OBJECTIVE: To investigate the variability of bone metabolism levels among different populations and its association with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain. METHODS: A total of 50 people (control group) who participated in physical examination from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected, including 26 males and 24 females, wtih a mean aged of (52.14±9.04) years old ranging 41 to 65 years old. The other 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis(case group) who attended the outpatient clinic of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department in the same time period, including 19 males and 31 females, with a mean age of (53.60±7.76) years old ranging 40 to 65 years. The two groups of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) and bone metabolism markers, such as 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol[25(OH)D], β-isomerized typeⅠcollagen C-telopeptide breakdown products (β-CTX), total typeⅠprocollagen N-terminal propeptide (t-PINP), osteocalcin (OC), parathormone (PTH) levels were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to compare the correlation between two groups of bone metabolism related markers and WOMAC. RESULTS: The WOMAC score of the case group (39.90±2.34) was higher than that of the control group (3.60±0.57), with significant difference (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups of 25 (OH)D, β-CTX and PTH (P>0.05). The t-PINP and OC of the case group were (62.90±52.40) and (19.88±10.15) ng·ml-1, respectively, and those of the control group were (38.86±10.82) and (14.90±3.62) ng·ml^-1, respectively;the t-PINP and OC of the case group were higher than those of the control group, with significant difference (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that t-PINP was positively correlated with WOMAC pain score in the case group (r²=0.045, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Bone metabolism levels in the serum of patients with knee osteoarthritis are different from those of healthy people, and the difference between OC and t-PINP is the most obvious, and the concentration of t-PINP levels is positively correlated with pain symptoms in patients with KOA. However, the specific mechanism of correlation between the bone metabolism levels of patients with KOA and their pain symptoms needs to be further elucidated by basic experimental research as well as by enlarging the samples.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Aged ; Adult ; Bone and Bones/metabolism* ; Pain/etiology* ; Biomarkers/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) encompasses damage to nerves located outside the central nervous system, adversely affecting both motor and sensory functions. Although peripheral nerves possess an intrinsic capacity for self-repair, severe injuries frequently result in significant tissue loss and erroneous axonal junctions, thereby impeding complete recovery and potentially causing neuropathic pain. Various therapeutic strategies, including surgical interventions, biomaterials, and pharmacological agents, have been developed to enhance nerve repair processes. While preclinical studies in animal models have demonstrated the efficacy of certain pharmacological agents in promoting nerve regeneration and mitigating inflammation, only a limited number of these agents have been translated into clinical practice to expedite nerve regeneration. Chinese herb medicine (CHM) possesses a longstanding history in the treatment of various ailments and demonstrates potential efficacy in addressing PNI through its distinctive, cost-effective, and multifaceted methodologies. This review critically examines the advancements in the application of CHM for PNI treatment and nerve regeneration. In particular, we have summarized the most commonly employed and rigorously investigated CHM prescriptions, individual herbs, and natural products, elucidating their respective functions and underlying mechanisms in the context of PNI treatment. Furthermore, we have deliberated on the prospective development of CHM in both clinical practice and fundamental research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Nerve Regeneration/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism. METHODS: Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. RESULTS: Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Signal Transduction ; Imiquimod ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Male ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression and clinical significance of Periostin in tissues of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS).METHODS Real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect periostin expression in eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps(ECRSwNP),non-eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps(non-ECRSwNP),CRS without nasal polyps(CRSsNP),and control tissues.Correlations between periostin levels and blood eosinophil percentage(Eos%),Lund-Mackay score,modified endoscopic score,and Japanese epidemiological survey of refractory eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis(JESREC)score were analyzed.Additionally,changes in SNOT-22 and VAS scores were compared at different preoperative and postoperative times.The predictive value of periostin for ECRSwNP was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.RESULTS Periostin expression was detected in all groups(ECRSwNP,non-ECRSwNP,CRSsNP,and controls),with predominant localization in the basement membrane and mucosal subepithelial lamina propria.Significantly elevated periostin levels were detected in the ECRSwNP group compared to the other three groups(P<0.001).Furthermore,Periostin mRNA expression showed significant positive correlations with blood Eos%,JESREC score,and Lund-Mackay score.SNOT-22 and VAS scores were significantly elevated in the ECRSwNP group at preoperative evaluation and 9 months postoperatively(P<0.001).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that periostin had a substantial predictive value for ECRSwNP(AUC=0.957).CONCLUSION Periostin plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis,contributing to the diagnosis,severity assessment,and prognosis evaluation of ECRSwNP,while offering potential therapeutic targets for CRS management.

OBJECTIVE To compare the expression characteristics of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),Smad2,Smad3,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related markers(E-cadherin,N-cadherin,vimentin)in patients with different types of chronic sinusitis(CRS),to analyze the correlations of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and vimentin with TGF-β1 and the prognosis of surgical treatment in patients with different types of CRS.METHODS The expressions of E-cadherin,N-cadherin,vimentin,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in patients with different types of CRS and the control group were compared by Western blotting(WB)and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Analyze its correlation with the improvement degree of each clinical score after the operation.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the expression of E-cadherin decreased in the CRSsNP group,the non-ECRSwNP group and the ECRSwNP group,while the expressions of vimentin and N-cadherin increased.The protein expression of TGF-β1 in the CRSsNP group was higher than that in the non-ECRSwNP group and the control group(P<0.001),and the expressions of Smad2 and Smad3 in the CRSsNP group were higher than those in the ECRSwNP group,the non-ECRSwNP group and the control group(P<0.001).In the CRSsNP group,there was a positive correlation between TGF-β1 and vimentin(r=0.675,P=0.011),and a negative correlation with E-cadherin(r=-0.802,P=0.001).The expression of E-cadherin was negatively correlated with the improvement amplitude of SNOT-22 nasal symptom scores in patients with different types of CRS(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The EMT phenomenon occurs in different types of CRS.In CRS SNPS,EMT may be related to the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.The expressions of EMT markers E-cadherin,N-cadherin and vimentin are correlated with the decrease in the severity of postoperative disease in patients with CRS,suggesting a potential association between the EMT process and the surgical prognosis of patients with CRS.

Objective To explore the research progress, research hotspot and development trend of tigecycline resistance based on the quantitative analysis and visualization function of CiteSpace. Methods The data were collected from 4,263 Chinese and English articles on tigecycline resistance in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Web of Science (WOS) databases from 2012 to 2022. CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software was used to analyze the cooperative network of authors, the cooperative network of countries and institutions, the total citation times of journals, and keywords included in the literature, to reveal the hotspots and trends of tigecycline resistance research. Results The number of articles published in English literature was higher than that in Chinese literature. China had the largest number of published documents, showing a significant international academic influence in this research field. Countries all over the world were concerned about the resistance of tigecycline, but Chinese literatures focused more on the clinical infection and prevention of tigecycline resistance, while English literatures placed special emphasis on the research about the drug resistance mechanism of tigecycline. Conclusion The research direction at home and abroad is basically the same, but the research focus has gradually shifted from the clinical treatment and monitoring of tigecycline to the molecular level of drug resistance mechanism.

Objective To analyze the research status and trend of scarlet fever literature in China, and to provide reference for subsequent research. Methods Three major Chinese databases, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, as well as Web of Science English database, were used to search for literature related to scarlet fever from 2000 to 2023. Citespace6.2.R2 software was used to statistically analyze the number of publications, authors, institutions and journals, co-cited literature, keyword clustering, and other literature characteristics of the literature. Results From 2000 to 2023, a total of 1 011 Chinese literature were included in the three major Chinese databases. Since 2011, the number of publications had gradually increased, but in recent years, the number of publications had decreased. The organization with the most publications was the Shenyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The cluster analysis of key words mainly formed 9 cluster tags, and the high-frequency keywords mainly included epidemic characteristics, epidemiology, incidence rate, etc. A total of 84 English literature were included in the WOS database, with an overall upward trend in publication volume. The institution with the most publications was the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the most frequently cited journal was ^“LANCET INFECT DIS^”.《Resurgence of scarlet fever in China: a 13-year population-based surveillance study》 was the most cited journal. After keyword cluster analysis, 9 cluster labels were mainly formed, and the keywords were mainly outbreak，Hong Kong, and Group A streptococcus. Conclusion Compared with the English literature, which mainly focuses on spatiotemporal aggregation, etiology and strain resistance, Chinese literature focuses more on epidemic surveillance, clinical features and quality nursing.

Objective In this study, a strain of colistin and tigecycline-resistant bacteria isolated in 2009 was analyzed, and the structure of drug-resistant plasmid and genetic environment were discussed, so as to provide basis for the prevention and control of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Methods A strain (GZ12244) with positive mcr and tet(M) was obtained by screening colistin and tigecycline resistance genes. Vitek-2 was used for strain identification, and the drug sensitivity test was carried out by broth dilution method. The molecular typing, drug resistance genes, insertion sequences, plasmid structure and genetic background were analyzed by genome-wide sequencing and bioinformatics. Results Strain GZ12244 is Klebsiella pneumoniae, which is resistant to colistin B, tigecycline, cefuroxime and tetracycline, and carries a variety of drug-resistant related genes such as mcr-1 and tet(M), and some of the drug-resistant genes with antibiotic efflux and antibiotic target change have amino acid substitution mutations. Mcr-1 and tet(M) coexist in a plasmid, and mcr-1 flanked by two insertion sequences ISApl1. There are insertion sequences such as IS15, IS1D and ISEc63 in the upstream and downstream of tet(M) gene. Conclusion Klebsiella pneumoniae GZ12244 is a multidrug-resistant strain. The drug-resistant gene exists in plasmid, and the mobile elements in upstream and downstream may spread the drug-resistant gene.