Peyronie's disease (PD) is a disorder characterized by fibrous plaque formation in the penile tissue that leads to curvature and complications in advanced stages. In this study, we aimed to compare four injectable induction agents for the establishment of a robust rat model of PD: transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), fibrin, sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) combined with TGF-β1, and polidocanol (POL) combined with TGF-β1. The results showed that injection of TGF-β1 or fibrin into the tunica albuginea induced pathological endpoints without causing penile curvature. The STS + TGF-β1 combination resulted in both histological and morphological alterations, but with a high incidence of localized necrosis that led to animal death. The POL + TGF-β1 combination produced pathological changes and curvature comparable to STS + TGF-β1 and led to fewer complications. In conclusion, fibrin, STS + TGF-β1, and POL + TGF-β1 all induced PD with a certain degree of penile curvature and histological fibrosis in rats. The POL + TGF-β1 combination offered comparatively greater safety and clinical relevance and may have the greatest potential for PD research using model rats.
Animals ; Male ; Penile Induration/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibrin ; Penis/drug effects* ; Polidocanol/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Polyethylene Glycols/administration & dosage* ; Injections

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on advanced cancer patients by meta-analysis. METHODS: Nine databases (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and WanFang Data) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture in advanced cancer patients published from inception to February 13, 2023 and updated to June 1, 2023. Primary outcomes were quality of life (QOL), while secondary outcomes were pain, fatigue, and adverse events (side effects). Data synthesis was performed using RevMan V.5.3 to calculate pooled effect sizes. RoB-2 was used for the risk of bias, and the quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. RESULTS: Totally 17 RCTs involving 1,178 participants were included, 15 of which were pooled for meta-analysis. Most studies demonstrated some concern for the overall risk of bias. The pooled data indicated that acupuncture was associated with improved QOL [mean difference (MD)=6.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.09 to 8.26], pain (MD=-1.18, 95% CI -2.28 to -0.08), and adverse events (risk ratio=0.30, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.57) compared with control groups. Fatigue outcome was not included. Heterogeneity was substantial, and GRADE evidence was very low for both QOL and pain. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture could benefit patients with advanced cancer and is considered safe compared with usual care. However, the evidence regarding QOL and pain outcomes requires further validation. It is crucial to encourage the development of high-quality studies to strengthen this evidence. (Registry No. CRD42023423539).
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of splenic artery occlusion combined with microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism.Methods:Clinical data of 24 patients with HCC complicated with cirrhosis and secondary hypersplenism admitted to Airport Hospital of Tianjin Cancer Hospital from August 2023 to May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 13 males and 11 females, aged (57.4±7.8) years. All patients were treated with splenic artery occlusion combined with MWA of spleen. Spleen volume measured by MRI before and after MWA, blood routine changes and postoperative complications (fever, bleeding, pain, renal failure and thrombosis) were analyzed.Results:The splenic volume of 24 patients measured by MRI before MWA was 692.4 (504.7, 1023.7) cm 3, and decreased to 225.0 (186.4, 285.6) cm 3 after treatment for 60 days ( Z=-3.23, P=0.001). The red blood cell counts were comparable before and after microwave ablation. The white blood cell count before MWA was 4.3 (3.2, 5.3)×10 9/L, which increased to 11.0 (8.6, 15.8)×10 9/L three days after treatment, and to 5.0 (3.3, 6.1)×10 9/L 90 days after treatment ( Z=-4.70, -0.34, P<0.001, P=0.732). The platelet count of the patients was 47.0 (39.0, 67.0)×10 9/L before MWA, which increased to 155.0 (120.3, 214.3)×10 9/L seven days after Treatment, and to 77.0 (63.0, 125.0)×10 9/L 90 days after treatment ( Z=-5.29, -2.51, P<0.001, P=0.012). None of the patients had obvious bleeding and no death occured. One patient (4.2%) developed renal failure, one patient (4.2%) had splenic venous thrombosis, 4 patients (16.7%) had pain of different degrees, and 5 patients (20.8%) had low fever. Conclusion:Splenic artery occlusion combined with MWA in the treatment of HCC complicated with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism can significantly reduce spleen volume and increase platelet level with acceptable complications.

Objective To explore the anesthetic effects of remimazolam combined with nalbuphine on patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent painless gastroscopy in Handan Central Hospital from August 2019 to May 2021 were selected and randomly divided into the observation group(60 cases)and the control group(60 cases).Patients in the observation group anesthetized with remimazolam and nalbuphine,while patients in the control group anesthetized with propofol and alfentanil.The vital signs,sedative effect,recovery quality,cognitive function,and adverse reactions of patients were compared between the two groups.Results The heart rate(HR),respiratory rate(RR),and the level of pulse oxygen saturation(SpO2)of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Five minutes after the examination,the Narcotrend score of patients in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The time from the last administration to awakening,the time from gastroscopy removal to awakening,and the time of leaving the anesthesia recovery room of patients in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05).Five minutes after the examination,the score of the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)of patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),while the incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The application of remimazolam combined with nalbuphine anesthesia in painless gastroscopy has a relatively ideal effect,which can effectively reduce the adverse reactions of patients and promote rapid postoperative recovery.

The water-sediment interface is an important zone for the migration and transformation of chemical substances,but traditional sampling methods make in situ sampling challenging,thus it is difficult to capture information on environmental processes at the micro-scale.In this study,diffusive gradients in thin films(DGT)probe technique was used as in situ tool to detect 18 kinds of typical per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)in the water-sediment system,elucidating their vertical distribution characteristics and patterns.The results showed that different PFAS exhibited distinct variation patterns with depth in water and sediment.Short-chain PFAS exhibited greater mobility,while the migration of long-chain PFAS was restricted in sediment and pore water due to their strong hydrophobicity and adsorption capacity,resulting in relatively small concentration changes in the sediment column.The PFAS concentrations measured by DGT ranged from 11.2 μg/L to 1305 μg/L.For long-chain PFAS,the concentrations measured by DGT were higher than those obtained from direct measurement of water and pore water,while the opposite results were obtained for short-chain PFAS.The DGT results indicated that although long-chain PFAS exhibited strong adsorption to sediment particles,the adsorbed PFAS were still bioavailable.DGT probe technique,with its advantages of in situ sampling and high spatial resolution,provides deep insights into the complex environmental processes occurring at the microscale in the water-sediment systems.DGT offers important technical support and scientific evidence for assessing the adsorption-desorption behavior,bioavailability,and ecological risks of these emerging pollutants in aquatic environment.

AIM To investigate the promotional effects of esculin combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BM-MSCs)transplantation on the repair of spinal cord injury(SCI)in rats.METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the esculin group for gavage of 20 mg/kg esculin,the BM-MSCs group for tail vein injection of 1 mL of 1×106/mL BM-MSCs,and the combinaiton treatment group.The SCI rat model was established using Allen's method,followed by the 14 days consecutive corresponding drug administration starting from the 2nd day after modeling.On days 3,7 and 14 of drug administration,the rats had their hind limbs motor function evaluated by the BBB scoring;and their footprint experiment conducted on the 14th day after modeling.After 14 days of administration,the rats had their morphological changes of spinal cord tissue observed with HE staining and Nissl staining;their activities of SOD and GSH,and level of MDA in spinal cord tissue detected by kits;their expressions of MAP2,GAP43 and GFAP in spinal cord tissue detected by immunofluorescence;and their expressions of NQO-1,Nrf-2,Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in spinal cord tissue detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups interved with esculin,or BM-MSCs,or the combination treatment showed improvements in hind limb function and spinal cord tissue morphology(P＜0.05);decreased MDA levels(P＜0.05);increased SOD and GSH activities(P＜0.05);increased MAP2 and GAP43 fluorescence intensity(P＜0.05);decreased GFAP fluorescence intensity(P＜0.05);increased NQO-1,Nrf-2 and Bcl-2 protein expressions(P＜0.05);and decreased Bax protein expression(P＜0.05).And the combination treatment group was observed with an even better effects(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION The combination of esculin and BM-MSCs transplantation can effectively improve the spinal cord tissue damage and hind limb function in SCI rats.This effect may be achieved by activating the Nrf-2/NQO-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress response,thereby reducing neuronal apoptosis,blocking glial scar formation,and promoting stem cell differentiation to rebuild neurons.

Objective:To report the follow-up status of patients participating phase Ⅲ clinical trial (ZGDD3) of Donafenib tosilate (abbreviated as Donafenib) in the treatment of progressive radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC), and to explore its efficacy, safety and prognostic factors.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial, and the clinicopathological data and follow-up results of 29 patients (16 males, 13 females, age 40-68 years) who participated in the clinical trial ZGDD3 between August 2018 and March 2021 were analyzed. Patients were divided into Donafenib group and placebo group using the central dynamic randomization method with the ratio of 2∶1. Adverse reactions (AE) during the trial were observed. Independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test were used to analyze the differences of baseline characteristics between the two groups. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were followed up. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve (log-rank test) and Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic factors. Results:There were 22 patients in Donafenib group and 7 patients in placebo group. There were no significant differences of baseline characteristics between the two groups ( t values: -0.68, Z values: from -1.47 to -0.56, all P>0.05). The follow-up was 32.07(21.07, 49.85) months. During the trial, drug-related AEs occurred in all patients in Donafenib group, mostly was grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ, no grade Ⅳ or Ⅴ AEs were found. The median PFS was significantly longer in Donafenib group than that in placebo group (13.23 vs 4.03 months; χ2=9.68, P=0.002), and the median OS was 55.00 and 24.30 months respectively ( χ2=2.07, P=0.150). Metastasis to less common sites was the independent risk factor for OS (hazard ratio ( HR)=6.789, 95% CI: 1.272-36.246, P=0.025). Conclusions:Donafenib shows good clinical application in the treatment of RAIR-DTC, demonstrating good safety and efficacy. Metastasis to less common sites is closely related to OS.

This paper aims to contribute to guaranteeing the stable development and enhancing the understanding of ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica so that the national strategy and industrial demand can be better served. It first introduces current traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)policy and industrial development status from five aspects, including policy guarantee, theoretical support, technological innovation, standardization system, and brand influence. Then, the paper analyzes the development dilemma of TCM agriculture in production and quality increase and ecological environment protection. It also proposes the development goals of ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica that meet the current industrial development demand, which are reducing chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and carbon emissions, improving quality, increasing efficiency, and protecting ecological environment. In addition, the new development goals are interpreted through case studies. Finally, this paper proposes four development strategies for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica: conducting research on the pattern and spatial and temporal variations of nationwide TCM production areas; studying the internal and external ecological memories of medicinal plant growth from the perspectives of genetic variations and environmental adaptation variations and elucidating their contributions to the formation of quality; carrying out selection and breeding of stress-resistant varieties for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica, the optimization of key technologies for soil improvement and restoration and green prevention and control against diseases and pests, and the improvement of quality; carrying out research on the quality assurance and value realization of ecological products made from TCM. This research can provide guidance for policy formulation, theoretical development of the discipline, and the enhancement of industrial technology for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica.
Agriculture/methods* ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

The study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of Xinyang Tablets( XYP) in modulating the fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)/N6-methyladenosine(m6A) signaling pathway to ameliorate ventricular remodeling in heart failure(HF). A mouse model of HF was established by transverse aortic constriction(TAC). Mice were randomized into sham, model, XYP(low, medium, and high doses), and positive control( perindopril) groups(n= 10). From day 3 post-surgery, mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 6 consecutive weeks. Following the treatment, echocardiography was employed to evaluate the cardiac function, and RT-qPCR was employed to determine the relative m RNA levels of key markers, including atrial natriuretic peptide( ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide( BNP), β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC), collagen type I alpha chain(Col1α), collagen type Ⅲ alpha chain(Col3α), alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), and FTO. The cardiac tissue was stained with Masson's trichrome and wheat germ agglutinin(WGA) to reveal the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression levels of Col1α, Col3α, α-SMA, and FTO in the myocardial tissue. The m6A modification level in the myocardial tissue was measured by the m6A assay kit. An H9c2 cell model of cardiomyocyte injury was induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ), and small interfering RNA(siRNA) was employed to knock down FTO expression. RT-qPCR was conducted to assess the relative m RNA levels of FTO and other genes associated with cardiac remodeling. The m6A modification level was measured by the m6A assay kit, and Western blot was employed to determine the phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(p-PI3K)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and phosphorylated serine/threonine kinase(p-Akt)/serine/threonine kinase(Akt) ratios in cardiomyocytes. The results of animal experiments showed that the XYP treatment significantly improved the cardiac function, reduced fibrosis, up-regulated the m RNA and protein levels of FTO, and lowered the m6A modification level compared with the model group. The results of cell experiments showed that the XYP-containing serum markedly up-regulated the m RNA level of FTO while decreasing the m6A modification level and the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, FTO knockdown reversed the protective effects of XYP-containing serum on Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In conclusion, XYP may ameliorate ventricular remodeling by regulating the FTO/m6A axis, thereby inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Animals ; Ventricular Remodeling/drug effects* ; Heart Failure/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; Male ; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Adenosine/analogs & derivatives* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal