By reviewing the physical biological research on the activation of acupoint effects by acupuncture， this paper explains the activation mechanism from the perspective of the generation and transmission of mechanical signals caused by acupuncture， and reveals the physical-chemical coupling processes in the acupoint microenvironment. Future research should focus on locally mechanosensitive cells， further exploring how acupuncture mechanical signals trigger dynamic changes in cells and molecules in the acupoints， and the physical-chemical information transduction mechanism， which will provide scientific evidence for the acupoint activation during acupuncture. Related studies will contribute to a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind acupuncture and promote its clinical application and development.

Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a chronic， non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease. Its pathogenesis is complex， involving interactions among genetic， immune， and environmental factors， and remains incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial damage can trigger the abnormal release of mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns （mtDAMPs）， activating inflammatory pathways and thereby exacerbating the inflammatory response in UC. Mitophagy， a core mitochondrial quality control mechanism， can clear damaged mitochondria and effectively reduce the abnormal release of mtDAMPs and the accumulation of harmful substances， thereby mitigating inflammatory damage resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier function and in the prevention and intervention of UC. Notably， the function of the spleen governing transportation and transformation in traditional Chinese medicine shares similarities with the role of mitochondria in energy transformation and substance metabolism. Furthermore， the pathological state of the spleen failing in transportation and transformation may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction， while the pathogenic characteristics of "endogenous turbid pathogen" align with the inflammatory cascade responses triggered by abnormal release of mtDAMPs. Based on this theoretical correlation， this paper aims to explore the correlation between the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "spleen dysfunction in essence distribution leading to endogenous turbid pathogens" and mitophagy. Using the correlation as an entry point， the potential role of mitophagy in the pathogenesis of UC was elucidated. Additionally， by considering the epidemiological characteristics of UC in the Southwest region of China， a new thinking for the treatment of UC from the perspective of turbid pathogens was proposed based on the "fortifying the spleen and resolving turbidity" method to provide theoretical support and research enlightenment for further exploring the prevention and treatment of UC with traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the efficacy and related actions of Guizhi Fulingwan in intervening in the mice with colitis-associated colon cancer （CAC） based on the immunosuppressive microenvironment associated with myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs）. MethodsSixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to a blank group， a model group， an aspirin group （0.04 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Guizhi Fulingwan groups （4.87， 9.75， and 19.50 g·kg^-1）， with ten mice per group. The CAC mouse model was established via combined induction of azoxymethane （AOM）/dextran sulphate sodium （DSS）. Drug intervention commenced in week five， with continuous intragastric administration for nine weeks. The food intake， body weight， fecal characteristics， and haematochezia were observed and recorded， and disease activity index （DAI） scores were calculated according to scoring criteria. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the colon tissues of the mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine proliferating cell nuclear antigen-67 （Ki67） expression in the colon tissues， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the contents of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the serum of the mice. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the proportion levels of MDSCs， CD4⁺ T cells， and CD8⁺ T cells in the spleen tissues of the mice. The mRNA expressions of MDSC-associated effector molecules， including arginase 1 （Arg1） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. After that， an in vitro co-culture model of MDSCs and CD8⁺ T cells was established， and drug-containing serum of Guizhi Fulingwan was used for intervention. The Flow cytometry was employed to assess the effects of drug-containing serum of Guizhi Fulingwan with different concentrations on the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and iNOS in MDSCs and the proliferation of CD8⁺ T cells. The levels of granzyme B （GZMB） and interferon-γ （IFN-γ） in cell supernatant were detected by ELISA. ResultsCompared with those in the control group， the mice in the model group exhibited significantly reduced body weight， elevated DAI scores， shortened colon length （P<0.01）， increased number of tumors and Ki67 expression （P<0.01）， and significantly elevated contents of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the serum （P<0.01）. Significant increases in the number of MDSCs were observed in mouse spleens， alongside marked reductions in the levels of CD4⁺ T and CD8⁺ T cells （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expressions of MDSC function-associated effector molecules Arg1 and iNOS were significantly upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the mice in the middle-dose Guizhi Fulingwan group exhibited increased body weight and significantly decreased DAI scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mice in the middle- and high-dose Guizhi Fulingwan groups exhibited significantly improved colon shortening， significantly decreased number of tumors and Ki67 expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly decreased contents of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， administration of Guizhi Fulingwan markedly reduced MDSC infiltration in the spleen of the mice， with different degrees of increase in the levels of both CD4⁺ T and CD8⁺ T cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alongside significant decreases in the mRNA expressions of Arg1 and iNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In vitro cell co-culture shows that administration of drug-containing serum of Guizhi Fulingwan significantly decreases the activity levels of ROS and iNOS in MDSCs and promotes the proliferation of CD8⁺ T cells and the secretion of GZMB and IFN-γ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGuizhi Fulingwan can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and inhibit tumor proliferation in the colon tissues of CAC mice. Its potential mechanism may involve reducing MDSC infiltration， enhancing effector T cells， particularly CD8⁺ T cell response， and improving the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Objective:To observe the effects of Qifu Lizhong Enema Prescription on ulcerative colitis rats with yang deficiency of spleen and kidney syndrome; To discuss its mechanism.Methods:Totally 70 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, mesalazine group, Qifu Lizhong Guanchang Prescription high-, medium- and low-dosage groups; blank group ( n=10), other groups ( n=12). Except for the blank group, the other groups used bitter cold purgative therapy (Dahuang Decoction) by gavage, and combined with trinitrobenzen sulfonic acid (TNBS) +55% ethanol compound method to induce UC rat model. After successful modeling, the blank group and model group were given 1 ml normal saline enema daily, Qifu Lizhong Enema Prescription groups were given Qifu Lizhong Enema Prescription 3.00, 1.50, 0.75 g/kg enema daily, and the mesalazine group was given mesalazine 0.03 g/kg enema daily, once a day for consecutive 14 days. After 14 days, Disease Activity Index (DAI) score was performed, and hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the pathological tissues of the colon. The expressions of Occludin and adhesion molecules A (JAM-A) protein in colon tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results:HE results showed that the mucosal structure was damaged, inflammatory cells were infiltrated, edema and ulcer foci were observed in model group. The mucosal structure of mesalazine group and Qifu Lizhong Enema Prescription groups were intact, and inflammatory infiltration, edema and ulcer of neoepithelial were improved. Compared with model group, the DAI scores of Qifu Lizhong Enema Prescription groups decreased ( P<0.01), the expressions of Occludin and JAM-A in Qifu Lizhong Guanchang Prescription high- and medium-dosage groups significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Qifu Lizhong Enema Prescription can significantly relieve the symptoms and pathological morphology of UC rats, and the mechanism of repairing intestinal mucosal barrier may be related to up-regulating the expressions of Occludin and JAM-A proteins.

