Background Prenatal chronic psychological stress may increase the risk of allergic diseases in children, and eczema is the most common allergic disease in children, the pathogenesis of which is not yet fully understood. Objective To preliminarily clarify the changes in offspring intestinal flora after chronic stress exposure during pregnancy in rats that increases offspring immune imbalance and eczema susceptibility. Methods Thirty SPF-grade adult female SD rats were selected and randomly divided into a model group and a control group (n=15). Sixteen male rats were randomly divided into a model mating group and a control mating group (n=8). A 28-day chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model during pregnancy was established. On the 7th day of stress, male and female rats were caged in a ratio of 3:1. Blood samples were collected from female rats in each group via angular vein on the 1st day before stress, and on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days after stress. The content of plasma corticosterone during pregnancy was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the offspring rats, an eczema model was constructed using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The number of scratching times of the offspring rats within 5 min was recorded. The offspring rats were divided into 4 groups: DNCB-CUMS group (MM), DNCB-control group (MC), solvent control-CUMS group (CM), and blank control group (CC), with 8 rats in each group. The eczema was induced once every 3 days, and the induction period was 12 d. The expression level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the serum of offspring rats after the eczema induction experiment were determined by ELISA. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the serum were quantified by multi-parameter flow cytometry. The composition and abundance of intestinal microbiota in the feces of offspring rats were detected by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology. Results The plasma corticosterone concentrations in the model group were higher than those in the control group on the 7th and 21st days of stress (P<0.05). On the 14th and 21st days of stress, the 1% sucrose preference percentages of female rats in the model group were lower than that in the control group. On the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of stress, the horizontal movement scores of female rats in the model group and the vertical movement scores on the 7th and 14th days were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After 6, 9, and 12 d of model building, the scratching frequencies in the MC group and MM group were significantly higher than those in the CC group and CM group (P<0.05). Moreover, there were differences in the contents of cytokines including IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, and IgE among the offspring rat groups (P<0.05). The CM group and MM group led to an increase in the contents of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, and IgE cytokines (P<0.05), while the MM group caused a decrease in the contents of IFN-γ and IL-2 (P<0.05). After the eczema induction experiment, the α-diversity analysis showed that the Simpson index and Shannon index in the CM were higher than those in the CC (P<0.05), indicating that CUMS during the pregnancy of female rats could increase the species abundance of their offspring. The abundances of Prevotella and Lactobacillus in the CM group decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Intestinal dysbiosis in offspring due to chronic prenatal psychological stress, which may be one of the mechanisms linking maternal stress to immune imbalance and increased susceptibility to eczema in offspring.

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*

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

The National Health Commission of the People′s Republic of China has formulated the Quality Control Indexes for Oncology (2023 edition), with the objective of improving medical quality scientifically, refined and standardized. Among these indexes, the rate of pretreatment clinical TNM staging and the coincidence rate of evaluation of pretreatment TNM staging lay national standards for patients to formulate rational and targeted treatment strategies. This article reviewed the literature and referred to Chinese Medical Association Clinical Practice Guide for Breast Surgery, and presented recommendations for the hot topics of breast surgery, such as pathological sampling of the breast specimen, sentinel lymph node biopsy for early-stage breast cancer, breast conserving surgery, axillary lymph node dissection, breast reconstruction surgery, endoscopic-assisted breast surgery, the principles of surgical treatment for metastatic breast cancer, neoadjuvant treatment for advanced disease, and surgical grade of breast surgery, which have been widely concerned in recent years, to help improve homogenization of breast cancer treatment in China.

The surveillance data of new cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2021, in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province, were used to analyze the incidence rate of AMI and its change trend among residents. The age and gender standardized incidence rate was calculated based on the 7th National Population Census 2020. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyze the trend of onset time and age. From 2013 to 2021, the crude and standardized incidence rate of total AMI in Tengzhou City declined from 130.07/100 000 and 161.12/100 000 to 76.15/100 000 and 72.77/100 000 ( Z=-13.785 and -20.822, both P<0.001). The crude and standardized incidence rates of males were higher than those of females. In 2016, males aged 45-54 years old and females aged 35-64 years old increased by 33.33%, 103.65%, 106.30%, and 95.75% compared to 2015, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=6.512, 4.965, 25.115, and 46.004, all P<0.05). The incidence rate of AMI in men aged<35 and 35-44 years old had an upward trend. From 2013 to 2021, the incidence rate of AMI decreased by 55.15% in urban areas and 36.59% in rural areas ( Z=-8.529 and -11.235, both P<0.001).

