallbladder heat stagnation

Objective:To Discuss the correlation between Hypersensitivity C-reactive Protein(Hs-CRP),Total Cholesterol(TC),Triglyceride(TG),negative emotion scale and TCM syndrome scores in“Double Heart Disease”patients with Qi stagnation blood stasis and heart gallbladder heat stagnation.Method:Fifty-two patients in Western Medicine Diagnosis of Double Heart Disease,in TCM syndrome identified as Qi stagnation blood stasis Heart gallbladder heat stagnation syndrome,detects it Hs-CRP,TC,TG levels by ELISA,use TCM Syndromes Scale to evaluate TCM Syndrome,use the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Self-rating symptom scale(SCL-90)to assess anxiety and sleep levels,analyze the correlation between TCM syndrome scores and Hs-CRP,TC,TG level,PSQI index,SCL-90 index.Result:There was a significant positive correlation between Hs-CRP,TG level and TCM Syndrome scores(P<0.05);TC level was postively correlated with TCM Syndrome scores,but there was no statistical significance(P>0.05);There was a significant positive correlation between PSQI index,SCL-90 index and TCM Syndrome scores(P<0.05).Conclusion:In“Double Heart Disease”patients with Qi stagnation blood stasis and heart gallbladder heat stagnation,there have characteristic syndrome changes in terms of inflammatory factor level,blood lipid level and negative emotion score;Which the above indexes can reflect the severity of TCM syndromes to a certain extent and provide the basis for the effective intervention treatment of TCM.

Study the Specifications of the Thread through the Construction of the Pipe on the Ring Spinning Machine

In ring spinning, tension develops in the yarn mainly because, to move the Traveler and the balloon length, Lb, around the spindle axis, and to wind the yarn onto the spinning bobbin, work must be done against the frictional force of the ring on the Traveler and of the Traveler on the yarn, as well as against the air drag on the Traveler and on the balloon length. This work is additional to that needed to overcome the friction of the spindle bearings and the air drag on the forming yarn package. The tensions in the yarn during ring spinning may be considered with respect to three zones: 1) the yarn formation zone (i.e., the zone between the pigtail lappet guide and the front rollers of the drafting system);2) the winding zone (i.e., the zone between the Traveler and the bobbin forming zone);3) the balloon zone (i.e., the zone between the Traveler and lappet guide), where the yarn tension changes noticeable shape by relation with Winding Qatar (the yarn tension increases whenever Winding Qatar reduces).

We Shall Overcome

ONE year after the Wenchuan Earthquake the magnitude of the disaster is still imprinted on Yingxiu and its surrounds. The town lay at the quake’s epicenter, and the stripped mountains,

论国际商事仲裁中的惩罚性赔偿(英文)

随着国际商事争议的发生日趋增长,仲裁中的惩罚性赔偿无疑成为了这一领域颇具争议的问题。本文主要关注了国际商事仲裁中惩罚性赔偿的合理性及可适用性,同时,对其基本的含义及功能进行了细化的界定。本文还将惩罚性赔偿在其他国家的适用与其在中国的现状作了对比,以证明这一制度在中国的建立和实施十分必要。笔者坚信,惩罚性赔偿制度在国际商事仲裁中的确立,有助于国际商贸求同存异、共谋发展,各个主体间真正实现互惠互利、平等和谐。

Progress of high-flux hemodialysis in clinical application, complications and treatment

Hemodialysis is the main method of clinical renal replacement therapy, and its effectiveness and safety have been widely confirmed. High-flux hemodialysis, as a constantly updating new mode in the field of blood purification, has effectively improved the efficiency of hemodialysis and reduced the incidence of hemodialysis complications. High-flux hemodialysis has been widely used in clinical practice, and mainly plays its role through adsorption, convection and dispersion. High-flux hemodialysis has some advantages not possessed by conventional hemodialysis, including protecting injured renal function, reducing the incidence of cardiovascular complications in hemodialysis patients, improving the patients' nutritional status, reducing the occurrence of renal osteopathy and delaying the occurrence time of dialysis-associated amyloidosis. However, high-flux hemodialysis also has some limitations, such as the elimination of drugs and nutrients, and the backfiltration caused by increased pressure on the dialysis membrane and dialysate side. In this review, the related progress of high-flux hemodialysis in clinical application, mechanism, complications and treatment are discussed in order to provide a reference for its more rational clinical use.

