Following the core outcome set standards for development(COS-STAD), this study aims to construct core outcome set(COS) for clinical research on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment of simple obesity. Firstly, a comprehensive review was conducted on the randomized controlled trial(RCT) and systematic review(SR) about TCM treatment of simple obesity that were published in Chinese and English databases to collect reported outcomes. Additional outcomes were obtained through semi-structured interviews with patients and open-ended questionnaire surveys for clinicians. All the collected outcomes were then merged and organized as an initial outcome pool, and then a preliminary list of outcomes was formed after discussion by the working group. Subsequently, two rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted with clinicians, methodology experts, and patients to score the importance of outcomes in the list. Finally, a consensus meeting was held to establish the COS for clinical research on TCM treatment of simple obesity. A total of 221 RCTs and 12 SRs were included, and after integration of supplementary outcomes, an initial outcome pool of 141 outcomes were formed. Following discussions in the steering advisory group meeting, a preliminary list of 33 outcomes was finalized, encompassing 9 domains. Through two rounds of Delphi surveys and a consensus meeting, the final COS for clinical research on TCM treatment of simple obesity was determined to include 8 outcomes: TCM symptom scores, body mass index(BMI), waist-hip ratio, waist circumference, visceral fat index, body fat rate, quality of life, and safety, which were classified into 4 domains: TCM-related outcomes, anthropometric measurements, quality of life, and safety. This study has preliminarily established a COS for clinical research on TCM treatment of simple obesity. It helps reduce the heterogeneity in the selection and reporting of outcomes in similar clinical studies, thereby improving the comparability of research results and the feasibility of meta-analysis and providing higher-level evidence support for clinical practice.
Humans ; Obesity/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: Several epidemiological observational studies have related particulate matter (PM) exposure to Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but many confounding factors make it difficult to draw causal links from observational studies. The objective of this study was to explore the causal association between PM _2.5 exposure, its absorbance, and IBD. METHODS: We assessed the association of PM _2.5 and PM _2.5 absorbance with the two primary forms of IBD (Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]) using Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship. We conducted two-sample MR analyses with aggregated data from the UK Biobank genome-wide association study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked with PM _2.5 concentrations or their absorbance were used as instrumental variables (IVs). We used inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary analytical approach and four other standard methods as supplementary analyses for quality control. RESULTS: The results of MR demonstrated that PM _2.5 had an adverse influence on UC risk (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.010; 95% confidence interval [ CI] = 1.001-1.019, P = 0.020). Meanwhile, the results of IVW showed that PM _2.5 absorbance was also causally associated with UC ( OR = 1.012; 95% CI = 1.004-1.019, P = 0.002). We observed no causal relationship between PM _2.5, PM _2.5 absorbance, and CD. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated the absence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy, ensuring the reliability of MR results. CONCLUSION Based on two-sample MR analyses, there are potential positive causal relationships between PM _2.5, PM _2.5 absorbance, and UC.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/genetics* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Crohn Disease/genetics* ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Risk Factors ; Environmental Exposure

Hormesis effect has been observed in the secondary metabolite synthesis of microorganisms induced by rare earth elements. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. To analyze the molecular mechanism of the regulatory effect of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in the presence of lanthanum chloride, different concentrations of lanthanum chloride were added to the fermentation medium of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and the carotenoid content was subsequently measured. It was found that the concentrations of La³⁺ exerting the promotional and inhibitory effects were 0-100 mg/L and 100-400 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of 33 genes and the synthesis of 55 metabolites were observed to be up-regulated, while the expression of 85 genes and the synthesis of 123 metabolites were found to be down-regulated at the concentration range of the promotional effect. Notably, the expression of carotenoid synthesis-related genes except AL1 was up-regulated. Additionally, the content of β-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin demonstrated increases of 10.74%, 5.02%, and 3.22%, respectively. The expression of 5 genes and the synthesis of 91 metabolites were up-regulated, while the expression of 35 genes and the synthesis of 138 metabolites were down-regulated at the concentration range of the inhibitory effect. Meanwhile, the content of β-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin decreased by 21.73%, 34.81%, and 35.51%, respectively. In summary, appropriate concentrations of rare earth ions can regulate the synthesis of secondary metabolites by modulating the activities of various enzymes involved in metabolic pathways, thereby exerting the hormesis effect. The findings of this study not only contribute to our comprehension for the mechanism of rare earth elements in organisms but also offer a promising avenue for the utilization of rare earth elements in diverse fields, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.
Lanthanum/pharmacology* ; Rhodotorula/genetics* ; Carotenoids/metabolism* ; Hormesis/drug effects* ; Fermentation ; Multiomics

