BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on chronic diarrhea in the Chinese population are lacking, and the association between obesity and chronic diarrhea in East Asian populations remains inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a representative community-dwelling Chinese population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a multistage, randomized cluster sampling involving 3503 residents aged 20-69 years from representative urban and rural communities in Beijing. Chronic diarrhea was assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), and obesity was determined based on body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the relationship between obesity and chronic diarrhea. RESULTS: The standardized prevalence of chronic diarrhea in the study population was 12.88%. The average BMI was 24.67 kg/m 2 . Of all the participants, 35.17% (1232/3503) of participants were classified as overweight and 16.13% (565/3503) as obese. After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals with obesity had an increased risk of chronic diarrhea as compared to normal weight individuals (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-2.06). A nonlinear association between BMI and the risk of chronic diarrhea was observed in community residents of males and the overall participant group ( P  = 0.026 and 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study presents initial findings on the prevalence of chronic diarrhea among residents of Chinese communities while offering substantiated evidence regarding the significant association between obesity and chronic diarrhea. These findings offer a novel perspective on gastrointestinal health management.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diarrhea/epidemiology* ; Obesity/complications* ; Prevalence ; East Asian People/statistics & numerical data*

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has shown potential therapeutic benefits for individuals with simple obesity. However, some researchers argue that some of the effectiveness of acupuncture may be due to the placebo response. OBJECTIVE: To understand the placebo response of acupuncture treatment in simple obesity, a systematic review and meta-analysis was designed based on the comparison between sham acupuncture before and after treatment. SEARCH STRATEGY: Eight databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine Database, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database) were searched from inception to August 1, 2023. The MeSH search terms comprised obesity and acupuncture. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sham or placebo acupuncture as a control in treating obesity were enrolled. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Two researchers independently extracted data, and the results were cross-checked after completion. Each RCT's detailed sham/placebo acupuncture treatment protocol was assessed according to the SHam Acupuncture REporting guidelines. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system were used to determine the risk of bias and quality of evidence, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was defined as the primary outcome. Anthropometric parameters and laboratory test parameters related to obesity were defined as secondary outcomes. We used standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to calculate treatment effects of outcomes. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs with a total of 1250 patients were included. The BMI significantly decreased after treatment in the sham acupuncture group compared to baseline (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.09-0.66; I² = 81%, random model; P < 0.01). Treatment duration (P = 0.02) and other interventions significantly impacted the placebo response rate (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION The placebo response of sham acupuncture was strong in the RCTs for simple obesity, and the effect sizes differed between various outcomes. The treatment duration and other interventions emerged as potential influencing factors for the placebo response of sham acupuncture. Please cite this article as: Liu KJ, Jiao RM, Ji J, Yao WW, Han CR, Zhao XY, Zhao JJ. Placebo response in sham acupuncture therapy trials for simple obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 264-273.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Obesity/therapy* ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of endometrial polyps (EP) on postoperative pregnancy outcomes in infertile women with endometriosis (EMs). METHODS: PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, SinoMed, and WanFang Data databases were searched to include clinical studies on the effect of EP on pregnancy outcomes in patients with EMs, published before August 31, 2020. A meta-analysis was performed using Rev Man 5.3 software after two investigators independently screened the literature, extracted information, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included ten studies (651 and 1,040 in the combined EP and uncomplicated EP groups, respectively). The spontaneous pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate were significantly lower in the group with combined EPs than in the group without combined EPs [Odd's ratio ( OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.50-0.80, P = 0.0001; OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48-0.84, P = 0.001; OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.96, P = 0.03], and the rate of embryonic abortion was significantly higher than that in the uncomplicated EP group [ OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.52-6.32, P = 0.002]. CONCLUSION EP may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes in patients with infertility and EMs. Even after surgical treatment, EP can still reduce natural pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates in infertile women with EMs and increase the risk of embryo arrest in these women.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Endometriosis/complications* ; Pregnancy Outcome/epidemiology* ; Polyps/complications* ; Infertility, Female/etiology* ; Pregnancy Rate ; Uterine Diseases/complications*

