Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of the combination of umbilical moxibustion and estradiol valerat in patients with thin endometrium.Methods A random number table was used to randomly divide 60 patients with thin endometrium of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type who met the inclusion criteria into an observation group of 30 cases and a control group of 30 cases.The control group took oral estradiol valerate tablets(DELPHARMLille S.A.S.,specification:1 mg/tablet),2 mg/day(bid),continuously for 21 days starting from the 5th day of the menstrual cycle;On the basis of the control group,the observation group was treated with herbal moxibustion on the navel,starting from the 7th day of the menstrual cycle,once a week,with an interval of 5-7 days.No treatment was given during the menstrual cycle,and both groups were treated continuously for three menstrual cycles.Observe the changes in endometrial thickness,Gonen classification of endometrium,uterine artery pulsatility index,resistance index,and traditional Chinese medicine clinical symptom score before and after treatment in two groups of patients.Results After treatment,the endometrial thickness of the two groups of patients increased(P<0.01),while the uterine artery pulsatility index and resistance index decreased compared to before(P<0.01).The total score of traditional Chinese medicine clinical symptoms decreased compared to before treatment(P<0.01).The above indicators were better in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).But the endometrial classification between the two groups of patients was no significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion The combination of umbilical moxibustion and estradiol valerate can effectively promote uterine artery blood flow perfusion in patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis type thin endometrium,reduce uterine artery pulsatility index and resistance index,increase the thickness of endometrium,and improve the clinical symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine.

