ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria（CSU） and to explore its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsSeventy CSU patients were randomly divided into loratadine group and acupuncture + bloodletting group， with 35 patients in each group. The loratadine group received oral loratadine tablets， 10 mg once daily in the evening. The acupuncture + bloodletting group received acupuncture at Zhongwan （CV 12）， Guanyuan （CV 4）， Tianshu （ST 25）， Zusanli （ST 36）， Sanyinjiao （SP 6）， Xuehai （SP 10）， Quchi （LI 11）， Hegu （LI 4）， Taichong （LR 3）， Baihui （GV 20）， and Shenting （GV 24）， once daily，along with bloodletting and cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） and Geshu （BL 17）， every other day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The 7-day urticaria activity score（UAS7） was assessed before and after the treatment， and levels of serum immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， eosinophil cationic protein （ECP）， plasma tissue factor （TF）， activated factor Ⅶ （FⅦa）， prothrombin fragment 1+2 （F1+2）， D-dimer （D-D） and complement component 5a （C5a） were detected. ResultsA total of 65 patients were included in the final analysis， 32 in the loratadine group and 33 in the acupuncture + bloodletting group. Before treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， ECP levels， or plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， C5a levels between groups （P＞ 0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， and plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， and C5a levels compared to those before treatment （P＜0.01）. However， after treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score and serum ECP， IgE， IL-4， IL-5 levels between groups （P＞0.05）. The acupuncture + bloodletting group showed lower plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D and C5a levels compared to the loratadine group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionAcupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping can effectively improve the skin symptoms of CSU patients and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors. The potential mechanism of action may involve the regulation of the coagulation-complement-mast cell activation axis， thereby inhibiting mast cell degranulation.

BACKGROUND:Pravastatin is a clinically effective drug for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and is now found to play a beneficial role in the treatment of CNS injury;however,the mechanism remains unknown. OBJECTIVE:To ascertain the possible mechanism of action and whether pravastatin medication can expedite functional recovery following sciatic nerve crush injury. METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into:pravastatin(sciatic nerve crush injury+pravastatin gavage),negative control(sciatic nerve crush injury+saline gavage),and sham operation(sciatic nerve exposure but no injury+saline gavage).While the other two groups received comparable amounts of saline gavage,the pravastatin group received postoperative pravastatin(5 mg/kg)by gavage for 1 week.The general conditions of the rats in each group were observed after operation.Sciatic function index was evaluated at the end of the 2nd,4th,6th,and 8th week after operation,and the wet mass ratio of the gastrocnemius muscle was measured at the end of the 8th week after operation.The levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum were measured using ELISA.Histomorphometrics was used to measure the number of myelinated nerve fibers,fiber diameter,axon diameter,and myelin sheath thickness.RT-qPCR assay was used to measure the relative mRNA expression of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor,and western blot was used to measure the protein expression of growth-associated protein 43. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the negative control group,the sciatic function index in the pravastatin group recovered faster(P<0.05)and was closer to the level of the sham operation group,the expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in serum was lower(P<0.05)and close to that of the sham operation group,and the relative mRNA expression of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the sciatic nerve increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),the relative protein expression of growth-associated protein 43 in the sciatic nerve was also significantly increased(P<0.05),the number of myelinated nerve fibers was increased more,and the values of fiber diameter,axon diameter,and myelin sheath thickness were larger(P<0.01)and closer to those of the sham operation group.To conclude,treatment with pravastatin accelerates functional recovery from sciatic nerve crush injury by a possible mechanism of inhibiting the expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 and promoting the secretion of neurotrophic factors nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

Senescence is the major risk factor that promotes development of different stages of chronic liver diseases and is closely related to occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.Significant differences consist in clinicopathological features and tumor microenvironment between elderly and young patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.With rapid development of systemic therapy,immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with targeted therapy have greatly improved the prognosis of patients with advanced hepa-tocellular carcinoma.The selection of treatment decisions for elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma requires to consider u-nique age-related issues.Adequate communication and necessary evaluation should be carried out before making decisions.Elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are speculated to benefit from combination immunotherapy based on age subgroup analysis of large clinical studies.However,data of effects and security obtained from clinical trials has certain limitations when being ap-plied in elderly populations of real world.The optimal therapeutic strategies for elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma still remain to be further explored in large-scale prospective clinical studies.