Objective:To understand the current genotype distribution, epidemiological characteristics, and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with hepatitis C in Nanjing city.Methods:An epidemiological survey method was used to analyze the data of 113 pregnant women with hepatitis C who were successfully genotyped and admitted to Nanjing Second Hospital from January 2018 to December 2023. The comparison of the quantitative data was analyzed by a t-test or rank-sum test between the two groups. The comparison of the enumeration data was analyzed using the χ2 test, adjusted χ2 test, or Fisher's exact probability method between the two groups. Results:A total of six kinds of genotypes (1b, 2a, 3a, 3b, 6a, 6n) were identified in 113 cases. The primary genotype was 1b (accounted for 76.1%), followed by 6, 3, and 2 rare genotypes, while 1 mixed type (type 2 mixed with type 6) and genotypes 4 and 5 were non-identified. The proportion of genotype 1b increased with the extension of the birth cohort, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=24.35, P＜0.001). There was a difference in genotyping proportions with educational and employment background ( χ2=14.74, P＜0.001; χ2=19.50, P＜0.001). The proportion of non-1b types increased in populations with low educational backgrounds and unemployment. The proportion of type 1b was higher in those with a history of blood transfusion and hospitalization during infancy ( χ2=5.57, P=0.018; χ2=5.17, P=0.023). The proportion of non-1b type was higher in those with a history of drug abuse ( χ2=22.32, P＜0.001). Normal pregnancy outcomes had no statistically significant difference between genotype 1b and non-1b groups. However, all pregnant women who experienced adverse infant outcomes had genotype 1b. Conclusion:Pregnant women with hepatitis C in Nanjing city are mainly genotype 1b, with genotype 3b<5%, and there is no significant difference in maternal and infant outcomes among different genotype subtypes. Therefore, no testing of genotype for women of childbearing age. However, the focus should be on the management of pregnancy, health education, and postpartum preparation for direct acting antiviral treatment.