ObjectiveTo analyze and assess the pollution levels of lead （Pb）， cadmium （Cd）， and chromium （Cr） in rural soils of Wanzhou District， Chongqing Municipality， and to provide data support for proposing relevant measures and suggestions. MethodsBased on the soil monitoring data from 2017 to 2021， the ecological risk assessment was conducted by applying the Soil Pollution Risk Control Standard for Agricultural Land of Soil Environmental Quality （for trial implementation） （GB 15168‒2018）， the pollution index method and the potential ecological risk method. ResultsA total of 100 soil samples were collected， with pH values ranged from 3.50 to 8.30， and a mean value of 6.10. The mean values of Pb， Cd， and Cr in the soil were 25.2 mg·kg^-1， 0.310 mg·kg^-1， and 68.6 mg·kg^-1， respectively. Except for Cr， the mean values of other elements exceeded the soil background values. Cd level had the largest coefficient of variation and uneven spatial distribution， with an overall exceedance rate of 30.0%. Pollution levels of Pb and Cr were generally at the alert level， while Cd was generally at a light pollution level. The proportion of Cd pollution levels was higher than that of Pb and Cr， and the difference was statistically significant（χ²=15.015， P=0.001）. The Nemerow comprehensive pollution index in different townships ranged from 0.70 to 2.07， with a median value of 1.10， and was generally at a light pollution level. The potential ecological hazard risk of Cd was relatively high， and was generally at a mild level of hazard. The highest contribution rate in the comprehensive potential ecological hazard index was Cd， accounting for 84.1%. ConclusionThere is a certain degree of Cd pollution and mild ecological risk in rural soils of Wanzhou District. Monitoring and management of Cd pollution in rural soils of Wanzhou District， Chongqing Municipality， should be strengthened.

In order to promote the development of hair transplantation, particularly the establishment of standards, the Hair Transplantation Expert Group of Plastic and Aesthetic National Medical Quality Control Center invited experts in the field of hair transplantation across China and formed a draft of the Expert Consensus on Standard Terminology for Hair Transplantation based on the collation of relevant literature and monographs. By combining Delphi methodology and consensus meetings, the expert group conducted several rounds of consultations on issues such as follicular unit anatomy, harvesting, dissection, and implantation, ultimately presenting 54 terminologies. This consensus considers the original Chinese and English meanings as well as the professional characteristics of terms used in hair transplantation, highlights the unique features and advantages of hair transplantation, and preserves its essence while promoting innovation, with the hope of providing valuable reference for clinical researchers engaged in hair transplantation both domestically and internationally, and better facilitating the standardization and advancement of the field.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

Objective:To explore whether thiotert treatment can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS)cells.Methods:CCK-8 assay was used for determining the cytotoxicity of thiotert to MDS cell line SKM-1 and the reversal effect of GSH,NAC,and Z-VAD-FMK on thiotert-induced inhibition of cell viability.EdU assay was deployed to detect the cell proliferation ability.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)was measured by flow cytometry after DCFH-DA staining.The expression of DNA damage-and apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blot.Results:Thiotert treatment significantly suppressed the cell viability and proliferation ability in SKM-1 cells.A large amount of ROS generation and markedly elevated C-PARP,C-Caspase 3,and γ-H2AX were observed after thiotert administration,while BCL-2 was significantly decreased.In addition,GSH,NAC,and Z-VAD-FMK were able to mitigate the cytotoxicity of thiotert on SKM-1 cells.Conclusion:Thiotert can promote MDS cell apoptosis by mediating ROS production and pro-apoptotic proteins expression.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve in carpal canal. In recent years, due to popularity of electronic devices such as computers, the incidence of CTS has shown a rapid rising trend. Its treatment methods include surgical treatment and conservative treatment. For mild to and moderate CTS, conservative treatment is preferred. Acupotomy, as an innovative and unique treatment method, could relieve pressure in carpal canal by releasing transverse ligament of wrist and promote local blood circulation to treat CTS, and has characteristics of less trauma, short course of treatment and low cost, which is more acceptable to patients. In addition, the combination of needle-knife and other therapies also has a good effect. However, traditional needle-knife therapy has certain limitations in operation, and its safety problems can be effectively solved with the help of ultrasound technology. Therefore, ultrasus-guided needle-knife therapy for CTS has become a current research hotspot, but its long-term therapeutic effect still needs to be further verified.
Humans ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods*