Objective To explore the efficacy of Yishen Yangyin Gujing Prescription[derived from Zuogui Wan(Bolus for Replenishing Kidney-Yin)]for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)with qi and yin deficiency syndrome,and to observe its effects on inflammatory responses,pancreatic β-cell function and renal function.Methods A total of 162 T2DM patients with diabetic nephropathy of qi and yin deficiency syndrome who admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to July 2023 were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 81 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional western medicine treatment for lowering blood pressure and renal protection,while the observation group was treated with Yishen Yangyin Gujing Prescription on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 12 weeks.Before and after the treatment,the changes in the outcomes of the two groups were observed,and the outcomes included the total scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome,insulin sensitivity index,insulin secretion index,24-h urine total protein quantification(24hUTP),and serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),fasting insulin(FINS),fasting blood glucose(FBG),serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),NLRP3 inflammasome,interleukin 6(IL-6),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups of patients was compared.Results(1)After 12-week treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 93.83%(76/81),and that of the control group was 83.95%(68/81).The intergroup comparison showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(χ2=9.163,P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the insulin sensitivity index and insulin secretion index in the two groups of patients were increased(P<0.05)and the total scores of TCM syndromes were decreased(P<0.05)when compared with those before treatment,and the increase of insulin sensitivity index and insulin secretion index as well as the decrease of the total scores of TCM syndrome in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the serum levels of HbA1c,FINS,FBG,SCr,BUN and 24hUTP in the two groups of patients were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of the above indicators in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the serum TGF-β1,IL-6,and NLRP3 inflammasome levels in the two groups of patients were decreased(P<0.05)and the serum S1P and SOD levels were increased(P<0.05)when compared with those before treatment,and the decrease of serum TGF-β1,IL-6,and NLRP3 inflammasome levels as well as the increase of serum S1P and SOD levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion For T2DM patients with diabetic nephropathy of qi and yin deficiency syndrome,the combined use of western medicine and Yishen Yangyin Gujing Prescription treatment is helpful to alleviate inflammatory response,improve the function of pancreatic β-cells,regulate the blood glucose level,improve renal function,and enhance the clinical efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

HDAC7, a member of class IIa HDACs, plays a pivotal regulatory role in tumor, immune, fibrosis, and angiogenesis, rendering it a potential therapeutic target. Nevertheless, due to the high similarity in the enzyme active sites of class IIa HDACs, inhibitors encounter challenges in discerning differences among them. Furthermore, the substitution of key residue in the active pocket of class IIa HDACs renders them pseudo-enzymes, leading to a limited impact of enzymatic inhibitors on their function. In this study, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology was employed to develop HDAC7 drugs. We developed an exceedingly selective HDAC7 PROTAC degrader B14 which showcased superior inhibitory effects on cell proliferation compared to TMP269 in various diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Subsequent investigations unveiled that B14 disrupts BCL6 forming a transcriptional inhibition complex by degrading HDAC7, thereby exerting proliferative inhibition in DLBCL. Our study broadened the understanding of the non-enzymatic functions of HDAC7 and underscored the importance of HDAC7 in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, particularly in DLBCL and AML.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between methylation levels of tumor suppressing subtransferable candidate 1 (TSSC1) and melanophilin (MLPH) genes in peripheral blood and coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese population. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in 86 CHD patients and 95 healthy individuals, whose methylation levels of TSSC1 and MLPH genes in peripheral blood were determined using mass spectrometry. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the methylation levels in different subgroups. The correlation of TSSC1 and MLPH gene methylation levels with age and gender were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficient and contingency coefficient, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy individuals, the CHD patients showed a significant correlation between MLPH hypermethylation and myocardial infarction (MI) (MLPH_CpG_2.7: P=0.045; MLPH_CpG_3/cg06639874: P=0.049; MLPH_CpG_5: P=0.019), and this correlation was even stronger in individuals below 65 years of age (MLPH_CpG_2.7: P=0.014; MLPH_CpG_4: P=0.001) and in male subjects (MLPH_CpG_2.7: P=0.004; MLPH_CpG_3/cg06639874: P=0.044). The methylation level of TSSC1 gene in peripheral blood was not found to correlate with CHD or its subtypes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a correlation of MLPH hypermethylation in peripheral blood with CHD and MI in Chinese population, especially in individuals below 65 years and in male individuals.
Humans ; DNA Methylation ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Aged ; Coronary Disease/blood* ; Adult ; CpG Islands

OBJECTIVE To investigate the distribution of pathogenic bacteria,imaging manifestations on single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography(SPECT/CT)and the role of Wnt/β-catenin path-way in upper urinary tract infections.METHODS From Jan.2021 to Jan.2024,53 patients with upper urinary tract infection and 53 urinary calculi patients without upper urinary tract infections who had urinary system stones were selected from the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University as the infected group and the non-infected group,respectively.The distribution of pathogens in the infected group,SPECT/CT imaging manifestations and SPECT/CT imaging manifestations after 7 days of anti-infective treatment were statistically analyzed and com-pared.The levels of Wnt-1 andβ-catenin in both groups and the infection group before and after 3 and 7 days of an-ti-infective treatment were compared.The diagnostic values of Wnt-1 andβ-catenin for urinary calculi complicated with upper urinary tract infection were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 53 strains were yielded from the middle-seg-ment urine of the infection group,predominantly gram-negative bacteria.SPECT/CT imaging showed small nodu-lar dense shadows were in the upper segment of left ureter,the upper segment of the ureter,renal pelvis and calyx dilated,and visible striated shadows were around the kidney after 7 days of anti-infective treatment,the cystic low-density shadow under the left renal capsule was basically absorbed,the perirenal strip shadow slightly re-duced,but the perinephric fascia remained thickened,and the surrounding fat space was blurred.Wnt-1 and β-catenin levels elevated in the infection group compared with the non-infection group(P<0.05).The area under the curveof combined detection of Wnt-1 andβ-catenin was 0.907.CONCLUSIONS Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogens causing upper urinary tract infections in patients with urinary calculi.SPECT/CT imaging shows inflammatory changes,and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is activated.The combination of Wnt-1 andβ-catenin has high diagnostic value.After anti-infective treatment,the inflammation showed on SPECT/CT imaging improves and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is inhibited.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT)and Graves disease(GD),two autoimmune thyroid diseases aged 10-59 in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024,and to provide scientific basis for making targeted prevention and treatment measures.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was adopted,based on the data of the Regional Health Information Platform in Qingdao,the con-firmed cases of HT and GD from 2022 to 2024 were included,and combined with the data of the seventh population census,the three-year and annual prevalence rates of HT and GD were calculated,and the time trend of annual prevalence was analyzed by Cochran-Armitage trend test.The distribution characte-ristics of HT and GD prevalence in different age groups and regions were analyzed,and Chi-square test was used to compare the differences between the groups.Results:The total number of HT patients among women aged 10-59 in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024 was 40 362.The proportion of HT patients in 30-34 years old was the highest(19.83％).The proportion of HT patients in Huangdao District was the highest(17.72％).The three-year prevalence of HT was 1 206.53/100 000.In 2022-2024,the annual prevalence of HT increased significantly(P＜0.001),from 385.32/100 000 in 2022 to 1 206.32/100 000 in 2024.The three-year prevalence of HT was significantly different in age distribution(P＜0.001).The three-year prevalence of HT in 25-29 years(2 354.44/100 000)and 35-39 years(2 022.20/100 000)was higher than that in other age groups,showing a bimodal distribution.There were significant differences in the three-year prevalence of HT in different regions(P＜0.001),among which the three-year prevalence of HT in Shinan District was the highest(2 392.90/100 000),followed by Licang Dis-trict(1 492.41/100 000),and Laixi City was the lowest(659.940/100 000).The total number of GD patients was 2 095,among which the proportion of GD patients in the 35-39 age group was the highest(15.42％),and the proportion of GD patients from Jimo District was the highest(12.27％).From 2022 to 2024,the three-year prevalence rate of GD was 62.63/100 000,and the annual prevalence rate of GD showed an increasing trend(P＜0.001),from 