Objective:To understand the current genotype distribution, epidemiological characteristics, and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with hepatitis C in Nanjing city.Methods:An epidemiological survey method was used to analyze the data of 113 pregnant women with hepatitis C who were successfully genotyped and admitted to Nanjing Second Hospital from January 2018 to December 2023. The comparison of the quantitative data was analyzed by a t-test or rank-sum test between the two groups. The comparison of the enumeration data was analyzed using the χ2 test, adjusted χ2 test, or Fisher's exact probability method between the two groups. Results:A total of six kinds of genotypes (1b, 2a, 3a, 3b, 6a, 6n) were identified in 113 cases. The primary genotype was 1b (accounted for 76.1%), followed by 6, 3, and 2 rare genotypes, while 1 mixed type (type 2 mixed with type 6) and genotypes 4 and 5 were non-identified. The proportion of genotype 1b increased with the extension of the birth cohort, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=24.35, P＜0.001). There was a difference in genotyping proportions with educational and employment background ( χ2=14.74, P＜0.001; χ2=19.50, P＜0.001). The proportion of non-1b types increased in populations with low educational backgrounds and unemployment. The proportion of type 1b was higher in those with a history of blood transfusion and hospitalization during infancy ( χ2=5.57, P=0.018; χ2=5.17, P=0.023). The proportion of non-1b type was higher in those with a history of drug abuse ( χ2=22.32, P＜0.001). Normal pregnancy outcomes had no statistically significant difference between genotype 1b and non-1b groups. However, all pregnant women who experienced adverse infant outcomes had genotype 1b. Conclusion:Pregnant women with hepatitis C in Nanjing city are mainly genotype 1b, with genotype 3b<5%, and there is no significant difference in maternal and infant outcomes among different genotype subtypes. Therefore, no testing of genotype for women of childbearing age. However, the focus should be on the management of pregnancy, health education, and postpartum preparation for direct acting antiviral treatment.

Objective:To investigate the contamination of ball lettuce sold by norovirus and rotavirus in Beijing.Methods:From November 2015 to October 2016, 54 samples were collected at a market stall in Beijing. The potentially existing viruses were eluted and concentrated from the ball lettuce leaves using centrifugation and direct methods corresponding to three kinds of eluants. Norovirus and rotavirus were detected by real time RT-PCR. The partial VP1 gene of norovirus was amplified by semi-nested RT-PCR. The PCR product was sequenced directly, the sequence alignment was performed using the BioEdit 7.0.9.0 software, the phylogenetic tree was constructed with the MEGA 6.06 software.Results:Among 54 pieces of ball lettuce, rotavirus was detected negative, and the detection rate of norovirus was 11.11% (6/54). Of these NoV-positive specimens, 3 (50.0%) were NoV GII, 1 (16.7%) was NoV GI, and 2 (33.33%) were a mix of NoV GI and GII, The detection rates in spring, summer, autumn and winter were 8.3% (1/12), 0.0% (0/8), 28.6% (4/14) and 5.0% (1/20), respectively. One strain was sequenced successfully and identified as GII.3 genotype. The strain shares 100.0% nucleotide identity with strain KY348698 isolated from human in Guangdong in 2014.Conclusions:Human norovirus contamination existed in some ball lettuce sold in Beijing, eating raw unwashed ball lettuce may indicate a risk of viral acute gastroenteritis.

