OBJECTIVE: Varied acupoint selections represent a potential cause of the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Skin temperature, a guiding factor for acupoint selection, may help to address this issue. This study explored thermal sensitization of acupoints used for the treatment of knee OA. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study enrolled cases aged 45-75 years with symptomatic knee OA and age- and gender-matched non-knee OA controls in a 1:1 ratio. All participants underwent infrared thermographic imaging. The primary outcome was the relative skin temperature of acupoint (STA), and the secondary outcome was the absolute STA of 11 acupoints. The Z test was used to compare the relative and absolute STAs between the groups. Principal component analysis was used to extract the common factors (CFs, acupoint cluster) in the STAs. A general linear model was used to identify factors affecting the STA in the knee OA cases. For the group comparisons of relative STA, P < 0.0045 (adjusted for 11 acupoints through Bonferroni correction) was considered to indicate statistical significance. For other analyses, P < 0.05 was used as the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: The analysis included 308 participants, consisting of 151 cases (mean age: [64.58 ± 6.67] years; male: 25.83%; mean body mass index: [25.70 ± 3.16] kg/m²) and 157 controls (mean age: [63.37 ± 5.96] years; male: 26.11%; mean body mass index: [24.47 ± 2.84] kg/m²). The relative STAs of ST34 (P = 0.0001), EX-LE2 (P < 0.0001), EX-LE5 (P = 0.0006), SP10 (P < 0.0001), BL40 (P = 0.0012) and GB39 (P = 0.0037) were higher in the knee OA group. No difference was found in the STAs of ST35, ST36, SP9, GB33 and GB34. Four CFs were identified for relative STA in both groups. The acupoints within each CF were consistent between the groups. The mean values of the relative STAs across each CF were higher in the knee OA group. In the knee OA cases, no factors were observed to affect the relative STA, while age and gender were found to affect the absolute STA. CONCLUSION Among patients with knee OA, thermal sensitization occurs in the acupoints of the lower extremity, exhibiting localized and regional thermal consistencies. The thermally sensitized acupoints that we identified in this study, ST34, SP10, EX-LE2, EX-LE5, GB39 and BL40, may be good choices for the acupuncture treatment of knee OA. Please cite this article as: Tu JF, Wang XZ, Yan SY, Wang YR, Yang JW, Shi GX, Zhang WZ, Jing LN, Yang LS, Liu DH, Wang LQ, Mi BH. Thermal sensitization of acupoints in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional case-control study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 289-296.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Male ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Case-Control Studies ; Aged ; Skin Temperature ; Acupuncture Therapy

Wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a transformative surveillance tool for estimating substance consumption and monitoring disease prevalence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It enables the population-level monitoring of illicit drug use, pathogen prevalence, and environmental pollutant exposure. In this perspective, we summarize the key challenges specific to the Chinese context: (1) Sampling inconsistencies, necessitating standardized 24-hour composite protocols with high-frequency autosamplers (≤ 15 min/event) to improve the representativeness of samples; (2) Biomarker validation, requiring rigorous assessment of excretion profiles and in-sewer stability; (3) Analytical method disparities, demanding inter-laboratory proficiency testing and the development of automated pretreatment instruments; (4) Catchment population dynamics, reducing estimation uncertainties through mobile phone data, flow-based models, or hydrochemical parameters; and (5) Ethical and data management concerns, including privacy risks for small communities, mitigated through data de-identification and tiered reporting platforms. To address these challenges, we propose an integrated framework that features adaptive sampling networks, multi-scale wastewater sample banks, biomarker databases with multidimensional metadata, and intelligent data dashboards. In summary, wastewater-based epidemiology offers unparalleled scalability for equitable health surveillance and can improve the health of the entire population by providing timely and objective information to guide the development of targeted policies.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Wastewater/analysis* ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Public Health ; Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring ; SARS-CoV-2

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:The Fuxing Program was established in Zhuhai as an action plan to micro-eliminate hepatitis C in response to the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. Therefore, the effectiveness of this program in terms of hepatitis C screening, treatment, follow-up, and other aspects is evaluated here.Methods:The "Fuxing Project" was established in May 2021 under the supervision of the Zhuhai Medical Quality Control Center for Infectious Diseases. A bridge was formed among the governmental entities, hospitals at all levels, and the community to train hepatitis C prevention and control strategies. Hepatitis C screening, publicity, and educational awareness were conducted in-and out-of-hospital. The responsibility for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a patient with hepatitis C was assigned to the staff. The screening and treatment rates of hepatitis C in hospitals before and after the initiation of the project were compared and analyzed using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment status were investigated and analyzed among the general population, high-risk populations such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, drug addicts, and the population residing in supervised sites within Zhuhai communities, rural areas, schools, or factories. Results:Anti-HCV positivity rate (0.82% vs. 0.43%, P<0.001), HCV RNA detection rate (98.1% vs. 59.5%, P<0.001), HCV RNA detection positivity rate (52.56% vs. 29.76%, P<0.001), HCV RNA positivity rate (0.4% vs. 0.13%, P<0.001), and hepatitis C treatment rate (76.76% vs. 31.97%, P<0.001) were significantly higher among the inpatient population after the Fuxing Program initiation than before. The HCV RNA detection rate (58.52% vs. 6.93%, P<0.001) and HCV RNA detection positivity rate (77.72% vs. 29.41%, P<0.001) in Zhuhai were significantly higher after the Fuxing Program initiation than before. Anti-HCV positivity rate (0.46% vs. 1.28%, P=0.009) and HCV RNA (0.32% vs. 0.99%, P=0.03) were significantly lower in the Zhuhai general population of urban communities than those of the general population in rural areas. The HCV infection rate was more than three times higher in rural populations than in urban populations. Anti-HCV positivity rate, HCV RNA positivity rate, HCV RNA detection positivity rate, and hepatitis C treatment rates were 2.64% (31/1 175), 3.40% (69/2 022) and 94.4% (34/36), 2.64% (31/1 175), 2.72% (55/2 022), 50.00% (18/36), and 100% (31/31), 79.71% (55/69) and 52.94% (18/34), and 100% (31/31), 0 (0/55) and 55.55% (10/18) among the HIV infection, supervised population under supervised sites, and methadone maintenance treatment clinic population, respectively. Anti-HCV positivity rate (4.15% vs. 0.72%, P<0.001) and HCV RNA (3.22% vs. 0.53%, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the high-risk group than those in the general population, while the treatment rate of hepatitis C in the high-risk group (39.42% vs. 82.35%, P<0.01) was significantly lower than that of the general population. Conclusion:The establishment of the hospital grid linkage mechanism and the management model of hepatitis C follow-up by specialists, with the infectious diseases medical quality control center as the supervisory body, have improved the screening rate, the HCV RNA detection rate, and the treatment rate in the hospital, thereby providing a reference for exploring a management model to eliminate the nationwide threat of hepatitis C.

Objective To explore the brain damage of SD rats under different time points of hypobaric hypoxia exposure.Methods A rat high-altitube cerebral edema(HACE)model was constructed by simulating an altitude of 6 000 m in a hypobaric hypoxia animal experimental chamber.Thirty-six SD male rats were randomly divided into the control group and the hypobaric hypoxia exposure 3,7 and 14 d groups,with 9 rats in each group.Except for the control group,the rats in each group were continuously exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 3,7,and 14 d.At the end of the modeling period,serum was collected by blood sampling via the abdominal aorta,and brain tissue samples were taken.The wet-to-dry ratio(W/D)of brain tissue was calculated,and the levels of relevant oxidative enzymes in serum and brain tissue were measured.The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and aquaporin 4(AQP4)mRNAs in brain tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results The W/D of brain tissues in the control group and the group exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 3,7 and 14 d were 4.46±0.12,4.98±0.16,5.07±0.18 and 4.95±0.07;the superoxide dismutase contents were(111.86±2.45),(90.73±1.48),(79.64±2.56)and(55.33±1.45)U·g-1;the glutathione contents were(126.91±5.18),(125.26±1.53),(56.20±2.17)and(122.73±1.78)μg·mL-1;the malondialdehyde contents were(230.94±2.00),(362.65±3.28),(407.34±3.47)and(237.50±1.59)nmol·g-1;the relative expression levels of HIF-1 α mRNA were 1.00±0,2.99±0.49,4.72±0.49 and 1.91±0.28;the relative expression levels of AQP4 mRNA were 1.00±0,2.62±0.34,8.38±0.84 and 5.27±0.42,respectively.Statistically significant differences were found between the above indexes in the 3,7 and 14 d of hypobaric hypoxia exposure group compared with the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Different time of hypobaric hypoxia exposure can up-regulate the expression of AQPs proteins in HACE rats and cause the disruption of the blood-brain barrier,and the HACE model constructed in the hypobaric hypoxia chamber with 6 000 m intervention for 7 d was more stable.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.

