Objective: To investigate whether Tuina alleviates fibrotic symptoms in myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by regulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby deactivating these points. Methods: This study comprised two experimental phases. In phase 1, 27 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into three groups: control 1, model 1, and Tuina 1 groups. Model 1 and Tuina 1 groups underwent an 8-week MTrPs modeling protocol involving blunt impact and eccentric exercise. After successful modeling, rats in Tuina 1 group received manual pressing on nodules or cord-like taut bands on the medial aspect of the left hindlimb. Pain sensitivity and tissue stiffness were evaluated via pressure pain threshold (PPT) and soft tissue tension (STT). Muscle histopathology and fibrosis were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Inflammatory factors in muscle were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen Ⅲ, and TGF-β1. In phase 2, 45 SPF female SD rats were randomized into five groups: control 2, model 2, Tuina 2, TGF-β1 inhibitor (TI), and Tuina + TGF-β1 agonist (Tuina + TA) groups. All groups except control 2 underwent standardized MTrPs modeling. Rats in Tuina 2 group received consistent pressing manipulation. TI group received intraperitoneal injections of oxymatrine, while Tuina + TA group received intraperitoneal injections of SRI-011381 hydrochloride followed by the same pressing protocol as Tuina 2 group. WB was used to detect the expression of collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, and phosphorylated-Smad3 (p-Smad3)/Smad3. Results: In phase 1, Tuina significantly improved PPT and STT in MTrPs of rats (P < 0.01), reversed pathological damages including disorganized muscle fiber arrangement, abnormal myocyte morphology, and exacerbated fibrosis. In addition, in MTrPs of rats in model 1 group, expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) were upregulated, and all exhibited a significant downward trend after Tuina intervention (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). This indicates that the therapeutic effects of Tuina are directly associated with reduced local inflammation and fibrosis in MTrPs. In phase 2, compared with model 2 group, rats in TI and Tuina 2 groups had decreased expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in MTrPs, alongside reduced levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α) and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). When co-administered with TGF-β1 agonist, the therapeutic effects of Tuina were significantly attenuated, with rebounded TGF-β1 expression and p-Smad3/Smad3 in local MTrPs, and fibrosis and inflammatory responses were re-exacerbated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion Tuina can effectively reduce inflammatory responses and fibrosis in MTrPs tissue, and its mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in Tuina-mediated regulation of MTrPs fibrosis.

Objective:To explore the clinical, imaging, and pathological features of glottic squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and their relationship with prognosis. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical, imaging, and pathological data of 130 patients with glottic squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx who were treated at the First People's Hospital of Yinchuan and the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2018 to March 2023. Imaging examinations （CT and MRI） were used to evaluate the lesion boundary clarity, density, enhancement nature, and enhancement degree. Postoperative pathological examination was used to determine the pathological nature, immunohistochemistry, etc. Statistical methods such as χ² test, Spearman correlation analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier method were used to analyze the data. Results:Among the 130 patients, 127 were male and 3 were female, with an average age of （61.92±9.595） years. There was a correlation between clinical, imaging, and pathological features. Multivariate analysis showed that heterogeneous MRI density （OR=12.414;P=0.019） and squamous cell carcinoma as a subtype were correlated. The initial symptom of non-hoarseness （HR=6.045;P=0.010） and unclear MRI boundary （HR=12.559; P=0.029） were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with glottic squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Conclusion:There is a correlation between the clinical, imaging, and pathological features of patients with glottic squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, and they can affect prognosis. The initial symptom of non-hoarseness and unclear MRI boundary of the tumor are independent risk factors for poor prognosis.
Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnosis* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Glottis/pathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Aged

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and major allergens of patients with pollen-food allergy syndrome（PFAS） and their correlation with the severity of symptoms, and to provide a basis for identifying high-risk patients, optimizing the allergen testing process and developing individualized dietary management strategies. Methods:The clinical data of 166 patients with PFAS admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical symptoms, pollen types and food allergy of the patients were analyzed by questionnaire survey and serum specific IgE detection. phi coefficient, Apriori algorithm modeling and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between allergen and symptom severity. Results:Artemisia pollen was the most common allergen in this area, with a positive rate of 96.39%. Peach and mango were the most common food allergens, which caused allergic reactions in 24.10% and 22.89% of patients, respectively. Oral mucosal symptoms were the main symptoms. Correlation analysis showed that there was a correlation between pollen allergens and allergenic food. Association rule analysis showed that when the patient was allergic to the combination of peanuts and trees, the probability of high severity of symptoms was 82.35%. Multivariate analysis showed that ragweed allergy was significantly positively correlated with the severity of PFAS symptoms. Conclusion:Artemisia pollen and related food allergens play an important role in the pathogenesis of PFAS. Association rule mining and network map analysis revealed direct associations between peanut and tree combination allergy and symptom severity, as well as potential links between other inhaled allergens and specific food allergies. Ragweed and peach allergy are independent risk factors for the aggravation of PFAS symptoms, which can be used as early warning indicators. These results help to improve the screening of high-risk patients and the construction of regional allergen databases.
Humans ; Food Hypersensitivity/immunology* ; Allergens/immunology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pollen/immunology* ; Cross Reactions ; Immunoglobulin E/blood* ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology* ; Artemisia/immunology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Prunus persica/immunology* ; Arachis/immunology* ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Oral Allergy Syndrome

