BACKGROUND: China is seeing a growing demand for rehabilitation treatments for post-stroke upper limb spastic paresis (PSSP-UL). Although acupuncture is known to be effective for PSSP-UL, there is room to enhance its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: This study explored a semi-personalized acupuncture approach for PSSP-UL that used three-dimensional kinematic analysis (3DKA) results to select additional acupoints, and investigated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of this approach. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This single-blind, single-center, randomized, controlled trial involved 74 participants who experienced a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with spastic upper limb paresis. The participants were then randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups received conventional treatments and acupuncture treatment 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The main acupoints in both groups were the same, while participants in the intervention group received additional acupoints selected on the basis of 3DKA results. Follow-up assessments were conducted for 8 weeks after the treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) response rate (≥ 6-point change) at week 4. Secondary outcomes included changes in motor function (FMA-UE), Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS), manual muscle test (MMT), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS), and activities of daily life (Modified Barthel Index, MBI) at week 4 and week 12. RESULTS: Sixty-four participants completed the trial and underwent analyses. Compared with control group, the intervention group exhibited a significantly higher FMA-UE response rate at week 4 (χ² = 5.479, P = 0.019) and greater improvements in FMA-UE at both week 4 and week 12 (both P < 0.001). The intervention group also showed bigger improvements from baseline in the MMT grades for shoulder adduction and elbow flexion at weeks 4 and 12 as well as thumb adduction at week 4 (P = 0.007, P = 0.049, P = 0.019, P = 0.008, P = 0.029, respectively). The intervention group showed a better change in the MBI at both week 4 and week 12 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.010, respectively). Although the intervention group had a higher BRS for the hand at week 12 (P = 0.041), no intergroup differences were observed at week 4 (all P > 0.05). The two groups showed no differences in MAS grades as well as in BRS for the arm at weeks 4 and 12 (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Semi-personalized acupuncture prescription based on 3DKA results significantly improved motor function, muscle strength, and activities of daily living in patients with PSSP-UL. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200056216. Please cite this article as: Huang XY, Liao OP, Jiang SY, Tao JM, Li Y, Lu XY, Li YY, Wang C, Li J, Ma XP. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis can improve the efficacy of acupoint selection for post-stroke patients with upper limb spastic paresis: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 15-24.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Upper Extremity/physiopathology* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Single-Blind Method ; Aged ; Stroke/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Stroke Rehabilitation/methods* ; Adult ; Muscle Spasticity/therapy* ; Paresis/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome

Radiotherapy can cause functional and morphological changes in the brain tissues of patients with primary or metastatic malignant brain tumors, leading to radiation-induced brain injury. However, the pathogenesis of radiation-induced brain injury has not yet been unanimously determined, and its research advances and treatment protocols are yet to be elucidated and improved. In this study, we explore the pathogenesis of radiation-induced brain injury from the perspective of vascular injury, inflammatory reactions, neuronal dysfunction, glial cell injury, and gut microbiota and reviewed the advances in research on its treatment and prevention. The purpose is to provide a reference and theoretical basis for the research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of radiation-induced brain injury.

Objective:To investigate the chain mediating role of psychological resilience and coping styles between social support and psychological distress in elderly stroke patients.Methods:Using convenience sampling, 245 elderly stroke patients with their first episode, admitted to the Neurology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from June to July 2023, were recruited as study subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted using a General Information Questionnaire, Distress Thermometer for Stroke Patients, Perceived Social Support Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale Short Form, and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between psychological distress, social support, psychological resilience, and coping styles in elderly stroke patients. Harman's single-factor test was employed to detect common method bias among variables. The PROCESS macro in SPSS software was utilized to test the chain mediation effects.Results:A total of 245 questionnaires were distributed, with 230 valid responses collected, yielding a response rate of 93.9%. Among the 230 elderly stroke patients, the incidence of psychological distress was 23.9% (55/230). Significant correlations were observed among psychological distress, social support, psychological resilience, and coping styles ( P<0.05). Social support influenced psychological distress through the mediation of psychological resilience and confrontational coping, with a total indirect effect of -0.098. The same relationship existed for social support through psychological resilience and avoidant coping, with a total indirect effect of -0.058. Additionally, social support influenced psychological distress through psychological resilience and submissive coping, with a total indirect effect of -0.113. Avoidant coping had a suppressing effect on the influence of social support on psychological distress. Conclusions:Elderly stroke patients experienced moderate to low levels of psychological distress. Psychological resilience and coping styles played a chain-mediating role between social support and psychological distress. Special attention should be given to elderly stroke patients with low levels of social support.

Objective To explore a method for assessing the irregular small opacities profusion associated with occupational pneumoconiosis in chest computed tomography (CT). Methods A total of 20 occupational pneumoconiosis patients whose primary manifestation was irregular small opacities on chest digital radiography (DR) were collected as the research subjects using a retrospective study method. Comparative analysis was performed between chest DR and five mm coronal multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) of chest CT images to identify the causes of irregular small opacities. An evaluation method for the profusion of associated images of irregular small opacities in chest CT was established using technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution-analytic hierarchy process (TOPSIS-AHP), and the results were compared against GBZ 70-2015 Diagnosis of Occupational Pneumoconiosis. Results The abnormal image distribution on the five mm coronal chest CT MPR images of the 20 patients was as follows: three cases of high-density small circular opacities, seven cases of low-density circular small opacities, six cases of diffuse low-density ground-glass opacities (GGO), four cases of reticular opacities, three cases of plate-like GGO, three cases of honeycomb opacities, and four cases of increasing lung texture. The CT values of abnormal images, from high to low were: honeycomb opacities > plate-like GGO > low-density circular small opacities > diffuse low-density GGO (all P<0.05). The consistency test results indicated that the evaluation method for the profusion of associated images of irregular small opacities in chest CT showed high level of agreement with the profusion determination criteria outlined in GBZ 70-2015 Diagnosis of Occupational Pneumoconiosis (Kappa=0.78). Conclusion Irregular small opacities observed on chest DR are formed by the superposition of multiple images of abnormal pulmonary fibrosis in patients with occupational pneumoconiosis. TOPSIS-AHP can be used to establish an evaluation method of the profusion of associated image of irregular small opacity in chest CT.

Objective: To investigate the picky eating behavior among school-age children and to analyze its association with their health status, providing scientific basis for health promotion of school-age children in China. Methods: A total of 796 students of grade 3 to grade 6 from two primary schools in Hongshan, Wuhan were selected through cluster sampling. Statistical analysis was conducted according to the results of the 3-day food record and questionnaire survey on children and their caregivers. Results: In the current study, 40.58% of the children had picky eating problems, the incidence of picky eating behaviors of migrant children was higher than that of local children(χ2=3.92, P<0.05). Most of the picky eaters(23.87%) tended to reject vegetables. Compared to the others, picky eaters had lower intake of vitamin B 2 [(0.49±0.01)(0.46±0.01)mg] and vitamin C [(57.35±0.76)(54.32±0.90)mg] (t=2.03, 2.57, P<0.05) and had a higher risk of stunting(OR=1.42, P<0.05). Conclusion Picky eating behaviors are common among school-age children, which is significantly associated with stunting. Nutritional education for children (especially migrant children) are urgently needed to improve their dietary structure and promote healthy growth and development.

Objective: To understand nutrient intake and dietary structure among migrant children in primary schools in Hongshan District of Wuhan, so as to carry out dietary nutrition intervention and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Methods: Stratified random sampling was used to select children in grade 3-6 who were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=218) and the control group (n=222) from primary schools with a large number of migrant children in Hongshan District of Wuhan. After the baseline survey, the intervention group was given a two month diet intervention with "nutrition class" and knowledge lecture, and the caregivers of the intervention group were also given an intervention. Results: At baseline, both groups had inadequate nutrient intake, with adequate intake rate of calcium, selenium, vitamin B 1 and vitamin B 2 less than 5%; children were lack of dietary diversity with adequate intake of vegitable, milk and milk product less than 5%. After intervention, the intake of energy, three main macronutrients, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C in the intervention group were higher than that of before intervention, as well as than the control group, differences were statistically significant (Z=2.22-8.65，2.62-8.46，P<0.05). In terms of dietary structure, adequate intake rate of cereals and miscellaneous beans increased from 55.5% to 68.8%, livestock and poultry meat increased from 45.9% to 56.4%, which were higher than that of the control group (56.3% and 44.6%) (χ 2=5.29-13.25，4.39-14.13，P<0.05). Conclusion Inadequate nutrient intake and unreasonable dietary structure of migrant children can be improved through short term dietary intervention including nutrition education to both parents and children.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognosis of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and drug combined with endoscopic treatment in patients with liver cirrhosis and esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB).Methods:From January 2012 to December 2013, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, the data of 147 patients with liver cirrhosis and EGVB undergoing TIPS or drug combined with endoscopic treatment were retrospectively collected, with 87 cases in TIPS treatment group and 60 in drug combined with endoscopic treatment group.The 5 years follow-up data were analyzed, and the overall survival rates, rebleeding-free survival rates and hepatic encephalopathy-free survival rates at 6 weeks, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after treatment of two groups were compared. Independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Z test, log-rank test and trend test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, etiology, Child-Pugh classification, initial liver function, coagulation function, liver ascites, previous history of hepatic encephalopathy, blood pressure and preoperative blood transfusion history between the TIPS treatment group and combination of drugs and endoscopy treatment group (all P>0.05). Forty-one patients died within 5 years, of which 20 (48.8%) died of rebleeding and 6 (14.6%) died of hepatic encephalopathy. There were no significant differences in 6-week, 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates between the TIPS group and drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (all P>0.05), however the 5-year overall survival rate of the TIPS treatment group was higher than that of the drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (78.4% vs. 63.2%), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=2.06, P=0.048). The 6-week, 1-year, 2-year, 5-year rebleeding-free survival rates of the TIPS group were 97.7%, 96.5%, 88.9% and 70.9%, respectively, which were all higher than those of the drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (86.7%, 53.3%, 43.3% and 27.1%), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=2.35, 6.39, 6.26 and 4.80, all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in hepatic encephalopathy-free survival rates at 6 weeks, 1 year and 2 years after treatment between the TIPS group and drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (all P>0.05), however the 5-year hepatic encephalopathy-free survival rate of the TIPS treatment group was lower than that of the drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (67.7% vs. 86.7%), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=2.28, P=0.030). The lower the Child-Pugh classification, the higher the cumulative 5-year survival rate ( χ2=6.75, P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the 5-year overall survival rate in patients with the same Child-Pugh classification between the TIPS group and the drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy of TIPS is better than that of the drug combined with endoscopic treatment in treating EGVB. Even the long-term risk of hepatic encephalopathy of TIPS is higher, the short-term, middle-term and long-term rebleeding rate are decreased. Patients with Child-Pugh grade C do not need to avoid TIPS when choosing the treatment, the earlier the TIPS used, the better survival benefit will be obtained.

