OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on central insulin resistance related proteins of the rats suffering from diabetic cognitive decline, and analyze the underlying mechanism of moxibustion for cognition improvement. METHODS: Using the intraperitoneal injection of STZ combined with a high-fat diet, the rat model of diabetic cognitive decline were prepared. Twenty successfully-modeled rats were assigned randomly into a model group and a moxibustion group, 10 rats in each one. Besides, a blank group was set up with 10 rats collected. In the moxibustion group, suspending moxibustion was applied to "Baihui" (GV20), "Shenting" (GV24) and "Dazhui" (GV14) at the same time, 20 min in each intervention, once a day, and 6 interventions were delivered weekly and the duration of treatment was consecutive 4 weeks. The random blood glucose was measured using glucometer, and the learning-memory ability was detected by water maze test. HE staining was used to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal tissue, real-time PCR assay was to detect mRNA expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) in the hippocampal tissue. The Western blot method was employed to detect the protein expression of IRS1, PI3K, AKT, phosphorylated IRS1 (p-IRS1), phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) in the hippocampal tissue, and the ratio of p-IRS1/IRS1, p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT was calculated separately. The immunofluorescence intensity of p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT was measured using immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the rats of the model group exhibited higher random blood glucose (P<0.001), longer escape latency (P<0.001), severe pathological damage in the hippocampus, lower mRNA expression of IRS1, PI3K, and AKT (P<0.001), reduced ratio of p-IRS1/IRS1, p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT (P<0.001), and declined immunofluorescence intensity of p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in the hippocampal tissue (P<0.001). In comparison with the model group, for the rats of the moxibustion group, the random blood glucose decreased (P<0.05), the escape latency was shortened (P<0.01), the hippocampal pathological damage was attenuated, the mRNA expression of IRS1, PI3K and AKT increased (P<0.01), the ratio of p-IRS1/IRS1, p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the immunofluorescence intensity of p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in the hippocampal tissue was strengthened (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION In diabetic rats experiencing cognitive decline, moxibustion can enhance the learning-memory ability, which may be attributed to modulating the protein expression of IRS1, PI3K, and AKT, and their phosphorylation, activating insulin signal transduction, and reducing central insulin resistance.
Animals ; Moxibustion ; Insulin Resistance ; Rats ; Male ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/genetics* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/therapy* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures on cognitive function and blood glucose levels in patients with cognitive impairment associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 66 T2DM patients with cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to a high-temperature group (22 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was eliminated), a medium-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated), and a low-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated). All groups received moxibustion at Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), and Shenting (GV24) based on their existing glycemic control treatment. Moxibustion temperatures were maintained at 44-46 ℃ (high-temperature group), 41-43 ℃ (medium-temperature group), and 38-40 ℃ (low-temperature group), respectively, for 20 min per session, every other day, 3 times a week for 3 months. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, short-term memory (STM) accuracy and average reaction time, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) score, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, MMSE scores in all three groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). In the high-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, naming, language, and abstraction were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the scores of ROCF copy, immediate recall, and delayed recall were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the HbA1c level was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). In the medium-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of memory and delayed recall, attention, and language were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). STM accuracy was higher than before treatment (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than before treatment (P<0.05) in both the high-temperature and medium-temperature groups. After treatment, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, and language in the high-temperature group were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); MMSE score, STM accuracy, and ROCF immediate recall and delayed recall scores were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); HbA1c level was lower than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). The total MoCA score, attention score, and MMSE score in the medium-temperature group were higher than those in the low-temperature group (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in FPG within or between the three groups before and after treatment (P>0.05). The total effective rates were 75.0% (15/20) in the high-temperature group, 50.0% (10/20) in the medium-temperature group, and 15.0% (3/20) in the low-temperature group; the total effective rate in the high-temperature group was significantly higher than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at different temperatures has a dose-effect relationship in treating cognitive impairment in T2DM patients. A temperature range of 44-46 ℃ is more effective in improving cognitive function and stabilizing average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Moxibustion ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology* ; Cognition ; Temperature ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Huayu Tongluo (transforming stasis and unblocking collaterals) moxibustion on cognitive function and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cognitive decline. METHODS: Ninety patients with T2DM and cognitive decline were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (n=45, 3 cases dropped out, 2 cases were eliminated) and a waiting moxibustion group (n=45, 2 cases dropped out). Both groups received routine hypoglycemic treatment for 12 weeks. The moxibustion group additionally received Huayu Tongluo moxibustion at Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), and Dazhui (GV14). Pressing moxibustion was applied to Baihui (GV20) for 20 min, while suspended moxibustion was applied to Shenting (GV24) and Dazhui (GV14) for 20 min each. Treatments of moxibustion were administered every other day (three times per week) for 12 weeks. All patients were followed up for 12 weeks, during which their original hypoglycemic medication regimen was maintained. Before treatment, after 12 weeks of treatment, and at the 12-week follow-up, the scores of Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Addenbrooke's cognitive examination Ⅲ (ACE-Ⅲ), symbol digit modalities test (SDMT), and Athens insomnia scale (AIS) and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with before treatment, the MoCA scores, MMSE scores, ACE-Ⅲ subscale scores (attention, memory, language fluency, language, visuospatial ability) and total scores, and SDMT scores were increased (P<0.01), while the AIS scores were decreased (P<0.05) in the moxibustion group after treatment and at follow-up. Compared with before treatment, the MMSE score, ACE-Ⅲ subscale scores (memory, attention) and total score after treatment, as well as the ACE-Ⅲ subscale scores (language, memory, attention) and total score, and SDMT score at follow-up were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the waiting moxibustion group. Compared with before treatment, HOMA-IR was decreased in both groups after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.01). At follow-up, ACE-Ⅲ subscale scores (attention, memory), and the total score in the moxibustion group were lower than those after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the ACE-Ⅲ language subscale score, total ACE-Ⅲ score, and SDMT score in the waiting moxibustion group were higher than those after treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment and at follow-up, compared with the waiting moxibustion group, the moxibustion group had higher MoCA scores, MMSE scores, SDMT scores, ACE-Ⅲ subscale scores (attention, memory, language fluency) and total scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lower HOMA-IR (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Huayu Tongluo moxibustion can effectively improve cognitive function in patients with T2DM and cognitive decline. This improvement may be associated with the reduction in insulin resistance.
Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Moxibustion ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cognition ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Cognitive Dysfunction/therapy*

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) initiated within 24 h after heart transplantation in pediatric patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 16 pediatric heart transplant recipients at the Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were collected, including demographics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes. Based on the timing of EN initiation, the patients were divided into EN-initiated within 24 h and EN-initiated after 24 h 2 groups. Demographic data, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters, and cytokine levels were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:The cohort comprised 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with an age of (12.5±1.9) years. The EN-initiated within 24 h group comprised 6 cases, and the EN-initiated after 24 h group comprised 10 cases. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in age, preoperative body mass index Z-score, preoperative ECMO support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters (total protein, albumin, hemoglobin), or cytokine levels (all P>0.05). Compared to the EN-initiated after 24 h group, the EN-initiated within 24 h group exhibited a shorter intensive care unit stay ( t=2.65, P<0.05) and shorter mechanical ventilation duration ( t=2.23, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Total hospitalization length had no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 72 h post-transplant, the EN-initiated within 24 h group had a lower interleukin-12 P70 ( t=2.46, P<0.05) and interferon-γ levels ( t=2.55, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Prior to discharge, the EN-initiated within 24 h group has a lower mean skinfold thickness ( t=2.49, P<0.05) and lower mid-upper arm circumference ( t=2.36, P<0.05) compared with the EN-initiated after 24 h group. Conclusions:Initiating EN within 24 h postoperatively is safe and feasible in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Early EN may shorten the length of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation while attenuating postoperative release of inflammatory cytokine.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of cold and dampness obstruction syndrome under real world based on clinical medical record information system.Methods Medical history,symptoms and medication information of hospitalized patients with rheumatoid arthritis of cold and dampness obstruction syndrome in the Department of Rheumatology,First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were collected from January 2020 to March 2024.According to whether to use Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules,patients were divided into treatment group(304 cases)and control group(378 cases).A database was established after improving the information and indicators of two groups of patients.TCM syndrome scores,disease activity scores and laboratory indicators of both groups were compared.Results Compared with before treatment,TCM syndrome score(severe joint pain,morning stiffness,swelling,worsening pain when encountering cold,poor joint flexion and extension,eating less and eating more,lack of breath and lazy speech,weak mouth and thirst,heavy head and body fatigue,loose stools and fatigue)in the treatment group significantly decreased after treatment(P<0.05),the disease activity score,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),rheumatoid factor(RF),complement(C3,C4),immunoglobulin(Ig)G,IgM,anti cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(anti CCP antibody),thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),anti thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb),and anti thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb)were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and free triiodothyronine(FT3)and free tetraiodothyronine(FT4)increased(P<0.05);after treatment,TCM syndrome score(severe joint pain,morning stiffness,swelling,fatigue and weakness)in the control group significantly decreased,and the disease activity score,ESR,hs-CRP,RF,the levels of anti CCP antibodies,TGAb,and TPOAb were significantly reduced(P<0.05);compared with the control group after