OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and compare it with traditional cupping. METHODS: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation from January 2022 to August 2024 were selected and divided into two groups:the automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping group (controlled pressure cupping group) and the traditional cupping group (control group), 50 cases in each group. In the controlled pressure cupping group, there were 18 males and 32 females, with an age of (51.98±12.69) years;in the control group, there were 16 males and 34 females, with an age of (51.32±12.05) years. The visual analogue scale(VAS), comfort score, and lumbar range of motion were observed before treatment and after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments to evaluate the efficacy and safety. RESULTS: All patients completed the treatment intervention, with complete follow-up data collected. No adverse reactions or complications occurred during treatment and follow-up. After the 3rd treatment, the VAS score of the controlled pressure cupping group was (2.38±0.49), which was lower than that of the control group (2.94±0.68), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). In the controlled pressure cupping group, the VAS scores after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments were significantly better than those before treatment (P=0.026);in the control group, the VAS scores after the 3rd and 7th treatments were better than those before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.182). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) on VAS scores at different time points in both groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in inter-group, time, and interaction effects (P<0.05). After the 1st treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 42 patients (84%) felt mild discomfort, and 8 patients (16%) felt moderate discomfort;in the control group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 28 patients (56%) felt mild discomfort, and 22 patients(44%) felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.005). After the 3rd treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 30 patients(60%) felt comfortable, 20 patients (40%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort; in the control group, 9 patients (18%) felt comfortable, 41 patients (82%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in comfort between the two groups after the 7th treatment(P>0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in lumbar range of motion between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05);compared with before treatment, the lumbar range of motion of both groups after treatment was significantly improved, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping can effectively relieve symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, with excellent safety.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Pressure ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Adult ; Exome Sequencing ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics* ; Alleles ; Infertility, Male/genetics*

Disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier caused by gut dysbiosis and metabolic imbalance is the underlying pathology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Traditional Chinese medicine Wuji Wan (WJW) is commonly used to treat digestive system disorders and showed therapeutic potential for IBD. In this interdisciplinary study, we aim to investigate the pharmacological effects of WJW against experimental colitis by combining functional metabolomics and gut-microbiota sequencing techniques. Treatment with WJW altered the profile of the intestinal microbiota and notably increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, thereby facilitating the conversion of tryptophan into indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indoleacrylic acid (IA). These indole derivatives activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, which reduced colonic inflammation and restored the expression of intestinal barrier proteins. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of WJW on gut barrier function improvement and tryptophan metabolism were disappeared in the absence of gut microbiota. Finally, pre-treatment with the AhR antagonist CH-223191 confirmed the essential role of IAA-mediated AhR activation in the therapeutic effects of WJW. Overall, WJW enhanced intestinal barrier function and reduced colonic inflammation in a murine colitis model by modulating Lactobacillus-IAA-AhR signaling pathway. This study provides novel insights into colitis pathogenesis and presents an effective therapeutic and preventive approach against IBD.

Objective:To explore the coordinated development status of the medical service supply-economy-society trinity systems in Zhejiang Common Prosperity Demonstration Zone,and to offer references for formulating policies conducive to the efficient and coordinated development of these three systems.Methods:Based on the panel data from 2013 to 2022,this research was conducted on the 11 prefectural-level cities in Zhejiang Province.Firstly,an evaluation index system for the three systems was established,and the entropy method was employed to determine the weights of each index and calculate the comprehensive evaluation index.Secondly,a triangular model was introduced to delineate the relative relationships among the three systems,and the coupling coordination degree model was utilized to disclose the coordination degree of the three systems.Finally,the spatial autocorrelation analysis method was applied to investigate the spatial autocorrelation of the coupling coordination degree of the three systems.Results:(1)On the whole,the development status of the three systems has improved over time,yet the comprehensive development level remains to be improved.(2)Overall,each prefectural-level city has transited from a medical service supply-society-dominated development to a balanced and coordinated development of the medical service supply-economy-society trinity systems.The coupling coordination degree of the three systems has risen from 0.468(on the verge of imbalance)in 2013 to 0.609(primary coordination)in 2022,presenting an upward trend in general.However,the coordination level remains to be improved and there exist imbalances among regions.(3)The coupling coordination degree of the three systems in Zhejiang Province exhibits a significant positive spatial correlation,and the spatial distribution characteristics are relatively stable. Conclusion:The coupling coordination degree of the medical service supply-economy-society trinity systems in Zhejiang Province awaits further enhancement. At the level of Zhejiang Province,favorable policy support should be provided,the layout of medical resources should be rationally planned,and high-quality economic and social development should be promoted. Each prefectural-level city should formulate strategies for medical service supply,economic,and social development in accordance with its own development level and local conditions,strengthen inter-city linkage and cooperation,and thereby elevate the coordinated development level of the three systems.

