BACKGROUND:Erythropoietin has anti-inflammatory,anti-apoptotic,and pro-bone defect repair effects.To date,fewer studies have been conducted on its effects and molecular mechanism underlying restorative dentin formation after pulp injury. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of erythropoietin on restorative dentin formation after pulp injury. METHODS:(1)Animal experiment:Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into control group(n=16)and experimental group(n=16).In the experimental group,collagen sponges containing erythropoietin were used to directly cap the pulp at the pulp injury,and in the control group,collagen sponges containing PBS were used to directly cap the pulp at the exposed pulp injury.The cavity was then closed with glass ionomer adhesive.After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment,the maxillary bones of the two groups were collected,and the expression of nestin in dentin was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the reparative dentin production was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The maxillae of four Sprague-Dawley rats were taken for immunohistochemical detection of erythropoietin expression in molar and incisor teeth.(2)Cell experiment:Human dental pulp cells,human periodontal ligament cells and human gingival fibroblasts were obtained from human dental tissue,periodontal ligament,and gingival tissue.Real-time reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR)was used to detect the mRNA expression of erythropoietin.Erythropoietin,dentin sialophosphoprotein,dentin matrix protein 1,and nestin mRNA levels in human pulp cells were detected by RT-PCR under induced or uninduced odontoblastic differentiation.After down-regulation of erythropoietin expression or exogenous administration of erythropoietin intervention under induced or uninduced differentiation odontoblastic differentiation,the relative mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein and dentin matrix protein 1 in human pulp cells was detected by RT-PCR,and the formation of mineralized nodules was detected by alizarin red S staining,and mRNA and protein expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 were detected by RT-PCR and western blot,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Animal experiment:Compared with the control group,the restorative dentin production and nestin expression were higher in the experimental group after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment.The expression of erythropoietin was weakly positive in pulp,odontoblastic cell layer and periodontal membrane of the rat's first maxillary molar,and strongly positive in odontoblasts.(2)Cell experiment:The mRNA expression of erythropoietin was higher in human dental pulp cells than in the other two types of cells.The mRNA expressions of dentin sialophosphorin,dentin matrix protein 1,nestin,erythropoietin and bone morphogenetic protein 2 in human pulp cells increased and the formation of mineralized nodules during odontoblastic differentiation under induction compared with non-induction conditions.The mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein,dentin matrix protein 1,nestin,bone morphogenetic protein 2 and the formation of mineralized nodules were decreased in human pulp cells after downregulation of erythropoietin under induced odontoblastic differentiation,and the protein expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 was also decreased.After exogenous erythropoietin intervention,the expression of the above indexes in human dental pulp cells increased.To conclude,erythropoietin can promote the formation of dentin to some extent.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in coagulation system in acute decompensated cirrhosis （ADC） patients with or without sepsis and the association of these changes with short-term prognosis. MethodsA prospective study was conducted among 116 ADC patients who were hospitalized in Nanfang Hospital from January 2021 to July 2023， among whom there were 86 patients with sepsis and 30 patients without sepsis， and 54 patients with sepsis alone who had no chronic liver disease were enrolled as control group. Thromboelastography （TEG） and other conventional coagulation parameters were used to comprehensively evaluate the coagulation function of patients. The data including TEG results and short-term prognosis were collected， and a correlation analysis was performed. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated to investigate the correlation between different variables. The Logistic regression model was used to perform the univariate and multivariate analyses. ResultsFor the ADC patients with sepsis， the lungs and bloodstream were the main infection sites， and bacteria were the main pathogenic microorganism. TEG results showed that compared with the patients with sepsis alone， the patients with ADC and sepsis had a significant reduction in median maximum amplitude （MA）， a significant increase in coagulation time （K time）， and a significant reduction in α angle （all P<0.05）； the patients with ADC and sepsis had a significantly longer reaction time （R time） than those with ADC alone （P=0.02）， and the patients with sepsis alone had a significantly longer R time than those with ADC and sepsis （P=0.04）. There was no correlation between MA and platelet count in the patients with ADC and sepsis （r=-0.133， P=0.057）， while there was a significant correlation between MA and platelet count in the patients with sepsis alone （r=0.595， P=0.001）. SOFA score was negatively correlated with MA in sepsis patients with or without ADC （r=-0.503 and -0.561， both P<0.001）， and for the patients with ADC and sepsis， R time， K time， and α angle were weakly correlated with SOFA score and had a relatively strong correlation with APTT （all P<0.05）. The patients with ADC alone all survived within 90 days， and compared with the death group， the patients with sepsis alone who survived had significantly higher values of MA and α angle （all P<0.05）； there was a significant difference in α angle on day 90 between the survival group and the death group， no matter whether the patients were comorbid with ADC or not （both P<0.01）， while for the patients with ADC and sepsis， there was no significant difference in MA value on day 90 between the survival group and the death group （P>0.05）. ConclusionFor ADC patients comorbid with sepsis， coagulation function assessment and monitoring should be taken seriously in clinical practice， and TEG parameters and SOFA score should be monitored when necessary to develop individualized treatment regimens.

With the technological innovation and the advances in information technology, acupuncture-moxibustion is on the path of modernization and high-quality development. The research on ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature has been gradually transformed from traditional sorting and digital research to intelligent knowledge services, so as to realize the deep integration of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge with the needs of modern clinical practice and scientific research. Guided by the characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge and based on the knowledge meta-theory, the in-depth analytical indexing and knowledge organization are conducted on more than 400 kinds of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature. Taking ancient literature of meridian symptoms/manifestations as an example, thematic literature research and database construction are carried out. Integrated with database, cloud platform, knowledge domain mapping and other technologies, the sharing service platform of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge is constructed. As a result, the research and development achievements can be adopted by the researchers in the field of basic theory, clinical practice and research of acupuncture-moxibustion. Finally, through the way of "digital reconstruction + intelligent application", the path and paradigm of digital research of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature are explored to provide the references for the innovative utilization of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature.
Moxibustion/history* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; History, Ancient ; Knowledge

Ischemic stroke （IS） is a cerebrovascular disease caused by thrombosis or embolism that interrupts cerebral blood flow， resulting in brain tissue damage. Mitochondria serve as the primary site for energy metabolism and are also involved in key biological processes， including calcium signal regulation， reactive oxygen species generation， and apoptosis initiation. Therefore， the structural and functional integrity of mitochondrial is crucial for neuronal survival， and the mitochondrial quality control （MQC） system is fundamental for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. The MQC system maintains mitochondrial network homeostasis by synergistically regulating key processes such as biogenesis， dynamics balance （fusion and fission）， autophagy， oxidative stress clearance， and calcium homeostasis. However， following IS， neurons undergo pathological changes-including inflammatory responses， oxidative stress， and excitatory amino acid toxicity- due to ischemia and hypoxia. These factors collectively disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibit electron transport chain function， leading to MQC dysfunction. Recent studies have confirmed that acupuncture can restore MQC homeostasis after IS through multiple targets and pathways， specifically including promoting mitochondrial biogenesis， balancing mitochondrial fission and fusion， regulating mitochondrial autophagy， reducing oxidative stress damage， and inhibiting calcium overload. This article systematically reviews the relationship between MQC and IS， with a focus on elucidating the mechanistic basis of acupuncture-mediated IS treatment via regulating key MQC components. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the efficacy of acupuncture in IS management and offer novel perspectives for developing future stroke therapeutic strategies targeting MQC pathways.

Objective To investigate the serum C-C motif chemokine ligand 27(CCL27)and laminin sub-unit gamma-2(LAMC2)levels and prognostic value before transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT)in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Methods A total of 104 patients with NMIBC who underwent primary TURBT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from February 2019 to February 2021 were retrospectively selected as the NMIBC group,and another 50 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the same hospital during the same period were se-lected as the control group.The levels of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT in the two groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the effect of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT on the prognosis of NMIBC patients.COX regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients with NMIBC.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the value of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT in evaluating the prognosis of NMIBC pa-tients.Results The levels of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 in the NMIBC group before TURBT were higher than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT in patients with NMIBC at tumor stage T1 and high-grade pathological grade were higher than those in patients with tumor stage Ta/Tis and low-grade pathological grade,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The 3-year progression-free survival rate of patients in the high-level CCL27 group was lower than that in the low-level CCL27 group,and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=20.021,P<0.001).The 3-year progression-free survival rate of patients in the high-level LAMC2 group was lower than that in the low-level LAMC2 group,and the difference was statistically signifi-cant(χ2=11.012,P<0.001).Tumor stage T1,high-grade pathological grade,high level of serum CCL27,and high level of serum LAMC2 were risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with NMIBC(P<0.05).The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve and 95%CI of the combined serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT for the prognosis assessment of NMIBC patients were 0.901(0.881-0.925),which were larger than those of the single detection,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=4.620,4.912,P<0.001).Conclusion The elevated levels of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT in NMIBC patients are related to the degree of tumor malignancy,and can serve as prognostic markers for in-dividualized treatment strategies.

