OBJECTIVE: Varied acupoint selections represent a potential cause of the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Skin temperature, a guiding factor for acupoint selection, may help to address this issue. This study explored thermal sensitization of acupoints used for the treatment of knee OA. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study enrolled cases aged 45-75 years with symptomatic knee OA and age- and gender-matched non-knee OA controls in a 1:1 ratio. All participants underwent infrared thermographic imaging. The primary outcome was the relative skin temperature of acupoint (STA), and the secondary outcome was the absolute STA of 11 acupoints. The Z test was used to compare the relative and absolute STAs between the groups. Principal component analysis was used to extract the common factors (CFs, acupoint cluster) in the STAs. A general linear model was used to identify factors affecting the STA in the knee OA cases. For the group comparisons of relative STA, P < 0.0045 (adjusted for 11 acupoints through Bonferroni correction) was considered to indicate statistical significance. For other analyses, P < 0.05 was used as the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: The analysis included 308 participants, consisting of 151 cases (mean age: [64.58 ± 6.67] years; male: 25.83%; mean body mass index: [25.70 ± 3.16] kg/m²) and 157 controls (mean age: [63.37 ± 5.96] years; male: 26.11%; mean body mass index: [24.47 ± 2.84] kg/m²). The relative STAs of ST34 (P = 0.0001), EX-LE2 (P < 0.0001), EX-LE5 (P = 0.0006), SP10 (P < 0.0001), BL40 (P = 0.0012) and GB39 (P = 0.0037) were higher in the knee OA group. No difference was found in the STAs of ST35, ST36, SP9, GB33 and GB34. Four CFs were identified for relative STA in both groups. The acupoints within each CF were consistent between the groups. The mean values of the relative STAs across each CF were higher in the knee OA group. In the knee OA cases, no factors were observed to affect the relative STA, while age and gender were found to affect the absolute STA. CONCLUSION Among patients with knee OA, thermal sensitization occurs in the acupoints of the lower extremity, exhibiting localized and regional thermal consistencies. The thermally sensitized acupoints that we identified in this study, ST34, SP10, EX-LE2, EX-LE5, GB39 and BL40, may be good choices for the acupuncture treatment of knee OA. Please cite this article as: Tu JF, Wang XZ, Yan SY, Wang YR, Yang JW, Shi GX, Zhang WZ, Jing LN, Yang LS, Liu DH, Wang LQ, Mi BH. Thermal sensitization of acupoints in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional case-control study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 289-296.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Male ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Case-Control Studies ; Aged ; Skin Temperature ; Acupuncture Therapy

Aim To explore the effects of Lycium berry seed oil on Nrf2/ARE pathway and oxidative damage in testis of subacute aging rats. Methods Fifty out of 60 male SD rats, aged 8 weeks, were subcutaneously injected with 125 mg • kg"D-galactosidase in the neck for 8 weeks to establish a subacute senescent rat model. The presence of senescent cells was observed using P-galactosidase ((3-gal), while testicular morphology was examined using HE staining. Serum levels of testosterone (testosterone, T), follicle-stimulating hormone ( follicle stimulating hormone, FSH ) , luteinizing hormone ( luteinizing hormone, LH ) , superoxide dis-mutase ( superoxide dismutase, SOD ) , glutathione ( glutathione, GSH) and malondialdehyde ( malondial-dehyde, MDA) were measured through ELISA, and the expressions of factors related to aging, oxidative damage, and the Nrf2/ARE pathway were assessed via immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting. Results After successfully identifying the model, the morphology of the testis was improved and the intervention of Lycium seed oil led to a down-regulation in the expression of [3-gal and -yH2AX. The serum levels of SOD, GSH, T, and FSH increased while MDA and LH decreased (P 0. 05) . Additionally, there was an up-regulated expression of Nrf2, GCLC, NQOl, and SOD2 proteins in testicular tissue ( P 0. 