OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or metal(loid)s individually has been associated with neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the impacts of PAH and metal(loid) co-exposure and potential interaction effects on NTD risk remain unclear. We conducted a case-control study in China among population with a high prevalence of NTDs to investigate the combined effects of PAH and metal(loid) exposures on the risk of NTD. METHODS: Cases included 80 women who gave birth to offspring with NTDs, whereas controls were 50 women who delivered infants with no congenital malformations. We analyzed the levels of placental PAHs using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, PAH-DNA adducts with ³²P-post-labeling method, and metal(loid)s with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Unconditional logistic regression was employed to estimate the associations between individual exposures and NTDs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized regression models were used to select a subset of exposures, while additive interaction models were used to identify interaction effects. RESULTS: In the single-exposure models, we found that eight PAHs, PAH-DNA adducts, and 28 metal(loid)s were associated with NTDs. Pyrene, selenium, molybdenum, cadmium, uranium, and rubidium were selected through LASSO regression and were statistically associated with NTDs in the multiple-exposure models. Women with high levels of pyrene and molybdenum or pyrene and selenium exhibited significantly increased risk of having offspring with NTDs, indicating that these combinations may have synergistic effects on the risk of NTDs. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that individual PAHs and metal(loid)s, as well as their interactions, may be associated with the risk of NTDs, which warrants further investigation.
Humans ; Neural Tube Defects/chemically induced* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/adverse effects* ; Female ; Case-Control Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Environmental Pollutants ; Maternal Exposure/adverse effects* ; Metals/toxicity* ; Young Adult ; Risk Factors

Objective : To analyze the difference of urinary iodine level in Hashimoto thyroiditis ( HT) patients， and to explore the possible relationship between urinary iodine level and HT under different iodine nutritional sta- tus，so as to provide some references for reasonable iodine intake in HT patients． Methods : A total of 101 hospi- talized HT patients were selected as HT group and divided into 3 groups according to thyroid function : HT group with hyperthyroidism (41 cases) ．There were 25 cases in HT group with normal thyroid function．There were 35 cases in HT combined with hypothyroidism group．In addition，30 healthy subjects were selected as control group. Serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) ，triiodothyronine(T3 ) ，thyroxine (T4 ) ，thyroid peroxidase an- tibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (ATG) were detected by chemiluminescence assay．The size and mor- phological structure of thyroid organs were examined by ultrasonography．Urinary iodine was determined by catalytic spectrophotometry with arsenic and cerium．The nutritional status of iodine was classified into iodine deficiency ( < 100 μg/ L) ，iodine adequacy( 100 －199 μg/ L) ，iodine adequacy (200 －299 μg/ L) and iodine excess ( ≥ 300 μg/ L) ．Non-parametric test was used to compare urinary iodine level between HT group and control group，one- way ANOVA and t test were used to compare urinary iodine level between HT group and control group ，and Spearman correlation analysis was used to compare the correlation between urinary iodine level and T3 ，T4 ，TSH， ATG and TPOAb under different iodine nutrition status. Results : Compared with control group，ATG and TPOAb levels in HT group increased (P＜0. 001) ，and urinary iodine levels increased (P＜0. 05) ，with statistical signifi- cance．Compared with the control group in different thyroid function states，only the HT group with hypothyroidism increased the urinary iodine level (P＜0. 01) ，and the difference was statistically significant．Spearman correlation analysis showed that urine iodine level was positively correlated with ATG and TPOAb levels in iodine excess condi- tion (P＜0. 05) ，and urine iodine level was positively correlated with TSH level in iodine sufficient condition and iodine excess condition in HT patients (P＜0. 05) ． Conclusion The urinary iodine level of HT patients was high- er than that of normal people．When the urinary iodine level of residents is ≥ 300 μg/ L，iodine intake is prone to HT．When the urinary iodine level of HT patients is ≥ 200 μg/ L，iodine consumption is prone to hypothyroidism， and iodine intake should be limited.

Objective:To explore the intervention effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive function of schizophrenia patients with methods using meta-analysis.Methods:CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP,PubMed,Web of Science,the Cochrane Library and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive function in schizophrenia.Quality assessment was per-formed with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews.Effect sizes and heterogeneity were assessed using RevMan 5.3.Results:A total of 31 randomized controlled trials(2 421 patients)were included in this study.Meta-analysis showed that rTMS improved cognitive function in schizophrenia patients(SMD=0.73).Subgroup analyses showed that intervention intensity was less than or equal to 100％RMT,the intervention frequency was 1 Hz,the intervention time was lasted at least 20 min/time,and the intervention period was four weeks,the effect of rTMS was better.Subgroup analyses showed that rTMS was more effective in improving for patients with durations of 5 to 10 years.Conclusion:rTMS has more significant improvement effects on cognitive function in schizophrenia pa-tients.It is recommended to set the intervention intensity 100％RMT,the intervention frequency of 1 Hz,the in-tervention time ≥20 min,and the intervention period of 4 weeks in the clinic.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Objective To monitor the antifungal resistance of clinical isolates of Candida spp.in the East China region.Methods MALDI-TOF MS or molecular methods were used to re-identify the strains collected from January 2018 to December 2022.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method.The susceptibility test results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)documents M27 M44s-Ed3 and M57s-Ed4.Results A total of 3 026 strains of Candida were collected,65.33％of which were isolated from sterile body sites,mainly from blood(38.86％)and pleural effusion/ascites(10.21％).The predominant species of Candida were Candida albicans(44.51％),followed by Candida parapsilosis complex(19.46％),Candida tropicalis(13.98％),Candida glabrata(10.34％),and other Candida species(0.79％).Candida albicans showed overall high susceptibility rates to the 10 antifungal drugs tested(the lowest rate being 93.62％).Only 2.97％of the strains showed dose-dependent susceptibility(SDD)to fluconazole.Candida parapsilosis complex had a SDD rate of 2.61％and a resistance rate of 9.42％to fluconazole,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida glabrata had a SDD rate of 92.01％and a resistance rate of 7.99％to fluconazole,resistance rates of 32.27％and 48.24％to posaconazole and voriconazole non-wild-type strains(NWT),respectively,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida tropicalis had resistance rates of 29.55％and 26.24％to fluconazole and voriconazole,respectively,resistance rates of 76.60％and 21.99％to posaconazole and echinocandins non-wild-type strains(NWT),and a resistance rate of 2.36％to echinocandins.Conclusions The prevalence and species distribution of Candida spp.in the East China region are consistent with previous domestic and international reports.Candida glabrata exhibits certain degree of resistance to fluconazole,while Candida tropicalis demonstrates higher resistance to triazole drugs.Additionally,echinocandins resistance has emerged in Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida tropicalis,and Candida parapsilosis.

The current situation of childrearing in the elderly and low birth rate showed that the prevention and treatment of infertility risk caused by the decline of male reproductive function are increasingly becoming prominent.The decline of male reproductive function is closely related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,oxygen free radicals,blood-testis barrier,and the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the kidney stores essence and is in charge of reproduction,and the decline of reproductive function is closely related to the imbalance of yin and yang of the kidney.Therefore,kidney-supplementing method is helpful for treating the decline of reproductive function caused by kidney deficiency.Kidney-supplementing prescriptions were effective on systematically regulating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,thus to significantly delay the decline of reproductive function,were effective on removing excessive oxygen free radicals in the body and protecting cells from oxidative damage,and were effective on improving spermatogenesis by restoring the blood-testis barrier and regulating the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.The representative kidney-supplementing prescriptions for improving the decline of reproductive function caused by kidney deficiency include Wuzi Yanzong Pills,Shenqi Pills,Yougui Pills,Liuwei Dihuang Pills,Zuogui Pills and Guilu Erxian Soft Extract.The above formulas presented no single therapeutic mechanism but multiple-way,multiple-level and multiple-target mechanism,and the formulas can comprehensively regulate the internal environment of the body,so as to achieve the purpose of improving male reproductive function.The kidney-supplementing therapy of traditional Chinese medicine plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of male reproductive function decline.The in-depth study of its therapeutic mechanism will provide guide for clinical practice and will supply theoretical basis for improving male reproductive function decline.

The resin ethanol extract of Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GGQLD) has been found to significantly alleviate the intestinal toxicity caused by Irinotecan, but further research is needed to establish its overall quality and clinical medication standards. This study aimed to establish an HPLC characteristic fingerprint of the resin ethanol extract of GGQLD, predicted the targets and signaling pathways of its pharmacological effects based on network pharmacology, identified core compounds with pharmacological relevance, and analyzed potential quality markers(Q-markers) of the resin eluate of GGQLD for relieving Irinotecan-induced toxicity. By considering the uniqueness, measurability, and traceability of Q-markers based on the "five principles" of Q-markers and combining them with network pharmacology techniques, the overall efficacy of the resin ethanol extract of GGQLD can be characterized. Preliminary predictions suggested that the four components of puerarin, berberine, baicalin, and baicalein might serve as potential Q-markers for the resin etha-nol extract of GGQLD. This study provides a basis and references for the quality control and clinical mechanism of the resin ethanol extract of GGQLD.
Irinotecan ; Network Pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term clinical efficacy of SuperCap approach and direct anterior approach in total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Clinical data of 70 patients who underwent minimally invasive SuperCap approach and DAA THA in January 2016 to June 2017 were retrospective analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups:SuperCap approach group(SuperCap group) and direct anterior approach group(DAA group). There were 15 males and 15 females in SuperCap group, aged from 45 to 71 years old, and the follow-up time ranged from 24 to 30 months. There were 24 males and 16 females in Group B, aged from 51 to 76 years and the follow-up time ranged from 24 to 36 months. Hemoglobin level of the 3rd day after operation, transfusion rate, acetabular abduction angle, anteversion angle and creatine kinase level of the 3rd day after operation, Harris score of 3 months and the last time, VAS score of 1 week and the last time were recorded and compared. Complications were recorded at the final follow-up. RESULTS: All patients were followed up, the follow-up time of SuperCap group ranged from 24 to 30 months, that of DAA group ranged from 24 to 36 months. No significant differences were found in hemoglobin level on the 3rd day after operation, transfusion rate, Harris score or VAS score between two group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in Harris score between 3 months after operation and the final follow-up in both groups (P>0.05). There were no significant difference in VAS scores of 6 weeks after operation and on the final follow-up neither(P>0.05). The level of creatine kinase in SuperCap group was significant lower than that in DAA group(P<0.05). Until the final follow-up, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION The clinical effect of minimally invasive SuperCap approach after total hip arthroplasty is comparable to that of DAA approach with less soft tissue injury. Patients can recover rapidly after operation and it is a safe and effective surgical approach for surgeons with short learning curve.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Retrospective Studies ; Antiviral Agents ; Treatment Outcome ; Creatine Kinase ; Hemoglobins

Abstract: Objective　To evaluate the potential transmission risk of schistosomiasis in Yunnan Province, and to provide strategic basis for the prevention and control. Methods　Based on the prevalence of schistosomiasis, the social and environmental factors that may lead to the epidemic, 1-3 villages from 3 provincial-level and 15 county-level counties (cities and districts) were selected as the evaluated villages in 2021. The risk of schistosomiasis spread was analyzed comprehensively by consulting, reviewing and collecting routine surveillance data of schistosomiasis in the villages, combined with snail and wild feces survey. The risk level was evaluated for the positive snails, positive wild feces, resident infection, average density of live snails and snail frame occurrence rate. Results　Totally 7 snail counties schistosomiasis transmission was blocked of 18 epidemic counties and the rest were eliminated counties. A total of 152 447 snail frames were investigated and 3 043 frames with snails, 15 895 snails were captured and included 15 727 live snails in the 32 evaluated villages. The total area of snail was 58.87 hm2 and the area of reoccurrence was 34.19 hm2 with snail frame occurrence rate of 2.00% and average density of live snails 0.103 2/0.11 m2, and no positive snails were found by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. A total of 1 374 wild feces were collected in 27 evaluated villages of 14 epidemic counties, mainly from cattle, dogs, sheep, equine animals, pigs and so on, all of which were negative. According to the risk assessment of epidemic spread, Yongle Village and Yongsheng Village in Eryuan County, Zhiming Village in Chuxiong City were Ⅱ risk, and the rest were Ⅲ risk. Conclusions　Although the risk of transmission is low in Yunnan Province, the risk of transmission and spread still exists. It is necessary to strengthen the risk monitoring, control of snail and effective management of livestock to prevent the rebound of the epidemic.