Objective: To elucidate the differences in manual acupuncture effectiveness at sensitized points by investigating the mechanisms of local skin action at different sensitization points in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: Forty Sprague–Dawley rats were equally divided into control, model (1 mg of monoiodoacetate into the right knee joint cavity), sham operation, manual acupuncture at right Tianjing acupoint (MAR-SJ 10), and left SJ 10 groups. Safranine-O and fast green staining were used to assess the modeling. The morphological and functional changes in mast cells (MCs) were assessed during acupoint sensitization using toluidine blue and immunofluorescence staining. The levels of serotonin, histamine, substance P (SP), and tryptase at skin acupoints and serum levels of IL-β, IL-6, and TNF-α were detected using ELISA. Results: After 14 days of treatment, the number of MCs and their degranulation rates were statistically higher in the model group than in the control group (both P < .001). After applying acupuncture, the levels of 5-HT, HA, and SP at skin acupoints were lower than those in the model group (all P < .05), and tryptase level was higher (both P < .05). Tryptase level was higher on the skin at the MAL-SJ 10 acupoint than that on the MAR-SJ 10 acupoint (P = .004). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the MAR-SJ 10 and MAL-SJ 10 groups were lower (all P < .05). Conclusion Acupuncture at KOA-sensitized acupoints mitigates joint injury in KOA rats and may bidirectionally regulate local MCs of these acupoints. This finding not only enhances the reference value of sensitizing points in clinical diagnosis and treatment, but also contributes to the understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying acupuncture intervention at sensitizing points.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of serum cystatin C (CysC) and C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 9 (CTRP9) levels for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.A total of 135 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 45-75 years, who were treated in Gansu Provincial Hospital from April 2021 to April 2022 were included.According to DR grading standard, patients were divided into non-DR (NDR) group, non-proliferative DR (NPDR) group and proliferative DR (PDR) group, with 45 patients in each group.The DR patients were subdivided into DME group (51 cases) and non-DME group (39 cases).A total of 45 healthy subjects were selected as the normal control group.Fasting peripheral venous blood was collected to detect serum glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, CysC and CTRP9 levels.The expression of CysC and CTRP9 levels among different groups were compared.The independent influencing factors of DR and DME were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis model.The diagnostic value of serum CysC and CTRP9 in DR and DME were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Gansu Provincial Hospital (No.2021-301).All patients were informed about the purpose and methods of the study and signed an informed consent form.Results:Serum CysC levels in normal control group, NDR group, NPDR group and PDR group were 0.74(0.67, 0.83), 1.03(0.85, 1.22), 1.40(0.98, 1.63) and 1.66(1.31, 1.85)mg/L, respectively, showing a gradually increasing trend, and the serum CTRP9 levels were (136.90±14.95), (120.23±16.31), (109.50±14.71) and (90.99±13.88)pg/ml, respectively, showing a gradually decreasing trend, with statistically significant overall comparison differences among groups ( Z=89.430, P<0.001; F=74.242, P<0.001), the comparison within groups was statistically significant (all at P<0.05).Compared with non-DME group, the serum CysC level was significantly increased and serum CTRP9 level was significantly decreased in DME group (both P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum CysC (odds ratio [ OR]=19.742, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 4.515-86.316, P<0.001) was the independent risk influencing factors for the occurrence of DR, and CTRP9 ( OR=0.937, 95% CI: 0.908-0.966, P<0.001) was a protective factor for the occurrence of DR.Serum CTRP9 level ( OR=0.838, 95% CI: 0.778-0.903, P<0.001) was a protective factor for DME.The ROC curve showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) for serum CysC and CTRP9 levels alone and in combination for the diagnosis of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by DR were 0.798, 0.802 and 0.870, respectively.The cutoff values of serum CysC and CTRP9 levels to obtain the best diagnostic efficacy were 1.34 mg/L and 110.12 pg/ml, respectively.The AUC for serum CysC and CTRP9 level alone and in combination for the diagnosis of DME in DR patients were 0.682, 0.923 and 0.923, respectively.The cutoff value of serum CTRP9 level to obtain optimal diagnostic efficacy was 104.68 pg/ml. Conclusions:The enhanced expression of serum CysC level and reduced expression of serum CTRP9 level are the risk factors for the development of DR in type 2 diabetes patients.The decrease of serum CTRP9 level is one of the risk factors for the development of DME in DR patients.

