OBJECTIVE: To analyze the acupoint selection patterns and core prescriptions of acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using data mining, and to explore the molecular mechanisms of core acupoints through network acupuncture medicine. METHODS: The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for PCOS published from January 1, 2004 to July 21, 2024 were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. R software (version 4.4.0) was used for acupoint frequency and association rule analysis to identify core acupoint prescriptions. Potential targets were predicted via the STITCH and Swiss Target Prediction databases, and a "core prescription-active compounds-targets- PCOS" network was constructed. Cytoscape 3.7.1 was applied to build protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of potential targets of core acupoint prescriptions. Key therapeutic targets were subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses using the DAVID and Microbioinformatics platforms. RESULTS: A total of 176 RCTs were included, covering 208 prescriptions and 89 acupoints. The five most frequently used acupoints were Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zigong (EX-CA1), Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongji (CV3). Association rule analysis yielded 13 core acupoint combinations, with Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zigong (EX-CA1) and Zusanli (ST36) as the core prescription. Twenty-seven active compounds were involved, with 852 potential therapeutic targets, among which 208 targets overlapped with PCOS-related targets. Network acupuncture medicine analysis suggested that the core prescription may act through targets such as estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), and RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1). GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the main pathways included the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway, and advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathway, involving processes such as signal transduction, receptor complex formation, and cytokine activity. CONCLUSION The core acupoint prescription for PCOS might exert therapeutic effects through multiple targets and pathways, providing a theoretical basis for mechanistic research on acupoint prescriptions.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Data Mining ; Acupuncture Points ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism* ; Female ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Radionuclides can be hazardous by absorbed through the skin, respiratory and digestive tracts. Chelating agents and adsorbents already could effectively remove them, however traditional chelators have side effects such as nephrotoxicity, teratogenicity, and embryotoxicity. As a new type of nuclide adsorbent, polysaccharide has the advantages of safety, biocompatibility, and high clearance rate. In this paper, the main types and perniciousness of radionuclides, and the latest research of polysaccharides in radionuclide removal were summarized. The application of polysaccharide as an effective adsorption molecule for radio nuclides in nuclear wars, nuclear accidents and other sudden nuclear events is promising.

Objective To analyze the health economics of ultra-short wave therapy adjuvant to drug therapy for acute pharyngitis,and to provide a more cost-effective treatment option for clinical management.Methods Seventy patients with acute pharyngitis were randomly divided into a control group(35 cases)and an ultra-short wave group(35 cases).The control group received conventional drug therapy,while the ultra-short wave group received ultra-short wave therapy in addition to conventional drug therapy.The cure rate,treatment duration,direct costs,indirect costs,and total costs were compared between the two groups for clinical efficacy and health economics analysis.Results The cure rate in the ultra-short wave group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P=0.008),while the total treatment cost and treatment duration were significantly re-duced.To achieve the same therapeutic effect,the ultra-short wave group required 129.73 yuan less than the control group.Conclusion Ultra-short wave therapy adjuvant to conventional drug treatment for acute pharyngitis can more rapidly alleviate symptoms,reduce indirect costs due to work absence,without significantly increasing treatment expenses.It is a safe,effective,and economical therapy with higher therapeutic value compared to drug therapy alone,and is worthy of widespread promotion.

Objective To analyze the health economics of ultra-short wave therapy adjuvant to drug therapy for acute pharyngitis,and to provide a more cost-effective treatment option for clinical management.Methods Seventy patients with acute pharyngitis were randomly divided into a control group(35 cases)and an ultra-short wave group(35 cases).The control group received conventional drug therapy,while the ultra-short wave group received ultra-short wave therapy in addition to conventional drug therapy.The cure rate,treatment duration,direct costs,indirect costs,and total costs were compared between the two groups for clinical efficacy and health economics analysis.Results The cure rate in the ultra-short wave group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P=0.008),while the total treatment cost and treatment duration were significantly re-duced.To achieve the same therapeutic effect,the ultra-short wave group required 129.73 yuan less than the control group.Conclusion Ultra-short wave therapy adjuvant to conventional drug treatment for acute pharyngitis can more rapidly alleviate symptoms,reduce indirect costs due to work absence,without significantly increasing treatment expenses.It is a safe,effective,and economical therapy with higher therapeutic value compared to drug therapy alone,and is worthy of widespread promotion.

