1.Effect of Tuina at "Weizhong (BL 40)" on Spinal Microglial Activation-related Proteins and the IL-10/β-EP Pathway in a Rat Model of Chronic Sciatic Nerve Compression Injury
Tianwei ZHANG ; Xiangqian LYU ; Yani XING ; Liuchen ZHU ; Qingguang ZHU ; Lingjun KONG ; Yanbin CHENG ; Zhen YAN ; Wuquan SUN ; Min FANG ; Zhiwei WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):734-740
ObjectiveTo investigate the analgesic effect of Tuina at the "Weizhong (BL 40)" on neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and its potential central spinal mechanisms. MethodsThirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 rats in each group), sham-operated group, model group, Tuina group, and blockade group. The CCI model was established in the model group, Tuina group, and the blockade group by ligating the sciatic nerve with catgut, while the sham-operated group underwent only sciatic nerve exposure without ligation. From postoperative day 4 to day 14, rats in the Tuina group and the blockade group received Tuina manipulation at the "Weizhong (BL 40)" using a dynamic pressure distribution measurement system (5 N pressure, 2 Hz frequency, 10 min per session, once daily). The blockade group also received intraperitoneal injections of the microglial inhibitor minocycline (10 mg/kg) once daily. The sham-operated and the model group underwent the same handling and fixation as the Tuina group without actual Tuina. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were measured before surgery and on day 3, 7, 10, and 14 post-surgery. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate sciatic nerve injury and repair, measuring axon diameter and total myelinated fiber diameter to calculate the g-ratio. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), CD206, CD68, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and β-endorphin (β-EP) precursor pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed significantly reduced MWT and PWL on day 3, 7, 10, and 14 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Tuina group and the blockade group showed increased MWT and PWL on day 10 and 14 (P<0.05). Compared with the Tuina group, the blockade group exhibited higher MWT on day 7, 10, and 14, and higher PWL on day 10 (P<0.05). Sciatic nerve pathological morphology revealed intact and well-structured myelin in the sham-operated group, while the model group exhibited myelin collapse, distortion, and myelin ovoid formation. The Tuina group displayed partially irregular myelin with occasional myelin collapse, whereas the blockade group exhibited partial myelin irregularities and phospholipid shedding. Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a decreased g-ratio and increased levels of Iba-1 and CD68 in the spinal dorsal horn (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Tuina group and the blockade group exhibited an increased g-ratio and reduced Iba-1 and CD68 levels. Additionally, the Tuina group showed elevated levels of CD206, IL-10, and POMC, whereas the blockade group had decreased CD206 levels (P<0.05). ConclusionTuina at "Weizhong (BL 40)" alleviates neuropathic pain in CCI rats, potentially by regulating microglial activation in the spinal cord, inhibiting M1 polarization while promoting M2 polarization, and activating the IL-10/β-EP pathway to exert analgesic effects.
2.Navigating the future of fertility preservation: advanced predictive strategies for treatment outcomes of endometrial atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma
Tianwei XING ; Huiyang LI ; Ping-Li SUN ; Hongwen GAO
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(6):e123-
Due to the decreasing age of onset and the postponement of childbearing, there is a growing number of patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and endometrial atypical hyperplasia (EAH) seeking fertility-sparing treatments. Progestogen-based therapy serves as the principal conservative approach for EC. However, the variability in treatment outcomes hampers the potential for delivering more tailored therapies in clinical practice. To better guide the treatment of patients with fertility preservation needs, we conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature to explore factors related to molecular classification, biomarkers and artificial intelligence (AI) technology that may predict fertility-sparing treatment outcomes, we also looked ahead to future research directions in this field. The pathology before and after treatment is the primary basis for assessing the effectiveness of fertilitysparing treatment for EC and EAH. However, it is challenging to predict the therapeutic outcomes based on the pathological morphology of the initial diagnosis. Traditional immunohistochemical markers, such as estrogen and progesterone receptors, are also very limited in predicting therapeutic response. In recent years, the prognosis of fertilitysparing treatment has also been considered to be correlated with the molecular classification and gene mutation markers of EC. However, there are currently few direct clinical studies available, and our focus will be on reviewing these studies and assessing their applicability.In addition, there are some studies utilizing AI to predict the molecular classification, genes and therapeutic response of EC. The integration of these features will aid in the development of advanced predictive strategies for fertility-sparing treatment of EC and EAH.
3.Factors influencing prognosis of talar neck fractures of Hawkins type Ⅲ
Tianwei XING ; Yan WANG ; Ying LI ; Xiaofeng GONG ; Ning SUN
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2020;22(7):581-586
Objective:To investigate the factors influencing the prognosis of talar neck fractures of Hawkins type Ⅲ.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed of the 18 patients with complete follow-up data who had been treated from October 2013 to December 2016 at Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital for talar neck fractures of Hawkins type Ⅲ. They were 14 males and 4 females with an average age of 35.1 years (range, from 17 to 50 years). There were 3 open fractures. All the patients were treated with one-stage open reduction and internal fixation. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system was used to evaluate the functions of ankle and hindfoot during follow-up. The correlations were analyzed between the ankle-hindfoot AOFAS scores and the factors which might have influenced the prognosis, like gender, age, smoking, alcoholic drinking, body mass index, injury cause, medial malleolus osteotomy/fracture, combined fracture, open injury, interval from injury to surgery, operation time, implants (cannulated/plate or Kirschner wire) and infection.Results:The 18 patients were followed up for 21 to 41 months (average, 29.3 months). Of them, 3 had superficial infection which responded to anti-inflammatory therapy and 3 had deep infection which was improved after debridement in 2 cases and led to eventual removal of the talus in one. Tibiotalar arthritis occurred in 6 patients and subtalar arthritis in 10. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores at the last follow-up for this cohort ranged from 12 to 96 points (average, 63.4 points). Ischemic necrosis of the talus was observed in 6 cases and talar collapse in one. The ankle-hindfoot AOFAS scores were strongly correlated with open fracture ( P=0.015,) operation time ( P=0.001), Kirschner wire fixation ( P=0.006), and postoperative infection ( P=0.008). Conclusions:Since open fracture, operation time ≥3 h, Kirschner wire fixation and postoperative infection may be the significant factors that may influence the prognosis of talar neck fractures of Hawkins type Ⅲ, reasonable treatment protocols can help improve the outcomes.

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