ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of stone needle thermocompression and massage compared to flurbiprofen gel patch in relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back， and to explore the potential mediating mechanism through muscle elasticity. MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back were randomly assigned to either stone needle group or flurbiprofen group， with 60 patients in each. The stone needle group received stone needle thermocompression and massage for 30 minutes， three times per week； the flurbiprofen group received flurbiprofen gel patch twice daily. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Pain improvement， as the primary outcome， was assessed using the Global Pain Scale （GPS） at baseline， after 2 weeks of treatment， and again 2 weeks post-treatment. To explore potential mechanisms， a mediator analysis was conducted by measuring changes in superficial and deep muscle elasticity using musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline and after the 2-week treatment period. ResultsThe stone needle group showed significantly greater pain relief than the flurbiprofen group 2 weeks post-treatment. After adjusting for confounders related to pain duration， the between-group mean difference was -8.8 ［95% CI （-18.2， -0.7）， P＜0.05］. Part of the therapeutic effect was mediated by changes in deep muscle elasticity， with a mediation effect size of -1.5 ［95% CI （-2.0， -0.9）， P = 0.024］， accounting for 17.9% of the total effect. ConclusionStone needle thermocompression and massage can effectively relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back， partly through a mediating effect of improved deep muscle elasticity.

The triterpenoid saponins of Centella asiatica, including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, are pivotal bioactive compounds of the plant. These constituents exhibit a spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, and antidepressant effects, promotion of wound healing, and enhancement of microcirculation. Owing to these therapeutic properties, C. asiatica is widely employed in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, the escalating global demand for its extracts has led to potential supply shortages, prompting researchers to use multiple strategies such as multi-omics, molecular biology, and synthetic biology to conduct extensive studies. These studies encompass the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoid saponins in C. asiatica, metabolic regulation, the hormonal induction of secondary metabolite synthesis, and the application of biotechnological strategies for natural product production to increase the yield of secondary metabolites in C. asiatica, or to produce active components via microbial chassis, thus satisfying market demands and promoting the sustainable exploitation of wild C. asiatica resources. This article first introduced the triterpenoid saponins of C. asiatica and their biological activities, then summarized the latest research advancements in their biosynthetic pathways, metabolic regulation, and heterologous biosynthesis, and provided an outlook on future development directions, with the aim of providing reference for comprehensive resource development and biotechnological synthesis of active components from C. asiatica.
Centella/genetics* ; Triterpenes/chemistry* ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts

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

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic causal relationship of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: Using LTL as the exposure factor and prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis as outcome factors, we mined the Database of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Then, we analyzed the causal relationship of LTL with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by Mendelian randomization using inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the main method and weighted median and MR-Egger regression as auxiliary methods, determined the horizontal multiplicity by MR-Egger intercept test, and conducted sensitivity analysis using the leaving-one-out method. RESULTS: A total of 121 related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in this study. IVW showed LTL to be a risk factor for prostatitis (OR = 1.383, 95% CI: 1.044－1.832, P = 0.024), and for orchitis and epididymitis as well (OR = 1.770, 95% CI: 1.275－2.456, P = 0.000 6). CONCLUSION Genetic evidence from Mendelian randomized analysis indicates that shortening of LTL reduces the risk of prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis.
Humans ; Male ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Epididymitis/genetics* ; Prostatitis/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Leukocytes ; Orchitis/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Telomere ; Risk Factors

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, mutation, therapeutic efficacy and the factors influencing the prognosis of patients with cardiac diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed. The clinical data of 11 cardiac DLBCL patients in Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. NovaSeq sequencing platform was used to detect gene mutations in 5 patients, and bioinformatics analysis of sequencing data was conducted through public database to identify the mutation sites of pathogenic genes. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS). Univariate Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the influencing factors of prognosis.Results:Among 11 patients with cardiac DLBCL, 5 were male and 6 were female. The age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 61 years (45 years, 70 years). All 11 patients were non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) type. There were 2 primary cases and 9 secondary cases; 9 cases with Ann Arbor stage of Ⅲ-Ⅳ, 10 cases with increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and 9 cases with international prognostic index (IPI) score equal to or higher than 3 scores. Among 11 patients, 9 cases received a first-line treatment based on the R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, epirubicin/doxorubicin hydrochloride liposomes, vincristine and prednisone) regimen, of which 8 patients achieved complete remission (CR), and 1 patient achieved stable disease (SD); 1 patient received IR2 (ibrutinib + rituximab + lenalidomide) treatment regimen and achieved SD, and 1 patient received supportive treatment only and achieved progression of the disease. The follow-up time was 39.9 months (25.6 months, 57.3 months). The 3-year PFS rate and 3-year OS rate of 11 patients was 54.5%, 77.9 %, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that gender, B symptoms, Ann Arbor stage, LDH level, number of extranodal lesions, IPI score were not correlated with PFS and OS of patients (all P > 0.05). Among 5 cases undergoing gene detection, KMT2D mutations and PIM1 mutations were detected in 2 cases,respectively. Interestingly, KMT2D mutations were only found in secondary cardiac DLBCL patients (2/3), while PIM1 mutations were only detected in primary cardiac DLBCL patients (2/2). Conclusions:Most cardiac DLBCL patients are non-GCB type and have advanced clinical stage, while may benefit from R-CHOP treatment regimen. PIM1 and KMT2D are the commonly mutated genes in cardiac DLBCL.

