ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential mechanism of the Xiezhuo Jiedu formula in regulating pyroptosis for the treatment of ulcerative colitis （UC） using bioinformatics and in vivo animal experiments. MethodsDifferentially expressed genes （DEGs） in colon tissues of UC patients were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） database. Pyroptosis-related genes were obtained from the GEO and GeneCards databases. The intersection of these datasets yielded pyroptosis-related DEGs （Pyro-DEGs）. Pyro-DEGs were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis using the Metascape database. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed using the STRING database. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） prediction model and receiver operating characteristic （ROC） analysis were conducted to identify core Pyro-DEGs with diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Immune infiltration analysis of the UC datasets was performed using the deconvolution method （CIBERSORT）， along with correlation analysis with core Pyro-DEGs. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a control group， a model group， high-， medium-， and low-dose groups of Xiezhuo Jiedu formula （26.64， 13.32， 6.66 g·kg^-1）， and a mesalazine group （0.27 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. UC was established by intrarectal administration of 3，5-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid （TNBS） dissolved in ethanol. The control and model groups were given distilled water by gavage， while the treatment groups were administered the corresponding drugs for 7 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the colon histopathology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-10， IL-18， and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） and Western blot were applied to detect the expression of Caspase-1， gap junction alpha-1 protein （GJA1）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 （S100A8）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was utilized to measure mRNA expression of Caspase-1， GJA1， PPARG， and S100A8. Western blot was performed to assess protein expression levels of Caspase-1， GJA1， PPARG， and S100A8. ResultsGEO datasets GSE87466 and GSE87473 yielded 64 Pyro-DEGs. KEGG analysis indicated that these genes were enriched in the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway， tumor necrosis factor （TNF） signaling pathway， and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 （HIF-1） signaling pathway. Four core Pyro-DEGs （Caspase-1， GJA1， PPARG， and S100A8） were identified. Immune infiltration analysis showed that expression of these genes was positively correlated with mast cells， neutrophils， M0 macrophages， M1 macrophages， and dendritic cells. Animal experimental results indicated that compared with the control group， the model group had significantly increased levels of IL-1β and IL-18， significantly decreased levels of IL-10 and TGF-β. The model group showed enhanced Caspase-1， GJA1， and S100A8 staining， and significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of Caspase-1， GJA1， and S100A8 （P<0.01）. In contrast， the expression of PPARG was reduced in the model group （P<0.01）. After treatment， all dosage groups showed varying degrees of improvement （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the high-dose group showing the most significant improvement （P<0.01）. ConclusionCaspase-1， GJA1， PPARG， and S100A8 are core Pyro-DEGs closely associated with the pathogenesis of UC. These genes may collaborate with immune cells such as mast cells， neutrophils， and M0 macrophages to mediate disease development. The Xiezhuo Jiedu formula may regulate the expression of core Pyro-DEGs through the NOD-like receptor， TNF， and HIF-1 core signaling pathways， thereby modulating immune homeostasis in UC rats and effectively alleviating UC.

Objective: To investigate trends of incidence, mortality, and years of life lost (YLL) rate of lung cancer in cancer registration areas of Guizhou Province from 2017 to 2021, so as to provide references for formulating lung cancer prevention and control strategies and reducing the disease burden of lung cancer. Methods: The qualified lung cancer registration data from cancer registration areas of Guizhou Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected, the crude incidence and mortality of lung cancer were calculated by urban/rural areas, genders and ages. The standardized incidence and standardized mortality was calculated using the age structure of the standard population from the Fifth National Population Census in 2000. YLL was calculated using the standard life table from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The disease burden of lung cancer was assessed using incidence, mortality, and YLL rate, and the trend in the disease burden of lung cancer from 2017 to 2021 was calculated using annual percent change (APC). Results : From 2017 to 2021, the crude incidence, standardized incidence, crude mortality, standardized mortality, YLL and YLL rate in Guizhou Province were 53.13/100 000, 37.58/100 000, 42.77/100 000, 29.44/100 000, 98.19 thousand person-years and 10.95‰, respectively. The standardized incidence and standardized mortality of lung cancer were higher in rural areas than in urban areas (39.45/100 000 vs. 34.23/100 000, 30.68/100 000 vs. 27.18/100 000). The standardized incidence and standardized mortality of lung cancer were higher in males than in females (49.34/100 000 vs. 26.47/100 000, 41.31/100 000 vs. 18.28/100 000). The crude incidence and crude mortality of lung cancer increased with age, peaking in the 80-<85 age group (360.84/100 000) and the ≥85 age group (414.85/100 000), respectively. From 2017 to 2021, the standardized incidence demonstrated downward trends in the total population, urban areas and males (APC=-6.590%, -5.829%, and -6.729%, all P<0.05). The standardized mortality demonstrated downward trends in urban areas and females (APC=-3.710% and -5.378%, both P<0.05). The YLL rate also showed downward trends in urban areas and females (APC=-3.957% and -3.631%, both P<0.05). Conclusions From 2017 to 2021, the overall disease burden of lung cancer in registration areas of Guizhou Province showed a decreasing trend. However, the disease burden remained relatively heavier in rural areas and males, with a relatively gradual change.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with constipation. METHODS: A total of 80 PD patients with constipation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Additionally, 40 healthy individuals were recruited as a healthy control group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment for PD combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG), once daily for eight weeks. The observation group received additional ACE treatment at bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37), once every two weeks for eight weeks. The healthy control group received no intervention. The spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week and patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed at baseline and after treatment in the two groups. Fecal samples were collected at the end of treatment for the observation and the control groups and at baseline for the healthy control group. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed using 16S rRNA method, and SCFA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the observation group showed a significant increase in SBMs (P<0.01), and PAC-QOL scores including physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern, and total score were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment; the control group also showed a reduction in PAC-QOL total score after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group had significantly more SBMs (P<0.01), and lower PAC-QOL physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern scores, and total score (P<0.01), and higher PAC-QOL satisfaction score (P<0.01) than the control group. Compared with the healthy control group, the control group showed decreased Chao1 and Ace indices (P<0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Roseburia was increased (P<0.05), while that of Enterobacter and Ruminococcus torques (six species in total) was decreased (P<0.05) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the observation group had increased relative abundance of Dialister, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus torques (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Prevotella and Eubacterium ruminantium (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the control group had increased fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05); compared with the control group, the observation group had reduced fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were elevated in the control group (P<0.05); compared with the control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were decreased in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION ACE could increase spontaneous bowel movements and improve the quality of life in PD patients with constipation, which may be related to the regulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels.
Humans ; Constipation/metabolism* ; Male ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease/complications* ; Aged ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Catgut ; Feces/microbiology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF) combined with lateral fixation and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF) in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: Totally 47 patients with lumbar stenosis from November 2018 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively and were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Among them, 21 cases underwent oblique lumbar interbody fusion supplemental anterolateral screw and rod instrumentation, including 5 males and 16 females, with a mean age of (68.19±6.13) years old ranging 55 to 74 years; the other 26 cases underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation and reduction were recorded, including 8 males and 18 females with a mean age of (65.35±7.64) years old ranging 54 to 78 years. Visual analogue scale(VAS) of pain was recorded to evaluate the degree of low back pain and lower extremity pain. The radiographic parameters were collected to evaluate the efficacy of two approaches including disc height, foraminal height, canal sagittal diameter and cross-sectional area. RESULTS: All operations were completed successfully. The wound healed normally and bone fusion was obtained in the last final follow up. No serious complication was occurred in both groups. One case of dural tear occurred in direct compression group. Four cases of left thigh weakness and pain were recorded in indirect decompression group. The average postoperative follow-up was(21.69±4.37)months in direct compression group, while(20.43±4.80)months in another group. There were no significant difference in bone density, body mass index(BMI), hospital stay, Cobb angel(P>0.05). The differences in intra-operative blood loss, operation time, disc height, foraminal height between two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05). The area and sagittal diameter of the spinal canal in the two groups were significantly improved after surgery(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Both two fusion methods have achieved good clinical results in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, with the advantages of good stability, fast recovery and high fusion rate. Compared with TLIF, the advantage of OLIF has greater advantages in less bleeding and less trauma.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