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with a complex etiology,mainly including two types:ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn's disease(CD),whose risk factors for its development are still incompletely understood.In recent years,Mendelian randomization(MR)has gained increasing attention in IBD research.MR mainly uses genetic variation as an instrumental variable to infer causality between exposure and outcome,effectively avoiding confounding and reverse causality in observational studies and randomised controlled trials.This review summarises currently published MR studies related to IBD,focusing on causal relationships between different risk factors and IBD development.Current findings support a causal relation-ship between IBD and selected oral diseases,skin diseases,psychiatric disorders,autoimmune diseases,bone diseases,gut diseases,gut microbiota,cytokines and nutrients,but not between IBD and lifestyle,cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.Despite its limitations,MR studies are of great significance in improving understanding of etiology of IBD and in identifying potential therapeutic interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique on the relative protein expression of the signaling pathway of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1)/ receptor-interacting protein 2 (RIP2)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD), so as to explore the underlying mechanism of this acupuncture technique for pain alleviation in PD. METHODS: Thirty female SD rats of SPF grade with normal estrous cycle were randomized into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each one. Using the intraperitoneal injection with estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin, PD model was prepared in the model group and the acupuncture group. In the acupuncture group, during model preparation, the intervention with "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique was delivered simultaneously, 20 min each time, once daily for consecutive 10 days. On day 11, within 30 min after the intraperitoneal injection with oxytocin, the writhing reaction (latency, frequency and score) was recorded; the morphology of uterine tissue was observed with HE staining, the contents of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the serum were detected using ELISA method; the relative protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65, phosphorylation-NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) was detected in the uterine tissue using Western blot method; and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 was detected with the quantitative real-time PCR employed. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the writhing latency was prolonged (P<0.01), the writhing frequency and score increased (P<0.01) in the rats; the endometrial epithelial cells showed massive degeneration and necrosis, with severe endometrial edema and widespread shedding, combined with neutrophil infiltration; the serum PGE₂ content was dropped (P<0.01), while those of PGF_2α, IL-1β, IL-18, COX-2, and TNF-α elevated (P<0.01); the protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65, and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in uterine tissue increased (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the writhing latency was prolonged (P<0.01), the writhing frequency and score were reduced (P<0.01) in the rats; there was less degeneration and necrosis of endometrial epithelial cells, with mild endometrial edema and very little neutrophil infiltration; the serum PGE₂ content increased (P<0.01), while those of PGF_2α, IL-1β, IL-18, COX-2, and TNF-α decreased (P<0.01); the protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in uterine tissue were dropped (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique can alleviate the pain symptom of PD rats, and its action mechanism may be related to inhibiting the active expression of NOD1/RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway in the uterine tissue, thereby reducing the inflammatory response.
Animals ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Dysmenorrhea/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Acupuncture Analgesia ; Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein/metabolism* ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinase 2/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible mechanism by which the "Zhibian" (BL54) toward "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture improves ovarian function in mice with poor ovarian response (POR) by observing its effect on gut microbiota. METHODS: A total of 35 SPF-grade C57BL/6 female mice were screened for normal estrous cycles using vaginal smears, and 30 mice were selected. Ten mice were assigned to the blank group, while the remaining mice were used to establish the POR model by intragastric administration of tripterygium wilfordii suspension. The successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group, with 10 mice in each group. After modeling, the acupuncture group received the "Zhibian" (BL54) toward "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture method once daily for 20 minutes per session. Ovulation induction began the day after the intervention, and samples were collected after ovulation induction. Vaginal cytology was used to observe estrous cycle changes, and the number of oocytes obtained, ovarian wet weight, and ovarian index were recorded. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were detected using ELISA. HE staining was used to observe ovarian histology. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology. Western blot was used to detect the relative protein expression levels of Occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in colonic tissue. Correlation analysis was conducted among serum hormone indexes, the number of oocytes obtained, ovarian index and gut microbiota. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a higher estrous cycle disorder rate (P<0.01), increased serum FSH and LH levels, and a higher LH/FSH ratio (P<0.01), while the number of oocytes obtained, ovarian wet weight, ovarian index, and serum E2 and AMH levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group showed a lower estrous cycle disorder rate (P<0.01), decreased serum FSH and LH levels, and a lower LH/FSH ratio (P<0.01), along with an increased number of oocytes obtained, higher ovarian wet weight, ovarian index, and elevated serum AMH and E2 levels (P<0.01, P<0.05). The blank group had a large number of well-developed primordial follicles, with abundant and closely arranged follicles at various stages. In the model group, there was a significant increase in the number of atretic follicles, a reduction in the number of follicles at various stages, and loosely arranged ovarian tissue. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant decrease in the number of normal follicles (P<0.01) and an increase in the number of atretic follicles (P<0.01). The acupuncture group showed a reduction in atretic follicles and an increase in the number of follicles at various stages compared with the model group, with a significant increase in normal follicles (P<0.01) and a decrease in atretic follicles (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited reduced gut microbiota diversity and richness, with significantly lower Chao1 and Shannon indices (P<0.01), and a greater clustering distance from the blank group. The model group also showed an increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes_D, Verrucomicrobiota, Paramuribaculum, Dubosiella, and Muribaculum (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the relative abundance of Firmicutes_A and the relative protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 in colonic tissue were decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group showed improved gut microbiota diversity and richness, with increased Chao1 and Shannon indices (P<0.05), and a clustering distance closer to the blank group. The acupuncture group exhibited reduced relative abundance of Firmicutes_D, Verrucomicrobiota, and Muribaculum (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the relative abundance of Firmicutes_A and the relative protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated a relationship between gut microbiota and serum hormone indicators, as well as the ovarian index. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the metabolic pathways of the intersecting species were related to amino acid biosynthesis and nucleotide metabolism. CONCLUSION The "Zhibian" (BL54) toward "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture method improves ovarian function in POR mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating gut microbiota structure and maintaining intestinal barrier homeostasis.
Animals ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Mice ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Ovary/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism* ; Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism* ; Estrous Cycle ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone/blood*

