OBJECTIVES: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) mediated by gut microbiota modulation, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation, and ferroptosis suppression. METHODS: Adult male SD rats were divided into sham operation group, CIRI model group, and EA preconditioning group. In the latter two groups, rat models of CIRI were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and in EA preconditioning group, EA was applied at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36) for 3 days before modeling. Neurological deficits, cerebral infarction, and hippocampal pathology of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests, TTC staining, and Nissl and HE staining, and the oxidative stress markers (MDA, ROS, and SOD), apoptosis/ferroptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, GPX4, and SLC7A11), and changes in gut microbiota were analyzed. RESULTS: EA preconditioning significantly reduced neurological deficits, decreased infarct volume, promoted hippocampal neuronal survival, and improved structural integrity of the hippocampal neurons in MCAO rats. EA preconditioning also significantly lowered MDA and ROS and increased SOD levels, upregulated Bcl-2, GPX4, and SLC7A11 expressions, and downregulated Bax expression in the hippocampal tissue of the rats, causing also activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and improvement of gut microbiota composition. CONCLUSIONS EA preconditioning alleviates CIRI in rats by suppressing ferroptosis and apoptosis, enhancing antioxidant defenses via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling, and regulating the gut-brain axis.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Reperfusion Injury/therapy* ; Ferroptosis ; Male ; Rats ; Brain Ischemia ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)/metabolism* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Apoptosis

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) in patients with stage IIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who received radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy (rCCRT).Methods:Clinical data of 115 patients with stage IIB CSCC who underwent rCCRT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2017 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Fourteen clinical factors, including ACCI, were assessed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The optimal cut-off value for ACCI was determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and patients were divided into the high ACCI (ACCI > 3) and low ACCI (ACCI ≤ 3) groups. Survival differences between two groups were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared by log-rank tests.Results:Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that ACCI was an independent prognostic factor for both PFS and OS ( HR=3.405, 95% CI: 1.108-10.467, P=0.032; HR=4.732, 95% CI: 1.363-16.425, P=0.014). Significant differences were observed in PFS and OS between the high and low ACCI groups ( P=0.023 and 0.003, respectively). The median PFS was 44 months in the high ACCI group and 56 months in the low ACCI group. The 2-year and 3-year PFS rates were 81.9% and 80.1% in the high ACCI group, and 94.4% and 94.4% in the low ACCI group, respectively. The median OS was 46 months in the high ACCI group and 56 months in the low ACCI group. The 2-year and 3-year OS rates were 88.3% and 84.7% in the high ACCI group, and 94.4% and 94.4% in the low ACCI group, respectively. Conclusions:For patients with stage IIB CSCC receiving rCCRT, ACCI is an independent and significant prognostic factor, with patients in the high ACCI group exhibiting worse prognosis.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective To develop a single-person breast surgery teaching system to improve the teaching efficiency of breast surgery.Methods The single-person breast surgery teaching system consisted of a magnetic suspension and retraction device and a breast model.The magnetic suspension and retraction device was composed of a magnetic suspension component and a magnetic retraction component,of which,the magnetic suspension component included a bracket,an outer magnet and an inner magnet and the magnetic retraction component comprised a magnetic base and an elastic grasping forceps.The breast model was established with porcine abdominal tissue obtained from slaughterhouses.Twelve surgical trainees were randomized into an experimental group(n=6)and a control group(n=6),and the 2 groups performed flap release operations on the breast model with skin-preserving mastectomy as the target procedure.The operation was carried out with the developed system in the experimental group and with the traditional procedure in the control group.Results The two groups had the flap-free operation on the breast model finished successufully,which had no significant differences in the length of incision(P>0.05);the experimental group gained advantages over the control group in the number of assistants required,operation time,times of skin flap injuries,times of glandular injuries and effect of exposure,with the differences being statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion The single-person breast surgery teaching system enhances the effect of exposure efficiently,meets the reequirements for single-person training and improves the teaching efficiency.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(7):34-38]

