OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Huayu Tongluo (transforming stasis and unblocking collaterals) moxibustion on learning-memory ability and hippocampal mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (Mst1)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 pathway related to inflammatory response in rats with vascular dementia (VD). METHODS: A total of 60 male Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a sham operation group (12 rats) and a modeling group (48 rats). VD model was established by the method of modified bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation in the modeling group. Thirty-six rats with successful modeling were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and a western medication group, with 12 rats in each group. Huayu Tongluo moxibustion was applied at "Dazhui" (GV14), "Baihui" (GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24) in the moxibustion group, 20 min each time, once a day, 7 day-intervention was as one course, and 1 day-interval was taken between two courses, for a total of 3 courses. In the western medication group, piracetam was given 0.72 mg/kg by intragastric administration, twice a day, the course of intervention was same as that of the moxibustion group. The learning-memory ability was detected by Morris water maze test; the morphology of hippocampal CA1 region was observed by HE staining; the mRNA expression of Mst1, M1 microglia markers CD86, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by real-time PCR; the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampus were detected by ELISA; and the protein expression of Mst1 and NF-κB p65 in hippocampus was detected by Western blot in rats of each group. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the escape latency was prolonged in the model group (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the escape latency was shortened in the moxibustion group and the western medication group (P<0.05). The cells in the CA1 region of hippocampus were disordered, cell collapse and irregular nuclei could be observed in the model group; compared with the model group, the cell arrangement in the CA1 region of hippocampus was more regular, and the damage was improved in the moxibustion group and the western medication group. Compared with the sham operation group, the mRNA expression of Mst1, CD86, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as the protein expression of Mst1, NF-κB p65 in hippocampus were increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of Mst1, CD86, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as the protein expression of Mst1, NF-κB p65 in hippocampus were decreased in the moxibustion group and the western medication group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampus were increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampus were decreased in the moxibustion group and the western medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Huayu Tongluo moxibustion can improve the learning-memory ability of VD rats, the mechanism may be related to regulating the activation of microglia through Mst1/NF-κB p65 pathway, reducing the release of pro-inflammatory factors i.e. IL-6 and TNF-α, so as to alleviating the damage of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of VD rats.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Moxibustion ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats, Wistar ; Dementia, Vascular/genetics* ; Memory/drug effects* ; Humans ; Transcription Factor RelA/genetics* ; Learning ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Acupuncture Points ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

OBJECTIVE: To observe the skin surface temperature at the related back-shu points in the patients with the different levels of pulmonary ventilation function in chronic persistent asthma, and to explore the correlation between the skin temperature at the back-shu points and pulmonary ventilation function indexes based on "lung governing the skin and hair". METHODS: Sixty-one patients with chronic persistent asthma, based on the level of pulmonary ventilation function, were assigned into a reduced pulmonary ventilation function group (reduced function group, 32 cases) and a normal pulmonary ventilation function group (normal function group, 29 cases). In the two groups, the skin surface temperature was measured in the sites of bilateral Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Pishu (BL20) and Shenshu (BL23); and the pulmonary ventilation function indexes (the percentage of predicted value of forced vital capacity [FVC%pred], the percentage of predicted value of forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1%pred], the percentage of predicted value of FEV1/FVC [FEV1/FVC%pred] and the percentage of predicted value of the peak expiratory flow [PEF%pred]) were recorded. The correlation between the skin surface temperature of acupoints and pulmonary ventilation function was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the normal function group, the surface skin temperature at the bilateral Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Pishu (BL20) and Shenshu (BL23) was higher in the reduced function group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal function group, FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC%pred and PEF%pred were decreased in the reduced function group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in FVC%pred between the two groups (P>0.05). The skin surface temperature at the bilateral Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Pishu (BL20) and Shenshu (BL23) was negatively correlated with FVC%pred, FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC%pred and PEF%pred in 61 patients with chronic persistent asthma (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION The skin surface temperature at back-shu points is elevated in line with the the decline of pulmonary ventilation function in the patients with chronic persistent asthma, presenting a negative correlation with pulmonary ventilation function indexes. It is preliminarily verified that back-shu point is characterized by reflecting the visceral disorders.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Asthma/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Skin Temperature ; Lung/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Aged ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Young Adult ; Hair

Objective:To investigate the expression levels of serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in children with dental fluorosis.Methods:In April 2018, a case-control study was conducted to select 8 - 12 year old children diagnosed with dental fluorosis residing within 1.5 km of an aluminum smelting facility in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as the dental fluorosis group ( n = 49) according to the criteria of "Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis" (WS/T 208-2011). The control group ( n = 98) comprised healthy children aged 8 - 12 years old without dental fluorosis lived more than 5.0 km from the aluminum smelting facility. Fasting venous blood samples were collected from all participants. Blood fluoride level were measured using an ion-selective electrode method. Serum RANK, RANKL, and OPG levels were determined using double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:The levels of serum fluoride [ M ( Q1, Q3): 0.033 (0.032, 0.036) vs 0.026 (0.025, 0.028) mg/L], RANK [1.21 (0.87, 1.64) vs 0.73 (0.50, 1.13) μg/L], RANKL [81.3 (50.6, 118.6) vs 134.3 (98.1, 199.2) ng/L], OPG [433.3 (321.6, 574.3) vs 509.1 (406.8, 709.3) μg/L], and OPG/RANKL ratio [5.6 (3.1, 7.8) vs 3.6 (2.9, 5.0)] were compared between the fluorosis group and the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = 8.35, 3.83, 3.99, 2.35, 2.47, P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that dental fluorosis severity was positively correlated with serum fluoride level( r s = 0.68, P < 0.001). Serum fluoride level was negatively correlated with both serum RANKL and OPG levels ( r s = - 0.49, - 0.17, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The level of serum RANK in children with dental fluorosis is higher than that in healthy children, while the levels of RANKL and OPG are lower than those in healthy children.

Objective To explore the effect of community pharmacy outpatient service on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A non-randomized controlled study was conducted, and type 2 diabetes patients managed in the community were divided into an intervention group of 112 cases and a control group of 110 cases. The control group received routine medication guidance during general practice outpatient visits, while the intervention group received comprehensive pharmacy outpatient service intervention based on routine medication guidance in general practice. Follow-up visits were conducted every 3 months. Repeated measurement analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the intervention effect of the pharmacy outpatient service. Results Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in the intervention group showed a decreasing trend with the increase of intervention time compared to pre-intervention time （P<0.01）, with increased duration of weekly exercise, decreased staple food intake, increased vegetable intake, and increased medication adherence score （P<0.01）. After adjusting for confounding factors through multivariate linear regression model, pharmacy outpatient intervention was found to be an independent protective factor for fasting blood glucose level （β=−0.891, P<0.01） and glycosylated hemoglobin level （β=−0.760, P<0.01） in the study subjects. Conclusion The community pharmacy outpatient service could enhance the self-management ability of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and effectively improve patients’ fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin.

Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating chronic cough and analyze its acupoint selection patterns.Methods Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)on acupuncture for chronic cough were retrieved from databases including CNKI,VIP,Wan Fang Data,CBM,PubMed,and Web of Science,Cochrane Library and Embase from their inception to April 2025.Original data from the included studies were extracted.Meta-analysis was performed to compare the acupuncture treatment group with the western medicine control group[using leukotriene receptor antagonists(LTRAs)and/or glucocorticoids]on outcomes including cough symptom scores,serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels,pulmonary function indicators[forced vital capacity(FVC)and forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)],overall clinical effectiveness,and incidence of adverse reactions.Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots,and descriptive analysis of the acupoint prescriptions from the included studies was conducted using Rstudio software to summarize the patterns of acupoint selection for chronic cough.Results A total of 10 studies involving 806 patients were included.Meta-analysis results showed that acupuncture was superior to the western medicine control group in improving cough symptom scores,reducing serum TNF-α levels,enhancing pulmonary function(FVC and FEV1),increasing overall clinical effectiveness,and reducing adverse reactions,with statistically significant differences.Further analysis of the 10 included studies revealed that the most frequently used acupoints were Feishu(BL13)(n=9 times),Zusanli(ST36)(n=7 times),Lieque(LU7)(n=6 times),and Pishu(BL20)(n=5 times).The most frequently utilized meridians were the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang(BL)(n=10 times),the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming(ST)(n=7 times),and the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin(LU)(n=7 times).Acupoints were primarily located on the lower back(36.92%),upper limbs(26.15%),and lower limbs(21.53%).Conclusion Acupuncture is effective in treating chronic cough.The acupoint prescriptions for chronic cough should follow the principles of symptomatic point selection and anterior-posterior point pairing,emphasizing the back-shu and front-mu point pairing method,as well as the upper-lower point pairing method.Points are predominantly selected from the Bladder meridian(BL),lung meridian(LU),and stomach meridian(ST).

