Objective: To investigate the current status of benefit finding among young and middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide a reference for improving the level of benefit finding in this population. Methods: From November 2022 to May 2023, young and middle-aged patients with T2DM aged 18-59 years hospitalized in the endocrinology departments of 2 tertiary hospitals in Hengyang City, Hunan Province were selected as survey subjects by a convenience sampling method. Basic demographic information was collected using a general questionnaire survey. Benefit finding, resourcefulness, and stigma were evaluated using the Benefit Finding Scale, the Chinese Version of the Resourcefulness Scale, and the Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale, respectively. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of benefit finding among young and middle-aged patients with T2DM. Results: A total of 305 young and middle-aged patients with T2DM were investigated, including 222 males (72.79%) and 83 females (27.21%). There were 231 cases aged 45-59 years, accounting for 75.74%. The scores for benefit finding, resourcefulness, and stigma were (42.86±6.06), (75.12±11.30), and (41.20±10.10), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that young and middle-aged patients with T2DM who were male (β′=0.088), aged 18-<45 years (β′=0.083), absence of diabetes complications (β′=0.124), and had higher resourcefulness scores (β′=0.679) had higher levels of benefit finding, while patients with higher stigma scores (β′=-0.097) had lower levels of benefit finding. Conclusion The level of benefit finding among young and middle-aged patients with T2DM was moderate, and was related to gender, age, diabetes complications, resourcefulness, and stigma.

To summarize the clinical experience of Professor WANG Jie in treating palpitation using the method of tonifying the kidneys and invigorating blood. It is believed that kidney yang deficiency and heart vessel stasis are the key pathogenesis of palpitation， and it is advocated to treat palpitation by tonifying the kidney and invigorating the blood. Meanwhile，the methods of draining water， dissolving phlegm， and fortifying the spleen to supplement the blood should be applied. For palpitation with kidney yang deficiency and heart vessel stasis with upward water， the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Lishui Formula （补肾活血利水方）； for palpitation with phlegm obstruction in blood vessel， the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Huatan Formula （补肾活血化痰方）； for palpitation with spleen yang deficiency， the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Jianpi Formula （补肾活血健脾方）.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism of DDX17 for regulating proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) during the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS: In murine PASMCs cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions, the effects of transfection with si-Ddx17 and insulin treatment, alone or in combination, on cell proliferation and migration were evaluated using Ki-67 immunofluorescence staining, scratch assay and Transwell assay. Western Blotting was performed to detect the changes in protein expression levels of DDX17, 4EBP1, S6, p-4EBP1, and p-S6. In a mouse model of PH induced by intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT), the changes in pulmonary vasculature were examined using HE staining following tail vein injection of AD-Ddx17i. RESULTS: The PASMCs in hypoxic culture exhibited significantly enhanced cell proliferation and migration and protein expressions of p-4EBP1 and p-S6, and these changes were obviously reversed by transfection with si-Ddx17. Treatment with insulin significantly attenuated the effect of si-Ddx17 against hypoxic exposure-induced changes in PASMCs. In the mouse model of MCT-induced PH, transfection with AD-Ddx17i obviously alleviated pulmonary vascular stenosis and intimal hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS The expression of DDX17 is elevated in hypoxia-induced PASMCs and PH mice, and silencing DDX17 significantly inhibits PASMC proliferation and migration in vitro and pulmonary vascular remodeling in PH mice by reducing mTORC1 activity.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Movement ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism* ; Mice ; Pulmonary Artery/cytology* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism* ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 ; Cells, Cultured ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology*

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Xiaoke drink on insulin resistance in ob/ob mice and explore the mechanism. MethodEighteen ob/ob mice were randomly assigned into model， Xiaoke drink （17.68 g·kg^-1）， and atorvastatin （0.01 g·kg^-1） groups （n=6）， and six C57BL/6 mice were selected as the normal group. Mice in the normal and model groups were administrated with the same amount of distilled water. Fasting body weight， weekly food intake， and weekly water intake were measured at a fixed time. Fasting plasma glucose （FPG） and 2-hour post-load plasma glucose （2 hPG） were measured before and after 8-week intervention. After intervention， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， fasting insulin （FINS）， Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance （HOMA-IR）， blood routine， and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） were measured. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of ubiquitin-specific protease 20 （USP20） and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase （HMGCR） in the liver. The pancreas was stained with hematoxylin-eosin for observation. ResultCompared with the model group， the Xiaoke drink group showed decreased body weight of ob/ob mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）， declined growth trend of body weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced weekly average water intake， lowered levels of FPG， 2 hPG， TC， and HOMA-IR （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression level of USP20 in the liver （P<0.05）. HMGCR content was positively correlated with USP20 expression. In addition， Xiaoke drink promoted the recovery of islet tissue morphology and function in ob/ob mice. ConclusionXiaoke drink can ameliorate insulin resistance in ob/ob mice by inhibiting USP20/HMGCR expression， reversing cholesterol biosynthesis process， and reducing cholesterol level.

Objective To analyze the changes of liver and kidney function, blood glucose and lipid metabolism at different follow-up time points of different treatment regimens, and to provide reference for clinical optimization and adjustment of medication in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods The changes of liver and kidney function, blood glucose and lipid metabolism at seven follow-up time points were analyzed retrospectively. The baseline blood collection time of HIV /AIDS patients was set as the starting point, and the final follow-up time was set as the end point. The seven follow-up points were 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively. Results There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of sex, age, education, marital status, WHO staging, infection route, and baseline CD4+T lymphocyte count among 605 enrolled patients based on different treatment regimens. Liver function: The level of T-Bil in group E was higher than that of baseline at 9M, 12M, 18M and 24M after treatment (P<0.01); In group F, the level of T-Bil was higher than that of baseline at 9M after treatment (P=0.001); The levels of ALT in group C at the six follow-up points after treatment were higher than the baseline (P<0.001); The level of AST in group C was higher than that of baseline after 3M and 6M treatment (P<0.05). Renal function: The level of UREA in group C was higher than that in baseline after 6M treatment (P=0.007); The level of UREA in group F was higher than that in the baseline after 12M treatment (P<0.001); The level of UA in group F was higher than that of baseline after 3M, 6M and 12M treatment (P<0.05). Blood lipid and blood glucose: The levels of Glu at some follow-up points after ART treatment in group A and group C were higher than that at baseline (P<0.05); The levels of TG at some follow-up points in group A, group E and group F after ART treatment were higher than those at baseline (P<0.05); The levels of TC at some follow-up points in group A, group B, group C, group E and group F after ART treatment were all higher than the baseline (P<0.05). Conclusion Regular monitoring of changes in laboratory indicators of different treatment regimens during ART is of great importance to the prognosis of patients. Different laboratory indicators should be monitored according to different treatment regimens to effectively prevent adverse reactions caused by different treatment regimens.

Objective:To analyze the electrocardiographic characteristics of patients with chronic pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS), and to explore their relationship with disease severity indicators.Methods:The study was a retrospective case-series analysis. Patients with chronic PAS admitted to Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2018 to July 2021 were enrolled. The clinical data and the results of electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, right cardiac catheterization, N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement and 6-min walking distance test of patients were analyzed. The linear regression model or logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between electrocardiographic characteristics and the disease severity in patients with chronic PAS.Results:Sixty-three patients aged (62.1±9.7) years including 43 females (68.3%) were enrolled in the study. Among them, 62 patients (98.4%) had (R 1+S Ⅲ)-(S Ⅰ+R Ⅲ)<1.5 mV, and no patients had V 5lead R: S ratio to V 1 lead R: S<0.04 and V 6 lead R: S ratio<0.4. There were 55 patients (87.3%), with flat or inverted T-waves in V 1, and 10 patients (15.9%) with flat or inverted T-waves in all precordial leads (V 1-V 6). There were 18 patients (28.6%) with flat or inverted T-waves in inferior leads (Ⅱ, Ⅲ, aVF). Multiple liner regression analysis showed that Max R V1, 2+Max S I, aVL-S V1 combined with the number of flat or inverted T-waves in limb leads was independently correlated with atrial area ( R2=0.290, P=0.002); R V1+S V5 was independently correlated with right ventricular area ( R2=0.257, P=0.001); R peak V 1 combined with the number of flat or inverted T waves in precordial leads was independently correlated with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ( R2=0.407, P<0.001); (R 1+S Ⅲ)-(S Ⅰ+R Ⅲ) combined with the number of flat or inverted T waves in precordial leads was independently correlated with NT-proBNP ( R2=0.504, P<0.001); Max R V1, 2+Max S I, aVL-S V1 were independently correlated with right atrial pressure ( R2=0.803, P=0.036); (R 1+S Ⅲ)-(S Ⅰ+R Ⅲ) were independently correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure ( R2=0.302, P<0.001); R aVRcombined with the number of flat or inverted T-waves in precordial leads was independently correlated with cardiac index ( R2=0.173, P=0.003); (R 1+S Ⅲ)-(S Ⅰ+R Ⅲ) was independently correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance ( R2=0.173, P=0.002); R peak V 1 combined with the number of flat or inverted T-waves in precordial leads was independently correlated with mixed vein oxygen saturation ( R2=0.302, P<0.001). Conclusion:The vast majority of patients with chronic PAS have (R 1+S Ⅲ)-(S Ⅰ+R Ⅲ)<1.5 mV and flat or inverted T-wave in V 1 lead, and some characteristic electrocardiographic manifestations are correlated with indicators of disease severity.

ObjectiveTo describe the epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 after policy adjustment from “Category B notifiable disease with category A management” to “Category B notifiable disease with category B management”， and to explore the protective effect of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 on common symptoms of reinfection. MethodsHealthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai were included in the study from December 4， 2022 to January 11， 2023. Data on demographic characteristics， clinical symptoms， medical history， and COVID-19 vaccination history were collected. We determined the epidemiological curve and characteristics， and then compared the difference in the severity of clinical symptoms between primary and reinfection subjects. ResultsA total of 2 704 cases were included in the study， of which 45 had reinfection， 605 （22.4%）were males， 608 （22.5%）were doctors， 1 275 （47.2%） were nurses， and 2 351 （86.9%） received ≥3 doses of COVID-19 vaccination. The average age of these healthcare workers was （34.9±9.1） years old. The number of cases with mild/moderate illness， asymptomatic infection， fever， headache， dry cough， expectoration， and chest tightness were 2 704 （100.0%）， 92 （3.4%）， 2 385 （88.2%）， 2 066 （76.4%）， 1 642 （60.7%）， 1 807 （66.8%）， and 439 （16.2%）， respectively. Reinfection was a protective factor for fever （OR=0.161， P<0.001）， headache （OR=0.320， P<0.001）， and peak body temperature （β=-0.446， P<0.001）. ConclusionFollowing the COVID-19 policy adjustment as a category B notifiable disease， healthcare workers at a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai predominantly experiences mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Reinfection results in milder clinical manifestations， with a lower proportion of being asymptomatic.

Objective:To investigate the effects of bisphenol A(BPA)on the proliferation activity and stemness characteristics of endometrial mesenchymal stem/stromal cells(eMSCs),and to elucidate the improvement effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived supernatant(hUCMSC-Sup)on the cell injury.Methods:The eMSCs were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of BPA(0,200,250,300,350,and 400 μmol·L-1).The eMSCs were divided into control group(only cultured with culture solution),BPA group(cultured with isovolumetric culture solution including 200 μmol·L-1 BPA),BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group(cultured with isovolumetric culture solution including 200 μmol·L-1 BPA and 50%volumetric ratio of hUCMSC-Sup),and BPA+CHIR-99021 group(cultured with isovolumetric culture solution including 200 μmol·L-1 BPA and 10 μmol·L-1 CHIR-99021).The survival rates of eMSCs in various groups were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.The numbers and diameters of the spheroids in various groups were detected by spheroids formation assay,the proliferation activities of the cells in eMSCs stem cell spheroids in various groups were detected by CCK-8 assay;the percentage of CD73+cells in eMSCs in various groups were detected by flow cytometry;the expression levels of sex determining region Y-box 2(Sox2),octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4),and Nanog mRNA in the eMSCs in various groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method,the expression levels of β-catenin protein in the eMSCs in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.Results:The MTT results showed that after treated with BPA for 24 and 48 h,compared with 0 μmol·L-1 BPA group,the survival rates of eMSCs in 200,250,300,350,and 400 μmol·L-1 BPA groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01).At 24 and 48 h after treatment,compared with control group,the survival rate of the eMSCs in BPA group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);at 48 h after treatment,compared with BPA group,the survival rate of the eMSCs in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group was significantly inereased(P<0.05).The spheroids formation assay results showed that compared with culture 3 d group,the numbers and diameters of stem cell spheroids of the eMSCs in culture 4 d group and culture 5 d group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with control group,after 48 h of culture,the number and diameter of the cells in eMSCs stem cell spheroids in BPA group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The CCK-8 results showed that after 24 and 48 h of treatment,compared with control group,the proliferation activity of the cells in eMSCs stem cell spheroids in BPA group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BPA group,the proliferation activity of the cells in eMSCs stem cell spheroids in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,the percentage of the CD73+cells in the eMSCs in BPA group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BPA group,the percentage of the CD73+cells in eMSCs in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of Sox2,Oct4,and Nanog mRNA in the cells in BPA group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BPA group,the expression levels of Sox2,Oct4,and Nanog mRNA in the cells in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group and BPA+CHIR-99021 group were significantly increased(P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression level of β-catenin protein in the eMSCs in BPA group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BPA group,the expression levels of β-catenin protein in the eMSCs in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group and BPA+CHIR-99021 group were signifrcantly inereased(P<0.01).Conclusion:BPA can inhibit the stemness characteristics of the eMSCs,and injury the self-renewal and repair of endometrium;its mechanism may be related to down-regulating the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in the cells.hUCMSC-Sup can promote the proliferation of injured eMSCs,and has improvement effect on the stemness injury induced by BPA.

Objective To construct a model of Fat-1/APPPS1 transgenic mice and a cellular model of microglia and explore the improvement effect and underlying mechanism of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(n-3 PUFAs)on the learning and memory abilities of APPPS1 mice by regulating microglial activation and polarization.Methods After the male mice with heterozygous Fat-1 genotype were mated with the female ones with heterozygous APPPS1 genotype,genetic identification was used to screen the male offspring with Fat-1/APPPS1 genotype.Then after the male wild-type(WT)mice and those with Fat-1,Fat-1/APPPS1,and APPPS1 genotypes were bred until 9 months old,their learning and memory abilities were evaluated with Morris water maze(MWM)test.In addition,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)was performed to detect the concentration of PUFAs in the brain,and immunohistochemistry(IHC)was applied to detect the deposition of β-amyloid protein(Aβ)in the hippocampal regions.Moreover,immunofluorescence assay,qRT-PCR,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA)were conducted to measure inflammation,and transcription and expression of Iba-1(indicating the microglial activation)and CD86 and CD206(indicating microglial polarization)in central nervous system(CNS).After pretreated with DHA+EPA(25 pmol/mL∶25 μmol/mL),microglial model of inflammatory injury was established in immortalized mouse BV2 cells induced by LPS(1 μg/mL).Afterwards,immunofluorescence assay,qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect inflammation and microglial activation and polarization.Results Compared with the APPPS1 mice,endogenous n-3 PUFAs effectively improved the learning and memory disorders in Fat-1/APPPS1 ones(P＜0.05),remarkably alleviated Aβ deposition in the hippocampal regions(P＜0.05),evidently reduced CNS inflammation and microglial activation(P＜0.05)and transformed the activated microglia from M1 to M2(P＜0.05).Furthermore,BV2 cells with DHA+EPA pretreatment obviously resisted LPS-induced cellular inflammation and induced activated ones from M1 to M2(P＜0.05).Conclusion n-3 PUFAs inhibit the microglial activation,regulate the microglial polarization from M1 to M2,reduce CNS inflammation,and thus alleviate learning and memory disorders in APPPS1 mice.