1.Influencing factors for delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis, identification in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Minhang District
MA Qiongjin ; YAN Huiqin ; WU Yunhua ; GUO Xu ; YANG Lijia ; TANG Lihong ; YANG Shengyuan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):59-64
Objective:
To investigate the influencing factors for delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis and identification in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Minhang District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide the basis for effectively reducing delay in PTB patients.
Methods:
Data of PTB patients in Minhang District from 2017 to 2022 were collected from the Infectious Disease Reporting Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The prevalence rates of delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis and identification were analyzed, and factors affecting delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis and identification were identified using multivariable logistic regression models.
Results:
A total of 4 214 PTB patients were reported in Minhang District from 2017 to 2022, including 2 802 males and 1 412 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.98∶1. The majority of patients were aged 25 to <45 years (1 664 cases, 39.49%). The prevalence rates of delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis and identification were 36.81%, 30.21% and 38.09%, respectively. Delay in healthcare-seeking was associated with the year (2018, OR=0.708; 2019, OR=0.549; 2020, OR=0.670; 2021, OR=0.682), gender (female, OR=1.199), occupation (worker, OR=1.379; housekeeping service/housework/unemployed, OR=1.481), case identification route (symptom-based consultation, OR=11.159), and level of the first-diagnosed hospital (city-level, OR=1.528). Delay in definitive diagnosis was associated with age (45 to <65 years, OR=1.476), occupation (commercial service, OR=0.687; housekeeping service/housework/unemployed, OR=0.672), household registration (non-local, OR=0.820), case identification route (symptom-based consultation, OR=0.616), pathogen test result (negative/not tested, OR=1.903), and the level of the first-diagnosed hospital (city-level, OR=0.311). Delay in identification was associated with the year (2018, OR=0.785; 2019, OR=0.647; 2020, OR=0.790; 2021, OR=0.710), occupation (commercial service, OR=0.687), household registration (non-local, OR=0.848) and level of the first-diagnosed hospital (city-level, OR=0.560)
Conclusions
Year, gender, occupation, case identification route and level of the first-diagnosed hospital are influencing factors for delay in healthcare-seeking in PTB patients. Age, occupation, household registration, case identification route, pathogen test result and level of the first-diagnosed hospital are influencing factors for delay in definitive diagnosis. Year, occupation, household registration and level of the first-diagnosed hospital are influencing factors for delay in identification.
2.Investigation on the gross α and gross β activity levels of drinking water around Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant
Mengmeng LIU ; Jianxi ZHA ; Jia LIU ; Qishan ZHENG ; Senxing ZHENG ; Dan LIN ; Yunhua QING ; Yan ZHANG ; Jianbo CHEN ; Lihua HUANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(5):648-653
Objective To investigate the levels of gross α and gross β activities in different water types within a 40-kilometer radius around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant prior to its operation. Methods In 2018, drinking water samples were collected from the area surrounding the nuclear power plant during both the wet and dry seasons, including source water, treated water, tap water, and well water. The gross α and gross β activity concentrations were measured using a low-background α/β counter, followed by statistical analysis. Results A total of 80 water samples from different sources around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant were collected. The average gross α and gross β activity concentrations during the wet season were (0.110 ± 0.036) Bq/L and (0.643 ± 0.028) Bq/L, respectively, while those during the dry season were (0.124 ± 0.032) Bq/L and (0.624 ± 0.026) Bq/L, respectively. There were no significant differences in the gross α and gross β activity concentrations between the wet and dry seasons for the overall sample set (P > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in the gross α and gross β activity concentrations between the wet and dry seasons for source water and well water (Zwet = −2.005, −2.123; Zdry = −1.943, −3.090; P < 0.05). Conclusion The radioactivity levels in different water types within various ranges around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant before its operation were determined. The measured activity concentrations were at the same level as those from previous investigations in other regions of Fujian Province.