Objective:To explore the development process of family resilience in children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) and to understand the long-term challenges and coping strategies that CPT imposes on the families of affected children.Methods:This study combined purposive sampling and theoretical sampling. It selected 15 caregivers of CPT children from Hunan Children's Hospital for semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory was used to analyze the interview results.Results:The development of family resilience in CPT children's families occurred in three stages: pre-formation stage, formation stage, and maintenance stage. In facing negative emotions and family challenges, caregivers first needed to rebuild their inner beliefs. They then adjusted the family organizational model, adopted open and inclusive communication, and actively sought external support to foster the development of family resilience. Ultimately, caregivers were able to self-regulate their emotions, accumulate caregiving experience, and begin to shift their life perspective.Conclusions:The development of family resilience in CPT children's families is a dynamic, multi-stage process with interactions of multiple factors. Healthcare providers should offer professional health guidance according to the different stages of family development. Moreover, the government and schools should increase their attention and support, working together with families and healthcare providers to enhance family resilience for children with CPT.

Objective:To investigate the expression levels of serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in children with dental fluorosis.Methods:In April 2018, a case-control study was conducted to select 8 - 12 year old children diagnosed with dental fluorosis residing within 1.5 km of an aluminum smelting facility in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as the dental fluorosis group ( n = 49) according to the criteria of "Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis" (WS/T 208-2011). The control group ( n = 98) comprised healthy children aged 8 - 12 years old without dental fluorosis lived more than 5.0 km from the aluminum smelting facility. Fasting venous blood samples were collected from all participants. Blood fluoride level were measured using an ion-selective electrode method. Serum RANK, RANKL, and OPG levels were determined using double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:The levels of serum fluoride [ M ( Q1, Q3): 0.033 (0.032, 0.036) vs 0.026 (0.025, 0.028) mg/L], RANK [1.21 (0.87, 1.64) vs 0.73 (0.50, 1.13) μg/L], RANKL [81.3 (50.6, 118.6) vs 134.3 (98.1, 199.2) ng/L], OPG [433.3 (321.6, 574.3) vs 509.1 (406.8, 709.3) μg/L], and OPG/RANKL ratio [5.6 (3.1, 7.8) vs 3.6 (2.9, 5.0)] were compared between the fluorosis group and the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = 8.35, 3.83, 3.99, 2.35, 2.47, P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that dental fluorosis severity was positively correlated with serum fluoride level( r s = 0.68, P < 0.001). Serum fluoride level was negatively correlated with both serum RANKL and OPG levels ( r s = - 0.49, - 0.17, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The level of serum RANK in children with dental fluorosis is higher than that in healthy children, while the levels of RANKL and OPG are lower than those in healthy children.

Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating chronic cough and analyze its acupoint selection patterns.Methods Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)on acupuncture for chronic cough were retrieved from databases including CNKI,VIP,Wan Fang Data,CBM,PubMed,and Web of Science,Cochrane Library and Embase from their inception to April 2025.Original data from the included studies were extracted.Meta-analysis was performed to compare the acupuncture treatment group with the western medicine control group[using leukotriene receptor antagonists(LTRAs)and/or glucocorticoids]on outcomes including cough symptom scores,serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels,pulmonary function indicators[forced vital capacity(FVC)and forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)],overall clinical effectiveness,and incidence of adverse reactions.Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots,and descriptive analysis of the acupoint prescriptions from the included studies was conducted using Rstudio software to summarize the patterns of acupoint selection for chronic cough.Results A total of 10 studies involving 806 patients were included.Meta-analysis results showed that acupuncture was superior to the western medicine control group in improving cough symptom scores,reducing serum TNF-α levels,enhancing pulmonary function(FVC and FEV1),increasing overall clinical effectiveness,and reducing adverse reactions,with statistically significant differences.Further analysis of the 10 included studies revealed that the most frequently used acupoints were Feishu(BL13)(n=9 times),Zusanli(ST36)(n=7 times),Lieque(LU7)(n=6 times),and Pishu(BL20)(n=5 times).The most frequently utilized meridians were the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang(BL)(n=10 times),the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming(ST)(n=7 times),and the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin(LU)(n=7 times).Acupoints were primarily located on the lower back(36.92%),upper limbs(26.15%),and lower limbs(21.53%).Conclusion Acupuncture is effective in treating chronic cough.The acupoint prescriptions for chronic cough should follow the principles of symptomatic point selection and anterior-posterior point pairing,emphasizing the back-shu and front-mu point pairing method,as well as the upper-lower point pairing method.Points are predominantly selected from the Bladder meridian(BL),lung meridian(LU),and stomach meridian(ST).

Objective:To explore the development process of family resilience in children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) and to understand the long-term challenges and coping strategies that CPT imposes on the families of affected children.Methods:This study combined purposive sampling and theoretical sampling. It selected 15 caregivers of CPT children from Hunan Children's Hospital for semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory was used to analyze the interview results.Results:The development of family resilience in CPT children's families occurred in three stages: pre-formation stage, formation stage, and maintenance stage. In facing negative emotions and family challenges, caregivers first needed to rebuild their inner beliefs. They then adjusted the family organizational model, adopted open and inclusive communication, and actively sought external support to foster the development of family resilience. Ultimately, caregivers were able to self-regulate their emotions, accumulate caregiving experience, and begin to shift their life perspective.Conclusions:The development of family resilience in CPT children's families is a dynamic, multi-stage process with interactions of multiple factors. Healthcare providers should offer professional health guidance according to the different stages of family development. Moreover, the government and schools should increase their attention and support, working together with families and healthcare providers to enhance family resilience for children with CPT.

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-142-3p on the apoptosis of rat pancreatic exocrine cell line AR42J by regulating Hmgb1.Methods AR42J cells were divided into blank group(blank),acute pancreatitis model group(AP,100 nmol/L cerulein for 24 h),and then transfected with miR-142-3p mimics,mimics NC,miR-142-3p inhibitor and inhibitor NC,respectively.The cells in the model group were recorded as miR-142-3p mimics group,mimics NC group,miR-142-3p inhibitor group and inhibitor NC.The expression of miR-142-3p in cells was detected by RT-qPCR.The protein expressions of HMGB1,caspase-3,Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot.Hoechst staining was used to determine cell apoptosis.The apoptosis rate of cells was detected by flow cytometry.The targeting relationship between miR-142-3p and Hmgb1 was determined by dual luciferase reporter gene assay.Results Compared with blank control group,the expression level of miR-142-3p in the AP group was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01),the expression level of HMGB1 and caspase-3 proteins was up-regulated(P＜0.05),the expression level of Bax protein was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased(P＜0.01)and the apoptosis rate increased significantly(P＜0.01).Compared with the mimics NC group,the level of miR-142-3p in the miR-142-3p mimics group was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),the expression of HMGB,caspase-3 and Bax proteins was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01),the expression of Bcl-2 protein was up-regulated(P＜0.05),and the apoptosis rate decreased signifi-cantly(P＜0.01).Compared with inhibitor NC group,the expression level of miR-142-3p in miR-142-3p inhibitor group was down-regulated(P＜0.05),the expression levels of HMGB1,caspase-3 and Bax proteins were signifi-cantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was decreased(P＜0.05)and the apoptosis rate increased significantly(P＜0.01).The dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that Hmgb1 was the target gene of miR-142-3p.Conclusions 1)The expression of miR-142-3p was low in the model group.2)miR-142-3p can inhibit the apoptosis of AR42J cells by inhibiting the expression of Hmgb1.