1.Effects of different acupuncture and moxibustion methods on synovial hypoxia and fibrosis in knee osteoarthritis model rats
Lingling QIN ; Xiaoqin ZHANG ; Qi DONG ; Mengting SHI ; Pingju XUE ; Haijiao XING ; Jing XU
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(5):394-402
Objective:To investigate the effects of moxibustion,filiform needle acupuncture,and electroacupuncture on synovial hypoxia and expression of synovial fibrosis markers[transforming growth factor(TGF)-β and collagen alpha-1(Ⅰ)chain(COL1A1)]in knee osteoarthritis(KOA)rats.Methods:Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a moxibustion group,an acupuncture group,and an electroacupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,rats in the other four groups were injected with sodium iodoacetate into the right knee joint cavity to establish KOA models.The right Futu(ST32)and Zusanli(ST36)were selected in the moxibustion,acupuncture,and electroacupuncture groups to perform the mild moxibustion with moxa sticks,filiform needle acupuncture,or electroacupuncture,respectively.Each intervention lasted 15 min,once every other day,and continued for 4 weeks,with a total of 14 interventions.The Lequesne score was used to evaluate the degree of knee dysfunction before and after intervention,and the rat's right knee joint diameter was measured to evaluate the degree of knee swelling.Morphological changes of the right knee joint synovial tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.Hypoxia probe immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the degree of synovial hypoxia in rats.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α,TGF-β,and COL1A1 in the synovial tissue of the right knee joints.Results:Before intervention,the Lequesne score and the right knee joint diameter in the other four groups increased significantly compared to the normal group(P<0.01).After intervention,the Lequesne score and the right knee joint diameter increased significantly in the model group compared to the normal group(P<0.01)together with worsened cartilage deformation and osteophytes,inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis in synovial tissue,and hypoxia degree,and the expression levels of HIF-1α,TGF-β,and COL1A1 proteins in the knee joint synovial tissue of rats increased(P<0.01).The Lequesne score and the right knee joint diameter decreased significantly(P<0.01 or P<0.05),the cartilage morphology was normal without obvious osteophytes,and the hypoxia degree reduced in the three intervention groups compared to the model group.Among them,the moxibustion group had the most notable improvement in hypoxia,synovial tissue fibrosis,angiogenesis,and inflammatory cell infiltration.The expression levels of HIF-1α,TGF-β,and COL1A1 proteins decreased in the moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups(P<0.01),and the expression levels of HIF-1α and TGF-β proteins were decreased in the acupuncture group(P<0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion,filiform needle acupuncture,and electroacupuncture improve knee joint function and reduce knee joint swelling in KOA rats.The mechanism may be to improve synovial fibrosis of the knee joint by regulating HIF-1α;moxibustion has the best effect on improving hypoxia among the three interventions,but the effect of filiform needle acupuncture on COL1A1 is not significant.
2.Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of infectious diseases of the central nervous system: a national multicenter cross-sectional study
Jiahua ZHAO ; Jun GUO ; Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Wen HUANG ; Xiaofei ZHU ; Jianxin YE ; Xiaoling WANG ; Juan DU ; Min LI ; Juan DU ; Zegang YIN ; Jinli FENG ; Chaohui WANG ; Xiaowei MAO ; Jing CHEN ; Xiaowei XING ; Yuheng SHAN ; Yuying CEN ; Xiaojiao XU ; Ruishu TAN ; Jiatang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(5):485-493
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).Methods:A cross-sectional study and analysis were conducted to summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 9 918 patients with CNS infectious diseases, who were diagnosed and treated at 29 hospitals across China from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2020. Data collected included demographic data, clinical manifestations, health economic indicators, and prognostic outcomes.Results:Among the 9 918 collected cases of CNS infectious diseases, 5 559 were male (56.0%) and 4 359 were female (44.0%), with an onset age of 38 (25, 53) years. Education level: slightly more junior high school education (2 651 cases, 26.7%), and less elementary school education and below (2 181 cases, 22.0%) were found. Occupational distribution: farmers were found predominant (3 215 cases, 32.4%), followed by workers (1 826 cases, 18.4%) and students (1 633 cases, 16.5%). Clinical manifestations: headache (6 074 cases, 61.2%), fever (5 869 cases, 59.2%) and positive meningeal irritation signs (2 273 cases, 22.9%) were the 3 most common clinical manifestations, followed by nausea and (or) vomiting (2 095 cases, 21.1%), impaired consciousness (2 077 cases, 20.9%), psychiatric symptom (1 866 cases, 18.8%) and epilepsy (1 627 cases, 16.4%), etc., and cranial nerve involvement was found in 669 cases (6.7%). Major pathogens included viruses in 6 814 cases (68.7%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1 677 cases (16.9%), common bacteria in 864 cases (8.7%), fungi in 254 cases (2.6%), spirochetes of syphilis in 183 cases (1.8%), parasites in 121 cases (1.2%), and rickettsiae in 5 cases (0.1%). Urban-rural distribution: slightly more cases were found in the countryside (5 418 cases, 54.6%) than in the towns (4 500 cases, 45.4%). Distribution of onset by season: 2 412 cases (24.3%) fell ill in spring, 2 835 cases (28.6%) in summer, 2 187 cases (22.1%) in fall, and 2 484 cases (25.0%) in winter. Health economics: the duration of hospitalization was 15 (8, 27) days, and the cost of hospitalization was 1.53 (0.91, 3.02)×10 000 yuan. Prognosis: 9 531 cases (96.1%) were cured or improved, and 92 cases (0.9%) died. Conclusions:The pathogens responsible for CNS infectious diseases are predominantly viruses. Although the incidence is slightly higher during the summer months, the overall seasonal pattern is not particularly pronounced. These infections are more commonly observed in young and middle-aged males and present with a diverse range of clinical manifestations, contributing to a significant disease burden.
3.Protective mechanism of Dachengqi decoction on intestinal mucosal barrier:a network pharmacology study focused on autophagy
Xing LU ; Kai ZHANG ; Jing ZHAO ; Shiya ZHANG ; Zhibo LI ; Xinjing GAO ; Lei XU ; Chengfen YIN
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(4):454-459
Objective To explore and verify the active components of Dachengqi decoction in regulating autophagy and its mechanism of protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier through network pharmacology and animal experiments.Methods The chemical components and autophagy-related target points of Dachengqi decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and GeneCards databases.The intersection of the drug target points and disease target points was taken and analyzed.The Cytoscape 3.10.2 software's Network Analyzer tool was used to analyze the drug components and target points,and the core target points were screened out to construct a traditional Chinese medicine compound regulatory network.The drug active component target point-disease network model and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network were visualized.Then,30 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the Dachengqi decoction group,the intestinal infection group,and the control group,with 10 mice in each group.The intestinal infection group was given 200 μL/d of Klebsiella pneumoniae strain by gavage for 5 consecutive days,with a colony count of 109 CFU/mL,to create an intestinal infection model.The control group was given 200 μL/d of sterile normal saline by gavage.The Dachengqi decoction group(drug composition:Rhubarb 12 g,Aurantii Fructus 12 g,Magnolia Officinalis 24 g,Mirabilite 9 g,the drugs were dissolved in boiling distilled water to make a 1 kg/L solution)was given by gavage at a dose of 8 g·kg-1·d-1 for 3 consecutive days,and then given Klebsiella pneumoniae by gavage for 5 consecutive days on the 4th day.Detection indicators and methods:after the experiment,the mice were sacrificed and the terminal ileum tissues were collected.The tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE),and the pathological changes of the intestinal mucosa were observed under a light microscope;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the positive expressions of junction proteins ZO-1,Claudin-2,light chain 3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ),and Beclin-1 and the intestinal mucosal autophagy;the mRNA expression levels of autophagy genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results The intersection of the obtained drug targets and disease targets yielded 111 potential autophagy-related targets for drug treatment of diseases.Key targets included β2-adrenergic receptor(ADRB2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),etc.,and the signaling pathways involved included AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)pathway,mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway,etc.Animal experiments confirmed that the intestinal mucosal barrier function in the Dachengqi decoction group was better than that in the intestinal infection group,and the positive expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 lingt chain 3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ)and autophagy gene Beclin1 was significantly higher than that in the intestinal infection group.Transcriptome sequencing results showed that the key genes associated with autophagy and oxidative stress included ADRB2,HO-1,etc.The mRNA expression levels of ADRB2 and HO-1 in the Dachengqi decoction group were significantly higher than those in the intestinal infection group[HO-1 mRNA expression(FPKM):11.20±0.80 vs.6.63±0.53,ADRB2 mRNA expression(FPKM):6.98±0.54 vs.3.98±0.32,both P<0.01],verifying some of the predictions from network pharmacology.Conclusions Dachengqi decoction regulates autophagy through multiple components,multiple targets and multiple pathways,protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier function and reducing the translocation of intestinal microbiota.This lays a certain foundation for further in-depth research on the mechanism of reducing intestinal bacterial translocation by Dachengqi decoction.
4.Design of combat rescue specialized physical training simulator
Hong-tao XING ; Shi-wei XU ; Jian-hua WANG ; Jing-chang LU ; Ke-chao ZHAO ; Cheng CUI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(1):33-37
Objective To design a combat rescue specialized physical training simulator to solve the problems of the existing combat rescue physical traing in multifunctionality and simulation vividness.Methods The simulator was divided into three types for stretcher handling,land combat rescue and marine rescue based on the application scenerio and functional positioning,and into three grades of basic level,intensive level and ultra intensive level based on the loaded mass and additional weight object.The main components of the simulator included a manikin,a bionic joint and addtional weight objects.The manikin was made up of outer skin,inner liner and skeleton;the bionic joint was made of stainless steel with surface electrophoresis treatment,and was composed of high-strength medal bearing shafts with multiple disc springs and damping mechanisms;the additional weight objects involued in high-intensity cast iron or lead blocks,which were pre-embedded,mounted or srtapped into the simulator.The simulator was verified with body shape and mass detection,drop test,waterproof test and drag test.Results It's proved the simulator gained advantages in vividness for body shape and mass,bionic joint structure and adaptability to training environments and could be used for graded physical training in typical combat rescue scenerios.Conclusion The simulator developed solves the problems of the combat rescue specialized physical training equipment,and facilitates the enhancement of physical training of combat rescue personnel.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):33-37]
5.The Valvular Heart Disease-specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) score in patients with moderate or severe valvular heart disease.
Mu-Rong XIE ; Bin ZHANG ; Yun-Qing YE ; Zhe LI ; Qing-Rong LIU ; Zhen-Yan ZHAO ; Jun-Xing LV ; De-Jing FENG ; Qing-Hao ZHAO ; Hai-Tong ZHANG ; Zhen-Ya DUAN ; Bin-Cheng WANG ; Shuai GUO ; Yan-Yan ZHAO ; Run-Lin GAO ; Hai-Yan XU ; Yong-Jian WU
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(9):759-774
BACKGROUND:
Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD.
METHODS & RESULTS:
The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology.
CONCLUSION
The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.
6.Risk assessment of residual dizziness after repositioning in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo according on multivariate analysis and nomogram.
Yanning YUN ; Xinyu XU ; Hansen ZHAO ; Ru HAN ; Jing LIU ; Suining XU ; Guirong LI ; Juanli XING
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(10):923-929
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of residual dizziness(RD) after repositioning in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV), identify its potential risk factors, and develop a predictive risk model. Methods:A total of 137 patients diagnosed with BPPV at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between January 2023 and June 2023 were enrolled. Based on the presence or absence of subjective discomfort within 3 months after successful repositioning, patients were divided into the non-RD group(NRD, n=93) and the RD group(n=44). Differences in demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and disease-related features were compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for RD, and a nomogram was constructed based on these factors. The predictive performance of the model was assessed using the area under the curve(AUC). Results:The RD group showed significantly higher values in body mass index, prevalence of diabetes and motion sickness history, dizziness duration before repositioning, history of repositioning at external hospitals, number of treatments, and recurrence(all P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that diabetes(adjusted OR=8.73, P=0.039), motion sickness history(adjusted OR=23.08, P<0.001), dizziness duration ≥30 days before repositioning(adjusted OR=15.16, P<0.001), and recurrence(adjusted OR=15.72, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for RD. The nomogram model based on these variables demonstrated good predictive ability, with an AUC of 0.804(95%CI 0.684-0.924). Conclusion:Diabetes, motion sickness history, dizziness duration ≥30 days, and recurrence are independent risk factors for RD after repositioning in patients with BPPV. The nomogram model based on these variables shows good predictive performance, with recurrence having the highest predictive value. This model can aid in early identification of high-risk patients and guide individualized intervention strategies.
Humans
;
Nomograms
;
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo/therapy*
;
Dizziness/etiology*
;
Risk Factors
;
Risk Assessment
;
Multivariate Analysis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Logistic Models
;
Middle Aged
;
Patient Positioning
;
Adult
7.Environmental Temperature and the Risk of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Transmission in the Yangtze River Region of China.
Yan Qing YANG ; Min CHEN ; Jin LI ; Kai Qi LIU ; Xue Yan GUO ; Xin XU ; Qian LIANG ; Xing Lu WU ; Su Wen LEI ; Jing LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):290-302
OBJECTIVE:
To assess health equity in the Yangtze River region to improve understanding of the correlation between hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and socioeconomic factors.
METHODS:
From 2014-2016, data on HFMD incidence, population statistics, economic indicators, and meteorology from 26 cities along the Yangtze River were analyzed. A multi-city random-effects meta-analysis was performed to study the relationship between temperature and HFMD transmission, and health equity was assessed with respect to socio-economic impact.
RESULTS:
Over the study period, 919,458 HFMD cases were reported, with Shanghai (162,303) having the highest incidence and Tongling (5,513) having the lowest. Males were more commonly affected (male-to-female ratio, 1.49:1). The exposure-response relationship had an M-shaped curve, with two HFMD peaks occurring at 4 °C and 26 °C. The relative risk had two peaks at 1.30 °C (1.834, 95% CI: 1.204-2.794) and 31.4 °C (1.143, 95% CI: 0.901-1.451), forming an M shape, with the first peak higher than the second. The most significant impact of temperature on HFMD was observed between -2 °C and 18.1 °C. The concentration index (0.2463) indicated moderate concentration differences, whereas the Theil index (0.0418) showed low inequality in distribution.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of HFMD varied across cities, particularly with changes in temperature. Economically prosperous areas showed higher risks, indicating disparities. Targeted interventions in these areas are crucial for mitigating the risk of HFMD.
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Cities/epidemiology*
;
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/transmission*
;
Incidence
;
Risk Factors
;
Temperature
8.Expert consensus on local anesthesia application in pediatric dental therapies.
Yan WANG ; Jing ZOU ; Yang JI ; Jun WANG ; Bin XIA ; Wei ZHAO ; Li'an WU ; Guangtai SONG ; Yuan LIU ; Xu CHEN ; Jiajian SHANG ; Qin DU ; Qingyu GUO ; Beizhan JIANG ; Hongmei ZHANG ; Xianghui XING ; Yanhong LI
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(4):455-461
Dental treatments for children and adolescents have unique clinical characteristics that differ from dental care for adults in terms of children's physiology, psychology, and behavior. These differences impose specific requirements on the application of local anesthesia in pediatric dental procedures. This article presents expert consensus on the principles of local anesthesia techniques in pediatric dental therapies, including the use of common anesthetic drugs and dosage control, safety and efficacy evaluation, and prevention and management of complications. The aim is to improve the safety and quality of pediatric dental treatments and offer guidance for clinical application by dentists.
Humans
;
Child
;
Anesthesia, Local/methods*
;
Consensus
;
Anesthesia, Dental/methods*
;
Adolescent
;
Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage*
;
Dental Care for Children
9.Potential utility of albumin-bilirubin and body mass index-based logistic model to predict survival outcome in non-small cell lung cancer with liver metastasis treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Lianxi SONG ; Qinqin XU ; Ting ZHONG ; Wenhuan GUO ; Shaoding LIN ; Wenjuan JIANG ; Zhan WANG ; Li DENG ; Zhe HUANG ; Haoyue QIN ; Huan YAN ; Xing ZHANG ; Fan TONG ; Ruiguang ZHANG ; Zhaoyi LIU ; Lin ZHANG ; Xiaorong DONG ; Ting LI ; Chao FANG ; Xue CHEN ; Jun DENG ; Jing WANG ; Nong YANG ; Liang ZENG ; Yongchang ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):478-480
10.Oral Chinese patent medicines in treatment of dysmenorrhea and clinical research status: a scoping review.
Xiao-Jun BU ; Zhi-Ran LI ; Wen-Ya WANG ; Rui-Xue LIU ; Jing-Yu REN ; Lin XU ; Xing LIAO ; Wei-Wei SUN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):787-797
A scoping review was performed to systematically search and summarize the clinical research in the treatment of dysmenorrhea with oral Chinese patent medicines. The oral Chinese patent medicines for treating dysmenorrhea in three major drug lists, guidelines, and textbooks were screened, and the relevant clinical trials were retrieved from eight Chinese and English databases. The key information of the included trials was extracted and visually analyzed. A total of 50 Chinese patent medicines were included, among which oral Chinese patent medicines for the dysmenorrhea patients with the syndrome of Qi stagnation and blood stasis accounted for the highest proportion, and the average daily cost varied greatly among Chinese patent medicines. A total of 150 articles were included, involving 22 Chinese patent medicines, among which Guizhi Fuling Capsules/Pills, Sanjie Zhentong Capsules, and Dan'e Fukang Soft Extract were the most frequently studied. These articles mainly reported randomized controlled trial(RCT), which mainly focused on the comparison of the intervention effect between Chinese patent medicines combined with western medicine and western medicine alone, and the sample size was generally 51-100 cases. The high-frequency outcome indicators belonged to nine domains such as effective rate, adverse reactions, and laboratory examinations. This study showed that oral Chinese patent medicines had advantages in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, and the annual number of related clinical trials showed an overall growing trend. However, there were still problems such as insufficient safety information and vague description of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes types in the instructions of Chinese patent medicines. The available clinical research had shortcomings such as uneven distribution of Chinese patent medicines, limited research scale, poor methodological rigor, and insufficient standardization of outcome indicators. In the future, it is necessary to deepen the development of high-quality clinical research and improve the contents of the instructions to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the clinical application of oral Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea/drug therapy*
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Female
;
Administration, Oral
;
Nonprescription Drugs/administration & dosage*

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