Objective To explore the effect of the ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)/total cholesterol(TC)on no-reflow after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)complicated with diabetes mellitus(DM).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 206 elderly ACS patients complicated with DM undergoing PCI in our hospital from January 2018 to August 2024.The HDL-C and TC levels were detected by cholesterol oxidase test,and the HDL-C/TC ratio was calculated.Coronary angi-ography(CAG)was applied to evaluate no-reflow phenomenon after PCI,and according to the re-sults,the patients were divided into a non-reflow group(41 cases)and a normal reflow group(165 cases).ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of HDL-C/TC ratio for no-reflow after PCI in patients with ACS complicated DM.Results The no-reflow group had signifi-cantly higher TC and glycated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)levels and more balloon dilatations,but lower HDL-C level and HDL-C/TC ratio than the normal flow group(P＜0.01).Multivariate lo-gistic regression analysis showed that HbA1c(OR=3.196,95％CI:1.619-6.310,P=0.001),number of balloon dilatations(OR=3.504,95％CI:1.807-6.797,P=0.000),and HDL-C/TC ra-tio(OR=3.927,95％CI:2.0 73-7.441,P=0.000)were influencing factors of no-reflow after PCI in patients with ACS and DM.The AUC value of HDLC,TC,and HDL-C/TC ratio in predicting no-reflow after PCI was 0.842,0.726,and 0.922,respectively.Conclusion HDL-C/TC ratio is an influencing factor for no-reflow in patients with ACS and DM after PCI.The ratio at a cut-off val-ue of ≤0.21 has a certain predictive value for no-reflow after PCI in these elderly patients.

Objective To explore the related influencing factors of orthostatic hypotension in patients with multiple system atrophy(MSA).Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 40 elderly MSA patients with orthostatic hypotension(MSA group)admitted to our department from January 2024 to March 2025,and another 46 elderly healthy individuals without orthostatic hypotension who taking physical examination were subjected and served as control group.General clinical data and related clinical indicators were compared between the two groups,and the related serum biomarkers of orthostatic hypotension in MSA patients were analyzed.Results The levels of vitamin D,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and uric acid were significantly lower in the MSA group than the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that vitamin D,LDL-C,and uric acid levels were risk factors for the occurrence of orthostatic hypotension in MSA patients(OR=0.677,95％CI:0.530-0.864,P＜0.01;OR=0.057,95％CI:0.007-0.434,P＜0.01;OR=0.972,95％CI:0.954-0.992,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis indicated that the optimal cut-off value of vitamin D,LDL-C,and uric acid levels in predicting the occurrence of orthostatic hypotension in MSA patients was 21.850 μg/L,2.895 mmol/L,and 274.500 μmol/L,the sensitivity was 0.848,0.630 and 0.783,and the specificity was 0.792,0.750 and 0.667,and the AUC value was 0.862,0.683 and 0.748,respectively.Conclusion Monitoring serum biomarkers,such as vitamin D,LDL-C,and uric acid may be helpful for the risk assessment and management of orthostatic hypotension in MSA patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the peripheral neural mechanism underlying representation along the distribution of stomach meridian induced by intestinal inflammatory reaction using diarrhea predominant-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) mice. METHODS: Among 62 healthy male C57BL/6 mice of clean grade, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a control group and a model group, 6 mice in each group, additionally, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a Tianshu group, a Liangqiu group and a Zusanli group, 4 mice in each group. In the model group, citrobacter was administered orally to establish IBS-D model. In the control group and the model group, the visceral pain threshold was observed using fecal colorectal distension (fCRD) induced electromyography of external oblique muscle, the positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was detected by myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining, the number, location and distribution rule of Evans blue (EB) extravasation points were observed by injection of EB staining solution into the tail vein. In the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, fluorescent dye Dil was injected at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25), "Liangqiu" (ST34) and "Zusanli" (ST36) respectively, to observe the dye-positive cell number in different dorsal root ganglion (DRG) segments. In the control group and the model group, the activation