Objective:To explore the mechanism by which moxibustion improves cold-induced blood stasis pattern(CIBSP)and to uncover the biological basis underlying the correlation between the Conception Vessel(CV),Governor Vessel(GV),Thoroughfare Vessel(TV),and the uterus by investigating the effects of mild moxibustion on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis(HPOA)in CIBSP model rats.Methods:Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a blank group,a model group,a CV group,a GV group,a TV group,and a non-meridian non-point(NMNP)group according to the random number table method,with 8 rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank group,the other rats were subjected to an ice water bath plus epinephrine to prepare CIBSP models.Each intervention group was given mild moxibustion on the first day of modeling.Qihai(CV6),Guanyuan(CV4),and Zhongji(CV3)were selected in the CV group;Huangshu(KI16),Dahe(KI12),and Henggu(KI11)were selected in the TV group;Xuanshu(GV5),Mingmen(GV4),and Yaoyangguan(GV3)were selected in the GV group;three NMNP spots were selected in the NMNP group.Mild moxibustion was administered for 20 min each time,once a day,for 14 consecutive days.The symptom scores of CIBSP and uterine electromyogram were compared among groups;morphological changes in reproductive organs were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum reproductive hormones and neurotransmitters.The mRNA and protein expression levels of estrogen receptor(ER),follicle-stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR),and luteinizing hormone receptor(LHR)were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunohistochemistry,or Western blotting assays.Results:Compared to the blank group,the model group showed a significantly increased CIBSP symptom score,an amplified in vivo uterine myoelectric value;decreased ovarian follicles,thinner endometrial epithelium,and disordered structure with the pathological examination,decreased serum levels of reproductive hormones,6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α),and β-endorphin(β-EP),increased thromboxane B2(TXB2),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and substance P(SP),and decreased mRNA and protein expression of ovarian ER,FSHR,and LHR(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared to the model and NMNP groups,each point-intervention group showed a decreased CIBSP symptom score and uterine myoelectric value;increased ovarian follicles,thickened endometrium,increased glands,up-regulated serum reproductive hormones,6-keto-PGF1α,and β-EP,down-regulated serum TXB2,5-HT,and SP and increased mRNA and protein expression of ovarian ER,FSHR,and LHR(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion at points from the CV,GV,and TV("three branches from one source")can improve the reproductive neuroendocrine function of CIBSP rats,and this effect may be mediated through the regulation of the HPOA.These detections suggest that the biological basis of point-uterus correlation may be based on HPOA regulation.

Objective:To explore the mechanism by which moxibustion improves cold-induced blood stasis pattern(CIBSP)and to uncover the biological basis underlying the correlation between the Conception Vessel(CV),Governor Vessel(GV),Thoroughfare Vessel(TV),and the uterus by investigating the effects of mild moxibustion on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis(HPOA)in CIBSP model rats.Methods:Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a blank group,a model group,a CV group,a GV group,a TV group,and a non-meridian non-point(NMNP)group according to the random number table method,with 8 rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank group,the other rats were subjected to an ice water bath plus epinephrine to prepare CIBSP models.Each intervention group was given mild moxibustion on the first day of modeling.Qihai(CV6),Guanyuan(CV4),and Zhongji(CV3)were selected in the CV group;Huangshu(KI16),Dahe(KI12),and Henggu(KI11)were selected in the TV group;Xuanshu(GV5),Mingmen(GV4),and Yaoyangguan(GV3)were selected in the GV group;three NMNP spots were selected in the NMNP group.Mild moxibustion was administered for 20 min each time,once a day,for 14 consecutive days.The symptom scores of CIBSP and uterine electromyogram were compared among groups;morphological changes in reproductive organs were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum reproductive hormones and neurotransmitters.The mRNA and protein expression levels of estrogen receptor(ER),follicle-stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR),and luteinizing hormone receptor(LHR)were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunohistochemistry,or Western blotting assays.Results:Compared to the blank group,the model group showed