OBJECTIVE: The analgesic effect of acupuncture has been widely accepted. Nevertheless, the mechanism behind its analgesic effect remains elusive, thus impeding the progress of research geared toward enhancing the analgesic effect of acupuncture. This paper investigated the role of acupuncture needle surface textures on acupuncture's analgesic effect by creating four experimental acupuncture needles with different patterns of surface augmentation. METHODS: Four types of acupuncture needles with different surface textures (the lined needle, circle needle, sandpaper needle, and threaded needle) were designed. Additionally, the force/torque measurement system used a robot arm and mechanical sensor to measure the force on the needle during insertion and manipulation. To perform acupuncture analgesia experiments, four experimental acupuncture needles and a normal needle were inserted into the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint of rats with inflammatory pain. By comparing the force and torque and the analgesic efficacy of the different acupuncture needles, these experiments tested the role of acupuncture needle body texture on acupuncture analgesia. RESULTS: The analgesic effects of different acupuncture needle body textures varied. Specifically, the force required to penetrate the skin with the lined needle was not greater than that for the normal needle; however, the needle with inscribed circles and the sandpaper-roughened needle both required greater force for insertion. Additionally, the torque of the lined needle reached 2 × 10^-4 N·m under twisting manipulation, which was four times greater the torque of a normal needle (5 × 10^-5 N·m). Furthermore, the lined needle improved pain threshold and mast cell degranulation rate compared to the normal needle. CONCLUSION Optimizing the texture of acupuncture needles can enhance acupuncture analgesia. The texture of our experimental acupuncture needles had a significant impact on the force needed to penetrate the skin and the torque needed to manipulate the needle; it was also linked to variable analgesic effects. This study provides a theoretical basis for enhancing the analgesic efficacy of acupuncture through the modification of needles and promoting the development of acupuncture therapy. Please cite this article as: Sun MZ, Wang X, Li YC, Liu YH, Yu Y, Ren LJ, Gu W, Yao W. Effects of acupuncture needle modification on acupuncture analgesia. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 66-78.
Needles ; Acupuncture Analgesia/methods* ; Animals ; Rats ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Secondary organic aerosol(SOA)produced by photooxidation of styrene and other aromatic compounds is a major part of fine particles in urban atmosphere.In this study,the measurement of component and content of SOA formed from photooxidation of styrene in smog chamber using synchronous radiation vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer(VUV-PIAMS)was conducted.Photoionization mass spectra of styrene SOA was detected by synchrotron radiation photon with 10.5 eV,and the proportion of main components was quantified based on the peak area of each ion peak.The photoionization efficiency curve of ion peak was obtained under synchrotron radiation photons in the range from 7.5 to 11.5 eV,and then the ionization potential was acquired for qualitative analysis of the component structure.The results showed that the photoionization mass spectra of styrene SOA mainly contained ion peaks at m/z 106,108,120 and 122,and the ionization potentials of each peak were(9.41±0.03)eV,(8.93±0.03)eV,(9.24±0.03)eV and(9.25±0.03)eV,respectively.Combined with quantum chemistry calculation and off-line measurement verification of infrared absorption spectra and electrospray ionization mass spectra,it was determined that benzaldehyde,benzyl alcohol,4-vinylphenol and benzoic acid were main components of styrene SOA,accounting for 32.5%,17.5%,25%and 15%of the measured components,respectively,and the generated quantity ratio was 13∶7∶10∶6.VUV-PIAMS could overcome the disadvantages of off-line method,and could on-line detect component and content of SOA,proving a useful tool to measure the chemical components and reveal the formation process of SOA particles.

