The escalating phenomenon of global population aging is posing multi-dimensional challenges to society, the economy and medical healthcare system.Among the significant health threats to the elderly population are cardiovascular diseases(CVD)and cognitive frailty(CF), both of which profoundly affect the quality of life and increase the risks of adverse health outcomes, including disability, hospitalization, and death.The concurrent presence of CVD and CF in elderly patients is prevalent, as these conditions share many common risk factors and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, such as atherosclerosis, microcirculation dysfunction, and inflammation, which interact to perpetuate a vicious cycle.Notably, CF exhibits a certain degree of reversibility; thus, the implementation of a diagnosis and treatment paradigm that incorporates "comprehensive geriatric assessment and geriatric interdisciplinary teams" should be established as a conventional management strategy for elderly patients affected by both CVD and CF.Cognitive digital therapeutics, along with personalized exercise prescriptions based on cardiopulmonary exercise tests, may represent more appropriate precision interventions for these patients.Consequently, there is a necessity for further in-depth research in this area moving forward.

Objective: To determine the clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome. Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome who visited the Rehabilitation Department and Orthopedics Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to March 2024 and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into an experimental (n=64) and control group (n=64) using the random number table method. The experimental group was treated with PRP injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion, whereas the control group was treated with normal saline injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. PRP and normal saline injections were administered once every two weeks, a total of four times. Patients were treated with warm acupuncture and moxibustion once a day, six times a week, for four consecutive weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome, visual analog scale (VAS), and Lysholm scores were determined before treatment, at week 4 and week 8 of treatment, and week 16 of follow-up. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone gla protein(BGP), and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels were compared between the two groups before and after 8 weeks of treatment. The clinical efficacy and safety indicators between the two groups were also compared. Results: There was no statistical difference in baseline data such as gender, age, disease duration, and body mass index between the two groups of patients. Compared with before treatment, both groups showed decreased WOMAC total and subscale, TCM syndrome total score and symptom scores, and VAS scores, and an increase in Lysholm scores at 4, 8, and 16 weeks after treatment. After treatment, serum IL-6, MMP-3, TNF-α, and COMP levels decreased, whereas serum OPG and BGP levels increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, patients in the experimental group showed decreased WOMAC total and subscale, TCM syndrome total score and symptom scores, and VAS scores, and an increase in Lysholm score at 4, 8, and 16 weeks after treatment. Compared with the control group, patients in the experimental group showed decreased serum IL-6, MMP-3, TNF-α, and COMP levels and an increase in serum OPG and BPG levels after treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the experimental group was 91.94%, higher than that of the control group (81.97%; P<0.05). Conclusion PRP injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion can improve various TCM symptoms, improve knee joint function and bone metabolism, and reduce inflammation in patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Tongtiao acupuncture-moxibustion method for long COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 28 patients with long COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction were selected and treated with Tongtiao acupuncture-moxibustion therapy (regulating orifices, invigorating the brain, and regulating qi and blood). Acupoints included Yintang (GV24⁺), Baihui (GV20), Fengfu (GV16), Qihai (CV6) and bilateral Yingxiang (LI20), Fengchi (GB20), Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST36). Deep needling to the periosteum of the nasal bone was performed at Yintang (EX-HN3), with warming needle moxibustion applied. Each treatment lasted 40 min, administered once daily for 6 days per week, followed by a 1-day rest, over 4 consecutive weeks. T&T olfactory test scores, TCM symptom scores, serum cortisol levels, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) scores, and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) scores were compared before and after treatment. Clinical effect was evaluated based on T&T olfactory test grading. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the T&T olfactory test scores, each TCM symptom scores, HAMD scores, and HAMA scores were decreased after treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), while serum cortisol level was increased (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 96.4% (27/28). CONCLUSION Tongtiao acupuncture method could effectively alleviate symptoms of long COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction, increase serum cortisol level, and relieve anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Olfaction Disorders/virology* ; Aged ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The main cause of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Lin28a has been reported to play critical regulatory roles in this process. However, whether CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) binds to the Lin28a promoter and drives the progression of restenosis has not been clarified. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to clarify the role of C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis in restenosis. METHODS: Restenosis and atherosclerosis rat models of type 2 diabetes ( n   =  20, for each group) were established by subjecting to PTA. Subsequently, the difference in DNA methylation status and expression of C/EBPβ between the two groups were assessed. EdU, Transwell, and rescue assays were performed to assess the effect of C/EBPβ on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. DNA methylation status was further assessed using Methyltarget sequencing. The interaction between Lin28a and ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was analysed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. Student's t -test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: C/EBPβ expression was upregulated and accompanied by hypomethylation of its promoter in restenosis when compared with atherosclerosis. In vitroC/EBPβ overexpression facilitated the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and was associated with increased Lin28a expression. Conversely, C/EBPβ knockdown resulted in the opposite effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated that C/EBPβ could directly bind to Lin28a promoter. Increased C/EBPβ expression and enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs were observed after decitabine treatment. Further, mechanical stretch promoted C/EBPβ and Lin28a expression accompanied by C/EBPβ hypomethylation. Additionally, Lin28a overexpression reduced C/EBPβ methylation via recruiting TET1 and enhanced C/EBPβ-mediated proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The opposite was noted in Lin28a knockdown cells. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis is a driver of restenosis progression, and presents a promising therapeutic target for restenosis.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism* ; Rats ; DNA Methylation/physiology* ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/genetics* ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Cells, Cultured ; Coronary Restenosis/metabolism*

The escalating phenomenon of global population aging is posing multi-dimensional challenges to society, the economy and medical healthcare system.Among the significant health threats to the elderly population are cardiovascular diseases(CVD)and cognitive frailty(CF), both of which profoundly affect the quality of life and increase the risks of adverse health outcomes, including disability, hospitalization, and death.The concurrent presence of CVD and CF in elderly patients is prevalent, as these conditions share many common risk factors and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, such as atherosclerosis, microcirculation dysfunction, and inflammation, which interact to perpetuate a vicious cycle.Notably, CF exhibits a certain degree of reversibility; thus, the implementation of a diagnosis and treatment paradigm that incorporates "comprehensive geriatric assessment and geriatric interdisciplinary teams" should be established as a conventional management strategy for elderly patients affected by both CVD and CF.Cognitive digital therapeutics, along with personalized exercise prescriptions based on cardiopulmonary exercise tests, may represent more appropriate precision interventions for these patients.Consequently, there is a necessity for further in-depth research in this area moving forward.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the different categories of males within two groups, namely a community male sample who engaged in online sexual activities (OSAs) and a subclinical male sample who were out of control in viewing pornography and had sought help. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the threshold for excessive OSAs in both samples. Methods: A total of 568 community adult males who engaged in OSAs and 567 adult males seeking help for pornography use were recruited online. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify potential profiles within the samples. Cut-point analyses were conducted to determine optimal cutoff scores for OSAs in each sample. Results: The LPA revealed two categories with different cutoff scores for OSAs within each sample. Excessive OSA can be a screening tool for detecting out-of-control behavior. More stringent criteria for identifying excessive OSAs can aid in distinguishing problematic pornography use (PPU) from impaired control in viewing sexually-explicit materials (SEMs). Two subcategories of loss of control emerged: high OSAs frequency impaired control and high viewing SEMs impaired control. Conclusion The threholds of excessive OSAs varies among community and sub-clinical male samples; this knowledge can assist in screening out individuals with impaired control and selecting individuals with PPU from the subclinical sample.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the different categories of males within two groups, namely a community male sample who engaged in online sexual activities (OSAs) and a subclinical male sample who were out of control in viewing pornography and had sought help. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the threshold for excessive OSAs in both samples. Methods: A total of 568 community adult males who engaged in OSAs and 567 adult males seeking help for pornography use were recruited online. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify potential profiles within the samples. Cut-point analyses were conducted to determine optimal cutoff scores for OSAs in each sample. Results: The LPA revealed two categories with different cutoff scores for OSAs within each sample. Excessive OSA can be a screening tool for detecting out-of-control behavior. More stringent criteria for identifying excessive OSAs can aid in distinguishing problematic pornography use (PPU) from impaired control in viewing sexually-explicit materials (SEMs). Two subcategories of loss of control emerged: high OSAs frequency impaired control and high viewing SEMs impaired control. Conclusion The threholds of excessive OSAs varies among community and sub-clinical male samples; this knowledge can assist in screening out individuals with impaired control and selecting individuals with PPU from the subclinical sample.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the different categories of males within two groups, namely a community male sample who engaged in online sexual activities (OSAs) and a subclinical male sample who were out of control in viewing pornography and had sought help. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the threshold for excessive OSAs in both samples. Methods: A total of 568 community adult males who engaged in OSAs and 567 adult males seeking help for pornography use were recruited online. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify potential profiles within the samples. Cut-point analyses were conducted to determine optimal cutoff scores for OSAs in each sample. Results: The LPA revealed two categories with different cutoff scores for OSAs within each sample. Excessive OSA can be a screening tool for detecting out-of-control behavior. More stringent criteria for identifying excessive OSAs can aid in distinguishing problematic pornography use (PPU) from impaired control in viewing sexually-explicit materials (SEMs). Two subcategories of loss of control emerged: high OSAs frequency impaired control and high viewing SEMs impaired control. Conclusion The threholds of excessive OSAs varies among community and sub-clinical male samples; this knowledge can assist in screening out individuals with impaired control and selecting individuals with PPU from the subclinical sample.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the different categories of males within two groups, namely a community male sample who engaged in online sexual activities (OSAs) and a subclinical male sample who were out of control in viewing pornography and had sought help. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the threshold for excessive OSAs in both samples. Methods: A total of 568 community adult males who engaged in OSAs and 567 adult males seeking help for pornography use were recruited online. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify potential profiles within the samples. Cut-point analyses were conducted to determine optimal cutoff scores for OSAs in each sample. Results: The LPA revealed two categories with different cutoff scores for OSAs within each sample. Excessive OSA can be a screening tool for detecting out-of-control behavior. More stringent criteria for identifying excessive OSAs can aid in distinguishing problematic pornography use (PPU) from impaired control in viewing sexually-explicit materials (SEMs). Two subcategories of loss of control emerged: high OSAs frequency impaired control and high viewing SEMs impaired control. Conclusion The threholds of excessive OSAs varies among community and sub-clinical male samples; this knowledge can assist in screening out individuals with impaired control and selecting individuals with PPU from the subclinical sample.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of sitagliptin on the proliferation,apoptosis,in-flammation,and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells(hPDLSCs)in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory microenvironment and its molecular mechanism.Methods hPDLSCs were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of sitagliptin to detect cell viability and subsequently determine the exper-imental concentration of sitagliptin.An hPDLSCs inflammation model was established after 24 h of stimulation with 1 μg/mL LPS and divided into blank,control,low-concentration sitagliptin(0.5 μmol/L),medium-concentration sita-gliptin(1 μmol/L),and high-concentration sitagliptin(2 μmol/L),high-concentrationsitagliptin+stromal cell derived factor-1(SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)pathway inhibitor(AMD3100)(2 μmol/L+10 μg/mL)groups.A cell-counting kit-8 was used to detect the proliferation activity of hPDLSCs after 24,48,and 72 h culture.The apoptosis of hPDLSCs cultured for 72 h was detected by flow cytometry.After inducing osteogenic differentiation for 21 days,alizarin red staining was used to detect the osteogenic differentiation ability of hPDLSCs.The alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity in hPDLSCs was determined using a kit.The levels of inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6]in the supernatant of hPDLSCs culture were detected by enzyme-linked immu-nosorbent assay.The mRNA expressions of osteogenic differentiation genes[Runt-associated transcription factor 2(RUNX2),osteocalcin(OCN),osteopontin(OPN)],SDF-1 and CXCR4 in hPDLSCs were detected by real-time fluores-cence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Western blot analysis was used to determine SDF-1 and CX-CR4 protein expression in hPDLSCs.Results Compared with the blank group,the proliferative activity,number of mineralized nodules,staining intensity,ALP activity,and RUNX2,OCN,OPN mRNA,SDF-1,and CXCR4 mRNA and protein expression levels of hPDLSCs in the control group significantly decreased.The apoptosis rate and levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the proliferative activity,number of mineralized nodule,staining intensity,ALP activity,and RUNX2,OCN,OPN mRNA,SDF-1,and CXCR4 mRNA and protein expression levels of hPDLSCs in low-,medium-,and high-concentration sitagliptin groups in-creased.The apoptosis rate and levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 decreased(P<0.05).AMD3100 partially reversed the effect of high-concentration sitagliptin on LPS-induced hPDLSCs(P<0.05).Conclusion Sitagliptin may promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs in LPS-induced inflammatory microenvironment by activating the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway.Furthermore,it inhibited the apoptosis and inflammatory response of hPDLSCs.