Background: Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship. Methods: This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders. Results: The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively. Conclusions The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.

Objective To understand phenotype conversion in patients with first-episode depression over a 7-year period,to explore the longitudinal disease characteristics and functional outcomes of transitions and non-transitions,and to further analyse the relevant factors affecting transitions.Methods A total of 346 patients with Hamilton depression scale-17(HAMD-17)score≥18,aged 18-60 years and a single episode of major depressive disorder were included in the study.They were follow-up for 7 years to assess their natural history including demographic data,disease characteristics,whether transitions to manic occurred,treatment status.At the end of the 7-year follow-up,treatment emergent symptom scale(TESS),medication adherence rating scale(MARS),and global assessment function(GAF)were used to evaluate adverse reactions,compliance to medication,and patient's overall functional level.Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of mania or hypomania episodes during the 7-year period:the conversion group(those who developed episodes)and the non-conversion group(those who did not).Results A total of 138 patients were followed up for 7 years,including 54 patients(39.1%)in the conversion group and 84 patients(60.9%)in the non-conversion group.When the first episode was enrolled at baseline,the age of first episode was earlier in the conversion group than in the non-conversion group[(27.63±9.63)years vs.(41.20±11.92)years],and there were differences in marital status(unmarried 40.7%vs.7.1%,first marriage 53.7%vs.85.7%,remarriage 3.7%vs.2.4%,separated/divorced 0.0%vs.2.4%,widowed 1.9%vs.2.4%).The proportion of patients with precipitating factors was lower in the conversion group(29.6%vs.48.8%)and shorter duration of untreated psychosis(DUP)[60(15,90)d vs.90(30,180)d].The treatment method in the conversion group had lower only used antidepressant drugs(61.1%vs.81.0%)and more antidepressant combined with mood stabilizers(31.5%vs.16.7%)(all P<0.05).In the 7 years,total number of episodes in the conversion group was more than in the non-conversion group(4.33±1.21 vs.2.70±1.25,P<0.05).By the end of 7 years,the GAF score was lower in conversion group than in the non-conversion group(66.57±8.22 vs.69.21±7.20,P<0.05).Dichotomous unconditional logistic regression analyses revealed that age at first episode(OR=1.109,95%CI:1.058-1.161,P<0.001),DUP(d)(OR=1.005,95%CI:1.001-1.009,P=0.017),was an independent influencing factor on conversion over a 7-year period in patients with first-episode depressive disorders.Conclusion The rate of conversion over 7 years in patients with first-episode depressive disorder is 39.1%in the present cohort and converted patients had relatively earlier age of onset,more pre-onset without inducement,shorter DUP(d),more recurrence,higher the rate of combined treatment and worse overall functional outcome.

Background: Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship. Methods: This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders. Results: The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively. Conclusions The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.

Background: Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship. Methods: This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders. Results: The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively. Conclusions The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.

Background: Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship. Methods: This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders. Results: The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively. Conclusions The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture based on "status-target coherence" theory combined with Kegel exercises for vaginal laxity syndrome (VLS). METHODS: Sixty-six patients with VLS were randomized into an observation group (33 cases, 2 cases dropped out, 1 case was discontinued) and a control group (33 cases, 5 cases dropped out). The observation group was treated with acupuncture combined with Kegel exercises, acupuncture was applied to bilateral Ciliao (BL32), Zhongliao (BL33), Sanyinjiao (SP6), etc. The control group was treated with Kegel exercises. Both acupuncture and Kegel exercises were performed once every other day, three times a week for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the vaginal laxity questionnaire (VLQ) score, pelvic floor muscle strength (vaginal resting pressure, vaginal systolic pressure, vaginal contraction duration), degree of vaginal laxity and sexual satisfaction questionnaire (SSQ) grade were observed in both groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the VLQ score, vaginal resting pressure, vaginal systolic pressure, vaginal contraction duration in the observation group were elevated compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and SSQ grade was improved (P<0.05); and the above indexes in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant difference before and after treatment in the degree of vaginal laxity in the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture based on "status-target coherence" theory combined with Kegel exercises can effectively enhance the strength of pelvic floor muscles, improve the symptoms of vaginal laxity, and improve the satisfaction of sexual life, and its therapeutic effect is better than Kegel exercises alone.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Vagina/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Vaginal Diseases/therapy*

The NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome is essential in innate immune-mediated inflammation,with its overactivation implicated in various autoinflammatory,metabolic,and neurode-generative diseases.Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 offers a promising treatment strategy for in-flammatory conditions,although no medications targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are currently available.This study demonstrates that clioquinol(CQ),a clinical drug with chelating properties,effec-tively inhibits NLRP3 activation,resulting in reduced cytokine secretion and cell pyroptosis in both human and mouse macrophages,with a half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 0.478 μM.Additionally,CQ mitigates experimental acute peritonitis,gouty arthritis,sepsis,and colitis by lowering serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α).Mechanistically,CQ covalently binds to Arginine 335(R335)in the NACHT domain,inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and blocking the interaction between NLRP3 and its component protein.Collectively,this study identifies CQ as an effective natural NLRP3 inhibitor and a potential therapeutic agent for NLRP3-driven diseases.

Background: Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship. Methods: This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders. Results: The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively. Conclusions The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.

The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is essential in innate immune-mediated inflammation, with its overactivation implicated in various autoinflammatory, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 offers a promising treatment strategy for inflammatory conditions, although no medications targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are currently available. This study demonstrates that clioquinol (CQ), a clinical drug with chelating properties, effectively inhibits NLRP3 activation, resulting in reduced cytokine secretion and cell pyroptosis in both human and mouse macrophages, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 0.478 μM. Additionally, CQ mitigates experimental acute peritonitis, gouty arthritis, sepsis, and colitis by lowering serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Mechanistically, CQ covalently binds to Arginine 335 (R335) in the NACHT domain, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and blocking the interaction between NLRP3 and its component protein. Collectively, this study identifies CQ as an effective natural NLRP3 inhibitor and a potential therapeutic agent for NLRP3-driven diseases.

Objective To understand phenotype conversion in patients with first-episode depression over a 7-year period,to explore the longitudinal disease characteristics and functional outcomes of transitions and non-transitions,and to further analyse the relevant factors affecting transitions.Methods A total of 346 patients with Hamilton depression scale-17(HAMD-17)score≥18,aged 18-60 years and a single episode of major depressive disorder were included in the study.They were follow-up for 7 years to assess their natural history including demographic data,disease characteristics,whether transitions to manic occurred,treatment status.At the end of the 7-year follow-up,treatment emergent symptom scale(TESS),medication adherence rating scale(MARS),and global assessment function(GAF)were used to evaluate adverse reactions,compliance to medication,and patient's overall functional level.Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of mania or hypomania episodes during the 7-year period:the conversion group(those who developed episodes)and the non-conversion group(those who did not).Results A total of 138 patients were followed up for 7 years,including 54 patients(39.1%)in the conversion group and 84 patients(60.9%)in the non-conversion group.When the first episode was enrolled at baseline,the age of first episode was earlier in the conversion group than in the non-conversion group[(27.63±9.63)years vs.(41.20±11.92)years],and there were differences in marital status(unmarried 40.7%vs.7.1%,first marriage 53.7%vs.85.7%,remarriage 3.7%vs.2.4%,separated/divorced 0.0%vs.2.4%,widowed 1.9%vs.2.4%).The proportion of patients with precipitating factors was lower in the conversion group(29.6%vs.48.8%)and shorter duration of untreated psychosis(DUP)[60(15,90)d vs.90(30,180)d].The treatment method in the conversion group had lower only used antidepressant drugs(61.1%vs.81.0%)and more antidepressant combined with mood stabilizers(31.5%vs.16.7%)(all P<0.05).In the 7 years,total number of episodes in the conversion group was more than in the non-conversion group(4.33±1.21 vs.2.70±1.25,P<0.05).By the end of 7 years,the GAF score was lower in conversion group than in the non-conversion group(66.57±8.22 vs.69.21±7.20,P<0.05).Dichotomous unconditional logistic regression analyses revealed that age at first episode(OR=1.109,95%CI:1.058-1.161,P<0.001),DUP(d)(OR=1.005,95%CI:1.001-1.009,P=0.017),was an independent influencing factor on conversion over a 7-year period in patients with first-episode depressive disorders.Conclusion The rate of conversion over 7 years in patients with first-episode depressive disorder is 39.1%in the present cohort and converted patients had relatively earlier age of onset,more pre-onset without inducement,shorter DUP(d),more recurrence,higher the rate of combined treatment and worse overall functional outcome.