The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding acupuncture direction published from January 1st, 2013, to November 7th, 2023 were searched in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and VIP Chinese Journal Database. As a result, 21 RCTs were included. The problems identified included conceptual misunderstandings regarding acupuncture direction, incomplete selection strategies, confounding research factors, and inaccuracies in reporting. Based on the findings, four strategic approaches for enhancing therapeutic efficacy through acupuncture direction were summarized: aligning needle direction with the meridian pathway, directing the needle toward the lesion site, orienting the needle toward adjacent acupoints, and targeting special anatomical structures. Two additional strategies were proposed for optimizing the procedure: simplifying acupuncture operations and directing the needle toward safe anatomical sites. Recommendations were made to improve the rationality of research factor settings and the completeness of acupuncture operation reporting. Furthermore, three methods for reporting acupuncture direction were discussed: reporting the tip-pointed position, reporting the insertion angle and orientation, and reporting azimuth and polar angles, aiming to promote greater standardization and completeness in acupuncture practice and reporting.
Acupuncture Therapy/standards* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Meridians

Dendritic cells (DCs) serve as the primary antigen-presenting cells in autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and exhibit distinct signaling profiles due to antigenic diversity. Type II collagen (CII) has been recognized as an RA-specific antigen; however, little is known about CII-stimulated DCs, limiting the development of RA-specific therapeutic interventions. In this study, we show that CII-stimulated DCs display a preferential gene expression profile associated with migration, offering a new perspective for targeting DC migration in RA treatment. Then, saikosaponin D (SSD) was identified as a compound capable of blocking CII-induced DC migration and effectively ameliorating arthritis. Optineurin (OPTN) is further revealed as a potential SSD target, with Optn deletion impairing CII-pulsed DC migration without affecting maturation. Function analyses uncover that OPTN prevents the proteasomal transport and ubiquitin-dependent degradation of C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), a pivotal chemokine receptor in DC migration. Optn-deficient DCs exhibit reduced CCR7 expression, leading to slower migration in CII-surrounded environment, thus alleviating arthritis progression. Our findings underscore the significance of antigen-specific DC activation in RA and suggest OPTN is a crucial regulator of CII-specific DC migration. OPTN emerges as a promising drug target for RA, potentially offering significant value for the therapeutic management of RA.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a risk prediction model for left ventricular adverse remodeling (LVAR) based on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 329 acute STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI at 8 medical centers from January, 2018 to December, 2021 were prospectively enrolled. The parameters of CMR, performed at 7±2 days and 6 months post-PCI, were analyzed using CVI42 software. LVAR was defined as an increase >20% in left ventricular end-diastolic volume or >15% in left ventricular end-systolic volume at 6 months compared to baseline. The patients were randomized into training (n=230) and validation (n=99) sets in a 7∶3 ratio. In the training set, potential predictors were selected using LASSO regression, followed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression to construct a nomogram. Model performance was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. RESULTS: LVAR occurred in 100 patients (30.40%), who had a higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events than those without LVAR (58.00% vs 16.16%, P<0.001). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS; OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.61-0.95, P=0.015) and left atrial active strain (LAAS; OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.67-0.92, P=0.003) were protective factors for LVAR, while infarct size (IS; OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.10, P=0.017) and microvascular obstruction (MVO; OR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.59, P=0.048) were risk factors for LVAR. The nomogram had an AUC of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86-0.94) in the training set and an AUC of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81-0.94) in the validation set. CONCLUSIONS LVGLS, LAAS, IS, and MVO are independent predictors of LVAR in STEMI patients following PCI. The constructed nomogram has a strong predictive ability to provide assistance for management and early intervention of LVAR.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prospective Studies ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging* ; Ventricular Remodeling ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Risk Assessment

Central venous pressure(CVP)is a commonly used hemodynamic index in clinical practice,and the accuracy of its measurement results is influenced by the measurement technical specifications.Based on research evidence and clinical practice,this article interprets the main content of the group standard of CVP measurement technology,and proposes suggestions for its use.It aims to guide clinical nursing staff to correctly understand the principles and methods of CVP measurement,and promote the standardization of nursing practice and the accuracy of measurement results.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations in patients with temporomandibular disorder syndrome (TMD), who are sensitive to sudden temperature drop. METHODS: One hundred and nineteen patients with TMD who attended the Department of Stomatology of the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from December 2022 to December 2023 were included, including 44 males and 75 females, with a mean age of 32.4±13.7 years.The questionnaire was used to determine whether they were sensitive to temperature drop, and the TMD patients were divided into a temperature plunge-sensitive group and a temperature drop insensitive group. The clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations of patients in the two groups were observed. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the gender and age of patients in the temperature plunge-sensitive group (50 patients) and the insensitivity group (69 patients) (P>0.05). The percentage of patients with pain was slightly higher in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [86.0% (43/50)] than in the insensitive group [68.1% (47/69)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=5.031, P=0.025), while the differences in joint murmur and mouth opening limitation between the two groups were not statistically significant. A total of 238 lateral joints were detected in both groups, the percentage of osteoarthropathic imaging changes was significantly higher in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [82.0% (82/100)] than in the insensitive group [53.6% (74/138)] (χ²=20.675, P<0.001). Magnetic imaging showed that the percentage of joint effusion was higher in patients in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [66.0% (33/50)] than in the insensitive group [42.0% (29/69)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=5.602, P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS TMD patients with maxillofacial pain symptoms, joint effusions, and abnormal imaging of osteoarticular structures are more likely to be sensitive to sudden temperature drops.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/diagnosis* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Temperature ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between clinical symptoms and unilateral chewing habits in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) accompanied by tinnitus. METHODS: A total of 285 patients diagnosed with TMD at the Department of Stomatology of the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between December 2020 and May 2024 were included and divided into two groups: tinnitus group and non-tinnitus group. Analysis was conducted on the proportion of patients with unilateral chewing habits in both groups, the correlation between the side of tinnitus and the side of unilateral chewing, and the correlation of tinnitus with TMD clinical symptoms (joint clicking, joint pain, and limited mouth opening) and unilateral chewing habits. The correlation of the type of disc displacement with unilateral chewing and tinnitus was also examined. RESULTS: In the tinnitus group, the proportions of patients with and without unilateral chewing habits were 90.70% (39/43) and 9.30% (4/43), respectively. In the non-tinnitus group, the proportions of patients with and without unilateral chewing habits were 76.03% (184/242) and 23.97% (58/242), respectively. The proportion of patients with unilateral chewing habits in the tinnitus group was significantly higher than in the non-tinnitus group (χ²=4.613, P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between tinnitus and unilateral chewing habits (P<0.05). In the left-sided tinnitus group, the proportion of left-sided unilateral chewers [54.55% (12/22)] was higher than that of right-sided unilateral chewers [45.45% (10/22)]. In the right-sided tinnitus group, the proportion of right-sided unilateral chewers [81.82% (9/11)] was higher than that of left-sided unilateral chewers [18.18% (2/11)]. The difference was statistically significant (χ²=7.282, P<0.05). A positive correlation was also found between the side of tinnitus and the side of unilateral chewing habits (P<0.05). The proportion of patients with pain was significantly higher in the tinnitus group than in the non-tinnitus group (P<0.05). No significant difference in the proportion of joint clicking or limited mouth opening and disc displacement (no disc displacement, unilateral disc displacement, bilateral disc displacement, reducible disc displacement, or irreducible disc displacement) was found between the tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS TMD with unilateral chewing habits may be a contributing factor to unexplained tinnitus. Unexplained tinnitus is correlated with joint pain in patients with TMD.
Humans ; Tinnitus/physiopathology* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathology* ; Mastication ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Habits

Objective:Efficacy of prothrombin complex concentration (PCC) and analysis of prognostic factors in patients with traumatic trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on patients with TIC admitted to 11 hospitals from January to December 2021. The data included baseline characteristics, injury information, blood product transfusions (including PCC treatment), laboratory examination at admission and 24 hour-after admission, treatment measure, pre-hospitalization time, and clinical outcomes (improvement at discharge, length of hospital stay). The patients were divided into a conventional group and a PCC group according to whether they were treated with PCC. Propensity score matching method was used to match the patients at a 1:1 ratio, and the differences in different indicators between the groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for TIC patients.Results:After propensity score matching, 103 patients were identified in both the PCC and conventional groups. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed no significant differences in age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, injury severity score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score, underlying diseases, pre-hospitalization time, injury type and site, and treatment measure (use of vasoactive drugs, calcium agents, tranexamic acid, and emergency surgery) between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the conventional group, the PCC group exhibited lower 24-hour white blood cell counts, lactate level, prothrombin time, and international normalized ratio (INR) (all P<0.05), whereas hemoglobin level and pH value were higher (both P<0.05). The PCC group also had a shorter hospital stay (13 d vs. 15 d, P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the rate of improvement at discharge between the two groups ( P=0.308). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that age (>68 years), GCS score (<5 points), fibrinogen (FIB) level (after 24 h, <2.04 g/L), and INR (after 24 h, >1.455) were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of TIC patients, and the AUCs were 0.632, 0.702, 0.733, and 0.752, respectively. Conclusions:Treatment with PCC in TIC patients can correct coagulation dysfunction and reduce hospital stay. Age, GCS score, FIB level and INR after 24 h affect the clinical prognosis of TIC patients, which requires special attention.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with secondary systemic capillary leak syndrome (SSCLS) induced by acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP). The goal is to enhance clinical understanding of this complication and provide a theoretical foundation for the early identification of high-risk patients and the optimization of individualized treatment strategies.Methods:Clinical data were collected from patients admitted to the Emergency Department of Fuyang People’s Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University between October 2019 and October 2024, who were diagnosed with acute dichlorvos poisoning. The clinical features of SSCLS were described, and patients were categorized into SSCLS and non-SSCLS groups. Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted on statistically significant indicators to identify independent risk factors for SSCLS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the predictive value of these factors.Results:Among the 96 patients studied, 37 (38.5%) developed SSCLS. The median time from toxin ingestion to the onset of SSCLS was 3.0 (2.0-5.0) hours. In the 14 SSCLS survivors, the median duration of SSCLS was 50.0 (24-72) hours, whereas in the 23 non-survivors, it was 24.0 (12.0-35.0) hours. The mortality rate in the SSCLS group (62.16%, 23/37) was significantly higher than that in the non-SSCLS group (1.69%, 1/59) ( χ2=44.343, P<0.001). Blood toxin analysis detected trichlorfon components in 92 patients (95.83%). Binary multivariate logistic regression identified APACHE Ⅱ score and trichlorfon concentration (≥706.35 ng/mL) as independent risk factors for SSCLS ( P<0.05). ROC analysis revealed that the combination of these two factors had a higher predictive value ( P<0.05). Conclusions:In the diagnosis and treatment of acute dichlorvos (organophosphorus pesticide) poisoning, particular attention should be given to the combined toxic effects of dichlorvos and trichlorfon, which can lead to SSCLS. The onset and progression of SSCLS are rapid, and the condition is associated with a high mortality rate. Both APACHE Ⅱ scores and trichlorfon concentrations (≥706.35 ng/mL) are independent risk factors for the development of SSCLS, and their combined use enhances predictive accuracy. Early identification of high-risk patients and timely administration of individualized treatment are critical for reducing mortality rates. This revised abstract maintains the original meaning while improving clarity, flow, and readability. It ensures that the key points are presented in a structured and professional manner, suitable for a clinical audience.

Objective:To investigate whether changes in CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) parameters before and after balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) are correlated with treatment effects in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, including patients with CTEPH who underwent BPA treatment at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from November 2021 to Febbruary 2024. Clinical data and CTPA parameters were analyzed before the initial BPA session and at least 6 months after the final BPA session. Clinical data included WHO functional class, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. The CTPA parameters included the widest diameter of the pulmonary artery diameter (dPA), ascending aorta diameter (dAA), the widest transverse diameter of the right atrium (dRA), the widest short-axis diameter of the right ventricle (dRV), the widest short-axis diameter of the left ventricle (dLV), and the diameter of right ventricular free wall thickness(dRVW). Multiple linear regression was applied to identify variables associated with the decrease in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) among the CTPA parameters.Results:All CTEPH patients underwent a total of 115 BPA treatments. Postoperatively, the WHO functional class of the patients improved compared to preoperative levels ( χ2=5.01, P<0.001), 6MWD improved ( t=4.50, P<0.001), and NT-proBNP levels decreased ( Z=4.47, P<0.001). Hemodynamic parameters, including mPAP, pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac output, and cardiac index, were significantly improved postoperatively (all P<0.001). CTPA-related parameters, including dPA, dRA, dRV, dRVW, dPA/dAA, dRV/dLV, and dRA/dPA, significantly decreased compared to preoperative values (all P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the decrease in dPA ( β=0.314, P=0.037) and dRA ( β=0.334, P=0.046) were significantly correlated with the improvement in mPAP. Conclusions:Exercise tolerance, hemodynamics, and CTPA parameters in patients with CTEPH significantly improved after BPA treatment. The decrease in dPA and dRA were significantly correlated with the improvement in mPAP, suggesting that CTPA is a potentially novel, objective, effective, and noninvasive method for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of BPA.

Objective:To explore the impact of changes of myocardial infarct size on left ventricular adverse remodeling in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:This was a prospective cohort study. The STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI in the First Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Hainan Hospital of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital and Guangxi Yulin First People Hospital from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2022 were enrolled. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed to dynamically assess the myocardial infarct size and calculate the rate of infarct size change between the acute phase (5 to 7 days post-primary PCI) and 6-month follow-up. The endpoint was left ventricular adverse remodeling which was defined as an increase of more than 20% in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) assessed by CMR at 6 months after primary PCI compared with LVEDV at 1 week after primary PCI. Based on serial CMR assessments, the patients were divided into left ventricular adverse remodeling group and non-remodeling group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of infarct size change for left ventricular adverse remodeling, and according to the optimal cutoff value, improved infarct size was defined as a decrease of >20% in the infarct size measured by CMR at 6 months after primary PCI compared with infarct size at 1 week after primary PCI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the protective factors and risk factors for left ventricular adverse remodeling.Results:A total of 267 patients were enrolled, aged (58±11) years, with 234 males (87.6%). And 73 cases in the left ventricular remodeling group and 194 cases in the non-remodeling group. Infarct size assessed by CMR at 6 months after primary PCI decreased significantly compared with infarct size at 1 week after primary PCI in the left ventricular remodeling group ((23±13)% vs. (27±12)%, P=0.004), the same as in the non-remodeling group ((18±10)% vs. (23±10)%, P<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for the rate of infarct size change in predicting left ventricular remodeling was 0.735 (95% CI 0.670-0.799, P<0.001), a 20% reduction was the optimal cut-off value. Compared to the patients with non-improved infarct size, the incidence of left ventricular adverse remodeling was significantly lower in the patients with improved infarct size (18% (24/133) vs. 37% (49/134), P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that improvement in IS was a protective factor for left ventricular adverse remodeling ( OR=0.376, 95% CI 0.236-0.721, P=0.002). Conclusion:Patients with STEMI who experience obvious reduction in infarct size after primary PCI have a significantly reduced risk of left ventricular adverse remodeling.