3.Research on the Technology for Enzymatic Preparation of Scutellarein
Yujie CHENG ; Yunhua LIU ; Zhifang HUANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yuhong LIU ; Jinhai YI
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(2):274-279
Objective Scutellaria baicalensis stems and leaves glucuronic hydrolase(sbsl GUS)was used to enzymatically hydrolyze scutellarin in Erigeron breviscapus(Vant.)Hand.Mazz.to prepare scutellarein,and the high-purity scutellarein was obtained through separation and purification.Methods Orthogonal experiments were used to optimize the process parameters for the extraction of Erigeron breviscapus(Vant.)Hand.Mazz..Using the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis conversion of scutellarin as the index,the amount of enzyme,pH,temperature,time and antioxidant were investigated,and the preparation process parameters of scutellarein were optimized.Ethanol extraction,activated carbon decolorization,and fractional crystallization were used to purify the crude extract.Results The extraction process was determined to be:segments of Erigeron breviscapus were decocted twice with 10 times water for 1 hour each time.The preparation process of scutellarein was as follows:the amount of sbsl GUS extract and Erigeron breviscapus decoction was 1∶10 based on crude drugs,0.5%sodium metabisulfite was added,pH value was about 6.0,the temperature was about 45℃,and the time was 20 hours.The crude extract of scutellarein with the content more than 60%was obtained.The crude extract was purified by fractional crystallization,refluxed with 80%ethanol,decolorized with activated carbon,concentrated and crystallized,and the scutellarein extract with content more than 85%was obtained.Conclusion sbsl GUS enzymatic hydrolysis technology,which was used to prepare scutellarein,is simple and feasible.This study provides a new way for the manufacture of scutellarein.
4.Background radioactivity levels of gross α and gross β in foods around Zhangzhou nuclear power plant, China
Jia LIU ; Mengmeng LIU ; Qishan ZHENG ; Jirong LV ; Yunhua QING ; Yan ZHANG ; Dan LIN ; Lihua HUANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(2):176-182
Objective To investigate the radioactivity levels of gross α and gross β in foods around Zhangzhou nuclear power plant, China before operation. Methods Forty-nine samples from 33 kinds of foods in 5 categories of daily food around Zhangzhou nuclear power plant were collected, pretreated, dried, and ashed. The radioactivity levels of gross α and gross β were measured by the low-background α and β measuring instrument. The atomic absorption technique was employed to measure the level of potassium (K), and the radioactivity level of gross β (subtracting 40K) was calculated with K concentrations in different foods consulted from the nutritional dietary system. Results The radioactivity levels of gross α in vegetables and fruits, grain, poultry and livestock, aquatic products, and tea around Zhangzhou nuclear power plant were < minimum detectable level (MDL)-7.97, < MDL-6.82, < MDL, < MDL-20.76, and 11.90-23.08 Bq/kg, respectively; the radioactivity levels of gross β were 34.56-122.81, 13.05-188.96, 56.00-108.34, 17.86-169.01, and 123.74-171.63 Bq/kg, respectively; the radioactivity levels of gross β (subtracting 40K) were not detected (ND)-14.27, ND-27.86, ND-48.72, ND-45.85, and 6.69-13.79 Bq/kg, respectively. Conclusion The radioactivity of gross α and gross β in foods around Zhangzhou nuclear power plant before operation is basically at the same level as that in other areas of China.
5.Analysis of factors affecting postnatal glucose metabolism in pregnant women with gestational diabetes and construction of a nomogram prediction model
Juan SHI ; Yunhua YAN ; Aihua ZHANG ; Peixin LI ; Ning LI ; Wei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2024;47(6):487-492
Objective:To analyze the relevant factors affecting postnatal glucose metabolism in pregnant women with gestational diabetes and construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods:Using a retrospective study method, 210 cases of gestational diabetes patients admitted to Danyang People′s Hospital from March 2019 to November 2021 were selected as the study subjects, and they were divided into 125 cases of normal group and 85 cases of abnormal group according to the postnatal glucose metabolism. The predictive value was analyzed using the subject work characteristics (ROC) curve experiment; the risk factors affecting abnormal postpartum glucose metabolism in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were analyzed using Logistic regression experiment; and the clinical efficacy of the column-line diagram model was verified using internal data.Results:There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups when comparing the general information such as age ( P>0.05); compared with the normal group, the abnormal group had higher values of total cholesterol (TG), postprandial 2 h blood glucose (OGTT 2 h), glycosylated hemoglobin, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI): (4.23 ± 1.35) mmol/L vs. (3.65 ± 1.50) mmol/L, (9.36 ± 1.25) mmol/L vs. (8.20 ± 1.51) mmol/L, (8.31 ± 2.96)% vs. (6.73 ± 2.23)%, (24.96 ± 4.21) kg/m 2 vs. (23.20 ± 3.25) kg/m 2, and those with a family history of diabetes mellitus were higher: 47.06%(40/85) vs. 20.80%(26/125), there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the area under the curve (AUC) of TG, OGTT 2 h, glycated hemoglobin, and pre-pregnancy BMI were 0.605, 0.720, 0.670, and 0.616, with optimal cut off values of 4.65 mmol/L, 8.33 mmol/L, 8.06%, and 25.27 kg/m 2; TG (>4.65 mmol/L), OGTT 2 h (>8.33 mmol/L), glycated hemoglobin (>8.06%), and preconception BMI (>25.27 kg/m 2), and family history of diabetes mellitus (yes) were risk factors for abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women ( P<0.05); the C-index of the risk of postpartum glucose metabolism in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus predicted by the column chart model was 0.750 (95% CI 0.672 - 0.864). The model predicted that the threshold of the risk of postnatal glucose metabolism in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus was >0.07. Conclusions:TG (>4.65 mmol/L ), OGTT 2 h (>8.33 mmol/L ), glycated haemoglobin (>8.06%), pre-pregnancy BMI (>25.27 kg/m 2), and family history of diabetes (yes) are risk factors for abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women, and the model constructed based on the variables have good predictive power.
6.Evolution Patterns of 256 Cases of Chronic Kidney Disease with Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome Based on Data Mining
Xinjiang ZHANG ; Xinxue ZHANG ; Zuzhen YAN ; Yunhua LIU ; Shuyue WANG ; Sitong WANG ; Kaidong ZHOU ; Zongjiang ZHAO ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(11):141-150
ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome in different stages and time evolution of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to explore the evolution patterns of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome in CKD. MethodThe evidence information of 256 patients with CKD was collected from October 2020 to September 2022 according to relevant standards, and the "Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome Evaluation Scale for Chronic Kidney Disease" was developed. With SPSS Statistics 20.0, SPSS Modeler 18.0, Gephi 0.9.2, and R 4.2.1, the syndrome information of CKD patients at various stages and the syndrome changes after one year were statistically analyzed using complex network analysis, association rule analysis, probability transition matrix analysis, and chi-square test, and the kidney Yang deficiency syndrome of patients at various stages was comprehensively evaluated. ResultIn the CKD population, the proportion of females with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was higher than that of males (P<0.01), and the proportion of people over 65 years old was higher than in people under 65 years old. The proportion of people with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome increased with the progression of kidney disease, and the proportion of Ⅳ-Ⅴ CKD patients with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was higher than that of Ⅰ-Ⅱ CKD patients (P<0.01). From Ⅰ CKD to Ⅴ CKD, the frequency of dull tongue continued to increase, and the frequency of enlarged tongue and tooth-marked tongue continued to increase after Ⅲ CKD. The frequency of thick coating and greasy coating ranked in the top 3 of frequency distribution in Ⅴ CKD. After Ⅲ CKD, the top 3 tongue characteristics were weak pulse, deep pulse, and thready pulse, all of which were characteristics of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome. Complex network analysis of the tongue and pulse showed that the core tongue and pulse characteristics of patients with end-stage CKD were tooth-marked tongue with white coating and deep and thready pulse. The results of symptom frequency analysis and complex network analysis showed that aversion to cold and preference for warmth, weakness of the knees, and cold extremities were the top 3 symptoms in Ⅰ-Ⅲ CKD patients with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, and in Ⅳ-Ⅴ CKD, the manifestations of the syndrome of Yang deficiency and water diffusion, such as drowsiness and fatigue, edema, and frequent urination at night became characteristic symptoms. The scores of edema, pale complexion, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, loose stools, and mental depression symptoms, as well as the total score of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome gradually increased with disease progression, with statistical differences between different stages of CKD (P<0.05, P<0.01). The frequency analysis of disease-related syndrome elements showed that the frequencies of Yang deficiency syndrome, phlegm-dampness syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, and turbidity-toxin syndrome gradually increased with disease progression, and there were statistically significant differences in the distribution between different stages of CKD (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of complex network analysis showed that Yang deficiency syndrome was the core syndrome element throughout all stages of CKD and was the main syndrome element type of CKD, while phlegm-dampness syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, and turbidity-toxin syndrome were gradually revealed in the middle and late stages of CKD. In the CKD population with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, the distribution of phlegm-dampness syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, and turbidity-toxin syndrome as concurrent syndromes in different CKD stages had statistically significant differences (P<0.05, P<0.01). The association rule analysis showed that as the disease progressed, associations between the concurrent syndromes, such as phlegm-dampness syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, turbidity-toxin syndrome, and fluid retention syndrome, and kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome were gradually enhanced. The comparison of the changes in CKD with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome within one year showed that the disease location was centered on the kidney and transmitted between the spleen, stomach, heart, and liver. There is a 23.81% probability of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome transforming into Qi deficiency syndromes (Qi deficiency in the spleen and kidney, Qi deficiency in the liver, and Qi deficiency in the heart), 23.79% into Yin deficiency syndromes (Yin deficiency in the liver and kidney, Qi and Yin deficiency, and Yin deficiency in the liver and stomach), and 9.52% into dampness syndromes (phlegm-dampness internal obstruction and wind-dampness obstruction). In contrast, 20% of spleen and kidney Qi deficiency syndrome transformed into kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, and 33.33% of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome transformed into kidney Yang deficiency syndrome. ConclusionAs Ⅰ CKD progresses to Ⅴ CKD, the severity of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome gradually increases, and the syndrome characteristics of kidney Yang deficiency become pronounced. Furthermore, the pathogenic factors, such as phlegm-dampness, blood stasis, and turbidity-toxin, gradually increase. With the change of time, kidney Yang deficiency syndrome in CKD tends to evolve into syndromes related to Qi deficiency, Yin deficiency, and dampness. The discovery of these rules provides a theoretical basis and reference guidance for the treatment of CKD based on syndrome differentiation.