Objective To explore whether dexmedetomidine(DEX)can alleviate exertional heatstroke(EHS)-induced rhabdomyolysis(RM)in rats by activating adrenergic α2 receptors,and to explore its potential mechanism based on the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/interleukin-1β(IL-1β)pathway.Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats,after a 7-day acclimatization training,were randomly divided into six groups:control group(CN group),EHS group,low-dose DEX group(EHS+low DEX group),high-dose DEX group(EHS+high DEX group),DEX combined with yohimbine(YOH)group(EHS+high DEX+YOH group),and YOH group(EHS+YOH),with six rats in each group.Before modeling,EHS+high DEX+YOH group and EHS+YOH group were intraperitoneally injected with YOH at 1 mg/kg,while the other four groups were injected intraperitoneally with an equal dose of physiological saline(0.9%NS).During modeling,except for CN group,the other 5 groups of rats were subjected to heat exercise in a high-temperature and high-humidity chamber to construct an EHS rat model.After successful modeling,EHS+low DEX group was intraperitoneally injected with DEX at 10 μg/kg,EHS+high DEX group and EHS+high DEX+YOH group were intraperitoneally injected with DEX at 30 μg/kg,and CN group,EHS group and DEX+YOH group were intraperitoneally injected with equal doses of saline.After 6 h of observation,all rats were anesthetized,and their blood from the abdominal aorta and gastrocnemius muscle tissue were taken.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-1β and myoglobin(MB)in rats;biochemical assay kit was used to measure the level of creatine kinase(CK)in rat serum;HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in rat gastrocnemius muscle tissues;transmission electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructural changes in gastrocnemius muscle;2′,7′-dichlorofluorescent yellow diacetate(DCFH-DA)fluorescent probe was used to detect the level of reactive oxygen species(ROS);and Western blotting was performed to detect the expression levels of NOD-like receptors 3(NLRP3),aspartic protease-1(caspase-1)and adrenergic α2A receptor(ADRA2A).Results Compared with CN group,the levels of serum IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,CK and MB in EHS group rats were significantly elevated(P<0.01).HE staining results revealed that the gastrocnemius muscle tissues of rats in EHS group had these pathological manifestations such as disarray of muscle fibrous structure,hemorrhage,edema,and infiltration of inflammatory cells.Transmission electron microscopy results showed that the ultrastructure of the gastrocnemius muscle in EHS group exhibited myofibroblasts with swelling and enlarging in size,cytoplasmic vacuolization,and mitochondria with obvious swelling,degranulation,and disappearance of double cristae.Compared with CN group,the expression levels of ROS,NLRP3,and caspase-1 in gastrocnemius of rats in EHS group significantly increased(P<0.01);Compared with EHS group,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,CK,MB and the expression levels of ROS,NLRP3,caspase-1 in gastrocnemius tissue of rats in EHS+low DEX group and EHS+high DEX group decreased in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05),and the pathological damage observed with HE staining and transmission electron microscopy was alleviated by DEX.After YOH pretreatment,compared with the EHS+high DEX group,the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,CK,MB and ROS,NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the gastrocnemius muscle tissue of rats in EHS+high DEX+YOH group relatively increased(P<0.05),and the pathological damage observed with HE staining and transmission electron microscopy was exacerbated.The expression of ADRA2A in gastrocnemius muscle of EHS group significantly decreased compared with CN group(P<0.01),and the expression of ADRA2A in muscle of rats in DES+low DEX group and EHS+high DEX group was higher than that in EHS group(P<0.05).Conclusions DEX can alleviate EHS-induced RM by activating ADRA2A,potentially through inhibiting the ROS-dependent NLRP3/IL-1β inflammatory pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of vitamin D mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase(MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)pathway on myocardial injury in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods Fifty SD rats were divided into control group,model group,experimental-L group,experimental-M group and experimental-H group,and the gestational diabetes rat model was established.After successful modeling,experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups were given intragastric administration of 0.05,0.10 and 0.15 μg·kg-1 concentration of vitamin D,while control group and model group were given intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl at the same dose once a day for 2 weeks.Fasting blood glucose concentration and insulin level were detected before intervention,1 week and 2 weeks after intervention.Echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function[left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),maximum rate of rise(+dp/dtmax)and maximum rate of decline(-dp/dtmax)of left ventricular pressure].Myocardial enzyme indexes[troponin Ⅰ(cTn Ⅰ)kit,creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)]and inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)]in serum and myocardial tissue of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and MEK/ERK pathway protein expression was detected by western blot.Results The levels of cTn Ⅰ in cardiac tissue of control group,model group,experimental-L group,experimental-M group,experimental-H group were(10.50±1.08),(42.26±4.30),(31.85±2.44),(23.31±2.15)and(14.85±1.19)ng·mL-1;serum cTn Ⅰ levels were(23.79±3.46),(63.59±5.52),(51.02±4.27),(42.75±3.19)and(29.20±2.11)ng·mL-1;myocardial tissue levels of CK-MB were(8.52±0.90),(17.65±1.75),(15.62±1.27),(13.11±1.24)and(9.85±0.87)ng·mL-1;serum levels of CK-MB were(11.32±0.98),(21.24±1.45),(18.75±1.32),(15.11±1.02)and(12.27±1.11)ng·mL-1;phosphorylated-MEK protein expression were 0.24±0.03,0.85±0.09,0.72±0.06,0.57±0.07 and 0.35±0.04;phosphorylated-ERK1/2 protein expression were 0.18±0.02,0.66±0.07,0.52±0.06,0.40±0.07 and 0.24±0.05,respectively.There were statistically significant differences of above indexes between control group and model group(all P＜0.05);the difference between model group and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Vitamin D may reduce myocardial injury in rats with gestational diabetes by inhibiting the activation of MEK/ERK pathway.