Objective To investigate the effects of advanced maternal age(AMA)on synaptic pruning of the hippocampus of offspring rats.Methods Offspring of 3-month-old SD female rats and 3-month-old SD male rats were designated as the appropriate age group(Ctl group),while offspring of 12-month-old SD female rats and 3-month-old SD male rats were assigned to AMA group.Hippocampal tissues from both groups(n=3 per group at each time point)were subjected to Golgi staining on postnatal days(P)7,28,and 60.Dendritic complexity,spine density(DS),and morphology of immature brain neurons at different age stages were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with Ctl group,the dendritic length of AMA group on P7,P28,and P60 was significantly shortened,and the average number of intersections between dendrites and concentric circles on P28 and P60 was also significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with Ctl group,the dendritic spine density of AMA group was significantly decreased on P7,P28,and P60.Notably,the density of thin-shaped dendritic spines in AMA group was increased on P7,whereas the densities of stubby-shaped and mushroom-shaped dendritic spines were decreased(P<0.05).On P28 in AMA group,the densities of thin-shaped and mushroom-shaped dendritic spines were significantly increased compared with Ctl group,while the density of stubby-shaped dendritic spines was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The densities of stubby-shaped and mushroom-shaped dendritic spine were markedly lower in AMA group on P60 than those in Ctl group(P<0.05).Conclusions During postnatal brain development periods,there were abnormalities in synaptic pruning in the hippocampal region of the offspring of the AMA,which manifested as reduced dendritic complexity,decreased dendritic spine density,and disorganized dendritic spine morphology.It could be one of the key mechanisms underlying brain dysfunction in the offspring of AMA.

Objective To observe the difference of bone micro-structure in different regions of proximal femur,micro-CT scanning was performed on 30 proximal femur specimens to explain the mechanism of proximal femur fracture and to provide anatomical basis for prosthesis design.Methods Totally 30 intact proximal femur specimens were obtained from 60-80 year-old cadavers.Micro-CT scanning was used to measure the trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),trabecular number(Tb.N),trabecular space(Tb.Sp),connectivity(Conn)and bone mineral density(BMD)and other parameters in 7 regions of proximal femur,including proximal pressure trabecular(PPT),distal pressure trabecular(DPT),femoral head-neck junction(FHNJ),head and neck of femoral neck(HNFN),the base of femoral neck(BPFN),intertrochanteric line(IL)and greater trochanter(GT).Results The bone mineral density of IL and GT were higher than those of BPFN,FHNJ,DPT and PPT.The trabecular thickness of GT was the largest,followed by IL,BPFN and HNFN,and the smallest was FHNJ,DPT and PPT.The trabecular space of IL was larger than that of GT,and the data of both were larger than those of other parts,among which DPT and PPT were the smallest.The trabecular number of IL and GT were the smallest,BPFN,HNFN and FHNJ were larger,and DPT was the largest.The volume fraction of IL was the smallest,BPFN and HNFN were larger,DPT and PPT were the largest.Conclusion The bone density,trabecular thickness,bone volume,and total volume of GT and IL in the proximal femur of elderly patients are all relatively large,so the reason for the high incidence of fractures is not due to weak internal bone microstructure;The bone density,trabecular thickness,and trabecular gap at the proximal and distal ends of the vertical trabecular bone are relatively small.If it is necessary to perform core decompression for prosthesis filling at this location,the design should be conducive to the mechanical conduction of the prosthesis and the regeneration of surrounding bone tissue.

Objective To investigate the correlation between physical activity duration,sleep quality,weight control,and PRO(patient-reported outcomes)in individuals with hypertension,providing effective information for enhancing patient-reported outcomes in this population.Methods A total of 625 hypertensive patients were randomly selected from four counties in Yunnan Province from April to June 2020 to participate in a field survey.The questionnaire included patients'basic information,lifestyle,health status and the PRO Scale for Hypertension-PROISCD-HY(V1.0).Statistical analyses including t-tests,one-way ANOVA,and multivariate linear regression were conducted to investigate the relationships between physical activity duration,sleep quality,weight control,and PRO,with the Bootstrap method used to examine potential mediating effects.Results After adjusting for potential covariates,the multiple linear regression model indicated a significant association between a physical activity duration of≥2 hours with PRO[B=6.551,95%CI(2.611,10.491)].Stratified analysis showed that this association was only present among males,females,and younger adults,but not in older adults.Additionally,a positive correlation was found between good sleep quality and PRO[B=1.870,95%CI(0.449,3.291)],with this association being consistent across all populations after stratification.Patients who managed their condition through exercise and diet had higher PRO scores[B=1.904,95%CI(0.383,3.424)],while those controlling weight through diet and other methods exhibited a decrease in PRO scores[B=-4.873,95%CI(-7.860,-1.887);B=-7.105,95%CI(-12.211,-1.999)],with variations among different groups.The bootstrap method revealed that physical activity duration had both direct and indirect effects on PRO,with sleep quality acting as a partial mediator between physical activity duration and PRO.Conclusion A Physical activity duration of at least 2 hours,good sleep quality,and weight control have been shown to improve PRO in individuals with hypertension.

Objective To construct an evidence-based practice program of discharge preparation services for hip replacement patients based on the best evidence,and to evaluate its clinical effects,aiming to provide references for the implementation of relevant interventions.Methods Knowledge to Action Framework was used as a guide to summarise the best evidence on discharge preparation services for hip replacement patients and to select services based on clinical context.We selected 38 hip replacement patients and 17 healthcare professionals from the De-partment of Orthopaedic Surgery at a tertiary A hospital in Shanghai in September-October 2023 to conduct a baseline review,identify facilitating and hindering factors,and develop a practice protocol.We also selected 38 hip replacement patients and 17 healthcare professionals from November-December 2023 on this ward for evidence-based practice.Nurses'rates of completion of review indicators,levels of knowledge of discharge preparation ser-vices,and discharge planning competencies were compared before and after practice.Patients'readiness for dis-charge,hip function,and unplanned readmissions were also compared before and after the practice.Results After evidence-based practice,nurses'completion rates of review indicators,knowledge of discharge preparation services,and discharge planning competencies were higher than baseline levels(P＜0.05).Hip replacement patients showed a significant improvement in readiness for discharge and hip function(P＜0.001).Conclusion The implementation of an evidence-based practice program of discharge preparation services improves nurses'knowledge and skills,and also contributes to the discharge readiness and hip function of hip replacement patients.

Objective:To analyze the effect of high serum ferritin(SF)before transplantation on erythrocyte,granulocyte and platelet implantation in unrelated cord blood transplantation(UCBT)patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)and acute myeloid leukemia(AML).Methods:The medical records of 60 patients with MDS and AML who underwent UCBT in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected.According to the SF level before transplantation,they were divided into high SF group(SF ≥ 1 000 μg/L,n=20)and non-high SF group(SF＜1 000 μg/L,n=40).The red blood cell(RBC)infusion volume before transplantation,implantation time of RBC,granulocyte and platelet,implantation risk and prognosis were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results:There was no correlation between the level of SF before transplantation and RBC infusion.After transplantation,the median implantation time of RBC in the high SF group was 28.5(14-149)d,which was longer than 21(10-83)d in the non-high SF group(P＜0.05).The median time of granulocyte engraftment in the high SF group was 16.5(12-63)d,while that in the non-high SF group was 16(12-49)d,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The median platelet engraftment time in the high SF group was 45(12-206)d,while that in the non-high SF group was 35.5(14-149)d,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Kaplan-Meier cumulative implantation probability analysis showed that the rate of erythroid implantation in the non-high SF group was higher than that in the high SF group(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in the rates of granulocyte and platelet implantation between the two groups(P＞0.05).The 1-year overall survival rates of the non-high SF group and high SF group were 95％and 90％,respectively,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:SF levels before cord blood transplantation in MDS and AML patients have an impact on post transplant erythroid implantation.Detecting and intervening of iron load in patients before transplant may be beneficial for improving implantation and prognosis.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

This study investigated the mechanism by which Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction promotes acetylcholine receptor(AChR) clustering in myasthenia gravis through the Agrin/low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4(LRP4)/muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinases(MuSK) signaling pathway. A total of 114 female C57BL/6J mice were divided into the normal group, modeling group, and solvent control group. The normal group and the solvent control group were immunized with phosphate-buffered saline(PBS), while the modeling group was established as an experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis(EAMG) model using the murine-derived AChR-α subunit R97-116 peptide fragment. After successful modeling, the mice were randomly assigned to the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction groups, and the prednisone group. After four weeks of continuous treatment, muscle strength was assessed using Lennon scores and grip strength tests. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted on differentiated C2C12 myotubes incubated with a drug-containing serum to observe the number of AChR clusters. The integrity of AChR on myofilaments in mouse gastrocnemius muscles was further assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE)staining was applied to examine pathological changes in the gastrocnemius muscles of EAMG mice treated with Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction. Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of key proteins in the Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway in both C2C12 myotubes and mouse gastrocnemius muscles. The results demonstrated that compared to the model group, the prednisone group exhibited a significant decrease in the body weights of mice, whereas no significant differences in the body weights of mice were observed among the low-, medium-, and high-dose Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction groups. All treatment groups showed significantly improved grip strength and Lennon scores. Additionally, the formula promoted AChR clustering on myotubes and enhanced AChR integrity in gastrocnemius myofilaments and reduced inflammatory infiltration between muscle tissue and fibrous hyperplasia. Furthermore, Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction upregulated the protein expression of AChRα1, Agrin, and p-MuSK in C2C12 myotubes and increased the protein expression of AChRα1, Agrin, MuSK, p-MuSK, LRP4, and docking protein 7(Dok-7)in gastrocnemius tissue. In conclusion, Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction may promote AChR clustering by targeting key proteins in the Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway, thereby improving neuromuscular junction function and enhancing muscle strength.
Animals ; Agrin/genetics* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Receptors, Cholinergic/genetics* ; Female ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics* ; Neuromuscular Junction/metabolism* ; Myasthenia Gravis, Autoimmune, Experimental/physiopathology* ; Humans ; LDL-Receptor Related Proteins