a significantly increased CIBSP symptom score,an amplified in vivo uterine myoelectric value;decreased ovarian follicles,thinner endometrial epithelium,and disordered structure with the pathological examination,decreased serum levels of reproductive hormones,6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α),and β-endorphin(β-EP),increased thromboxane B2(TXB2),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and substance P(SP),and decreased mRNA and protein expression of ovarian ER,FSHR,and LHR(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared to the model and NMNP groups,each point-intervention group showed a decreased CIBSP symptom score and uterine myoelectric value;increased ovarian follicles,thickened endometrium,increased glands,up-regulated serum reproductive hormones,6-keto-PGF1α,and β-EP,down-regulated serum TXB2,5-HT,and SP and increased mRNA and protein expression of ovarian ER,FSHR,and LHR(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion at points from the CV,GV,and TV("three branches from one source")can improve the reproductive neuroendocrine function of CIBSP rats,and this effect may be mediated through the regulation of the HPOA.These detections suggest that the biological basis of point-uterus correlation may be based on HPOA regulation.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of gut microbiota changes in individuals with Sarcopenic Obesity(SO)based on 16S rRNA sequencing.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chongming District, Shanghai from April to November 2021.Fecal samples were collected from 20 elderly SO patients (case group)and 40 elderly non-SO individuals(control group)for 16S rRNA sequencing in order to analyze the diversity, structural composition, and species differences of gut microbiota, and then to predict the differential metabolic functions of the gut microbiota.Results:A total of 60 subjects were included.The case group consisted of 20 individuals(15 males and 5 females)with an average age of 73.15 ± 4.09 years; the control group included 40 individuals(20 males and 20 females)with an average age of 71.20 ± 4.12 years.The α-diversity analysis revealed that the richness indices ACE and Chao 1 of the case group were significantly lower than those of the control group( P<0.05), while the diversity indices Shannon and Simpson showed a trend of being lower in the case group, but the differences were not statistically significant( P>0.05). Principal coordinate analysis based on the Unweighted-unifrac distance metric demonstrated a statistically significant difference in β-diversity between the two groups( P=0.003). The structure and composition of the gut microbiota in the case group were altered, with a significant reduction in the relative abundance of the Blautia genus in the case group( P<0.05). LEfSe analysis identified 5 and 16 enriched microbial species in the case and control groups, respectively (Linear Discriminant Analysis score >2, P<0.05). Additionally, PICRUSt2 functional prediction revealed significant differences( P<0.05)in metabolic pathways between the two groups, including quorum sensing, fat digestion and absorption, and folate biosynthesis. Conclusions:The gut microbiota in elderly SO patients is disordered, mainly manifested as a decrease in diversity and characteristic changes in structural composition, as well as a reduction in the abundance of the beneficial bacterium Blautia.The Progression of SO is closely associated with gut microbiota metabolic disturbances, and targeting the gut microbiota is expected to become a novel therapeutic approach for SO.

Objective: To understand the current status of tuberculosis prevention and control knowledge and perceived stress among college and middle school students with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Yantai City, and to analyze the related factors, so as to provide a basis for the school to carry out health education and psychological counseling. Methods: A matched case control study was conducted, with 100 PTB student patients in junior high school and above who were diagnosed at designated medical institutions from October 2020 to October 2024. Four healthy control students of the same gender, same dormitory, or same class were selected for each case. Therefore, 100 cases and 400 controls were investigated by questionnaire. The following information was collected: personal basic information; tuberculosis prevention and control awareness; and scores of the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS). Conditional Logistic regression model and mixed linear models were used to compare the PTB prevention and control awareness rate, as well as the perceived stress between the case and control groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the