05 ) and nuclear expression of Nrf2 in sertoli cells. Conclusion Lycium barbarum seed oil may reduce oxidative damage in testes of subacute senescent rats by activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To develop a questionnaire of the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice （KAP） for patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy. METHODS Under the guidance of the theory of KAP， literature analysis and interview method were used to design the initial KAP questionnaire for patients treated with oral anticoagulants. Delphi method was adopted to consult the initial questionnaire and modify the questionnaire based on expert suggestions to form the final questionnaire. RESULTS Two rounds of consultation were conducted with 18 experts， and 18 questionnaires were sent out and recovered in each round， so the positive coefficient of experts was 100%. The expert authority coefficient was 0.94. The average importance scores for all dimensions， factors， and items of the questionnaire in both rounds were ≥4 points. The coefficient of variation was ≤0.25. The Kendall’s concordance coefficient for the overall questionnaire and the three dimensions of knowledge， attitude， and practice ranged from 0.09 to 0.34 （all P＜0.05）. Following the first round of expert consultation， four items were modified， two items were deleted， and five items were added； after the second round of expert consultation， ten items were modified. The final version of the questionnaire included three dimensions （knowledge， attitudes， and practice）， 17 questionnaire factors， and 40 items. CONCLUSIONS The questionnaire has high reliability and scientific validity with relatively concentrated expert opinions. It is suitable for assessing the knowledge， attitudes， and practice status of patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy.

Objective:To observe the effect of human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs)conditioned medium(CM)co-cultured with the human liposarcoma SW872 cells on the proliferation and migration of the tumor cells,and to discuss the effect of hMSCs CM on the liposarcoma cells and the possible mechanism.Methods:The hMSCs were cultured in vitro and transfected with either lentiviral vector control shNS(control group)or lentiviral shRNA targeting Yes-associated protein(YAP)(shYAP-hMSCs group)by lentiviral methods.The expression levels of YAP mRNA and protein in the hMSCs in various groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods.The CM was then harvested.The SW872 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group(normal culture),hMSCs CM group,and shYAP-hMSCs CM group.The proliferation activities of the cells in various groups were detected by CCK-8 assay;the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups were detected by flow cytometry;the scratch healing rates of the cells in various groups were detected by cell scratch assay;the expression levels of YAP,matrix metallopeptidase-9(MMP-9),and cyclin D1 proteins in the cells in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.Results:Compared with control group,the expression levels of YAP mRNA and protein in the cells in shYAP-hMSCs group were decreased(P＜0.01),indicating the successful establishment of a stable transfected cell line.The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with control group,the proliferation activity of the cells in hMSCs CM group was increased(P＜0.05),and the proliferation activity of the cells in shYAP-hMSCs CM group was decreased(P＜0.01).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,there was no significant change in the apoptotic rate of the cells in hMSCs CM group(P＞0.05),while the apoptotic rate of the cells in shYAP-hMSCs CM group was increased(P＜0.01).The cell scratch assay results showed that compared with control group,the scratch healing rate of the cells in hMSCs CM group was increased(P＜0.05),and the scratch healing rate of the cells in shYAP-hMSCs CM group was decreased(P＜0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,there were no significant differences in the expression levels of YAP,MMP-9,and cyclin D1 proteins in the cells in hMSCs CM group(P＞0.05),while the expression levels of YAP,MMP-9,and cyclin D1 proteins in the cells in shYAP-hMSCs group were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion:The hMSCs regulate the proliferation and migration of the human liposarcoma SW872 cells,and its mechanism may be related to the expression of YAP.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of CD4 + T lymphocyte subsets such as helper Th2 in patients with recurrent uveitis (BU) in Beh?et′s disease (BD). Methods:The clinical data of 153 hospitalized patients diagnosed with Beh?et′s disease from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023 in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The subsets of CD4 + T lymphocytes were measured, including helper T cells (Th cells) such as Th1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cells (Treg cells), biochemical lipid indexes (TC, TG, etc.), the frequency of oral ulcers in the past 1 year, the frequency of genital ulcers in the past 1 year, and drug use before admission;According to whether there was ocular involvement and uveitis, 153 cases of BD were divided into Beh?et non-uveitis group (non-BU group) and Beh?et uveitis group (BU group). The above indexes and independent correlation factors of recurrent BU were compared between BU group and non-BU group;The above indexes and independent correlation factors of recurrent BU were compared between BU group and non-BU group. The levels of cytokines and ICBD total score, the correlation between ICBD total score and various cytokines, and the diagnostic performance of Th2 cells were compared between BU group and non-BU group.The statistical methods were Mann-Whitney U test, independent sample t test, Chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Results:①The levels of Th1, Th2, Th17 cells, TC and TG in BU group were higher than those in non-BU group [133.87 (93.38, 229.87)/μl vs. 102.51(64.25, 149.23)/μl] and [9.43 (5.84, 14.13)/μl vs. 6.78(4.23, 9.44)/μl], [15.53 (9.36, 25.27)/μl vs. 9.83(5.46, 14.76)/μl], [4.21 (3.89, 4.90) mmol/L vs. 3.89(3.37, 4.34)mmol/L)], [1.43(1.00, 2.21)mmol/L vs. 0.96(0.69, 1.38)mmol/L], The differences were statistically significant ( Z=-3.24, Z=-3.05, Z=-3.94, Z=-2.25, Z=-3.47; all P<0.05); There was no statistical significance in Chi-square test between the two groups ( χ2=5.69, P>0.05).②The levels of IL-2, IL-10 and total ICBD score in BU group were higher than those in non-BU group, with statistical significance ( Z=-2.12, Z=-2.29, t=-6.48; all P<0.05). ③ The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that Th2 was an independent correlation factor for BU [ OR value (95% CI) was 1.143(1.007, 1.298), P=0.039]. The total score of BU patients was correlated with Th2 and Th17 cells. ROC analysis showed that the sensitivity of Th2 in diagnosing BU was 68.8%, the specificity was 49.5% and the area under the curve (95% CI) was 0.697 (0.585, 0.809) (P=0.001). Conclusion:CD4 + T lymphocyte subsets such as the absolute number of Th2 cells are related to BU, which is an important indicator to observe the severity of disease progression in BU patients, and has certain clinical value in evaluating the recurrence of BU in BD patients.

Background: Triglyceride glucose (TyG) and TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI) are reliable surrogate indices of insulin resistance and used for risk stratification and outcome prediction in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Here, we inserted estimated average glucose (eAG) into the TyG (TyAG) and TyG-BMI (TyAG-BMI) as derived parameters and explored their clinical significance in cardiovascular risk prediction. Methods: This was a population-based cohort study of 9,944 Chinese patients with ASCVD. The baseline admission fasting glucose and A1C-derived eAG values were recorded. Cardiovascular events (CVEs) that occurred during an average of 38.5 months of follow-up were recorded. We stratified the patients into four groups by quartiles of the parameters. Baseline data and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Distribution of the TyAG and TyAG-BMI indices shifted slightly toward higher values (the right side) compared with TyG and TyG-BMI, respectively. The baseline levels of cardiovascular risk factors and coronary severity increased with quartile of TyG, TyAG, TyG-BMI, and TyAG-BMI (all P<0.001). The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for CVEs when the highest and lowest quartiles were compared from low to high were 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 1.36; TyG), 1.29 (95% CI, 0.97 to 1.73; TyAG), 1.59 (95% CI, 1.01 to 2.58; TyG-BMI), and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.16 to 3.15; TyAG-BMI). The latter two showed statistical significance. Conclusion This study suggests that TyAG and TyAG-BMI exhibit more information than TyG and TyG-BMI in disease progression among patients with ASCVD. The TyAG-BMI index provided better predictive performance for CVEs than other parameters.

Background: Triglyceride glucose (TyG) and TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI) are reliable surrogate indices of insulin resistance and used for risk stratification and outcome prediction in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Here, we inserted estimated average glucose (eAG) into the TyG (TyAG) and TyG-BMI (TyAG-BMI) as derived parameters and explored their clinical significance in cardiovascular risk prediction. Methods: This was a population-based cohort study of 9,944 Chinese patients with ASCVD. The baseline admission fasting glucose and A1C-derived eAG values were recorded. Cardiovascular events (CVEs) that occurred during an average of 38.5 months of follow-up were recorded. We stratified the patients into four groups by quartiles of the parameters. Baseline data and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Distribution of the TyAG and TyAG-BMI indices shifted slightly toward higher values (the right side) compared with TyG and TyG-BMI, respectively. The baseline levels of cardiovascular risk factors and coronary severity increased with quartile of TyG, TyAG, TyG-BMI, and TyAG-BMI (all P<0.001). The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for CVEs when the highest and lowest quartiles were compared from low to high were 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 1.36; TyG), 1.29 (95% CI, 0.97 to 1.73; TyAG), 1.59 (95% CI, 1.01 to 2.58; TyG-BMI), and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.16 to 3.15; TyAG-BMI). The latter two showed statistical significance. Conclusion This study suggests that TyAG and TyAG-BMI exhibit more information than TyG and TyG-BMI in disease progression among patients with ASCVD. The TyAG-BMI index provided better predictive performance for CVEs than other parameters.

Background: Triglyceride glucose (TyG) and TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI) are reliable surrogate indices of insulin resistance and used for risk stratification and outcome prediction in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Here, we inserted estimated average glucose (eAG) into the TyG (TyAG) and TyG-BMI (TyAG-BMI) as derived parameters and explored their clinical significance in cardiovascular risk prediction. Methods: This was a population-based cohort study of 9,944 Chinese patients with ASCVD. The baseline admission fasting glucose and A1C-derived eAG values were recorded. Cardiovascular events (CVEs) that occurred during an average of 38.5 months of follow-up were recorded. We stratified the patients into four groups by quartiles of the parameters. Baseline data and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Distribution of the TyAG and TyAG-BMI indices shifted slightly toward higher values (the right side) compared with TyG and TyG-BMI, respectively. The baseline levels of cardiovascular risk factors and coronary severity increased with quartile of TyG, TyAG, TyG-BMI, and TyAG-BMI (all P<0.001). The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for CVEs when the highest and lowest quartiles were compared from low to high were 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 1.36; TyG), 1.29 (95% CI, 0.97 to 1.73; TyAG), 1.59 (95% CI, 1.01 to 2.58; TyG-BMI), and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.16 to 3.15; TyAG-BMI). The latter two showed statistical significance. Conclusion This study suggests that TyAG and TyAG-BMI exhibit more information than TyG and TyG-BMI in disease progression among patients with ASCVD. The TyAG-BMI index provided better predictive performance for CVEs than other parameters.

Objective To analyze the correlation between anxiety symptoms and abnormal brain function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) under long-term chronic hypoxia. Methods Twenty-one patients with COPD complicated with anxiety were prospectively selected as COPD group, and 26 healthy individuals matched for gender and age were selected as control group. Both groups underwent high-resolution 3D-T1-weighted imaging (3D-T1WI), T2-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2-FLAIR), and blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) sequence examination. DPARSF and SPM8 software were used to analyze the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in the brain of the two groups. Results In the COPD group, the ALFF value in the left parahippocampal gyrus-cingulate gyrus increased, and the ALFF value in the right superior frontal gyrus decreased (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis found that there was a negative correlation between the ALFF value in the right superior frontal gyrus and the anxiety score (r=-0.485, P=0.03). Conclusion Chronic hypoxic patients with COPD have brain functional impairment in the right superior frontal gyrus, and the degree of impairment is positively correlated with anxiety symptoms. There may also be compensatory enhancement of brain function activity in the parahippocampal gyrus-cingulate gyrus.