Objective:To summarize the clinical application and rules of Zhu Lian acupuncture and moxibustion therapy based on the relevant literature.Methods:Clinical research literature about Zhu Lian acupuncture and moxibustion therapy was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP, CBM and PubMed from the establishment of the databases to May 10, 2024. Excel 2019 was used to establish literature database. The TCM data mining system (TCM Minner) was used to analyze the clinical application of Zhu Lian acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, combination with other therapies, treatment methods, acupoint selection, needle retention time and other information.Results:A total of 95 articles were included. Zhu Lian acupuncture and moxibustion therapy was mainly used in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, and dermatology, involving 40 diseases. Among them, the number of internal diseases was the most (19 times), followed by surgical diseases (14 times). The main diseases included stroke and its sequelae, facial paralysis, cervical spondylosis and lumbar disc herniation. There were 73 studies on the combination of other therapies, with mild moxibustion being the most widely used (21 times). In terms of manipulation, Zhu Lian inhibition of type Ⅱ acupuncture was the most widely used (26 times), followed by Zhu Lian excitation of type Ⅱ acupuncture (17 times). Acupoint selection mainly included Zusanli (45 times), Sanyinjiao (39 times), Hegu (34 times) and so on. Zhu Lian inhibition of type Ⅰ acupuncture needle retention time was mainly 30 min; Zhu Lian inhibition of type Ⅱ acupuncture was mainly 30 min, 20 min, and 15 min; Zhu Lian excitement of type Ⅰ acupuncture was mostly without needle retention; Zhu Lian excitement type Ⅱ acupuncture was mainly 10 min and 5 min; slow twisting acupuncture was mainly 30 min; Zhu Lian finger acupuncture therapy was mainly 20-25 min.Conclusion:Zhu Lian acupuncture and moxibustion therapy is mostly used to treat internal medicine and surgical diseases. Zhu Lian inhibition type Ⅱ and excitation type Ⅱ acupuncture methods are often used for treatment, and mild moxibustion therapy is often used to enhance the efficacy.

Objective To analyze the research hotspots,frontiers,and trends in clinical randomized controlled trials(RCTs)on acupuncture-moxibustion for post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome(SHS)over the past decade using bibliometric and knowledge mapping methods.Methods The clinical RCTs on acupuncture-moxibustion for post-stroke SHS from five Chinese and English databases were retrieved,including CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,PubMed,and Web of Science(WOS).CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed for analysis,and visualized knowledge maps were generated.Results A total of 1 226 Chinese and 20 English articles were included,with both reaching publication peaks in 2021.The top three institutions in terms of output were Huguosi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine,and Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine.The most prolific author was Song Fengjun,while Pei Jian had the highest centrality.The five most frequently used keywords were shoulder-hand syndrome,stroke,acupuncture-moxibustion,rehabilitation training,and joint mobility.Emerging research topics included activities of daily living,limb function,and range of motion.Conclusion Clinical research on acupuncture-moxibustion for post-stroke SHS holds significant developmental potential.Strengthening international collaboration to explore therapeutic mechanisms is recommended,and researchers should continue optimizing treatment protocols to enhance the quality of clinical evidence.

Heart failure (HF) is a common end-stage clinical manifestation of cardiovascular diseases, imposing substantial health-related burdens worldwide. With its high mortality rates and poor long-term prognosis, there is a pressing need for novel therapies. SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent deacetylase, has anti-cardiovascular aging properties and other cardioprotective effects, attracting much research attention in recent years. In addition, SIRT1 plays an important role in HF pathophysiology. This review summarized the roles of SIRT1 and its activators in HF, the changes of SIRT1 gene expression in cardiac tissues from animal models and HF patients, and the current status of clinical trials investigating SIRT1 activators as potential therapies for HF. This will provide new ideas for further exploration of pathological mechanisms and the development of clinical prevention strategies for HF.
Heart Failure/metabolism* ; Sirtuin 1/genetics* ; Humans ; Animals

