ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory， Qijia Rougan prescription， combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted， and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis （CHB-HF） who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group （Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir） and a control group （entecavir）. The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， fibrosis-4 index （FIB-4）， portal vein diameter， hepatitis B serology， biochemical indicators， hepatic fibrosis markers in serum ［hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen Ⅲ peptide （PⅢP）， and type Ⅳ collagen （Ⅳ-C）］， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis， with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment， the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 （P<0.01）， as well as notable improvements in LN， Ⅳ-C， and various TCM syndrome scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM， FIB-4， and various TCM syndrome score indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）， indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment， the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 （P<0.05）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 （P<0.05）. No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone， the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3， which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.

This study aims to investigate the polarized microscopic mineral phase characteristics, inorganic element content, and potential health risks associated with the intake of raw and calcined fossil mineral Chinese medicinal material Draconis Os. Microscopy was employed to observe the mineralogical characteristics of Draconis Os and compare the microscopic features and phase composition of raw and calcined Draconis Os under monochromatic and orthogonal polarized light. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was employed to determine the content of 30 inorganic elements. Health risk assessment was conducted by calculating the single pollution index(P_i), average daily intake of elements for adults(ADI), target hazard quotient(THQ), non-carcinogenic assessment method-hazard quotient(HQ), and the carcinogenic risk of elements(CR). The results indicated that under monochromatic polarized light, the Draconis Os powder sections exhibited light gray-brown to gray-brown irregular fragments, some with undulating textures that were slightly curved. Under crossed polarized light, they appeared dark gray, grayish-white, and yellowish-white. Clear apatite was visible in the ground sections of Draconis Os under crossed polarized light. P_i results indicated that Draconis Os samples were free from contamination and were of good quality. According to the maximum allowable limits of heavy metals stipulated in ISO Traditional Chinese Medicine: Determination of heavy metals in herbal medicines used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ADI, THQ, HQ, and CR were taken as assessment indicators. Only the THQ value for As(arsenic) in raw Draconis Os was greater than 1, while the THQ values for other heavy metal elements in the Draconis Os samples were all less than 1. The study demonstrates that the primary mineral phase of raw and calcined Draconis Os is apatite, with some samples co-existing with calcite, which can serve as one of the means for quality control of Draconis Os. The elemental analysis results from ICP-MS provide scientific evidence for the safety assessment of Draconis Os, indicating that Draconis Os is safe in clinical application.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Risk Assessment ; Minerals/chemistry* ; Fossils ; Humans ; Drug Contamination ; Mass Spectrometry

The evolution of acupuncture anesthesia (AA) has spanned six decades. Cardiothoracic surgery serves as a representative case study to illustrate this evolution. Reflecting on its historical development, the use of AA in cardiothoracic surgery has advanced from basic AA procedures in the 1960s to combined acupuncture and drug anesthesia techniques in the early 1980s. Since 2005, the innovative use of non-intubation AA combined anesthesia has been implemented extensively in cardiothoracic surgery. As the medical industry continues to evolve, the techniques applied in AA have expanded to encompass the entire perioperative period in cardiothoracic surgery, leading to the introduction of the concept of modern AA. The use of AA in cardiothoracic surgery exemplifies the ongoing advances and integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Moving forward, it is imperative to enhance the theoretical framework of AA through the execution of rigorous multicenter clinical trials, to further strengthen the body of evidence supporting evidence-based medicine, and to finally explore the underlying mechanisms of AA. Please cite this article as: Wu XD, Wei XQ, Chen TY, Zhou WX, Wang K, Zhou J. From pioneering to innovation: A comprehensive review of acupuncture anesthesia in cardiothoracic surgeries. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):623-629.
Humans ; Acupuncture Analgesia/methods* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Anesthesia/methods* ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures

Objective To explore the differences in stress distribution and stability of the planta pedis in the patients with unilateral and bilateral plantar fasciitis(PF)through plantar stress and center of pressure(COP)analysis.Methods A total of 100 patients with PF visiting in this hospital were enrolled,among them 50 cases were unilateral heel pain(unilateral heel pain group)and 50 cases were bilateral heel pain(bilateral heel pain).Meanwhile,50 healthy subjects were included(healthy group).In the health group and bilateral heel pain groups,the average stress value of both planta pedis surfaces of each subject was taken and named as the J0 group and H2 group,respectively.In the unilateral heel pain group,the plantar stress in 50 healthy feet and 50 affected feet were named as the J1 group and H1 group,respectively.The plantar pedis was divided into 10 regions for analysis and comparison[the first foot toe(T1),T2-5,the first-fifth metatarsal bones(M1-M5),the mid foot(MF),heel medial side(MH),heel lateral side(LH)].The subjects in 3 groups conducted the static and dynamic tests respectively,and the differences in plantar stress distribution and COP parameters among the J1,H1,H2 and J0 groups were compared respectively.Results In the static tests,the maximum pressure of the LH regions in the group J1 was increased when compared with the group J0,the contact area of LH regions in the group H1 was reduced when compared with the group J0,the maximum pressure of the M2 and M3 regions in the H1 group was increased when compared with the group J0,the contact areas of the MH and LH regions in the H2 group were decreased when compared with the group J0,the maximum pressure of the M1 region was increased when compared with the group J0,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).In the dynamic tests,the maximum pressure of the T2-5 regions in the J1 group was increased when compared with the J0 group,the maximum pressure of the M3 region in the group H1 was increased when compared with the group J0,the maximum pressure of the M3 and M4 region in the group H2 was in-creased when compared with the group J0,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The COP 95%confidence ellipse area in the health group was the smallest,followed by the bilateral heel pain group,and finally the unilateral heel pain group,and the differences among 3 groups were statistically signifi-cant(P<0.05),there was also statistically significant difference between pairwise comparisons in 3 groups(P<0.05).Conclusion In the static condition,the pressure of the healthy heel and affected forefoot in the patients with PF is increased;while in the dynamic condition,the pressure of the toes of the healthy foot and forefoot of the affected foot in the patients with PF is also increased.The distribution of plantar stress in the patients with PF has larger difference compared with the healthy population,and the stability is poor.Meas-ures can be taken to improve the abnormal force on the foot,reduce pain and reduce the risk of falling.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by impaired motility of cilia and flagella. Mutations in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) are associated with human PCD and male infertility; however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In a consanguineous Chinese family, we identified a homozygous CFAP300 loss-of-function variant (c.304delC) in a proband presenting with classical PCD symptoms and severe sperm abnormalities, including dynein arm deficiency and acrosomal malformation, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histological analysis revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in CFAP300 -mutant individual, whereas immunofluorescence demonstrated markedly reduced CFAP300 expression in the spermatozoa of the proband. Furthermore, tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics showed that the CFAP300 mutation reduced key spermatogenesis proteins (e.g., sperm flagellar 2 [SPEF2], solute carrier family 25 member 31 [SLC25A31], and A-kinase anchoring protein 3 [AKAP3]) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis factors (e.g., SLC25A31, cation channel sperm-associated 3 [CATSPER3]). It also triggered abnormal increases in autophagy-related proteins and signaling mediator phosphorylation. These molecular alterations are likely to contribute to progressive deterioration of sperm ultrastructure and function. Notably, successful pregnancy was achieved via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using the proband's sperm. Overall, this study expands the known CFAP300 mutational spectrum and offers novel mechanistic insights into its role in spermatogenesis.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/pathology* ; Acrosome/pathology* ; Sperm Tail/pathology* ; Pedigree ; Spermatozoa ; Adult ; Loss of Function Mutation ; Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To screen the genetic risk factors related to severe hematology adverse effects (AEs) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with imatinib (IM), and explore the correlation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IM drug metabolism and transport pathway gene polymorphism with the risk of severe hematology AEs. METHODS: 172 newly diagnosed Chinese Han patients in CML chronic phase (CML-CP) treated with IM were included and divided into severe hematology AEs group and non-severe hematology AEs group. The demographic characteristics and laboratory test results were compared between the two groups. 11 gene SNP sites in the included subjects were genotyped using SNaPshot multiplex SNPs technique. RESULTS: Compared with non-severe hematology AEs group, the severe hematology AEs group had higher white blood cell (WBC) and EOS% (both P < 0.05), but lower hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HCT) (both P < 0.01). For rs1045642 of ABCB1 gene, there were significant differences in the distribution of allele frequency and genotype frequency of this loci between severe hematology AEs group and non-severe hematology AEs group (both P < 0.05). Carriers of rs1045642 mutation allele A had an increased risk of severe hematology AEs (OR =2.09, 95% CI : 1.24-3.55, P =0.005). There was a significant difference in the distribution of NR1I2 gene rs3814055 genotype between severe hematology AEs group and non-severe hematology AEs group (P < 0.05). The additive model and recessive model of ABCB1 gene rs1045642 and the recessive model of NR1I2 gene rs3814055 were associated with the increased risk of severe hematology AEs (OR =2.14, 3.28, 5.54, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Peripheral blood WBC, EOS%, Hb and HCT in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP are all related to the risk of severe hematology AEs. ABCB1 gene rs1045642 and NR1I2 gene rs3814055 related to the metabolism and transport pathway of IM are associated with severe hematology AEs after IM treatment in CML-CP patients, and they may be potential molecular markers to predict the risk of severe hematology AEs of CML patients treated by IM.
Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genotype ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B ; Gene Frequency ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between peripheral blood T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (TIM-3) and iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing red blood cell transfusion. METHODS: 120 MDS patients who received treatment at Wuhan Third Hospital from June 2020 to May 2022 were included and analyzed as research subjects, all of whom met the indications for red blood cell transfusion. Blood routine and biochemical indicators were tested before transfusion, and general clinical data of the patients were statistically analyzed. The iron metabolism status of the patients were evaluated. The clinical characteristics of patients with iron overload and the factors affecting iron overload were analyzed. And a correlation analysis was conducted between TIM-3 and other factors affecting iron overload. RESULTS: Among the 120 MDS patients included in this study, 82 cases (68.33%) were detected to have iron overload after red blood cell transfusion. The occurrence time of iron overload was 20-42 weeks, with an average time of 32.35±5.26 weeks, calculated from the first transfusion of red blood cells. The proportion of patients with high-risk and extremely high-risk according to the revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) and WHO classification-based Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS), the volume of blood transfusions, the proportion of transfusion-dependent patients, and the levels of serum hepcidin (Hepc), erythropoietin (EPO), and TIM-3 in patients with iron overload were higher than those in patients with normal iron metabolism, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that high-risk and extremely high-risk according to WPSS, blood transfusion volume, transfusion dependence, and upregulation of serum Hepc, EPO, and TIM-3 expression were factors affecting iron overload in MDS patients undergoing red blood cell transfusion (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum TIM-3 level in MDS patients were positively correlated with the other factors affecting iron overload (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Serum TIM-3 is associated with iron overload in MDS patients undergoing red blood cell transfusion, and upregulation of serum TIM-3 expression increases the risk of iron overload after red blood cell transfusion.
Humans ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/blood* ; Iron Overload/blood* ; Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/blood* ; Erythrocyte Transfusion ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Iron

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed. CONCLUSION FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/virology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals ; Tourette Syndrome/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice