OBJECTIVE: To screen the optimal regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), so as to provide the evidences for clinical decision-making. METHODS: From 7 databases in Chinese and English i.e. the Full-Text Database of China Journal Network (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed), PubMed, Web of Science (WOS) and Cochrane Library, randomized controlled trial (RCT) articals of OSAHS treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were searched. The quality of evidence was evaluated with the modified Jadad scale, the evaluation index was established and the optimal regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion for OSAHS was screened by multi-index decision analysis. RESULTS: A total of 10 RCTs were included, and the filiform needling therapy was optimal in treatment of OSAHS. The acupoints included Lianquan (CV23), Danzhong (CV17), Zhongwan (CV12), and bilateral Kongzui (LU6), Pishu (BL20), Fenglong (ST40), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9) and Zhaohai (KI6). Zusanli (ST36) received the reinforcing method, Pishu (BL20) and Fenglong (ST40) were stimulated with the reducing technique, and the rest acupoints with the uniform reinforcing-reducing. Each acupoint was manually manipulated once every 10 min during the needle retention for 30 min. Acupuncture was delivered once a day, 5 times a week and for consecutive 4 weeks. Among the included literature, the severity of disease was not reported in detail, the filiform needling was the dominant intervention, the local acupoints such as Lianquan (CV23) and Panglianquan (Extra) were mainly selected. The apnea-hypopnea index and the minimum oxygen saturation were taken as the evaluation indexes, and the effect was evaluated in reference to the generally accepted standards. The attention to safety evaluation was insufficient, the report on methodology was not adequate and the quality was low. CONCLUSION Filiform needling is the dominant therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for OSAHS, and the local acupoints are considered specially. But the quality of clinical research should be improved.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation equipment is a kind of characteristic therapeutic devices developed on the basis of the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and modern science and technology, which is widely used in clinical practice. Significant breakthroughs have been made in the development of related devices such as transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) devices, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices, and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) devices in recent years. Although the market for these devices is vast, there are still limitations that need to be optimized in terms of electrode materials and power supply methods, bulky instrument size, cumbersome wiring, restricted applications, and inadequate intelligent functionality. In the future, it is still necessary to further build upon the theoretical foundation of TCM acupuncture, integrate a variety of modern scientific technologies to advance the intelligence and modernization of acupuncture equipment, and thereby improving its capabilities to support clinical practice and research.
Humans ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methods* ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective:To investigate the surgical outcomes of acetabular posterior wall fractures in patients aged 50 and above.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 67 patients with acetabular posterior wall fracture who had been treated through the Kocher-Langenbeck approach and fully followed up from August 2003 to November 2021. There were 54 males and 13 females, aged 59.0 (54.0, 63.0) years. The time from injury to surgery was 8.0 (5.0, 13.0) days. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed for 63 cases and hip arthroplasty for 4 cases by one stage. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, quality of postoperative fracture reduction, recovery of hip function at the last follow-up, and incidence of complications during the follow-up period were recorded.Results:The operation time for the 67 patients was 90.0 (67.5, 101.3) min, and the intraoperative bleeding 350.0 (300.0, 450.0) mL. According to the Matta criteria, 63 patients with internal fixation achieved anatomical reduction. All the 67 patients were followed up for (112.8±62.4) months. According to the modified Merle d'Aubigné & Postel scoring system, the function of the affected hip was assessed at the last follow-up in the 63 patients with internal fixation as excellent in 56 cases, as good in 3 cases, as fair in 2 cases, and as poor in 2 cases, giving an excellent and good rate of 93.6% (59/63). The prostheses survived in all the 4 patients who underwent one-stage hip replacement, with hip Harris scores of 94, 92, 91, and 93, respectively. Complications included 15 cases (23.8%, 15/63) of heterotopic ossification and 1 case (1.6%, 1/63) of transient sciatic nerve palsy. Femoral head ischemic necrosis and traumatic arthritis occurred in 2 patients (3.2%, 2/63) who had to receive total hip arthroplasty 3 years after surgery.Conclusion:Open reduction and internal fixation is still the main treatment method for acetabular posterior wall fractures in patients aged 50 and above, because it can achieve good clinical outcomes and help the patients recover joint function and quality of life at an early stage.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture combined with bloodletting on the expression of inflammatory factors in serum, the morphology of sensitized skin tissue and the mast cell degranulation in urticaria rats, and to explore the potential mechanism of this therapy for urticaria. METHODS: Among 42 SD rats of SPF grade, 6 rats were randomly collected for the preparation of sensitized antiserum; and the rest 36 rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, a positive drug group, an acupuncture group, a bloodletting group and a combined treatment group (acupuncture + bloodletting), 6 rats in each one. The rat model of urticaria was established by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. In the positive drug group, loratadine (1 mg•kg^-1) by gavage was administered once a day. In the acupuncture group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), acupuncture was delivered at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Zhongwan" (CV 12), and bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Xuehai" (SP 10) for 15 min, once daily . In the bloodletting group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), bloodletting was operated at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and bilateral "Geshu" (BL 17), around 0.1 mL of bleeding volume at each point, once daily. In the combined treatment group, 1 h after gavage with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL), the interventions as the acupuncture group and the bloodletting group were adopted, once daily. All the interventions started on day 6 of modeling, lasting 2 weeks. After intervention completion, antigenic stimulation was performed in the rats of each group. Using ELISA, the levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), tryptase (TPS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected. The diameter of the blue spots of the sensitized skin on the back was measured with ruler in each rat. The morphology of sensitized skin tissue was observed using HE staining, and the degranulation of mast cells was observed using Toluidine blue staining. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the levels of serum IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α increased (P<0.01), the diameter of blue spot on the sensitized part of the rat back was larger (P<0.01), the degranulation rate of mast cells was elevated (P<0.01), and there were obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and edema in the dermis of sensitized skin tissue on the rat back. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α were reduced in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group (P<0.01, P<0.05); skin blue spot diameter was smaller in the positive drug group and the combined treatment group (P<0.05); the degranulation rate of mast cells decreased in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group (P<0.01); and the dermal edema, inflammatory infiltration were attenuated in the positive drug group, the acupuncture group, the bloodletting group and the combined treatment group. Compared with the acupuncture group and the bloodletting group, the serum levels of IgE, TPS, IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α, as well as the degranulation rate of mast cells in the sensitized tissue were lower in the positive drug group and the combined treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture combined with bloodletting effectively suppress mast cell degranulation in the sensitized skin tissue on the back of urticaria rats, and ameliorate the histopathological morphology. Its effect mechanism may be related to inhibiting the differentiation and proliferation of helper T cells 2 and regulating the humoral immune response.
Animals ; Rats ; Mast Cells/immunology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Cell Degranulation ; Humans ; Bloodletting ; Urticaria/immunology* ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Interleukin-4/blood* ; Interleukin-5/blood* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Immunoglobulin E/blood* ; Disease Models, Animal

