Background Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. However, evidence from meta-analyses on the association between ambient ozone exposure and ASCVD risk remains relatively insufficient. Objective To explore the epidemiological association between ambient ozone exposure and ASCVD, providing scientific evidence for ASCVD prevention and control from the perspective of environmental risk factor management. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Database, CBM, and VIP for published epidemiological studies on the relationship between ambient ozone exposure and ASCVD from January 2007 to December 2023. We performed quality assessment and data extraction of the included studies, and utilized meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of short-term and long-term ozone exposure on different ASCVD outcomes, including mortality and incidence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and ischemic stroke (IS). Results A total of 24 studies were included based on a set of predetermined eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis results indicated that short-term ozone exposure was associated with an increased risk of ASCVD mortality and incidence. Specifically, short-term ozone exposure was significantly associated with an elevated risk of IHD mortality (combined RR=1.011, 95%CI: 1.008, 1.015; P < 0.05). Additionally, short-term ozone exposure was significantly linked to increased IS mortality (combined RR=1.005, 95%CI: 1.003, 1.008; P < 0.05) and incidence (combined RR=1.015, 95%CI: 1.003, 1.027; P < 0.05). Conclusion Short-term exposure to ambient ozone significantly elevates acute cardiovascular disease risk. However, the epidemiological association between long-term ozone exposure and ASCVD remains inconclusive. Future high-quality cohort studies with refined exposure assessment methods are warranted to elucidate the chronic cardiovascular effects of ozone exposure.

To investigate the role of intestinal fungi in the progression of heart failure (HF) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy differences among different acupuncture frequencies for pain of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: A total of 42 patients with TMD pain were randomly divided into a low-frequency group, a medium-frequency group, and a high-frequency group, with 14 patients in each group. All groups received acupuncture treatment at bilateral Hegu (LI4) and Yanglingquan (GB34), as well as ipsilateral Tinggong (SI19), Jiache (ST6), and Xiaguan (ST7), with each session lasting 30 minutes. The low-frequency group received acupuncture once per week, the medium-frequency group received acupuncture twice per week, and the high-frequency group received acupuncture three times per week, for a total duration of four weeks. The graded chronic pain scale (GCPS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, jaw functional limitation scale-20 (JFLS-20) score, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed in the three groups before and after treatment, as well as at the four-week follow-up after treatment completion. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, GCPS and JFLS-20 scores were significantly decreased in all the groups after treatment (P<0.05), and VAS scores were significantly decreased in the high-frequency and medium-frequency groups (P<0.05), PPT values at different measurement sites were increased significantly in the high-frequency group (P<0.05). After treatment, GCPS, JFLS-20, and VAS scores in the high-frequency group were lower than those in the medium-frequency and low-frequency groups (P<0.05), while some PPT values were higher than the other two groups (P<0.05). At follow-up, GCPS, JFLS-20, and VAS scores remained significantly lower in all the groups compared to baseline (P<0.05), PPT values were increased significantly in the high-frequency and medium-frequency groups (P<0.05), with the high-frequency group showing lower GCPS, JFLS-20, and VAS scores and higher PPT values compared to the other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture three times per week is more effective in reducing TMD pain intensity compared to once or twice per week, and can also alleviate some mandibular functional impairments. The therapeutic effects persist for at least four weeks after treatment completion.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Pain Management ; Adolescent ; Pain Measurement

The paper introduces the experience of Professor LI Rui in treatment of diseases with bloodletting therapy. Regarding acupoint selection, the main acupoints are selected from the meridians containing excessive blood based on the identification of pathogenesis, and the back-shu points of the foot-taiyang bladder meridian are predominant. The acupoints (e.g. Geshu [BL17], Xuehai [SP10] and Weizhong [BL40]) acting on blood regulations are frequently selected, and the acupoints from the governor vessel (e.g. Dazhui [GV14], Zhiyang [GV9] and Yaoyangguan [GV3]) are specially used for regulating yang qi. Besides, the five-shu points and local points are combined in the prescriptions. This paper expounds the connotation of bloodletting therapy, explores the basis of acupoint selection and clinical application characteristics, and analyzes the clinical cases, so as to provide the approaches to acupoint selection for the clinical application of bloodletting therapy.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bloodletting ; Meridians

Alzheimer disease(AD)and Parkinson disease(PD)are both common neurodegenerative disorders,which can manifest as cognitive impairments.AD and PD have overlapping and distinct features in cognition-related metabolic pathways,potentially reflecting different underlying mechanisms.MRI can indirectly assess structural and functional changes in metabolic pathways,while PET can evaluate cerebral metabolic activity and functional connectivity.Integration of MRI and PET may provide complementary insights into neural structure and function.This review summarized research progresses in the application of MRI and PET for neuroimaging studies of cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective To explore the effect of miR-125a-5p on thymic regulatory T cell(Treg)in mice with experimental auto-immune myasthenia gravis(EAMG).Methods The EAMG model was established by immunoinduction with murine-derived acetylcho-line receptor α subunit 97-116 peptide and randomly divided into control group and EAMG group,and the mice were subjected to Len-non scoring and low-frequency repetitive electrical stimulation experiments to evaluate the model.To further explore the effect of miR-125a-5p on Treg cells,EAMG mice were injected with negative control adenovirus and miR-125a-5p-inhibited adenovirus by tail vein injection respectively,and the experimental groups were the negative control group and miR-125a-5p inhibiting group.The mRNA expression levels of miR-125a-5p and forkhead box protein P3(Foxp3)were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymer-ase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),while the protein expression level of Foxp3 was detected by Western blot.The percentage of the number of Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry,and serum concentrations of interleukin-10(IL-10)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The EAMG mouse model was successfully established.Compared to the control group,the EAMG group exhibited a significantly higher Lennon score,positive responses to low-frequency repetitive electrical stimulation at 5Hz,and an upregulated expression of miR-125a-5p,downregulated of Foxp3mRNA and protein,reduced percentage number of Treg cells,and decreased expression of IL-10 and TGF-β1.Upon inhibition of miR-125a-5p expression in EAMG mice,compared with the negative control group,the expression of miR-125a-5p in the miR-125a-5p inhibiting group was decreased,and the Lennon score was decreased,Foxp3mRNA and protein expression were increased,with a significant in-crease in the percentage of Treg cells and enhanced expression of IL-10 and TGF-β1,and the differences were all statistically signifi-cance(P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of miR-125a-5p was upregulated in EAMG.Inhibition of miR-125a-5p expression led to upregulation of Foxp3,an increase in the number of Treg cells,elevated levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1,and attenuation of myas-thenia gravis symptoms in EAMG mice.These results suggest that miR-125a-5p may be involved in developing myasthenia gravis dis-ease by affecting Foxp3,leading to decreased Treg cell numbers and abnormal function.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Tongguan Fang drug-containing serum on LPS-induced inflammation of RAW264.7 cells,so as to clarify the cellular mechanism of the Tongguan Fang in treating tubal inflammatory infertility.Methods:Lipo-polysaccharide(LPS)was used to stimulate the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line as an in vitro model,Detected levels of cellular oxida-tive stress(ROS),apoptosis and expressions of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway proteins.CCK-8 was used to detect effect of Tongguan Fang drug-containing serum on cellular inflammation.Effects of Tongguan Fang-containing serum on cell inflammation were assessed using CCK-8 assay.Cells were divided into control group,LPS-induced inflammation model group,and Tongguan Fang-containing serum-treated LPS-induced inflammation model groups of different concentrations.qPCR was performed to detect mRNA expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in different groups.Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to evaluate phosphorylation levels of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and protein levels of Bcl-2,Bax and caspase-3 of apoptotic.Hoechst 33342/PI staining and flow cytometry were employed to assess the impact of Tongguan Fang-containing serum on cell apoptosis.DCFH-DA probe was used to measure cellular ROS levels affected by Tongguan Fang-containing serum.Results:①Tongguan Fang-containing serum reduced LPS-induced cellular injury in a dose-dependent manner;②Tongguan Fang-containing serum decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α induced by LPS;③Tongguan Fang-containing serum reduced intracellular ROS generation induced by LPS;④Pre-treatment with Tongguan Fang-containing serum activated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway;⑤Tongguan Fang-containing serum promoted cell apoptosis.Conclusion:Treatment with Tongguan Fang-containing serum can reduce cellular injury and inflam-mation,protect cells from LPS-induced cellular injury by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and promoting cell apoptosis,and further alleviate cellular inflammation levels.

Objective To explore the value of dual factor combined detection using tuberculosis(TB)specific cy-tokines interferon-γ(IFN-γ)and interleukin-2(IL-2)in TB diagnosis in patients with human immunodeficiency vi-rus(HIV)infection,and the influencing factors for underdiagnosis.Methods HIV-infected patients admitted to and underwent TB-related examination in the Department of Infectious Diseases in Hezhou People's Hospital from July 2022 to September 2024 were collected.According to the clinical diagnosis criteria,patients were divided into the HIV infection with TB group(HIV/TB group)and the HIV infection without TB group(control group).Diag-nostic efficacy of dual factor combined detection was evaluated.HIV/TB group was further divided into a true-posi-tive group and a false-negative group based on the detection results.The independent influencing factors for underdia-gnosis was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.Results A total of 306 patients were included in the analysis,with an average age of(55.69±14.02)years.There were 105 patients in the HIV/TB group and 201 in the control group.The sensitivity and specificity of dual factor combined detection for TB in all HIV-infected pa-tients were 72.4％(76/105)and 87.1％(175/201),respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in sensitivity(x2=9.488,P=0.009)and no statistically significant difference in specificity(x2=5.846,P=0.054)among the three CD4+T lymphocyte count gradients in the dual factor detection.Among them,patients with CD4+T cell count＜100 cells/μL had lower sensitivity(58.8％)in dual factor detection than patients with CD4+T cell count ≥200 cells/μL(88.9％)and 100-199 cells/μL(81.5％),differences were both statistically significant(both P＜0.05).In HIV/TB co-infected patients with CD4+T lymphocyte count ≥100 cells/μL,the general sensi-tivity and the specificity of dual factor combined detection were 85.2％(46/54)and 82.0％(91/111),respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that CD4+T lymphocyte count was an independent influencing factor for the underdia-gnosis in HIV/TB patients conducting dual factor combined detection(P＜0.05),while age,gender,pathogen re-sults,and the presence or absence of TB had no statistically significant impact on the results of dual factor combined detection(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Dual factor combined detection using tuberculosis-specific cytokines IFN-γand IL-2 has a high diagnostic value in the diagnosis of TB in HIV-infected patients,especially in those with CD4+T lymphocyte count ≥100/μL,which can provide auxiliary diagnostic value for the clinical diagnosis of HIV infection combined with TB.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of Yijinjing in the treatment of elderly sarcopenia and its effect on chro-nic inflammatory response in patients,and to explore the Yijinjing exercise prescription suitable for elderly patients with sarcopenia.METHODS A total of 120 elderly patients with sarcopenia admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,Suzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to September 2024 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and a Yijinjing group,with 60 cases in each group.The control group received health education and dietary guidance,and the Yijinjing group received Yijinjing exercises on the basis of the intervention of the control group.The changes in skeletal muscle mass,upper and lower limb muscle strength,muscle thickness,muscle cross-sectional area,physical fitness and chronic inflammation level were observed in the two groups before and after the intervention.RESULTS After intervention,the skeletal muscle mass,grip strength,30 s sit-stand test times,rectus femoris thickness and cross-sectional area,vastus intermedius thickness,and physical fit-ness assessment of the patients in the Yijinjing group were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the indicators after intervention were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);the serum TNF-α and IL-18 levels in the Yi-jinjing group were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the indicators after intervention were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);there was no statistically significant change in the biceps brachii thickness and serum IL-6 level in the Yijinjing group compared with those before treatment(P>0.05);there was no significant correlation between the bi-ceps brachii thickness and grip strength after Yijinjing intervention,r=0.139 8,P>0.05;there was a significant negative correlation between the TNF-α level and grip strength after Yijinjing intervention,r=-0.313 8,P<0.05.CONCLUSION Yijinjing exercises can improve muscle mass and strength in elderly patients with sarcopenia,and improve the physical fitness of patients,which may be related to improving the chronic inflammatory state of the body.

Objective To explore the function of electroacupuncture(EA)on body mass,fasting blood glucose,heat pain threshold,and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4)in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).Methods A DNP rat model was formed by intraperitoneally injecting the animals with STZ.From days 15 to 21,bilateral Zusanli and Kunlun points of the DNP rat model were treated with electroacupuncture once daily for 30 min.We then measured their body mass,fasting blood glucose,and heat pain threshold.The co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN in the rat L4～L6 DRG was detected by immunofluorescence.The effects of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A on body mass,fasting blood glucose,and the heat pain threshold of DNP rats treated with electroacupuncture were detected.Results After the 7th day,body mass was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and fasting glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the normal group.After the 21st day,compared with the model group,heat pain threshold of the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly higher(P<0.01);the results of co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN immunofluorescence on rat L4～L6 DRG showed that:the expression of positive cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that in the normal group,the co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN positive cells in L4～L6 DRG of rats in the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.01)than that in the model group.The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A can reverse the downregulation of thermal pain threshold induced by electroacupuncture in DNP rats(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture alleviated the DNP induced by STZ,and its mechanism may involve the inhibition of TRPV4 protein expression in the DRG.