20.33/100 000 in 2022 to 62.63/100 000 in 2024.There were significant differences in the prevalence of GD by age(P＜0.001).The three-year prevalence of GD reached the highest value in the 25-29 age group(98.90/100 000),followed by the 35-39 age group(85.21/100 000),and the lowest in the 10-14 age group(14.43/100 000).In the regional distribution,there were significant differences in the 3-year prevalence of GD(P＜0.001).Laoshan District had the highest three-year prevalence of GD(107.58/100 000),followed by Shinan District(97.83/100 000)and Huangdao District(28.92/100 000).Conclusion:The three-year pre-valence of HT and GD in females aged 10-59 years in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024 is low,but the annual prevalence is on the rise,and the three-year prevalence of HT and GD in females aged 25-39 years is higher than that in other age groups,so it is necessary to strengthen the screening and monitoring of this population.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum IL-8,homocysteine(Hey),C-reactive protein(CRP)levels and severity of coronary lesions in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)complicated by chronic heart failure(CHF),as well as their prognostic value.Methods A total of 118 elderly eligible patients admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to September 2024 were prospectively recruited,and according to their Gensini score,they were divided into mild,moderate and severe stenosis groups(45,50 and 23 cases,respectively).Accord-ing to the clinical outcomes after follow-up,they were divided into a good prognosis group(82 cases)and a poor prognosis group(36 cases).The serum levels of IL-8,Hcy and CRP were com-pared among the three groups of different stenosis,and Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between the three indicators and the severity of coronary lesions.Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing poor prognosis in patients with CHD and CHF,and receiver ROC curve analysis was conducted to assess the diagnostic value of serum IL-8,Hey,and CRP levels in predicting prognosis.Results The serum levels of IL-8,Hey and CRP were gradually decreased in the severe,moderate and mild stenosis groups in turn,with statistical significances(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis indicated that serum IL-8,Hcy,and CRP levels were positively correlated with the severity of coronary lesions in the patients with CHD and CHF(r=0.364,0.355,0.372,P＜0.01).Significant differences were found in age,NT-proBNP,D-D,IL-8,Hcy,and CRP levels between the good and poor prognosis groups(P＜0.05).Cox regression analysis revealed that age,NT-proBNP,D-D,IL-8,Hcy,and CRP were influencing factors for poor prognosis in patients with CHD and CHF(P＜0.05).ROC curve ana-lysis showed that the AUC value of IL-8,Hey,CRP,and their combination in predicting prognosis was 0.698,0.714,0.723 and 0.899,respectively.Conclusion In the patients with CHD and CHF,serum IL-8,Hcy,and CRP levels are associated with the severity of coronary lesion and prognosis.Moreover,combining these three indicators has significant diagnostic value for predicting patient outcomes.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)is the main cause of diarrhea in piglets,which seriously threatens the development of animal husbandry.In order to effectively prevent and con-trol piglet diarrhea,the neutralizing epitopes of the screened K88(FTDYEGASVELRKPDGGT-NK),K99(NVGNGSGGANIN),987P(LAAPAENNTSQAN),F41(VMAADWTEGQPGDII)and F18(PPNAQTYPLSSGDLK)ETEC adhesins were assembled to construct the multi-epitope fusion antigen(MEFA),whose immunogenicity was verified by in silico simulations and in vitro.The computer simulation results showed that MEFA has excellent physicochemical properties and reasonable prediction results of secondary and tertiary structures and exhibits strong interaction force when docking with toll-like receptor 3,and the kinetic simulation shows that it can be stably presented.In vitro validation results showed that anti-K88,K99,987P,F18 and F41 IgY could spe-cifically recognize MEFA proteins.After immunization of laying hens with MEFA,the titers of IgY antibodies against the five ETEC were higher than those of non-specific IgY.In addition,specific anti-MEFA IgY significantly inhibited the adhesion of K88,K99,987P,F41 and F18 ETEC strains to piglet intestinal IPEC-J2 cell lines.These results indicate that MEFA has strong immunogenicity and can be used as an ideal vaccine candidate for the prevention of K88,K99,987P,F41 and F18 ETEC infection,and provide reference and technical support for the development of multivalent broad-spectrum ETEC vaccine candidates.

Objective:This article introduces a novel technique for totally laparoscopic, right thoracic approach, esophagojejunostomy for digestive tract reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction who successfully underwent totally laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy via the right thoracic approach at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between February 2022 and March 2022.The surgical procedure was performed as follows:(1)Following total laparoscopic resection of the gastric tumor and lymph node dissection, the specimen was transected distal to the tumor margin. The specimen was then placed into a retrieval bag and extracted through the umbilical observation port.(2)Dissection was continued through the esophageal hiatus to mobilize the esophagus. The tumor-bearing tissue, along with the esophagus, was delivered into the thoracic cavity via the esophageal hiatus.(3)The jejunum was transected 20 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz. The distal Jejunum was mobilized for 15-20 cm and subsequently delivered into the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus.(4)A Roux-en-Y jejunojejunostomy was constructed 45-50 cm distal to the cut end of the distal jejunal limb; the mesenteric defect was closed, and the duodenal stump was reinforced.(5)The patient was repositioned into the left lateral decubitus position. Port placement was established as follows: the observation port at the 7th intercostal space (ICS) in the right midaxillary line, the main operating port at the 4th ICS in the anterior axillary line, and the assistant operating port at the 9th ICS in the scapular line.(6)The main operating port incision was enlarged. Using a purse-string instrument, the esophagus was clamped and transected at least 5 cm proximal to the upper tumor margin, and the specimen was removed. (7)The distal jejunum was delivered into the thoracic cavity via the esophageal hiatus. Under total laparoscopic visualization, esophagojejunostomy was completed.Results:Both patients who underwent totally laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy via the right thoracic cavity successfully completed the procedure without conversion to laparotomy, unplanned reoperation, or any intraoperative/postoperative complications. The patients recovered well postoperatively, with no evidence of abdominal or thoracic hemorrhage. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest and abdomen confirmed the absence of anastomotic leakage or other related complications.Conclusions:The esophagojejunostomy was performed totally laparoscopically via the right thoracic cavity. This approach overcomes the drawback of significant trauma associated with open surgery while ensuring safe esophageal resection margins and thorough lymph node dissection. This technique offers advantages including minimal invasiveness, accelerated postoperative recovery, and a reduced incidence of reflux esophagitis. To our knowledge, no similar method of digestive tract reconstruction has been reported in the literature. Its novelty and clinical potential may offer new therapeutic options for patients with Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG).

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT)and Graves disease(GD),two autoimmune thyroid diseases aged 10-59 in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024,and to provide scientific basis for making targeted prevention and treatment measures.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was adopted,based on the data of the Regional Health Information Platform in Qingdao,the con-firmed cases of HT and GD from 2022 to 2024 were included,and combined with the data of the seventh population census,the three-year and annual prevalence rates of HT and GD were calculated,and the time trend of annual prevalence was analyzed by Cochran-Armitage trend test.The distribution characte-ristics of HT and GD prevalence in different age groups and regions were analyzed,and Chi-square test was used to compare the differences between the groups.Results:The total number of HT patients among women aged 10-59 in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024 was 40 362.The proportion of HT patients in 30-34 years old was the highest(19.83％).The proportion of HT patients in Huangdao District was the highest(17.72％).The three-year prevalence of HT was 1 206.53/100 000.In 2022-2024,the annual prevalence of HT increased significantly(P＜0.001),from 385.32/100 000 in 2022 to 1 206.32/100 000 in 2024.The three-year prevalence of HT was significantly different in age distribution(P＜0.001).The three-year prevalence of HT in 25-29 years(2 354.44/100 000)and 35-39 years(2 022.20/100 000)was higher than that in other age groups,showing a bimodal distribution.There were significant differences in the three-year prevalence of HT in different regions(P＜0.001),among which the three-year prevalence of HT in Shinan District was the highest(2 392.90/100 000),followed by Licang Dis-trict(1 492.41/100 000),and Laixi City was the lowest(659.940/100 000).The total number of GD patients was 2 095,among which the proportion of GD patients in the 35-39 age group was the highest(15.42％),and the proportion of GD patients from Jimo District was the highest(12.27％).From 2022 to 2024,the three-year prevalence rate of GD was 62.63/100 000,and the annual prevalence rate of GD showed an increasing trend(P＜0.001),from 20.33/100 000 in 2022 to 62.63/100 000 in 2024.There were significant differences in the prevalence of GD by age(P＜0.001).The three-year prevalence of GD reached the highest value in the 25-29 age group(98.90/100 000),followed by the 35-39 age group(85.21/100 000),and the lowest in the 10-14 age group(14.43/100 000).In the regional distribution,there were significant differences in the 3-year prevalence of GD(P＜0.001).Laoshan District had the highest three-year prevalence of GD(107.58/100 000),followed by Shinan District(97.83/100 000)and Huangdao District(28.92/100 000).Conclusion:The three-year pre-valence of HT and GD in females aged 10-59 years in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024 is low,but the annual prevalence is on the rise,and the three-year prevalence of HT and GD in females aged 25-39 years is higher than that in other age groups,so it is necessary to strengthen the screening and monitoring of this population.