OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of the "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture on key regulatory factors during mitochondrial apoptosis of testicular tissue in asthenozoospermia mice, and explore the potential mechanism of the protective effect of acupuncture on reproductive function. METHODS: Thirty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 mice in each group. In the model and the acupuncture groups, the intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (30 mg•kg^-1•d^-1) was delivered for 7 days to prepare the asthenozoospermia model. After the success of modeling, the modeled mice in the acupuncture group were intervened with "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture, once daily and the needles were retained for 20 min. The duration of the intervention was 2 weeks. The general condition of each mouse was observed, and the body mass was recorded before modeling, after modeling and after intervention completion. After intervention, the testicular mass was recorded and the weight coefficient was calculated, and the mouse sperm quality was examined; the serum contents of testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected using ELISA, the morphology of testicular tissue was observed using HE, the mitochondrial ultra-microstructure of testicular tissue was observed under transmission electrone microscopy, the mitochondrial membrane potential level of testicular tissue was detected using JC-1 staining, the positive rate of apoptosis cell of testicular tissue was observed using TUNEL; and the mRNA and protein expression of b-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), cytochrome c (Cyt C), apoptotic protease-activating factor1 (Apaf-1), Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 of testicular tissue was detected using real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blot methods separately; and the positive expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 of the testicular tissue was detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the mice were in listless spirits, had shaggy hairs, the reduced appetite and movement, and weight loss in the model group (P<0.01); the testicular mass and the weight coefficient decreased (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability were declined (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH were dropped (P<0.01). The morphology of seminiferous tubules in testicular tissue was abnormal, the number of spermatogenic cells and the number of mitochondria decreased, the inner mitochondrial crest was fractured and lost, and vacuoles appeared. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced (P<0.01); and the positive rate of apoptosis cell in testicular tissue increased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was dropped (P<0.01), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 increased (P<0.01). When compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the general condition of mice was improved, the testicular mass and the weight coefficient elevated (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability increased (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH rose (P<0.01). The pathological morphology of testicular tissue and the inner mitochondrial ultra-microstructure were ameliorated, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was elevated (P<0.01); the positive rate of apoptosis cell was reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was dropped (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 elevated (P<0.05), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 declined (P<0.01). CONCLUSION "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward- "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture may ameliorate mouse reproductive function by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, alleviating testicular tissue damage in the asthenospermia mice induced by cyclophosphamide.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Apoptosis ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Asthenozoospermia/genetics* ; Humans ; Testis/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Sperm Motility ; Testosterone/blood* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Reproduction ; Cytochromes c/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible mechanism by which the "Zhibian" (BL54) toward "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture improves ovarian function in mice with poor ovarian response (POR) by observing its effect on gut microbiota. METHODS: A total of 35 SPF-grade C57BL/6 female mice were screened for normal estrous cycles using vaginal smears, and 30 mice were selected. Ten mice were assigned to the blank group, while the remaining mice were used to establish the POR model by intragastric administration of tripterygium wilfordii suspension. The successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group, with 10 mice in each group. After modeling, the acupuncture group received the "Zhibian" (BL54) toward "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture method once daily for 20 minutes per session. Ovulation induction began the day after the intervention, and samples were collected after ovulation induction. Vaginal cytology was used to observe estrous cycle changes, and the number of oocytes obtained, ovarian wet weight, and ovarian index were recorded. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were detected using ELISA. HE staining was used to observe ovarian histology. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology. Western blot was used to detect the relative protein expression levels of Occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in colonic tissue. Correlation analysis was conducted among serum hormone indexes, the number of oocytes obtained, ovarian index and gut microbiota. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a higher estrous cycle disorder rate (P<0.01), increased serum FSH and LH levels, and a higher LH/FSH ratio (P<0.01), while the number of oocytes obtained, ovarian wet weight, ovarian index, and serum E2 and AMH levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group showed a lower estrous cycle disorder rate (P<0.01), decreased serum FSH and LH levels, and a lower LH/FSH ratio (P<0.01), along with an increased number of oocytes obtained, higher ovarian wet weight, ovarian index, and elevated serum AMH and E2 levels (P<0.01, P<0.05). The blank group had a large number of well-developed primordial follicles, with abundant and closely arranged follicles at various stages. In the model group, there was a significant increase in the number of atretic follicles, a reduction in the number of follicles at various stages, and loosely arranged ovarian tissue. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant decrease in the number of normal follicles (P<0.01) and an increase in the number of atretic follicles (P<0.01). The acupuncture group showed a reduction in atretic follicles and an increase in the number of follicles at various stages compared with the model group, with a significant increase in normal follicles (P<0.01) and a decrease in atretic follicles (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited reduced gut microbiota diversity and richness, with significantly lower Chao1 and Shannon indices (P<0.01), and a greater clustering distance from the blank group. The model group also showed an increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes_D, Verrucomicrobiota, Paramuribaculum, Dubosiella, and Muribaculum (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the relative abundance of Firmicutes_A and the relative protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 in colonic tissue were decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group showed improved gut microbiota diversity and richness, with increased Chao1 and Shannon indices (P<0.05), and a clustering distance closer to the blank group. The acupuncture group exhibited reduced relative abundance of Firmicutes_D, Verrucomicrobiota, and Muribaculum (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the relative abundance of Firmicutes_A and the relative protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated a relationship between gut microbiota and serum hormone indicators, as well as the ovarian index. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the metabolic pathways of the intersecting species were related to amino acid biosynthesis and nucleotide metabolism. CONCLUSION The "Zhibian" (BL54) toward "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture method improves ovarian function in POR mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating gut microbiota structure and maintaining intestinal barrier homeostasis.
Animals ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Mice ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Ovary/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism* ; Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism* ; Estrous Cycle ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone/blood*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and compare it with traditional cupping. METHODS: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation from January 2022 to August 2024 were selected and divided into two groups:the automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping group (controlled pressure cupping group) and the traditional cupping group (control group), 50 cases in each group. In the controlled pressure cupping group, there were 18 males and 32 females, with an age of (51.98±12.69) years;in the control group, there were 16 males and 34 females, with an age of (51.32±12.05) years. The visual analogue scale(VAS), comfort score, and lumbar range of motion were observed before treatment and after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments to evaluate the efficacy and safety. RESULTS: All patients completed the treatment intervention, with complete follow-up data collected. No adverse reactions or complications occurred during treatment and follow-up. After the 3rd treatment, the VAS score of the controlled pressure cupping group was (2.38±0.49), which was lower than that of the control group (2.94±0.68), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). In the controlled pressure cupping group, the VAS scores after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments were significantly better than those before treatment (P=0.026);in the control group, the VAS scores after the 3rd and 7th treatments were better than those before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.182). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) on VAS scores at different time points in both groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in inter-group, time, and interaction effects (P<0.05). After the 1st treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 42 patients (84%) felt mild discomfort, and 8 patients (16%) felt moderate discomfort;in the control group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 28 patients (56%) felt mild discomfort, and 22 patients(44%) felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.005). After the 3rd treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 30 patients(60%) felt comfortable, 20 patients (40%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort; in the control group, 9 patients (18%) felt comfortable, 41 patients (82%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in comfort between the two groups after the 7th treatment(P>0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in lumbar range of motion between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05);compared with before treatment, the lumbar range of motion of both groups after treatment was significantly improved, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping can effectively relieve symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, with excellent safety.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Pressure ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore and verify the effect and potential mechanism of Brucea javanica Seed Oil Emulsion Injection (YDZI) and Shengmai Injection (SMI) on peripheral microcirculation dysfunction in treatment of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: The potential mechanisms of YDZI and SMI were explored through network pharmacology and verified by cellular and clinical experiments. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) were cultured for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured for tube formation assay. Twenty healthy volunteers and 97 patients with GC were enrolled. Patients were divided into surgical resection, surgical resection with chemotherapy, and surgical resection with chemotherapy combining YDZI and SMI groups. Forearm skin blood perfusion was measured and recorded by laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia. Cutaneous vascular conductance and microvascular reactivity parameters were calculated and compared across the groups. RESULTS: After network pharmacology analysis, 4 ingredients, 82 active compounds, and 92 related genes in YDZI and SMI were screened out. β-Sitosterol, an active ingredient and intersection compound of YDZI and SMI, upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, P<0.01), downregulated the expression of caspase 9 (CASP9) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1, P<0.01) in HMECs under oxaliplatin stimulation, and promoted tube formation through VEGFA. Chemotherapy significantly impaired the microvascular reactivity in GC patients, whereas YDZI and SMI ameliorated this injury (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS YDZI and SMI ameliorated peripheral microvascular reactivity in GC patients. β-Sitosterol may improve peripheral microcirculation by regulating VEGFA, PTGS2, ESR1, and CASP9.
Humans ; Microcirculation/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Emulsions ; Male ; Plant Oils/administration & dosage* ; Brucea/chemistry* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Drug Combinations ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Injections ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Aged ; Network Pharmacology

Humans ; Siblings ; Forensic Medicine ; Forensic Genetics

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE To eva luate the clinical comprehensive value of desloratadine in the treatment of urticaria. METHODS The clinical comprehensive evaluation index system based on six dimensions such as safety ，effectiveness，economy，suitability， innovation and accessibility were preliminarily determined by using the methods of literature investigation and expert investigation ； the core contents of the evaluation index system were evaluated and screened by Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process ；the importance of the index was assigned by Likert 5-level scoring method ；the evidence from various sources were collected and qualitative and quantitative integration analysis were conducted according to the clinical comprehensive evaluation index system with the help of system evaluation ，drug instructions ，expert guidelines/consensus ，adverse drug reaction monitoring report ，etc； the experts scored its clinical comprehensive value according to the clinical comprehensive evaluation evidence of each dimension of desloratadine ，combined with the weight of the clinical comprehensive evaluation index system ，the clinical comprehensive evaluation score of the tertiary indexes of desloratadine were calculated. The total clinical comprehensive evaluation score was obtained by accumulating the scores of each index ，and compared with loratadine. RESULTS This study successfully constructed the clinical comprehensive evaluation index system of desloratadine in the treatment of urticaria ，including 6 primary indexes ，13 secondary indexes and 30 tertiary indexes. The total clinical comprehensive evaluation score of desloratadine was 93.63 and that of loratadine was 70.91. CONCLUSIONS The clinical comprehensive value of desloratadine is higher than that of loratadine ，which can provide a reference basis for clinical rational drug use in medical institutions ，selection of drug use catalogue and improvement of national drug policy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence rate and influencing factors of sleep insufficiency in medical students with migraine， and to provide a reference for alleviating the sleep problems in medical students. MethodsFrom July 2018 to July 2019， a random cluster sampling method was implemented to choose 546 medical students who met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders， third edition （ICHD-3） for migraine in North Sichuan Medical College. Students were divided into sleep sufficiency group （n=367） and sleep insufficiency group （n=179） based on whether the nightly sleep duration was more than 6 hours. General demographic and clinical data of medical students were collected. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） was used to assess the sleep quality. Hamilton Anxiety Scale （HAMA） and Hamilton Depression Scale-24 item （HAMD-24） were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression states. Visual Analogue Scale （VAS） was adopted to assess the pain degree， and the 6-item Headache Impact Test Questionnaire （HIT-6） was applied to evaluate the impact of headache on daily life. Then Logistic regression analysis was conducted to screen the influencing factors of sleep insufficiency in medical students with migraine. ResultsAmong 546 medical students with migraine， 179（32.78%） had sleep insufficiency. There were significant differences in age （t=2.107）， frequency of headache attacks （Z=-2.972）， anxiety status （χ²=14.053）， depression status （χ²=10.773）， total score of PSQI （t=-13.247） and sleep quality （χ²=94.754） between sleep sufficiency group and sleep insufficiency group （P<0.05 or 0.01）. Correlation analysis showed that sleep duration in migraine patients was negatively correlated with age （r=-0.100， P<0.01）， and positively correlated with frequency of headache attacks， anxiety status， and depression status （r=0.135， 0.169， 0.139， P<0.01）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis denoted that age （OR=0.860， 95% CI： 0.743~0.996， P=0.045）， frequency of headache attacks （OR=1.051， 95% CI： 1.006~1.098， P=0.026） and depression status （OR=1.712， 95% CI： 1.024~2.861， P=0.040） were influencing factors of sleep insufficiency in medical students with migraine. ConclusionMedical students with migraine suffer a high prevalence rate of sleep insufficiency， moreover， the frequency of headache attack and depression status are risk factors， and age is a protective factor for sleep insufficiency in medical students with migraine.

Objective:To explore the value of 70 keV virtual monoenergetic images(VMI) on dual-layer spectral detector CT in improving abdominal arterial phase images quality.Methods:The arterial phase images of patients who underwent abdominal enhanced scan on the Philips IQon dual-layer spectral detector CT in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty patients (12 males, 38 females) were included with age of 26-74 （53±12） years. Objective and subjective evaluation was performed in 120 kVp polychromatic conventional images (group CI) which derived from iterative reconstruction algorithm and group 70 keV VMI which derived from spectral reconstruction algorithm. The attenuation, noise, signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio of abdominal aorta, celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, left kidney artery, right kidney artery, liver, spleen, pancreas, left and right kidney were compared between group 70 keV VMI and CI by using paired t test. Image quality of group 70 keV VMI and CI was evaluated by two radiologists independently with a 5-point scale and compared by Wilcoxon rank test. The inter-agreement of subjective scoring between the two radiologists was evaluated by Kappa test. Results:Except for pancreas, the attenuation of abdominal arteries and solid organs in group 70 keV VMI were higher than that of group CI and the difference was statistically significant ( Pall<0.05). The attenuation of pancreas was lower than that of group CI ( t=-3.097， P=0.003). The noise of abdominal arteries and solid organs in group 70 keV VMI showed lower values compared to group CI and the difference was statistically significant ( Pall<0.001). The signal to noise ratio as well as contrast to noise ratio of abdominal arteries and solid organs in group 70 keV VMI was higher than that of group CI and the difference was statistically significant ( Pall<0.001). Subjective image quality scores in group 70 keV VMI were higher than that of group CI and scores of group 70 keV VMI and CI were 5 (4,5) and 4 (4,5), respectively. The difference was statistically significant ( Z=-4.131, P<0.001). There was a good consistency of subjective image quality scores between two radiologists, which Kappa values of group 70 keV VMI and CI were 0.79 and 0.69, respectively. Conclusions:Compared to CI, 70 keV VMI derived from dual-layer spectral detector CT can optimize abdominal arterial phase image quality by decreasing the noise, improving the signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio.

OBJECTIVE: to explore the value of capillary electrophoresis in screening β- thalassemia of children, and to establish the cutoff values of HbA2 and HbF in our laboratory. METHODS: The data of hemoglobin capillary electrophoresis and genetic diagnosis of β- thalassemia from 886 examined children were retrospectively analyzed. The cutoff values of HbA2 and HbF were determined by ROC curve. RESULTS: The cutoff value of HbA2 screening minor β- thalassemia was 3.65%, the specificity was 0.996, and the sensitivity was 0.995. The cut-off value of HbF for screening minor β- thalassemia was 1.45%, specificity was 0.751 and sensitivity was 0.675. Thus, 1 case with codon5 (CCT→C) mutation, 1 case with SEA -HPFH β deletion, 1 case with - 28 (A→G) merger IVS-Ι-128 (T→G) double heterozygous mutations yet were found out, 1 case with 47 bp β gene missing has not yet been reported in literature. CONCLUSION Capillary electrophoresis has more high sensitivity and specificity in the screening of β- thalassemia in children, especially for the detection of rare β- thalassemia.