An Analysis of the Three Translated Versions of Youth from the Perspective of Dynamic Equivalence

Inspired by Eugene Nida's dynamic equivalence theory,this thesis takes the translation of Samul Ullman's work Youth as a case study.It explores the three translated versions of Mrs.Zhang Aiqing,Mr.Huang Ren and Mr.Xu Hanlin respectively.These versions are analyzed at the levels of lexicology,syntax,rhetoric,semasiology and style.Then it points out that the same effect on the target language readers are as the original text has done on the source language readers,in other words,it proves the efficiency of dynamic equivalence in the translation of Youth.

Study of Lipocalin-2 Associated with Neutrophilic Gelatinases (uNGAL) in the Urine in Children with the Microbial Inflammatory Diseases of Kidneys and Urinary Tract

Purpose of the study: Research of the clinical and diagnostic significance of determination of Lipocalin-2 associated with neutrophilic gelatinases (uNGAL) in the urine of children with urinary tract infection (UTI) and pyelonephritis. Materials and methods: We examined 30 children with acute pyelonephritis and UTI aged 1 to 16 years (average age 7.32 ± 4.52) including 26 girls and 4 boys. Verification of the diagnosis was conducted on the basis of clinical and laboratory data, medical history and instrumental examination of patients. All children were divided into 2 groups: 1st group—15 children with acute pyelonephritis, 2nd group—15 children with urinary tract infection. uNGAL was measured in the urine by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EISA) (BioVendor Laboratoty Medicine). Results: It is found, that the urine level of NGAL depends on the damage degree of renal parenchyma. The correlation of medium strength was found between the excretion level of uNGAL during the acute period of pyelonephritis and the detection of renal scars according to the DMSA-nephroscintigraphy data. In the group of children with the acute pyelonephritis the direct correlation of medium strength was found between the excretion level of uNGAL/creatinine and leukocytosis value and also with the CRP blood level. Conclusion: The results allow us to recommend the determination of the excretion level of uNGAL/creatinine as an additional non-invasive marker for the early detection of renal parenchyma injury.

The Feasibility of Basalt Rock Powder and Superfine Sand as Partial Replacement Materials for Portland Cement and Artificial Sand in Cement Mortar

The research gap on the feasibility of basalt rock powder(BRP)and superfine sand(SS)in preparation of cement mortar is significant.This study examines probable changes occurred in the modified cement mortar due to incorporation of certain quantity of basalt rock powder and superfine sand in mixture proportion.The cement mortar included Portland cement,artificial sand and water as principal mixture constituents.Then,basalt rock powder and superfine sand were added as partial replacement materials for Portland cement and artificial sand respectively.Therefore,replacement percentages were 10%,15%,20%,25%and 30%when the basalt rock powder replaced Portland cement and in case the artificial sand was replaced by superfine sand,10%,20%,30%,40%and 50%.Then,the strength indexes such as flexural strength,compressive strength,ultrasonic pulse velocity and dynamic elastic modulus were investigated.The results show that the presence of basalt rock powder in mixture proportion increased the flexural and compressive strengths of cement mortar however the cement mortar that contained superfine sand illustrated inadequate mechanical performance as flexural and compressive strengths decreased remarkably.Moreover,when basalt rock powder and superfine sand were included together in mixture proportion,the cement mortar’s mechanical performance declined compared to that of the reference cement mortar.Despite the fact that basalt rock powder and superfine sand weakened the cement mortar’s mechanical properties,it was found that they can be added into the cement mortar as partial replacement of Portland cement and artificial sand in the following ratios:from 10%to 25%when basalt rock powder replaces Portland cement and from 10%to 20%when artificial sand is replaced by superfine sand.

Oral low-dose estradiol plus norethisterone acetate with or without simvastatin in dyslipidemic and symptomatic menopausal women: A randomized clinical trial

Context and Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in postmenopausal women and dyslipidemia has important contributing factor. The objective of the study was to evaluate low-dose estrogen plus progestogen therapy (EPT) + simvastatin for vasomotor symptoms and lipid and lipoprotein profiles. Design and Setting: Clinical trial was conducted in a private clinical research center. Methods: Two hundred forty symptommatic postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia were randomized to one of three treatment groups: A) 1 mg estradiol/ 0.5 mg norethisterone acetate (E2/NETA) + 20 mg simvastatin;B) E2/NETA + placebo;or C) 20 mg simvastatin + placebo. Lipid and lipoprotein profiles and menopausal symptoms were evaluated after 16 weeks. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol decreased (P < 0.05) in all three groups, Apo-B/Apo-A1 and ApoB (P < 0.01) in groups A and C and TG and ApoA1 only in group A comparing baseline versus final. Comparing the groups, group B showed differences in relation to others in total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Apo B and ApoB/Apoa1 (P Conclusions: Thus in postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia, the association of E2/ NETA low-dose with simvastatin relieved climacteric symptoms similar to that observed with isolated E2/NETA and improved lipid and lipoprotein profile similar to the isolated use of simvastatin. The use of E2/NETA alone decreased menopausal symptoms, but did not improve dyslipidemia.

The long-term health outcomes, pathophysiological mechanisms and multidisciplinary management of long COVID

There have been hundreds of millions of cases of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).With the growing population of recovered patients,it is crucial to understand the long-term consequences of the disease and management strategies.Although COVID-19 was initially considered an acute respiratory illness,recent evidence suggests that manifestations including but not limited to those of the cardiovascular,respiratory,neuropsychiatric,gastrointestinal,reproductive,and musculoskeletal systems may persist long after the acute phase.These persistent manifestations,also referred to as long COVID,could impact all patients with COVID-19 across the full spectrum of illness severity.Herein,we comprehensively review the current literature on long COVID,highlighting its epidemiological understanding,the impact of vaccinations,organ-specific sequelae,pathophysiological mechanisms,and multidisciplinary management strategies.In addition,the impact of psychological and psychosomatic factors is also underscored.Despite these crucial findings on long COVID,the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on previous experience and pilot studies remain inadequate,and well-designed clinical trials should be prioritized to validate existing hypotheses.Thus,we propose the primary challenges concerning biological knowledge gaps and efficient remedies as well as discuss the corresponding recommendations.

Promotion of Ionic Liquid to Dimethyl Carbonate Synthesis from Methanol and Carbon Dioxide

Promotion of ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (emimBr), to the synthesis of dimethyl car-bonate (DMC) from methanol and carbon dioxide in the presence of potassium carbonate and less amount of methyl iodide under mild conditions was investigated. The results showed that the high selectivity and raised yield of DMC was achieved due to the addition of emimBr in the reaction system. And effect of several reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure and amount of emimBr was discussed.

Treatment of Insomnia Based on the Midnight-Noon Ebb-Flow

The midnight-noon ebb-flow is an ancient TCM theory, which studies the law of ebb-flow and excess- decline of qi and blood of channels and zang-fu organs of the human body, based on hour of the day, yin-yang, and location. Since the occurrence of insomnia is also closely related with hour of the day,

A Preliminary Study of TCM Stage-Oriented Treatment of Atherosclerosis

Based on the combination of the traditional TCM theory and the idea and results of modern medical research on atherosclerosis (AS), the authors understand the pathology of AS in three stages and have studied the stage-oriented differential treatment of AS, namely, 1) the formation stage of AS plaque treated with the principle of regulating the liver, nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the spleen; 2) the stable stage of AS plaque treated with the principle of clearing away heat and toxic materials; and 3) the breaking stage of AS plaque treated with the principle of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. We propose that the TCM treatment of AS should be based on the achievements of modern medical research, utilizing stage-oriented treatment according to the different stages of the formation and development of AS plaque, so as to improve the therapeutic effects.

TRANSIENT STUDIES OF TUBULAR TURBINE IN THE FIELD TEST

Much attention has been paid to the tubular turbine following the development in exploitation of the low-head water power resources. Owing to the constructional particularities, there is a notable difference on the hydraulic transient be-