BACKGROUND: Liver biopsy for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is limited by its inherent invasiveness and possible sampling errors. Some studies have shown that cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) concentrations may be useful in diagnosing NASH, but results across studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to identify the utility of CK-18 M30 concentrations as an alternative to liver biopsy for non-invasive identification of NASH. METHODS: Individual data were collected from 14 registry centers on patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and in all patients, circulating CK-18 M30 levels were measured. Individuals with a NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥5 with a score of ≥1 for each of steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation were diagnosed as having definite NASH; individuals with a NAS ≤2 and no fibrosis were diagnosed as having non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). RESULTS: A total of 2571 participants were screened, and 1008 (153 with NAFL and 855 with NASH) were finally enrolled. Median CK-18 M30 levels were higher in patients with NASH than in those with NAFL (mean difference 177 U/L; standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.87 [0.69-1.04]). There was an interaction between CK-18 M30 levels and serum alanine aminotransferase, body mass index (BMI), and hypertension ( P  < 0.001, P  = 0.026 and P  = 0.049, respectively). CK-18 M30 levels were positively associated with histological NAS in most centers. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) for NASH was 0.750 (95% confidence intervals: 0.714-0.787), and CK-18 M30 at Youden's index maximum was 275.7 U/L. Both sensitivity (55% [52%-59%]) and positive predictive value (59%) were not ideal. CONCLUSION This large multicenter registry study shows that CK-18 M30 measurement in isolation is of limited value for non-invasively diagnosing NASH.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnosis* ; Keratin-18 ; Biomarkers ; Biopsy ; Hepatocytes/pathology* ; Apoptosis ; Liver/pathology*

As water-soluble, natural pigments, anthocyanins are responsible for the red, purple and blue colors of many flowers, which attract pollinators to spread pollen. The colors of flowers are also essential for plants to survive in the nature and become one of the most significant characteristics of ornamental plants. In the booming floriculture industry, to produce various flower colors could increase the richness of natural colors, but it is still difficult to breed flowers with coveted blue color. The diversity of flower color is mainly determined by the types and contents of anthocyanins and their derivatives. The synthesis of delphinidin pigments is the key factor for breeding blue flowers. However, there are no structural genes in many plants to biosynthesize delphinidin pigments. Blue flowers are successfully created by genetic engineering in recent years. In this paper, using common ornamental plants as examples, we review the mechanism of plant flower coloration from the aspects of the key factors affecting the synthesis of delphinidin pigment and the production strategies of blue flowers based on the regulation of anthocyanin metabolism. Different strategies of molecular breeding could provide opportunities to improve colors of other floriculture plants and to develop anthocyanin-rich economic crops, such as colored cotton with blue fibers.
Anthocyanins ; metabolism ; Flowers ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genetic Engineering ; Pigmentation ; genetics

Transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) is a recently discovered gene,which is located on the chromosome 19 (19p12) and encodes a protein consisting of 351 amino acids.Presently,many studies have reported that the single-nucleotide polymorphism of TM6SF2 rs58542926 and plasma lipids are closely related to the incidence and development of diseases,such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD),cardiovascular disease (CVD),liver cancer,and hepatitis C.This review will summarize the research progress conducted in these areas.

Objective: To determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and physical fitness index (PFI) in Chinese and Japanese children and adolescents and to provide theoretical support for physical fitness improvement in Chinese children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 9 594 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years were tested in China and Japan, 4 800 of which with various BMI were randomly selected for analyzing and comparing PFI between the two countries. The relationship between different BMI-Z scores and PFI was analyzed. Results: In general, the PFI of wasting, normal weight, overweight and obesity in Chinese boys was -1.17, -0.03, 0.04 and 0.26, the figures were -2.59, -0.34, -1.46 and -2.44 for Japanese boys, significant differences were found in overweight and obese group (P<0.01). the PFI of wasting, normal weight, overweight and obesity in Chinese girls was -1.18, -0.08, 0.01 and 1.03, the figures were -1.21, 0.51, 0.11 and -1.30 for Japanese girls, significant differences were found in normal weight and obese group(P<0.05). Significant differences in PFI were found within Chinese boys, Chinese children, Japanese boys, Japanese girls and Japanese children with different BMI-Z levels(F=2.89, 3.05, 4.81, 2.33,5.34,P<0.01). Conclusion There is an inverted "U" curve relationship between BMI and PFI in Chinese and Japanese children and adolescents. With the increase of BMI-Z score, decreasing rate of PFI in Chinese boys is higher than Japanese boys. Practical and effective intervention measures should be taken to improve physical fitness of children and adolescents in China.

Retrospective analysis of 18 cases of occupational acute 1, 2-dichloroethane (1, 2-DCE) poisoning. The results showed that all patients have the main manifestations such as dizziness, headache, unresponsiveness and other symptoms of nervous system damage; Brain CT showed varying degrees of diffuse white matter lesions. Brain MRI showed extensive involvement of white matter in both cerebral hemispheres. Affected white matter area presented low intensity on T1WI, hyperintensity on T2WI and T2-Flair; Lumbar puncture examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure (262.5±48.39) mm H₂O; After treatment, the required time for CSF pressure to restore was (161.56±75.27) days (50-280) days. Summary, Occupational acute 1, 2-DCE poisoning caused by toxic encephalopathy can be manifested as persistent abnormalities in CSF pressure, and the CSF pressure drops slowly during treatment; Early head CT and lumbar puncture examination will be helpful for early detection of intracranial pressure in toxic encephalopathy caused by acute 1, 2-DCE poisoning. Dynamic monitoring of CSF provides guidance for acute 1, 2-DCE poisoning with a long time of treatment and various types of dehydrating agents.

Objective To investigate the constitution and drug resistance status of the major pathogens in mechanically ventilated patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD),so as to provide evidences for clinical treatment.Methods From patients with AECOPD undergoing mechanical ventilation in EICU or ICU of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2016 to December 2017,various specimens were collected for identification and drug susceptibility testing of pathogens;the clinical data and test results were analyzed.Results A total of 104 patients were included in the study.Total of 163 strains of pathogens were isolated from the specimens,of which gram-negative pathogens were the most common,accounting for 74.8％ of any pathogens.Drug resistance analysis showed that gram-negative pathogens were severely resistant to third generation cephalosporins,and were more sensitive to Sulperazon and carbapenems;gram-positive cocci were more sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid.Fungi were more sensitive to amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine.Most of the pathogens were multi-resistant.Conclusions In selecting antibiotics for the treatment of critical patients with AECOPD,emphasis should be placed on bacterial culture and drug susceptibility testing,so as to reduce irrational drug use and the emergence of drug-resistant strains or superinfection.