Objective To investigate the association of the total burden of cerebral small vessel disease （CSVD） with the level of tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） and prognosis in patients with ischemic stroke （AIS）. Methods A total of 120 patients with AIS who were admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled as subjects， and all patients underwent cranial MRI scanning. Baseline data and TNF-α level were compared between the patients with different total burden scores of CSVD， and the correlation between TNF-α level and CSVD total burden score was analyzed. TNF-α level and CSVD total burden score were compared between the AIS patients with different prognoses to investigate the influence of TNF-α and CSVD total burden score on the short-term prognosis of AIS， as well as their value in predicting the short-term prognosis of AIS. Results There were significant differences in age， the proportion of patients with hyperlipidemia， the proportion of patients with smoking， and the levels of TNF-α and Hcy between the patients with different CSVD total burden scores （P<0.05）. The level of TNF-α was positively correlated with the number of lacunar cerebral infarcts， Fazekas score of white matter lesions， and EPV score （r=0.654， 0.775， 0.820， P<0.05）， but it had no linear correlation with the number of cerebral microbleeds （r=-0.035，P>0.05）. The logistic regression analysis showed that before correction， age， hyperlipidemia， smoking， TNF-α，and Hcy were significantly correlated with lacunar infarction， white matter lesions， EPV severity， cerebral microbleeds，and CSVD total burden score （P<0.05）， and after correction， TNF-α was still significantly correlated with lacunar infarction， white matter lesions，cerebral microbleeds， EPV severity， and CSVD total burden scores （P<0.05）. There were significant differences in CSVD total burden score and TNF-α between the patients with a good prognosis and those with a poor prognosis（P<0.05）.TNF-α combined with CSVD total burden score had the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve（AUC） of 0.912 in predicting the short-term prognosis of AIS，which was significantly higher than the AUC of TNF-α or CSVD total burden score used alone（P<0.05）. Conclusion The increase in TNF-α level has a certain relationship with CSVD total burden score and short-term prognosis in AIS patients， and the combination of TNF-α level and CSVD total burden score has a relatively high clinical application value in predicting the short-term prognosis of AIS patients.
Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of seven pediatric patients with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) positive for the t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on the clinical data, treatment, and prognosis of seven AML patients with t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene admitted to Henan Children's Hospital between June 2015 and November 2024. Relevant literature was also reviewed. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: 2024-102-001). RESULTS: Among 297 pediatric patients with AML, 7 cases (2.36%) were positive for the t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene, including 3 males and 4 females, with a median age of 11 years (range: 3 ~ 12 years). According to the FAB classification, these included 1 case of M2, 3 cases of M5, and 3 cases of AML-not otherwise specified (non-M3). All 7 patients were found to harbor the t(16;21)(p11;q22) translocation, with 3 cases showing additional chromosomal abnormalities. Immunophenotyping revealed universal expression of CD13, CD33, CD34, and CD117, with partial expression of CD56, CD4, CD64, CD123, CD15, CD38, CD11b, HLA-DR, cMPO, and CD16. One patient achieved complete remission (CR) after the first course of DAE (cytarabine + daunorubicin + etoposide) induction chemotherapy but relapsed and discontinued the treatment. Six patients received DAH (cytarabine + daunorubicin + homoharringtonine) induction therapy, of whom 2 achieved CR after two courses and underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), resulting in an overall CR rate of 42.86%. Five children did not receive allo-HSCT and had a median overall survival of 9 months (range: 6 ~ 18 months). Two children who underwent transplantation achieved bone marrow morphological and molecular biological relapse at 6 and 9 months post-transplantation, respectively. After receiving combined chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusion, one child failed to achieve remission and died at 22 months post-transplantation, while the other has been followed up to date with positive fusion gene status. Their overall survival was 25 months and 30 months, respectively. CONCLUSION The t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene is rare in pediatric AML and associated with poor prognosis. Allo-HSCT may mitigate the adverse prognostic impact of the FUS::ERG fusion gene and contribute to prolonged survival.
Humans ; Male ; Child ; Female ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics* ; Translocation, Genetic ; Retrospective Studies ; RNA-Binding Protein FUS/genetics* ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21/genetics* ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with 11q23 rearrangement acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with non-KMT2A::AFF1 fusion genes. METHODS: The clinical data of 10 patients with KMT2A fusion gene positive and partner gene non-AFF1 ALL admitted to Henan Cancer Hospital from December 2016 to December 2024 were retrospectively summarized. The immunophenotype, molecular genetic characteristics, clinical manifestations and disease prognosis of these patients were analyzed. This research has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Henan Cancer Hospital (Ethics No.: 2019342). RESULTS: Among the 10 patients, the fusion genes were KMT2A::MLLT1 in 7 cases, KMT2A::MLLT4, KMT2A::MLLT3 and KMT2A::MLLT10 in 1 case each. The European Group for the Immunological Classification of Leukemias (EGIL) classification included 6 cases of T-ALL, 2 cases of pro-B-ALL, 1 case of Common-B-ALL and 1 case of pre-B-ALL. 4 cases of B-ALL all expressed CD19, cCD79a, CD38 and HLA-DR, and some expressed CD34 and CD22, without expression or weak expression of CD10, without expression of CD20. One case was accompanied by myeloid marker CD15 expression. 6 cases of T-ALL all expressed CD34, CD7, most expressed CD38, and some expressed CD3, CD5, CD2, CD4 and CD8, and 1 case expressed CD4 and CD8 together. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 3 cases, 5 cases were positive for WT1 fusion gene, and 6 cases had gene alterations. 9 patients achieved the first complete remission (CR1) during chemotherapy, and 1 patient relapsed within 6 months after CR1. At the last follow up, 1 patient (the fusion gene was KMT2A::MLLT4) remained unrelieved. There were 2 cases of KMT2A rearrangement (KMT2A-r) persistent positive (+/+) and 8 cases of KMT2A-r negative (+/-). The overall survival (OS) rate and leukemia-free survival (LFS) rate of patients with KMT2A-r persistent positive were significantly lower than those of patients with negative change, and the differences were statistically significant (P values were all < 0.05). Among the 3 patients who received chemotherapy+allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), no relapse was observed until the follow up day. The OS rate and LFS rate of patients with KMT2A::MLLT1 and chemotherapy+allo-HSCT were higher than those of non-KMT2A::MLLT1 and single chemotherapy patients, and the differences were not statistically significant (P values were all ≥ 0.05). There was no significant difference in OS rate and LFS rate between T-ALL and B-ALL patients (P values were all ≥ 0.05). The median LFS time of the 10 patients was 32 (0 ~ 100) months, and the median OS time was 36 (1 ~ 101) months. CONCLUSION The 11q23 rearrangement ALL with non-KMT2A::AFF1 transcript is mainly KMT2A::MLLT1, T-ALL is more common, and the rate of chromosomal karyotype detection is relatively low. Persistent positive KMT2A-r is unfavorable for patient survival, and allo-HSCT during the CR1 period may improve patient survival.
Humans ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/genetics* ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/genetics* ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11/genetics* ; Child ; Transcriptional Elongation Factors/genetics* ; Gene Rearrangement ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Child, Preschool ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*

Objective To investigate the association of blood pressure variability （BPV） with early neurological deterioration （END） and prognosis in patients with acute mild non-disabling ischemic stroke. Methods The patients with acute mild non-disabling ischemic stroke who were admitted to Stroke Center of Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities from January 2022 to August 2024 were enrolled， and according to the presence or absence of END， they were divided into non-END group and END group. General information， clinical data， and outcome measures were collected from all patients， and a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors for END. According to the modified Rankin Scale （mRS） score， the patients were divided into good prognosis group （mRS score ≤2 points） and poor prognosis group （mRS score >2 points）， and a univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the influence of END on the 90-day neurological function prognosis of patients. Results A total of 61 patients were enrolled， with 14 patients in the END group and 47 patients in the non-END group. There was a significant difference in the coefficient of systolic pressure variation between the END group and the non-END group （P<0.05）. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that systolic BPV（BPV>75%） was an independent risk factor for END （OR=14.000， 95%CI 1.471‒133.233，P=0.011）.Compared with the non-END group， the END group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with a poor 90-day prognosis.Of all patients， there were 11 patients with poor prognosis and 50 patients with good prognosis on day 90. The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that END （OR=19.556，95%CI 4.038‒94.696，P<0.001） was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis. Conclusion In patients with acute mild non-disabling ischemic stroke， the increase in coefficient of systolic pressure variation is an independent risk factor for END and affects the prognosis of neurological function on day 90.
Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of the Tongnao Huoluo Liyan (unblocking brain, activating collaterals and relaxing throat) acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for post-stroke dysphagia (PSD). METHODS: A total of 92 PSD patients were randomly assigned to an observation group (46 cases, 1 case was discontinued) and a control group (46 cases, 1 case was discontinued, 1 case dropped out). The patients in the control group received rehabilitation training, including low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation for swallowing, lip and tongue movement training, and oral sensory function training, once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. The patients in the observation group received the Tongnao Huoluo Liyan acupuncture method in addition to the same rehabilitation training. Acupoints included Lianquan (CV23), bilateral Jia Lianquan, Jinjin (EX-HN12), Yuye (EX-HN13), Baihui (GV20), Shuigou (GV26), and bilateral Neiguan (PC6), once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. Before and after treatment, Kubota water stvallowing test grading, standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) scores, Fujishima Ichiro swallowing efficacy scores, and swallowing quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) scores were assessed in both groups. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to evaluate the average amplitude (AEMG) and mean swallowing time of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the proportion of patients classified as Grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ in the Kubota water stvallowing test was increased in both groups (P<0.05), with better results in the observation group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Compare before treatment, SSA scores were decreased in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), with lower scores in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Compare before treatment, Fujishima Ichiro swallowing efficacy scores and SWAL-QOL scores were improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), with significantly higher scores in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compare before treatment, AEMG values of the Submental musckes and infrahyoid muscles groups were increased (P<0.05), and mean swallowing time was decreased (P<0.05) in both groups after treatment. The observation group showed greater increases in AEMG values and shorter mean swallowing times compared to the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 97.8% (44/45) in the observation group, higher than 84.1% (37/44) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The Tongnao Huoluo Liyan acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training could enhance the contraction function in swallowing-related muscle groups, facilitate hyoid and laryngeal elevation, restore swallowing function, and improve patients' quality of life. This combined treatment approach is superior to rehabilitation training alone.
Humans ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Combined Modality Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with medication in the treatment of functional constipation in elderly with yang deficiency and qi stagnation and its effect on emotional disorder. METHODS: A total of 86 elderly patients with functional constipation of yang deficiency and qi stagnation were randomly divided into an acupuncture and moxibustion group (43 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was eliminated) and a medication group (43 cases, 1 case dropped out). The medication group was treated with lactulose oral solution, once a day；in the acupuncture and moxibustion group, on the basis of the treatment in the medication group, acupuncture at intestinal three points (bilateral Tianshu [ST25], Shangjuxu [ST37] and Guanyuan [CV4] were selected, 30 min each time, once every other day) combined with thunder-fire moxibustion (Shenque [CV8] was selected, 30 min each time, once every other day) was given. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the patient assessment of constipation symptoms (PAC-SYM) score, defecation situation (defecation interval time, defecation time, defecation frequency) and the scores of TCM syndrome, patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) were observed in the two groups. The clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, after treatment, the PAC-SYM scores, defecation interval time, defecation time, TCM syndrome scores, PAC-QOL scores, SAS scores and SDS scores in both groups were decreased (P<0.05), the defecation frequency was increased (P<0.05) in the two groups; the PSQI score in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was decreased (P<0.05). The PAC-SYM score, defecation interval time, defecation time, TCM syndrome score, PAC-QOL score, PSQI score, SAS score and SDS score after treatment in the acupuncture and moxibustion group were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05), and the defecation frequency in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was higher than that in the medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the acupuncture and moxibustion group was 92.7% (38/41), which was higher than 73.8% (31/42) in the medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was 2.44% (1/41), while that in the medication group was 4.76% (2/42), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with medication could improve the defecation situation, emotional disorder, quality of life in elderly patients with functional constipation of yang deficiency and qi stagnation.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Constipation/drug therapy* ; Female ; Aged ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Qi ; Middle Aged ; Yang Deficiency/drug therapy* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of Daoqi Tongluo (conducting qi and unblocking collateral) on chronic primary tinnitus. METHODS: A total of 32 patients with chronic primary tinnitus were included and treated with the acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of Daoqi Tongluo. This regimen was composed of abdominal acupuncture, body acupuncture, warm needling and posterior-auricular local flashing cupping, Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV6) and Yindu (KI9), Tinggong (SI19), Cong'er point, Waiguan (TE5) of the affected side, etc. are selected. The treatment was given once every two days, 3 treatments a week; and one course of intervention was required, with 10 treatments included. Before and after treatment, the scores of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), tinnitus evaluation questionnaire (TEQ), self-rating scale of sleep (SRSS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were observed, and the clinical effect was evaluated. RESULTS: After interventions, the scores of THI, TEQ, SRSS, SAS and SDS were reduced in comparison with those before interventions in the patients (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05), and the total effective rate was 71.9% (23/32). CONCLUSION Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of Daoqi Tongluo is effective on chronic primary tinnitus and this therapy can alleviate tinnitus degree, improve sleep quality and attenuate the anxious and depressive emotion of the patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Moxibustion ; Tinnitus/psychology* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy differences among different acupuncture frequencies for pain of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: A total of 42 patients with TMD pain were randomly divided into a low-frequency group, a medium-frequency group, and a high-frequency group, with 14 patients in each group. All groups received acupuncture treatment at bilateral Hegu (LI4) and Yanglingquan (GB34), as well as ipsilateral Tinggong (SI19), Jiache (ST6), and Xiaguan (ST7), with each session lasting 30 minutes. The low-frequency group received acupuncture once per week, the medium-frequency group received acupuncture twice per week, and the high-frequency group received acupuncture three times per week, for a total duration of four weeks. The graded chronic pain scale (GCPS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, jaw functional limitation scale-20 (JFLS-20) score, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed in the three groups before and after treatment, as well as at the four-week follow-up after treatment completion. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, GCPS and JFLS-20 scores were significantly decreased in all the groups after treatment (P<0.05), and VAS scores were significantly decreased in the high-frequency and medium-frequency groups (P<0.05), PPT values at different measurement sites were increased significantly in the high-frequency group (P<0.05). After treatment, GCPS, JFLS-20, and VAS scores in the high-frequency group were lower than those in the medium-frequency and low-frequency groups (P<0.05), while some PPT values were higher than the other two groups (P<0.05). At follow-up, GCPS, JFLS-20, and VAS scores remained significantly lower in all the groups compared to baseline (P<0.05), PPT values were increased significantly in the high-frequency and medium-frequency groups (P<0.05), with the high-frequency group showing lower GCPS, JFLS-20, and VAS scores and higher PPT values compared to the other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture three times per week is more effective in reducing TMD pain intensity compared to once or twice per week, and can also alleviate some mandibular functional impairments. The therapeutic effects persist for at least four weeks after treatment completion.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Pain Management ; Adolescent ; Pain Measurement

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion for abdominal obesity and its effect on blood lipid, lipid accumulation product (LAP) and cardiometabolic index (CMI). METHODS: A total of 150 patients with abdominal obesity were randomly divided into an observation group (75 cases, 5 cases dropped out) and a control group (75 cases, 6 cases dropped out). The control group received lifestyle guidance. The observation group received "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36) on the basis of the control group, 20 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, the waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, body mass index (BMI) were observed, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured, and the LAP and CMI were calculated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the waist circumference, weight and BMI were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), the changes of the above indexes in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the hip circumference, TC level, TG level, LAP and CMI in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), the HDL-C level was increased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05)；the changes of the TC level, TG level, LAP, CMI and HDL-C level in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion can reduce the degree of obesity in patients with abdominal obesity, and improve blood lipid and reduce lipid accumulation.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal/blood* ; Adult ; Lipids/blood* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture with yin-yang regulation method versus local acupuncture in treating chronic low back pain (CLBP) in elderly patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and to evaluate the changes in the multifidus muscle before and after treatment using musculoskeletal ultrasound. METHODS: A total of 128 elderly patients with CLBP due to LDH were randomly assigned to an observation group (64 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (64 cases, 2 cases dropped out). The control group received local acupuncture at bilateral L₃-L₅ Jiaji points (EX-B2), Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25), Weizhong (BL40), Yaoyangguan (GV3), and ashi points. The observation group received acupuncture with yin-yang regulation method, which included an abdominal protocol with Baihui (GV20), Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Tianshu (ST25), and Dahe (KI12), etc., and a lumbar protocol with Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), Jizhong (GV6), Yaoyangguan (GV3), and ashi points, etc., alternated bilaterally. Both groups were treated once every other day, three times per week, for a total of 12 sessions. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, and the indexs of musculoskeletal ultrasound multifidus muscle (resting and functional thickness and Young's modulus values) were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After 1 and 4 weeks of treatment, both groups showed lower VAS scores compared to baseline (P<0.05), the VAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001). ODI scores in both groups were decreased after 1 and 4 weeks of treatment compared to baseline (P<0.05), with a further reduction at 4 weeks of treatment compared to 1 week of treatment (P<0.05); the observation group showed lower ODI score than the control group after 1 week of treatment (P<0.001). After treatment, both groups demonstrated increased resting and functional multifidus muscle thickness bilaterally compared to baseline (P<0.01), with an increased right-side thickness change rate (P<0.01), though no significant difference was observed between groups (P>0.05). Compared to baseline, after treatment, the observation group exhibited decreased Young's modulus values for bilateral resting and functional multifidus muscle (P<0.01), while the control group showed reductions only in bilateral resting and right-side functional Young's modulus values (P<0.01). After treatment, the bilateral functional Young's modulus values in the observation group were lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the bilateral resting and functional changes in Young's modulus values were greater in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.01). The overall effective rate was 93.5% (58/62) in the observation group, which was higher than 79.0% (49/62) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture with yin-yang regulation method effectively alleviates pain, improves functional disability, increases multifidus muscle thickness, and reduces Young's modulus values in elderly patients with CLBP due to LDH, which has superior therapeutic effect compared to local acupuncture.
Humans ; Low Back Pain/physiopathology* ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Yin-Yang ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome