Objective To explore the similarities and differences in clinical efficacy and mRNA transcriptomics characteristics between acupuncture and shallow needling at non-acupoints and to provide a basis for determining whether shallow needling at non-acupoints is suitable as a sham acupuncture control in acupuncture clinical trials.Methods Eighty patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria(CSU)who visited the Dermatology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between July 8,2018 and to July 29,2019,were included.The patients were randomly divided into the acupuncture group(n=41)and the sham acupuncture group(n=39)using a computerized complete random design.Additionally,12 healthy individuals were included as the healthy control group.For patients in the acupuncture group,"Baihui(GV20),""Shenting(GV24),""Zhongwan(CV12),"and bilateral"Quchi(LI11),""Tianshu(ST25),""Xuehai(SP10),""Zusanli(ST36),"and"Sanyinjiao(SP6)"were selected for regular acupuncture.The sham acupuncture group received non-acupoint shallow needling at eight non-acupoints on the head,upper limbs,lower limbs,and abdomen.Both groups underwent daily treatment,with five consecutive days constituting one treatment course followed by a two-day interval.A total of two courses were administered.The urticaria activity score(UAS)was used to evaluate wheals and pruritus,whereas the visual analog scale(VAS)score was used to evaluate the degree of pruritus.Blinding effectiveness was also evaluated.Based on clinical evaluation and sample quality,serum samples from six patients in each treatment group before and after the intervention,along with those from six healthy individuals,were selected for RNA sequencing using the BGISEQ-500 sequencer.Differentially expressed mRNAs were identified using the"DEGseq"software package,and the similarities and differences in mRNA expression between the two groups were analyzed.Results UAS and VAS scores decreased in both groups at 1,2,3,and 4 weeks of treatment compared with before treatment(P＜0.01).The decrease in UAS and VAS scores in both groups was time-dependent(P＜0.01)but not related to the grouping or the interaction between grouping and time(P＞0.05).By the end of the second week of treatment,the number of patients in both groups who believed they had received true acupuncture was similar between the two groups,with no significant difference.mRNA transcriptomic sequencing revealed that,before and after treatment,the enrichment types and degrees of differentially expressed mRNA were similar between the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups at the biological process,cellular component,and molecular function levels.In terms of biological processes,both groups were commonly enriched in coagulation,hematoma,oxygen transport,and gas transport.In terms of cellular components,both groups exhibited enrichment in hemoglobin complexes,platelet alpha granules,extracellular exosomes,extracellular organelles,and extracellular vesicles.At the molecular function level,both groups were commonly enriched in actin filament-binding substances,haptoglobin,peroxidase activity,and oxygen blood binding.In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis,both groups showed common enrichment in multiple entries such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,ECM-receptor interaction,microRNAs in cancer,proteoglycans in cancer,bladder cancer,and malaria.Conclusion Acupuncture and sham acupuncture exhibited similar clinical treatment effects and mRNA transcriptomics profiles.In the design of acupuncture clinical trials,disease specificity should be carefully considered.Sham acupuncture control using non-acupoint shallow needling may not be suitable for skin diseases such as urticaria.

