Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

BACKGROUND: The use of inserted sham acupuncture as a placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is controversial, because it may produce specific effects that cause an underestimation of the effect of acupuncture treatment. OBJECTIVE: This systematic survey investigates the magnitude of insert-specific effects of sham acupuncture and whether they affect the estimation of acupuncture treatment effects. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify acupuncture RCTs from their inception until December 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: RCTs that evaluated the effects of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: The total effect measured for an acupuncture treatment group in RCTs were divided into three components, including the natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (controlled for no-treatment group), the placebo effect, and the specific effect of acupuncture. The first two constituted the contextual effect of acupuncture, which is mimicked by a sham acupuncture treatment group. The proportion of acupuncture total effect size was considered to be 1. The proportion of natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (PNE) and proportional contextual effect (PCE) of included RCTs were pooled using meta-analyses with a random-effect model. The proportion of acupuncture placebo effect was the difference between PCE and PNE in RCTs with non-inserted sham acupuncture. The proportion of insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture (PIES) was obtained by subtracting the proportion of acupuncture placebo effect and PNE from PCE in RCTs with inserted sham acupuncture. The impact of PIES on the estimation of acupuncture's treatment effect was evaluated by quantifying the percentage of RCTs that the effect of outcome changed from no statistical difference to statistical difference after removing PIES in the included studies, and the impact of PIES was externally validated in other acupuncture RCTs with an inserted sham acupuncture group that were not used to calculate PIES. RESULTS: This analysis included 32 studies with 5492 patients. The overall PNE was 0.335 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.255-0.415) and the PCE of acupuncture was 0.639 (95% CI, 0.567-0.710) of acupuncture's total effect. The proportional contribution of the placebo effect to acupuncture's total effect was 0.191, and the PIES was 0.189. When we modeled the exclusion of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, the acupuncture treatment effect changed from no difference to a significant difference in 45.45% of the included RCTs, and in 40.91% of the external validated RCTs. CONCLUSION The insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture in RCTs represents 18.90% of acupuncture's total effect and significantly affects the evaluation of the acupuncture treatment effect. More than 40% of RCTs that used inserted sham acupuncture would draw different conclusions if the PIES had been controlled for. Considering the impact of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, caution should be taken when using inserted sham acupuncture placebos in RCTs. Please cite this article as: Luo XC, Liu JL, Yao MH, Chen YM, Fan AY, Liang FR, Zhao JP, Zhao L, Zhou X, Zhong XY, Yang JH, Li B, Zhang Y, Sun X, Li L. Specific effect of inserted sham acupuncture and its impact on the estimation of acupuncture treatment effect in randomized controlled trials: A systematic survey. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):630-640.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos ; Treatment Outcome

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of 3D-printed porous bioceramic artificial bone and artificial bone substitutes in the treatment of limb bone defects.Methods:A total of 220 patients with post-traumatic limb bone defects admitted to Xijing Hospital Affiliated to Air Force Medical University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (34 cases), the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University (60 cases), Xi'an Honghui Hospital (28 cases), the Third Hospital of Southern Medical University (18 cases), Changsha Third Hospital (28 cases), Foshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (16 cases), Foshan Fuxing Chancheng Hospital (12 cases), and Henan Provincial Orthopaedic Hospital (24 cases) from May 2022 to October 2023 were included as research subjects. According to the manufacturing method of the bone graft material, the subjects were randomly divided into the 3D printed porous bioceramic artificial bone group (3D printing group) and the artificial bone substitute group (non-3D printing group) at a ratio of 1:1 by the envelope method. Adverse events that might be related to the surgery were selected through correlation evaluation and classified as abnormal laboratory indicators, systemic or other site symptoms and abnormalities, and local symptoms and abnormalities of the affected limb. The safety of the two groups was compared. The bone graft fusion rate, bone defect repair and healing rate, and short form 12 (SF-12) score of the two groups were calculated to evaluate the postoperative recovery.Results:Thirty-two cases were excluded (4 cases refused to use their data after reconsideration, 7 cases were not used after preoperative assessment, and 21 cases exceeded the standard for body mass index and laboratory indicators upon re-examination). A total of 188 cases were randomly divided into the 3D printing group and the non-3D printing group according to the random method, with 94 cases in each group. Among them, 11 cases in the 3D printing group and 9 cases in the non-3D printing group dropped out due to loss to follow-up. Finally, 168 cases completed the follow-up, including 83 cases in the 3D printing group and 85 cases in the non-3D printing group. In the 3D printing group, there were 53 males and 30 females, with an average age of 47.9±12.7 years; in the non-3D printing group, there were 53 males and 32 females, with an average age of 48.6±12.9 years. A total of 51 cases in the two groups experienced adverse events related to the surgery, including 13 cases of abnormal laboratory indicators (5 cases in the 3D printing group and 8 cases in the non-3D printing group), 15 cases of systemic or other site symptoms and abnormalities (9 cases in the 3D printing group and 6 cases in the non-3D printing group), and 23 cases of local symptoms and abnormalities of the affected limb (13 cases in the 3D printing group and 10 cases in the non-3D printing group). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups ( P>0.05). The bone graft fusion rates of the 3D printing group and the non-3D printing group at 6 months after surgery were 99%(82/83) and 99%(84/85), respectively, and the bone defect repair and healing rates were 89%(74/83) and 89%(76/85), respectively. At the time of 12 months after surgery, the bone graft fusion rates were 99%(82/83) and 99%(84/85), respectively, and the bone defect repair and healing rates were 94%(78/83) and 92%(78/85), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the bone graft fusion rate and bone defect repair and healing rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). The SF-12 scores during the screening period were 27.82±2.96 points and 27.22±4.23 points in the 3D printing group and the non-3D printing group, respectively, and at 3 months after surgery were 28.08±3.13 points and 27.64±3.16 points, at 6 months after surgery were 29.42±3.10 points and 28.55±3.45 points, and at 12 months after surgery were 29.78±2.80 points and 29.58±2.94 points, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups ( P>0.05). Both groups of surgeries were successfully completed without any serious surgical or bone graft-related complications. Conclusion:The safety and efficacy of 3D-printed porous bioceramic artificial bone in the treatment of limb bone defects are not significantly different from those of currently clinically applied artificial bone substitutes.