7.Quantitative Analysis of Syndromes in 558 Cases of Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome Based on Factor Analysis
Shuyue WANG ; Zongjiang ZHAO ; Xinxue ZHANG ; Zuzhen YAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Zhimei ZHANG ; Tingting JIAO ; Qi WU ; Yunhua LIU ; Sitong WANG ; Xinjiang ZHANG ; Kaidong ZHOU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;25(7):2304-2312
Objective Through factor analysis of the quantified syndrome information of 558 cases of kidney yang deficiency syndrome,the constructing feature of kidney yang deficiency syndrome was revealed,which provides clinical data support for the objectification,standardization and normalization of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome.Methods Firstly,the frequency analysis of symptoms,tongue and pulse signs of 558 patients with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was carried out,and then the main syndrome information of the patients with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was quantified.Finally,the common factors and their representative variables of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome were screened out through factor analysis,and the constructing feature of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was analyzed combined with TCM syndrome knowledge.Results Eight common factors with eigenvalues greater than 1 were extracted by principal component analysis,and the cumulative contribution rate was 60.483%.After the factor rotation,the representative variables with the absolute value of load coefficient greater than 0.45 in each common factor were selected.The representative variables of F1 are afraid of cold and fond of warmth(0.947)and intolerance to cold(0.932).The representative variables of F2 are waist pain(0.754),waist and knee weakness(0.720)and cold in waist and knees(0.466).The representative variables of F3 are depression(0.749),insomnia(0.711)and diarrhoea(0.470).The representative variables of F4 are thin fur(0.819)and white fur(0.768).The representative variable of F5 are tinnitus and deafness(0.687),frequent nocturnal urination(0.591)and decreased libido(0.587).The representative variables of F6 are pulse sinking(0.766)and pulse weakness(0.736).The representative variables of F7 is thready pulse(0.942).The representative variable of F8 is pale tongue(0.961).External syndrome of disease location involved in these common factors are waist,bone,brain,ear,anterior Yin,posterior Yin and reproductive function.The disease nature involved in these common factors is deficiency and cold.Conclusion The basic constituent units of kidney Yang deficiency syndrome include disease location syndrome elements and disease nature syndrome elements.The disease location is kidney,and the abnormal changes of kidney location are mainly external symptoms of waist,bone,brain,ear,anterior Yin,posterior Yin and reproductive function.Its disease nature is deficiency and cold.Yang deficiency leads to external cold.Yang Qi deficiency can not warm the body surface resulting in the appearance of external cold syndrome.
8.Effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expression of thyroid autophagy-related factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in rats with autoimmune thyroiditis
Kexu CHEN ; Jimeng ZHAO ; Yu QIAO ; Lu ZHU ; Yan HUANG ; Yanan LIU ; Handan ZHENG ; Huirong LIU ; Yunhua CUI ; Huangan WU ; Yanping YANG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2022;20(6):453-463
Objective: To observe the anti-inflammatory effect, as well as the effect on the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) and Beclin-1 of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group. The EAT rat model was prepared by a combination of antigen immunization plus iodine agent induction. After the model was prepared, rats in the modeling group were randomly and equally divided into a model group and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group. In the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, moxibustion was alternately applied to two groups of points [Dazhui (GV14)-Mingmen (GV4) and Tiantu (CV22)-Guanyuan (CV4)], and the treatment continued for 30 d. Rats in the normal and model groups were only fixed identically without intervention. Histopathological manifestations of thyroid glands were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining; the concentrations of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue. Results: There were massive follicular destruction, lymphocytic infiltration, and interstitial fibrous tissue hyperplasia of the thyroid glands in the model group. Some follicles of the thyroid glands were destroyed with few lymphocyte infiltrations and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the moxibustion group. Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of serum TPOAb, TGAb, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were increased in the model rats (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were reduced in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the concentrations of serum TPOAb, TGAb, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were reduced in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were increased in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue was negatively correlated with the serum levels of TPOAb and TGAb.Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion reduces the inflammatory response in the thyroid glands of EAT rats and lowers the levels of serum TPOAb and TGAb. This may be related to the regulation of mRNA and protein expression of the autophagy-associated factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in rat thyroid tissue.
