OBJECTIVE: To analyze the acupoint selection patterns and core prescriptions of acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using data mining, and to explore the molecular mechanisms of core acupoints through network acupuncture medicine. METHODS: The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for PCOS published from January 1, 2004 to July 21, 2024 were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. R software (version 4.4.0) was used for acupoint frequency and association rule analysis to identify core acupoint prescriptions. Potential targets were predicted via the STITCH and Swiss Target Prediction databases, and a "core prescription-active compounds-targets- PCOS" network was constructed. Cytoscape 3.7.1 was applied to build protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of potential targets of core acupoint prescriptions. Key therapeutic targets were subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses using the DAVID and Microbioinformatics platforms. RESULTS: A total of 176 RCTs were included, covering 208 prescriptions and 89 acupoints. The five most frequently used acupoints were Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zigong (EX-CA1), Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongji (CV3). Association rule analysis yielded 13 core acupoint combinations, with Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zigong (EX-CA1) and Zusanli (ST36) as the core prescription. Twenty-seven active compounds were involved, with 852 potential therapeutic targets, among which 208 targets overlapped with PCOS-related targets. Network acupuncture medicine analysis suggested that the core prescription may act through targets such as estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), and RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1). GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the main pathways included the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway, and advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathway, involving processes such as signal transduction, receptor complex formation, and cytokine activity. CONCLUSION The core acupoint prescription for PCOS might exert therapeutic effects through multiple targets and pathways, providing a theoretical basis for mechanistic research on acupoint prescriptions.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Data Mining ; Acupuncture Points ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism* ; Female ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective:To evaluate the relationship of vitamin D deficiency(VDD) between sepsis and septic shock among critical ill children, and investigate the influence of VDD on etiology and prognosis of sepsis.Methods:The observational cohort studies, involving vitamin D and critically ill children, were searched in Medline, Web of Science, EBSCO host and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform.The quality assessment was conducted on the basis of the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.Consistent definitions of sepsis and septic shock were applied and standardized data were obtained following the study design.We retrieved the clinical outcomes related to septic shock and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3concentrations and made a meta-analysis for the relation between VDD and clinical outcomes at two cut-offs. Results:In the analysis of collected data including severe VDD as a risk factor for incidence of sepsis and septic shock, the pooled RRwas 1.71(95% CI1.11 to 2.63, P=0.01) and 2.05(95% CI1.35 to 3.10, P<0.001) respectively, which were all higher compared with VDD.And severe VDD was also associated with cv-SOFA score( RR0.68, 95% CI0.45 to 0.91, P<0.001). However, no significant differences in mortality or the duration of vasopressor was found at severe VDD or VDD cut-off levels among septic shock patients. Conclusion:Among pediatric critical illness, severe VDD is more likely related to the incidence for sepsis and septic shock compared with VDD.And comorbidity with severe VDD could increase the cv-SOFA score of septic children.