Objective: To understand the prevalence of sexual abuse among rural children and its association with family cohesion and adaptability, and to explore factors that may affect household functions of the victims. Methods: A total of 1 666 rural middle school students in Hanchuan and Yunxi, Hubei were recruited with stratified cluster sampling method, multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze associated factors of the household functions of the victims. Results: A total of 175 (10.50%) reported non-contact sexual abuse and 44 (2.64%) reported contact sexual abuse. Compared with control group, sexual abuse victims reported lower scores of family cohesion (F=8.97，P<0.01) and adaptability (F=4.09，P=0.02). Among the victims, maternal absence was a risk factor for poor family cohesion(OR=0.20，P<0.01), higher parental educational level and appropriate parenting methods(P<0.05) were protective factors for family cohesion and family adaptability. Conclusion Household functions of children sexual abuse victims in rural areas are generally poor, especially for victims with mothers absence, low parental education and improper parenting style. More attention should be paid to such children to minimize the impact of negative events such as sexual abuse.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of mean platelet volume/platelet count ratio(MPV/PLT)in predicting short-term prognosis of elderly patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Methods:A total of 226 elderly patients with AECOPD admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively enrolled as research subjects.All cases were divided into the survival group(n=175)and the death group(n=51), based on prognosis 28-day after admission.General data and laboratory test results were compared between the two groups.The relevant factors for death were analyzed by the Logistic regression equation.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the prognostic value of MPV/PLT, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn according to the cut-off.Methods:Compared with the survival group, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Status Evaluation(APACHEⅡ)score, levels of procalcitonin(PCT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), creatinine, neutrophil count(NEU), lymphocyte count(LYM)and MPV were elevated, and levels of albumin and PLT decreased in the death group( P<0.05). Hospital stay lengths and costs were higher in the death group than in the survival group( P<0.05). The level of MPV/PLT was higher in the death group than in the survival group(0.065±0.016 vs.0.054±0.013, t=5.036, P<0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that MPV/PLT was an independent risk factor for recent death( OR=2.331, 95% CI: 1.772-8.224, P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of MPV/PLT was 0.829, the sensitivity was 83.41%, the specificity was 82.80%, and the cut-off was 0.061.Optimal cut-off value analysis showed that APACHEⅡ score, PCT and hs-CRP levels and mortality were higher in patients with MPV/PLT≥0.061 than in patients with MPV/PLT<0.061( P<0.05). The Kaplan Meier survival curve showed that the cumulative survival rate was lower in those with MPV/PLT≥0.061 than in those with MPV/PLT<0.061( Log- rank=6.323, P<0.05). Conclusions:The increase of MPV/PLT may be an independent risk factor for recent death in elderly patients with AECOPD and has good clinical value in predicting poor prognosis.

Congenital sodium diarrhea(CSD)refers to a rare and intractable secretory diarrhea of intrauterine onset with high fecal sodium loss which is caused by abnormal intestinal sodium absorption.Congenital sodium diarrhea is a disease with clinical and genetical heterogeneity.It can be classified as non-syndromic congenital sodium diarrhea(non-sCSD)and syndromic congenital sodium diarrhea(sCSD)according to the clinical features.The diagnosis of CSD is made based on the manifestation and genetic analysis.The mutations of CSD include SLC9A3 gene、GUCY2C gene and SPINT2 gene.The main treatment of CSD is symptomatic treatment and some of these patients will develop inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). Lifelong clinical and biological follow-up of patients is necessary.