factors that may affect the perceived stress of students with PTB. Results: The awareness rates of four tuberculosis knowledge items (symptoms of PTB, main causes of onset after infection, consequences of PTB patients not receiving standardized and complete treatment, the most important method to prevent PTB) were higher in the case group (40.00%, 72.00% , 38.00%, 49.00%) than the control group (21.50%, 57.50%, 22.25%, 31.25%) and the differences were statistically significant ( Wald χ 2=18.44, 8.78, 13.20, 16.89, all P <0.01). The tension score (10.49±4.20), loss of control score ( 11.21± 4.58), and total score (21.70±6.88) in the case group were higher than the control group (9.35±4.73, 9.75±5.60, 19.09±8.36) and the differences were statistically significant ( t =2.21, 2.42, 2.88, all P <0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that age ≥ 18 years and family history of tuberculosis were the related factors affecting the overall perceived stress and tension of college and middle school students with PTB ( B total scores =4.50, 5.91; B tension score =2.39, 3.23, all P <0.05). Conclusions The tuberculosis prevention and control awareness rate, and the perceived stress of college and middle school students with PTB in Yantai are both higher than students without tuberculosis. Moreover, the perceived stress of students with PTB who are aged ≥18 years or have a family history of tuberculosis is even higher.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between remnant cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (RC/HDL-C) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in health check-up population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 5 299 subjects who received physical examination in the Health Management Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January to December in 2023 and met the admission criteria were selected as the research subjects. The subjects were examined by demography, anthropometry, laboratory tests and liver instantaneous elastography. The Chi-square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare the indexes between the subjects with and without MAFLD. The subjects were divided into 4 groups (Q1-Q4 groups) according to the RC/HDL-C ratio quartiles by quartile method, and the indexes in each group were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn using MedCalc software and compared to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the RC/HDL-C ratio for MAFLD. Results:With the increase of RC/HDL-C ratio, the detection rate of MAFLD (12.56% vs 43.48%), male proportion (55.68% vs 85.60%), total cholesterol (TC) [(4.63±0.82) vs (5.10±1.06) mmol/L], triglyceride (TG) [0.90(0.71, 1.15) vs 2.58(1.96, 3.50) mmol/L], alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [17.00(13.00, 24.00) vs 26.00(19.00, 38.00) U/L], aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [20.00(17.00, 24.00) vs 23.00(19.00, 29.00) U/L], and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) [(239.32±40.52) vs (274.60±44.98) dB/m] increased gradually, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [1.40(1.20, 1.64) vs 0.93(0.84, 1.04) μmol/L] decreased gradually (all P<0.05). ROC curves showed that the AUC value of RC/HDL-C ratio was significantly higher in identifying MAFLD when compared with TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, non-HDL-C and RC (AUC=0.676, P<0.05). Conclusions:The RC/HDL-C ratio is positively correlated with the risk of morbidity of MAFLD in health check-up population.

Objective To explore the value of high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)in predicting the risk of amputation in patients with diabetic foot(DF).Methods A total of 110 DF patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College from August 2020 to June 2024 were selected as the study subjects,including 23 patients in amputation group and 87 patients in non-amputation group according to whether amputation.The related data of two groups were compared.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of amputation in DF patients,and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was used to analyze and compare the predictive value of HDL-C combined with other possible risk factors for amputation outcome.Results A total of 110 patients were included in this study,and binary Logistic regression analysis showed that HDL-C,length of stay,uric acid,and lower extremity arterial disease were the influential factors for amputation in diabetic foot patients(P＜0.05).HDL-C combined with lower extremity arterial disease can improve the ability to predict the outcome of amputation.Conclusion HDL-C level is an influential factor in the amputation of DF patients,and has a certain predictive value for the amputation of DF patients.

