OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals ; Tourette Syndrome/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice

The lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating acupuncture and moxibustion technique,developed by Professor FU Wen-Bin,a renowned traditional Chinese medicine expert in Guangdong Province,represents an innovative achievement in acupuncture therapy for depression-related disorders.Drawing upon the rich legacy of master scholars,meticulous study of medical literature,and over three decades of continuous research and innovation,Professor FU has formulated this technique with profound influence and widespread application.By tracing the developmental trajectory of the Lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating technique,this paper sheds light on its significant guiding principles and reference value for the development of other distinctive acupuncture techniques.Furthermore,it offers insights and inspiration for advancement in various fields of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of tension-type headache(TTH)in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years globally in 1990-2021,and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of TTH.Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study data,the age-standardized prevalence distribution of TTH and its changing trend were analyzed among the children and adolescents aged 0-19 years,with different sexes,age groups,sociodemographic index(SDI)regions and countries/territories.Results The age-standardized prevalence rate(ASPR)of TTH in children and adolescents aged 0-19 globally in 2021 was 17 339.89/100 000,which was increased by 1.73%since 1990.The ASPR in females was slightly higher than that in males(1990:17 707.65/100 000 vs 16 403.78/100 000;2021:17 946.29/100 000 vs 16 763.09/100 000).The ASPR in adolescence was significantly higher than that in school-aged and preschool periods(1990:27 672.04/100 000 vs 10 134.16/100 000;2021:28 239.04/100 000 vs 10 059.39/100 000).Regions with high SDI exhibited a higher ASPR than the other regions,with significant differences in prevalence rates across different countries.From 1990 to 2021,there was a slight increase in global ASPR,with an average annual percentage change(AAPC)of 0.06%.Females experienced a smaller increase than males based on AAPC(0.04%vs 0.07%).There was reduction in ASPR in preschool and school-aged groups,with an AAPC of-0.02%,while there was a significant increase in ASPR in adolescence,with an AAPC of 0.07%.ASPR decreased in regions with low-middle and low levels of SDI,with an AAPC of-0.02%and-0.04%,respectively,while it increased in regions with middle SDI,with an AAPC of 0.24%.Conclusions There is a consistent increase in the ASPR of TTH in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years globally,with significant differences across sexes,age groups,SDI regions and countries/territories.

As a natural product with a long history of medicinal use, parthenolide has aroused great interest of chemists and biologists. Existing studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory, antitumor and other pharmacological activities, and also revealed its action on NF-κB signaling pathway, DNMT1 enzyme and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. But its biological targets remain to be elucidated systematically. Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTAC) provides a new strategy for target discovery of natural products, which can be used to explore the panorama of protein changes in cells through proteomic investigation, so as to analyze their potential targets. Based on this idea, current study designed and synthesized 20 parthenolide-derived degraders. After measured their antitumor activity in vitro, selected compounds were carried out the proteomic experiment. Finally, 139 down-regulated differentially expressed proteins were identified and the discovery of parthenolide interacting protein was preliminarily explored.

IMM0306 is a recombinant human signal regulatory protein α-anti-CD20 mouse chimeric antibody fusion protein, intended to treat refractory or recurrent CD20 positive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) in clinical. In this study, an ELISA method was established to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of IMM0306 in human serum. The experiment was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. CTR20192612). Recombinant human CD47 protein was coated with the plate overnight, blocking the plate with 5% skin milk for 2 h. After washing, 100 μL per well standard and unknown samples were added, and incubated for 1.5 h. After washing, the detection antibody Anti-IMM0306-Biotin was added and incubated for 1 h, and then HRP-labeled streptavidin was added for 1 h, and the color was detected. The optimal concentration of coating reagent was 2 μg·mL^-1 by ELISA method, and the optimal dilution of anti-IMM0306-biotin and SA-HRP were 1∶500 and 1∶5 000, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation was 4 ng·mL^-1, and the standard curve range was 4-100 ng·mL^-1. The verification results of the method meets the corresponding acceptance criteria, and can be used in IMM0306 clinical pharmacokinetic studies.

BACKGROUNDAcupuncture can not only be used for well-known diseases, but also for so-called modern lifestyle-related diseases. Using innovative methods like e.g. new analyses of heart rate variability (HRV), it is also possible to investigate diseases like burnout syndrome, ie., qi deficiency in Chinese medicine (CM).

OBJECTIVEThe main object of this research protocol is to perform research on the relationship of burnout syndrome and heart rate (HR) and HRV.

METHODSA total of 175 patients with burnout syndrome (qi deficiency syndrome) in five groups and 35 healthy volunteers will be investigated. Based on random numbers generated by computer and concealed in opaque envelops, the patients will be assigned to four acupuncture groups using Zusanli (ST 36) acupuncture stimulation, Guanyuan (CV4) acupuncture stimulation, both points, and both points with Streitberger device respectively, and a moxibustion group using both points mentioned above, with 35 cases in each group. Altogether four different experiments are planned. Experiment 1 includes 70 subjects and is a comparison between a burnout group and a control group (healthy volunteers). The evaluation parameters are different scores and indices of HR and HRV. Experiment 2 includes 140 subjects and compares the efficacy of different acupuncture points. In experiment 3 (105 subjects), acupuncture and moxibustion should be compared to healthy volunteers. Experiment 4 (70 subjects) investigates the long-term therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on the scores of qi deficiency and HR/HRV in qi deficiency patients. In both the acupuncture and moxibustion groups, a total of 10 treatments will be performed.

CONCLUSIONSThe joint research aims at the scientific evaluation of CM, mainly in the field of HRV. This parameter could be a very good indicator of the state of health and can be inflfluenced by different acupuncture methods, as shown in the past.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Austria ; Burnout, Professional ; therapy ; China ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Life Style ; Moxibustion ; Research Design

OBJECTIVEIn this study, we aimed at exploring the association between work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and work organization based on a case-control study.

METHODSA total of 1938 workers who claimed to suffer from WMSDs were selected from Beijing, Henan, Hubei, and the Guangdong province. The control group consisted of 2009 workers employed in similar industries without severe disease or musculoskeletal discomforts. We used a modified version of the questionnaire developed by the NMQ and the DMQ to investigate individual and work-related factors.

RESULTSA total of 13 variables (P<0.1) were selected by the chi-square test and finally, 7 variables entered into the equation, with 6 variables reaching statistical significance (P<0.05). The odds ratios (OR) of 'work changing with season' and 'sufficient rest time' did not reach 1 (0.749 and 0.441, respectively). In addition, 'sufficient rest time' seemed to be the stronger protective factor according to its higher standardized coefficient. And 'repetitive work every minute', 'constantly repetitive work' (every day), 'shortage of site personnel', and 'often switching shifts with others' seemed to be the risk factors.

CONCLUSIONWork organization may have comprehensive effects on the occurrence of WMSDs. This pattern of associations suggests that further investigation into the mechanism of how work organization affects the prevalence of WMSDs is required.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chi-Square Distribution ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Demography ; Ergonomics ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Personnel Staffing and Scheduling ; organization & administration ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Work Schedule Tolerance ; physiology ; Workplace ; organization & administration ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the incidence of various grade of posttraumatic epilepsy in different time and risk factors by analyzing cerebral trauma cases of civil pilots and correlative literatures.The conclusion is expected to contribute to the aviation medical assessment for the civil pilot with posttraumatic epilepsy. Methods For analyzing epidemiology studies of posttraumatic epilepsy 9475 cases of civilians' posttraumatic epilepsy (include 605 severe, 1955 moderate and 6915 mild traumatic brain injury cases) were reviewed. Besides, 2 epilepsy cases of civil pilots with severe traumatic brain injury, who were specially applied for assessment, were also analyzed to investigate the application in aeromedical assessment. Results ①The severer traumatic brain injury the higher incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy. ②The possibility of posttraumatic epilepsy seizure was gradully diminished with time. The incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy could reduce to lower than 1% after 1, 3 or 8 years corresponding to the mild,moderate and severe traumatic brain injury. ③ The high risk factors of posttraumatic epilepsy included brain contusion, subdural hematoma, depressed fracture, loss of consciousness or post traumatic amnesia more than 24 h and early seizure. The close follow-up showed that 2 pilots well recovered by timely treatment and no more abnormities and seizure happened. One pilot was permitted for co-piloting at the 4th year of injury and had no epilepsy seizure in his safe flying for 2 years (1800 h). Another pilot returned to his qualified flight at the 9th year and had safely flied as pilot instructor for 4 years ( 1600 h) without seizure.Conclusions By applying 1% rule in aeromedical assessment, the mild traumatic brain injured pilot would be suggested to fit for flying by 1-year recovery and 3-year recovery for the moderate if no more abnormities were diagnosed. For the severe injured pilot, the flying qualification could be considered with or without limitation by 8-year recovery.

Objective To investigate the incidence of various grade of posttraumatic epilepsy in different time and risk factors by analyzing cerebral trauma cases of civil pilots and correlative literatures.The conclusion is expected to contribute to the aviation medical assessment for the civil pilot with posttraumatic epilepsy. Methods For analyzing epidemiology studies of posttraumatic epilepsy 9475 cases of civilians' posttraumatic epilepsy (include 605 severe, 1955 moderate and 6915 mild traumatic brain injury cases) were reviewed. Besides, 2 epilepsy cases of civil pilots with severe traumatic brain injury, who were specially applied for assessment, were also analyzed to investigate the application in aeromedical assessment. Results ①The severer traumatic brain injury the higher incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy. ②The possibility of posttraumatic epilepsy seizure was gradully diminished with time. The incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy could reduce to lower than 1% after 1, 3 or 8 years corresponding to the mild,moderate and severe traumatic brain injury. ③ The high risk factors of posttraumatic epilepsy included brain contusion, subdural hematoma, depressed fracture, loss of consciousness or post traumatic amnesia more than 24 h and early seizure. The close follow-up showed that 2 pilots well recovered by timely treatment and no more abnormities and seizure happened. One pilot was permitted for co-piloting at the 4th year of injury and had no epilepsy seizure in his safe flying for 2 years (1800 h). Another pilot returned to his qualified flight at the 9th year and had safely flied as pilot instructor for 4 years ( 1600 h) without seizure.Conclusions By applying 1% rule in aeromedical assessment, the mild traumatic brain injured pilot would be suggested to fit for flying by 1-year recovery and 3-year recovery for the moderate if no more abnormities were diagnosed. For the severe injured pilot, the flying qualification could be considered with or without limitation by 8-year recovery.

Objective To explore the underlying mechanism of mensenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transfer induced cardiac function improvement in failing hearts.Methods Congestive heart failure(CHF) was induced in rats by cauterization of the heart wall.MSCs were cultured from autologous bone marrow and injected into the border zone and the remote myocardium 5 days after cauterization.Results Ten weeks later,cardiomyocyte nucleus mitotic index,capillary density and expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1),hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly increased in the border zone and significantly reduced in the remote myocardium in CHF rats (all P＜0.05 vs.sham).Besides cardiac function improvement and left ventricular remodeling attenuation evidenced by hemodynamic and echocardiographic examinations,expressions of IGF-1,HGF and VEGF in the remote myocardium and in the border zone were also significantly upregulated (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 vs.CHF),and cardiomyocyte nucleus mitotic index as well as capillary density were significantly increased in CHF rats with MSCs(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 vs.CHF).Moreover,collagen area was significantly reduced and myocardial area was significantly increased in the border zone in these rats too.Conclusion Autologous MSC implantation upregulated expressions of growth factors enhanced cardioangiogenesis which might be the underlying mechanisms for improved cardiac function and attenuated left ventricular remodeling induced by MSCs transplantation in failing rat myocardium.