The surveillance data of new cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2021, in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province, were used to analyze the incidence rate of AMI and its change trend among residents. The age and gender standardized incidence rate was calculated based on the 7th National Population Census 2020. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyze the trend of onset time and age. From 2013 to 2021, the crude and standardized incidence rate of total AMI in Tengzhou City declined from 130.07/100 000 and 161.12/100 000 to 76.15/100 000 and 72.77/100 000 ( Z=-13.785 and -20.822, both P<0.001). The crude and standardized incidence rates of males were higher than those of females. In 2016, males aged 45-54 years old and females aged 35-64 years old increased by 33.33%, 103.65%, 106.30%, and 95.75% compared to 2015, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=6.512, 4.965, 25.115, and 46.004, all P<0.05). The incidence rate of AMI in men aged<35 and 35-44 years old had an upward trend. From 2013 to 2021, the incidence rate of AMI decreased by 55.15% in urban areas and 36.59% in rural areas ( Z=-8.529 and -11.235, both P<0.001).

The National Health Commission of the People′s Republic of China has formulated the Quality Control Indexes for Oncology (2023 edition), with the objective of improving medical quality scientifically, refined and standardized. Among these indexes, the rate of pretreatment clinical TNM staging and the coincidence rate of evaluation of pretreatment TNM staging lay national standards for patients to formulate rational and targeted treatment strategies. This article reviewed the literature and referred to Chinese Medical Association Clinical Practice Guide for Breast Surgery, and presented recommendations for the hot topics of breast surgery, such as pathological sampling of the breast specimen, sentinel lymph node biopsy for early-stage breast cancer, breast conserving surgery, axillary lymph node dissection, breast reconstruction surgery, endoscopic-assisted breast surgery, the principles of surgical treatment for metastatic breast cancer, neoadjuvant treatment for advanced disease, and surgical grade of breast surgery, which have been widely concerned in recent years, to help improve homogenization of breast cancer treatment in China.

Objective:To analyze the trends of coronary heart disease mortality in Tengzhou city of Shandong province from 2013 to 2021.Methods:The data of coronary heart disease (ICD-10: I20-I25) from January 2013 to December 2021 were obtained from the Chronic Disease Surveillance Information System-Coronary Heart Disease Management Module of Shandong province; the population data were provided by Tengzhou Public Security Bureau. The 95% confidence interval ( CI) of the rate was calculated using the binomial exact method. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) was calculated based on 2020 National Population Census. The trends of mortality rate were analyzed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Results:During 2013 to 2021, there were 20 667 coronary heart disease deaths in Tengzhou city, with an average of 2 296 cases per year. The male-to-female ratio was 1.09∶1, and 80.98% (16 736/20 667) of the death cases were aged 65 years or older. The crude mortality rate and ASMR of coronary heart disease were 131.84/10 5 and 168.22/10 5 in 2013, respectively. The crude mortality rate increased by 13.67% from 2013 to 2021 ( P<0.001) with an average annual increase of 1.59%; while the ASMR decreased by 18.65% from 2013 to 2021 ( P<0.05) with an average annual decease of 2.34%. The crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in men and women showed an upward trend, with the difference in the increase for women being statistically significant ( P<0.01); while the ASMR both in men and women showed a downward trend ( P<0.001). The crude death rates from 2013 to 2021 in age groups of 65 or older for men and women decreased by 22.40% and 19.73%, respectively (both P<0.001); while the crude death rate for age groups of 44 or younger in men showed an upward trend ( P<0.05). The crude death rate among urban residents decreased by 5.22% from 2013 to 2021 with an annual decrease of 0.67% ( P>0.05); while the crude death rate among rural residents increased by 19.29% with an annual increase of 2.18% ( P<0.001). The overall crude death rate among urban residents was higher than that among rural residents (all P<0.05). Conclusions:From 2013 to 2021, the crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in Tengzhou city of Shandong province shows an increasing trend while the age-standardized mortality rate shows a decreasing trend. The crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in people aged 65 and above shows a decreasing trend. In addition, the change trends are different between women and men, and between urban and rural areas.