9.The relationship between triglyceride glucose index and risk of cardiovascular disease among Kazakh and Uygur population in Xinjiang: a retrospective cohort analysis
Linzhi YU ; Rulin MA ; Xianghui ZHANG ; Jia HE ; Heng GUO ; Yunhua HU ; Xinping WANG ; Lati MU ; Yizhong YAN ; Shuxia GUO
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2022;56(6):800-805
Objective:To analyze whether triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and the value of TyG index in predicting CVD risk among Kazakh and Uighur population of Xinjiang.Methods:In this study, 5 375 Kazakh and Uygur people of Xinyuan county and Jiashi county were selected as the research objects. Subjects were divided into four groups based on the quartile of the TyG index level. Cox regression model was used to analyze the association between TyG index with the risk of CVD. The dose-response relationship between TyG index and CVD risk was described by restricted cubic splines. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to estimate the value of TyG index for predicting CVD. Mediating effect analysis was conducted to analyze the mediating effect of TyG index in the association between body mass index and CVD.Results:The age of subjects was 41.06(30.11,53.00)years old, with 46.30%(2 489/5 375)was male. After multivariate adjustment, there was an increasing trend between the risk of CVD and the higher TyG index Ptrend<0.001, compared with subjects of TyG index in Q1, the HR (95% CI) of Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups was 1.53, 1.23 and 1.73, respectively. Restricted cubic splines showed that TyG index was the linearly associated with the risk of CVD. TyG index could improve the prediction ability of Framingham model for the risk of CVD (NRI=0.106, P=0.010; IDI=0.003, P=0.030). The mediating effect analysis showed that in the relationship between body mass index and CVD, the TyG index had a mediating effect ( P<0.001), and the ratio of mediating effect was 12.69%. Conclusion:TyG index is an independent predictor of CVD risk among kazakh and Uygur population in Xinjiang and has a good predictive value for the risk of CVD.
10.Investigating the influence of moxibustion on colonic mucosal barrier in rats with dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis
Ya SHEN ; Yunhua CUI ; Zheng SHI ; Huangan WU ; Zhaoqin WANG ; Luyi WU ; Yuan LU ; Yan HUANG ; Yanan LIU ; Junyi LONG ; Yaying LIN ; Zhe MA ; Yanping YANG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2022;20(1):1-11
Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the colonic mucosal barrier of rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group, with 20 rats in each group. Rats in the modeling group were subjected to preparing experimental UC models by drinking 4% DSS for seven consecutive days. Two modeled rats and two normal rats were randomly selected for model identification. After the success of UC model was confirmed, the remaining 18 modeled rats were randomly divided into three groups, a model group, a model + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a model + mild moxibustion group, with six rats in each group; the remaining normal rats were randomly divided into three groups, a normal group, a normal + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a normal + mild moxibustion group, with six rats in each group. After 7 d of intervention with the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion or the mild moxibustion, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining technique was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue under a light microscope; Western blotting and/or immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, junction adhesion molecular 1 (JAM1), mucin 2 (MUC2), and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) in rat colon tissue. Results: Compared with the normal group, the colon tissue was severely damaged, the pathological score was significantly increased, and the protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01); while there were no significant differences in the colonic histopathological score, protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 in the normal + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the normal + mild moxibustion group (P>0.05). Compared with the model group, the model + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the model + mild moxibustion group showed repaired colon tissue, ulcer healing, significantly reduced pathological score, and significantly increased protein expression levels of JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 (P<0.05); the Occludin protein expression level in the colon tissue of the model + mild moxibustion group was increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: Neither herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion nor mild moxibustion influences the colonic histopathology and intestinal mucosal barrier-related protein expression in the normal rats; both herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can up-regulate the protein expression levels of JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 in the colon tissue of UC rats. Mild moxibustion can up-regulate Occludin protein expression. This may be a mechanism of moxibustion in reducing colonic mucosa inflammation in UC.


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