Objective To investigate the effect of Shugan Lipi Prescription on patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D)of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency type from the perspective of bile acid-intestinal flora axis imbalance.Methods From May 2022 to May 2023,a total of 122 patients with IBS-D of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency type admitted to the Xi'an No.9 Hospital were enrolled into the investigation.The patients were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group by random number table method,with 61 patients in each group.The control group was given conventional western medicine treatment with oral administration of Dicetel plus Compound Diphenoxylate Tablets and Bifidobacterium Quadruple Viable Tablets,and the observation group was treated with Shugan Lipi Prescription on the basis of treatment for the control group.One course of treatment covered seven days,and both groups were treated for four courses in total.The changes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Scale(IBS-SSS)score,levels of serum bile acid and the fecal levels of intestinal flora such as Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus,and Enterococcus in the two groups of patients before and after treatment were observed.Moreover,the clinical efficacy and the incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment of the two groups were compared.Results(1)After four courses of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 96.72%(59/61)and that of the control group was 83.61%(51/61),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of IBS-SSS items such as abdominal pain,abdominal pain duration,abdominal distension,defecation satisfaction and life interference in the two groups were all decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of serum taurodeoxycholic acid(TDCA),taurocholic acid(TCA)and taurolithocholic acid(TLCA)in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)After treatment,the fecal level of Enterococcus,a kind of pathogenic bacterium,in both groups was decreased when compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the fecal levels of probiotics of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in both groups were increased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).The effects on the decrease of fecal Enterococcus level and on the increase of fecal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus levels in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(5)The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 8.20%(5/61)and that in the control group was 6.55%(4/61),and the intergroup comparison showed that the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion Shugan Lipi Prescription exerts certain therapeutic effect for IBS-D patients of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency type,and is with higher safety.Its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the restoration of the function of bile acid-intestinal flora axis.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen on postoperative pain following the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars in a Chinese population, aiming to provide a clinical reference for its application.Methods:This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial was conducted from April 2022 to October 2023 at the Capital Medical University School of Stomatology (40 cases), Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University (22 cases), and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University (20 cases). It included 82 patients with impacted mandibular third molars, with 41 in the ibuprofen group and 41 in the control group. Participants in the ibuprofen group received 300 mg of sustained-release ibuprofen capsules orally 15 min before surgery, while the control group received a placebo. Both groups were instructed to take sustained-release ibuprofen capsules as planned for 3 days post-surgery. Pain intensity was measured using the numerical rating scale at 30 min, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after surgery, and the use of additional analgesic medication was recorded during days 4 to 6 postoperatively.Results:All 82 patients completed the study according to the protocol. No adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, or allergies were reported in either group during the trial. The ibuprofen group exhibited significantly lower pain scores at 4 h [2.0 (1.0, 4.0) vs. 4.0 (3.0, 5.0)] ( Z=-3.73, P<0.001), 6 h [2.0 (1.0, 4.0) vs. 5.0(2.5, 6.0)] ( Z=-3.38, P<0.001), and 8 h [2.0 (1.0, 4.0) vs. 5.0 (2.0, 6.0)] ( Z=-2.11, P=0.035) postoperatively compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in pain scores between the groups at 30 min, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h postoperatively ( P>0.05). Additionally, 11 out of 41 patients (26.8%) in the ibuprofen group and 23 out of 41 patients (56.1%) in the control group required extra analgesic medication between days 4 and 6 post-surgery, with the ibuprofen group taking significantly fewer additional pills [0.0 (0.0, 1.0) vs. 1.0 (0.0, 3.0)] ( Z=-2.81, P=0.005). Conclusions:A pain management regimen involving 300 mg of oral sustained-release ibuprofen capsules administered 15 minutes before surgery and continued for 3 d postoperatively effectively reduces pain levels and the total amount of analgesic medication used after the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Considering its efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness, ibuprofen is recommended as a first-line drug for perioperative pain management, enhancing patient comfort during diagnosis and treatment in a feasible manner.

