BACKGROUND Detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) underactivity may lead to urinary retention (UR). Electroacupuncture (EA) at BL33 may be effective in improving DSM contractions. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate: (1) the effect of EA at BL33; and (2) the effect of different manipulation methods at BL33 on the modulation of DSM contractions in UR rats. METHODS 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats we...

OBJECTIVE Acupuncture therapy effectively reduces post-surgical pain, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether expression of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the primary sensory neurons of cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are involved in electroacupuncture (EA)-i...

AIM This study is the second report from a single experiment planned to determine if acupuncture at LI4 and SP6, or at the sacral points, could produce any harm in the pregnancy outcome of Wistar rats, as has been hypothesised in traditional knowledge. Here, we observe if these points can be harmful to the health of pregnant Wistar rats. METHODS A total of 48 pregnant Wistar rats were randoml...

The dicatechol ester ligand 2-H4 forms the compressed helicate Li4[(2)3 Ti2] which upon removal of internally bound lithium cations expands. In form, chiral diol units control stereochemistry complex is lost expansion system.

BACKGROUND This study sought to determine if acupuncture in LI4 and SP6, or in sacral points could harm the pregnancy outcome in Wistar rats as is believed according to traditional knowledge. METHODS 48 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: total control where the rats were left in cages without manipulation; anesthetized control where the rats were manipulated and anesthe...

OBJECTIVE To determine the current perception thresholds (CPTs) for arm and mental foramen areas to enable a quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. METHODS Ninety-eight volunteers enrolled as participants and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an acupuncture group (34 subjects); a sham acupuncture group (32 subjects) and a waiting group (32 subjects...

The aim of this study was to investigate the traditional meridian theory using speckle laser blood flow scanning technology to observe microcirculation of the Hegu acupoint area after acupuncture stimulation on distant points. An observational study was conducted to observe the microvascular perfusion of Hegu (LI4) and control points after acupuncturing Quchi (LI11). Thirty healthy volunteers (...

The practical anode material Li4+3xTi5O12 is known to undergo a two-phase separation into Li7Ti5O12 and Li4Ti5O12 during charging/discharging. This phase-separated Li4+3xTi5O12 exhibits electron conduction, although individual phases are expected to be insulators. To elucidate the role played by spinel (111) phase boundaries on these physical properties, first principles calculations were carri...

BACKGROUND Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupuncture points (acu-TENS) has been reported to improve clinical outcomes. The objectives of the present study were to investigate whether acupuncture point sensations were experienced during acu-TENS, and whether such sensations were associated with any concomitant changes in autonomic nervous system activity. METHODS This study ...

background: post-cesarean section analgesia improves functional ability of the mother and her interaction with the infant. pharmacological methods such as painkillers and narcotics are commonly used to reduce post-cesarean section pain. however, due to the complications of current pharmacological therapies, the use of non-pharmacological methods is currently receiving special attention. the pur...