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of the combination of umbilical moxibustion and estradiol valerat in patients with thin endometrium.Methods A random number table was used to randomly divide 60 patients with thin endometrium of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type who met the inclusion criteria into an observation group of 30 cases and a control group of 30 cases.The control group took oral estradiol valerate tablets(DELPHARMLille S.A.S.,specification:1 mg/tablet),2 mg/day(bid),continuously for 21 days starting from the 5th day of the menstrual cycle;On the basis of the control group,the observation group was treated with herbal moxibustion on the navel,starting from the 7th day of the menstrual cycle,once a week,with an interval of 5-7 days.No treatment was given during the menstrual cycle,and both groups were treated continuously for three menstrual cycles.Observe the changes in endometrial thickness,Gonen classification of endometrium,uterine artery pulsatility index,resistance index,and traditional Chinese medicine clinical symptom score before and after treatment in two groups of patients.Results After treatment,the endometrial thickness of the two groups of patients increased(P<0.01),while the uterine artery pulsatility index and resistance index decreased compared to before(P<0.01).The total score of traditional Chinese medicine clinical symptoms decreased compared to before treatment(P<0.01).The above indicators were better in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).But the endometrial classification between the two groups of patients was no significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion The combination of umbilical moxibustion and estradiol valerate can effectively promote uterine artery blood flow perfusion in patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis type thin endometrium,reduce uterine artery pulsatility index and resistance index,increase the thickness of endometrium,and improve the clinical symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine.

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with a complex etiology,mainly including two types:ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn's disease(CD),whose risk factors for its development are still incompletely understood.In recent years,Mendelian randomization(MR)has gained increasing attention in IBD research.MR mainly uses genetic variation as an instrumental variable to infer causality between exposure and outcome,effectively avoiding confounding and reverse causality in observational studies and randomised controlled trials.This review summarises currently published MR studies related to IBD,focusing on causal relationships between different risk factors and IBD development.Current findings support a causal relation-ship between IBD and selected oral diseases,skin diseases,psychiatric disorders,autoimmune diseases,bone diseases,gut diseases,gut microbiota,cytokines and nutrients,but not between IBD and lifestyle,cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.Despite its limitations,MR studies are of great significance in improving understanding of etiology of IBD and in identifying potential therapeutic interventions.

AIM: To assess the gap between the peak of the base curve to the surface of the cornea, as well as examines the correlation between the thickness of the tear film and the fitting of the orthokeratology lens through optical coherence tomography(OCT), providing an intuitive and quantitative clinical evaluation method for the fitting of the orthokeratology lens.METHODS: Myopia patients who fitted orthokeratology at our hospital from January to December 2023 were included. Examinations, including naked vision, slit lamp, non-contact intraocular pressure, ocular fundus, eye position, corneal diameter, corneal topography, tear film rupture time, optometry, etc., were performed on all patients before fitting. The trial lens parameter was selected according to the examination results, and fluorescein staining was performed to evaluate lens fitting state after patients adapted to wearing glasses. According to the performance of fluorescein staining, the inspected eyes are divided into three groups: lens loose group, lens fitting group, and lens tight group. In addition, the tear film thickness of three groups of subjects was measured by OCT, and the differences between the three groups of data were evaluated.RESULTS: A total of 49 myopic patients(77 eyes)were included. The average sphere degree was -3.10±1.25 D, the average cylinder degree was -0.43(-0.75, 0)D, the average horizontal keratometry(HK)was 42.48±0.81 D, and vertical keratometry(VK)was 42.98(42.25, 43.50)D. There were 21 cases(34 eyes)in the lens fitting group, with 13 cases of bilateral eyes, 8 cases of one eye, 14 cases(22 eyes)in the lens loose group, with 8 cases of bilateral eyes, 6 cases of one eye, and 14 cases(21 eyes)in the lens tight group, with 7 cases of bilateral eyes, 7 cases of one eye. There was no statistical difference in the main basic data of the subjects in the three groups(all P>0.05). OCT showed that the tear film thickness of the lens fitting group, the lens loose group, and the lens tight group was 231.18(219.0, 243.0), 220.41(214.0, 224.3), and 249.00(241.5, 258.0)μm, respectively, and there was statistical significance in the thickness among the three groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: OCT can serve as a safe and reliable method for measuring the tear film thickness, which can help evaluate the suitability of orthokeratology and provide a non-invasive, more intuitive, and quantitative evaluation method for the fitting and evaluation of orthokeratology.

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of butylphthalide sequential therapy(BST)as an adjuvant therapy for delayed onset encephalopathy caused by acute carbon monoxide poisoning(DEACMP).Methods DEACMP patients who visited the department of neurology at Yan'an People's Hospital from January 2018 to June 2023 were selected as the research subjects.Using a random number table method,DEACMP patients were randomly divided into hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT)group,glucocorticoid(GC)group(GC combined with,HBOT),and BST group(HBOT,GC combined with BST),all of which were treated continuously for 30 days.The incidence of adverse reactions and clinical efficacy during the treatment among three groups of DEACMP were observed and compared.Inflammation indicators,neurological damage indicators,cognitive function,neurological function,and daily living ability before and after treatment among three groups were compared.Results A total of 120 patients were included in the study,with 40 patients in each group.During the treatment period,no serious adverse reactions were observed in any of the three groups of patients,and no patient terminated treatment due to adverse reactions.The total effective rate of BST group was significantly higher than those of GC group and HBOT group,while the total effective rate of GC group was higher than that of HBOT group(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in the scores of inflammation indicators,neurological damage indicators,cognitive function,neurological function,and daily living function among the three groups.After treatment,the serum LP-PLA2,SIRI,TNF-α,S100-β,and the NSE levels decreased compared to before treatment(P<0.05),and the indicators of the BST group was lower than those of the HBOT group and GC group,while the indicators of the GC group was lower than those of the HBOT group(P<0.05).After treatment,the MMSE,MoCA,and BI scores of the three groups increased compared to before treatment(P<0.05),but the NIHSS score decreased(P<0.05).In addition,the MMSE,MoCA,and BI scores of the BST group were higher than those of the HBOT and GC groups(P<0.05),while the NIHSS scores were lower than those of the HBOT and GC groups(P<0.05).The MMSE,MoCA,and BI scores in the GC group were higher than those in the HBOT group,while the NIHSS scores were lower than those in the HBOT group(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with HBOT treatment and HBOT combined with GC treatment,BST adjuvant therapy can improve the clinical efficacy,inflammatory status,cognitive function,and daily living ability of DECAMP patients.

Objective:To search, review and summarize the best evidence on promoting maturation of autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) .Methods:In accordance with the relevant methods of evidence-based nursing, evidence was retrieved from relevant websites and databases according to the "6S" pyramid model, including clinical decision-making, guidelines, expert consensus, group standards, and systematic reviews. The search time limit was from April 20, 2012 to April 20, 2022. Two investigators assessed the quality of the evidence, and the evidence team extracted and summarized the evidence.Results:A total of 17 articles were included, including 1 clinical decision-making, 6 guidelines, 1 expert consensus, 1 group standard and 8 systematic reviews. Totally 28 best evidences were summarized from 6 aspects: team education, perioperative management, functional exercise, physical therapy, drug application, first puncture timing and scheme.Conclusions:The best evidence provides a reference for medical staff to standardize the management of AVF in MHD patients. It is recommended that medical staff develop individualized plans based on medical conditions, clinical judgment, and patient wishes when applying relevant evidence.

In recent years, the management of respiratory diseases related to preterm birth has received extensive attention.In 2021, the American Thoracic Society brought together multidisciplinary experts in respiratory, neonato-logy, otolaryngology, sleep medicine, radiology and nursing specialties to develop Guidelines for outpatient respiratory management in infants, children, and adolescents with post-preterm respiratory disease (hereinafter referred to as the " Guideline" ), aiming to provide evidence-based medical evidence for standardized outpatient management of respiratory diseases associated with preterm birth at different ages.The Guideline was interpreted and summarized so that pediatric clinicians could correctly diagnose and treat these diseases, and understand and implement standardized outpatient management on the basis of evidence.