Objective To explore the value of high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)in predicting the risk of amputation in patients with diabetic foot(DF).Methods A total of 110 DF patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College from August 2020 to June 2024 were selected as the study subjects,including 23 patients in amputation group and 87 patients in non-amputation group according to whether amputation.The related data of two groups were compared.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of amputation in DF patients,and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was used to analyze and compare the predictive value of HDL-C combined with other possible risk factors for amputation outcome.Results A total of 110 patients were included in this study,and binary Logistic regression analysis showed that HDL-C,length of stay,uric acid,and lower extremity arterial disease were the influential factors for amputation in diabetic foot patients(P＜0.05).HDL-C combined with lower extremity arterial disease can improve the ability to predict the outcome of amputation.Conclusion HDL-C level is an influential factor in the amputation of DF patients,and has a certain predictive value for the amputation of DF patients.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of gut microbiota changes in individuals with Sarcopenic Obesity(SO)based on 16S rRNA sequencing.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chongming District, Shanghai from April to November 2021.Fecal samples were collected from 20 elderly SO patients (case group)and 40 elderly non-SO individuals(control group)for 16S rRNA sequencing in order to analyze the diversity, structural composition, and species differences of gut microbiota, and then to predict the differential metabolic functions of the gut microbiota.Results:A total of 60 subjects were included.The case group consisted of 20 individuals(15 males and 5 females)with an average age of 73.15 ± 4.09 years; the control group included 40 individuals(20 males and 20 females)with an average age of 71.20 ± 4.12 years.The α-diversity analysis revealed that the richness indices ACE and Chao 1 of the case group were significantly lower than those of the control group( P<0.05), while the diversity indices Shannon and Simpson showed a trend of being lower in the case group, but the differences were not statistically significant( P>0.05). Principal coordinate analysis based on the Unweighted-unifrac distance metric demonstrated a statistically significant difference in β-diversity between the two groups( P=0.003). The structure and composition of the gut microbiota in the case group were altered, with a significant reduction in the relative abundance of the Blautia genus in the case group( P<0.05). LEfSe analysis identified 5 and 16 enriched microbial species in the case and control groups, respectively (Linear Discriminant Analysis score >2, P<0.05). Additionally, PICRUSt2 functional prediction revealed significant differences( P<0.05)in metabolic pathways between the two groups, including quorum sensing, fat digestion and absorption, and folate biosynthesis. Conclusions:The gut microbiota in elderly SO patients is disordered, mainly manifested as a decrease in diversity and characteristic changes in structural composition, as well as a reduction in the abundance of the beneficial bacterium Blautia.The Progression of SO is closely associated with gut microbiota metabolic disturbances, and targeting the gut microbiota is expected to become a novel therapeutic approach for SO.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between remnant cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (RC/HDL-C) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in health check-up population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 5 299 subjects who received physical examination in the Health Management Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January to December in 2023 and met the admission criteria were selected as the research subjects. The subjects were examined by demography, anthropometry, laboratory tests and liver instantaneous elastography. The Chi-square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare the indexes between the subjects with and without MAFLD. The subjects were divided into 4 groups (Q1-Q4 groups) according to the RC/HDL-C ratio quartiles by quartile method, and the indexes in each group were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn using MedCalc software and compared to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the RC/HDL-C ratio for MAFLD. Results:With the increase of RC/HDL-C ratio, the detection rate of MAFLD (12.56% vs 43.48%), male proportion (55.68% vs 85.60%), total cholesterol (TC) [(4.63±0.82) vs (5.10±1.06) mmol/L], triglyceride (TG) [0.90(0.71, 1.15) vs 2.58(1.96, 3.50) mmol/L], alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [17.00(13.00, 24.00) vs 26.00(19.00, 38.00) U/L], aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [20.00(17.00, 24.00) vs 23.00(19.00, 29.00) U/L], and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) [(239.32±40.52) vs (274.60±44.98) dB/m] increased gradually, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [1.40(1.20, 1.64) vs 0.93(0.84, 1.04) μmol/L] decreased gradually (all P<0.05). ROC curves showed that the AUC value of RC/HDL-C ratio was significantly higher in identifying MAFLD when compared with TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, non-HDL-C and RC (AUC=0.676, P<0.05). Conclusions:The RC/HDL-C ratio is positively correlated with the risk of morbidity of MAFLD in health check-up population.

Objective To investigate the effect of dynamic monitoring of occlusal force on the final therapeutic effect and the change of periodontal supporting tissue during combined periodontal orthodontic treatment.Methods The periodontal clinical index of 20 patients with traditional periodontal orthodontic treatment and 20 patients with combined periodontal orthodontic treatment assisted by T-Scan Ⅲ and Anycheck digital occlusion analysis system were compared before,during and after treatment,as well as the changes of bite force,bite time and tooth mobility in the experimental group.Results The depth of periodontal pocket(PD),loss of attachment(AL),bleeding index(BI)and tooth looseness were significantly reduced after combined periodontal orthodontic treatment in both groups.In the control group,the percentage of anterior and posterior biting force changed obviously,and the occlusion force balance was improved.Conclusion The combined treatment of periodontitis and orthodontics can improve the periodontal tissue of patients with periodontitis,and T-Scan system can observe and guide the adjustment of occlusal and better achieve occlusion force balance.