OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures on cognitive function and blood glucose levels in patients with cognitive impairment associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 66 T2DM patients with cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to a high-temperature group (22 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was eliminated), a medium-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated), and a low-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated). All groups received moxibustion at Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), and Shenting (GV24) based on their existing glycemic control treatment. Moxibustion temperatures were maintained at 44-46 ℃ (high-temperature group), 41-43 ℃ (medium-temperature group), and 38-40 ℃ (low-temperature group), respectively, for 20 min per session, every other day, 3 times a week for 3 months. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, short-term memory (STM) accuracy and average reaction time, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) score, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, MMSE scores in all three groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). In the high-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, naming, language, and abstraction were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the scores of ROCF copy, immediate recall, and delayed recall were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the HbA1c level was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). In the medium-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of memory and delayed recall, attention, and language were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). STM accuracy was higher than before treatment (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than before treatment (P<0.05) in both the high-temperature and medium-temperature groups. After treatment, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, and language in the high-temperature group were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); MMSE score, STM accuracy, and ROCF immediate recall and delayed recall scores were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); HbA1c level was lower than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). The total MoCA score, attention score, and MMSE score in the medium-temperature group were higher than those in the low-temperature group (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in FPG within or between the three groups before and after treatment (P>0.05). The total effective rates were 75.0% (15/20) in the high-temperature group, 50.0% (10/20) in the medium-temperature group, and 15.0% (3/20) in the low-temperature group; the total effective rate in the high-temperature group was significantly higher than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at different temperatures has a dose-effect relationship in treating cognitive impairment in T2DM patients. A temperature range of 44-46 ℃ is more effective in improving cognitive function and stabilizing average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Moxibustion ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology* ; Cognition ; Temperature ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points

Both cold stress and ischemia-reperfusion injury significantly contribute to poor prognosis after liver transplantation(LT).However,limited animal models incorporating both stimuli hinder the advance-ment of transplant-related research.Here,a simplified and reproducible isolated perfused liver model is established to simulate the stresses experienced by livers maximally during transplantation.We provide a detailed protocol for a straightforward technique that requires 20-30 min for harvesting,24-48 h for static cold storage(SCS),and 2 h for normothermic machine perfusion(NMP)to induce LT-like stresses in the liver.Hepatic injury from SCS and NMP(LT-like stresses)is evaluated using three types of parameters.The pH values and hepatic enzyme levels of cold preservation solutions and perfusate serve as dynamic indicators of hepatic injury.Bile production and portal venous resistance directly reflect liver function,whereas pathological analysis visually illustrates the location and extent of injury.This animal model eliminates the influence of hemodynamic and immune factors,yielding highly reproducible results,and is strongly recommended as a standardized animal model for inducing LT-like stresses.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of super-selective arterial embolization in the treatment of abdominal wall hematoma.Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with abdominal wall hematoma,who were admitted to the Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital of China from January 2018 to December 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.All patients received angiography together with super-selective arterial embolization.The effectiveness of embolization treatment was evaluated by the technical success rate and therapeutic effect,and the safety was evaluated by the incidence of complication.Results The median age of the 11 patients was 70 years,91％were female,with a body mass index(BMI)of 25.1 kg/m2,subcutaneous fat thickness of 2.8 cm,and international normalized ratio(INR)of 1.12.DSA showed that 8 patients(72％)had active bleeding signs,3 patients(28％)had no active bleeding signs.Under DSA,a total of 18 responsible vessels,including 6 lumbar arteries(33.3％),5 deep circumflex iliac arteries(27.7％),5 inferior epigastric arteries(27.7％)and 2 iliolumbar arteries(11.3％),were identified and were treated with embolization.The median time spent for operation was 80 minutes.The technical success rate was 100％and the clinical effective rate was 91％.No operation-related major complications occurred,and the median hospital stay was 6 days.Conclusion For the abdominal wall hematoma in aged,obesity patients with underlying diseases,super-selective arterial embolization is a therapeutic method with high technical success rate,high clinical effective rate and satisfactory clinical safety.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of colchicine on mouse liver cancer via Hippo sig-naling pathway.Methods The 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:diethylni-trosamine(DEN)/carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)/ethanol(C2H5OH)induced mouse liver cancer model and col-chicine(0.1 mg/kg)intervention were established in control group,model group and colchicine group.From week 1st to week 2nd,the model group and the colchicine group were intraperitoneally injected with 1.0％DEN once a week.From week 3rd to week 7th,20％CCl4 dissolved in olive oil solution(5 ml/kg)was intragastric ad-ministration twice a week.From week 8th to week 18th,20％CC14 dissolved in olive oil solution(6 ml/kg)was intragastric twice a week.The colchicine group was given continuous intragastric administration for 20 weeks.The control group was given the corresponding solvent.Liver index,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate ami-notransferase(AST)serum biochemical indexes were detected.Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression levels of MST1,pYAP,YAP,pTAZ and TAZ proteins in liver tissues of mice in each group.Results The liver surface of mice in the control group was smooth and soft,while the liver of mice in the model group was rough and hard with granular nodules.The above lesions were significantly improved in the colchicine group.HE staining showed that the liver lobular structure of mice in the control group was normal,while the liver lobular structure of mice in the model group was disordered,with a small amount of fat droplets,extensive tissue necrosis,inflammatory cell infiltration,and fat vacuoles.The degree of liver lesions of mice after colchicine inter-vention was significantly reduced.The results of immunofluorescence and Western blot showed that compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of pYAP and pTAZ in liver tissue of model group mice were signifi-cantly decreased,while the protein expression levels of MST1,YAP and TAZ increased.After colchicine interven-tion,the protein expression levels of MST1,pYAP and pTAZ were significantly up-regulated,while the protein ex-pression levels of YAP and TAZ were down-regulated.Conclusion The therapeutic effect of colchicine on mouse liver cancer may be related to its activated Hippo signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of modified percutaneous closure in the treatment of ventricular septal rupture.Methods:This study is a retrospective cohort study. Forty-four patients with ventricular septal rupture who underwent percutaneous closure at the Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from December 2017 to October 2023 were included. According to the closure method, patients were divided into the modified group (11 cases) and the traditional group (33 cases). Surgical success was defined as successful placement of the occluder. The operation time, X-ray intake, sheath bending rate, incidence of ventricular fibrillation and pericardial tamponade, and postoperative residual shunt were compared between the two groups.Results:The age of the patients was (75.0±5.7) years, with 20 (45%) males. There were 3 cases of operation failure in the traditional group, while all patients in the modified group were successfully occluded. The procedure time in the modified group was shorter than that in the traditional group (40 (35, 45) min vs. 60 (50, 65)min, P<0.001); X-ray dose intake was lower ((442.43±73.26)mGy vs. (784.45±247.78)mGy, P<0.001). There was no occurrence of sheath bending in the modified group, while the incidence of sheath bending in the traditional surgery group was 46% (15/33), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.017). Intraoperative ventricular fibrillation and pericardial tamponade occurred in 7 cases (21%) and 2 cases (6%) in the traditional group respectively, while none occurred in the modified group, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). There was no significant difference in residual shunt between the two groups (3.6 (2.5, 4.3) mm vs. 4.0 (3.5, 4.5) mm, P=0.506). Conclusion:The procedure of modified ventricular septal rupture closure is more simplified, with a lower incidence ofventricular fibrillation and pericardial tamponade.

Objective To comparatively observe the value of TIPS combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis and percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterization thrombolysis for acute non-cirrhotic non-neoplastic portal vein thrombosis(PVT).Methods Twenty-five patients with acute non-cirrhotic non-neoplastic PVT were retrospectively enrolled and clustered into TIPS group(n=17,underwent TIPS combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis)and liver puncture group(n=8,underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterization thrombolysis)according to the access of thrombolysis.The technical success rate,duration of catheter-directed thrombolysis,complications within 7 days,as well as portal vein patency 3 months after treatment,Child-Pugh grading of liver function and occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy(HE)were recorded and compared between groups.Results The technical success rates were both 100%in 2 groups.There was no significant difference of the duration of catheter-directed thrombolysis between groups(P＞0.05).The thrombolytic effect in TIPS group was better than that in liver puncture group(P＜0.05).No significant difference of the occurrence of bleeding within 7 days was found between groups(P＞0.05).After 3 months'follow-up,the degree of portal vein patency in TIPS group was higher than that in liver puncture group(P＜0.05).No significant difference of Child-Pugh grading of liver function nor occurrence of HE was found between groups(both P＞0.05).Conclusion Both TIPS combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis and percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterization thrombolysis were effective for treating acute non-cirrhotic non-neoplastic PVT,and the thrombolytic effect of the former was better than the latter.

Objective:To observe the effects of Jiaji electroacupuncture combined with treadmill running training on tibial bone density,volume and number of blood vessels and VEGF expression after sciatic nerve amputation injury in rats,and provide theoretical basis for promoting tibial reconstruction after Jiaji electroacupuncture combined with treadmill running training. Method:A total of 180 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model control group,Jiaji electroacupuncture group,treadmill group,combination treatment group(Jiaji electroacupuncture+treadmill),with 36 rats in each group.After 2,4 and 8 weeks of postoperative intervention,the rats were divided into 3 subgroups,12 in each subgroup.The model was made by suture of sciatic nerve dissociation injury.The normal control group received no intervention;the model control group received no intervention post-modeling.The Jiaji electroacupuncture group,treadmill group and combined group began to receive Jiaji electroacupunc-ture,treadmill training and combined treatment respectively on the 3rd day after surgery.Bone density of tibia was analyzed by Micro-CT scan.The number and volume of the proximal tibial vessels were analyzed by angi-ography.The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in tibia was detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot.VEGF concentration in tibial bone marrow was determined by ELISA. Result:At 2,4 and 8 weeks post-intervention,the model control group showed significantly lower tibial bone mineral density,proximal vascular volume and quantity,VEGF mRNA and protein expression in bone tissue,and VEGF concentration in bone marrow compared to the normal control group at the same time point(P＜0.05).However,overtime,the tibial bone mineral density,the volume and number of proximal blood ves-sels,VEGF mRNA and protein expression in bone tissue and VEGF concentration in bone marrow of rats in the Jiaji electroacupuncture group,treadmill group and combination group were significantly higher than those in the model control group at the same time point(P＜0.05),and the combination group showed the most pro-nounced effects(P＜0.05). Conclusion:Jiaji electroacupuncture combined with treadmill training may improve tibial bone mineral density by up-regulating the expression of VEGF in tibia and bone marrow.

Renal interstitial fibrosis is a common pathway in the progression of many renal diseases. Whether it is chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury that cannot be fully recovered, the progression process mostly enters end-stage renal failure after renal interstitial fibrosis. The animal model of renal interstitial fibrosis is an important research tool for exploring the pathogenesis of renal interstitial fibrosis and new diagnostic and treatment methods. Different animal models have their own characteristics. Researchers can establish different models based on their own experience and experimental purposes, and carry out scientific research on this basis to provide more new methods for the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases. The authors focused on several common animal models of renal interstitial fibrosis to provide the reference for related researchers, including surgical models induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, 5/6 nephrectomy, and microembolization; chemical models induced by cyclosporine A, adriamycin, aristolochic acid, mercuric chloride（HgCl₂）, gentamicin, cisplatin, and adenine; transgenic hybridization and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) induced transgenic modification model; composite model induced by bilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (BIRI) combined with gentamicin, unilateral nephrectomy combined with angiotensin II (Ang II), and unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (UIRI) combined with pLVX-shTNC plasmid.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Jiaji electroacupuncture combined with neurodynamic mobilization on nerve conduction velocity and the expression of Netrin-1, Slit2 and Rho GTPases after sciatic nerve injury in rabbits. MethodsA total of 216 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into nomal control group (NC), vector virus group (VV), Jiaji electroacupuncture combined with neurodynamic mobilization group (EN), Netrin-1 group (N1), Slit2 group (S2) and N1+S2 group. Each group was divided into three subgroups according to the postoperative treatment time points (one, two and four weeks), with twelve rabbits in each subgroup. The rabbit model of Sunderland Ⅲ degree injury of the left sciatic nerve was established by clamping method. There was no intervention in NC, and virus was injected during the preparation of the model. Jiaji electroacupuncture and neurodynamic mobilization were administrated three days after operation in EN group. Nerve conduction velocity of sciatic nerve was measured with electromyography. The sciatic nerve and L_4-6 spinal cords were obtained, the expression of Netrin-1 and Slit2 mRNA were detected real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence double staining, and the expression of Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA protein were observed via Western blotting. ResultsOne, two and four weeks after modeling, the nerve conduction velocity was more in EN group and N1+S2 group than in N1 group and S2 group (P < 0.05); the Netrin-1 and Slit2 mRNA expression were higher in the EN group and N1+S2 group than in the VV group and NC group (P < 0.05); the protein expression of Rac1 and Cdc42 were higher, and the protein expression of RhoA was lower in EN group and N1+S2 group than in N1 group, S2 group and VV group (P < 0.05). ConclusionJiaji electroacupuncture combined with nerve mobilization may promote the axonal regeneration by regulating the expression of Netrin-1 and Slit2, adjusting the imbalance of Rho GTPases enzyme system, and then promoting cytoskeleton reorganization and peripheral nerve regeneration after injury.

Delirium is a common complication after stroke. Post-stroke delirium is associated with the poor outcome and increased mortality. This article reviews the screening tools, predictive factors and predictive models of post-stroke delirium.