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

PURPOSE: The secondary damage of spinal cord injury (SCI) starts from the collapse of the blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) to chronic and devastating neurological deficits. Thereby, the retention of the integrity and permeability of BSCB is well-recognized as one of the major therapies to promote functional recovery after SCI. Previous studies have demonstrated that activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) provides anti-apoptosis and neuroprotection in SCI. Endogenous HIF-1α, rapidly degraded by prolylhydroxylase, is insufficient for promoting functional recovery. Dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), a highly selective inhibitor of prolylhydroxylase, has been reported to have a positive effect on axon regeneration. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of DMOG in BSCB restoration remain unclear. Herein, we aim to investigate pathological changes of BSCB restoration in rats with SCI treated by DOMG and evaluate the therapeutic effects of DMOG. METHODS: The work was performed from 2022 to 2023. In this study, Allen's impact model and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were employed to explore the mechanism of DMOG. In the phenotypic validation experiment, the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham group, SCI group, and SCI + DMOG group (10 rats for each). Histological analysis via Nissl staining, Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale, and footprint analysis was used to evaluate the functional recovery after SCI. Western blotting, TUNEL assay, and immunofluorescence staining were employed to exhibit levels of tight junction and adhesion junction of BSCB, HIF-1α, cell apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The one-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. The difference was considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: In this study, we observed the expression of HIF-1α reduced in the SCI model. DMOG treatment remarkably augmented HIF-1α level, alleviated endothelial cells apoptosis and disruption of BSCB, and enhanced functional recovery post-SCI. Besides, the administration of DMOG offset the activation of ER stress induced by SCI, but this phenomenon was blocked by tunicamycin (an ER stress activator). Finally, we disclosed that DMOG maintained the integrity and permeability of BSCB by inhibiting ER stress, and inhibition of HIF-1α erased the protection from DMOG. CONCLUSIONS Our findings illustrate that the administration of DMOG alleviates the devastation of BSCB and HIF-1α-induced inhibition of ER stress.
Spinal Cord Injuries/pathology* ; Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Amino Acids, Dicarboxylic/therapeutic use* ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Male ; Spinal Cord/blood supply*

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

OBJECTIVE: The analgesic effect of acupuncture has been widely accepted. Nevertheless, the mechanism behind its analgesic effect remains elusive, thus impeding the progress of research geared toward enhancing the analgesic effect of acupuncture. This paper investigated the role of acupuncture needle surface textures on acupuncture's analgesic effect by creating four experimental acupuncture needles with different patterns of surface augmentation. METHODS: Four types of acupuncture needles with different surface textures (the lined needle, circle needle, sandpaper needle, and threaded needle) were designed. Additionally, the force/torque measurement system used a robot arm and mechanical sensor to measure the force on the needle during insertion and manipulation. To perform acupuncture analgesia experiments, four experimental acupuncture needles and a normal needle were inserted into the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint of rats with inflammatory pain. By comparing the force and torque and the analgesic efficacy of the different acupuncture needles, these experiments tested the role of acupuncture needle body texture on acupuncture analgesia. RESULTS: The analgesic effects of different acupuncture needle body textures varied. Specifically, the force required to penetrate the skin with the lined needle was not greater than that for the normal needle; however, the needle with inscribed circles and the sandpaper-roughened needle both required greater force for insertion. Additionally, the torque of the lined needle reached 2 × 10^-4 N·m under twisting manipulation, which was four times greater the torque of a normal needle (5 × 10^-5 N·m). Furthermore, the lined needle improved pain threshold and mast cell degranulation rate compared to the normal needle. CONCLUSION Optimizing the texture of acupuncture needles can enhance acupuncture analgesia. The texture of our experimental acupuncture needles had a significant impact on the force needed to penetrate the skin and the torque needed to manipulate the needle; it was also linked to variable analgesic effects. This study provides a theoretical basis for enhancing the analgesic efficacy of acupuncture through the modification of needles and promoting the development of acupuncture therapy. Please cite this article as: Sun MZ, Wang X, Li YC, Liu YH, Yu Y, Ren LJ, Gu W, Yao W. Effects of acupuncture needle modification on acupuncture analgesia. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 66-78.
Needles ; Acupuncture Analgesia/methods* ; Animals ; Rats ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley