To explore the dose-response correlation between appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) and muscle strength in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), tissue morphology, and the expression of Fc epsilon RI (FcεRI) pathway proteins spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and membrane spanning 4-domain A2 (MS4A2) in rat model of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and to explore the potential mechanism by which this therapy alleviates pain sensitization. METHODS: Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, and a moxibustion group, with 13 rats in each group. The PHN model was established in the model and moxibustion groups by intraperitoneal injection of resiniferatoxin. In the moxibustion group, bilateral L₄-L₆ "Jiaji" (EX-B2) points were treated with point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread from day 7 post-modeling, with two cones per acupoint per session, every other day for a total of 10 sessions. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before modeling and on days 1, 4, 7, 13, 19, and 25 after modeling. After intervention, HE staining was used to observe DRG morphology. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze DEGs in DRG and conduct bioinformatics analysis. The expression of Syk and MS4A2 mRNA and proteins in the FcεRI pathway in DRG was detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited decreased MWT (P<0.05) and increased TWL (P<0.05); histopathological analysis revealed neuronal atrophy, nuclear displacement, and intracellular vacuoles, with a slightly loose arrangement; the RNA-Seq identified 3,207 DEGs (1,997 upregulated and 1,210 downregulated); the mRNA and protein expression levels of Syk and MS4A2 were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed increased MWT (P<0.05) and decreased TWL (P<0.05), with relatively normal neuronal morphology; the RNA-Seq identified 426 DEGs (250 upregulated and 176 downregulated); the mRNA and protein expression levels of Syk and MS4A2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Venn diagram analysis identified 156 DEGs that showed a reversal in expression trends after treatment, including Syk and MS4A2, which are associated with pain sensitization. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these DEGs were primarily enriched in the FcεRI pathway. CONCLUSION Point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread could alleviate pain sensitization in PHN rats, possibly by inhibiting the FcεRI signaling pathway and downregulating the expression of Syk and MS4A2.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Moxibustion ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic/physiopathology* ; Syk Kinase/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUND:Kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome are common traditional Chinese medicine syndromes observed in knee osteoarthritis,which serve as fundamental pathogenesis factors.There exists a significant connection between the two.Previous studies have demonstrated that kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome effectively contribute to knee joint cartilage degeneration and the progression of knee osteoarthritis.However,the mechanisms underlying the promotion of knee joint cartilage damage remain unclear and require further investigation. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome on the progression of knee osteoarthritis in Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS:Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:a model observation group and a control group,with eight rats in each group.Animal models of kidney deficiency were induced by ovary removal in the model observation group,while the control group was given a sham procedure for ovarian removal.Two months after modeling,both groups underwent modified HULTH surgery to induce knee osteoarthritis.One week after modified HULTH surgery,the model observation group was subcutaneously given adrenaline hydrochloride to make blood stasis models,while the control group was subcutaneously given normal saline.At the 5th week after modified HULTH surgery,blood rheology,coagulation parameters,triiodothyronine,tetraiodothyronine,and estradiol levels were measured.Knee joint X-ray images were taken,and knee joint sections were stained with safranin O-fast green,hematoxylin-eosin,and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the model observation group exhibited significant increases in whole blood viscosity at low,medium,and high shear rates,as well as increased plasma viscosity.Fibronectin levels in the coagulation parameters were significantly increased,while prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly decreased.Triiodothyronine,tetraiodothyronine,and estradiol levels were all significantly decreased.Radiographic results showed that the model observation group exhibited more severe degree of knee joint space narrowing and surface roughness,with the appearance of high-density shadows.Hematoxylin-eosin and safranin O-fast green staining demonstrated more severe cartilage damage in the model observation group,with significantly higher OARSI and Mankin scores compared with the control group.Compared with the control group,immunohistochemistry results showed a significant reduction in the expression of extracellular matrix type II collagen and aggrecan protein in the cartilage of the model observation group rats.Moreover,there was a significant increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and aggrecanase 5,which are inflammatory factors.These results indicate that the Sprague-Dawley rat model of knee osteoarthritis with kidney deficiency and blood stasis was successfully established.Kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome further aggravate cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and cartilage degeneration by promoting the expression of inflammatory factors,thereby promoting the progression of knee osteoarthritis in rats.

Objective:To explore the mental health level of Chinese adults aged 20~79 years and its association with exercise based on the surveillance data.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 161 901 samples from the Fifth National Physical Fitness Surveillance, including 121 928 adults aged 20-59 years and 39 973 elderly aged 60-79 years. The mental health status was assessed by a comprehensive questionnaire, and the participation in frequency and duration of exercise were investigated. Chi-square test and Logistic regression were applied to test the relationship between exercise and mental health using SPSS 26.0 software.Results:The rate of depressive symptoms among residents aged 20-79 years in China was 16.6%(26 311/158 518). In the adults aged 20-59 years, the rates of depression and anxiety symptoms were 18.0%(21 465/119 409) and 13.8%(16 435/119 444), respectively, and the proportion of those who often or always felt stressed was 15.3%(18 373/120 444). In the elderly aged 60-79 years, the rate of depression symptoms was 12.4%(4 846/39 109), the proportion of those with loneliness scale scores higher than 25 was 32.8%(12 650/38 525), and 4.0%(1 587/39 395) elderly often or always felt stressed. Compared with the non-exercisers, the risk of depression symptoms in the exercisers was reduced by 20% ( β=-0.22, OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.78-0.82). With increased frequency and intensity of physical exercise, the mental health condition improved significantly. For those who exercised at least 3 days a week and had moderate intensity or above, the detection rate of depression symptoms decreased by 35% ( β=-0.39, OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.63-0.67).The negative associations between exercise and depression were found in different ages, genders and resident subgroups. The risk of anxiety was 6% lower in the adults who participated in physical activity ( β=-0.06, OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.91-0.97) and 15% lower in those who exercised over 3 days per week at moderate-to-vigorous intensity ( β=-0.16, OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.81-0.89). No association between exercise and risk of stress was observed ( P>0.05), but the positive effect was also found as exercise frequency and intensity increased. Older adults with exercise had a reduced risk of high loneliness scores by 50% ( β=-0.70, OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.47-0.52) and a 35% lower detection of stress risk ( β=-0.43, OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.59-0.72). Conclusion:Exercise was significantly and meaningfully associated with self-reported mental health.Exercise can actively and effectively prevent and improve mental health.