Objective To explore the significance of serum β-nerve growth factor(β-NGF)and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)testing in clinical diagnosis and prognosis assessment in patients with pulmonary heart disease(PHD)complicated with pulmonary artery hypertension(PAH).Methods A 1:1 case-control study was conducted in Daxing District People's Hospital of Beijing from January 2019 to June 2022,in which 86 patients with PHD complicated with PAH and 86 patients with isolated PHD were selected as case group and control group.Retrospective analysis was conducted.The case group was divided into mild PAH group(n=39),moderate PAH group(n=25)and severe PAH group(n=22)according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP).Meanwhile,the case group was divided into good prognosis group(n=75)and poor prognosis group(n=11)based on the outcomes after one year of discharge.Demographic data and laboratory examination indicators of study subjects were collected,and serum β-NGF and TRAIL levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship among β-NGF,TRAIL and PASP.Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing PAH in patients with PHD.ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of β-NGF and TRAIL for PAH.Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was carried out to assess the relationship among β-NGF,TRAIL and poor prognosis in patients with PHD complicated with PAH,and ROC curve was used to evaluate its predictive value for poor prognosis.Result Compared with control group,the duration of PHD in case group was longer(8.63±1.27 years vs 5.49±1.15 years),and serum β-NGF level(26.97±8.25 ng/ml vs 22.14±7.32 ng/ml)and TRAIL level(2.83±0.76 ng/ml vs 1.71±0.68 ng/ml)were increased,with significant differences(t=17.006,4.064,10.183,all P＜0.05).Serum β-NGF and TRAIL had certain diagnostic values for PAH in PHD patients,with AUC of 0.842 and 0.838,respectively.And the combined diagnostic AUC was 0.920,which was higher than that of single indicators(Z=3.416,3.508,all P＜0.05).Serum β-NGF(23.26±5.13 ng/ml,27.83±5.57 ng/ml,32.57±6.02 ng/ml)and TRAIL(2.24±0.65 ng/ml,2.89±0.71 ng/ml,3.81±0.90 ng/ml)levels among patients with mild PAH,moderate PAH,severe PAH were sequentially elevated,and the differences were significant(F=20.624,31.972,all P＜0.05).Serum β-NGF and TRAIL were positively associated with PASP(r=0.673,0.659,P＜0.05).Serum β-NGF(36.34±8.05 ng/ml)and TRAIL(3.49±1.01 ng/ml)levels in poor prognosis group were higher compared to good prognosis group(25.59±7.28 ng/ml,2.73±0.89 ng/ml),and the differences were significant(t=4.516,2.604,all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that,the PHD duration[OR(95％CI):1.784(1.135～2.806)],β-NGF[OR(95％CI):1.976(1.108～3.523)]and TRAIL[OR(95％CI):1.866(1.123～3.101)]were independent risk factors for occurrence of PAH in patients with PHD(all P＜0.05).Multivariate COX proportional risk regression results showed that PHD duration[OR(95％CI):1.167(1.082～1.364)],β-NGF[OR(95％CI):1.322(1.134～1.649)],TRA-IL[OR(95％CI):1.259(1.087～1.590)]were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with PHD complicated with PAH(all P＜0.05).Serum β-NGF and TRAIL could predict the poor prognosis in patients with PHD complicated with PAH,with AUC of 0.863 and 0.881,respectively.The combined diagnostic AUC was 0.907,which was higher than that of single indicators(Z=2.905,3.128,all P＜0.05).Conclusion Elevated serum β-NGF and TRAIL were independent risk factors for PAH and were associated with severity of PAH.Early combined detection of β-NGF and TRAIL can improve the diagnostic value for PAH and predict poor prognosis of patients.

AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of XEN drainage tube implantation combined with mitomycin C(MMC)for open angle glaucoma(OAG).METHODS:A total of 37 OAG patients(37 eyes)were retrospectively included, grouped by anti-glaucoma surgical treatment as the first choice or not, with 17 patients(17 eyes)in the group with primary surgical treatment, and 20 patients(20 eyes)in the group with the numerous surgeries. The intraocular pressure(IOP), kinds of IOP-lowering drugs, and complications were collected and analyzed in 1 a follow-up postoperatively.RESULTS:Upon the one-year follow-up, IOP had decreased from 27.56±9.94, 28.43±14.18 mmHg to 15.16±3.65, 17.18±5.83 mmHg in both groups, respectively, representing a reduction of 55.01% and 60.43%, respectively(t=4.863, P<0.001; t=3.255, P=0.004). The IOP at various follow up points were lower than preoperative points in both groups(Ftime=6.876, Ptime<0.001; Fintergroup=0.242, Pintergroup=0.626; Ftime×intergroup=0.959, Ptime×intergroup=0.458). The complete success rate was 47% and 45%, the qualified success rate was 76% and 75%(Z=-0.115, P=0.909), respectively, and there was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate between two groups(χ2=0.042, P=0.838; χ2=0.004, P=0.949). At the last follow up, IOP-lowering drugs were reduced from 3(2, 3)to 1(0, 2)in both groups(Z=-3.289, -3.796, all P<0.001), and no significant difference between groups(Z=-0.581, P=0.561). Hypotony is the most common short-term complications, anterior chamber haemorrhage followed, while, filtering bleb encapsulation is the most frequent long-term complication, no serious complications occurred, but with XEN drainage tube exposure in 1 eye and drop in 1 eye.CONCLUSION:Initial XEN drainage tube implantation combined with MMC and numerous glaucoma surgeries are both safe and effective treatment for OAG patients, while the incidence of filtering bleb encapsulation is high in those with numerous glaucoma surgeries.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of supplementing penetrating acupuncture for swallowing with ice-water balloon dilatation in the treatment of dysphagic patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia after a brainstem stroke.Methods:Forty-five patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia after a brainstem stroke were randomly assigned to a penetrating acupuncture (PA) group, a balloon dilatation (BD) group or a combination group, each of 15. In addition to routine swallowing training, those in the PA and BD groups received penetrating swallowing acupuncture or iced-water balloon dilatation, while the combination group received penetrating swallowing acupuncture 30 minutes after iced-water balloon dilatation. The treatments lasted three weeks beginning right after the recovery of autonomous oral feeding. Before and after the treatment, all of the subjects′ swallowing function was evaluated using video fluoroscopy (VFSS), a functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and a penetration aspiration scale (PAS). Successful removal of the gastric tube, gastric tube retention time and normal opening rate of the cricopharyngeal muscle were also recorded.Results:Significant improvement was observed in the average VFSS, FOIS and PAS results of all three groups after the treatments. The combination group′s average VFSS, FOIS and PAS scores were, however, significantly superior to those of the other two groups, as were successful removal of the gastric tube, gastric tube retention time and the normal opening rate of the cricopharyngeal muscle.Conclusion:Combining penetrating swallowing acupuncture with ice-water balloon dilation can better improve the swallowing function of brainstem stroke survivors with cricopharyngeal achalasia. It improves the cricopharyngeal opening rate and shortens gastric tube indwelling time. This combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine is therefore worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) with task-oriented training (TOT) on the walking ability of children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP).Methods:Sixty DCP children were randomly divided into a conventional intervention group, an RAGT group, and a combined intervention group, each of 20. All of the children received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the RAGT and combined intervention groups were additionally provided with RAGT, and RAGT combined with TOT, respectively. Before the experiment and after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment, the subjects′ walking ability was evaluated using the 10-metre walk test (10MWT), and the D energy zone (standing position) and the E energy zone (walking, running and jumping) of the Gross Motor Function Measurement-88 (GMFM-88) instrument.Results:After 12 and 24 weeks of treatment, the average 10MWT speed and D and E energy zone scores of all three groups had improved significantly. After 24 weeks the combined group′s averages on all three measures were significantly better than those of the other two groups.Conclusion:RAGT combined with TOT and conventional rehabilitation training significantly improves the walking ability of DCP children.