OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism. METHODS: Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. RESULTS: Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Signal Transduction ; Imiquimod ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Male ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

OBJECTIVE: To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases. METHODS: TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases. RESULTS: Increased TB risk was linked to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall, whereas NO ₂, SO ₂, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM _2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM ₁₀ ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO ₂ ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO ₂ ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM _2.5 on TB. CONCLUSION Exposure to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Meteorological Concepts ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Air Pollution ; Middle Aged

AIM To establish the near-infrared spectroscopy quantitative models for moisture,23-acetylalismol B and 23-acetylalismol C in Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces.METHODS The near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)data were collected in 95 batches of decoction pieces,after which drying method was adopted in the content determination of moisture,HPLC was applied to determining the contents of 23-acetylalismol B and 23-acetylalismol C,the quantitative models were established by partial least squares method combined with feature extraction algorithms.RESULTS The model training determination coefficients were 0.952 6,0.958 1 and 0.920 8,along with the prediction determination coefficients of 0.930 0,0.905 2 and 0.906 4,the residual prediction deviations(PRD)of 4.00,3.58 and 3.46,and the root mean square error ratios of prediction values to calibration values(RMSEP/RMSEC)of 1.15,1.11 and 1.06,respectively.CONCLUSION The quantitative models based on NIRS exhibit good prediction effects,which can be used for the rapid quality detection of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces.

Objective:To explore the influence of injection methods of different contrast agents on CMR image quality,and further optimize"one-stop"examination process under the premise of the analysis for high-pressure bolus pressure curve of contrast-enhanced(CE)cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR).Methods:The data of CMR examination of 70 patients with old myocardial infarction who admitted to the department of emergency of Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University from December 2023 to December 2024 were selected as research objects.They were divided into an observation group and a control group by a simple randomization method,with 35 cases in each group.The observation group adopted gadolinium contrast agent injection with double-phase double-flow,with two bolus injections at 4 ml/s and 2 ml/s sequentially.The control group adopted the injection with single-phase double-flow,with only one bolus injection at 4 ml/s.The dynamic pressure time curve was drawn,and the total bolus dose and pressure peak of two kinds of injection methods were compared.The residual liquid samples of the observation group and the control group were collected after injection of contrast agent was conducted.After the residual liquids of 10 ml,20 ml and 30 ml were derived respectively,the T1 mapping sequence was used to collect signal intensity values,and to compared the difference of that between two groups.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of left ventricular blood pool,infarcted myocardium and distal myocardium,and the contrast-to-noise ratios(CNR)between infarcted myocardium and blood pool,and between distal myocardium and blood pool were compared between the observation group and the control group.Results:There was no statistical difference in the total dose of bolus injection between the observation group and the control group(P>0.05).The peak value of the pressure of bolus injection in the observation group and control group were respectively(87.4±11.3)pound force per square inch(PSI)and(104.0±20.1)PSI,and the difference was statistically significant(t=5.81,P<0.05).T1 signal intensity values of 10 ml residual liquid and 20 mL residual liquid were respectively 1984.43±70.26 and 2190.56±195.96 in observation group,and they were respectively 1203.36±184.99 and 2884.64±349.39 in control group,and the differences were significant(t=-3.57,6.03,P<0.05).The T1 signal intensity value of 30mL residual fluid sample was 4371.75±75.16 in observation group,and that was 4261.86±110.68 in control group,and the difference was no significant(P>0.05).The SNR value of blood pool was(4.88±1.01)in observation group,which was lower than(8.25±1.36)in control group,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(t=6.11,P<0.05).The CNR values of infarcted myocardium and blood pool,of remote myocardium and blood pool between two groups were statistically significant(t=-4.79,-5.39,P<0.05).Conclusion:The contrast agent of high-pressure bolus injection with dual-phase dual-flow method can not only explore the time window of the extravasation of contrast agent,but also improve the SNR and the CNR of CMR images,and further optimize the CMR examination process.

Objective To develop a novel protective ventilator circuit component and to verify its performance by water seal and anti-splash experiments.Methods A novel protective ventilator circuit component had a design scheme with the multifunctional joint,and consisted of a tee connection tube,an isolation sleeve and a stop sleeve,of which,the tee connection tube was made of polyethylene polymer material and the others were made of silicone material.The tee connection tube had a T-shaped structure with two standard connection ports,which was composed of an adapter,a sealing cap,a plug and a sealing ring;the isolation sleeve was in the shape of a cylinder with a raised bottom,which was inserted into the adapter;the stop sleeve was located in the isolation sleeve,with an inverted frustum of a cone at the bottom and a rounded hole in the middle of the inverted frustum.An open ventilator circuit tube was involved in the performance verification of the circuit component developed.In the water seal experiment,sputum aspiration was simulated and the heights of the liquid level drop in the L-shaped tubes were compared after sputum aspiration.In the anti-splash experiment,the infection rates on the surfaces of the sterile hole towels and gloves were calculated.Results Water seal experiment showed after sputum aspiration the open ventilator circuit tube had the liquid level at the L-shaped tube higher significantly than that of the circuit component;the anti-splash experiment indicated sputum aspiration resulted in the occurance of the splashing out of the secretion and 77.5%infection rate by the open ventilator circuit tube,while no splashing out and 0%infection rate by the circuit component developed.Conclusion The novel protective ventilator circuit component behaves well in sealing and anti-splashing,and thus is worthy of clinical application for sputum aspiration.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):113-117]