Objective To explore the spatial distribution of microstructural parameters and mechanical properties for trabecular bone in the femoral head with osteonecrosis. Methods Microstructural parameters and mechanical properties of trabecular bone in different regions were analyzed by combined use of imaging measurements and numerical simulation method, and the spatial distribution of biomechanical properties for trabecular bone along coronal, sagittal and vertical directions was investigated. Results Microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of trabecular bone were Y-shaped distributed along coronal and sagittal directions, and mechanical properties of trabecular bone in Y-shaped region were higher than those in the other regions. Such distribution characteristics was consistent with the location of principle compressive group in the femoral head. Conclusions Necrotic lesions in Y-shaped region had a greater influence on stress distribution of the femoral head and might cause the deterioration of osteonecrosis. The spacial correlation between necrotic lesions and Y-shaped region should be fully considered during clinical diagnosis.

Objective To measure mechanical properties of calcified tissues from human aortic valve by nanoindentation test. Methods Leaflets from 5 patients with aortic stenosis were collected. Elastic modulus and hardness of the calcified leaflets were obtained by nanoindentationtest. Results The elastic modulus and hardness of the calcified leaflets were (15.69±3.89) GPa and (0.59±0.15) GPa, respectively. Conclusions The elastic modulus and hardness of the calcified valve tissues can be obtained by nanoindentationtest, which provides experimental data for biomechanical research of the valve.

From December 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia (formerly known as the 2019 novel Coronavirus [2019-nCoV]) broke out in Wuhan, China. In this study, we present serial CT findings in a 40-year-old female patient with COVID-19 pneumonia who presented with the symptoms of fever, chest tightness, and fatigue. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection confirmed by real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. CT showed rapidly progressing peripheral consolidations and ground-glass opacities in both lungs. After treatment, the lesions were shown to be almost absorbed leaving the fibrous lesions.
Adult ; China ; Coronavirus ; Fatigue ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Lung ; Pneumonia ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

From December 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia (formerly known as the 2019 novel Coronavirus [2019-nCoV]) broke out in Wuhan, China. In this study, we present serial CT findings in a 40-year-old female patient with COVID-19 pneumonia who presented with the symptoms of fever, chest tightness, and fatigue. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection confirmed by real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. CT showed rapidly progressing peripheral consolidations and ground-glass opacities in both lungs. After treatment, the lesions were shown to be almost absorbed leaving the fibrous lesions.

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) occurs in acute subdural hemorrhage after head trauma or converts from effusion. Traditional treatment is based on conservative treatment and surgical drainage. The effective rate of conservative treatment is only 3%-18%; even with drilling drainage treatment, the recurrence rate is as high as 33%. Recently, the middle meningeal artery embolization technique based on pathological analysis can greatly reduce the recurrence rate, and the operation is simple and curative effect is exact. This article reviews the pathogenesis of cSDH and progress of interventional therapy.

Objective: To investigate the effect of omeprazole on plasma concentration, efficacy and adverse reactions of capecitabine in patients with colon cancer. Methods: Seventy-two patients with colon cancer treated with capecitabine were analysed retrospective. The patients treated with capecitabine combined with omeprazole were identified as experimental group and the capecitabine treatment alone as control group.The differences of blood concentration and the side effects of capecitabine between these two groups were compared. Results: The plasma concentration of 5-Fluorouracilum in experimental group was (126.25±50.59) μg/ml, without significant difference of (123.09±56.70) μg/ml in control group (P=0.121). The incidence of Ⅲ to Ⅳ degree bone marrow suppression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hand-foot syndrome in experimental group were 13.8%, 0%, 0% and 19.4%, respectively. In control group, the incidence of Ⅲ to Ⅳ degree bone marrow suppression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and the hand-foot syndrome were 11.1%, 0%, 0% and 19.4%, respectively, without significant difference of experimental group (P>0.05). The incidence of acid reflux and heartburn in the control group was 72.2%, significantly higher than 44.4% of the experimental group (P<0.05). The objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival time (PFS) in these two groups were 30.6% and 33.3%, and 8.0 month and 8.5 month, respectively, without significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion The intravenous omeprazole attenuates reflux and heartburn of colon cancer patients treated with capecitabine, without affecting its plasma concentration and side effects and has no impact on the PFS of these patients.