OBJECTIVETo explore the optimal time of acupuncture intervention in the assisted reproduction.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty female mice and 60 male mice were collected. 20 female mice were selected in the natural period group and the rest 100 female mice were prepared as the model of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). The model mice were randomized into a COH group, a down-regulation group, a gonadotropins (Gn) start group, an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) group and an embryo culture group, 20 mice in each one. The donor mice and receptor mice were subdivided in each group, 10 mice in each subgroup. One week before the experiment, vas deferens ligature was done in 30 male mice and the other 30 male mice did not receive ligature. In the down-regulation group, the Gn start group, the HCG injection group and the embryo culture group, electroacupuncture (EA) was applied to "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zhongji" (CV 3) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) at the time points accordingly. EA stimulation was in the condition of continuous wave, 2 Hz and 1 mA. No inter-vention was given in the natural period group and the COH group. On the day of HCG injection, the donor mice and the non-ligatured male mice were put in the same cage of each group. The fertilized ovum was collected with the date of fertilization marked and was fostered in the incubator. At the ratio of 1:1, the receptor mice and ligatured mice were put in the same cage in each group. The vaginal plug was examined in the next morning. The pseudopregnancy was marked with the date of plug observed. In the 68th hour of embryo culture, the embryo of the donor was shifted to the receptor on the same day when the plug was observed. The clinical pregnancy rate and embryo imbed site number were observed. RT-PCR assay was adopted to determine the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA in endometrium.

RESULTSIn the COH group, the pregnancy rate, average imbed site number and endometrial IGF-1 mRNA expression were all significantly lower than those in the natural period group (all<0.01). After EA treatment, in the Gn group, the HCG injection group and the embryo culture group, the pregnancy rates were higher significantly than those in the COH group (<0.05,<0.01). In the HCG injection group, the average imbed site number and IGF-1 mRNA expression were increased apparently as compared with those in the COH group (both<0.01), better than those in the Gn group and the embryo culture group (all<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIn the treatment with acupuncture combined with IVF-ET for infertility, the intervention of acupuncture on the day of HCG injection is the optimal time point. It increases the secretion of endometrial IGF-1 so as to improve the clinical pregnancy rate, the mean imbed site number and the embryo implantation.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Ganju Bingmei Pill combined with voice therapy in the treatment of vocal nodules .Methods A total of 72 patients with vocal nodules and 60 health people in our hospital were included .Patients were randomly divided into two groups :Group A (36 cases) with Ganju Bingmei Pill thera‐py ,group B (36 cases) with Ganju Bingmei Pill combined with voice therapy .Taking method of Ganju Bingmei Pill was three times a day ,2 tablets every time ,two weeks as one course of treatment with a total of four courses .Voice therapy in Group B was two weeks for one course with a total of four courses .The results were evaluated by voice handicap index ,voice acoustic analysis and laryngostroboscopy .Vocal nodules disappear or significantly reduce indi‐cated that the treatment was effective .Statistical analysis was performed using t - test and chi - square test .Results In group A ,the scores of T ,F ,P ,E were reduced compared with before treatment (P < 0 .05) ,however ,com‐pared with normal control group ,the score of F ,E ,T were still higher than those of normal group (P < 0 .05) .In group B ,the score of T ,F ,P ,E were reduced compared with before treatment (P< 0 .05) ,and compared with normal control group ,the score of F ,P ,E ,T were close to normal(P> 0 .05) .The VHI score in group B were significantly lower than those of in group A (P < 0 .05) .In Group A compared with before treatment ,jitter ,shimmer ,NHR were lower ,F0 was higher(P < 0 .05) ,however ,compared with the group of normal control ,F0 ,jitter ,shimmer , NHR were still statistically significant (P < 0 .05) .In group B with before treatment jitter ,shimmer ,NHR were lower ,F0 was higher (P< 0 .05) ,and jitter ,shimmer were already close to normal(P> 0 .05) .The F0 of group B after treatment was higher than group A ,jitter and shimmer were lower than group A after treatment (P< 0 .05) . After treatment ,there were 28 cases of group A (77 .78% )of patients with vocal nodules disappear or significantly reduce .There were 35 cases of group B(97 .22% ) of patients with vocal nodules disappear or significantly reduce , the effective rate between group A and group B was statistically significant (P< 0 .05) .Conclusion Ganju Bingmei Pill therapy and Ganju Bingmei Pill therapy combined with voice therapy all have curative effect for the treatment of vocal nodules however ,Ganju Bingmei Pill therapy combined with voice therapy is more efficient .

Pre-S2 protein in 78 samples of liver from patients with various types of hepatitis B was determined by immunohistochemical method.45 out of 78 samples (57.69%) were positive for pre-S2.The location and expression patterns of pre-S2 were similar to those of HBsAg,i.e.,pre-S2 was found in cytoplasm of hepatocytes,epithelial cells of bile ducts,and hepatocellular carcinoma cells,etc,Four different patterns diffuse,inclusion,submembranous,and membranous type were demonstrated.The membranous expression of pre-S2 was often associated with activity of liver diseases.The positive rate of pre-S2 was significantly higher in HBcAg positive group than HBcAg negative group.It seems that pre-S2 protein of HBV may be a replicative marker of HBV.