BACKGROUNDAcupuncture has been shown to be effective in pain relief and anesthesia, and has been suggested for treating various kinds of functional disabilities in traditional Chinese medicine, including knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of acupuncture on gait patterns in patients with knee OA.

METHODSTwenty patients with bilateral medial knee OA were assigned evenly and randomly to a sham group and an experimental group. During the experiment, the experimental group underwent a 30-minute formula electro-acupuncture treatment while the sham group received a sham treatment. Before and after treatment, each subject was evaluated for their knee pain using visual analog scales (VAS) and then their performance of level walking using gait analysis. For all the obtained variables, the independent t-test was used for between-group comparisons, while paired t-test was used to investigate the before and after changes.

RESULTSAll the measured data before acupuncture treatment between the groups were not significantly different. The VAS scores were decreased significantly after acupuncture in both groups, and the mean change of the VAS values of the experiment group was 2 times greater than that of the sham group. After formula acupuncture stimulation, while no significant changes were found in all the gait variables in the sham group, the experimental group had significant increases in the gait speed, step length, as well as in several components of the joint angles and moments.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of the study suggest that significantly improved gait performance in the experimental group may be associated with pain relief after treatment, but the relatively small decrease of pain in the sham group was not enough to induce significant improvements in gait patterns. Gait analysis combined with the VAS can be useful for the evaluation of the effect of acupuncture treatment for patients with neuromusculoskeletal diseases and movement disorder.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Gait ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Biological ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

We have previously demonstrated the expression of GATA-DNA-binding protein (GATA)-3, a transcription factor, in osteoblasts and have verified its function in transducing cell survival signaling. This translational study was further designed to evaluate the roles of GATA-3 in regulating bone healing and to explore its possible mechanisms. A metaphyseal bone defect was created in the left femurs of male ICR mice. Analysis by micro-computed topography showed that the bone volume, trabecular bone number and trabecular thickness were augmented and that the trabecular pattern factor decreased. Interestingly, immunohistological analyses showed specific expression of GATA-3 in the defect area. In addition, colocalized expression of GATA-3 and alkaline phosphatase was observed at the wound site. As the fracture healed, the amounts of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated GATA-3 concurrently increased. Separately, GATA-3 mRNA was induced during bone healing, and, levels of Runx2 mRNA and protein were also increased. The results of confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation showed an association between nuclear GATA-3 and Runx2 in the area of insult. In parallel with fracture healing, Bcl-XL mRNA was significantly triggered. A bioinformatic search revealed the existence of a GATA-3-specific DNA-binding element in the promoter region of the bcl-x(L) gene. Analysis by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated transactivation activity by which GATA-3 regulated bcl-x(L) gene expression. Therefore, this study shows that GATA-3 participates in the healing of bone fractures via regulating bcl-xL gene expression, owing to its association with Runx2. In the clinic, GATA-3 may be used as a biomarker for diagnoses/prognoses or as a therapeutic target for bone diseases, such as bone fractures.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Diseases ; Cell Survival ; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ; Computational Biology ; Femur ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Bone ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Osteoblasts ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; Transcription Factors ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation* ; Wounds and Injuries

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by alternating periods of inflammation and remission. Although UC incidence is lower in Taiwan than in Western countries, its impact remains considerable, demanding updated guidelines for addressing local healthcare challenges and patient needs. The revised guidelines employ international standards and recent research, emphasizing practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system. Since the inception of the guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease has acknowledged the need for ongoing revisions to incorporate emerging therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. This updated guideline aims to align UC management with local contexts, ensuring comprehensive and context-specific recommendations, thereby raising the standard of care for UC patients in Taiwan. By adapting and optimizing international protocols for local relevance, these efforts seek to enhance health outcomes for patients with UC.

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic, fluctuating inflammatory condition that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. Although the incidence of CD in Taiwan is lower than that in Western countries, the severity of CD presentation appears to be similar between Asia and the West. This observation indicates the urgency for devising revised guidelines tailored to the unique reimbursement system, and patient requirements in Taiwan. The core objectives of these updated guidelines include the updated treatment choices and the integration of the treat-to-target strategy into CD management, promoting the achievement of deep remission to mitigate complications and enhance the overall quality of life. Given the diversity in disease prevalence, severity, insurance policies, and access to medical treatments in Taiwan, a customized approach is imperative for formulating these guidelines. Such tailored strategies ensure that international standards are not only adapted but also optimized to local contexts. Since the inception of its initial guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (TSIBD) has acknowledged the importance of continuous revisions for incorporating new therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. The latest update leverages international standards and recent research findings focused on practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system.