of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in different DRG segments was observed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, in the model group, the area under curve of electromyography of external oblique muscle was increased at fCRD of 25, 50 and 75 μL distilled water (P<0.001, P<0.01); the MPO-positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was increased (P<0.01). Few EB extravasation points could be found in the control group, while there were much more EB extravasation points observed in the model group, which was specially distribution in the area of stomach meridian, from "Huaroumen" (ST24) to "Zusanli" (ST36), as well as the surface area dominated by L₂-L₅ segment of the spinal cord. The Dil-positive cells were mainly exhibited in the DRG of T₁₁, L₅ and L₄ segments in the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, respectively. Compared with the control group, the ratio of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)/glutamine synthetase (GS) co-expression was increased in the DRG of T₁₁, L₄ and L₅ segments in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The activation of SGCs within DRG of T₁₁, L₄ and L₅ segments may relate closely to the occurrence of the representation along the stomach meridian distribution in IBS-D mice.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Meridians ; Stomach/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Disease Models, Animal

This study identified blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills and explored their anti-insomnia effects and mechanisms. The main blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills were detected and identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The rationality of the formula was assessed by using enrichment analysis based on the relationship between drugs and symptoms, and core targets of its active components were selected as the the potential anti-insomnia targets of Anshen Dropping Pills through network pharmacology analysis. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction(PPI) network, Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis were performed on the core targets. An active component-core target network for Anshen Dropping Pills was constructed. Finally, the effects of low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Anshen Dropping Pills on sleep episodes, sleep duration, and sleep latency in mice were measured by supraliminal and subliminal pentobarbital sodium experiments. Moreover, total scores of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI) scale was used to evaluate the changes before and after the treatment with Anshen Dropping Pills in a clinical study. The enrichment analysis based on the relationship between drugs and symptoms verified the rationality of the Anshen Dropping Pills formula, and nine blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The network proximity revealed a significant correlation between eight components and insomnia, including magnoflorine, liquiritin, spinosin, quercitrin, jujuboside A, ginsenoside Rb_3, glycyrrhizic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that the major anti-insomnia pathways of Anshen Dropping Pills involved substance and energy metabolism, neuroprotection, immune system regulation, and endocrine regulation. Seven core genes related to insomnia were identified: APOE, ALB, BDNF, PPARG, INS, TP53, and TNF. In summary, Anshen Dropping Pills could increase sleep episodes, prolong sleep duration, and reduce sleep latency in mice. Clinical study results demonstrated that Anshen Dropping Pills could decrease total scores of PSQI scale. This study reveals the pharmacodynamic basis and potential multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway effects of Anshen Dropping Pills, suggesting that its anti-insomnia mechanisms may be associated with the regulation of insomnia-related signaling pathways. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of Anshen Dropping Pills.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/metabolism* ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Male ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Female ; Adult

Objective To explore the application effect of blood pressure management based on the health belief model in patients with moyamoya disease after cerebral vascular reconstruction sur-gery.Methods From February to July 2024,210 patients with moyamoya disease who underwent cerebral vascular reconstruction surgery in our hospital were selected as study subjects.They were randomly divided into control group and intervention group,with 105 cases in each group.The control group received routine nursing care,while the intervention group applied blood pressure management based on the health belief model on the basis of routine nursing care.The postoperative cerebral hy-perperfusion syndrome and blood pressure control status of the two groups were compared,and the Health Belief Scale and the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale were used to evaluate the effects before and after intervention.Results A total of 203 patients completed the study,including 100 cases in the control group and 103 cases in the intervention group.There were statistically significant differ-ences in the incidence of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome and the proportion of patients with blood pressure higher than baseline data between the two groups(P＜0.05).After the intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome status and blood pressure control status between the two groups(P＜0.05).After intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the scores of susceptibility and health motivation dimensions as well as the total score in the Health Belief Scale between the intervention group and the control group(P＜0.05).After the intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the scores of ambiguity and unpredictability dimensions as well as the total score in the Mishel Uncertainty in Ill-ness Scale between the intervention group and the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Blood pressure management based on the health belief model can effectively control blood pressure,reduce the incidence of cerebral hyperperfusion,improve health beliefs,and reduce the sense of uncertainty about the disease.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of 4 novel inflammatory markers related to routine blood tests,namely neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),red blood cell distribution width(RDW),hemoglobin-to-RDW ratio(HRR)and systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),in elderly patients with chronic cardiovascular disease(CVD)complicated with frailty.Methods Retrospectively analyze 110 patients with chronic stable CVD who were hospitalized in the cadre ward of cardiovascular medicine at the Air Force Characteristic Medical Center from January 2022 to June 2023.According to the assessment results of the Fried scale,they were divided into three groups:non-frailty group(Fried score=0,n=30),the pre-frailty group(Fried score 1 or 2,n=40)and frailty group(Fried score≥3,n=40).The differences in general information,the impairment rate of daily living activities,miniature nutritional assessment-short form(MNA-SF)scores,mini-mental state examination(MMSE)scores,and the indicators such as NLR,RDW,HRR,and SII among the three groups were compared.Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between NLR,RDW,HRR,SII and frailty scores as well as each frailty indicator.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors for frailty in elderly patients with chronic CVD,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to assess the clinical diagnostic value of NLR and HRR in elderly patients with chronic CVD complicated with frailty.Results Compared with non-frailty group and pre-frailty group,patients in frailty group were older,with higher impaired rates of daily living activities,NLR,RDW,and SII,and lower MNA-SF scores,MMSE scores,and HRR,and differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the frailty score was positively correlated with NLR(rs=0.354,P<0.001),and RDW(rs=0.448,P<0.001),negatively correlated with HRR(rs=-0.232,P=0.024),and had no significant correlation with SII(rs=0.144,P=0.167).Further analysis of the correlation between the above novel inflammatory markers and the 5 components of frailty showed that NLR was positively correlated with fatigue(rs=0.228,P=0.017),slowed walking speed(rs=0.299,P<0.001),and low physical function(rs=0.319,P<0.001);RDW was positively correlated with decreased grip strength(rs=0.321,P<0.001),slowed walking speed(rs=0.422,P<0.001),and low physical function(rs=0.246,P=0.001);and HRR was negatively correlated with slowed walking speed(rs=-0.230,P=0.025),and low physical function(rs=-0.299,P=0.003).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MNA-SF score(OR=0.577,95%CI 0.342-0.973)was an independent protective factor for pre-frailty in elderly patients with chronic CVD(P<0.05);NLR(OR=7.866,95%CI 1.101-56.185)was an independent risk factor for frailty,while HRR(OR=0.344,95%CI 0.120-0.983)and MNA-SF score(OR=0.292,95%CI 0.146-0.580)were independent protective factors for frailty in elderly CVD patients(P<0.05).The area under the ROC curve of NLR and HRR for diagnosing frailty in elderly patients with chronic CVD were 0.778 and 0.749,respectively.Conclusion NLR and HRR have high clinical diagnostic value for frailty in elderly patients with chronic CVD,and are expected to become effective inflammatory markers for screening elderly patients with chronic CVD complicated with frailty.