treatment,TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group showed more significant improvement(P<0.05)in terms of joint morning stiffness,swelling,poor flexion and extension,exacerbation of cold exposure,eating less and eating more,lack of breath and speech,weak and dry mouth,heavy head and body fatigue and fatigue.Disease activity score,ESR,hs-CRP,RF,the levels of anti CCP antibodies,C3,IgG,TSH and TPOAb decreased more significantly,while FT3 and FT4 increased more significantly(P<0.05);both groups had normal blood routine and liver and kidney function before and after treatment,with no significant difference(P>0.05).According to the analysis of association rules,after using Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules,there was a significant improvement in ESR,hs-CRP,RF,C3,IgG,TSH,FT4 and TPOAb indicators,with a degree of improvement greater than 1,indicating a strong association.Conclusion Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules can effectively improve the cold and dampness obstruction syndrome and spleen deficiency dampness excess syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis cold dampness obstruction syndrome,reduce disease activity index and immune inflammatory indicators,and have a certain regulatory effect on thyroid immune dysfunction and the clinical application has good safety.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of cold and dampness obstruction syndrome under real world based on clinical medical record information system.Methods Medical history,symptoms and medication information of hospitalized patients with rheumatoid arthritis of cold and dampness obstruction syndrome in the Department of Rheumatology,First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were collected from January 2020 to March 2024.According to whether to use Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules,patients were divided into treatment group(304 cases)and control group(378 cases).A database was established after improving the information and indicators of two groups of patients.TCM syndrome scores,disease activity scores and laboratory indicators of both groups were compared.Results Compared with before treatment,TCM syndrome score(severe joint pain,morning stiffness,swelling,worsening pain when encountering cold,poor joint flexion and extension,eating less and eating more,lack of breath and lazy speech,weak mouth and thirst,heavy head and body fatigue,loose stools and fatigue)in the treatment group significantly decreased after treatment(P<0.05),the disease activity score,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),rheumatoid factor(RF),complement(C3,C4),immunoglobulin(Ig)G,IgM,anti cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(anti CCP antibody),thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),anti thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb),and anti thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb)were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and free triiodothyronine(FT3)and free tetraiodothyronine(FT4)increased(P<0.05);after treatment,TCM syndrome score(severe joint pain,morning stiffness,swelling,fatigue and weakness)in the control group significantly decreased,and the disease activity score,ESR,hs-CRP,RF,the levels of anti CCP antibodies,TGAb,and TPOAb were significantly reduced(P<0.05);compared with the control group after treatment,TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group showed more significant improvement(P<0.05)in terms of joint morning stiffness,swelling,poor flexion and extension,exacerbation of cold exposure,eating less and eating more,lack of breath and speech,weak and dry mouth,heavy head and body fatigue and fatigue.Disease activity score,ESR,hs-CRP,RF,the levels of anti CCP antibodies,C3,IgG,TSH and TPOAb decreased more significantly,while FT3 and FT4 increased more significantly(P<0.05);both groups had normal blood routine and liver and kidney function before and after treatment,with no significant difference(P>0.05).According to the analysis of association rules,after using Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules,there was a significant improvement in ESR,hs-CRP,RF,C3,IgG,TSH,FT4 and TPOAb indicators,with a degree of improvement greater than 1,indicating a strong association.Conclusion Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules can effectively improve the cold and dampness obstruction syndrome and spleen deficiency dampness excess syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis cold dampness obstruction syndrome,reduce disease activity index and immune inflammatory indicators,and have a certain regulatory effect on thyroid immune dysfunction and the clinical application has good safety.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) initiated within 24 h after heart transplantation in pediatric patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 16 pediatric heart transplant recipients at the Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were collected, including demographics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes. Based on the timing of EN initiation, the patients were divided into EN-initiated within 24 h and EN-initiated after 24 h 2 groups. Demographic data, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters, and cytokine levels were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:The cohort comprised 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with an age of (12.5±1.9) years. The EN-initiated within 24 h group comprised 6 cases, and the EN-initiated after 24 h group comprised 10 cases. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in age, preoperative body mass index Z-score, preoperative ECMO support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters (total protein, albumin, hemoglobin), or cytokine levels (all P>0.05). Compared to the EN-initiated after 24 h group, the EN-initiated within 24 h group exhibited a shorter intensive care unit stay ( t=2.65, P<0.05) and shorter mechanical ventilation duration ( t=2.23, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Total hospitalization length had no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 72 h post-transplant, the EN-initiated within 24 h group had a lower interleukin-12 P70 ( t=2.46, P<0.05) and interferon-γ levels ( t=2.55, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Prior to discharge, the EN-initiated within 24 h group has a lower mean skinfold thickness ( t=2.49, P<0.05) and lower mid-upper arm circumference ( t=2.36, P<0.05) compared with the EN-initiated after 24 h group. Conclusions:Initiating EN within 24 h postoperatively is safe and feasible in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Early EN may shorten the length of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation while attenuating postoperative release of inflammatory cytokine.

