Purpose: This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard. Methods: Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. Results: Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001). Conclusion Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) expresses abundant glycolytic enzymes and displays comprehensive glucose metabolism reprogramming. Aldolase A (ALDOA) plays a prominent role in glycolysis; however, little is known about its role in HCC development. In the present study, we aim to explore how ALDOA is involved in HCC proliferation. HCC proliferation was markedly suppressed both in vitro and in vivo following ALDOA knockout, which is consistent with ALDOA overexpression encouraging HCC proliferation. Mechanistically, ALDOA knockout partially limits the glycolytic flux in HCC cells. Meanwhile, ALDOA translocated to nuclei and directly interacted with c-Jun to facilitate its Thr93 phosphorylation by P21-activated protein kinase; ALDOA knockout markedly diminished c-Jun Thr93 phosphorylation and then dampened c-Jun transcription function. A crucial site Y364 mutation in ALDOA disrupted its interaction with c-Jun, and Y364S ALDOA expression failed to rescue cell proliferation in ALDOA deletion cells. In HCC patients, the expression level of ALDOA was correlated with the phosphorylation level of c-Jun (Thr93) and poor prognosis. Remarkably, hepatic ALDOA was significantly upregulated in the promotion and progression stages of diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC models, and the knockdown of A ldoa strikingly decreased HCC development in vivo. Our study demonstrated that ALDOA is a vital driver for HCC development by activating c-Jun-mediated oncogene transcription, opening additional avenues for anti-cancer therapies.

BACKGROUND: The use of inserted sham acupuncture as a placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is controversial, because it may produce specific effects that cause an underestimation of the effect of acupuncture treatment. OBJECTIVE: This systematic survey investigates the magnitude of insert-specific effects of sham acupuncture and whether they affect the estimation of acupuncture treatment effects. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify acupuncture RCTs from their inception until December 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: RCTs that evaluated the effects of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: The total effect measured for an acupuncture treatment group in RCTs were divided into three components, including the natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (controlled for no-treatment group), the placebo effect, and the specific effect of acupuncture. The first two constituted the contextual effect of acupuncture, which is mimicked by a sham acupuncture treatment group. The proportion of acupuncture total effect size was considered to be 1. The proportion of natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (PNE) and proportional contextual effect (PCE) of included RCTs were pooled using meta-analyses with a random-effect model. The proportion of acupuncture placebo effect was the difference between PCE and PNE in RCTs with non-inserted sham acupuncture. The proportion of insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture (PIES) was obtained by subtracting the proportion of acupuncture placebo effect and PNE from PCE in RCTs with inserted sham acupuncture. The impact of PIES on the estimation of acupuncture's treatment effect was evaluated by quantifying the percentage of RCTs that the effect of outcome changed from no statistical difference to statistical difference after removing PIES in the included studies, and the impact of PIES was externally validated in other acupuncture RCTs with an inserted sham acupuncture group that were not used to calculate PIES. RESULTS: This analysis included 32 studies with 5492 patients. The overall PNE was 0.335 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.255-0.415) and the PCE of acupuncture was 0.639 (95% CI, 0.567-0.710) of acupuncture's total effect. The proportional contribution of the placebo effect to acupuncture's total effect was 0.191, and the PIES was 0.189. When we modeled the exclusion of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, the acupuncture treatment effect changed from no difference to a significant difference in 45.45% of the included RCTs, and in 40.91% of the external validated RCTs. CONCLUSION The insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture in RCTs represents 18.90% of acupuncture's total effect and significantly affects the evaluation of the acupuncture treatment effect. More than 40% of RCTs that used inserted sham acupuncture would draw different conclusions if the PIES had been controlled for. Considering the impact of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, caution should be taken when using inserted sham acupuncture placebos in RCTs. Please cite this article as: Luo XC, Liu JL, Yao MH, Chen YM, Fan AY, Liang FR, Zhao JP, Zhao L, Zhou X, Zhong XY, Yang JH, Li B, Zhang Y, Sun X, Li L. Specific effect of inserted sham acupuncture and its impact on the estimation of acupuncture treatment effect in randomized controlled trials: A systematic survey. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):630-640.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos ; Treatment Outcome

With the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome， metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases in China and globally. Traditional diagnostic and monitoring methods rely on liver biopsy， imaging techniques， and serological markers， and their application is limited by invasiveness， high costs， and insufficient sensitivity. In recent years， the rapid development of artificial intelligence （AI） technology in the medical field has provided new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of MAFLD. This article explores the application of AI technology in areas such as models for the diagnosis of MAFLD， the prediction of disease progression， and digital therapeutics， in order to provide a reference for the diagnosis and management of MAFLD.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard. Methods: Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. Results: Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001). Conclusion Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard. Methods: Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. Results: Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001). Conclusion Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard. Methods: Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. Results: Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001). Conclusion Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard. Methods: Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. Results: Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001). Conclusion Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.

