This paper explores the research progress of acupuncture for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis. According to the fundamental pathogenesis of AD in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which attributes to kidney deficiency, marrow depletion, and impaired mental faculties, as well as the governor vessel's connection between the kidney and brain, the concept of the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is proposed. The theoretical basis of the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is analyzed based on the meridian pathway and physiological functions of the governor vessel, as well as the interdependent and mutually reinforcing relationships among the kidney, governor vessel, and brain. The relationship between AD and the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is elucidated from both traditional medical theories and modern biological perspectives. Integrating clinical and mechanistic research on AD prevention and treatment based on this axis, it is suggested that the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis provides valuable insights and references for future research on AD prevention and treatment.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Kidney/blood supply* ; Brain/blood supply* ; Meridians ; Blood Vessels/physiopathology*

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) refers to the accumulation of pleural fluid caused by metastasis from primary pleural malignancies or tumors originating elsewhere. It is associated with a poor prognosis. Current treatment strategies primarily include systemic anti-tumor therapy and local management of MPE based on the primary tumor. Numerous studies have documented diverse approaches for the local control of MPE. This review summarizes recent advances in local treatment strategies for primary tumor-related MPE, highlighting emerging pharmacological agents and innovative techniques.
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Humans ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant/drug therapy*

Objective:To analyze the burden and trends of noncommunicable chronic disease(NCD) attributable to metabolic factors in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Data from the Global Burden of Diseases(GBD) 2021 database were utilized to describe changes in mortality and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs) of NCD in China from 1990 to 2021. Stratified analyses were conducted by age, sex, sociodemographic index(SDI), and related risk factors. Statistical analyses and predictions were conducted using the age-period-cohort model and the Nordpred model.Results:In 2021, the age-standardized mortality rate and age-standardized DALYs rate of NCD attributable to metabolic factors in China were 227.56 per 100 000 and 4 829.39 per 100 000, respectively. Their average annual percentage changes were -0.76%( P<0.001) and -0.77%( P<0.001). Overall, the burden decreased progressively with higher SDI levels. Analysis using the age-period-cohort model indicated reduced birth cohort and period effects for metabolic factor-attributable NCD, while age effects rose significantly. The minimum relative risk( RR) value was observed in the 15-19 age group( RR=0.01), and the maximum RR value occurred in the 95-99 age group( RR=996.86). The overall rising mortality trend indicated that age effects are the predominant driver at present. Projections estimate that by 2046, deaths from metabolic factor-attributable NCD in China will reach 8 189 563, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 236.95 per 100 000. Conclusions:China continues to face a substantial burden of NCD linked to metabolic factors, with older adults, males, and individuals with hypertension, diabetes, and prediabetes identified as key populations requiring targeted interventions.

Objective:To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on neuroinflammation in rats with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) by regulating advanced glycation end products (AGE) and its receptor (RAGE) signaling pathway.Methods:Ten healthy male SD rats were randomly selected as the control group, and the remaining 30 SD rats were used to induce PHN model by resin toxin (RTX). Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into model group, positive drug group and electroacupuncture group, with 10 rats in each group. Intervention was conducted on the 7th day of modeling. The electroacupuncture group intervened with "Yanglingquan"(GB34) and "Huantiao"(GB30); the positive drug group was intragastrically administered with pregabalin suspension 27 mg/kg, once a day for 1 week; the control group and model group were not treated. The paw retraction threshold (PWMT) and paw retraction latency (PWTL) were measured before modeling and on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days after modeling; histopathological changes of spinal cord were observed by HE staining; the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in spinal cord tissue were detected by ELISA; the expressions of AGE-RAGE signaling pathway related proteins in spinal cord was detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the degree of atrophy and inflammatory infiltration of spinal cord neurons in the positive drug group and electroacupuncture group were reduced. The PWMT value in the positive drug group increased ( P<0.05), and the PWTL value decreased ( P<0.05); compared with the model group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the spinal cord tissue of the electroacupuncture group and the positive drug group decreased ( P<0.05), and the expressions of AGE, RAGE, p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2, JNK, p-NF-κB/NF-κB and AP-1 decreased ( P<0.05); compared with the positive drug group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the spinal cord tissue of the electroacupuncture group decreased ( P<0.05), and the protein expressions of AGE, RAGE, p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2, JNK, p-NF-κB/NF-κB and AP-1 decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture can improve neuroinflammation in PHN rats, the mechanism of which may be related to the regulation of AGE-RAGE mediated pro-inflammatory signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria（CSU） and to explore its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsSeventy CSU patients were randomly divided into loratadine group and acupuncture + bloodletting group， with 35 patients in each group. The loratadine group received oral loratadine tablets， 10 mg once daily in the evening. The acupuncture + bloodletting group received acupuncture at Zhongwan （CV 12）， Guanyuan （CV 4）， Tianshu （ST 25）， Zusanli （ST 36）， Sanyinjiao （SP 6）， Xuehai （SP 10）， Quchi （LI 11）， Hegu （LI 4）， Taichong （LR 3）， Baihui （GV 20）， and Shenting （GV 24）， once daily，along with bloodletting and cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） and Geshu （BL 17）， every other day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The 7-day urticaria activity score（UAS7） was assessed before and after the treatment， and levels of serum immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， eosinophil cationic protein （ECP）， plasma tissue factor （TF）， activated factor Ⅶ （FⅦa）， prothrombin fragment 1+2 （F1+2）， D-dimer （D-D） and complement component 5a （C5a） were detected. ResultsA total of 65 patients were included in the final analysis， 32 in the loratadine group and 33 in the acupuncture + bloodletting group. Before treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， ECP levels， or plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， C5a levels between groups （P＞ 0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in UAS7 score， serum IgE， IL-4， IL-5， and plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D， and C5a levels compared to those before treatment （P＜0.01）. However， after treatment， there was no significant difference in UAS7 score and serum ECP， IgE， IL-4， IL-5 levels between groups （P＞0.05）. The acupuncture + bloodletting group showed lower plasma TF， FⅦa， F1+2， D-D and C5a levels compared to the loratadine group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionAcupuncture combined with bloodletting and cupping can effectively improve the skin symptoms of CSU patients and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors. The potential mechanism of action may involve the regulation of the coagulation-complement-mast cell activation axis， thereby inhibiting mast cell degranulation.

Objective To provide experimental evidence for selecting acupuncture timing in clinical practice,the optimal time for enhancing the brain effects of electroacupuncture at the Hegu acupoint(LI4)by observing brain imaging data,hemodynamic changes and differences in brain functional connectivity across the twelve traditional Chinese time periods were determined.Methods Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 12 groups corresponding to each of the twelve time periods(Zi,Chou,Yin,Mao,Chen,Si,Wu,Wei,Shen,You,Xu,Hai),with 3 mice per group.Each mouse received electroacupuncture stimulation using the same protocol.Brain imaging data and dynamic hemodynamic changes were collected using functional ultrasound imaging(FUS)ultrasound imaging technology every 0.4 s over a total duration of 420 s,covering pre-acupuncture(resting state),during acupuncture(task state),and post-acupuncture(post-task state)phases.The hippocampal region(HIP)was used as the observation point to analyze changes in functional connectivity between HIP and other brain regions before and after acupuncture.Results Compared to other time periods,the Mao group exhibited the largest whole-brain activation area and the highest average activation signal intensity.The hemodynamic signal increase in the hippocampal region was more pronounced,and the post-acupuncture blood flow signal intensity remained significantly higher than the pre-acupuncture resting state.Functional connectivity data revealed that,using 0.2 as the standard value,the Mao group showed the greatest number of altered brain regions before and after acupuncture.Notably,only in the Mao group was there a significant enhancement in connectivity between the bilateral hippocampal regions.Conclusion The immediate effects of electroacupuncture at the Hegu acupoint(LI4)and brain functional connectivity vary significantly across different time periods,aligning with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of meridian qi and blood flow.Mao time is identified as the optimal period.

Objective To explore the influencing factors of immune-associated thyroid dysfunction caused by sintilimab treatment in solid tumors and construct a prediction model.Methods Medical records of patients diagnosed with solid tumors and treated with sintilimab at Peking University People's Hospital(Xizhimen Campus,Tongzhou Campus,Shijiazhuang Campus)from January 2023 to September 2024 were collected to explore the influencing factors that caused immune-related thyroid dysfunction using univariate and multifactorial binary logistic regression analyses and to establish a prediction model.The predictive effect of the model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results A total of 120 patients were included,and 33 presented with immune-related thyroid dysfunction.Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)[OR=2.470,95%CI=(1.279,4.771)]and treatment cycles[OR=1.298,95%CI=(1.117,1.509)]were independent risk factors for the occurrence of immune-associated thyroid dysfunction,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The area under the ROC curve was(0.897±0.043)[95%CI=(0.813,0.981)],the Yoden index was 0.703,and the model prediction accuracy was 86.5%.Conclusion The risk of immune-related thyroid dysfunction caused by sintilimab is high,and TSH and treatment cycle are the influencing factors,and the constructed model has certain predictive value and is of reference significance.

Objective To provide experimental evidence for selecting acupuncture timing in clinical practice,the optimal time for enhancing the brain effects of electroacupuncture at the Hegu acupoint(LI4)by observing brain imaging data,hemodynamic changes and differences in brain functional connectivity across the twelve traditional Chinese time periods were determined.Methods Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 12 groups corresponding to each of the twelve time periods(Zi,Chou,Yin,Mao,Chen,Si,Wu,Wei,Shen,You,Xu,Hai),with 3 mice per group.Each mouse received electroacupuncture stimulation using the same protocol.Brain imaging data and dynamic hemodynamic changes were collected using functional ultrasound imaging(FUS)ultrasound imaging technology every 0.4 s over a total duration of 420 s,covering pre-acupuncture(resting state),during acupuncture(task state),and post-acupuncture(post-task state)phases.The hippocampal region(HIP)was used as the observation point to analyze changes in functional connectivity between HIP and other brain regions before and after acupuncture.Results Compared to other time periods,the Mao group exhibited the largest whole-brain activation area and the highest average activation signal intensity.The hemodynamic signal increase in the hippocampal region was more pronounced,and the post-acupuncture blood flow signal intensity remained significantly higher than the pre-acupuncture resting state.Functional connectivity data revealed that,using 0.2 as the standard value,the Mao group showed the greatest number of altered brain regions before and after acupuncture.Notably,only in the Mao group was there a significant enhancement in connectivity between the bilateral hippocampal regions.Conclusion The immediate effects of electroacupuncture at the Hegu acupoint(LI4)and brain functional connectivity vary significantly across different time periods,aligning with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of meridian qi and blood flow.Mao time is identified as the optimal period.

Objective To explore the influencing factors of immune-associated thyroid dysfunction caused by sintilimab treatment in solid tumors and construct a prediction model.Methods Medical records of patients diagnosed with solid tumors and treated with sintilimab at Peking University People's Hospital(Xizhimen Campus,Tongzhou Campus,Shijiazhuang Campus)from January 2023 to September 2024 were collected to explore the influencing factors that caused immune-related thyroid dysfunction using univariate and multifactorial binary logistic regression analyses and to establish a prediction model.The predictive effect of the model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results A total of 120 patients were included,and 33 presented with immune-related thyroid dysfunction.Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)[OR=2.470,95%CI=(1.279,4.771)]and treatment cycles[OR=1.298,95%CI=(1.117,1.509)]were independent risk factors for the occurrence of immune-associated thyroid dysfunction,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The area under the ROC curve was(0.897±0.043)[95%CI=(0.813,0.981)],the Yoden index was 0.703,and the model prediction accuracy was 86.5%.Conclusion The risk of immune-related thyroid dysfunction caused by sintilimab is high,and TSH and treatment cycle are the influencing factors,and the constructed model has certain predictive value and is of reference significance.

Objective:To analyze the burden and trends of noncommunicable chronic disease(NCD) attributable to metabolic factors in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Data from the Global Burden of Diseases(GBD) 2021 database were utilized to describe changes in mortality and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs) of NCD in China from 1990 to 2021. Stratified analyses were conducted by age, sex, sociodemographic index(SDI), and related risk factors. Statistical analyses and predictions were conducted using the age-period-cohort model and the Nordpred model.Results:In 2021, the age-standardized mortality rate and age-standardized DALYs rate of NCD attributable to metabolic factors in China were 227.56 per 100 000 and 4 829.39 per 100 000, respectively. Their average annual percentage changes were -0.76%( P<0.001) and -0.77%( P<0.001). Overall, the burden decreased progressively with higher SDI levels. Analysis using the age-period-cohort model indicated reduced birth cohort and period effects for metabolic factor-attributable NCD, while age effects rose significantly. The minimum relative risk( RR) value was observed in the 15-19 age group( RR=0.01), and the maximum RR value occurred in the 95-99 age group( RR=996.86). The overall rising mortality trend indicated that age effects are the predominant driver at present. Projections estimate that by 2046, deaths from metabolic factor-attributable NCD in China will reach 8 189 563, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 236.95 per 100 000. Conclusions:China continues to face a substantial burden of NCD linked to metabolic factors, with older adults, males, and individuals with hypertension, diabetes, and prediabetes identified as key populations requiring targeted interventions.