Objective:To explore whether transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) can improve the prognosis of esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) combined with sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed. A total of 464 cases with cirrhotic EGVB who received standard or TIPS treatment between January 2017 and December 2019 were selected. Regular follow-up was performed for the long-term after treatment. The primary outcome was transplantation-free survival. The secondary endpoints were rebleeding and overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE). The obtained data were statistically analyzed. The t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare continuous variables between groups. The χ2 test, or Fisher's exact probability test, was used to compare categorical variables between groups. Results:The age of the included patients was 55.27±13.86 years, and 286 cases were male. There were 203 cases of combined sarcopenia and 261 cases of non-combined sarcopenia. The median follow-up period was 43 months. The two groups had no statistically significant difference in follow-up time. There was no statistically significant difference in transplant-free survival between the TIPS group and the standard treatment group in the overall cohort ( HR=1.31, 95% CI: 0.97-1.78, P=0.08). The TIPS patient group with cirrhosis combined with sarcopenia had longer transplant-free survival (median survival: 47.76 vs. 52.45, χ2=4.09; HR=1.55, 95 CI: 1.01~2.38, P=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference in transplant-free survival between the two kinds of treatments for patients without sarcopenia ( HR=1.22, 95% CI: 0.78~1.88, P=0.39). Rebleeding time was prolonged in TIPS patients with or without sarcopenia combination (patients without combined sarcopenia: median rebleeding time: 39.48 vs. 53.61, χ2=18.68; R=2.47, 95 CI: 1.67~3.65, P<0.01; patients with sarcopenia: median rebleeding time: 39.91 vs. 50.68, χ2=12.36; HR=2.20, 95 CI: 1.42~3.40, P<0.01). TIPS patients had an increased 1-year OHE incidence rate compared to the standard treatment group (sarcopenia patients: 6.93% vs. 16.67%, χ2=3.87, P=0.049; patients without sarcopenia combination: 2.19% vs. 9.68%, χ2=8.85, P=0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the long-term OHE incidence rate between the two kinds of treatment groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:TIPS can significantly prolong transplant-free survival compared to standard treatment as a secondary prevention of EGVB concomitant with sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. However, its advantage is not prominent for patients with cirrhosis in EGVB without sarcopenia.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and feasibility of performing a new surgical procedure, tunnel esophagogastrostomy, to perform proximal gastrectomy.Methods:The study cohort comprised 10 consecutive patients who had undergone esophagogastrostomy by the tunnel technique in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital between October 2019 and July 2022. All patients were male. Their average age was (64.2±8.1) years and body mass index (25.5±3.2) kg/m2. Nine had upper gastric body adenocarcinoma, the remaining one having signet ring cell carcinoma. TNM staging of the tumors showed that seven were Stage IA, one Stage IB, one Stage IIA, and one Stage IIIA. Briefly, tunnel esophagogastrostomy is performed as follows: After performing a proximal gastrectomy, a rectangular seromuscular flap (3.0 cm × 3.5 cm) is created. The posterior esophageal wall is sutured to the gastric wall at the orad end of the seromuscular flap 5 cm from the stump with three to four stitches. Next, the stump of the esophagus is opened, the posterior esophageal wall is sutured to the gastric mucosa and submucosa, and the anterior esophageal wall is sutured to the full layer of the stomach. Finally, the caudad end of the seromuscular flap is closed. Data on surgical safety, postoperative morbidity, and postoperative reflux esophagitis were analyzed. All enrolled patients completed endoscopic follow-up 1 year and 2 years after surgery.Results:All procedures were completed. They comprised four cases of laparoscopic assisted surgery, four of DaVinci robotic surgery, and two of open surgery. The mean operation time was 212.7±33.2 mins, mean anastomosis time (51.6±5.3) minutes, mean tunnel preparation time (20.0±3.5) minutes, and mean operative blood loss (90.0±51.6) mL. The time to first postoperative passage of flatus was (64.8±11.5) hours. The mean hospital stay after surgery was (9.2±1.7) days. There were no postoperative complications above Clavien-Dindo Grade II. The mean preoperative Reflux Disease Questionnaire score was (3.3± 0.4) before the surgery, (3.8±1.0) 1 month postoperatively, and (3.3±0.4) 12 months postoperatively. All patients underwent endoscopic follow-up; no anastomotic stenoses were found. However, one patient had Grade A reflux esophagitis 1 year after surgery and another Grade B reflux esophagitis 2 years after surgery.Conclusion:Esophagogastrostomy by the tunnel technique is a safe and feasible means of performing proximal gastrectomy.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and feasibility of performing a new surgical procedure, tunnel esophagogastrostomy, to perform proximal gastrectomy.Methods:The study cohort comprised 10 consecutive patients who had undergone esophagogastrostomy by the tunnel technique in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital between October 2019 and July 2022. All patients were male. Their average age was (64.2±8.1) years and body mass index (25.5±3.2) kg/m2. Nine had upper gastric body adenocarcinoma, the remaining one having signet ring cell carcinoma. TNM staging of the tumors showed that seven were Stage IA, one Stage IB, one Stage IIA, and one Stage IIIA. Briefly, tunnel esophagogastrostomy is performed as follows: After performing a proximal gastrectomy, a rectangular seromuscular flap (3.0 cm × 3.5 cm) is created. The posterior esophageal wall is sutured to the gastric wall at the orad end of the seromuscular flap 5 cm from the stump with three to four stitches. Next, the stump of the esophagus is opened, the posterior esophageal wall is sutured to the gastric mucosa and submucosa, and the anterior esophageal wall is sutured to the full layer of the stomach. Finally, the caudad end of the seromuscular flap is closed. Data on surgical safety, postoperative morbidity, and postoperative reflux esophagitis were analyzed. All enrolled patients completed endoscopic follow-up 1 year and 2 years after surgery.Results:All procedures were completed. They comprised four cases of laparoscopic assisted surgery, four of DaVinci robotic surgery, and two of open surgery. The mean operation time was 212.7±33.2 mins, mean anastomosis time (51.6±5.3) minutes, mean tunnel preparation time (20.0±3.5) minutes, and mean operative blood loss (90.0±51.6) mL. The time to first postoperative passage of flatus was (64.8±11.5) hours. The mean hospital stay after surgery was (9.2±1.7) days. There were no postoperative complications above Clavien-Dindo Grade II. The mean preoperative Reflux Disease Questionnaire score was (3.3± 0.4) before the surgery, (3.8±1.0) 1 month postoperatively, and (3.3±0.4) 12 months postoperatively. All patients underwent endoscopic follow-up; no anastomotic stenoses were found. However, one patient had Grade A reflux esophagitis 1 year after surgery and another Grade B reflux esophagitis 2 years after surgery.Conclusion:Esophagogastrostomy by the tunnel technique is a safe and feasible means of performing proximal gastrectomy.

Objective:To study the current status of longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) and to develop a prediction model based on clinical data from multiple NICUs.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2018, EPIs admitted to 32 NICUs in North China were retrospectively studied. Their general conditions, nutritional support, complications during hospitalization and weight changes were reviewed. Weight loss between birth and discharge > 1SD was defined as longitudinal EUGR. The EPIs were assigned into longitudinal EUGR group and non-EUGR group and their nutritional support and weight changes were compared. The EPIs were randomly assigned into the training dataset and the validation dataset with a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used in the training dataset to select the independent predictive factors. The best-fitting Nomogram model predicting longitudinal EUGR was established based on Akaike Information Criterion. The model was evaluated for discrimination efficacy, calibration and clinical decision curve analysis.Results:A total of 436 EPIs were included in this study, with a mean gestational age of (26.9±0.9) weeks and a birth weight of (989±171) g. The incidence of longitudinal EUGR was 82.3%(359/436). Seven variables (birth weight Z-score, weight loss, weight growth velocity, the proportion of breast milk ≥75% within 3 d before discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation ≥7 d, maternal antenatal corticosteroids use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were selected to establish the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training dataset and the validation dataset were 0.870 (95% CI 0.820-0.920) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.815-0.942), suggesting good discrimination efficacy. The calibration curve indicated a good fit of the model ( P>0.05). The decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits at all thresholds. Conclusions:Currently, EPIs have a high incidence of longitudinal EUGR. The prediction model is helpful for early identification and intervention for EPIs with higher risks of longitudinal EUGR. It is necessary to expand the sample size and conduct prospective studies to optimize and validate the prediction model in the future.

Objective:To discuss the association between occupational acid fog exposure and accelerated biological aging of the workers,and to clarify its related risk factors.Methods:A total of 341 male workers exposed to occupational acid fog and 201 male workers without occupational exposure were selected as the study subjects,and they were divided into exposure group and control group,respectively.The general informations of the subjects in two groups were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations.The levels of red blood cell count(RBC),platelet count(PLT),albumin(ALB),urea(Urea),creatinine(CR),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),glycated hemoglobin(HBA1c),and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(Hs-CRP)in serum of the subjects in two groups were detected.The Klemera-Doubal method(KDM)was used to construct the composite aging measure,KDM-biological age(BA)(KDM-BA).The model parameters were trained using samples from the 2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS)Database to calculate the BA acceleration of the subjects in two groups;stratified analysis based on the population characteristics was conducted to analyze the BA of the subjects in two groups with different population characteristics;generalized linear model was used to analyze the factors influencing BA acceleration due to acid fog exposure.Results:The model parameters were trained using samples from the 2009 CHNS Database,including 8 133 cases aged 20-79 years,of which 3 788 were male.The levels of Urea,CR,HBA1c,ALB,and TC,as well as systolic blood pressure(SBP),total working years,sleep duration,and body mass index(BMI)of the subjects between two groups had significant differences(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the BA acceleration of the subjects in exposure group was significantly increased(P<0.05).In entire population and exposure group,the BA acceleration in the smokers was significantly higher than that in the non-smokers(P<0.05).In entire population,control group,and exposure group,the BA accelerations of the subjects in different BMI groups were significantly decreased with the increase of BMI(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the BA acceleration of the subjects in exposure group was significantly increased(P<0.05),including those under 40 years old,with total working years of 4-7 years,Han nationality,unmarried,smokers,and sleep duration 6-7 h,and with overweight.Acid fog exposure,smoking,and BMI were associated with the BA acceleration(β=0.72,95%CI:0.24-1.21;β=0.59,95%CI:0.11-1.06;β=-0.29,95%CI:-0.35—-0.22).Conclusion:Occupational acid fog exposure may accelerate the biological aging in the workers,and acid fog is a risk factor to accelerate the biological aging of the body.

