Acupuncture is an ancient treatment method used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been popularized worldwide. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the amount of acupuncture research, mostly comprised of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that aimed to answer the question on the efficacy of acupuncture. However, poor methodology and low replicability in these acupuncture RCTs have resulted in uncertainty about the efficacy of acupuncture. In this review, current advancements and challenges in acupuncture RCTs, regarding the methodological aspects of randomization, blinding, sham acupuncture and quality of reporting, were discussed. While there have been advancements in various aspects, current acupuncture RCTs still face pressing issues such as inadequate randomization and blinding, unviable sham acupuncture controls, and poor reporting quality. Given these limitations, this review seeks to identify the methodological problems that are responsible for these problems and to suggest solutions that could help to overcome them so as to improve the quality of future studies evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture. Please cite this article as: Seetoh WS, Lim RQR, Xu RB, Sun MX, Zhang P, Wang MN. Advancements and challenges of acupuncture randomized controlled trials. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 333-343.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/methods* ; Research Design

Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary embolism in patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage,and construct and verify the nomogram model.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 558 patients admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the Three Gorges Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing University.And 393 of them who hospitalized from January 2015 to January 2021 were assigned into a modeling group,and the other 165 patients from February 2021 to January 2023 into a validation group.Univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to screen out the risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism after spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage surgery.Then a nomogram model was build based on these factors and verified.Results Based on age,blood loss,Glasgow coma scale(GCS)score,surgical treatments,levels of fibrin degradation products,D-dimer and hemoglobin,plasma osmolality,and deep vein thrombosis,a risk model of pulmonary embolism was built.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed the model had good discriminability for the presence of pulmonary embolism,and the area under the curve(AUC)value was 0.908.Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-fit test indicated that the model had a good fit to the verification set(Chi-square=14.805,df=8,P=0.063),the correction curve was close to the ideal curve,and the prediction probability of the model was close to the actual occurrence probability,suggesting the model having good accuracy.Decision curve analysis revealed that the established nomogram model can get benefits under a large range of threshold probabilities.Conclusion We develop a prediction model for postoperative pulmonary embolism in patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage after surgical treatment,which shows good prediction performance in both the training and validation groups,and can be used for accurate,prompt and quick identification for the occurrence of pulmonary embolism in clinical practice.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Crossmodal transfer is the ability to apply the knowledge acquired in one sensory modality to another. Researches on crossmodal transfer investigate how the brain represents information from different sensory modalities, and provide new insights to improve cognitive processing efficiency and reduce repeated learning. To clarify the characteristics and mechanism of crossmodal transfer, this article first introduced the crossmodal transfer effect in different field of research, such as object recognition, category learning, and time perception. After that, the theoretical researches on the representation type of crossmodal transfer were reviewed, mainly including multisensory theory and multisensory mental imagery theory as well as the supportive and opposite findings. The research progresses on the neural mechanism of crossmodal transfer using ERP and fMRI techniques were introduced, mainly including metamodal theory, and multisensory reverse hierarchy theory as well as the supportive and opposite findings. The objective and subjective factors which influenced crossmodal transfer effect were sorted out, in which we suggested that the modality dominance phenomenon supports the metamodal theory, while other factors such as sensory experience, age, setting of learning tasks and stimulus features support theories such as the multisensory hypothesis. Finally, we described the potential applications of the current research findings on crossmodal transfer and pointed out future research questions in this field.

Objective To investigate the implementation of surveillance,prevention and control measures for healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in maternal and child healthcare(MCH)institutions,and provide policy evi-dence for optimizing HAI prevention and control in MCH institutions.Methods Stratified sampling was conducted among the MCH institutions at provincial,municipal and county levels in 8 provinces/autonomous regions.A uni-fied questionnaire was designed and the online survey was conducted through"Questionnaire Star".Results The data from 123 MCH institutions were included in the analysis.90.24％of the MCH institutions carried out compre-hensive surveillance on HAI.The ratios of MCH institutions which implemented targeted surveillance on HAI in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU),surgical site infection,multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)and HAI in intensive care units(non-NICU excluded)were 89.66％,85.96％,80.77％,and 74.19％,respectively.51.22％MCH institutions adopted information surveillance system on HAI cases.94.31％MCH institutions carried out surveillance on hand hygiene compliance.Over 90％MCH institutions carried out surveillance on environment hy-giene in high-risk departments.71.54％MCH institutions conducted centralized cleaning,disinfection,sterilization and supply for reusable medical instruments in the central sterile supply department(CSSD).Over 90％MCH insti-tutions established three-level pre-examination triage systems.86.18％set up transitional wards.MCH institutions generally adopted a management model with established effective communication,full appointment visits,and sepa-rate visits for special medical groups,such as registered pregnant women,high-risk newborns,healthcare groups,and long-term rehabilitation patients.However,the ratio of institutions conducting on-line follow-up visits was less than 50％.Conclusion MCH institutions have generally carried out comprehensive and targeted surveillance on HAI.Information surveillance need to be facilitated.Hand hygiene and environmental hygiene surveillance has been popularized to a certain extent at all levels of MCH institutions.The cleaning,disinfection,sterilization,and supply processes of reusable medical devices in a few MCH institutions are not standardized.Special medical populations get effective management.On-line healthcare is to be further promoted.

Zuoguiyin， which first recorded in Jingyue Quanshu written by ZHANG Jiebin in the Ming dynasty， was included in the Catalogue of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas（The Second Batch）. This study followed the Principles of Textual Research on Key Information of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas to determine the key information of Zuoguiyin in ancient and modern literature， such as the formula origin， the composition of the formula and the origin of the drugs. It was found that the composition， dosage， preparation and processing methods of Zuoguiyin were basically the same as the original formula. The original dosage of this formula is 41.03 g of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata（the fresh or dried tuberous roots of Rehmannia glutinosa， processed by wine stewing or wine steaming）， 7.46 g of Dioscoreae Rhizoma（the dried rhizomes of Dioscorea opposita）， 7.46 g of Lycii Fructus（the dried mature fruit of Lycium barbarum）， 3.73 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle（the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis， processed by honey-roasted method）， 5.595 g of Poria（the sclerotium of Poria cocos）， 5.595 g of Corni Fructus（the dried mature fruit pulp of Cornus officinalis）. The method of administration is to add 600 mL of water to all the herbs， decoct to 140 mL and take before meals. The function of Zuoguiyin is to nourish Yin and tonify the kidney， and it is often used in the treatment of lumbar soreness and ejaculation， night sweating， dry mouth and throat， thirst and desire to drink， glossy red tongue， thin and rapid pulse， etc. Since ancient times， Zuoguiyin has been used to treat a variety of internal and gynaecological diseases as well as diseases of the nervous， circulatory and reproductive systems that are predominantly caused by kidney Yin deficiency. However， there is not much research on the modern application and therapeutic mechanism of this formula， and there is no standardized preparation in the market， so the degree of development and utilization is not high， and there is still a lot of room for research.

