Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the specific mechanisms by which electroacupuncture (EA) alleviates anxiety and fear behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), focusing on the role of lipocalin-2 (Lcn2). METHODS: The PTSD mouse model was subjected to single prolonged stress and shock (SPS&S), and the animals received 15 min sessions of EA at Shenmen acupoint (HT7). Behavioral tests were used to investigate the effects of EA at HT7 on anxiety and fear. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to quantify Lcn2 and inflammatory cytokine levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Additionally, the activity of PFC neurons was evaluated by immunofluorescence and in vivo electrophysiology. RESULTS: Mice subjected to SPS&S presented increased anxiety- and fear-like behaviors. Lcn2 expression in the PFC was significantly upregulated following SPS&S, leading to increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 and suppression of PFC neuronal activity. However, EA at HT7 inhibited Lcn2 release, reducing neuroinflammation and hypoexcitability in the PFC. Lcn2 overexpression mitigated the effects of EA at HT7, resulting in anxiety- and fear-like behaviors. CONCLUSION EA at HT7 can ameliorate PTSD-associated anxiety and fear, and its mechanism of action appears to involve the inhibition of Lcn2-mediated neural activity and inflammation in the PFC. Please cite this article as: Yang YD, Zhong W, Chen M, Tang QC, Li Y, Yao LL, et al. Electroacupuncture alleviates behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder by modulating lipocalin-2-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):537-547.
Electroacupuncture ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/metabolism* ; Animals ; Lipocalin-2/metabolism* ; Prefrontal Cortex/physiopathology* ; Male ; Mice ; Neurons/physiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fear ; Behavior, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Anxiety/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with diquat mixed with paraquat poisoning.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 210 patients admitted to the department of emergency at our hospital with paraquat, diquat or mixed poisoning from January 20, 2016, to June 10, 2024. Based on the detection results of plasma toxicants, patients were categorized into three groups: the paraquat group (PQ group), and the diquat group (DQ group), the diquat-paraquat mixed group (mixed group). We compared clinical indices, occurrence, and severity of AKI among these groups. In the mixed group, patients were further divided into AKI and non-AKI subgroups based on the presence of AKI during hospitalization, and differences in clinical indices between these subgroups were analyzed. Univariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regressions were used to screen risk factors, and multivariate logistic regression was applied to establish the model. ROC curves were generated, and factors influencing AKI occurrence in the mixed group were identified.Results:A total of 88 patients were included in the PQ group, 28 in the DQ group, and 57 in the mixed group. Significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of age, mortality rate, ingestion amount, body mass index(BMI), occurrence of AKI, the incidence of organ support therapy, SIRS score, PSS score, and APACHE Ⅱ score on admission ( P < 0.05). All three groups exhibited various degrees of AKI, with the mixed group showing a higher proportion and more severe conditions. In the mixed group, compared with the non-AKI group, the AKI group showed significantly higher values for age, number of deaths, ingestion amount, SIRS score, PSS score, APACHE Ⅱ score, plasma PQ concentration on admission, plasma DQ concentration on admission, white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEUT), monocyte count (MONO), serum creatinine (SCr), procalcitonin (PCT), c-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood lactic acid (Lac), and cystatin C (CysC) ( P < 0.05). Conversely, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) were significantly lower in the AKI group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, in the mixed group, SCr levels at various times post-poisoning were significantly higher compared with the non-AKI group ( P < 0.05), showing an increasing trend and peaking at 212.19 ± 101.67 μmol/L on the fifth day after poisoning. Age, ingestion amount, SIRS score on admission, WBC, MONO, and PCO 2 were extracted by Lasso-Logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression identified ingestion amount and SIRS score on admission as the independent risk factors for the occurrence of AKI in the mixed group. The area under the ROC curve for ingestion amount and SIRS score on admission was 0.991 (95% CI: 0.976-1.000), the sensitivity was 0.940 and the specificity was 1.000. Conclusions:The diquat mixed with paraquat poisoning is associated with a higher incidence and greater severity of AKI compared with poisoning with either PQ or DQ alone. Additionally, ingestion amount and SIRS score on admission have been identified as independent risk factors for the occurrence of AKI in patients with the mixed poisoning. The combined assessment of these two factors improves AKI prediction in patients with the mixed poisoning.

ObjectiveTo investigate the pathogenic spectrum and molecular characteristics of infectious diarrhea among children in Putuo District of Shanghai from 2018 to 2023， and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of infectious diarrhea in children. MethodsFecal samples from the cases visited sentinel hospitals for children’s diarrheal disease in Putuo District， Shanghai， were collected from January 2018 to December 2023. A total of 11 species of bacteria were isolated and cultured， and 5 species of viruses were detected by real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. The molecular typing of some positive strains was analyzed by the standard pulsed-field gel electrophoresis （PFGE） method. The polymerase-capsid protein linkage region of some norovirus-positive samples was amplified by reverse transcription PCR， and was sequenced and analyzed by bioinformatics software. The Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact probability test were used to compare the pathogen-positive rates in 2018‒2019 and 2020‒2023. ResultsOf the 707 cases of children with infectious diarrhea， the total positive rate was 47.67%， with a single bacterial positivity rate of 16.27%， a single viral positivity rate of 22.63%， and a mixed positivity rate of 8.77%， respectively. The dominant pathogens were rotavirus （10.75%）， norovirus （10.33%）， enteropathogenic Escherichia coli （8.06%）， Salmonella （6.36%）， enteroaggregative Escherichia coli （5.52%）， and Campylobacter （5.23%）. Bacterial infections were predominant in summer and fall， and viral infections were predominant in winter and spring. The total positive rate decreased in 2020‒2023 compared with that of 2018‒2019 （χ²=5.753，P<0.05）. Thirty-seven strains of Salmonella， 81 strains of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli， and 19 strains of Campylobacter were completed for the molecular typing analysis by PFGE， which were classified into 28， 80 and 18 banding types， respectively， with a wide range of banding similarity. Nineteen copies of norovirus GⅡ group gene sequences were analyzed and classified into 5 genotypes， which were mainly GⅡ.Pe-GⅡ.4 and GⅡ.P16-GⅡ.2 types. ConclusionRotavirus， norovirus， diarrheagenic Escherichia coli， Salmonella， and Campylobacter are the dominant pathogens of infectious diarrhea in children in Putuo District of Shanghai. The pathogen spectrum shows a trend of seasonal epidemic characteristics， with a diversity of molecular characteristics of some pathogens. Surveillance and monitoring on molecular characteristics of the pathogens of infectious diarrhea in children should be strengthened in different seasons， so as to provide a laboratory basis for the prevention and control of infectious diarrhea.

In recent years,the development of acupuncture and moxibustion(shortened as acup-moxibustion)has flourished.With the verification of clinical efficacy of acup-moxibustion,its basic research has gradually drawn the attention of the practitioners accordingly.But how to scientifically perform the basic research of acup-moxibustion and to serve the clinic effectively has become a major problem for the contemporary Chinese medicine practitioners.By analyzing the characteristics of acup-moxibustion-related research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,this paper outlined the current status of domestic research of acup-moxibustion,and proposed four suggestions after analyzing the problems and weaknesses of acup-moxibustion basic research in China:①the clinical evidence-based system in the current acup-moxibustion should be further constructed and the basic research should be focused on the area of advantages;② the key problems of acup-moxibustion basic research should be clarified,and the proportion of original researches should be increased;③ the integration of production,teaching and research of acup-moxibustion should be enhanced to adapt to the era of big science;④ the funding system and its polity and structure needed to be reformed.This study will help to increase the discipline ranking of acup-moxibustion,enhance its high-quality development,and promote its internationalization.

Objective To explore the associations of parental smoking and alcohol consumption during the periconceptional period and their interactions with risk of congenital heart disease(CHD)in offspring.Methods The parents of children with simple CHD aged 0 to 1 year(n=683)were recruited as the case group,while the parents of healthy children aged 0 to 1 year(n=740)served as the control group.A case-control study was conducted,and a questionnaire was used to collect information on perinatal exposures.After controlling for relevant confounding factors using multivariate logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching,the associations of parental smoking and alcohol consumption during the periconceptional period and their interactions with CHD were examined,as well as the cumulative effects of smoking and drinking on CHD risk.Results Maternal active smoking(OR=2.91,95%CI:1.60-5.30),passive smoking(OR=1.94,95%CI:1.56-2.42),and alcohol consumption(OR=2.59,95%CI:1.89-3.54),as well as paternal smoking(OR=1.52;95%CI:1.22-1.90)and drinking(OR=1.48,95%CI:1.19-1.84),were associated with an increased risk of CHD in offspring.There was no interaction between parental smoking and drinking behaviors during the periconceptional period concerning the risk of CHD in offspring(P>0.05).The more parents'smoking and drinking behaviors during the perinatal pregnancy,the higher the risk of CHD in their offspring(OR=1.50,95%CI:1.36-1.65).Conclusions Parental smoking and alcohol consumption during the periconceptional period are associated with the occurrence of CHD in offspring,and there is a cumulative effect on CHD risk,suggesting that reducing tobacco and alcohol exposure during the periconceptional period may lower the incidence of CHD.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of simultaneous arthroscopic repair of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) for treating chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) in conjunction with subtalar instability (STI).Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 15 patients with ankle arthroscopic in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 11 male cases and 4 female cases, aged (28.6±1.5) years (range: 19 to 39 years). All the patients were evaluated by manual inversion stress X-ray and MRI before operation. Arthroscopically observing and then repairing the ATFL and CFL separately after further diagnostic confirmation. One year after operation, MRI was performed, and pain visual analogue score(VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot scale (AOFAS-AH) and Karlsson ankle functional scale(KAFS) were evaluated. Data were compared using paired sample t test. Results:The follow-up period was (23.6±2.3) months (range: 12 to 30 months). At last follow-up,the VAS decreased from 6.1±1.4 preoperatively to 1.4±1.2( t=9.482, P<0.01).The AOFAS-AH improved from 50.5±11.7 preoperatively to 94.2±6.1( t=-13.132, P<0.01), and the KAFS improved from preoperatively 44.3±10.8 to 90.8±6.4 ( t=-12.510, P<0.01). There was no complication such as recurred instability or joint stiffness. Conclusions:Arthroscopically repairing the ATFL and CFL separately can effectively restore the stability of the ankle and subtalar joint with small trauma. Patients can recover quickly after surgery. It provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of CLAI combined with STI.