Objective:To understand the current status and analyze the factors of demoralization of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), providing references for targeted psychological interventions of nursing staff.Methods:Using the cross-sectional survey method, from August 2022 to January 2023, 282 CHF patients who were followed up in the Cardiovascular Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were selected as the study subjects. They were investigated using the General Information Questionnaire, Demoralization Scale Revised Mandarin Version, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), and the factors influencing the demoralization of CHF patients were analyzed using univariate analysis and multiple linear regression.Results:Among 282 cases, male 172 cases, female 110 cases, aged (62.29±10.05) years old. The Demoralization Scale Revised Mandarin Version′s score of CHF patients was (30.30 ± 10.37) points; the score of BIPQ was (42.18 ± 13.94) points; the score of FoP-Q-SF was (35.41 ± 7.29)points, which were at high level. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that patient disease duration, disease stages, New York heart association cardiac function classification, the score of BIPQ, and the score of FoP-Q-SF were factors influencing the demoralization of CHF patients ( t values were 3.08 to 12.50, all P<0.05). Conclusions:There is an urgent need to focus on the current status of the demoralization of CHF patients. It is necessary to develop a systematic and effective intervention strategy for demoralization, to take into account patient disease duration, disease stages, illness perception, and fear of progression in a comprehensive manner.

Objective:To explore the mediating role of disease progression′s fear and positive affect in the relationship between disease perception and demoralization in patients with chronic heart failure. It provided a theoretical basis for targeted interventions for healthcare workers.Methods:From October 2022 to March 2023, 320 patients with chronic heart failure in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were selected as the research objects by convenience sampling. The General Information Questionnaire, Demoralization Scale Redacted Mandarin Version, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Positive Affect Schedule) were used to conduct the questionnaire survey exploring the mediating effects of fear of disease progression and positive emotions between disease perception and disorientation by construction structural equation model.Results:There were 268 valid questionnaires. Of the 268 patients, 168 were male and 100 were female, 3.36% (9/268) were ≤40 years old, 55.22% (148/268) were 41-65 years old, and 41.42% (111/268) were >65 years old. Correlation analysis showed that disease perception was positively correlated with disease progression ′s fear, and every dimension of demoralization ( r values were 0.300-0.586, all P<0.01), and negatively correlated with positive affect ( r=-0.374, P<0.01); disease progression′s fear was negatively correlated with positive affect ( r=-0.318, P<0.01), and positively correlated with every dimension of demoralization ( r values were 0.339-0.464, all P<0.01); positive affect was negatively correlated with every dimension of demoralization ( r values were -0.430--0.334, all P<0.01). Structural equation model analysis showed that the direct effect of disease perception on demoralization was significant ( β=0.407, P<0.01), and both mediating effects of disease progression ′s fear and positive affect between disease perception and demoralization in patients with chronic heart failure were significant ( β=0.074, 0.079, both P<0.01). The chain mediating effect of disease progression ′s fear and positive effect was also significant ( β=0.019, P<0.01). Conclusions:Disease perception could directly predict the demoralization of patients with chronic heart failure and indirectly predict the demoralization of patients with chronic heart failure through the mediating effect of disease progression ′s fear, positive affect, and the chain mediating effect of disease progression ′s fear and positive affect.

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in China and dysphagia caused by malignant stenosis is the most common symptom of advanced esophageal cancer. The inability to eat orally seriously affects the quality of life of patients with advanced esophageal cancer, and poor nutritional status caused by dysphagia limits the implementation of standard treatment programs such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, resulting in a decline in survival. The 125I radioactive stent is a novel treatment for malignant stenosis. Studies have shown that it can relieve dysphagia and prolong patients' survival compared to traditional esophageal stents. In this article, the treatment of malignant stenosis in advanced esophageal cancer and the clinical application progress of 125I radioactive stents were reviewed.