Objective:To analyze the clinical outcome of vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) combined with insulin resistance (IR) .Methods:A total of 257 PCOS infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET from Jan. 2018 to Dec. 2020 were included and retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into IR group (HOMA-IR≥2.5, 130 cases) and non-IR group (HOMA-IR<2.5, 127 cases) according to the level (median 2.5) of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) . The levels of basic sex hormones [follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) , luteinizing hormone (LH) , estradiol (E2) , testosterone (T) , progestational hormone (P) , anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) ] and numbers of basic sinus follicles, levels of blood glucose and insulin at 30min, 60min and 120min after glucose administration and fasting and proconceptive pregnancy outcome indicators[gonadotropin (Gn) use time and dose, number of eggs obtained, fertilization rate, high-quality embryonic rate, occurrence rate of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) , implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and pregnancy complications] were compared between the two groups. The influencing factors of clinical outcomes were analyzed by Logistic regression.Results:The levels of basic LH [ (8.86±1.60) mIU/ml vs (6.54±1.12) mIU/ml], T[ (63.20±7.47) ng/dl vs (52.11±5.69) ng/dl] in IR group was significantly higher than those in non-IR group ( P<0.05) . At different time-point, the levels of blood glucose and insulin in IR group were significantly higher than those in non-IR group ( P<0.05) . The Gn dose [ (1947.35±129.13) IU vs (1522.70±88.41) IU] and abortion rate [32.69% (17/52) vs 13.70% (10/73) ] in IR group was significantly higher than those in non-IR group ( P<0.05) , and the clinical pregnancy rate [40.00% (52/130) vs 57.48% (73/127) ] and live birth rate [51.92% (27/52) vs 72.60% (53/73) ] was significantly lower than those in non-IR group ( P<0.05) . Logistic regression analysis showed that age, BMI, basic LH, basic T and HOMA-IR was independent risk factors for clinical outcome of IVF/ICSI-ET in infertility patients with PCOS ( P<0.05) , and basic AMH and Gn dose were protective factors for clinical outcome ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:IR negatively affects the clinical outcome of IVF/ICSI-ET in infertile patients with PCOS, HOMA-IR is a risk factor for clinical outcomes, and IR should be evaluated in time for infertile patients with PCOS.

Professor's experience of diagnosis and treatment for intractable facial paralysis is introduced. Professorfocuses on the thinking model that combines TCM, western medicine and acupuncture, and adopts the differentiation system that combines disease differentiation, syndrome differentiation and meridian differentiation; he adopts the treatment integrates etiological treatment, overall regulation, symptomatic treatment as well as acupuncture, moxibustion, medication and flash cupping. The acupoints ofmeridians are mostly selected, and acupoints of governor vessel such as Dazhui (GV 14) and Jinsuo (GV 8) are highly valued. The multiple-needles shallow-penetration-insertion twirling lifting and thrusting technique are mostly adopted to achieve slow and mild acupuncture sensation; in addition, the facial muscles are pulled up with mechanics action. The intensive stimulation with electroacupuncture is recommended at Qianzheng (Extra), Yifeng (TE 17) and Yangbai (GB 14), which is given two or three treatments per week.

Objective To probe into the level and influencing factors of community stroke patients′health behaviors so as to provide evidence for health guidance of community stroke. Methods The health promoting lifestyle profile ( HPLPⅡ) and self-designed general information questionnaire were conducted in 200 stroke patients in the community in 2013 July to 2014 March, and the results of surveys had been analyzed. Results Stroke patients with HPLP Ⅱ score was (121. 43 ± 13. 71) score, and 74% patients had unhealthy lifestyle. The influencing factors of health behavior were gender, education background, income, BMI, smoking, regular diet and regular check-up. Conclusions Stroke patients were in poor health behavior level, so the medical care personnel should focus on patients with smoking, diet, not regular recheck and other bad habits according to different gender, education and income to promote their lifestyle.