OBJECTIVE: Varied acupoint selections represent a potential cause of the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Skin temperature, a guiding factor for acupoint selection, may help to address this issue. This study explored thermal sensitization of acupoints used for the treatment of knee OA. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study enrolled cases aged 45-75 years with symptomatic knee OA and age- and gender-matched non-knee OA controls in a 1:1 ratio. All participants underwent infrared thermographic imaging. The primary outcome was the relative skin temperature of acupoint (STA), and the secondary outcome was the absolute STA of 11 acupoints. The Z test was used to compare the relative and absolute STAs between the groups. Principal component analysis was used to extract the common factors (CFs, acupoint cluster) in the STAs. A general linear model was used to identify factors affecting the STA in the knee OA cases. For the group comparisons of relative STA, P < 0.0045 (adjusted for 11 acupoints through Bonferroni correction) was considered to indicate statistical significance. For other analyses, P < 0.05 was used as the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: The analysis included 308 participants, consisting of 151 cases (mean age: [64.58 ± 6.67] years; male: 25.83%; mean body mass index: [25.70 ± 3.16] kg/m²) and 157 controls (mean age: [63.37 ± 5.96] years; male: 26.11%; mean body mass index: [24.47 ± 2.84] kg/m²). The relative STAs of ST34 (P = 0.0001), EX-LE2 (P < 0.0001), EX-LE5 (P = 0.0006), SP10 (P < 0.0001), BL40 (P = 0.0012) and GB39 (P = 0.0037) were higher in the knee OA group. No difference was found in the STAs of ST35, ST36, SP9, GB33 and GB34. Four CFs were identified for relative STA in both groups. The acupoints within each CF were consistent between the groups. The mean values of the relative STAs across each CF were higher in the knee OA group. In the knee OA cases, no factors were observed to affect the relative STA, while age and gender were found to affect the absolute STA. CONCLUSION Among patients with knee OA, thermal sensitization occurs in the acupoints of the lower extremity, exhibiting localized and regional thermal consistencies. The thermally sensitized acupoints that we identified in this study, ST34, SP10, EX-LE2, EX-LE5, GB39 and BL40, may be good choices for the acupuncture treatment of knee OA. Please cite this article as: Tu JF, Wang XZ, Yan SY, Wang YR, Yang JW, Shi GX, Zhang WZ, Jing LN, Yang LS, Liu DH, Wang LQ, Mi BH. Thermal sensitization of acupoints in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional case-control study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 289-296.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Male ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Case-Control Studies ; Aged ; Skin Temperature ; Acupuncture Therapy

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between susceptibility genes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with obesity. METHODS: We conducted a two-step case-control study. Ninety-three participants were subjected to whole-exome sequencing (exploratory set). Differential genes identified in the small sample were validated in 1,022 participants using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing (validation set). RESULTS: In the exploratory set, 14 genes from the NAFLD-associated pathways were identified. In the validation set, after adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index, ECI2 rs2326408 (dominant model: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.72; additive model: OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47), C6orf201 rs659305 (dominant model: OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.69; additive model: OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00-1.45), CALML5 rs10904516 (pre-ad dominant model: OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.01-1.83; adjusted dominant model: OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.03-1.91; and pre-ad additive model: OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.66) polymorphisms were significantly associated with NAFLD in children with obesity ( P < 0.05). Interaction analysis revealed that the gene-gene interaction model of CALML5 rs10904516, COX11 rs17209882, and SCD5 rs3733228 was optional ( P < 0.05), demonstrating a negative interaction between the three genes. CONCLUSION In the Chinese population, the CALML5 rs10904516, C6orf201 rs659305, and ECI2 rs2326408 variants could be genetic markers for NAFLD susceptibility.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Exome Sequencing ; Adolescent ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Obesity/complications* ; Pediatric Obesity/complications* ; China

Chronic refractory wound (CRW) is one of the most challengeable issues in clinic due to complex pathogenesis, long course of disease and poor prognosis. Experts need to conduct systematic summary for the diagnosis and treatment of CRW due to complex pathogenesis and poor prognosis, and standard guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of CRW should be created. The Guideline forthe diagnosis and treatment of chronic refractory wounds in orthopedic trauma patients ( version 2023) was created by the expert group organized by the Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Chinese Orthopedic Association, Chinese Society of Traumatology, and Trauma Orthopedics and Multiple Traumatology Group of Emergency Resuscitation Committee of Chinese Medical Doctor Association after the clinical problems were chosen based on demand-driven principles and principles of evidence-based medicine. The guideline systematically elaborated CRW from aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, postoperative management, complication prevention and comorbidity management, and rehabilitation and health education, and 9 recommendations were finally proposed to provide a reliable clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of CRW.