Objective To explore the similarities and differences in clinical efficacy and mRNA transcriptomics characteristics between acupuncture and shallow needling at non-acupoints and to provide a basis for determining whether shallow needling at non-acupoints is suitable as a sham acupuncture control in acupuncture clinical trials.Methods Eighty patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria(CSU)who visited the Dermatology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between July 8,2018 and to July 29,2019,were included.The patients were randomly divided into the acupuncture group(n=41)and the sham acupuncture group(n=39)using a computerized complete random design.Additionally,12 healthy individuals were included as the healthy control group.For patients in the acupuncture group,"Baihui(GV20),""Shenting(GV24),""Zhongwan(CV12),"and bilateral"Quchi(LI11),""Tianshu(ST25),""Xuehai(SP10),""Zusanli(ST36),"and"Sanyinjiao(SP6)"were selected for regular acupuncture.The sham acupuncture group received non-acupoint shallow needling at eight non-acupoints on the head,upper limbs,lower limbs,and abdomen.Both groups underwent daily treatment,with five consecutive days constituting one treatment course followed by a two-day interval.A total of two courses were administered.The urticaria activity score(UAS)was used to evaluate wheals and pruritus,whereas the visual analog scale(VAS)score was used to evaluate the degree of pruritus.Blinding effectiveness was also evaluated.Based on clinical evaluation and sample quality,serum samples from six patients in each treatment group before and after the intervention,along with those from six healthy individuals,were selected for RNA sequencing using the BGISEQ-500 sequencer.Differentially expressed mRNAs were identified using the"DEGseq"software package,and the similarities and differences in mRNA expression between the two groups were analyzed.Results UAS and VAS scores decreased in both groups at 1,2,3,and 4 weeks of treatment compared with before treatment(P＜0.01).The decrease in UAS and VAS scores in both groups was time-dependent(P＜0.01)but not related to the grouping or the interaction between grouping and time(P＞0.05).By the end of the second week of treatment,the number of patients in both groups who believed they had received true acupuncture was similar between the two groups,with no significant difference.mRNA transcriptomic sequencing revealed that,before and after treatment,the enrichment types and degrees of differentially expressed mRNA were similar between the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups at the biological process,cellular component,and molecular function levels.In terms of biological processes,both groups were commonly enriched in coagulation,hematoma,oxygen transport,and gas transport.In terms of cellular components,both groups exhibited enrichment in hemoglobin complexes,platelet alpha granules,extracellular exosomes,extracellular organelles,and extracellular vesicles.At the molecular function level,both groups were commonly enriched in actin filament-binding substances,haptoglobin,peroxidase activity,and oxygen blood binding.In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis,both groups showed common enrichment in multiple entries such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,ECM-receptor interaction,microRNAs in cancer,proteoglycans in cancer,bladder cancer,and malaria.Conclusion Acupuncture and sham acupuncture exhibited similar clinical treatment effects and mRNA transcriptomics profiles.In the design of acupuncture clinical trials,disease specificity should be carefully considered.Sham acupuncture control using non-acupoint shallow needling may not be suitable for skin diseases such as urticaria.

[Objective]To explore the intervention effect of β-sitosterol,an effective monomer component of Eucommia ulmoides,on postmenopausal osteoporosis in mice and its potential mechanism.[Methods]Twenty-four female C57BL/6J mice of 12 weeks old were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group and β-sitosterol intervention group,with 8 mice in each group.The model of postmenopausal osteoporosis was established by bilateral ovariectomy.Mice in sham group and model group were given 0.9％sodium chloride solution and β-sitosterol intervention group was given β-sitosterol.Eight weeks after operation,all the mice were sacrificed and samples were collected.Micro-computed tomography(Micro-CT)was used to observe the protective effect of the β-sitosterol intervention on postmenopausal bone loss and trabecular bone breakage.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to analyze the bone histomorphology of the distal femur.The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining and the alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining were used to evaluate bone resorption and bone formation respectively.Then the expression level of β-catenin in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry.[Results]Micro-CT scanning showed that β-sitosterol could reduce bone loss and bone microstructure destruction in postmenopausal mice.HE staining also confirmed that β-sitosterol could effectively maintain the number and morphology of trabecular bone and inhibit abnormal fat accumulation caused by estrogen deficiency.TRAP staining also showed that β-sitosterol treatment did not affect osteoclast formation,while immunohistochemical results showed that β-sitosterol could significantly promote the expression of osteogenic marker ALP.Moreover,β-sitosterol can increase the expression of β-catenin in the distal femur to promote bone formation.[Conclusion]β-sitosterol treatment could enhance osteogenic differentiation and promote bone formation to relieve postmenopausal osteoporosis by upregulating β-catenin expression in vivo.

OBJECTIVETo analyze absentees due to injury among primary school pupils in Hubei, 2012-2013; and to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of injuries.

METHODSA total of 32 primary schools in Qianjiang city and Shayang county were sampled to conduct injury absenteeism surveillance, and the total number of students was 21 493. The surveillance contents included absent dates, genders, grades, initial or return absent, and the detailed absent reasons. The classification of injury was based on the 10th Revision of the international classification of diseases developed by WHO. Data from 2012-2013 school-year were extracted from the surveillance system for analysis. The total surveillance period was 182 days, of which the fall semester was 98 days and the spring semester was 84 days. The absenteeism rate and injury rate in different characteristics of primary school students were compared by χ² test, and the possible risk factors of injury were preliminary explored by calculating the RR (95% CI) value.