Objective:To analyze the molecular genetic spectrum of children with acute myeloid leukemia(AML),and explore its correlation with clinical characteristics and prognosis.Methods:The clinical and molecular genetic data of 116 children with newly diagnosed AML in Wuhan Children's Hospital from September 2015 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the correlation of gene mutations with clinical features,and Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the influences of gene mutations on the prognosis.Results:NRAS(22％),KRAS(14.9％),and KIT(14.7％)mutations were the most common genetic abnormalities in 116 children with AML.Children with KIT,CEBPA and GATA2 mutations showed a higher median onset-age than those without mutations(all P＜0.05).Children with FLT3-ITD mutation exhibited a higher white blood cell count at initial diagnosis compared to those without mutations(P＜0.05).Children with ASXL2 mutation had lower platelet count and hemoglobin at initial diagnosis than those without mutations(both P＜0.05).KIT mutations were often co-occurred with t(8;21)(q22;q22).There was no significant relationship between gene mutation and minimal residual disease(MRD)remission rate after the first and second induction therapy(P＞0.05).KIT and NRAS mutations were not associated with prognosis significantly(P＞0.05).The overall survival(OS)rates of children with CEBPA and FLT3-ITD mutations were superior to those without mutations,but the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The 3-year OS rate of 61 children treated by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 89.8％,which was significantly higher than 55.2％of those only treated by chemotherapy(P＜0.001).Conclusions:Gene mutations are common in children with AML,and next-generation sequencing can significantly improve the detection rate of gene mutations,which can guide the risk stratification therapy.In addition,FLT3-ITD and KIT mutations may no longer be poor prognostic factors.

Objective:This study implemented a pulmonary rehabilitation integrated care management model based on an Internet of things platform for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and evaluated its effectiveness to provide evidence for clinical respiratory rehabilitation practices.Methods:A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Patients from the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Changsha Central Hospital Affiliated to University of South China between May and December 2023 were selected via purposive sampling. Sixty COPD patients from May to August 2023 were assigned to the control group, while 60 patients from September to December 2023 were assigned to the comprehensive management group. The control group adopted routine respiratory rehabilitation management, the comprehensive management group adopted a pulmonary rehabilitation integarted care management mode based on Internet of things platform respiratory rehabilitation. Before and after 6 months of intervention, patients were assessed for respiratory rehabilitation compliance, lung function (including the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second to the expected value (FEV 1% pred) and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity (FEV 1/FVC), 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Results:Finally, 55 cases were included in the control group and 59 cases were included in the comprehensive management group. The control group included 32 males and 23 females, aged (67.31 ± 7.14) years. The comprehensive management group included 39 males and 20 females, aged (68.15 ± 6.34) years. The respiratory rehabilitation compliance score, FEV 1% pred, FEV 1/FVC, 6MWT, and CAT score of the full management group after intervention were as follows: (26.45 ± 1.51) points, (59.21 ± 6.68)%, (78.35 ± 8.01)%, (479.63 ± 54.70) m, and (12.35 ± 4.01) points, which were all better than the control group′s (15.68 ± 1.56) points, (44.09 ± 6.31)%, (68.38 ± 6.43)%, (429.82 ± 60.50) m, and (17.03 ± 4.23) points. The difference between two groups were significant ( t values were 1.83-5.24, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The pulmonary rehabilitation integarted care management model based on Internet of things platform improves patient compliance, enhances pulmonary function, enhance their activity endurance, and improve their quality of life. It is worth promoting and using in clinical practice.

Aim To investigate the effects of the fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on the biological prop-erties of the BLM642-1290 DNA helicase,in order to lay a foundation for further research on its antitumor activity.Methods Fluorescence polarization assay,malachite green-phosphate and ammonium molybdate colorime-try,and fluorescein-labeled DNA gel electrophoresis experiments were conducted to study the effects of fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on the DNA binding activity,ATPase activity,and DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase.The effects of LYY-32 on the DNA unwinding activity of DNA helicase in cells were studied using fluorescent techniques and time-lapse microscopy.Ultraviolet spectral scanning was used to investigate the effects of LYY-32 on the confor-mation of the BLM642-1290 DNA helicase.Results At a concentration of 10 μmol·L-1,the inhibition rate of LYY-32 on BLM642-1290 DNA helicase binding to dsDNA was 53.17％.At a concentration of 5 μmol·L-1,the inhibition rate of LYY-32 on BLM642-1290 DNA helicase binding to ssDNA was 88.49％.The inhibition rate of LYY-32 on the ATPase activity of BLM642-1290 DNA he-licase was 89.3％at a concentration of 50 μmol·L-1.When the concentration of LYY-32 exceeded 5μmol·L-1,its inhibition rate on the DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase was 100％.LYY-32 also significantly inhibited the DNA unwinding ac-tivity of DNA helicase in cells.However,LYY-32 had no effect on the conformation of BLM642-1290 DNA heli-case.Conclusion The DNA binding activity,AT-Pase activity,and DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase could be significantly inhibi-ted by the fangchinoline derivative LYY-32.

Objective:To explore the influence of injection methods of different contrast agents on CMR image quality,and further optimize"one-stop"examination process under the premise of the analysis for high-pressure bolus pressure curve of contrast-enhanced(CE)cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR).Methods:The data of CMR examination of 70 patients with old myocardial infarction who admitted to the department of emergency of Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University from December 2023 to December 2024 were selected as research objects.They were divided into an observation group and a control group by a simple randomization method,with 35 cases in each group.The observation group adopted gadolinium contrast agent injection with double-phase double-flow,with two bolus injections at 4 ml/s and 2 ml/s sequentially.The control group adopted the injection with single-phase double-flow,with only one bolus injection at 4 ml/s.The dynamic pressure time curve was drawn,and the total bolus dose and pressure peak of two kinds of injection methods were compared.The residual liquid samples of the observation group and the control group were collected after injection of contrast agent was conducted.After the residual liquids of 10 ml,20 ml and 30 ml were derived respectively,the T1 mapping sequence was used to collect signal intensity values,and to compared the difference of that between two groups.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of left ventricular blood pool,infarcted myocardium and distal myocardium,and the contrast-to-noise ratios(CNR)between infarcted myocardium and blood pool,and between distal myocardium and blood pool were compared between the observation group and the control group.Results:There was no statistical difference in the total dose of bolus injection between the observation group and the control group(P>0.05).The peak value of the pressure of bolus injection in the observation group and control group were respectively(87.4±11.3)pound force per square inch(PSI)and(104.0±20.1)PSI,and the difference was statistically significant(t=5.81,P<0.05).T1 signal intensity values of 10 ml residual liquid and 20 mL residual liquid were respectively 1984.43±70.26 and 2190.56±195.96 in observation group,and they were respectively 1203.36±184.99 and 2884.64±349.39 in control group,and the differences were significant(t=-3.57,6.03,P<0.05).The T1 signal intensity value of 30mL residual fluid sample was 4371.75±75.16 in observation group,and that was 4261.86±110.68 in control group,and the difference was no significant(P>0.05).The SNR value of blood pool was(4.88±1.01)in observation group,which was lower than(8.25±1.36)in control group,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(t=6.11,P<0.05).The CNR values of infarcted myocardium and blood pool,of remote myocardium and blood pool between two groups were statistically significant(t=-4.79,-5.39,P<0.05).Conclusion:The contrast agent of high-pressure bolus injection with dual-phase dual-flow method can not only explore the time window of the extravasation of contrast agent,but also improve the SNR and the CNR of CMR images,and further optimize the CMR examination process.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mediating role of sleep duration in the relationship between depression symptoms and myopia among middle school students. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional research conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method. A total of 1 728 middle school students were selected from two junior high schools and two senior high schools in certain urban areas and farms of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Questionnaire surveys and vision tests were conducted among the students. Spearman analysis was used to analyze the correlation between depression symptoms, sleep duration, and myopia. The Bootstrap method was employed to investigate the mediating effect of sleep duration between depression symptoms and myopia. RESULTS: The prevalence of myopia in the overall population was 74.02% (1 279/1 728), with an average sleep duration of (7.6±1.0) hours. The rate of insufficient sleep was 83.62% (1 445/1 728), and the proportion of students exhibiting depression symptoms was 25.29% (437/1 728). Correlation analysis showed significant negative correlations between visual acuity in both eyes and sleep duration with depressive emotions as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (with correlation coefficients of -0.064, -0.084, and -0.199 respectively; P<0.01), as well as with somatic symptoms and activities (with correlation coefficients of -0.104, -0.124, and -0.233 respectively; P<0.01) and interpersonal relationships (with correlation coefficients of -0.052, -0.059, and -0.071 respectively; P<0.05). The correlation coefficients for left and right eye visual acuity and sleep duration were 0.206 and 0.211 respectively (P<0.001). Sleep duration exhibited a mediating effect between depression symptoms and myopia (indirect effect=0.056, 95%CI: 0.029-0.088), with the mediating effect value for females (indirect effect=0.066, 95%CI: 0.024-0.119) being higher than that for males (indirect effect=0.042, 95%CI: 0.011-0.081). CONCLUSIONS Sleep duration serves as a partial mediator between depression symptoms and myopia in middle school students.
Humans ; Myopia/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Depression/physiopathology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Sleep ; Adolescent ; Students ; Child ; Time Factors ; Sleep Duration