Isotemporal substitution model is a powerful tool to explore the real association between physical behavior and health outcomes, which has the potential of the application in large-scale cohort study. This paper systematically introduces the principle of isotemporal substitution model and its implementation method in specific analysis to provide analytical ideas for the epidemiological research related to physical behavior in China. The baseline data of Regional Ethic Cohort Study in Northwest China conducted in Shaanxi province were used to analyze the relationship between physical behavior and cardiovascular disease with single-factor model, partition model and isotemporal substitution model. The advantages and disadvantages of different models were compared, and the advantages of isotemporal substitution model in quantifying physical activity health risk were introduced. Isotemporal substitution model could qualify physical behavior and health outcomes, which has wide application value in epidemiological research.
Humans ; Cohort Studies ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; China/epidemiology*

ObjectiveTo investigate effect of conducting training of autism spectrum disorder （ASD） early screening skill on improving the ability to early identify ASD of medical staffs in primary care hospitals. MethodsIn September 2021， the training of ASD early screening skills was carried out for medical staffs from 20 primary care hospitals in Chengdu. After training， the training effect was evaluated. The numbers of referrals from primary care hospitals to superior hospitals， confirmed ASD as well as their average diagnostic age of children with ASD before and after training were used as evaluation indicators. ResultsAfter training， the number of children with suspected ASD referred by primary care hospitals was more than that before training ［（16.65±11.60） vs. （3.40±2.23）， t=5.431， P<0.01］， the number of children diagnosed with ASD was more than that before training［（6.85±4.93） vs. （2.45±1.67）， t=4.171， P<0.01］， and the differences were statistically significant. As for the diagnosed age of ASD children， after training， the average age was lower than that before training ［（34.95±11.67） vs. （42.2±14.64）， t=-2.553， P=0.019］. ConclusionTraining of ASD early screening skills for medical staffs in primary care hospitals may help to improve their ability to early screening ASD children.

Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is one of the main complications in patients with traumatic fractures, and for severe patients, the DVT can even affect arterial blood supply, resulting in insufficient limb blood supply. If the thrombus breaks off, pulmonary embolism may occur, with a high mortality. The treatment and rehabilitation strategies of thrombosis in patients with lower extremity fractures have its particularity. DVT in traumatic fractures patients has attracted extensive attention and been largely studied, and the measures for prevention and treatment of DVT are constantly developing. In recent years, a series of thrombosis prevention and treatment guidelines have been updated at home and abroad, but there are still many doubts about the prevention and treatment of DVT in patients with different traumatic fractures. Accordingly, on the basis of summarizing the latest evidence-based medical evidence at home and abroad and the clinical experience of the majority of experts, the authors summarize the clinical treatment and prevention protocols for DVT in patients with traumatic fractures, and make this consensus on the examination and assessment, treatment, prevention and preventive measures for DVT in patients with different fractures so as to provide a practicable approach suitable for China ′s national conditions and improve the prognosis and the life quality of patients.

【Objective】 To analyze the genetic background of RhD-negative blood donors by detecting RHD and RHCE genes of those donors. 【Methods】 From March 2021 to May 2022, the blood samples of RhD-negative blood donors, who had been screened out by RhD primary screening and confirmatory experiments in the Yaan Blood Center, were firstly identified whether the RHD allele was completely deleted, then whether there were deletions in 10 exons of non-RHD allele complete deletion samples, finally, the remaining samples without RHD alleles and exon deletions were further analyzed by DNA sequencing. RHCE gene was detected by SSP-PCR method. 【Results】 Among the RHD gene test results of 104 RhD-negative samples, 65 cases were completely deleted (d/d), 33 were RHD partially deleted (one allele deletion), and 6 were without RHD gene deletion. The RHD alleles of 33 samples with partial deletion were detected by 10 exons, 13 had partial exon deletion, with genotype as RHD^*D-CE(3-9)-D/d and phenotype as RhD negativity, and the remaining 20 samples had no exon deletion. The exon sequencing results of the non-deletion samples showed RHD^*1227A/RHD^*1227A in 6 samples, RHD^*1227A/d in 19, RHD^*3A/d in 1; both of the last two were considered D^el by ISBT. The RHCE gene test results showed that all cc genotype blood donors were RhD true negative, while D^el blood donors had no cc genotype. 【Conclusion】 Through the genetic background study of RhD negative blood donors, it is found that there is a high proportion of D^el with weak expression of RhD antigen, whether this blood type affects clinical blood safety needs further researches.