Objective:To investigate the potential of praeruptorin A (PA) in alleviating inflammatory damage in sepsis through the inhibition of ferritin expression.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish the model of sepsis. After 6 and 12 h of PA intervention, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Kidney tissues were collected at 72 h for HE staining to assess inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage. Human neutrophils were divided into four groups: control, LPS, ferritin, and LPS+ ferritin groups. After 12 h of intervention, qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA. In order to observe the effect of PA on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and ferritin, human neutrophils were grouped into control, LPS, and LPS+ PA (2/3/4 μmol/L) groups. After 12 h of intervention, qRT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and ferritin mRNA; ELISA was used to quantify the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in culture supernatants; Western blot was used to analyze the expression of ferritin. Molecular docking was conducted to verify interactions between PA and ferritin.Results:Significant inflammatory cell recruitment, tissue damage, and elevated serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α ( P<0.01) were observed in mice with LPS-induced sepsis. PA significantly inhibited cytokine secretion ( P<0.01) and alleviated tissue injury in sepsis mice. In human neutrophil models, ferritin upregulated the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA ( P<0.01); LPS stimulation alone increased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and ferritin at both mRNA and protein levels ( P<0.01), while co-stimulation with PA (3/4 μmol/L) significantly reversed the aforementioned results ( P<0.01). Molecular docking confirmed there were interaction sites between PA and ferritin. Conclusion:PA inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines and alleviates tissue damage in sepsis, and the potential mechanism may involve modulating ferritin expression to suppress inflammatory responses.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of serum uric acid(UA),homocysteine(Hcy)and the product index of UA and Hcy in patients with stable coronary artery disease(SCAD).Methods A total of 783 patients with suspected coronary heart disease were collected,all of whom underwent coronary angiography.Patients were divided into coronary heart disease(CHD)group and non-coronary heart disease(NCHD)group.The CHD group was further divided into low score group(≤35 points)and high score group(>35 points)according to Gensini scores.Baseline data,blood lipids,Hcy,UA,left ventricular function ultrasound indicators,and comorbidities were collected.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors associated with the onset of SCAD and severe coronary artery disease,while the Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curve was conducted to assess the predictive efficacy of the product index of UA and Hcy,and related risk factors,for SCAD onset and severe coronary artery disease.Results 1.In CHD group,UA,Hcy and the product index of UA and Hcy were all higher than in the NCHD group(P<0.001);the high-score group had higher UA,Hcy and the product index of UA and Hcy than the low Gensini score group(P<0.001).2.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female age,sex,body mass index(BMI),product index of UA and Hcy,high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and hypertension(HTN)were independent risk factors for SCAD(P<0.05).BMI,the product index of UA and Hcy,HDL-C,LDL-C and LVEF were independent risk factors for severe coronary artery disease(P<0.05).3.There was a positive correlation between UA and Hcy product index and Gensini scores(r=0.433,P<0.05).4.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the product index of UA and Hcy and combined detection of coronary heart disease risk factors had predictive value for the occurrence of SCAD(P<0.05),and the predictive value of combined detection was higher(area under the curve 0.808);both the product index of UA and Hcy and the combined detection of coronary heart disease risk factors had predictive value for severe coronary artery lesions(P<0.05),with a higher predictive value for combined detection(area under the curve 0.771).Conclusion As an independent predictor of the risk of SCAD and severe coronary stenosis,the product index of UA and Hcy has a high predictive efficacy regarding disease risk and the severity of coronary artery in patients with SCAD.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of changes in serum homocysteine(Hcy),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and the homocysteine-to-HDL-C ratio(HHR)for the incidence and short-term prognosis of patients with premature coronary heart disease(PCHD).Methods Between January 2022 and December 2023,301 patients with the suspected coronary heart disease(males≤55 years,females≤65 years)were retrospectively selected from the Department of Cardiology at the Third People's Hospital of Yunnan Province.All patients who underwent coronary angiography(CAG)were divided into the premature coronary heart disease(PCHD)group(n=98)and the non-coronary heart disease(NCHD)group(n=203).Patients with PCHD were followed up six months after the discharge and were further classified into the good prognosis group(n=55)and the poor prognosis group(n=43)based on the presence of worsening clinical symptoms such as chest tightness,chest pain,arrhythmias,heart failure,or death.Data collected included general patient information,blood lipid levels,Hcy levels,left ventricular function ultrasound indicators,and the presence of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.Results Hcy and HHR levels were significantly higher in the PCHD group compared to the NCHD group,while HDL-C levels were lower(P<0.001).In the poor prognosis group,Hcy and HHR levels were elevated,and HDL-C levels were reduced compared to the good prognosis group(P<0.001).The Hcy and HHR levels in the severe coronary artery stenosis group were markedly higher than those in the normal coronary artery group and the mild to the moderate stenosis group,with HDL-C levels being lower(P<0.001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that male sex,HHR,Hcy,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were independent factors influencing premature coronary heart disease(P<0.05).HHR was found to be an independent risk factor for the poor short-term prognosis in PCHD.The analysis of the operating characteristic curve of the subjects showed that serum Hcy and HHR had the predictive value for the occurrence of PCHD(P<0.05),with HHR showing higher predictive value(area under the curve[AUC]=0.713).HHR also had the substantial predictive value for the short-term prognosis of PCHD(AUC=0.715).Conclusion Elevated HHR levels are associated with the severe coronary artery disease in patients with PCHD.HHR serves as a significant predictor for both the occurrence and short-term prognosis of PCHD.

Early correction of childhood malocclusion is timely managing morphological, structural, and functional abnormalities at different dentomaxillofacial developmental stages. The selection of appropriate imaging examination and comprehensive radiological diagnosis and analysis play an important role in early correction of childhood malocclusion. This expert consensus is a collaborative effort by multidisciplinary experts in dentistry across the nation based on the current clinical evidence, aiming to provide general guidance on appropriate imaging examination selection, comprehensive and accurate imaging assessment for early orthodontic treatment patients.
Humans ; Malocclusion/diagnostic imaging* ; Child ; Consensus