ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the syndrome improvement and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children （heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome）. MethodsThrough a multi-center randomized controlled methodology design，confirmed influenza cases were collected from October 2022 to April 2023 in the pediatrics department of eight hospitals，such as Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 180 children with influenza and heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome conforming to the standard were recruited through the clinic. The sick children meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into groups by a block-randomized method. The children in the experimental group were treated with Qingxuan Daozhi formula for five days，and those in the control group were treated with Oseltamivir Phosphate Granules for five days. The primary efficacy indicator was the negative conversion rate of influenza antigen detection. Secondary efficacy indicators were the Canadian acute respiratory illness and flu scale （CARIFS） and the incidence of complications，severe cases， and critical cases. Follow-up observation was conducted on the day of enrollment，48 hours after medication，72 hours after medication， and （6+1） d after medication. ResultsOne hundred and eighty participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group （90 cases） or the control group （90 cases）. All participants were followed up during the study. Comparison of influenza antigen detection results in the primary efficacy indicators showed that the average time of negative influenza antigen conversion in the experimental group was （5.29±1.25） d，and that in the control group was （5.40±1.68） d，without a statistically significant difference. After five days of intervention，52 cases in the experimental group and 51 cases in the control group converted to negative，without a statistically significant difference. CARIFS score results in the secondary efficacy indicators showed that during 72 hours after intervention，there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in three dimensions， including headache，muscle soreness， and the need for extra care （P<0.05）. On the （6+1） days after the intervention，the differences in both the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant in 10 dimensions， including sore throat，bad sleep，uncomfortable feeling，poor spirit and fatigue，crying more than usual，the need for extra care，symptom，function，influence on parents，and total score （P<0.05）. The comparison results within the group in the dimensional scores of symptom， function， and influence on parents，as well as the CARIFS total score showed that with the delay of follow-up time，scores of both groups decreased significantly，with a statistically significant difference （P<0.01）. Inter-group comparison results showed that the mean score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at the time of enrollment. With the progress of intervention，the score of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. At the end of follow-up，the mean score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group，with no statistically significant difference. In terms of the incidence of complications，severe cases， and critical cases， there were no complications，severe cases， and critical cases in the two groups，without a statistically significant difference. ConclusionThe symptom improvement effect and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children （heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome） are not inferior to Oseltamivir Phosphate granules， and children's acceptance is better. It can be more widely used in clinical treatment of influenza in children （heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome）.

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for bleeding within 5 days and 2 weeks after endoscopic variceal ligation （EVL） or endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection （ECI） for the treatment of esophagogastric varices in patients with liver cirrhosis， as well as the safety of EVL/ECI in patients with thrombocytopenia. MethodsA total of 489 patients with liver cirrhosis and esophagogastric varices who underwent EVL/ECI in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital， Guangzhou Medical University， from January 2018 to December 2023 were enrolled as subjects， and according to the presence or absence of bleeding after surgery， they were divided into bleeding group and non-bleeding group. The risk factors for bleeding within 5 days and 2 weeks after surgery were analyzed. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups， and the chi-square test or the continuity-corrected chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was plotted to determine the cut-off value of MELD score； a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding. ResultsThere were no significant differences in the bleeding rates within 5 days and 2 weeks after EVL/ECI between the 386 patients with a platelet count of ≥50×10⁹/L and the 103 patients with a platelet count of （25 — 49）×10⁹/L （5 days： 1.94% vs 2.85%， P=0.870； 2 weeks： 2.91% vs 4.92%， P=0.544）. The overall bleeding rate was 2.66% （13/489） and 4.50% （22/489）， respectively， within 5 days and 2 weeks after EVL/ECI. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MELD score was an independent risk factor for bleeding within 5 days （odds ratio ［OR］=3.726， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.214 — 11.429， P=0.021） and 2 weeks （OR=5.760， 95%CI： 1.779 — 18.651， P=0.003） after EVL/ECI， while hemoglobin （Hb） was a protective factor against bleeding within 5 days （OR=0.972， 95%CI： 0.948 — 0.996， P=0.025） and 2 weeks （OR=0.976， 95%CI： 0.957 — 0.995， P=0.016） after surgery； portal vein tumor thrombus （OR=2.667， 95%CI： 1.000 — 7.117， P=0.050） was an independent risk factor for bleeding within 2 weeks after surgery， while platelet count ［（25 — 49）×10⁹/L］ was not a risk factor for postoperative bleeding （P>0.05）. ConclusionBoth EVL and ECI have good safety in patients with liver diseases and grade 3 thrombocytopenia. MELD score is an independent risk factor for bleeding within 5 days and 2 weeks after EVL/ECI， while Hb is a protective factor； portal vein tumor thrombus is an independent risk factor for bleeding within 2 weeks after surgery.

Objective:To explore the applicability of modified comprehensive interventions in the treatment of non-severe dry eye syndrome in military pilots.Methods:A total of 88 military pilots with non-severe dry eye syndrome admitted to the Special Service Department of the 988th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force between December 2021 and December 2023 were divided into an intervention group and a control group using the random number table method, with 44 cases in each. The intervention group received modified comprehensive interventions, while the control group underwent conventional treatment. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), break-up time, tear meniscus height, changes in meibomian gland function, and levels of satisfaction of military pilots were compared between the 2 groups. The correlations between the OSDI, break-up time, tear meniscus height and levels of satisfaction were analyzed.Results:Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the OSDI between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the changes in the OSDI of military pilots were smaller in the intervention group than in the control group ( t=3.21, P=0.002). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the break-up time (both P<0.001) and tear meniscus height ( P<0.001, =0.012) of pilots in the intervention group exceeded those of the control group. In both groups, the break-up time (all P<0.001) and tear meniscus height (all P<0.001) kept increasing after treatment. After 4 weeks of treatment, there were significant differences in the distribution of meibomian gland function between the 2 groups ( Z=-2.55, -2.41, -2.29, P=0.011, 0.016, 0.022). Clinical care, procedure flow, and health education scored higher in the intervention group than in the control group during the survey on levels of satisfaction with the treatment ( t=6.55, 6.77, 3.63, all P≤0.001). The OSDI was negatively correlated with clinical care, procedure flow and health education ( r=-0.286, -0.275, -0.363, P=0.007, 0.010, 0.001) while the break-up time was positively correlated with clinical care and procedure flow ( r=0.248, 0.278, P=0.020, 0.009). Conclusions:The implementation of modified comprehensive intervention measures for dry eye syndrome in military pilots can effectively improve clinical symptoms and leave military pilots more satisfied.

Objective To explore the impact of the duration of protracted abstinence(PA)treatment on the level of impulsivity among heroin addicts and to analyze the mediating effect of impulsive cognition between abstinence duration and impulsive behavior.Methods Thirty-six heroin addicts undergoing PA treatment(PA group)and forty matched healthy controls(HC)(HC group)were recruited.Demographic information was collected via questionnaires,and impulsive cognition assessments were conducted.Participants completed the GO/NOGO task to collect data on impulsive behavior.Intergroup differences were compared using the independent sample t-test,and multiple linear regression analysis and mediating effect analysis were performed on the PA group.Results The PA group exhibited significantly higher scores on motor impulsivity,non-planning impulsivity,and total impulsivity compared to the HC group.Additionally,the PA group demonstrated significantly increased NOGO error rate during the GO/NOGO task compared to the HC group(P＜0.001).Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that abstinence duration had a significant negative impact on total impulsivity and non-planning impulsivity(P＜0.001).Mediating effect analysis found a partial mediation effect of total impulsivity between abstinence duration and NOGO error rate(P＜0.001).Conclusion The PA treatment has a significant impact on the level of impulsivity among heroin addicts.Impulsive cognition play a partial mediating role between abstinence duration and impulsive behavior.These results provide an important theoretical and practical basis for optimizing PA treatment programs.

Objective:It aims to systematically evaluate the current status of knowledge,attitude,and practice(KAP)regarding universal commercial medical insurance among residents of the sample province from the demand-side perspective.Methods:Utilizing a quota sampling method,face-to-face surveys were conducted via the Questionnaire Star platform to collect demographic characteristics and KAP data of the participants.Comparisons of differences among different groups were made using t-tests,analysis of variance,and chi-square tests.Furthermore,multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling were utilized to analyze the influencing factors of KAP,as well as the pathways among these three factors.Results:Out of the 415 valid questionnaires collected,there were notable differences in KAP among respondents with diverse demographic backgrounds.Regression analysis revealed that education level,frequency of health check-ups,and engagement in other commercial health insurances significantly influenced knowledge;education level,involvement in other commercial health insurances,and self-assessed health status were pivotal in shaping attitudes;whereas age,education level,frequency of health check-ups,and participation in other commercial health insurances were critical in affecting practice.The path analysis results indicate that knowledge of universal commercial medical insurance has a significant direct association with attitude(β=0.379,P＜0.001)and practice(β=0.323,P＜0.001).It also influences practice through attitude as a mediator(β=0.016,P＜0.001),but the direct effect of attitude on practice is not significant(β=0.04,P=0.403).Conclusion:While residents in the sample province exhibit a positive attitude towards universal commercial medical insurance,there is a need to enhance their level of knowledge and engagement in practice.It is recommended to strengthen targeted educational and promotional measures to promote the healthy and sustainable development of universal insurance.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the causality between reproductive traits and risk of psoriasis by using a large Mendelian randomization (MR) study. METHODS: A two-sample MR study was performed using summarized statistics from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted in reproductive traits, as well as GWAS data on overall psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and psoriasis vulgaris (PV). Besides univariable MR (UVMR), multivariable MR and two-step MR was used to calculate the independent effects and quantify the proportion mediated by education or body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Genetically predicted early age at first sexual intercourse (AFS) led to an increased risk of overall psoriasis [odds ratio ( OR) _UVMR: 0.54]; 36.13% of this effect was mediated through BMI and 47.79% through educational attainment. The direct negative casual association between age at first birth (AFB)-PsA was dominant ( OR _UVMR: 0.76), with 49.61% proportion of the mediation due to BMI. The mediating effect was found for BMI on the AFS-PV relationship, which accounted for 26.27% of the proportion. AFS was inversely associated with the risk of overall psoriasis and PV, with considerable mediation by BMI and educational attainment. CONCLUSION Early AFB may cause a higher risk of PsA, while the AFS-PsA association was fully mediated by BMI.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; Psoriasis/etiology* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Educational Status ; Female ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Risk Factors ; Male ; Reproduction ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health concern in northwest China; however, the impact of particulate matter (PM) exposure during sand-dust storms (SDS) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between PM exposure on SDS days and COPD hospitalization risk in arid regions. METHODS: Data on daily COPD hospitalizations were collected from 323 hospitals from 2018 to 2022, along with the corresponding air pollutant and meteorological data for each city in Gansu Province. Employing a space-time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional Poisson regression, we analyzed 265,379 COPD hospitalizations. RESULTS: PM exposure during SDS days significantly increased COPD hospitalization risk [relative risk ( RR) for PM _2.5, lag 3:1.028, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.021-1.034], particularly among men and the elderly, and during the cold season. The burden of PM exposure on COPD hospitalization was substantially high in Northwest China, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. CONCLUSION Our findings revealed a positive correlation between PM exposure during SDS episodes and elevated hospitalization rates for COPD in arid and semi-arid zones in China. This highlights the urgency of developing region-specific public health strategies to address adverse respiratory outcomes associated with SDS-related air quality deterioration.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/chemically induced* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Adult ; Sand ; Air Pollution

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.