AIM To explore the effects of Dahuang Lingxian Recipe on Th1/Th2 cell immune imbalance in a rat model of cholestatic liver fibrosis(CLF).METHODS 20 SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the ursodeoxycholic acid group(0.063 g/kg)and the Dahuang Lingxian Recipe group(4.8 g/kg),with 5 rats in each group.Except for those of the normal group,the rats of all other groups had open surgery of common bile duct ligation,followed by the gavage of corresponding drug two days later,and the procurement of the samples after gavage in the third week.The rats had their degree of liver fibrosis observed by HE and Masson stainings;their levels of serum total bile acid(TBA),alkaline phosphatase(AKP),γ-glutamyltransferase(γ-GT),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and total bilirubin(TBil)measured by the kit;their hepatic percentage of TGF-β1,p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 positive cells detected by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining;their.hepatic expressions of TGF-β1,Smad4,NF-κB p65,Collagen Ⅰ and Collagen Ⅲ protein and mRNA detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR;their levels of helper T cell 1(Th1)and helper T cell 2(Th2)in peripheral blood detected by flow cytometry,and their ratio of Th1/Th2 calculated as well.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with either ursodeoxycholic acid or Dahuang Lingxian Recipe displayed well-ordered liver cells,hepatic lobules and hepatic cords;a small amount of fatty degeneration;significantly reduced connective hyperplasia of hepatic fibers;significantly narrowed fibrous cords;a small amount of blue fibrous septa;greatly improved pathological injuries including inflammatory infiltration of central vein and portal area;decreased levels of serum TBA,TBil,AKP,γ-GT,ALT and AST(P＜0.05);decreased hepatic expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2 and p-Smad3(P＜0.05);decreased hepatic expressions of TGF-β1,Smad4,NF-κB p65,Collagen Ⅰ and Collagen Ⅲ protein and mRNA(P＜0.05);and increased counts of Th1 cells in peripheral blood,decreased counts of Th2 cells,resultsing increased Th1/Th2 ratio(P＜0.05).And an even better effect was observed in the Dahuang Lingxian Recipe group.CONCLUSION Dahuang Lingxian Recipe can reduce or reverse CLF by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation through maintaining Th1/Th2 cell immune balance via the NF-κB/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Objective:Based on the background of high-quality development,we analyze the operational efficiency of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)hospitals in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt in 2021 and explore the impact of external environmental factors on operational efficiency,so as to provide a reference for promoting the high-quality development of TCM hospitals in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.Methods:The three-stage DEA model was used to analyze the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Zone in China in 2021.Results:After three-stage DEA analysis,the values of comprehensive efficiency,pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of TCM hospitals in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt are 0.976,0.986 and 0.990,respectively.5 provinces and cities,Shanghai,Jiangsu,Hunan,Chongqing and Guizhou,are efficient before and after the adjustment,and the comprehensive efficiency of Zhejiang,Anhui,Hubei,Jiangxi,Sichuan and Yunnan have increased compared with that before the adjustment.Ranking of the average value of the comprehensive efficiency of TCM hospitals operation in the three major city clusters of the Yangtze River Economic Belt after adjustment:Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster(0.998)>city cluster in the Yangtze River Delta(0.964)>city cluster in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River(0.962).Conclusion:The operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in the Yangtze River Economic Zone has been underestimated,and the comprehensive efficiency is mainly affected by scale efficiency;there are differences in the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in the three major urban agglomerations,and balanced development is needed between regions;the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals is affected by the external environment,and it is necessary to improve the external environment;it is necessary to strengthen the construction of digital and informatization of TCM,and to pay attention to the role of talents in TCM,so as to promote the high-quality development of TCM hospitals.

Objective:To investigate the impact of early invasive arterial blood pressure (IBP) monitoring on survival and neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed 44 OHCA patients receiving ECPR between January 2021 and January 2023. Patients were divided into: Early intervention group : IBP established within 3 min of ECMO initiation; Late intervention group : IBP established after ICU admission. Baseline characteristics, ECMO parameters, and clinical outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression (adjusted for age, initial rhythm, etc.) and Spearman's correlation were used.Results:This study included a total of 44 patients treated with OHCA and ECPR, divided into an early intervention group of 23 cases and a late intervention group of 21 cases. The early intervention group showed significantly higher: Survival to discharge (43.5% vs. 9.5%, P<0.05), Good neurological recovery (CPC 1-2: 34.8% vs. 9.5%, P<0.05).Early intervention independently predicted survival (adjusted OR=18.84, 95% CI:1.97-179.98, P=0.01). Stratified analysis by pH (cutoff 7.0) demonstrated consistent benefits in both pH>7.0 ( aOR=0.392, 95% CI:0.106-0.678) and pH≤7.0 subgroups ( aOR=0.385, 95% CI: 0.075-0.695; interaction P=0.183). Early IBP positively correlated with CPC scores ( ρ=0.40, P=0.007). Conclusions:Early IBP monitoring significantly improves survival and neurological outcomes in OHCA-ECPR patients, supporting its integration into standardized protocols.

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Objective： To investigate the relationship between the lipid metabolism-related gene sterol carrier protein 2(SCP2) and prostate cancer (PCa) from a multi-omics perspective using single-cell transcriptomes combined with Mendelian randomization. Methods： Single-cell transcriptome data of benign and malignant prostate tissues were obtained from GSE120716, GSE157703 and GSE141445 datasets, respectively. Integration, quality control and annotation were performed on the data to categorize the epithelial cells into high and low SCP2 expression groups, followed by further differential and trajectory analyses. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data for SCP2 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) were subsequently downloaded from Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and investigated from the PCa Society Cancer-Related Genomic Alteration Panel for the Investigation of Cancer-Related Alterations (PRACTICAL) to obtain PCa outcome data for Mendelian randomization analysis to validate the causal relationship between SCP2 and PCa. Results： High SCP2-expressing epithelial cells had higher energy metabolism and proliferation capacity with low immunotherapy response and metastatic tendency. Trajectory analysis showed that epithelial cells with high SCP2 expression may have a higher degree of malignancy, and SCP2 may be a key marker gene for differentiation of malignant epithelial cells in the prostate. Further Mendelian randomization results showed a significant causal relationship between SCP2 and PCa development (OR=1.045, 95% CI: 1.010 －1.083, P=0.011). Conclusion： By combining single-cell transcriptome and Mendelian randomization, the role of the lipid metabolism-related gene SCP2 in PCa development has been confirmed, and new targets and therapeutic directions for PCa treatment have been provided.
Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics* ; Male ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Quantitative Trait Loci ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Carrier Proteins/genetics* ; Transcriptome ; Lipid Metabolism

Objectives:To investigate the relationship between locations of ventricular septal perforation and 30-day prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular septal perforation.Methods:Clinical data of 150 acute myocardial infarction patients with ventricular septal perforation admitted to Fuwai Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2009 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the difference in 30-day survival rate among patients with different sites of ventricular septal perforation.The impact of locations of ventricular septal perforation on 30-day prognosis of acute myocardial infarction patients was evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analysis(forward stepwise).Results:In acute myocardial infarction patients,the occurrence of anterior ventricular septal perforation was higher than that of posterior ventricular septal perforation(79.5%vs.20.5%,P<0.001).In the anterior ventricular septal perforation patients,females were more common(50.0%vs.22.6%,P=0.006),the blood glucose level was higher([10.51±5.99]mmol/L vs.[8.02±2.81]mmol/L,P=0.026),the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was smaller([50.7±6.1]mm vs.[55.1±5.0]mm,P<0.001),the ventricular septal aperture was also smaller([9.8±4.6]mm vs.[12.6±5.4]mm,P=0.004),30-day mortality was higher(55.8%vs.35.5%,P=0.043)compared with posterior ventricular septal perforation patients.Multivariate Cox regression analysis(forward stepwise)showed that no transthoracic surgery or transcatheter closure(HR=26.344,95%CI:8.261-84.009,P<0.001)and anterior ventricular septal perforation(HR=2.432,95%CI:1.281-4.619,P=0.007)were associated with increased risk of 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular septal perforation.Conclusions:In patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular septal perforation,the incidence of anterior ventricular septal perforation is higher than posterior ventricular septal perforation and the 30-day all-cause mortality of anterior ventricular septal perforation patients is also higher.No transthoracic surgery or transcatheter closure and anterior ventricular septal perforation are the independent influential factors of 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction and ventricular septal perforation.