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1(LOX-1)regulates hyperglycemic-induced myocardial fibroblast(CFs)fibrosis through the glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)pathway.Methods CFs were isolated,cultured and identified.LOX-1 RNAi lentiviral vector was constructed and infected CFs.The experimental groups were as follows:Normal control(NC)group,High glucose(HG)group,LV-LOX-1,LV-Con group,Hypertonic(HPG)group.After LV-LOX-1 and LV-Con were infected with CFs,adding 25 mmol/L glucose to culture CFs for 24 h,they were denoted as HG+LV-LOX-1 group and HG+LV-Con group.Cells in HG+LV-LOX-1 group and HG+LV-Con group were treated with 10 μ mol/L SB216763 and 10 μ mol/L STATTIC for 24 h,respectively,and then they were recorded as HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 group,HG+LV-Con+SB216763 group,HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC group and HG+LV-Con+STATTIC group.CCK-8 was used to detect the activity of CFs,and the expression levels of mRAN and protein of LOX-1,collagen type I(COL-I),thioredoxin 5(TXNDC5),GSK-3β,STAT3,p-GSK-3β and p-STAT3 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results CFs infected with LOX-1 RNAi lentiviral vector were obtained,which showed green under fluorescence microscopy.Compared with HG and HG+LV-Con groups,the mRNA expressions of LOX-1,COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,mRNA expressions of COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 and HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC groups(P<0.05).Compared with HG and HG+LV-Con groups,p-GSK-3β protein expression was increased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05),while LOX-1,p-STAT3,COL-I,TXNDC5 protein expression was decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,p-GSK-3β protein expression was increased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 group(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of p-STAT3,COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 and HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC groups(P<0.05).Conclusion LOX-1,GSK-3β,STAT3,TXNDC5,and COL-I are involved in high glucose induced CFs fibrosis.LOX-1 promotes the expression of TXNDC5 and COL-I through GSK-3β/STAT3 pathway,and inhibition of LOX-1 can inhibit high glucose induced CFs fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1(LOX-1)in the regulation of high glucose induced phagocytosis dysfunction of mouse microglia(BV2 microglia).Methods BV2 cells were cultured in vitro,lentivirus LOX-1RNAi vector(LV-LOX-1)and lentivirusempty vector(LV-Con)were constructed and divided into normal control(NC)group,HG group,LV-LOX-1 group and LV-Con group.After infecting BV2 cells with LV-LOX-1 and LV-Con,the cells were cultured with 25 mmol/L glucose for 24 h,and then divided into HG+LV-LOX-1 group and HG+LV-Con group.After treatment of HG+LV-LOX-1 and HG+LV-Con infected BV2 microglia with 15 μmol/L FH535(β-catenin inhibitor)and AEBSF(ATF6α inhibitor)for 24 h,respectively,they were denoted as HG+LV-LOX-1+FH535 group,HG+LV-Con+FH535 group,HG+LV-LOX-1+AEBSF group,and HG+LV-Con+AEBSF group.Transfection efficiency was determined by fluorescence microscopy,RT-PCR and Western blot.Cell viability was detected b CCK-8.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1,β-catenin,ATF6α and milk fat globular-surface growth factor Ⅷ(MFG-E8)in each group.Results After 72 h of LV-LOX-1 infection,the cells in LV-LOX-1 and LV-Con groups showed a lot of green fluorescence,but not in NC group.Compared with NC group,the mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1 and ATF6α were increased(P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression of MFG-E8 and β-catenin decreased in HG group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-Con group,the mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1 and ATF6α were decreased(P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression of MFG-E8 and β-catenin increasedin HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,the mRNA and protein expressions of MFG-E8 and β-catenin were decreased(P<0.05),and the mRNA and protein expressions of ATF6α and p-β-catenin and p-ATF6α were increased in HG+LV-LOX-1+FH535 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,the mRNA and protein expression were increased(P<0.05),ATF6α mRNA and protein expression and p-ATF6α protein expression were decreased MFG-E8 in HG+LV-LOX-1+AEBSF group(P<0.05).Conclusions LOX-1,MFG-E8,β-catenin and ATF6α are involved in the regulation of phagocytosis of BV2 cells.LOX-1 promotes the phagocytosis dysfunction of BV2 microglia induced by high glucose through β-catenin/ATF6α signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the value of total bilirubin rebound rate (TBRR), total bilirubin clearance rate (TBCR), and TBCR after 1 week of treatment (ΔTBCR) in evaluating the short-term prognosis of patients with severe drug-induced liver injury (DILI) after artificial liver support therapy. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 203 patients with severe DILI who received artificial liver support therapy in Tianjin Third Central Hospital from September 2013 to December 2021, and general information, biochemical parameters, and clinical classification were collected. The patients were divided into improved group and unhealed group according to the prognosis at discharge, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, TBRR, TBCR, and ΔTBCR were calculated. The independent samples t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to investigate the value of assessment indices in predicting the prognosis of patients, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to investigate the difference in the length of hospital stay in the context of different assessment indices. Results Compared with the unhealed group, the improved group had significantly lower age ( t =-2.762, P < 0.05), white blood cell count ( Z =-3.184, P < 0.05), total bilirubin ( t =-2.809, P < 0.05), conjugated bilirubin ( t =-2.739, P < 0.05), international normalized ratio ( Z =-2.357, P < 0.05), MELD score ( t =-3.090, P < 0.05), and TBRR ( t =-4.749, P < 0.05), as well as significantly higher albumin ( t =2.198, P < 0.05), prothrombin time activity ( t =2.018, P < 0.05), TBCR ( t =2.166, P < 0.05), and ΔTBCR ( t =9.549, P < 0.05). MELD score, TBRR, TBCR, and ΔTBCR had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.656, 0.727, 0.611, and 0.879, respectively, and ΔTBCR had a better predictive value than TBRR ( Z =3.169, P =0.001 5). The optimal cut-off value was 22.5% for TBRR (with a sensitivity of 94.6% and a specificity of 45.2%) and 27.4% for ΔTBCR (with a sensitivity of 77.7% and a specificity of 86.5%). ΔTBCR showed a good predictive value in different clinicopathological types, with extremely high sensitivity (91.4%) and specificity (100.0%) in evaluating the treatment outcome of patients with mixed-type DILI after artificial liver support therapy. Conclusion TBRR and ΔTBCR have a higher value than MELD score in evaluating the short-term prognosis of patients with severe DILI after artificial liver support therapy, among which ΔTBCR has a higher predictive value.

Objective:To investigate the effect of biofeedback combined with pelvic floor training on stress urinary incontinence in elderly men.Methods:This study was prospective and Patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy from China Rehabilitation Research Center were enrolled. The patients who could not complete or refused the study, had a history of other urinary diseases, and central nervous system diseases were excluded. Patients were divided by random number table method into 3 groups. They were Kegel training group (Group A)which underwent anus contraction training with each contraction for 5 seconds and a rest interval of 2 seconds. Biofeedback combined with Kegel training group (Group B), which was biofeedback combined with anus contraction training and the biofeedback combined Pilates group (Group C) which received the biofeedback combined Pilates training. In group B and group C, patients were placed in the right lateral position and the surface electrode of the rectal probe was inserted into the anus. The reference electrode was fixed at the adductor muscle of the right thigh. The patient is asked to squeeze the electrode as hard as possible by constricting the anus so that the electromyographic signals produced by constricting the anus are synchronized with those on the computer screen. In the electrical stimulation stage of biofeedback therapy, rhomboid waves with current intensity of 30-50 Hz and pulse width of 300μs were used, and the electrical stimulation intensity was determined by the subtle muscle contraction visible. Each of the three training sessions lasted 45 minutes a day for 8 weeks. 1 hour pad test, daily incontinence times, (International Incontinence Counseling Questionnaire, ICIQ), and Oxford Score Scale were recorded every weekend. The 1-hour pad test, the number of incontinent episodes, ICIQ, Oxford Score scale before and after treatment were compared among the three groups, as well as the differences between the groups.Results:There were no significant differences in age, height, weight, history of diabetes or hypertension before treatment, time from postoperative to training, operation method, retention of nerve tract during surgery, Gleason score, 1-hour pad test, the number of episodes of incontinence, ICIQ and Oxford Grading Scale among the 3 groups. The 1-hour pad test results of group A, B and C were (37.4±7.2), (22.2±4.7) and (18.3±2.4) g, respectively, with statistical significance among the three groups ( P<0.01), and the difference between the three groups and before treatment was statistically significant ( P<0.01). The results of the number of episodes of incontinence in group A, B and C after treatment were (4.6±0.7), (3.4±0.6) and (3.0±0.8), respectively, and the difference among the three groups was statistically significant ( P<0.01), and the difference between the three groups and before treatment was statistically significant ( P<0.01). The results of The ICIQ in group A, B and C after treatment were 12(11, 14), 8(7, 9) and 6(5, 8), respectively, and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant ( P<0.01), and the differences between the three groups were statistically significant compared with before treatment ( P<0.01). The results of Oxford Grading Scale in group A, B and C after treatment were 3(3, 3), 4(3, 4) and 4(4, 4), respectively, and the difference between the three groups was statistically significant ( P<0.01), and the difference between the three groups was statistically significant compared with before treatment ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Biofeedback combined with pelvic floor training and biofeedback combined with Pilates training can improve urinary control, pelvic floor muscle strength, and stress urinary incontinence symptoms in male patients with stress urinary incontinence.