Objective:To compare the lateral veneer fixation versus the tunnel fixation for reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) in the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation in adolescents.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 50 adolescent patients with recurrent patellar dislocation who had been treated at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2020 to January 2023. There were 12 males and 38 females with an age of (15.0±0.9) years, and 23 cases on the left and 27 cases on the right. The number of preoperative dislocations was (2.5±0.9) times. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into 2 groups: a veneer group of 25 cases whose MPFL was reconstructed by the patellar lateral veneer fixation, and a tunnel group of 25 cases whose MPFL was reconstructed by the patellar tunnel fixation. The 2 groups were compared in terms of Kujala score, Lysholm score, lateral patellofemoral angle (LPFA), congruence angle (CA), patellar tilt angle (PTA), and lateral patellar displacement (LPT) at the last follow-up.Results:As the differences in the preoperative general data between the groups were insignificant, the 2 groups were comparable ( P>0.05). The 50 patients were followed up for (24.1±5.1) months after surgery. There were no complications like patellar fracture or limitation of joint flexion-extension in either group after surgery, and neither group experienced any further patellar dislocation at the last follow-up. The Kujala score, Lysholm score, LPFA, CA, PTA and LPT at the last follow-up were (87.8±4.3) points, (88.3±4.7) points, 9.5°±1.1°, 10.8°±1.4°, 9.6°±1.0°, and 9.2±1.3 mm in the veneer group, and (86.0±4.4) points, (87.7±4.2) points, 9.5°±1.1°, 11.0°±1.6°, 9.0°±1.8°, and (9.2±1.3) mm in the tunnel group, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). However, there were significant improvements within each group in the comparisons of the above indexes between pre-surgery and the last follow-up ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation in adolescents, both lateral veneer fixation and tunnel fixation to reconstruct the MPFL can improve the alignment of the patellofemoral joint in adolescents, contributing to the improvement of knee joint function and patellar stability.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the prognosis of childhood T-lymphoblastic lymphoma(T-LBL)treated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL)regimen and related influencing factors.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the prognostic characteristics of 29 children with T-LBL who were treated with ALL regimen(ALL-2009 or CCCG-ALL-2015 regimen)from May 2010 to May 2022.Results The 29 children with T-LBL had a 5-year overall survival(OS)rate of 84％±7％and an event-free survival(EFS)rate of 81％±8％.The children with B systemic symptoms(unexplained fever＞38° C for more than 3 days;night sweats;weight loss＞10％within 6 months)at initial diagnosis had a lower 5-year EFS rate compared to the children without B symptoms(P＜0.05).The children with platelet count＞400x109/L and involvement of both mediastinum and lymph nodes at initial diagnosis had lower 5-year OS rates(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in 5-year OS and EFS rates between the children treated with CCCG-ALL-2015 regimen and those treated with ALL-2009 regimen(P＞0.05).Compared with the ALL-2009 regimen,the CCCG-ALL-2015 regimen reduced the frequency of high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy and the incidence rate of severe infections(P＜0.05).Conclusions The ALL regimen is safe and effective in children with T-LBL.Children with B systemic symptoms,platelet count＞400x109/L,and involvement of both mediastinum and lymph nodes at initial diagnosis tend to have a poor prognosis.Reduction in the frequency of high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy can reduce the incidence rate of severe infections,but it does not affect prognosis.