Since December 2019, novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) has been reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, and spreads rapidly to all through Hubei Province and even to the whole country. The virus is 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), never been seen previously in human, but all the population is generally susceptible. The virus spreads through many ways and is highly infectious, which brings great difficulties to the prevention and control of NCP. Based on the needs of orthopedic trauma patients for emergency surgery and review of the latest NCP diagnosis and treatment strategy and the latest principles and principles of evidence-based medicine in traumatic orthopedics, the authors put forward this expert consensus to systematically standardize the clinical pathway and protective measures of emergency surgery for orthopedic trauma patients during prevention and control of NCP and provide reference for the emergency surgical treatment of orthopedic trauma patients in hospitals at all levels.

Objective: To analyze the prognostic value of CD7 expression in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, and to further explore the correlation between CD7 expression and CEBPA mutation, and to clarify the prognostic value of CD7(+) in AML patients with wild-type (WT) or mutant-type (MT) CEBPA. Methods: The clinical data of 298 newly diagnosed non-M(3) AML patients between January 2010 and December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of CD7(+) and CD7(-) patients were respectively compared in all patients, and in patients with WT and MT CEBPA. The relationship between CD7 expression and CEBPA mutation was determined by chi-square, and the effects of CEBPA mutation on survival and prognosis in CD7(+) group by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In CD7(+) group, the frequencies of CEBPA mutation were 10.1% (single site) and 33.9% (double site) , significantly higher than those of the CD7(-) group (5.3% and 4.2%) (P=0.000) . Subgroup prognostic analysis showed a lower CR rate (P=0.001) and a higher RR (P=0.023) in CD7(+) group comparing to those of CD7(-) group in AML patients with wild type CEBPA. There were no statistical difference between CD7(+) group and CD7(-) group in overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (P>0.05) , while in the CEBPA mutant group the CD7(+) group has higher OS (P=0.019) and DFS (P=0.010) . Based on the CD7 expression and CEBPA mutation, 298 cases were divided into 3 subgroups, named as CD7(+)-CEBPA MT group, CD7(-) and CD7(+)-CEBPA WT group. The 3-year OS of the 3 groups were 80.2%, 48.0% and 30.6%, respectively (P<0.001) , and the 3-year DFS were 74.1%, 37.4% and 22.2%, respectively (P<0.001) . Conclusion: The CEBPA mutation rate was higher in CD7(+) AML patients then that of CD7(-) patients. CD7 expression has opposite prognostic significance in AML patients carrying the wild-type or mutant-type CEBPA. Based on CD7 expression and CEBPA mutation, a new risk stratification model can be established, which is helpful to guide the clinical individualized treatment for AML patients.
CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Enterococcus faecalis strains with low-level resistance to linezolid (an oxazolidinone antibiotic) have become common. No large-scale study has examined the underlying mechanisms in linezolid-resistant E. faecalis (LRE) strains. We investigated these mechanisms and molecular characteristics in Chongqing, China. METHODS: A total of 1,120 non-duplicated E. faecalis strains collected from August 2014 to June 2017 underwent drug susceptibility testing. LRE strains were screened for optrA, cfr, and mutations in the 23S rRNA and ribosomal proteins L3 and L4 by PCR amplification and sequencing. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were used for epidemiological analysis. RESULTS: All 43 low-level LRE strains (minimum inhibitory concentration: 8–16 mg/L) harbored optrA; cfr and 23S rRNA mutations were not detected. Novel mutations in the ribosomal proteins L3 and L4—one deletion (Q103del) and four substitutions (S113L, T35A, I98V, and N79D)—were identified. Novel amino acid substitutions at positions E60K, G197D, and T285P of the OptrA protein were observed. MLST revealed 20 types of LRE strains; the most common type was ST16 (32.6%). PFGE showed 14 strains of ST16 with unique banding patterns. Eight novel sequence types (ST823 to ST830) and one allele (gki95) were identified for the first time in China. CONCLUSIONS: optrA plays an important role in linezolid resistance and may serve as a marker for resistance screening. Since the L3 and L4 mutations did not simultaneously occur in the same strain, they play a negligible role in linezolid resistance. Epidemiological investigation suggested that the LRE cases were sporadic.
Alleles ; Amino Acid Substitution ; China* ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Enterococcus faecalis* ; Enterococcus* ; Epidemiology ; Linezolid ; Mass Screening ; Molecular Epidemiology* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ribosomal Proteins