OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and mechanism of acupuncture at "Weizhong" (BL40) on microcirculation of paravertebral skeletal muscle in rats with chronic blunt injury of lumbar muscle based on the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. METHODS: Forty-eight SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into a blank group (8 rats) and a modeling group (40 rats). Chronic blunt injury model was established by weight impact method in the modeling group. Forty rats were successfully modeled, and were randomly divided into a model group, an acupuncture at Weizhong group (Weizhong group), an acupuncture at non-acupoint group (non-acupoint group), an inhibitor group, and an inhibitor+acupuncture at Weizhong group (inhibitor+Weizhong group), 8 rats in each group. In the Weizhong group and the inhibitor+Weizhong group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral "Weizhong" (BL40). In the non-acupoint group, acupuncture was applied at non-acupoints, i.e. points 0.5 cm inward from bilateral "Weizhong" (BL40). The acupuncture intervention was delivered 20 min each time, once a day for continuous 2 weeks. In the inhibitor group and the inhibitor+Weizhong group, intraperitoneal injection of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor was given once a day, at a dosage of 2 mg/100 g, for continuous 2 weeks. Before modeling and on the 1st, 7th and 14th days of intervention, the body mass was measured. Before and after modeling, and after intervention, the limb grip strength and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) were measured. After intervention, the morphology of psoas muscle was observed by HE staining; the ultrastructure of psoas muscle capillaries was observed by electron microscopy; the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were detected by ELISA; and the protein and mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K, AKT of psoas muscle was detected by Western blot and real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the body mass on the 7th and 14th days of intervention, the limb grip strength, and the PWT of left and right hind feet were decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01); the skeletal muscle cells showed enlarged intercellular space, loosely arranged and irregularly shaped, the capillaries in the psoas muscle tissues were edematous, and the lumen of the blood vessels was obviously atrophied; the levels of serum VEGF and eNOS were decreased (P<0.001); in psoas muscle, the protein expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, as well as the p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT values were decreased (P<0.001), the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K and AKT was decreased (P<0.001, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the Weizhong group, the body weight was increased on the 7th and 14th days of intervention (P<0.001), the limb grip strength and the PWT of the left and right hind feet were increased (P<0.001, P<0.01); the arrangement of the skeletal muscle cells was relatively tight and the intercellular space was reduced, the blood vessels tended to be regular and the structure of the basement membrane was continuous, while the lumens of blood vessels were collapsed locally; the levels of serum VEGF and eNOS were increased (P<0.001); in psoas muscle, the protein expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, as well as the p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT values were increased (P<0.001), the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K and AKT was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the inhibitor group, the body mass was decreased on the 7th and 14th days of intervention (P<0.05, P<0.01); the limb grip strength and the PWT of the left hind foot were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001); the intercellular space of skeletal muscle cells was larger, the nuclei of the cells and erythrocytes were scattered in the intercellular space, the damage of the capillaries in the muscular tissues was serious, the collagen fibers were sparsely distributed and disorganized; the levels of serum VEGF and eNOS were decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01); in psoas muscle, the protein expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, as well as the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT values were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001), the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K, and AKT was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.05). Compared with the Weizhong group, in the non-acupoint group and the inhibitor+Weizhong group, the body mass was decreased on the 7th and 14th days of intervention (P<0.001, P<0.01), the limb grip strength was decreased (P<0.001); the morphology of muscle cell was relatively poor, with generally irregular, there was mild collapse and atrophy in the vascular lumen, and mild edema in the endothelial cells; the levels of serum VEGF and eNOS were decreased (P<0.001); in psoas muscle, the protein expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, as well as the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT values were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001), the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K, and AKT was decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the Weizhong group, the PWT of the left hind foot was decreased in the non-acupoint group (P<0.001), and PWT of the left and right hind feet was decreased in the inhibitor+Weizhong group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at "Weizhong" (BL40) promotes lumbar muscle repair in chronic low back pain, its mechanism may be related to the activation of the IGF-1/PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby improving the microcirculation.
Animals ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Male ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a deadly condition of the aorta, carrying a significant risk of death upon rupture. Currently, there is a dearth of efficacious pharmaceutical interventions to impede the advancement of AAA and avert it from rupturing. Here, we investigated dihydromyricetin (DHM), one of the predominant bioactive flavonoids in Ampelopsis grossedentata (A. grossedentata), as a potential agent for inhibiting AAA. DHM effectively blocked the formation of AAA in angiotensin II-infused apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice. A combination of network pharmacology and whole transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that DHM's anti-AAA action is linked to heme oxygenase (HO)-1 (Hmox-1 for the rodent gene) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Remarkably, DHM caused a robust rise (∼10-fold) of HO-1 protein expression in VSMCs, thereby suppressing VSMC inflammation and oxidative stress and preserving the VSMC contractile phenotype. Intriguingly, the therapeutic effect of DHM on AAA was largely abrogated by VSMC-specific Hmox1 knockdown in mice. Mechanistically, on one hand, DHM increased the transcription of Hmox-1 by triggering the nuclear translocation and activation of HIF-1α, but not nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). On the other hand, molecular docking, combined with cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and site mutant experiments revealed that DHM bonded to HO-1 at Lys243 and prevented its degradation, thereby resulting in considerable HO-1 buildup. In summary, our findings suggest that naturally derived DHM has the capacity to markedly enhance HO-1 expression in VSMCs, which may hold promise as a therapeutic strategy for AAA.

Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.

Objective: The study aims to explore the neural mechanism of cognitive differences in college students with posttraumatic stress disorder under verbal fluency task based on functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), so as to provide neuroimaging support for the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD). Methods: Posttaumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Combat(PCL-C) was used to screen the subjects, including 21 students in PTSD group (PCL-C≥38) and 30 students in control group from September to Novenber in 2020. A 53 channel near infrared spectroscopy device was used to collect cerebral blood oxygen signals under the verbal fluency task, and correlation analysis, Mann Whitney U test and independent sample t test were performed on the results. Results: The difference in the total average score of PCL-C Scale between PTSD group and the control group(46.38±6.96，25.57±6.09) was statistically significant ( t=11.33, P <0.05). Correlation analysis showed that Avg-HbO in left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe was negatively correlated with PCL-C Score ( r=-0.37, P <0.05). Mann Whitney U test showed that in the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe (Ch6), the Avg-HbO change in PTSD group [0.19(-0.09, 0.86)mmol/(L〖KG*7〗·mm)] was significantly lower than the control group [0.79( 0.37 , 1.47)mmol/(L ·mm)] ( Z=2.16, P <0.05), which was statistically significant. Conclusions The degree of PTSD was negatively correlated with the index of oxygenated hemoglobin in the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe, and the oxygenated hemoglobin content in the PTSD group was lower than that in the normal group. In the future, fNIRS may be used to collect blood oxygen signals from the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe in cognitive tasks to provide imaging evidence for the identification of PTSD.

Objective To explore the relationship between haptoglobin gene polymorphism and disease se-verity and susceptibility in senile vascular dementia patients.Methods A total of 80 patients with senile vas-cular dementia admitted to the hospital from February 2018 to February 2023 were selected as the vascular de-mentia group,and 80 stroke patients with non-vascular dementia admitted to the hospital during the same pe-riod were selected as the control group.The genotype distribution and allele frequency of haptoglobin gene were measured using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers,and their relationship with the severity and susceptibility of vascular dementia patients was analyzed.Results The proportion of history of hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus and the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in vascular dementia group were higher than those in control group,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The distribution of genotypes was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium(P＞0.05).The frequency of haptoglobin 2-2 genotype and haptoglobin 2 allele in vascular dementia group were higher than those in control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the scores of mini-mental state examination and hachinski ischaemic score among patients with vascular dementia with different haptoglobin genotypes(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the carrier of hapto-globin 2-2 genotype and the carrier of haptoglobin 2 allele were independent risk factors for vascular dementia(P＜0.05).Conclusion Haptoglobin 2-2 genotype and haptoglobin 2 allele distribution frequency are associ-ated with the occurrence of vascular dementia after stroke,and those with high frequency of haptoglobin 2-2 genotype and haptoglobin 2 allele distribution suffer a severe disease,which can provide reference for early i-dentification and assessment of vascular dementia.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most effective revascularization treatments for coronary heart disease. Secondary prevention strategies, which rely on antiplatelet and lipid-lowering drugs, are crucial after CABG to ensure the durability of revascularization treatment effects and prevent adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in the medium to long term. Previous research conducted by Professor Zhao Qiang's team from Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, known as the DACAB study, indicated that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT, specifically ticagrelor+aspirin) after CABG can enhance venous graft patency. However, it remains uncertain whether DAPT can further improve the medium to long-term clinical outcomes of CABG patients. Recently, the team reported the medium to long-term follow-up results of the DACAB study, termed the DACAB-FE study, finding that DAPT administered after CABG can reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events over five years and improve patients' medium to long-term clinical outcomes. This article will interpret the methodological highlights and significant clinical implications of the DACAB-FE study.

Objective:To explore the high-risk factors for parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis（PNAC）in extremely/ultra-low birth weight infants，and establish a risk Alignment Diagram prediction model.Methods:We retrospectivly analyzed the clinical data of hospitalized extremely/ultra-low birth weight infants admitted to Neonatology Department at Quanzhou Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020，using multivariate Logistic regression analysis to screen for independent risk factors for the occurrence of PNAC.An Alignment Diagram model prediction model for PNAC was constructed by using R software，and the performance of the model was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curves.Results:A total of 203 extremely/ultra-low birth weight infants were included，with a median gestational age of 29.14（28.00，30.86）weeks and a median birth weight of 1　170（1　000,1　300）g.Among them，26（12.81%）cases developed PNAC.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of parenteral nutrition（ OR=1.015 ，95% CI 1.003-1.034），the cumulative amount of glucose（ OR=1.014 ，95% CI 1.001-1.028），small for gestational age（ OR=3.455 ，95% CI 1.127-10.589），and neonatal sepsis（ OR=3.142 ，95% CI 1.039-9.503）were independent risk factors for PNAC（ P＜0.05）；The four independent risk factors mentioned above were introduced into R software to construct an Alignment Diagram model，the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.835（95% CI 0.842-0.731），and the results of the Hosmer Limeshow goodness of fit test show that：χ 2=5.34，degree of freedom=8， P=0.72.A calibration curve indicated good consistency between the predicted probability of the model and the actual occurrence rate，with good accuracy. Conclusion:The Alignment Diagram model constructed based on four independent risk factors of the duration of parenteral nutrition，glucose accumulation，small for gestational age infants，and neonatal sepsis exhibits high predictive ability，and is expected to provide an intuitive and convenient visualization tool for preventing or reducing the occurrence of PNAC in extremely/ultra-low birth weight infants

Objective To translate the fear-avoidance components scale(FACS)into Chinese and test its reliability and validity.Methods In September 2023,the Chinese version of the Fear-avoidance component scale(FACS)was translated from the English version with translation,back-translation,cultural adjustment and pre-experiment according to Brislin's translation-back-translation model,after having been granted the rights by the author of FACS in August 2023.In October 2023,with the convenience sampling method,402 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in a Grade IIIA hospital were selected as the trial subjects to test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of FACS.Results A total of 376 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain had completed the study.The Chinese version of FACS encompassed 2 dimensions with 18 items:fear-avoidance psychology(12 items)and fear-avoidance behaviour(6 items).The total Cronbach α coefficient of the scale was 0.907 with the split-half reliability at 0.836 and test-retest reliability at 0.895.The Cronbach α coefficients of the two dimensions were at 0.884 and 0.812,split-half reliability at 0.871 and 0.896 and the test-retest reliability at 0.808 and 0.921,respectively.The content validity index of the scale level was 0.935,with a range from 0.870 to 1.000 at the item level.The KMO value for exploratory factor analysis was at 0.909,the spherical test value at 3134.208(P<0.01)and the cumulative variance contribution rate at 66.514%.Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model fitted the data well.Conclusion The Chinese version of FACS exhibits good reliability and validity.It can serve as an effective tool in the assessment of fear-avoidance in the patients with chronic pain in China.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for high-output stoma (HOS) in patients undergoing rectal cancer radical resection combined with terminal ileostomy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 104 patients who underwent radical resection for rectal cancer combined with terminal ileostomy at Northern Jiangsu People′s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022. Among them, 77 were male and 27 were female, with ages ranging from 31 to 84 years and an average age of 62.60 years. HOS was defined as an average stoma output ≥1500 mL/24 h within 3 days after resuming oral intake. Based on the presence of HOS post-surgery, patients were divided into the HOS group ( n=29) and the non-HOS group ( n=77). The two groups were compared based on gender, age, body mass index (BMI), preoperative albumin, hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, surgery duration, surgical approach, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative albumin, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Data were analyzed using SPSS27.0. Continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and independent t-tests or non-parametric tests were used for group comparisons. Chi-square tests were used for categorical data, and logistic regression was employed to evaluate the influence of various factors on the occurrence of HOS. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, preoperative albumin, hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, surgery duration, surgical approach, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative albumin, hemoglobin, or white blood cell count ( P>0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that older patients were more likely to develop HOS ( P=0.037, OR=1.047), those with lower BMI were at higher risk of HOS ( P<0.001, OR=0.448), and elevated postoperative CRP was associated with an increased likelihood of HOS ( P<0.001, OR=1.027). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI ( OR=0.302, 95% CI: 0.164-0.555, P<0.001) and postoperative CRP ( OR=1.045, 95% CI: 1.023-1.068, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of HOS. Conclusion:Lower BMI and elevated postoperative CRP are significant independent risk factors for the development of HOS in rectal cancer patients.

Objective:To establish the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) content determination method of Curcumae Radix standard decoction; To predict the quality markers of Curcumae Radix standard decoction combined with network pharmacology.Methods:UPLC method was used to establish the fingerprint of Curcumae Radix standard decoction, and the common peaks were determined. Combined with chemical pattern recognition techniques such as similarity analysis and clustering analysis, Curcumae Radix standard decoction from different producing areas was studied, and curcumol was used as an index to determine the content of 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction. At the same time, network pharmacology was used to predict potential of curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one.Results:A total of 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction from different habitats were compared and analyzed, and 10 common peaks were calibrated. The similarity of 24 batches of samples ranged from 0.982 to 0.999. Clustering analysis and principal component analysis divided them into three categories. Heat map analysis showed that peak 8 (curcumol) and peak 9 ((1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one) were the main components. The content of curcumol in 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction was 0.69-1.87 mg/g; curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β- (3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one may regulate the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway, calcium signaling, and excitation by regulating neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway, calcium signaling, and excitation. It was preliminarily predicted that curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one were potential quality markers of Curcumae Radix.Conclusion:Curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one are potential quality markers of Curcumae Radix standard decoction, and the established fingerprint can be used for the quality control of Curcumae Radix standard decoction.