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Acupuncture can regulate peripheral inflammatory response mainly through somatosensory-vagal/sympathetic nerve-splenic/adrenal/local reflex pathway. Besides, acupuncture may also play an anti-inflammatory role through gut microbiota and neuro-endocrine pathway. The effects of acupuncture have acupoint specificity and time window effect, and are influenced by voltage, current and frequency of electroacupuncture. Future research should focus on the connection and interaction of multiple targets, pathways and mechanisms in the brain, and clarify the multi-target advantages of acupuncture anti-inflammatory.针刺主要通过躯体感觉神经-迷走/交感神经-脾/肾上腺/局部反射通路发挥调节外周炎性反应效应，还能通过肠道菌群和神经-内分泌通路产生作用。针刺的作用具有穴位特异性和时间窗效应，且受电针的电压/电流/频率影响。未来研究应关注多靶点、多途径、多机制在脑中的联系与交互，明确针刺抗炎的多靶点优势。.

Inflammatory cytokines produced by muscularis macrophages largely contribute to the pathological signs of postoperative ileus (POI). Electroacupuncture (EA) can suppress inflammation, mainly or partly via activation of vagal efferent. The goal of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which EA stimulation at an hindlimb region ameliorates inflammation in POI. Methods: Intestinal motility and inflammation were examined after 24 h after intestinal manipulation (IM)-induced POI in mice. Local immune response in the intestinal muscularis, expression of macrophages, α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were determined by flow cytometry, Western Blot, qPCR and immunofluorescence. The effects of α7nAChR antagonists (methyllycaconitine and α-bungarotoxin) and JAK2/STAT3 inhibitors (AG490 and WP1066) were also administered in a subset of mice prior to EA. In the parasympathetic pathways, intestinal motility and inflammation were determined after cervical vagotomy and sub-diaphragmatic vagotomy. The expression of gamma absorptiometry aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor in dorsal motor nucleus of vagal (DMV) cholinergic neurons was assessed by immunofluorescence and the response to DMV microinjection of bicuculine (antagonist of GABAA receptor) or muscimol (agonist of GABAA receptor) were assessed. Results: EA suppressed intestinal inflammation and promoted gastrointestinal motility. Mechanistically, EA activated the α7nAChR-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in macrophages which reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that hindlimb region stimulation drove vagal efferent output by inhibiting the expression of GABAA receptor in DMV to ameliorate inflammation. Conclusions: The present study revealed that EA of hindlimb regions inhibited the expression of GABAA receptor in DMV neurons, whose excited vagal nerve, in turn suppressed IM-induced inflammation via activation of α7nAChR-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Expectancy is an important source of the placebo effect. However, it is unclear whether this has an effect on the efficacy of acupuncture and sham acupuncture in the treatment of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS).To evaluate the effects of high expectancy (HE) and low expectancy (LE) on the efficacy of acupuncture and sham acupuncture in the treatment of PDS.This post hoc secondary analysis used data from our previous randomized controlled trial. Patients were, respectively, enrolled in the HE group and LE group according to expectancy assessments. The composite primary outcomes were the response rate and the elimination rate after 4 weeks of treatment. Expectancy was considered a factor affecting the efficacy of acupuncture treatment only if both primary outcomes achieved significance.For the acupuncture group, the response rate was 84.5% in the HE group and 78.8% in the LE group (p = 0.458), and the elimination rate was 32.1% in the HE group and 21.2% in the LE group (p = 0.241). For the sham acupuncture group, the response rate at week 4 was 52.3% in the HE group and 53.1% in the LE group (p = 0.936), and the elimination rate at week 4 was 23.1% in the HE group and 10.6% in the LE group (p = 0.090).In this study, the response rate and elimination rate were higher in the high-expectancy group, but no conclusive evidence was found for an association between expectancy and the efficacy of acupuncture and sham acupuncture.

The current clinical evidence and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were summarized, so as to better optimize clinical treatment. The relevant articles of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS in recent years were retrieved and summarized. We found that the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS was relatively reliable. However, the mutual relationships among various mechanisms of action such as abnormal gastrointestinal motility, high visceral sensitivity, intestinal microenvironment disorders, and abnormal intestinal-brain interactions need to be further explored. The authors believe that in-depth explorations of the bidirectional regulation of "gut-brain axis", the law of changes in the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora, and the establishment of a more ideal animal model of TCM syndrome differentiation are useful ideas for subsequent research.对当前针灸治疗肠易激综合征（IBS）的临床证据及内在机制进行总结，进而更好地优化临床治疗。检索并梳理近年来针灸治疗IBS的相关文献，发现针灸疗法的临床疗效较为明确，但其胃肠道动力异常、内脏高敏感性、肠道微环境失调和肠脑互动异常等多种作用机制间的相互关系还需进一步探讨。笔者认为深度挖掘 “肠-脑轴”的双向调节作用、肠道菌群丰富度及多样性的变化规律、建立更理想的中医辨证动物模型等是后续研究深入探讨的思路。.

Although, acupoint specificity is regarded as the core of scientific issues in electroacupuncture (EA), the difference of EA on treating functional dyspepsia (FD) at different acupoints is unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the different therapeutic effects of EA at lower extremity or abdominal acupoints on the mucosal integrity and lower-inflammatory response in FD. The intragastric administration of iodoacetamide (IA) was performed in 48 rats to establish the FD model. These rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group and the six EA groups receiving stimulation at the lower extremity (ST36, ST37, and ST39) or abdominal acupoints (ST25, CV4, and CV12) separately. The open-field test (OFT) was measured after 8 weeks of IA, and gastric emptying was evaluated after 10 days of the EA treatment. The local inflammation markers of CD45, eosinophil major basic protein (EMBP), and the tight junction proteins ZO1 and Claudin3 were assessed by immunofluorescence in all groups. Western blot analysis showed that the EMBP and Occludin1 levels in the duodenal. EA at lower extremity acupoint ST36 could improve the gastric emptying. EA at lower extremity acupoints reduced the immunoreactivity of EMBP, but the CD45 was reregulated by the ST37 and ST39 acupoints. The lower extremity acupoints also ameliorated FD-tight junction protein in the expression of Claudin3 and ZO1. However, only the ST36 suppressed the expression of EMBP and recovered the expression of Occludin1. Similarly, the effect of EA at abdominal acupoints was not obvious either in facilitating gastric motility or in improving inflammatory and mucosal injury. EA at lower extremity and abdominal acupoints with the same stimulation parameters had different therapeutic effects in gastric emptying, intestinal mucosal integrity, and inflammation response, thus proving the specificity of acupoints.

Background. Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is accompanied by a high incidence of mood disorder. Acupuncture is an effective method in relieving dyspepsia symptoms; however, the impact of psychological status on acupuncture for PDS remains mysterious. Methods. This secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the influence of anxiety and depression on acupuncture for PDS. 138 patients received the same acupuncture treatment and were followed up until week 16. The 2 primary outcomes were the response rate based on overall treatment effect and the elimination rate of all 3 cardinal symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment. Results. Of 114 patients, 31 were anxiety patients and 83 were nonanxiety patients or 32 were depressive patients and 82 were nondepressive patients. The response rate and elimination rate at week 4 were 77.4% and 9.7% in anxiety patients versus 84.3% and 27.7% in nonanxiety patients, respectively ( P = 0.388; P = 0.041). No significant difference was noted in the response rate ( P = 0.552) and elimination rate ( P = 0.254) at week 4 between nondepressive and depressive patients. There was no significant intergroup difference in the response rate and elimination rate between non-mood-disorder and mood disorder patients ( P > 0.05) during the 12-week post-treatment follow-up, except for the response rate at week 8 ( P

Background: Diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a common disease without an established optimal treatment. Acupuncture has promising effects on IBS-D, but high-quality evidence is scarce.Methods: In this parallel, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, participants with IBS-D were assigned to three groups: specific acupoints (SA), non-specific acupoints (NSA) and non-acupoints (NA). Participants received 12 sessions (3 sessions per week) treatment over 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was a composite response rate at week 4 of treatment. An eligible composite responder was responded in both abdominal pain intensity and stool consistency, defined as at least 30% decrease in the weekly average of worst abdominal pain score and 50% or greater reduction in the number of Type 6 or 7 stool days weekly compared with baseline.Results: Of 201 screened patients with IBS-D, 90 (44.8%) patients were enrolled, and 88.9% patients completed this study (26 in NSA; 27 in SA and NA). The composite response rates at week 4 were 46.7%, 46.7% and 26.7% (P＞0.05) of the participants who received SA, NSA and NA acupuncture, respectively. Adverse events were reported in 2 (6.7%) patients in SA, 3 (10%) patients in NSA and NA. There were no serious adverse events.Conclusions: The present study suggests that acupuncture treatment is feasible and safe for IBS-D patients. The further adequately powered trials can be achieved by recruiting more patients, increasing treatment dose, prolonging follow-up, choosing specific acupoints, setting up sham-acupuncture control, or a combination thereof.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000030670. Registered on 9 March 2020. https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=50167&htm=4

Taking the clinical trial of acupuncture in treatment of postprandial distress syndrome as an example, this paper proposes that the acupuncture clinical trial protocol should be optimized in view of acupuncture prescription, acupuncture frequency and outcomes. Besides, the data quality of acupuncture clinical trial should be improved in consideration of data sharing and electronic data capture so as to provide a reference for the majority of researchers to optimize and implement acupuncture clinical trial.结合针刺治疗餐后不适综合征案例，提出从针刺治疗处方、针刺治疗频次、结局指标方面完善针刺临床研究方案，从数据共享和电子数据采集角度提升针刺临床研究数据质量，为广大科研工作者优化和实施针刺临床研究提供参考。.

