OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of the "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture on key regulatory factors during mitochondrial apoptosis of testicular tissue in asthenozoospermia mice, and explore the potential mechanism of the protective effect of acupuncture on reproductive function. METHODS: Thirty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 mice in each group. In the model and the acupuncture groups, the intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (30 mg•kg^-1•d^-1) was delivered for 7 days to prepare the asthenozoospermia model. After the success of modeling, the modeled mice in the acupuncture group were intervened with "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture, once daily and the needles were retained for 20 min. The duration of the intervention was 2 weeks. The general condition of each mouse was observed, and the body mass was recorded before modeling, after modeling and after intervention completion. After intervention, the testicular mass was recorded and the weight coefficient was calculated, and the mouse sperm quality was examined; the serum contents of testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected using ELISA, the morphology of testicular tissue was observed using HE, the mitochondrial ultra-microstructure of testicular tissue was observed under transmission electrone microscopy, the mitochondrial membrane potential level of testicular tissue was detected using JC-1 staining, the positive rate of apoptosis cell of testicular tissue was observed using TUNEL; and the mRNA and protein expression of b-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), cytochrome c (Cyt C), apoptotic protease-activating factor1 (Apaf-1), Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 of testicular tissue was detected using real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blot methods separately; and the positive expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 of the testicular tissue was detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the mice were in listless spirits, had shaggy hairs, the reduced appetite and movement, and weight loss in the model group (P<0.01); the testicular mass and the weight coefficient decreased (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability were declined (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH were dropped (P<0.01). The morphology of seminiferous tubules in testicular tissue was abnormal, the number of spermatogenic cells and the number of mitochondria decreased, the inner mitochondrial crest was fractured and lost, and vacuoles appeared. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced (P<0.01); and the positive rate of apoptosis cell in testicular tissue increased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was dropped (P<0.01), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 increased (P<0.01). When compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the general condition of mice was improved, the testicular mass and the weight coefficient elevated (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability increased (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH rose (P<0.01). The pathological morphology of testicular tissue and the inner mitochondrial ultra-microstructure were ameliorated, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was elevated (P<0.01); the positive rate of apoptosis cell was reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was dropped (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 elevated (P<0.05), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 declined (P<0.01). CONCLUSION "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward- "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture may ameliorate mouse reproductive function by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, alleviating testicular tissue damage in the asthenospermia mice induced by cyclophosphamide.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Apoptosis ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Asthenozoospermia/genetics* ; Humans ; Testis/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Sperm Motility ; Testosterone/blood* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Reproduction ; Cytochromes c/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique on the relative protein expression of the signaling pathway of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1)/ receptor-interacting protein 2 (RIP2)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD), so as to explore the underlying mechanism of this acupuncture technique for pain alleviation in PD. METHODS: Thirty female SD rats of SPF grade with normal estrous cycle were randomized into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each one. Using the intraperitoneal injection with estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin, PD model was prepared in the model group and the acupuncture group. In the acupuncture group, during model preparation, the intervention with "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique was delivered simultaneously, 20 min each time, once daily for consecutive 10 days. On day 11, within 30 min after the intraperitoneal injection with oxytocin, the writhing reaction (latency, frequency and score) was recorded; the morphology of uterine tissue was observed with HE staining, the contents of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the serum were detected using ELISA method; the relative protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65, phosphorylation-NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) was detected in the uterine tissue using Western blot method; and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 was detected with the quantitative real-time PCR employed. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the writhing latency was prolonged (P<0.01), the writhing frequency and score increased (P<0.01) in the rats; the endometrial epithelial cells showed massive degeneration and necrosis, with severe endometrial edema and widespread shedding, combined with neutrophil infiltration; the serum PGE₂ content was dropped (P<0.01), while those of PGF_2α, IL-1β, IL-18, COX-2, and TNF-α elevated (P<0.01); the protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65, and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in uterine tissue increased (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the writhing latency was prolonged (P<0.01), the writhing frequency and score were reduced (P<0.01) in the rats; there was less degeneration and necrosis of endometrial epithelial cells, with mild endometrial edema and very little neutrophil infiltration; the serum PGE₂ content increased (P<0.01), while those of PGF_2α, IL-1β, IL-18, COX-2, and TNF-α decreased (P<0.01); the protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in uterine tissue were dropped (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique can alleviate the pain symptom of PD rats, and its action mechanism may be related to inhibiting the active expression of NOD1/RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway in the uterine tissue, thereby reducing the inflammatory response.
Animals ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Dysmenorrhea/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Acupuncture Analgesia ; Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein/metabolism* ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinase 2/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with a complex etiology,mainly including two types:ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn's disease(CD),whose risk factors for its development are still incompletely understood.In recent years,Mendelian randomization(MR)has gained increasing attention in IBD research.MR mainly uses genetic variation as an instrumental variable to infer causality between exposure and outcome,effectively avoiding confounding and reverse causality in observational studies and randomised controlled trials.This review summarises currently published MR studies related to IBD,focusing on causal relationships between different risk factors and IBD development.Current findings support a causal relation-ship between IBD and selected oral diseases,skin diseases,psychiatric disorders,autoimmune diseases,bone diseases,gut diseases,gut microbiota,cytokines and nutrients,but not between IBD and lifestyle,cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.Despite its limitations,MR studies are of great significance in improving understanding of etiology of IBD and in identifying potential therapeutic interventions.

Objective Postdoctoral fellows are a crucial force in hospital scientific research and serve as a"talent pool"for high-level young professionals.Exploring optimized pathways for postdoctoral training in university-affiliated tertiary hospitals under the high-quality development context is of great significance.Methods Taking a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou as the re-search subject,this study analyzed the hospital's postdoctoral management implementation measures,recruitment status,scientif-ic research output,and training outcomes over the past five years(2020-2024).Combined with policy and literature analysis,shortcomings in postdoctoral training were summarized,and a conceptual"Trinity"collaborative training mechanism involving the"hospital-department-postdoctoral fellow"was proposed.Results The retention rate of postdoctoral fellows increased to 42％,the number of provincial/ministerial-level and above research projects grew by 1.5 times,and the number of newly enrolled post-doctoral fellows in 2024 more than doubled compared to 2020.However,challenges remain,including insufficient high-quality candidates,inadequate guidance and cultivation by supervisors,lagging achievement transformation,imperfect assessment sys-tems,and incomplete incentive and support measures.Conclusion Postdoctoral fellows are a vital force in hospital scientific re-search.Constructing an effective collaborative training mechanism is essential.Through innovations in management and training models,departmental and supervisor team building,and diversified incentives and support mechanisms,multi-party collaboration and systematic integration should be pursued.Further exploration of the"Trinity"training mechanism will deepen the alignment of postdoctoral training with clinical needs and disciplinary development,thereby promoting high-quality hospital development.

[Objective]To introduce Professor JI Laixi's experience in treating idiopathic asthenospermia by acupuncture based on the concept of"tonifying the kidney and harmonizing the heart and stomach".[Methods]By collecting and sorting out Professor JI's medical records and clinical narration of treating idiopathic asthenospermia with acupuncture therapy based on the concept of"tonifying the kidney and harmonizing the heart and stomach",the experience of Professor JI in treating this disease was comprehensively summarized and demonstrated with typical medical records.[Results]Professor JI believes that the disease is mainly located in the kidney,which is often related to the heart and stomach.Its pathogenesis is complicated,mainly due to the deficiency of kidney essence,and often accompanied with anxiety and/or disharmony of stomach Qi.In terms of treatment,it is necessary to focus on tonifying the kidney,and at the same time emphasize the overall concept,advocate"treating the kidney and calming the nerves"and"tonifying the kidney and regulating the stomach",so as to give consideration to diagnosis and treatment,make overall adjustment and gain full effect.In the medical record cited,the patient was diagnosed as infertility by combining auxiliary examination,tongue pulse and clinical symptoms.The main symptom was deficiency of kidney essence,also showing uneasiness and disharmony of stomach Qi.The acupuncture method of"Zhibian(BL 54)to Shuidao(ST 28)"was used to tonify the kidney and replenish essence,and acupuncture was supplemented by self-made"Anshen recipe"and"Gastropathy recipe"to soothe the nerves and harmonize the stomach.After four weeks of treatment,the patient's sperm quality returned to normal,while the clinical symptoms such as weakness of waist and legs and loss of appetite were also relieved significantly.After one year of following-up,the patient's wife was successfully pregnant.[Conclusion]Professor JI has rich clinical experience in treating idiopathic asthenospermia with acupuncture based on the concept of"primarily tonifying the kidney and simultaneously harmonizing the heart and stomach".The curative effect is remarkable,providing reference for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia.

The accuracy of medical imaging diagnosis will directly impact the clinical forensic evaluation's scientific validity and objectivity.This study systematically analyzed the primary causes of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in imaging examinations,focusing on representative cases,including rib fractures,traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage,joint injuries with ligament damage,nasal fractures,congenital skeletal variations,and epiphyseal injuries.Key contributing factors encompassed limitation of imaging technologies,the insufficient interpretive experience of examiners,the complexity of injury mechanisms,and inadequate post-traumatic dynamic imaging follow-up.To address these issues,improvement strategies are proposed,which were establishing standardized imaging review protocols,implementing multimodal imaging approaches,rigorous evaluation of original imaging data,and enhancing professional knowledge regarding anatomical variations and injury differentiation.These measures aim to elevate the quality of forensic imaging diagnosis,providing more precise and reliable strategies for forensic clinical identifications.

Objective Postdoctoral fellows are a crucial force in hospital scientific research and serve as a"talent pool"for high-level young professionals.Exploring optimized pathways for postdoctoral training in university-affiliated tertiary hospitals under the high-quality development context is of great significance.Methods Taking a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou as the re-search subject,this study analyzed the hospital's postdoctoral management implementation measures,recruitment status,scientif-ic research output,and training outcomes over the past five years(2020-2024).Combined with policy and literature analysis,shortcomings in postdoctoral training were summarized,and a conceptual"Trinity"collaborative training mechanism involving the"hospital-department-postdoctoral fellow"was proposed.Results The retention rate of postdoctoral fellows increased to 42％,the number of provincial/ministerial-level and above research projects grew by 1.5 times,and the number of newly enrolled post-doctoral fellows in 2024 more than doubled compared to 2020.However,challenges remain,including insufficient high-quality candidates,inadequate guidance and cultivation by supervisors,lagging achievement transformation,imperfect assessment sys-tems,and incomplete incentive and support measures.Conclusion Postdoctoral fellows are a vital force in hospital scientific re-search.Constructing an effective collaborative training mechanism is essential.Through innovations in management and training models,departmental and supervisor team building,and diversified incentives and support mechanisms,multi-party collaboration and systematic integration should be pursued.Further exploration of the"Trinity"training mechanism will deepen the alignment of postdoctoral training with clinical needs and disciplinary development,thereby promoting high-quality hospital development.

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with a complex etiology,mainly including two types:ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn's disease(CD),whose risk factors for its development are still incompletely understood.In recent years,Mendelian randomization(MR)has gained increasing attention in IBD research.MR mainly uses genetic variation as an instrumental variable to infer causality between exposure and outcome,effectively avoiding confounding and reverse causality in observational studies and randomised controlled trials.This review summarises currently published MR studies related to IBD,focusing on causal relationships between different risk factors and IBD development.Current findings support a causal relation-ship between IBD and selected oral diseases,skin diseases,psychiatric disorders,autoimmune diseases,bone diseases,gut diseases,gut microbiota,cytokines and nutrients,but not between IBD and lifestyle,cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.Despite its limitations,MR studies are of great significance in improving understanding of etiology of IBD and in identifying potential therapeutic interventions.

The accuracy of medical imaging diagnosis will directly impact the clinical forensic evaluation's scientific validity and objectivity.This study systematically analyzed the primary causes of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in imaging examinations,focusing on representative cases,including rib fractures,traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage,joint injuries with ligament damage,nasal fractures,congenital skeletal variations,and epiphyseal injuries.Key contributing factors encompassed limitation of imaging technologies,the insufficient interpretive experience of examiners,the complexity of injury mechanisms,and inadequate post-traumatic dynamic imaging follow-up.To address these issues,improvement strategies are proposed,which were establishing standardized imaging review protocols,implementing multimodal imaging approaches,rigorous evaluation of original imaging data,and enhancing professional knowledge regarding anatomical variations and injury differentiation.These measures aim to elevate the quality of forensic imaging diagnosis,providing more precise and reliable strategies for forensic clinical identifications.

[Objective]To introduce Professor JI Laixi's experience in treating idiopathic asthenospermia by acupuncture based on the concept of"tonifying the kidney and harmonizing the heart and stomach".[Methods]By collecting and sorting out Professor JI's medical records and clinical narration of treating idiopathic asthenospermia with acupuncture therapy based on the concept of"tonifying the kidney and harmonizing the heart and stomach",the experience of Professor JI in treating this disease was comprehensively summarized and demonstrated with typical medical records.[Results]Professor JI believes that the disease is mainly located in the kidney,which is often related to the heart and stomach.Its pathogenesis is complicated,mainly due to the deficiency of kidney essence,and often accompanied with anxiety and/or disharmony of stomach Qi.In terms of treatment,it is necessary to focus on tonifying the kidney,and at the same time emphasize the overall concept,advocate"treating the kidney and calming the nerves"and"tonifying the kidney and regulating the stomach",so as to give consideration to diagnosis and treatment,make overall adjustment and gain full effect.In the medical record cited,the patient was diagnosed as infertility by combining auxiliary examination,tongue pulse and clinical symptoms.The main symptom was deficiency of kidney essence,also showing uneasiness and disharmony of stomach Qi.The acupuncture method of"Zhibian(BL 54)to Shuidao(ST 28)"was used to tonify the kidney and replenish essence,and acupuncture was supplemented by self-made"Anshen recipe"and"Gastropathy recipe"to soothe the nerves and harmonize the stomach.After four weeks of treatment,the patient's sperm quality returned to normal,while the clinical symptoms such as weakness of waist and legs and loss of appetite were also relieved significantly.After one year of following-up,the patient's wife was successfully pregnant.[Conclusion]Professor JI has rich clinical experience in treating idiopathic asthenospermia with acupuncture based on the concept of"primarily tonifying the kidney and simultaneously harmonizing the heart and stomach".The curative effect is remarkable,providing reference for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia.