BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95％Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95％CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95％CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95％CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95％CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95％CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95％Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95％CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95％CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95％CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95％CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95％CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation versus surgical treatment for type A distal radius fracture （DRF） and to explore the factors influencing the choice of treatment. MethodsA multi-center retrospective study was conducted， collecting data from 1237 type A DRF patients treated in 11 hospitals in Jiangsu province from September， 2023 to April， 2025. Among them， 851 patients in the TCM group received manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation， and 386 patients in the surgical group underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Visual analog scale （VAS） scores for pain and radiographic indicators including palmar tilt， ulnar deviation， and radial height were compared before treatment， 5-7 days after treatment， and 4-6 weeks after treatment. The wrist joint function scores including Dienst and Gartland-Werley scores at 12 weeks after treatment were recorded. Subgroup analysis was conducted for the excellent rate of Dienst and Gartland-Werley scores， stratified by age （＜50， 50-59， 60-69， ≥70 years old） and AO subtypes （A1， A2， A3）. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent factors influencing treatment choice. ResultsOn 5-7 days after treatment， the surgical group had lower VAS scores than the TCM group， while 4-6 weeks after treatment， the TCM group showed lower VAS scores than the surgical group （P＜0.01）. In terms of radiographic indicators， except for the palmar tilt before treatment being higher in the surgical group than in the TCM group （P＜0.01）， there were no significant differences in palmar tilt， ulnar deviation， and radial height at other timepoints （P＞0.05）. Twelve weeks after treatment， the surgical group had a higher average Gartland-Werley score and the excellent rate than the TCM group （P＜0.01）. Subgroup analysis showed that in patients with A2 type DRF aged 50-59 and 60-69 years old， the excellent rates of Dienst and Gartland-Werley scores in the TCM group were higher than those in the surgical group （P＜0.05）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age， palmar tilt， ulnar deviation， and the degree of swelling on the affected side were independent factors influencing the choice of treatment （P＜0.05）. ConclusionBoth TCM manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation and surgical treatment for type A DRF can achieve good therapeutic effects. TCM manipulative reduction combined with small splint fixation has certain advantages in medium- and long-term pain relief， especially in elderly patients， where wrist joint function recovery is more stable. Age， palmar tilt， ulnar deviation， and swelling degree are the main factors influencing the treatment choice.

This paper interprets the disease name related to bi （痹） disease in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） from the perspective of micropathological phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. By systematically reviewing classical TCM literature on the pathogenesis and clinical features of different subtypes such as damp-retention bi， bone bi， and tendon bi， and integrating these with current research on pathological subtypes of KOA including the synovitis type， cartilage-meniscus type， and subchondral bone type， the study explores the correlation between traditional disease terms and modern micropathological phenotypes. The author proposes subtype classifications of damp-retention bi corresponding to synovial inflammation， bone bi related to abnormal subchondral bone remodeling， and tendon bi representing cartilage and meniscus degeneration. This approach provides a microscopic biological explanation for TCM syndrome differentiation and offers new perspectives for advancing integrative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in both Chinese and western medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the specific mechanisms by which electroacupuncture (EA) alleviates anxiety and fear behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), focusing on the role of lipocalin-2 (Lcn2). METHODS: The PTSD mouse model was subjected to single prolonged stress and shock (SPS&S), and the animals received 15 min sessions of EA at Shenmen acupoint (HT7). Behavioral tests were used to investigate the effects of EA at HT7 on anxiety and fear. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to quantify Lcn2 and inflammatory cytokine levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Additionally, the activity of PFC neurons was evaluated by immunofluorescence and in vivo electrophysiology. RESULTS: Mice subjected to SPS&S presented increased anxiety- and fear-like behaviors. Lcn2 expression in the PFC was significantly upregulated following SPS&S, leading to increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 and suppression of PFC neuronal activity. However, EA at HT7 inhibited Lcn2 release, reducing neuroinflammation and hypoexcitability in the PFC. Lcn2 overexpression mitigated the effects of EA at HT7, resulting in anxiety- and fear-like behaviors. CONCLUSION EA at HT7 can ameliorate PTSD-associated anxiety and fear, and its mechanism of action appears to involve the inhibition of Lcn2-mediated neural activity and inflammation in the PFC. Please cite this article as: Yang YD, Zhong W, Chen M, Tang QC, Li Y, Yao LL, et al. Electroacupuncture alleviates behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder by modulating lipocalin-2-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):537-547.