Ferroptosis was discovered and named by the laboratory of Brent Stockwell at Columbia University in 2012. Ferroptosis has become a research hotspot in the fields of life sciences, medicine and chemistry, and it now plays a significant role in the development and progression of major diseases such as neoplasms, neurodegenerative diseases, tissue and organ damage, and immune-related diseases. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common type of lymphoma which ranks as the third most frequent malignant tumor in children in China. This paper reviews the research progress of the relationship between ferroptosis and NHL, with a particular focus on Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of enhanced external counterpulsation(EECP)in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS)complicated by coronary heart dis-ease(CHD).Methods A total of 65 AIS patients with CHD admitted in our hospital from Janu-ary to June 2023 were recruited and randomly divided into a control group(drug secondary pre-vention,n=32)and a treatment group(drug combined with EECP therapy,n=33).Their NIHSS score,mRS score and Canadian Cardiovascular Society(CCS)angina grade were evaluated before and after treatment and compared between the two groups.The incidences of recurrent ischemic stroke,new hemorrhagic stroke and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)were also recor-ded during treatment.Results The NIHSS score and mRS score were significantly decreased in both groups after treatment(P＜0.01).After treatment,the NIHSS score(2.67±1.63 vs 3.56± 1.83),mRS score[1.0(0.0,1.0)vs 2.0(1.0,2.0)]and CCS grade[1.0(1.0,2.0)vs 2.0(1.0,2.0)]were obviously lower in the treatment group than the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).There were no statistical differences in the incidence rates of recurrent ischemic stroke,new-onset hem-orrhagic stroke,and MACE between the control group and the treatment group(9.4％vs 6.1％,6.3％vs 3.0％,12.5％vs 6.1％,P＞0.0 5).Conclusion EECP is a safe and effective treatment option for elderly AIS patients with CHD.

Based on the theory of "disease involving both dryness and dampness"， it is believed that the complex of dryness and dampness and the mutual stalemate between them produce the disease， forming a pathological state of dampness within dryness and dryness within dampness. The two can occur accompanied by each other， transform into each other， and coexist as a disease. According to the clinical characteristics of sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye disease （SS-DED）， it is believed that its symptoms can reflect the pathological state of coexistence of dryness and dampness， and that "disease involving both dryness and dampness" is the key pathogenesis. The main treatment principles are performing both purgation and tonification， and treating the dryness and dampness simultaneously. The treatment should focus on rectifying qi， fortifying spleen and dispelling dampness， as well as opening orifices， nou-rishing yin and moistening dryness， usually with Shashen Maidong Decoction （沙参麦冬汤） and Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction （香砂六君子汤） in modifications. The theory of "disease involving both dryness and dampness" is expected to provide ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of SS-DED.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinicopathological features of laryngeal squamous carcinoma tumors and their correlation with prognosis in order to improve the understanding and diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.METHODS The clinical and pathological data(including gender,age,stage,differentiation,immunohistochemistry,etc.)of 179 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma[171 males,8 females,aged 30-84(61.53±8.02)years]who were treated in Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,The First and Second Clinical Medical Schools of Ningxia Medical University from January 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively studied,and the effects of various factors on prognosis were analyzed.RESULTS Among the 179 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma,the male-to-female ratio was 21.4:1,and the incidence was high in the age group of 60-79 years old(58.7%),and the youngest age of onset was 30 years old.The main clinical manifestations were hoarseness 138 cases(77.1%),sore throat 16 cases(8.9%)and pharyngeal foreign body sensation 13 cases(7.3%).Glottic type was more common in the primary site 135 cases(75.4%),and 31 cases were accompanied by cervical lymph node metastasis(17.3%).The degree of differentiation was more common in the moderately differentiated type 80 cases(44.7%).The positive rates of immunohistochemistry markers p16,EGFR(epidermal growth factor receptor),PD-1/PD-L1 and VEGF(vascular endothelial growth factor)were 20.3%,96.4%,36.4%and 77.3%,respectively.Univariate Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the site of disease,lymph node metastasis,and tumor stage were significantly correlated with disease recurrence.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the clinical stage of the tumor was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of the disease(HR=3.715,95%CI:1.519-9.088,P=0.04).CONCLUSION The stage of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma,the site of the disease,and the metastasis of the lymph nodes are the main factors affecting the prognosis.The high positive expression rate of immunohistochemistry markers EGFR and VEGF is worth paying attention to Targeted therapy for patients with positive PD-1/PD-L1 testing is a promising research direction.

Objective : o explore the effects of long non⁃coding RNA LINC00092 on the proliferation , migration and invasion of glioma. Methods : Using the cancer genome atlas(TCGA) and genotype⁃tissue expression (GTEx) databases , this study analyzed the expression of LINC00092 in pan⁃carcinoma and its effect on the prognosis of glioma. In addition , LINC00092 overexpression plasmid was constructed to detect the effects of LINC00092 on proliferation , migration , invasion and apoptosis of glioma cells by cell function experiments , including CCK⁃8 assay , Transwell assay and flow cytometry. Finally , qRT⁃PCR and Western blot were used to detect the effect of overexpression of LINC00092 on the expression level of IGF2BP1 . Results : The analysis of public databases revealed a widespread downregulation of LINC00092 in tumors , and its association with the development of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and low⁃grade glioma (LGG) . In vitro experiments demonstrated that overexpression of LINC00092 significantly reduced the proliferation , migration and invasion of glioma cells , while promoting apoptosis. Moreover, overexpression of LINC00092 led to a decrease in the expression levels of IGF2BP1 . Conclusion LINC00092 may inhibit glioma proliferation , migration and invasion by targeting IGF2BP1 , and promote glioma cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features,immunophenotype,and prognosis of head and neck spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma(SCSCC)to improve the understanding and diagnosis of this tumor.Methods:Clinicopathological data collected from January 2012 to December 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital,Air Force Military Medical University from 20 patients with head and neck SCSCC were retrospectively reviewed for histological morphology and immunophenotype.In situ and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed to detect EBV-encoded ribonucleic acid(EBER)status and MDM2 gene amplification,respectively.Results:The median age among the 20 SCSCC cases was 67 years with a male-to-female ratio of 4∶1.Tumor locations were laryngeal(35.0%)and sinonasal(30.0%).SCSCC presented as polypoid or exogenous growths(61.5%),often with surface ulceration(90.0%).Histologically,sarcomatoid growth pat-terns were exhibited in 75.0%of the patients(n=15),while the remainder showed granular tissue-like or angiosarcomatoid patterns.Most tumors(65.0%)displayed components of conventional squamous cell carcinomas,with a predominant occurrence of high to moderate dif-ferentiation(91.7%).In terms of immunohistochemistry,AE1/AE3 was expressed in 83.3%(15/18)of cases,while p63 and p40 expression rates were 62.5%and 66.7%,respectively.All cases were negative for EBER.The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged 10%-70%.Overall,33.3%(1/3)of the cases showed MDM2 gene amplification.Among these,the median follow-up time for 18 patients was 18.3 months(range:1-92 months),with 6 survivors and 12 deaths.Conclusions:Head and neck SCSCC is more prevalent among elderly male smokers,predominantly exhibits a polypoid growth pattern,and does not display human papillomavirus or Epstein-Barr virus infection.Diagnosis requires a compre-hensive evaluation of clinical and pathological features and immunophenotype.Surgical resection is the primary treatment method.

Glucose transporter 1(GLUT1)overexpression in tumor cells is a potential target for drug therapy,but few studies have reported screening GLUT1 inhibitors from natural or synthetic compounds.With cur-rent analysis techniques,it is difficult to accurately monitor the GLUT1 inhibitory effect of drug molecules in real-time.We developed a cell membrane-based glucose sensor(CMGS)that integrated a hydrogel electrode with tumor cell membranes to monitor GLUT1 transmembrane transport and screen for GLUT1 inhibitors in traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs).CMGS is compatible with cell membranes of various origins,including different types of tumors and cell lines with GLUT1 expression knocked down by small interfering RNA or small molecules.Based on CMGS continuous monitoring technique,we inves-tigated the glucose transport kinetics of cell membranes with varying levels of GLUT1 expression.We used CMGS to determine the GLUT1-inhibitory effects of drug monomers with similar structures from Scutellaria baicalensis and catechins families.Results were consistent with those of the cellular glucose uptake test and molecular-docking simulation.CMGS could accurately screen drug molecules in TCMs that inhibit GLUT1,providing a new strategy for studying transmembrane protein-receptor interactions.