Objective To develop a single-person breast surgery teaching system to improve the teaching efficiency of breast surgery.Methods The single-person breast surgery teaching system consisted of a magnetic suspension and retraction device and a breast model.The magnetic suspension and retraction device was composed of a magnetic suspension component and a magnetic retraction component,of which,the magnetic suspension component included a bracket,an outer magnet and an inner magnet and the magnetic retraction component comprised a magnetic base and an elastic grasping forceps.The breast model was established with porcine abdominal tissue obtained from slaughterhouses.Twelve surgical trainees were randomized into an experimental group(n=6)and a control group(n=6),and the 2 groups performed flap release operations on the breast model with skin-preserving mastectomy as the target procedure.The operation was carried out with the developed system in the experimental group and with the traditional procedure in the control group.Results The two groups had the flap-free operation on the breast model finished successufully,which had no significant differences in the length of incision(P>0.05);the experimental group gained advantages over the control group in the number of assistants required,operation time,times of skin flap injuries,times of glandular injuries and effect of exposure,with the differences being statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion The single-person breast surgery teaching system enhances the effect of exposure efficiently,meets the reequirements for single-person training and improves the teaching efficiency.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(7):34-38]

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) in patients with stage IIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who received radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy (rCCRT).Methods:Clinical data of 115 patients with stage IIB CSCC who underwent rCCRT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2017 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Fourteen clinical factors, including ACCI, were assessed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The optimal cut-off value for ACCI was determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and patients were divided into the high ACCI (ACCI > 3) and low ACCI (ACCI ≤ 3) groups. Survival differences between two groups were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared by log-rank tests.Results:Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that ACCI was an independent prognostic factor for both PFS and OS ( HR=3.405, 95% CI: 1.108-10.467, P=0.032; HR=4.732, 95% CI: 1.363-16.425, P=0.014). Significant differences were observed in PFS and OS between the high and low ACCI groups ( P=0.023 and 0.003, respectively). The median PFS was 44 months in the high ACCI group and 56 months in the low ACCI group. The 2-year and 3-year PFS rates were 81.9% and 80.1% in the high ACCI group, and 94.4% and 94.4% in the low ACCI group, respectively. The median OS was 46 months in the high ACCI group and 56 months in the low ACCI group. The 2-year and 3-year OS rates were 88.3% and 84.7% in the high ACCI group, and 94.4% and 94.4% in the low ACCI group, respectively. Conclusions:For patients with stage IIB CSCC receiving rCCRT, ACCI is an independent and significant prognostic factor, with patients in the high ACCI group exhibiting worse prognosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To study the therapeutic effect of Chaiqi Yigan granules on H22 liver cancer-bearing mice and its effect on intestinal flora.Methods The mouse model of liver cancer was constructed by subcutaneous inoculation of H22 cell suspension.The rats were divided into normal group,model group(H22 liver cancer-bearing model),positive control group(50 mg·kg-1 Sorafenib)and experimental-L,-H groups(12.42,49.68 g·kg-1 Chaiqi Yigan granules).Stripping the tumor,weighing the tumor.The serum marker alpha-fetal protein(AFP)of liver cancer was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method.The intestinal flora was detected by 16 s rRNA.The expression of tight junction proteins Occludin and zonula occludens protein-1(ZO-1)in colonic mucosa and the changes of intestinal mucosal permeability were observed by immunohistochemical staining.Results The tumor weights in model group,experimental-L group,experimental-H group and positive control group were(1.18±0.08),(1.13±0.10),(0.84±0.13)and(0.55±0.07)g;the expression of AFP were(7.93±0.21),(7.74±0.23),(7.25±0.53)and(5.59±0.03)ng·mL-1,respectively.There were significant differences in the above indexes between the experimental-H group and the model group(P＜0.01).The Bacteroidota in normal group,model group,experimental-L group,experimental-H group and positive control group were(32.10±8.67)％,(12.72±4.31)％,(50.34±13.48)％,(28.37±6.17)％and(44.47±2.85)％;Firmicutes were(67.18±4.20)％,(82.47±4.64)％,(38.16±12.88)％,(68.39±5.83)％and(52.61±2.86)％;Lactobacillaceae were(12.20±3.25)％,(1.85±0.63)％,(9.17±2.47)％,(3.56±0.74)％and(27.83±6.77)％,respectively.There were significant differences in the above indexes between the experimental-H group and the model group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).The results of colonic immunohistochemistry showed that the cells in the model group were loosely arranged,the intercellular proteins were reduced,and the intercellular space was increased,resulting in increased mucosal permeability.With the increase of the dose of Chaiqi Yigan granules,Occludin protein and ZO-1 protein gradually increased,making the cells arranged neatly and orderly,the intercellular space became smaller,and the permeability of the mucosa gradually returned to normal.Conclusion Chaiqi Yigan granules may play an anti-hepatocellular carcinoma role by improving intestinal mucosal permeability and regulating intestinal flora.

Objective:To investigate personal exposures to nitrogen oxides(NOX)and nitrogen di-oxide(NO2)and the influence of baseline personal characteristics,living environment and daily activity patterns of the participants on the exposures among adults over 35 in Tianjin and Shanghai.Methods:In this panel study,91 healthy nonsmoking adults aged over 35 from Tianjin and Shanghai participated in our study.The study was conducted in summer and winter.The participants were followed for three times with an interval of at least two weeks.Only participants in Shanghai were followed once in winter because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Twenty-seven participants completed follow-up visits in both seasons.We measured their 24 h personal exposures to NOX and NO2and collected their baseline and time-activity in-formation through questionnaire/diary.The linear mixed model was used to analyze the associations be-tween potential influencing factors and personal NOX and NO2 exposure levels.Results:There were 349 follow-up visits with valid 24 h personal NO2 and NOX exposure measurements in the two cities.The ave-rage 24 h personal exposures to NO2 and NOX(volume fraction)in Tianjin participants were 18.0 x 10-9 and 26.2 × 10-9 in summer,and 31.0 x 10-9 and 54.9 x 10-9in winter,respectively;and the average 24 h personal exposures to NO2 and NOX in Shanghai participants were 38.7 x 10-9and 100.0x10-9in summer,and 45.5 x10-9 and 139.2 x 10-9 in winter,respectively.The results of univariate regression analysis showed that their personal NOX exposure levels were significantly associated with city,season,gender,average daily cooking times,and ambient NO2 concentrations measured at fixed-site monitoring stations.In addition to the above factors,the personal NOX exposure levels were also significantly associ-ated with educational level and the personal NO2 exposure levels were also significantly associated with passive smoking,average daily home time,cooking energy type,residential distance from main traffic road,and use of kitchen ventilators.Multivariate regression analysis showed that the personal exposure levels of NO2 and NOX were significantly lower in Tianjin than that in Shanghai,were significantly lower in summer than that in winter,and were significantly and positively associated with ambient NO2 concen-trations measured at fixed-site monitoring stations.In addition,personal NOX exposure levels were signifi-cantly lower in females than in males,and personal NO2 exposure levels were significantly positively asso-ciated with average daily cooking times and significantly inversely associated with average daily home time.For every interquartile range(IQR)increase(12.7 × 10-9)in ambient NO2,the personal NO2 exposure levels increased by 27.5％(95％CI:17.0％-38.9％),and personal NOX exposure levels in-creased by 16.1％(95％CI:7.1％-25.8％).Conclusion:Season,city and ambient NO2 concentra-tions are significant influencing factors of personal exposure levels of NO2and NOX At the same time,the personal exposures levels of NO2 are also affected by lifestyle factors.Our study provides scientific evi-dence for making precise air pollution control decisions and reducing the exposure levels of NOX in the population.