Electroacupuncture ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/metabolism* ; Animals ; Lipocalin-2/metabolism* ; Prefrontal Cortex/physiopathology* ; Male ; Mice ; Neurons/physiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fear ; Behavior, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Anxiety/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVES: To study the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Hebei Province. METHODS: Hospitalized children with CAP who tested positive for RSV and were admitted to Hebei Children's Hospital from various cities and counties across Hebei Province between January 2019 and December 2023 were included in the study. Clinical data were collected and analyzed to assess epidemiological characteristics. RESULTS: The clinical data of 43 978 children with CAP were collected, with an overall RSV detection rate of 25.98%. The detection rate was higher during the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) (30.60%) than in the non-NPIs period. Winter and spring were the primary epidemic seasons for RSV each year except in 2022. The detection rate in males (26.62%) was higher than in females (25.06%) (P<0.001). The highest detection rate (59.18%) was found in infants aged 29 days to <1 year. Single RSV infection was more common, with rhinovirus being the most frequent co-infection. CONCLUSIONS The overall RSV detection rate in Hebei Province is influenced by NPIs, being higher during their implementation. RSV predominantly circulates in winter and spring. The detection rate of RSV is higher in males and infants. RSV infection is primarily single, most often co-occurring with rhinovirus.
Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Seasons ; China/epidemiology* ; Infant, Newborn ; Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology* ; Child

Objective:To develop and validate clinical predictive models for identifying poor short-term response to recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) treatment in children with short stature.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 118 children diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency or idiopathic short stature who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and two other hospitals between January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2024. A poor response to rhGH was defined as a height increase of less than 0.2 standard deviation score(SDS) after 6 months of rhGH treatment. LASSO regression was used to identify predictive variables from baseline and follow-up data. Two logistic regression models were conducted: Model A(incorporating baseline variables only) and model B(incorporating both baseline and follow-up variables), and nomograms were created for visualization. External data and internal resampling were used for dual validation of the models, and their performance was compared.Results:A total of 118 children with short stature were included. Six baseline predictive variables(diagnosis, initial height SDS, bone age, bone age-chronological age difference, rhGH dose, and gender) and one follow-up variable(height SDS after 3 months of rhGH treatment) were identified. Area under the curve values for Model A and Model B were 0.753(95% CI 0.696-0.811) and 0.930(95% CI 0.891-0.975), respectively. Calibration curves, decision curve analysis, and other evaluation metrics demonstrated good discrimination and clinical utility for both models. Model B, incorporating the 3-month follow-up variable, showed superior predictive performance compared to Model A. Conclusions:The clinical prediction models developed in this study(Model A and Model B) are practical and reliable tools for quantitatively, conveniently, and intuitively identifying children with short stature at risk of poor response to rhGH treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the prevalence, potential risk factors, and correlation between coronary and peripheral microvascular dysfunction in heart failure with non-reduced ejection fraction (nHFrEF) patients.Methods:This was a prospective registry study. nHFrEF patients admitted to Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University from December 2021 to December 2023 were enrolled. According to coronary flow reserve (CFR) or reactive congestion index (RHI), enrolled patients were divided into coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction (CMD) group (CFR<2.5) and no CMD group (CFR≥2.5) or peripheral microvascular endothelial dysfunction (MED) group (RHI<1.67) and no MED group (RHI≥1.67). Patients′ general information, laboratory and auxiliary examination data were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of CMD and MED in nHFrEF patients, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between MED and CMD.Results:A total of 142 nHFrEF patients were enrolled, aged 69.0 (59.0, 74.0) years, with a male proportion of 66.9% (95/142). The grouping results were as follows: (1) According to CFR, there were 73 cases in the CMD group and 69 cases in the no CMD group; (2) According to RHI, there were 57 cases in the MED group and 85 cases in the no MED group. The prevalence of CMD and MED in this study was 51.4% (73/142) and 40.1% (57/142), respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased heart rate, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, elevated N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide levels, and increased urinary albumin/creatinine ratio were risk factors for CMD, while increased RHI was a protective factor for CMD; Atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for MED, while increased CFR is a protective factor for MED. Incorporating clinically significant variables from univariate analysis into multivariate analysis, the results showed that increased heart rate and elevated RHI remained risk and protective factors for CMD, respectively; increased CFR remains a protective factor for MED. Spearman correlation analysis showed that CFR was negatively correlated with lg urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, lg cardiac troponin T, lg N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide, and heart rate; RHI is positively correlated with CFR.Conclusions:The prevalence of CMD and MED in nHFrEF patients is high, and the two have a certain positive correlation. Increased heart rate and RHI are risk and protective factors for CMD, respectively, while increased CFR is a protective factor for MED. MED may be a potential therapeutic target for nHFrEF patients.

Objective To investigate the biological function of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9)in prostate cancer(PCa)and its effect on ferroptosis sensitivity Methods Bioinformatics was used to analyze the relationship between the expression of PCSK9 and the prognosis of prostate cancer.The expression of PCSK9 in PCa cell lines were detected using RT-qPCR.PCa cells with PCSK9 knockdown were constructed using siRNA,and the The effect of PCSK9 on cell proliferation,migration,and invasion were detected using CCK-8 assays and Transwell assays.The Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal(CTRP)was employed to investigate the correlation between PCSK9 and ferroptosis drug sensitivity,and PCa cells with PCSK9 knockdown were treated with the ferroptosis inducer(RSL3)to detect the sensitivity to ferroptosis.Results Bioinformatics showed low expression of PCSK9 had longer disease specific survival(P<0.05).The results of the in vitro experiments showed that PCSK9 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of PCa cells(P<0.001).Furthermore,CTRP analysis showed that cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers correlated with the expression level of PCSK9.PCSK9 knockdown cells exhibited higher sensitivity to the ferroptosis inducer RSL3.Conclusion Knockdown of PCSK9 inhibits the proliferation,migration,and invasion of PCa cells,and increases the sensitivity of cells to ferroptosis inducers.PCSK9 may provide new insights for the treatment of PCa.

Objective To explore the application value of CT-based radiomics in differentiating pneumonia-type mucinous adenocarcinoma(PTMA)from organizing pneumonia(OP).Methods A total of 52 PTMA patients and 102 OP patients were retrospectively included and randomly divided into training set(n=124)and test set(n=30)in an 8∶2 ratio.Eight PTMA patients and 22 OP patients from another hospital during the same period were included as external validation set(n=30).Clinical characteristics and CT signs of the patients were selected to construct the clinical model.Radiomics features were extracted and dimensionality reduction was performed through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)algorithm.A radiomics model was constructed and the Radiomics score(Radscore)was calculated.The Radscore was combined with clinical factors to establish the combined model and a nomogram was illustrated.The models' fitting degree was analyzed by the calibration curve,while their efficacy was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results The clinical model,established based on the border,cystic space and bronchial leafless tree sign,achieved area under the curve(AUC)of 0.850,0.782,and 0.759 in the training set,test set,and external validation set,respectively.Thirteen features were obtained to construct the radiomics model,with AUC of 0.925,0.865,and 0.830,respectively.The AUC of the combined model were 0.970,0.905,and 0.864,respectively,in which the calibration curve demonstrated good model fitting.DCA indicated that the combined model had the greatest clinical net benefit.Conclusion The combined model based on CT radiomics can effectively distinguish PTMA from OP.