Objective:To systematically review the current situation and risk factors of social isolation among elderly people in Chinese communities.Methods:The research on social isolation of elderly people in Chinese communities was electronically searched on China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search period was from database establishment to August 1, 2023. Two researchers independently conducted literature screening, quality evaluation, and data extraction, and used Stata 17.0 software to conduct Meta-analysis on the incidence and risk factors of social isolation among elderly people in the community.Results:A total of 29 articles were included, with a total of 49 713 samples. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of social isolation among elderly people in Chinese communities was 29.5%. Advanced age, education below college level, poor self-rated health, lack of exercise, coexistence of chronic diseases, impaired daily living activities, hearing loss, depression, lack of spouse, low family care, low social support, and low social participation were the main risk factors for social isolation among elderly people in the community ( OR ranging from 1.57 to 3.34, P<0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of social isolation among elderly people in Chinese communities is high, and there are many risk factors. Medical and nursing staff should strengthen early screening for social isolation among the elderly and provide early intervention for the risk factors.

Objective:To analyze the efficiency of human resource allocation and its spatial distribution characteristics of district-level Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)in city N of Jiangsu Province in 2020,in order to provide a strong decision-making reference for optimizing and strengthening the CDC talent team.Methods:The efficiency of human resources of district-level CDC of City N in2020 was measured using the Super-Efficiency SBM model,and the spatial association pattern was analyzed using the natural break point classification method and Moran's index,with the visualization presented through LISA maps.Results:The overall level of human resource efficiency in district-level CDC of City N is relatively high.However,spatially,there are significant differences among the regions,showing a trend of high efficiency in the central areas and low efficiency at the ends.Moran's index and LISA maps indicate a negative spatial correlation in efficiency,with a low-high(L-H)cluster centered on Area L and a high-low(H-L)cluster centered on Area J.The high-high(H-H)cluster pattern has not yet formed,exhibiting a characteristic of interspersed high and low efficiency.Conclusions:There are regional differences in the human resource efficiency of the Disease Control Center in City N,and the spatial cluster pattern needs to be optimized.It is recommended to focus on efficiency improvement in Areas P and L,formulate appropriate policies,and promote coordinated regional development.

Based on whole genome data, the identification and expression pattern analysis of the Atropa belladonna WRKY transcription factor family were conducted to provide a theoretical foundation for studying the biological functions and mechanisms of these transcription factors. In this study, bioinformatics methods were employed to identify members of the A. belladonna WRKY gene family and to predict their physicochemical properties, conserved motifs, promoter cis-acting elements, and chromosomal localization. Additionally, the expression patterns of the A. belladonna WRKY gene family under the regulation of environmental factors such as light quality and temperature were analyzed. The results revealed a total of 28 AbWRKY transcription factors, randomly distributed across 16 chromosomes, encoding 324-707 amino acids. Most AbWRKY proteins were acidic, unstable, and hydrophilic. Based on multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, the WRKY gene family members were classified into two subfamilies. Conserved motif and domain analysis indicated that WRKY transcription factors in the same subfamily possessed conserved structural features. Promoter analysis predicted that the A. belladonna WRKY family contained light-responsive elements, hormone-responsive elements, and stress-responsive elements. Collinearity analysis showed that AbWRKY24 plays a crucial role in the expansion of the AbWRKY gene family. Then qRT-PCR results indicated that AbWRKY6, AbWRKY8, AbWRKY14, and AbWRKY24 responded to red light stress, while AbWRKY8, AbWRKY14, and AbWRKY24 responded to yellow light/low-temperature combined stress. AbWRKY6 and AbWRKY8 were significantly expressed in leaves and stems, AbWRKY27 and AbWRKY28 were significantly expressed in fibrous roots, and AbWRKY25 was significantly expressed in flowers. This study is the first to identify and analyze the WRKY gene family in A. belladonna and to examine its expression patterns under light and temperature regulation, laying a foundation for in-depth analysis and functional validation of the molecular mechanisms of A. belladonna WRKY transcription factors in responding to light quality and temperature environmental factors.
Transcription Factors/chemistry* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Light ; Temperature ; Atropa belladonna/metabolism* ; Multigene Family/genetics* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics* ; Sequence Alignment ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Genome, Plant/genetics*