RESULTSThe total daily injury absenteeism rate was 8.26/100 100 during 2012-2013 school-year in 32 primary schools in Hubei province, which was higher in fall semester (9.16/100 000), Qianjiang area (9.63/100 000), rural primary schools (13.44/100 000), boys (9.57/100 000), 1-2 grades (10.41/100 000), and the differences were significant (P < 0.05). The total injury rate was 0.46%. Rural primary schools (RR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.46-3.70), boys (RR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.23-2.87), and 3-4 grades (RR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.10-3.09) were identified as high-risk factors, while using city primary schools, girls, and 5-6 grades as references, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe injury absenteeism rate and injury rate were more higher in rural primary schools, boys and low or middle grades in Hubei province during 2012 to 2013 school year, so monitoring and preventive measures should be focused on those students.

Absenteeism ; Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Schools ; Sex Factors ; Students ; Wounds and Injuries

Objective To analyze absentees due to injury among primary school pupils in Hubei , 2012-2013;and to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of injuries.Methods A total of 32 primary schools in Qianjiang city and Shayang county were sampled to conduct injury absenteeism surveillance , and the total number of students was 21 493.The surveillance contents included absent dates , genders, grades, initial or return absent , and the detailed absent reasons.The classification of injury was based on the 10th Revision of the international classification of diseases developed by WHO.Data from 2012-2013 school-year were extracted from the surveillance system for analysis.The total surveillance period was 182 days, of which the fall semester was 98 days and the spring semester was 84 days.The absenteeism rate and injury rate in different characteristics of primary school students were compared by χ2 test, and the possible risk factors of injury were preliminary explored by calculating the RR ( 95%CI ) value.Results The total daily injury absenteeism rate was 8.26/100 100 during 2012-2013 school-year in 32 primary schools in Hubei province , which was higher in fall semester ( 9.16/100 000 ) , Qianjiang area ( 9.63/100 000), rural primary schools (13.44/100 000), boys (9.57/100 000), 1-2 grades (10.41/100 000), and the differences were significant ( P<0.05 ).The total injury rate was 0.46%.Rural primary schools (RR=2.32, 95%CI:1.46-3.70), boys (RR=1.88, 95%CI:1.23-2.87), and 3-4 grades (RR=1.85, 95%CI:1.10-3.09) were identified as high-risk factors, while using city primary schools , girls, and 5-6 grades as references , respectively.Conclusion The injury absenteeism rate and injury rate were more higher in rural primary schools , boys and low or middle grades in Hubei province during 2012 to 2013 school year, so monitoring and preventive measures should be focused on those students .

Objective To analyze absentees due to injury among primary school pupils in Hubei , 2012-2013;and to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of injuries.Methods A total of 32 primary schools in Qianjiang city and Shayang county were sampled to conduct injury absenteeism surveillance , and the total number of students was 21 493.The surveillance contents included absent dates , genders, grades, initial or return absent , and the detailed absent reasons.The classification of injury was based on the 10th Revision of the international classification of diseases developed by WHO.Data from 2012-2013 school-year were extracted from the surveillance system for analysis.The total surveillance period was 182 days, of which the fall semester was 98 days and the spring semester was 84 days.The absenteeism rate and injury rate in different characteristics of primary school students were compared by χ2 test, and the possible risk factors of injury were preliminary explored by calculating the RR ( 95%CI ) value.Results The total daily injury absenteeism rate was 8.26/100 100 during 2012-2013 school-year in 32 primary schools in Hubei province , which was higher in fall semester ( 9.16/100 000 ) , Qianjiang area ( 9.63/100 000), rural primary schools (13.44/100 000), boys (9.57/100 000), 1-2 grades (10.41/100 000), and the differences were significant ( P<0.05 ).The total injury rate was 0.46%.Rural primary schools (RR=2.32, 95%CI:1.46-3.70), boys (RR=1.88, 95%CI:1.23-2.87), and 3-4 grades (RR=1.85, 95%CI:1.10-3.09) were identified as high-risk factors, while using city primary schools , girls, and 5-6 grades as references , respectively.Conclusion The injury absenteeism rate and injury rate were more higher in rural primary schools , boys and low or middle grades in Hubei province during 2012 to 2013 school year, so monitoring and preventive measures should be focused on those students .