Objective To explore the learning curve of robotic-assisted kidney transplantation(RAKT).Methods The clinical data of 96 consecutive RAKT patients performed by the same surgical team were retrospectively analyzed.The arterial anastomosis time,venous anastomosis time,ureteral anastomosis time,hospital stay,and blood loss were selected as evaluation indicators.The learning curve of RAKT was analyzed using the cumulative sum(CUSUM),and the curve was divided into the learning improvement stage and the proficient mastery stage according to the learning curve.The learning curve was verified by comparing the general data and surgical data of patients in different learning stages,and the clinical efficacy of each stage was analyzed.Results The optimal fitting equation of the learning curve reached its peak at the 33rd case,which was the minimum number of surgeries required to master RAKT.There was no statistically significant difference in age,gender,dialysis type,previous abdominal surgery history,number of donor renal arteries,and preoperative serum creatinine between the learning improvement group and the proficient mastery group(all P>0.05).Compared with the learning improvement stage,the body mass index(BMI)was higher,and the number of right donor kidney was increased compared to the left donor kidney in the proficient mastery stage(both P<0.05).There were no significant differences in arterial anastomosis time,ureteral anastomosis time,postoperative serum creatinine,and complications between the two groups(all P>0.05).The iliac vessel dissection time,warm ischemia time,venous anastomosis time,blood loss,and hospital stay in the proficient mastery stage were superior to those in the learning improvement stage,with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).Conclusions RAKT requires at least 33 cases to cross the learning curve.There is no difference in complications and recovery of transplant renal function between the learning improvement stage and the proficient mastery stage.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between inositol-requiring enzyme 1α-X box-binding protein 1 (IRE1α-XBP1) signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum and neutrophil extracellular traps during endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice.Methods:Forty-eight SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 25-30 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), STF-083010 group (ST group), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI group (ALI group) and LPS-induced ALI + STF-083010 group (ALI+ ST group). The ALI model was established by inhaling aerosolized LPS in ALI group and ALI+ ST group. The equal volume of aerosolized normal saline was inhaled in C and ST groups. IRE1α inhibitor STF-083010 50 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before developing the model in ST and ALI+ ST groups, and the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in the other two groups. The mice were sacrificed after anesthesia at 24 h after developing the model. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were collected for determination of the pathological changes (by light microscopy) which were scored, wet/dry lung weight (W/D) ratio, concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-18 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the BALF supernatant, and expression of phosphorylated IRE1α(p-IRE1α), XBP1s and citrullinated histone H3 (Cit H3) in lung tissues (using Western blot). Results:Compared to group C, the lung injury scores and W/D ratio were significantly increased at 24 h after developing the model, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-18 and MPO in BALF were increased, and the expression of p-IRE1α, XBP1s and Cit H3 in lung tissues was up-regulated in ALI and ALI+ ST groups. Compared to group L, the lung injury scores and W/D ratio were significantly decreased at 24 h after developing the model, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-18 and MPO in BALF were decreased, and the expression of p-IRE1α, XBP1s and Cit H3 in lung tissues was down-regulated in group ALT+ ST ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The IRE1α-XBP1 signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum is involved in endotoxin-induced ALI by up-regulating the expression of neutrophil extracellular traps in mice.

Critical care medicine-related treatment is an interdisciplinary and multi-professional process,often leading to secondary or concomitant mental disorders in clinical practice.Currently,there is no consensus on the pharmacological treatment of related mental illnesses in China.The Chinese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine collaborated with the Critical Care Medicine expert group to form a consensus writing expert group.After a systematic review of relevant literature,summarizing published domestic and foreign literature,and extensive discussions,the consensus was developed.The consensus elaborates on the principles and processes of the standardized use of psychotropic drugs in critical care medicine,as well as the clinical indications,precautions,and specific drug selection of various psychiatric medications,providing feasible suggestions and guidance for the clinical application of psychiatric medications in the intensive care unit.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of aucubin(AU) on injury of nucleus pulposus cells and extracellular matrix(ECM) degradation and its mechanism. The nucleus pulposus cell injury model was established by interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and treated with AU or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. CCK-8 experiment was conducted to test cell proliferation. EdU staining method was employed to detect cell injury. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to detect protein levels of cleaved-caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), type Ⅱ collagen(collagen Ⅱ), aggregation proteoglycans(aggrecan), PI3K, and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR). qPCR was used to detect the rRNA level of 5S, 18S, and 28S. Ethynyluridine was used to label nascent RNA. The results showed that IL-1β could significantly cause injury of nucleus pulposus cells and increase the apoptosis rate of nucleus pulposus cells and the expression of apoptosis protein cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax. At the same time, IL-1β down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan, the main components of ECM. On this basis, AU intervention could improve the injury of nucleus pulposus cells, reduce the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells and the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax, and increase the expression of Bcl-2, collagen Ⅱ, and aggrecan. Compared with IL-1β, AU could up-regulate the phosphorylation level of PI3K and mTOR, and LY294002 could reverse the injury of nucleus pulposus cells and improve ECM degradation induced by AU. In addition, AU also could save lowered rRNA levels of 5S, 18S, and 28S induced by IL-1β and improve RNA synthesis. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 intervention could reduce the promoting effect of AU on ribosome biogenesis. The above results suggest that AU can improve the injury of nucleus pulposus cells and ECM degradation, and its mechanism of action is related to its activation of the PI3K/mTOR pathway to promote ribosome biogenesis.
Nucleus Pulposus/cytology* ; Extracellular Matrix/drug effects* ; Animals ; Iridoid Glucosides/pharmacology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics*