To investigate the clinical effect of acupoint thread-embedding therapy at different intervals in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, and to find the optimal treatment interval. A total of 70 patients with metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group 1 (n＝35)and treatment group 2(n＝35). Both groups were given acupoint thread-embedding therapy at Zhongwan (CV12), bilateral Liangmen (ST21), bilateral Huaroumen (ST24), bilateral Tianshu (ST25), bilateral Daimai (GB26), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Dachangshu (BL25), bilateral Pishu (BL20), bilateral Zusanli (ST36), bilateral Yinlingquan (SP9), and bilateral Fenglong (ST40), and the treatment interval was 7 d for treatment group 1 and 14 d for treatment group 2. Each course of treatment was 42 d, and both groups were treated for 2 courses. Waist circumfe-rence (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), serum triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb1Ac) were measured before and after treatment to analyze clinical outcome, and adverse reactions were recorded. After treatment, both groups had significant reductions in WC, HC, WHR, BMI, TG, LDL-C, FPG and Hb1Ac (P<0.05) and a significant increase in HDL-C (P<0.05). Compared with treatment group 1, treatment group 2 had significant increases in WC, WHR, BMI, TG, LDL-C, FPG and Hb1Ac (P<0.05) and a significant reduction in HDL-C (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Under the premise of ensuring efficacy and safety, an interval of 7 d is the optimal interval for acupoint thread-embedding therapy in the clinical intervention of metabolic syndrome.

To observe the effect of moxibustion (Moxi) preconditioning with seed-sized moxa cones on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) at different stages, and to analyze the correlation between this effect and the expression of autophagy related protein Beclin 1. This study contains two parts: 1) changes of myocardial pathological injury and percentages of myocardial infarcted area at different time-points after modeling and Moxi intervention, and 2) effect of Moxi on contents of serum cardiac troponin T(cTnT) and expression of myocardial Bcl-2, Bax and Beclin 1 proteins. In the first part, 42 SD rats were randomly divided into model group, 1 day (d) Moxi group, 2 d Moxi group, 3 d Moxi group，4 d Moxi group, 5 d Moxi group and 7 d Moxi group. The model of MI/RI was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 30 min and reperfusion for 240 min. The electrocardiogram (ECG) of standard limb lead Ⅱ was monitored and the heart was taken 4 h after reperfusion for examining myocardial infarcted size with triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. In the second part, 48 SD rats were randomized into sham-operation, model, moxibustion and autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) groups, with 12 rats in each group. The serum cTnT level was assayed and histopathological changes of the myocardial tissue below the ligation site were examined with HE staining, and the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax and Beclin 1 proteins in the myocardial tissue below the LAD-ligated site were detected using Western blot. Compared with the model group, the percentages of myocardial infarcted area were significantly decreased in the 4 d, 5 d and 7 d Moxi groups (P<0.05), but without significant differences among the 3 Moxi groups (P>0.05). The state of MI-induced breakage and disordered arrangement of myocardial fibers with interstitial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration at the MI stage in the Moxi group and at the reperfusion stage in the autophagy inhibitor group was relatively lighter. The levels of serum cTnT content and Bax/Bcl-2 and Beclin 1 protein expression at the MI and reperfusion stages were significantly higher in the model group than in the sham-operation group (P<0.01), and considerably lower in the Moxi and autophagy groups than in the model group (P<0.01). The serum cTnT content, ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 expression and Beclin 1 expression levels at the MI and reperfusion stages were significantly lower in the autophagy inhibitor group than in the Moxi group (P<0.05). Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cones at "Neiguan" (PC 6) can effectively alleviate myocardial ischemia in MI/RI rats, which is probably related to its effect in down-regulating Bax/Bcl-2 and Beclin 1 expression and in inhibiting autophagy.

To evaluate the effect on postoperative complications of mixed hemorrhoids treated with electroacupuncture(EA) at Chengshan(BL 57)，Dachangshu(BL 25)and Erbai(EX-UE 2). A total of 60 patients with mixed hemorrhoids were randomly divided into control and EA groups，30 cases in each group. In addition to basic treatment, EA was applied at BL 57, BL 25 and EX-UE 2 for 30 min (2 Hz/15 Hz，0.5－2 mA) each day for 3 days after surgery in the EA group, while the control group received basic treatment after surgery. Postoperative complications after treatment were evaluated each day. Following surgery, anal pain, anal pendant expansion and hematochezia were observed in both the EA group and control group. On the first day after surgery, symptom improvement was not statistically significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05)．On the 2nd and 3rd days after surgery, anal pain, anal pendant expansion and hematochezia were markedly improved in the EA group compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). Electroacupuncture can reduce anal pain, anal pendant expansion and hematochezia after surgery in patients with mixed hemorrhoids.

With the development of moxibustion use, increasing attention has focused on the safety of moxa smoke. Evaluation of the safety of moxa smoke has now become an urgent problem in moxibustion clinical practice. An epidemiological study could provide direct evidence of the safety of moxa smoke, but has not yet been comprehensively and systematically studied. In the present paper, the authors discuss the research methods used in epidemiological studies of the clinical safety of moxa smoke and some key problems regarding definition of the exposed population, the determination of exposure outcome, the choice of psychological measuring tool and the assessment of exposure level.

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on pancreatic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1 R), pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1) protein expression and blood glucose in type 2 diabetes rats, so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA treatment in improving type 2 diabetes. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3) group, "Xinshu" (BL 15) group, and "Shenshu" (BL 23) group, 12 rats in each group. Diabetes model was established by feeding the rat with high fat and high sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). All the EA groups received 2 Hz, 2 mA continuous wave treatment for 20 min everyday, 6 times per week lasting for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose was measured by Roche glucometer before and after treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were used to detect pancreas morphology. GLP-1 R and PDX-1 protein expressions in the pancreas were detected by Western blot. Compared to the blank control group, fasting blood glucose was significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01), accompanied with shrunken islet area, reduced nucleus counts of islet β cells, and compensatorily enlarged β cell nucleus. Compared to the model group, EA intervention significantly reduced fasting blood glucose level only in the EX-B 3 group (P<0.05), partly restored pancreas morphology and nucleus counts of islet β cells in the EX-B 3, BL 15, and BL 23 groups. Compared to the blank control group, GLP-1 R and PDX-1 expressions were decreased in the model group (P<0.01), while EA treatment could obviously increase GLP-1 R expression in the EX-B 3(P<0.01), BL 15 (P<0.01) and BL 23 (P<0.05) groups compared with the model group. The expression of GLP-1 R in the BL 15 group was the highest among the three EA groups (P<0.05,P<0.01), and that in the EX-B 3 group was higher than in the BL 23 group (P<0.05).There were no signifincant differences in the expression of PDX-1 protein among the three EA groups (P>0.05). EA treatment at EX-B 3 can reduce blood glucose via regulating pancreas function, increasing pancreatic GLP-1 R expression, and partly restoring the morphology of pancreas.

Through systematic review of the literature on the treatment of different clinical conditions or illnesses with acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the 20th century, the authors of the present paper analyzed the evolution process of classification of related clinical disorders. It was found that the classification and nomenclature of clinical disorders or illnesses are defined in terms of traditional Chinese medicine or western medicine, which undergoes an evolutionary process from western medicine to Chinese medicine and back to western medicine. This evolution process is due to the intrinsic requirement' of clinical practice such as thinking ways of diagnosis and treatment or to be influenced by extrinsic factors including introduction of western medicine at the Republic period, policies of"advanced studies of traditional Chinese physcians" and "western medicine doctors" lear-ning from traditional Chinese medicine, and the leading role of western medicine,etc. The former issue about the diagnosis and treatment of clinical problems needs being researched further.

To observe the effect of moxibustion on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2(p-ERK1/2) protein expression in gastric ulcer (GU) rats so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improving GU. Fifty SD rats were randomly allocated to control,model, medication ("Sijunzi" Decoction), non-acupoint moxibustion (non-acup-moxi), and acup-moxi groups (n=10 in each group). The GU model was established by intragastric perfusion of absolute alcohol. Rats of the control group were treated by gavage of distilled water. Rats of the medication group were treated by administration of "Sijunzi" Decoction (8 mL x kg(-1) d(-1)),twice a day for 8 days. Moxibustion intervention was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36),"Zhongwan" (CV 12),and "Pishu" (BL 20), "Weishu" (BL 21) alternatively for 30 min, once daily for 8 days. The animals' ulcer index (UI) was assessed by Guth's method, and gastric mucosal pathological changes were observed under light microscope following H. E. staining. The expression of gastric EGFR was detected by immunohistochemistry and that of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) protein determined by Western blot. Compared with the control group, the UI, gastric EGFR and p-ERK1/2 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01, P<0.05); whereas in comparison with the model group, the UI was notably decreased in the medication, non-acup-moxi and acup-moxi groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and EGFR and p-ERK1/2 protein expression levels were further up-regulated in the three treatment groups (P<0.01). The effects of both medication and acup-moxi groups were obviously superior to those of the non-acup-moxi group (P<0.01, P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the medication and acup-moxi groups in the expression levels of EGFR and p-ERK1/2 proteins (P>0.05). Results of H.E. staining showed that alcohol-induced gastric mucosal injury as breakage, exfoliation, inflammatory cell infiltration, etc. was milder in both medication and acup-moxi groups following the treatment. Acupoint-moxibustion has a role in relieving alcohol induced gastric mucosal injury in the rat, which may be closely associated with its effects in up-regulating activities of the EGFR/ERK signal transduction pathway.