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of a regression model based on diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) parameters for prediction of the recurrence risk in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-negative early invasive breast cancer.Methods:A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed. The clinicopathological (age, histological grade, Ki-67 level, etc.) and imaging data of 50 patients (50 lesions) with ER-positive, HER-2 negative early invasive breast cancer who underwent treatment at Wuxi People′s Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were female, aged 29 to 81 years, and underwent pre-operation conventional MRI and DKI examinations. The volume of breast fibroglandular tissue (FGT), background parenchymal enhancement (BPE), and internal enhancement features were recorded; the peak enhancement (PH), peak enhancement rate, time to peak, mean kurtosis (MK), and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated. Based on the 21-gene recurrence risk scores, patients were divided into low recurrence risk group and medium-high recurrence risk group. Independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test were used to compare the differences of various indicators between the two groups. Two logistic models were constructed with age, PH, MD, and MK as independent variables (Pre1), and with Ki-67, age, PH, MD, and MK as independent variables (Pre2), respectively. The efficacy of the models in predicting low recurrence risk in patients was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC). Results:There were 25 cases in the low recurrence risk group and 25 cases in the medium-high recurrence risk group. The differences in age, FGT, PH, MD, MK, and Ki-67 between the low recurrence risk group and the medium-high recurrence risk group were statistically significant (all P<0.05), while other indexes showed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). The AUC of Pre1 in predicting low recurrence risk of ER-positive, HER-2 negative early invasive breast cancer was 0.87, with a sensitivity of 0.76 and specificity of 0.88. The AUC of Pre2 for predicting the low recurrence risk of ER-positive, HER-2 negative early invasive breast cancer was 0.92, with a sensitivity of 0.84, and specificity of 0.92. Conclusions:A multi-parameter model based on DKI can effectively predict the recurrence risk of ER-positive and HER-2 negative breast cancer. The model with combination of Ki-67 can further improve the predictive efficacy, and help effectively identify patients at low recurrence risk.

Objective To investigate the association between body mass index(BMI),sex hormone and single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)gene rs2268361 and rs2349415 and its correlation with the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 213 PCOS patients and 207 healthy controls,attending the Department of Reproductive Medicine at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University,and 32 follicular fluids were randomly collected from each of the PCOS and control groups from March to August 2021.Calculation of BMI of the PCOS and control groups;The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estradiol(E2),testosterone(T),progesterone(P)and prolactin(PRL)in peripheral blood of the two groups were detected by immunochemiluminescence method.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and high-resolution melting curve(HRM)were used to analyze the polymorphisms of rs2268361 and rs2349415 in FSHR of the two groups.Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of FSHR gene mRNA in peripheral blood and ovarian granulosa cells.Results There was a strong positive correlation between LH and LH/FSH(r=0.88,P<0.05);The levels of BMI,E2,LH,LH/FSH and T in PCOS group were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05);FSH level was significantly lower than that of control group(P<0.001).HRM analysis showed the frequencies of CC,CT and TT genotypes at rs2349415 were 55.9%,34.3%and 9.8%in PCOS group and 68.6%,23.2%and 8.2%in control group,respectively.The frequencies of C and T alleles were 73.0%and 27.0%in PCOS group and 80.2%and 19.8%in control group,respectively.There were significant differences in genotype frequencies and allele frequencies between the two groups(P<0.05);The expression level of FSHR mRNA was higher in ovarian granulosa cells in PCOS group than in control group(P=0.004),the expression level of FSHR mRNA in rs2349415 TT genotype was higher than that in CC(P=0.002)and CT(P=0.035)genotype.Conclusion High levels of BMI, LH, E2 and T allele of rs2349415 increased the risk of PCOS.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of abdominal ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy(ERAT)with laparoscopic appendectomy(LA)for acute uncomplicated appendicitis using propensity score matching.Methods The clinical data of 441 patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from March 2020 to April 2023 were collected.The cases were classified based on the differences in surgical method and divided into the ERAT group(n = 30)and LA group(n = 411).The clinical efficacy of patients was compared between the two groups after reducing confounding bias by propensity score matching(PSM).Results After PSM,a total of 30 pairs of patients in the two groups were successfully matched,and the baseline data of the two groups met the requirements for comparability.At 24 hours after the operation,the ERAT group exhibited lower white blood cells,neutrophil counts,and C-reactive protein levels compared to the LA group,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the operation time and total effective rate between the ERAT group and the LA group(P>0.05).However,the ERAT group had lower intraoperative blood loss and shorter pain relief time compared to the LA group,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Abdominal ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis treatment is an effective,safe,and feasible technique with good prospects for the treatment of acute uncomplicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND:Some patients with cervical spondylosis have not been fully corrected sagittal position balance after cervical surgery,and this continuous sagittal position imbalance may be an important reason for the poor long-term clinical outcome of patients. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the correlation between the cervical sagittal position balance parameters and their changes and the clinical efficacy of patients in the unbalanced state after anterior cervical decompression and fusion and to explore the necessity of surgical correction of sagittal balance in order to improve the clinical effect in the later stage. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed on 125 patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion in the Department of Spinal Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from July 2019 to July 2022.Follow-up patients had good postoperative recovery(neck disability index score less than 10%one week after surgery)and had complete follow-up data.According to the axial vertical distance(C2-7 SVA)in sagittal position one week after surgery,patients were divided into type I imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss≤5 mm,n=27),type Ⅱ imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss>5 mm,and≤10 mm,n=19),and type Ⅲ imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss>10 mm,n=12),and non-unbalanced group(C2-7 SVA in the normal range,n=67).The changes of visual analog scale score and neck disability index were compared among groups postoperatively and the last follow-up,as well as the changes of imaging sagittal balance parameters C2-7 cobb angle,C2-7 SVA value,neck inclination angle,T1 inclination angle,and thoracic entrance angle.The correlation between the late clinical effect and postoperative cervical sagittal disequilibrium was explored. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistical difference in general data among the four groups(P>0.05).All patients underwent successful surgery without serious complications and postoperative wound infection.The follow-up time was more than 1 year.(2)There was no significant difference in preoperative symptom score and clinical efficacy one week after surgery(P>0.05).At the last follow-up,pain visual analog scale score,neck disability index and C2-7 SVA were lower than those before surgery but higher than those one week after surgery(P<0.05).C2-7 cobb angle was increased compared with those before operation(P<0.05).T1 inclination angle was decreased compared with those before operation(P<0.05).(3)Pearson correlation test showed that the change of neck disability index was positively correlated with the change of C2-7 SVA(P<0.05).(4)It is indicated that anterior cervical decompression and fusion is effective in the treatment of cervical spondylosis,and can effectively relieve the symptoms of patients.Patients with more severe cervical sagittal disequilibrium after surgery had worse curative effect in the later period.Continuous sagittal disequilibrium in patients with cervical spondylosis after surgery is an important cause of poor curative effect in the later stage.Clinicians should pay more attention to the correction of cervical sagittal balance before and during surgery,formulate surgical strategies and plans according to sagittal balance parameters before surgery,and correct C2-7 SVA intraoperatively to the normal range.

Objective To investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)on emergence agitation(EA)in children undergoing selective posterior rhizotomy(SPR).Methods Forty-two children with cerebral palsy undergoing SPR were selected,20 males and 22 females,aged 6-12 years,BMI 13-24 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,randomly divided into two groups:TEAS group(group T)and control group(group C),21 children in each group.Children in group T re-ceived TEAS at the bilateral acupoints of Neiguan and Hegu from 30 minutes before anesthesia induction to the end of surgery.In group C,electrodes were placed on the same acupoints without electrical stimulation.All children in both groups received total intravenous anesthesia.HR and MAP were recorded at the time of entry,extubation,5,15,30 minutes after extubation.The consumption of remifentanil and propofol during the procedure were recorded.The time of operation and extubation were recorded.The Wong-Baker faces pain scale-revised(FPS-R)and the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium(PAED)were recorded at 15 minutes after extubation,and the incidence of EA was assessed by PAED.While,the occurrence of post-operative nausea and vomiting(PONV)was recorded.Results Compared with that at the time of entry,HR at the time of extubation,5,15 minutes after extubation and MAP at the time of extubation,5,15,30 minutes after extubation in group C were significantly increased(P＜0.05),HR and MAP at the time of extubation,5,15 minutes after extubationin group T were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with group C,HR was significantly slower and MAP was significantly lower in group T at the time of extuba-tion,5,15,30 minutes after extubation(P＜0.05).Compared with group C,the consumption of remifen-tanil during operation was reduced,the time of extubation was significantly shortened,the FPS-R and PAED were significantly decreased,and the incidence of EA were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the time of operation,the consumption of propofol during operation and the inci-dence of PONV.Conclusion TEAS is beneficial to prevent the occurrence of EA in pediatric patients un-dergoing SPR,stabilize hemodynamics,reduce the dosage of opioids during surgery,reduce the postopera-tive pain,andaccelerate the time of anesthesia resuscitation.