The chemical constituents of sesquiterpenes from 95% ethanol extract of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum were isolated and purified by various column chromatography techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, octadecylsilyl(ODS), and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Their planar structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by ultraviolet(UV) spectrometry, infrared(IR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry(MS), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), electronic circular dichroism(ECD), and other techniques. Eight sesquiterpenoids were isolated and identified as(+)-(7R,10R)-selina-4,11-dien-12-dimethoxy-15-al(1),(+)-(7R,10R)-selina-4,11-diene-12,15-dial(2), agalleudesmanol B(3), aquisinenoid C(4), 12,15-dioxo-α-selinen(5), agarospiranic aldehyde B(6), neopetasane(7), and eremophila-7(11),9-dien-8-one(8). Compound 1 was a new compound, and it was the first time to find a dimethoxy substitution on the side chain of eudesmane-type sesquiterpene skeleton.
Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Thymelaeaceae/chemistry* ; Molecular Structure ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and control measures of dengue fever in Zhongshan City in 2024, so as to provide insights into optimization of dengue fever control strategies in the city. Methods Data pertaining to dengue fever cases in Zhongshan City in 2024 were collected from the Infectious Disease Reporting System of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the epidemiological characteristics of the cases were analyzed using a descriptive statistical method. The density of Aedes albopictus mosquito was monitored across all 23 townships (subdistricts) using Breteau index (BI) and mosquito ovitrap index (MOI) at midmonth each month from March to December 2024. In addition, the climatic characteristics, case reporting patterns, and corresponding control measures were analyzed during different phases of dengue fever epidemics in Zhongshan in 2024. Furthermore, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay was employed to serotype the dengue virus among local dengue fever cases with unknown sources of infections. The dengue virus envelope (E) gene was sequenced using Sanger sequencing among dengue fever cases without apparent epidemiological links. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method to infer major transmission chains during the dengue fever epi demics. Results A total of 952 dengue fever cases were reported in Zhongshan City in 2024, including 879 local cases, 57 domestically imported cases from other regions, and 16 overseas imported cases, representing the largest outbreak in nearly two decades. The first local dengue fever case was reported on July 5, and the last one was detected on December 19, with all townships and subdistricts affected. Mosquito monitoring data indicated that both MOI and BI rose rapidly from March to May, and then remained at high levels with fluctuations, and began to decline in October. The dengue fever epidemic was categorized into five distinct phases in Zhongshan, including non-epidemic, pre-epidemic, early-epidemic, peak, and receding stages. During the pre-epidemic and early-epidemic phases, key measures included enhancing sensitivity of case detection, implementing isolation and treatment of hospitalized cases, and carrying out standardized vector control measures in affected communities. In the peak phase, the strategy shifted towards targeted mosquito control in key communities and clinical rescue and treatment emphasized on “preventing severe cases and deaths”. Among 481 local cases with unknown sources of infections, RT-qPCR assay revealed that 68.8% (331/481) were infected with dengue virus type I and 31.2% (150/481) with type II among local dengue fever cases in Zhongshan City in 2024. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two major transmission chains: one originating from imported cases within Guangdong Province around Zhongshan City, and another from cases imported from Malaysia. Late detection of local dengue fever cases contributed to widespread community outbreaks. Conclusions The 2024 dengue fever epidemic in Zhongshan City was of considerable scale, which was primarily driven by imported cases from overseas and surrounding regions, leading to local community outbreaks. The epidemic began in early July, increased rapidly during August and September, peaked in October, and subsequently declined, with a trend consistent with the average pattern observed in previous high-incidence years. By implementing differentiated control measures tailored to each phase of the epidemic, the local transmission of dengue fever was successfully contained in Zhongshan City in 2024.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

Objective:Malnutrition is prevalent among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and closely associ-ated with adverse outcomes.This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three nutritional indices in predicting all-cause mortality among COPD patients.Methods:Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES),this study included 1640 patients with COPD surveyed from 1999 to 2018.The optimal cutoff values for controlling nutritional status(CONUT)score,geri-atric nutritional risk index(GNRI),and prognostic nutritional index(PNI)were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves.The predictive value of these nutritional indices was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and C-index.Their predictive abilities were compared using the net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement.A Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the association of the three nutritional indices with all-cause mortality.Results:Log-rank tests revealed lower overall survival rates in patients with higher nutritional risks(P<0.001).In multivariate Cox regression adjusting for all covariates,CONUT score(hazard ratio[HR]=1.31,95%CI=1.03-1.67,P=0.030),GNRI(HR=2.02,95%CI=1.26-3.24,P=0.004),and PNI(HR=2.05,95%CI=1.53-2.75,P<0.001)were independently associated with all-cause mortality.Conclusion:This study confirms that the three nutritional indices are effective predictors of all-cause mortality in COPD patients.Compared with PNI,CONUT score and GNRI demonstrate im-proved predictive abilities,and they are recommended for routine screening for high-risk malnutrition in COPD patients.