To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of "Dazhui" (GV 14), bilateral "Fengmen" (BL 12) and "Feishu" (BL 13) on the thickness of the bronchial tubal wall and smooth muscle and expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in asthma rats so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of asthma. Forty SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model, acupuncture and medication groups. The asthma model was induced by subcutaneous injection of 1% egg albumin solution and forced inhalation of atomized ovalbumin. Rats of the acupuncture group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of GV 14, bilateral BL 12 and BL 13 (once daily for 10 days), and rats of the medication group treated by intraperitoneal injection of Aminophylline Injection (100 mg/kg, once daily for 10 days). The thickness of the bronchial tubal wall and airway smooth muscle of the lung tissue were measured by image analyzer for assessing the degree of airway remodeling. The expression of TGF-beta1 in the small airway was detected by immunohistochemistry. Compared to the control group, the thickness of the airway wall and smooth muscle, and the expression level of TGF-beta1 were remarkably increased in the model group (P < 0.01). After acupuncture intervention and medication treatment, the thickness of the airway wall and smooth muscle, and the expression level of TGF-beta1 were remarkably down-regulated in both groups in comparison with those of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the expression of TGF-beta1 in the acupuncture group was obviously lower than that of the medication group (P < 0.05). Acupuncture stimulation of GV 14, bilateral BL 12 and BL 13 can down-regulate bronchial asthma-induced increase of TGF-[, expression in the lung tissue in asthma rats, which may contribute to its effect in improving airway remodeling.

To observe the effect of "Shuanggu Yitong" (Double-reinforcing and one-unblocking) needling [electroacupuncture (EA) of "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36), "Fenglong" (ST 40) and "Zhongwan" (CV 12)] on expression of hypothalamic phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3 K) and p-PI 3 K proteins in insulin resistance rats. Sixty Wistar rats were randomized into normal control, model, EA prevention, EA, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and Wortmannin (PI 3 K antagonist) groups (n = 10 rats/group). Insulin resistance model was established by feeding the animal with high fat forage continuously for 8 weeks. For rats of the EA group, EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to ipsilateral "Housanli"(ST 36)-"Fenglong" (ST 40), and "Guanyuan" (CV 4)-"Zhongwan" (CV 12) for 15 min, once daily, 5 times a week and for 8 weeks, beginning after modeling. For rats of the EA prevention group, EA was conducted simultaneously with the modeling. For rats of the Wortmannin group and CSF group, cerebroventricular microinjection of Wortmannin (50 nmol/L, 3 mg/kg) or artificial CSF was given through an implanted steel cannel. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting serum insulin (FINS) contents were assayed using glucose-tested instrument and ELISA respectively, insulin activity index (IAI) was calculated [IAI = Ln (1/FPG x FINS)], and the expres- sion of hypothalamic PI 3 K and p-PI 3 K proteins was detected by Western blot. In comparison with the normal control group, the body weight (BW), FPG and FINS contents at time-points of 8 and 16 weeks were considerably increased (P < 0.01), and IAI, hypothalamic PI 3 Kp 110 and p-PI 3 Kp 110 protein expression levels were obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the FPG and FINS contents at the 8th week after modeling in the EA prevention group, the BW and FPG levels at the 16th week in the EA prevention, EA and CSF groups, FINS levels at the 16th week in the EA prevention and EA groups were remarkably decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), IAI, and hypothalamic PI 3 Kp 110 and p-PI 3 Kp 110 protein expression levels were significantly up-regulated in the EA prevention, EA and CSF groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found among the EA prevention, EA and CSF groups, and between the model and Wortmannin groups in the BW, FPG, FINS, IAI and hypothalamic PI 3 Kp 110 and p-PI 3 Kp 110 expression levels (P > 0.05). EA intervention can reduce insulin resistance by suppressing the increase of body weight, blood glucose and insulin contents, and increasing hypothalamic PI 3 K expression levels in insulin resistance rats.

To determine the safety and effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention combined with general anesthesia (GA) for craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery involving cerebral eloquent areas. A total of 20 patients with cerebral tumors (durosarcoma, neurogliocytoma, metastatic tumor) involving the cerebral eloquent areas were recruited in the present summary. They were equally divided into general anesthesia (GA) group and EA + GA group. Patients of the EA + GA group were treated with EA stimulation (2 Hz/100 Hz) of the bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Shuaigu (GB 8) and acupuncture stimulation of Quanliao (SI 18), Zulinqi (GB 41) and Taichong (LR 3), and not given intubation during surgery. Patients of the GA group were treated with intravenous administration of Propofol, Fentanyl, Midazolam, Isopropanol, etc. In addition, all the patients were given with controlled hypotension by intravenous injection of Propofol and Fentanyl. Dosages of Propofol and Sulfentanyl used were recorded. Karnofsky performance status scale was used to assess the patient's general well-being and activities of daily life. The craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery was successful in all the 20 patients. Compared with the GA group, the dosages of Sulfentanyl and Propofol of the EA+ GA group were significantly lower (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the GA and EA+ GA groups in Karnofsky performance scores (P > 0.05). Patients of the EA+GA group experienced successful tumour-removal surgery without trachea cannula, were awake and could make a good cooperation with the operator during surgery. They had no aggravation of neurofunctional disturbance following the operation. EA combined with general anesthesia is safe and effective for patients with craniocerebral tumor-removal operations involving cerebral eloquent areas.