Background Postoperative ileus (POI) occurs in almost all patients after abdominal laparoscopic surgery, resulting in complications and increasing the length of hospitalization. Electroacupuncture has been used as an alternative therapy for gastrointestinal dysfunction, but its efficacy for POI is inconclusive. The study is designed to determine whether electroacupuncture can accelerate recovery from POI. Methods/design This study is a three-arm, randomized controlled trial. A total of 105 patients will be randomized into a group receiving electroacupuncture at Tianshu (ST25), a group receiving electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36), or a control group in a 1:1:1 ratio. Patients in the electroacupuncture groups will receive electroacupuncture treatment for 4 days from the first day after surgery. The primary outcome consists of the time to first flatus and the time to first defecation. Secondary outcomes include the time to first tolerance of liquid and semiliquid food; the length of the hospital stay; postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting; abdominal distension; the time to first get out of bed; and postoperative complications. The outcomes will be assessed by the patients themselves every day during hospitalization. Surgeons, nurses, assessors, and statisticians will be blinded to the group assignments. Patients in the two electroacupuncture groups, but not in the control group, will be blinded to the group assignments. The acupuncturists will not be blinded. Discussion The aim of this trial is to provide a nonpharmacological therapy for POI and may provide evidence of the effect of electroacupuncture at ST25 or ST36 on POI. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900027466. Registered on 14 November 2019.

To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture for the improvements in various dyspeptic symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome.The secondary analysis on the data of a multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. 278 patients with postprandial distress syndrome were randomized into an acupuncture group (138 cases) and a sham-acupuncture group (140 cases). In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In the sham-acupuncture group, 6 sites, neither located on meridians nor belonged to meridian acupoints, were selected and punctured shallowly. The duration of treatment was 20 min each time, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks totally in the two groups. The follow-up visit lasted for 12 weeks. The scores of dyspeptic symptoms were compared between the two groups before treatment, during treatment (in week 1, 2, 3 and 4) and during follow-up (in week 8, 12 and 16) separately.Besides the scores of early satiety and vomiting in the sham-acupuncture group in week 1, the scores of the other dyspepsia symptoms during treatment and follow-up were all reduced in the two groups as compared with those before treatment (Acupuncture remarkably relieves postprandial fullness, early satiety, upper abdominal bloating and belching in patients with postprandial distress syndrome.

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal diseases. Although acupuncture has become a common alternative therapy for IBS, there is insufficient evidence for its effectiveness. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of acupuncture in the treatment of IBS. Methods/design This is a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial. According to the ratio of 1:1:1, 90 patients with irritable bowel syndrome will be randomly divided into specific acupoints (SA) group, non-specific acupoints (NSA) group, and non-acupoints (NA) group. All patients will be treated with acupuncture 12 times within 4 weeks and followed up for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the response rate, the percentage of patients whose average value of worst abdominal pain is 30% better and the days of loose stool is 50% less than the baseline, at week 4 after randomization. The secondary outcomes include the response rates at other time points, IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale (PHQ-9), IBS-Quality of Life scale (IBS-QOL), IBS Adequate Relief (IBS-AR), Abdominal Pain Score, Abdominal Bloating Score, Bristol Stool Score (BBS), blinding assessment, and credibility evaluation. Adverse events will be monitored and recorded during the trial. Trial registration Chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2000030670. Registered on 9 March 2020.

Background: Acupuncture has been regarded as a potential physical approach for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, there is still no adequate conclusive evidence on its efficacy and optimal therapeutic strategy of acupuncture for IBS. The purpose of this expert consensus study was to put forward some viable recommendations for clinical acupuncture practitioners in treating IBS.Methods: A panel composed of 74 acupuncturists, was convened to participate in a 2-round clinical issue investigation. Subsequently, systematic reviews on acupuncture for IBS were screened using 3 databases. An initial consensus voting list was generated from the results of clinical issue investigation and literature review. Finally, a multi-round Delphi vote was conducted to develop an expert consensus on these specific issues. 30 authoritative experts were required to respond with agreement, neutrality, or disagreement for the items on the consensus voting list. Consensus achievement was identified as the level of agreement on a given item > 80%.Results: Following a 2-round Delphi vote, there were 19 items achieving consensus; of which 5 items (26.32%) achieved complete consensus, and more than 80% expert agreement was reached for the other 14 items. These items can be roughly categorized into 3 major domains of acupuncture for IBS: (1) therapeutic effects, (2) therapeutic principles and protocols, (3) possible adverse events.Conclusions: Without any ready-made guidelines, this preliminary expert consensus could be helpful for acupuncturists in daily clinical practice and patients with IBS to acquire appropriate and standardized acupuncture treatment. In addition, it also points out the clinical issues which need to be further explored in future studies.

IntroductionKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the leading causes of disability. The effectiveness of acupuncture for treating KOA remains controversial. This protocol describes the method of a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating KOA.Methods and analysisFour English databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases and Web of Science) and four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Wanfang) will be searched from the database inception to 1 September 2021. All randomised controlled trials related to acupuncture for KOA will be included. Extracted data will include publication details, basic information, demographic data, intervention details and patient outcomes. The primary outcome will be pain intensity. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias. Article selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. If the meta-analysis is precluded, we will conduct a descriptive synthesis using a best-evidence synthesis approach. The strength of recommendations and quality of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation working group methodology.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required because individual patient data are not included. This protocol was registered in the international Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews on 25 February 2021. The systematic review and meta-analysis will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings will also be disseminated through conference presentations.Trial registration numberCRD42021232177.

Background Acupuncture has been widely utilized for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, heterogeneity is large among therapeutic strategies and protocols. The aim of this study was to propose some down-to-earth recommendations and establish an optimized protocol for acupuncture practice in IBS. Methods A panel of 74 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncturists participated in clinical issue investigation. Subsequently, systematic reviews concerning acupuncture for IBS were screened within 3 databases. An initial consensus questionnaire was formed from the results of clinical issue investigation and literature review. Ultimately, a Delphi vote was carried out to determine these issues. 30 authoritative experts with extensive experience were requested to respond with agreement, neutrality, or disagreement for the items. Consensus achievement on a given item was defined as greater than 80% agreement. Results Following a 2-round Delphi survey, there were 19 items reaching consensus; of which 5 items (26.32%) achieved thorough consensus, and significant agreement was reached for the other 14 items. These items can be classified into the 3 major domains: 1) clinical outcomes that acupuncture can bring for favorable intervention population (5 items), 2) suitable therapeutic principles and parameters of acupuncture (13 items), 3) possible adverse events in the treatment (1 item). Conclusion Without any ready-made guidelines and lacking of homogeneity in the published literatures, such expert consensus could be valuable for TCM acupuncturists in daily practice and patients with IBS to obtain appropriate and standardized acupuncture treatment. In addition, it also points out the clinical focus which need to be further explored in future trials.

The dynamic rheological behaviors are measured by small amplitude oscillatory shear on a rotational rheometer for two low-density polyethylene/high-density polyethylene blends: LDPE 2102TN26/HDPE 5306 and LDPE2102TN26/HDPE8916. The composition dependence of zero shear viscosity as well as characteristic relaxation time of the two blends deviate the log addition rule, indicating the two blends are immiscible. Two emulsion models Palierne’s model and Bousmina’s model are used to fit the storage modulus-frequency data, the results indicate the two blends are immiscible except at the 90/10(LDPE/HDPE) weight ratio.

Purpose Transformation and transport of soil phosphorus (P) from chemical fertilizer or manure are affected by agronomic practices (i.e., fertilization, irrigation, and tillage) and numerous abiotic factors (i.e., temperature, drought, and rainfall). Previous studies on the effects of manure application on P loss were mostly conducted during cultivation and often using the laboratory column approach. Validated field observations by integrating P availability with the risk of P loss are few. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rainfall and manure application on P leaching during fallow season.

Brain metastases are common intracranial tumors, and their occurrence not only represents a high degree of malignancy, but also often a major factor in treatment failure and poor prognosis. Primary site of brain metastases often occur in lung. P-glycoprotein is a member of the (ATP binding cassette) transporter superfamily, which is closely related to the development of lung metastases. It is the main reason for influencing the drug through the blood-brain barrier into the brain tissue, and also an important factor affecting the treatment of brain metastases. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the pathogenesis of brain metastases is due to phlegm, poison, stasis, virtual and so on. The principle of treatment is to resuscitate, promote blood circulation, remove phlegm turbidity and so on. In recent years, the impact of Chinese herbal medicine on P-glycoprotein is increasing. This paper analyzes the mechanism and components of the relevant Chinese medicine on P-glycoprotein. It provides a reference for clinical rational drug use.