Objective To observe the effects of Ditan Yizhi Decoction on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and mitochondrial autophagy in vascular dementia(VD)rats.Methods Totally 70 male SD rats were randomly selected as the sham-operation group,with only the common carotid artery isolated and not ligated,and the rest of the rats were used to prepare a rat model of VD by the modified bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligature method.The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,donepezil group,agonist group and Ditan Yizhi Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups and were given corresponding interventions for 4 weeks.Morris water maze experiment was used to assess the learning and memory ability of rats,HE staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphology of hippocampal tissue,transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal neuron,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of PINK1,Parkin,p62,Beclin-1,LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ,β-catenin,GSK-3β,p-GSK-3β protein.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,rats in the model group had a prolonged escape latency(P<0.01),a reduced number of crossing platforms(P<0.01);neuronal gaps in the CA1 area of the hippocampus were enlarged,with irregular cell morphology and blurred borders,neuronal solidification,Nissl bodies dissolution and fragmentation,reduced quantity,mitochondrial cristae disorder,and disruption of the structure of the bilayer membrane,with a greater number of autophagosomes in the surroundings;the expressions of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin-1,LC3BⅡ/I,β-catenin,p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β protein were significantly increased(P<0.01),and p62 protein expression was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the escape latency of rats in donepezil group,agonist group and Ditan Yizhi Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were significantly shortened(P<0.01),and the number of crossing platforms significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region increased,with normal morphology and orderly arrangement,Nissl bodies were abundant,and transmission electron microscopy showed that mitochondrial morphology recovered,rupture decreased,and autophagosomes around mitochondria decreased,the protein expressions of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin-1,LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ,β-catenin and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β in hippocampal tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the protein expression of p62 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Ditan Yizhi Decoction can improve learning memory ability and neuronal morphology in VD rats,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit mitophagy.

Objective To observe the effects of Ditan Yizhi Decoction on mitochondrial dynamics-mediated glucose metabolism in vascular dementia(VaD)rats based on the ROS/Drp1 axis;To explore its mechanism in treating VaD.Methods Ten male SD rats were randomly selected from 70 as the sham-operation group,and VaD models were prepared using the modified bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation method for the remaining rats.The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,positive drug group(donepezil hydrochloride),inhibitor group(Mdivi-1)and Ditan Yizhi Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(12.86,25.725,51.45 g/kg),and intervened with corresponding method for 4 consecutive weeks.Morris water maze experiment was used to assess the learning memory ability of rats,HE and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphology of hippocampal tissue,transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons,DHE fluorescent probe was used to detect the content of ROS in hippocampal neurons,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Drp1,p-Drp1,Mfn2,Opa1,HK1,PKM2,GLUT1 and LDHA,the contents of serum IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,rats in the model group had a prolonged escape latency(P<0.01)and a reduced number of crossing platforms(P<0.01);neuronal gaps in the CA1 region of the hippocampus were enlarged,with irregular cell morphology and blurred borders,neuronal consolidation,lysis and fragmentation of Nissl bodies and reduced number of Nissl bodies,swelling and deformation of mitochondria,disorganization of the cristae,and disruption of the bilayer membrane structure;the content of ROS in CA1 region of the hippocampus was elevated,the protein expressions of Mfn2 and Opa1 significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expressions of p-Drp1,HK1,PKM2,GLUT1,LDHA proteins significantly increased(P<0.01),and serum contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the escape latency was significantly shortened in Ditan Yizhi Decoction groups,positive drug group and inhibitor group(P<0.01),and the number of crossing platforms increased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region increased,with normal morphology,orderly arrangement,abundant Nissl bodies,recovered mitochondrial morphology,and decreased rupture;the ROS content in hippocampal CA1 region decreased(P<0.01),while the expressions of Mfn2 and Opa1 proteins increased(P<0.01),the expressions of p-Drp1,HK1,PKM2,GLUT1 and LDHA proteins decreased(P<0.01),and the serum contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Ditan Yizhi Decoction can improve cognitive impairment and neuronal morphology in VaD rats,and the mechanism maybe related to regulation of mitochondrial dynamics through the ROS/Drp1 axis,attenuating glycometabolic disorders,and reducing inflammatory response.