PURPOSE: Numerous previous studies have reported inconsistent results about the differences between synchronous contralateral breast cancer (sCBC) and metachronous contralateral breast cancer (mCBC). This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes between sCBC and mCBC and determine predictive factors for the survival of sCBC and mCBC patients. METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database, we identified sCBC or mCBC patients from 2000 to 2010. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to analyze overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) rates of sCBCs and mCBCs, respectively. RESULTS: Overall, 14,057 sCBC (n = 8,139, 57.9%) and mCBC (n = 5,918, 42.1%) patients were included. The first tumors of sCBC were more likely to have higher stage and more lymph and distant metastases, whereas those of mCBC were more often infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC), had localized stage, were estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) negative, and had less axillary nodal involvement. The second tumors of mCBC tended to be IDC and have higher grade, adverse stage, ER and PR-negativity; and more axillary nodal involvement, compared to the second tumors of sCBC. mCBC patients had significantly favorable 5-year BCSS but worse long-term BCSS compared with sCBC patients. Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference of BCSS between sCBC and mCBC among patients aged 18–60 years. Multivariate analysis indicated that age, grade, and stage of 2 tumors; surgery for second tumor; and ER status of the second tumor were independent prognostic factors for BCSS of contralateral breast cancer (CBC). CONCLUSION: The characteristics and outcomes of sCBCs and mCBCs were substantially different. sCBC and mCBC patients may have different prognosis, and the prognosis of CBC depends on the first and second tumors.
Age of Onset ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Risk Factors ; SEER Program

Objective To study the effect of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on rCBF and rCVR.Methods Seventeen patients with unilateral internal carotid artery symptomatic severe stenosis who underwent CAS in our hospital were included in this study.Their rCBF volume and rCVR were measured by single photon emission CT scanning combined with CO2 loading test 1 week be fore and 3 months after CAS.Their data were analyzed according to the ROI in ipsilateral middle cerebral artery blood supply territory.Results Sixty eight ROIs were detected in the 17 patients with impaired rCBF in 16 ROIs (23.5％) before CAS.The mean improved rate of rCBF was significantly higher in impaired rCBF and rCVR ROI before CAS than that of rCBF in normal and impaired rCVR ROI after CAS (P=0.001).The mean improved rate of rCVR was significantly higher in normal rCBF and impaired rCVR ROI after CAS than before CAS (P=0.014).The improved rate of rCBF was significantly higher in impaired rCBF and rCVR ROI after CAS than that of normal and impaired rCVR ROI before CAS (81.3％ vs 50.0％,P=0.027).The improved rate of rCVR was significantly higher in normal rCBF ROI and impaired rCVR ROI before CAS than in impaired rCBF and rCVR ROI after CAS (59.6％ vs 31.3％,P=0.047).Conclusion CAS can improve the ROI rCBF and rCVR in patients with unilateral ICA symptomatic severe stenosis.Its modified model is closely related with rCBF before CAS.

Objective: To analyze the infection characteristics of patients in acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by noroviruses. Methods: Between April 2014 and March 2016, the clinical data and samples were collected from the patients in acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by noroviruses in Beijing. Noroviruses were detected and genotyped using real time RT-PCR, and the infection characteristics of norovirus gastroenteritis were analyzed using the descriptive epidemiological method. Results: A total of 1743 clinical diagnosed cases of norovirus gastroenteritis were collected, and children under 12 years old accounted for 77.68% (1354/1743). The detection rate of noroviruses was 73.98% (509/688). The detection rates of noroviruses in fecal, swab and vomitus samples were gradually decreased (χ²=67.798, P<0.001). Among these clinical diagnosed cases, vomiting was the most common symptom (93.98%), followed by abdominal pain (40.34%), diarrhea (30.35%) and fever (27.94%). The most common symptom of patients under 6 years old was vomiting(98.14%), whereas diarrhea was most common among over 18 years old patients (68.12%). With the increase of age of the patients, the incidence of vomiting was gradually decreased (χ²=100.913, P<0.001), whereas the incidence of diarrhea was gradually increased (χ²=261.164, P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain symptoms between patients infected with genogroup Ⅰ and Ⅱ noroviruses, and patients infected with genogroup Ⅱ (34.49%, 149/432) had the higher incidence rate of fever than that of genogroup Ⅰ (18.18%, 14/77) (χ²=7.985, P<0.01). Conclusions Noroviruses mainly infected children under 12 years old in acute gastroentertis outbreaks. The most common symptom of patients with acute gastroenteritis caused by noroviruses was vomiting, and the incidences of vomiting and diarrhea were significantly correlated with age of the patients. Patients infected with genogroup Ⅱ had the higher incidence rate of fever than genogroup Ⅰ infection.