Objective To comprehensively excavate and analyze the research status,research hotspots and future trends of the literature related to the field of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for pain treatment in the CNKI database.Methods We searched the CNKI database from its establishment to June 2022,and scientifically analyzed the authors,keywords,and institutions of the included literature of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for pain treatment through specific algorithms of Citespace to generate a visual knowledge map.Results A total of 319 documents were included for statistical analysis,the number of publications in the field of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for the treatment of pain was generally on the rise,the number of publications by various authors was on the low side,and there was a lack of co-operation between the research teams,with the main institutions being the Guang'anmen Hospital,Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical Universities of Nationalities and the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,forming a 10-keyword clustering,and the hotspots of diseases under study were mainly mixed haemorrhoids,postoperative pain,low back and leg pain and dysmenorrhoea,etc..The main interventions were pure acupoint catgut embedding therapy and the combination of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and other acupuncture therapies,and the main research method was clinical research.Conclusion Acupoint catgut embedding therapy for the treatment of pain has a good development prospect,the future needs to deepen the clinical research,strengthen the mechanism research,pay attention to the joint use of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and other traditional Chinese medicine methods,and pay attention to the research of different thread materials.

Surgical operation is the main treatment of oral and maxillofacial tumors.Dysphagia is a common postoperative complication.Swal-lowing disorder can not only lead to mis-aspiration,malnutrition,aspiration pneumonia and other serious consequences,but also may cause psychological problems and social communication barriers,affecting the quality of life of the patients.At present,there is no systematic evalua-tion and rehabilitation management plan for the problem of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in China.Combining the characteristics of postoperative swallowing disorder in patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors,summarizing the clinical experience of ex-perts in the field of tumor and rehabilitation,reviewing and summarizing relevant literature at home and abroad,and through joint discussion and modification,a group of national experts reached this consensus including the core contents of the screening of swallowing disorders,the phased assessment of prognosis and complications,and the implementation plan of comprehensive management such as nutrition management,respiratory management,swallowing function recovery,psychology and nursing during rehabilitation treatment,in order to improve the evalua-tion and rehabilitation of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in clinic.

Objective:To explore the value of interpretable machine learning model in predicting the prognoses of patients with acute ischemic stroke..Methods:A total of 296 patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis in Zhanjiang Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University from March 2020 to October 2023 were selected. Prognosis was assessed 3 months after follow-up using modified Rankin scale (scores of 0-2: good prognosis; scores of 3-6: poor prognosis). Clinical data were collected and analyzed retrospectively, and independent influencing factors for prognoses were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression. These patients were randomly divided into training dataset ( n=178) and test dataset ( n=118) in a 3:2 ratio; independent influencing factors were used as characteristic variables to train these 10 machine learning models, including Logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, naive Bayesian model, linear discriminant analysis, mixture discriminant analysis, flexible discriminant analysis, gradient boosting machine, extreme gradient boosting, and category boosting. Prediction performance of these 10 machine learning models were evaluated using calibration curve, precise-recall curve, precision-recall gain curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Interpretation and visualization were added via Shapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) to the machine learning models (including global interpretation and local interpretation). Results:Of the 296 patients, 72 had a poor prognosis. Age ( OR=1.039, 95% CI: 1.008-1.072, P=0.015), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score ( OR=1.213, 95% CI: 1.000-1.337, P<0.001), Glasgow Coma Scale score ( OR=0.470, 95% CI: 0.289-0.765, P=0.002), Stroke Prognostic Instrument-Ⅱ score ( OR=1.257, 95% CI: 1.043-1.516, P=0.016,), C-reactive protein ( OR=1.709, 95% CI: 1.398-2.087, P<0.001) and platelet count ( OR=0.988, 95% CI: 0.978-0.998, P=0.016) were independent influencing factors for prognoses. Among the 10 machine learning algorithms, calibration curve (C-inder: 0.896), precise-recall curve (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.791), precision-recall gain curve (AUC: 0.363), and ROC curve (AUC: 0.856) in both the training and test sets confirmed that the XGBoost model has the highest performance in predicting prognoses. SHAP visualisation diagram indicated that order of importance was C-reactive protein, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, platelet count, Glasgow Coma Scale, Stroke Prediction Tool-II, and age. SHAP scatter plot visualized the contribution direction of these 6 characteristic variables, with bimodal distribution. SHAP dependence plot indicated dependence between values of 6 characteristic variables and SHAP values, with C-reactive protein enjoying the most significant trend. SHAP plot provided local interpretation for individual sample, making the extreme gradient enhancement model more transparent and interpretable. Conclusion:XGBoost model incorporating age, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, Stroke Prognostic Instrument-Ⅱ, C-reactive protein, and platelet count can differentiate poor prognosis from good prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke with high accuracy; on this basis, the model interpretation and visualization combined with SHAP are helpful to understand the contribution and direction of each characteristic variable to the prediction results.