Objective To investigate the effect of dorsal repulsive axon guidance protein(Draxin)on the migration of trunk neural crest cells during the early development of embryonic mouse spinal cord.Methods Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression characteristics of Draxin in early embryonic spinal cord(8 mice each group);In situ hybridization was used to detect the change of migration characteristics of trunk neural crest cells in early embryonic spinal cord of different types of mouse(5 mice each group);in vitro culture method was used to check the effect of Draxin on the migration characteristics of embryonic mouse trunk neural crest cells(16 mice each group).Resultsβ-galactosidase gene Z(LacZ)gene was introduced when Draxin gene was knocked out to produce Draxin gene knockout mice.β-galactosidase staining was used to detect LacZ gene expression in Draxin knockout embryonic mice,and the result showed that Draxin expression was observed in the spinal cord of early embryonic mice since 9.5 days(E9.5).Draxin expression was obvious in the embryonic mice spinal cord in E10.5 period.In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of Draxin gene in the spinal cord of wild type embryonic mice,and the result further verified the obvious expression of Draxin in the early embryonic mice spinal cord in El0.5 period.Sox10 in situ hybridization was used to detect neural crest cell migration in the spinal cord of embryonic mice in E10.5 period.The result showed that segmental migration of neural crest cells in the early embryonic spinal cord of some Draxin knockout mice was delayed compared with the wild type mice.The effect of Draxin on the migration of wild type early embryonic mice trunk neural crest cells in vitro was tested.The result showed that Draxin reduced the migration distance of neural crest cells in vitro.Conclusion In the early developmental stage of embryonic spinal cord(E9.5-E10.5),neural crest cells migrated exuberant.At the same time,Draxin plays an important inhibitory function in the formation of the specific migration pathways of trunk neural crest cells by promoting neural crest cells migrating away from Draxin expressing regions.

Objective:To explore the effect of social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on intrinsic motivation and social cognition in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:Forty-two stable schizophrenia patients were randomly divided into the SCIT + TMS group( n=22) and the SCIT group( n=20). All the subjects received 20 sessions of SCIT treatment, and the SCIT+ TMS group simultaneously received 15 sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC). All the subjects were assessed by intrinsic motivation inventory for schizophrenia research(IMI-SR), Chinese version of the ambiguous intentions hostility questionnaire(AIHQ-C), theory of mind-picture sequencing task(ToM-PST), mentalization scale (MentS), Chinese version of interpersonal reactivity index (IRI-C) and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) before and after intervention. SPSS 26.0 software was used for data analysis.Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intra-group comparison before and after treatment, while Mann-Whitney U test and covariance analysis were used for inter-group comparison.Spearman correlation analysis and Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between the intrinsic motivation and social cognition. Results:There were no significant differences on IMI-SR scores before and after treatment between the two groups(all P>0.05). In the SCIT+ TMS group, the total score of hostility bias (HB), HB scores in ambiguous scenes, HB scores in intentional scenes, and aggressive bias (AB) scores in ambiguous scenes of AIHQ-C scale after treatment were lower than those befor treatment( Z=-2.044--3.112, all P<0.05), while the total score of ToM-PST(18.50(16.00, 21.00) vs 15.50(11.75, 18.00), Z=-2.598, P=0.009) and IRI-C imagination score (12.18±3.79, 14.41±4.73, t=-2.694, P=0.014) were higher than those before treatment.In the SCIT group, the total score of ToM-PST after treatment was higher than that before treatment(21.00(20.00, 22.00) vs 17.00(14.50, 20.75), Z=-2.518, P=0.012).There was no significant statistical difference in MentS scores between after treatment and before treatment ( P>0.05). The difference in AIHQ-C intentional scenario AB score before and after treatment was higher in the SCIT+ TMS group than in the SCIT group ( Z=-1.996, P=0.046), while there was no statistically significant difference in the difference before and after treatment in social cognitive scores between the two groups (all P>0.05).In the combined two samples, Spearman correlation analysis showed that the total score of IMI-SR before treatment was positively correlated with the primary belief score of ToM-PST understanding, reciprocity score, MentS total score, other person mentalization score, motivation mentalization score, IRI-C total score, viewpoint taking score, and empathy concern score after treatment( r=0.341-0.509, all P<0.05), while negatively correlated with AIHQ-C total score and factor scores ( r=-0.434--0.645, P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that the total score of IMI-SR had negative impact on AIHQ-C total HB score( B=-0.047, OR=0.954, 95% CI=0.917-0.993).The value score had a positive impact on the total score of MentS ( B=0.143, OR=1.154, 95% CI=1.043-1.277), other person mentalization score( B=0.166, OR=1.181, 95% CI=1.058-1.318), motivation mentalization score( B=0.111, OR=1.117, 95% CI=1.021-1.223), IRI-C total score ( B=0.138, OR=1.148, 95% CI=1.038-1.270), and viewpoint taking score( B=0.194, OR=1.214, 95% CI=1.076-1.369). Interest score had a positive impact on IRI-C empathy concern score ( B=0.098, OR=1.103, 95% CI=0.998-1.218) and ToM-PST understanding primary belief score( B=0.130, OR=1.138, 95% CI=1.010-1.283) and reciprocity score( B=0.189, OR=1.208, 95% CI=1.057-1.380). Conclusion:The research results did not confirm the effect of TMS over the DLPFC on enhancing intrinsic motivation, as well as the synergistic effect of SCIT treatment on social cognition. But the correlation results indicates that improving schizophrenia patients' intrinsic motivation level in cognitive training is meaningful for promoting social cognition.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

Objective To conduct a clinical comprehensive evaluation of Lu Dangshen Oral Liquid from 6 dimensions,including safety,effectiveness,economic value,innovativeness,suitability and accessibility.Methods The clinical evidence of Lu Dangshen Oral Liquid and seven control drugs(Bufei Huoxue Capsules,Xiangsha Liujun Pills,Jinshuibao Capsules,Shenling Baizhu Granules,Yupingfeng Granules,Zhenqi Fuzheng Granules and Bailing Capsules)were obtained by using quantitative and qualitative methods through literature retrieval,questionnaire survey and data collection.Based on the multi criteria decision analysis(MCDA)model,the clinical value of drugs was comprehensively evaluated.The weights of criterion layer,index layer and alternative scheme were calculated by analytic hierarchy process.The equal frequency discretization rule was used to classify the evaluation results.Results The safety evidence showed that the main adverse reactions were epistaxis and nausea,and there were no serious adverse events.The comprehensive evaluation was grade A(the risk was controllable and the evidence was sufficient).Clinical studies showed that its treatment of lung spleen qi deficiency syndrome reflects the idea of treating different diseases with same method,and its efficacy in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and children with recurrent respiratory tract infection was better than conventional treatment or Spleen Aminopeptide Oral Lyophilized Powder,and its effectiveness was rated as grade A.In terms of economy,the daily drug cost was relatively high,and it was rated as grade C.The preparation process was authorized by one patent.The single Chinese materia medica could improve the diseases and symptoms related to lung spleen qi deficiency syndrome,and the innovation was rated as grade A.In the questionnaire survey,the clinical use and patient compliance were excellent,and the suitability was rated as grade A.The supply of raw materials was stable,and the accessibility was rated as grade B.Conclusion The comprehensive evaluation of the clinical value of Lu Dangshen Oral Liquid in the treatment of lung spleen qi deficiency syndrome is grade A,which can provide references for the adjustment of the national medical insurance catalog and the national essential medicine catalog.

Objective:To identify factors influencing treatment-free remission (TFR) outcomes in children and adolescent patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after imatinib (IM) discontinuation.Methods:This multicenter retrospective study analyzed 36 children and adolescent patients with CML from eight hematology centers in China (December 1, 2016, to September 27, 2024) who discontinued IM therapy with documented post-cessation outcomes. Clinical characteristics and molecular response dynamics were assessed. Univariate analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed to assess factors associated with TFR outcomes.Results:A total of 36 patients were documented, comprising 17 males and 19 females. The median ages at CML diagnosis and IM discontinuation were 11 years ( IQR: 5,16) and 20 years ( IQR: 14,25), respectively. The median time from IM initiation to first deep molecular response (DMR) was 21 months ( IQR: 13, 38). Pre-discontinuation, patients received IM for a median duration of 96 months ( IQR: 84, 121) and maintained DMR for 74 months ( IQR: 63, 89). With a median post-discontinuation follow-up of 38 months ( IQR: 15, 68), cumulative TFR rates at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 74.1%, 60.7%, 60.7%, and 56.0%, respectively, generating an overall TFR rate of 58.3%. Fifteen patients lost major molecular response at a median of 5 months post-discontinuation ( IQR: 3, 11). All 15 patients resumed tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, comprising 13 who restarted IM and 2 who switched to dasatinib. By the last follow-up, 13 (86.7% ) patients regained DMR after a median treatment duration of 5 months ( IQR: 3, 17), and no disease progression occurred in any patient. Withdrawal syndrome occurred in 2 (5.6% ) patients. Univariate analysis revealed significantly higher TFR rates in patients with pre-discontinuation IM duration of ≥100 months vs <100 months (82.4% vs 36.8%, P=0.017) and pre-discontinuation DMR duration of ≥72 months vs <72 months (84.2% vs 29.4%, P=0.003). Multivariate Cox analysis identified pre-discontinuation DMR duration as an independent protective factor for TFR ( HR=5.419, 95% CI: 1.524–19.272, P=0.009) . Conclusion:DMR duration was identified as an independent protective factor influencing TFR outcomes in children and adolescent patients with CML after IM discontinuation. Patients who maintained DMR for ≥72 months before IM discontinuation demonstrated a significantly higher TFR rate.

Objective To investigate the potential categories of nutrition literacy in young and middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with overweight or obesity,and analyze the relationship between various latent categories and dietary motivation,so as to provide references for clinical working staff to develop relevant dietary intervention strategies.Methods A convenient sampling method was used to enroll 270 young and middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with overweight or obesity from the endocrine department of a tertiary general hospital in Zhenjiang City,Jiangsu province,using basic information questionnaire,Nutrition Literacy Measurement Scale for Chinese adults,and the Regulation of Eating Behaviors Scale to collect data,using latent profile analysis to extract nutrition literacy potential categories,with general data and potential categories as independent variables,dietary motivation as the dependent variable for univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.Results A total of 262 young and middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with overweight or obesity completed the survey,and their nutrition literacy could be divided into 3 potential categories:low nutrition literacy group(16.41％),transformation dilemma group(54.96％),and middle and high nutrition literacy group(28.63％).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that residency style,potential categories of nutrition literacy and presence of diabetic complications were the influencing factors of dietary motivation in young and middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with overweight or obesity(P＜0.05).Conclusion There was a group heterogeneity in nutrition literacy in young and middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with overweight or obesity.Clinical working staff should provide targeted interventions based on the patient's potential categories of nutrition literacy to stimulate ongoing motivation to maintain a healthy diet.

AIM To study the protective effect of Gynura divaricate polysaccharide on gouty nephropathy(GN)induced by dry yeast combined with adenine in rats.METHODS Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the allopurinol group(42 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose G.divaricate polysaccharide groups(140,280,560 mg/kg).All the rats except those of the normal group were induced into GN models by intragastrical dosing of yeast(5 g/kg)and adenine(100 mg/kg)and intervened with corresponding drug administration simultaneously.After 35 days,the rats had their levels of creatinine(Cr)and uric acid(UA)in serum and urine detected and their fraction excretion of uric acid(FEUA)value determined;their kidney mass and volume measured and their levels of kidney index and density calculated;their renal pathological changes checked by HE staining;their renal GLUT9,URAT1,ABCG2 and OAT1 mRNA expressions dectected by RT-qPCR;and their renal GLUT9,URAT1,ABCG2 and OAT1 protein expressions dectected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,each dose of G.divaricate polysaccharide group displayed decreased levels of kidney mass,kidney volume and kidney index(P＜0.01);increased levels of kidney density(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased serum levels of UA and Cr(P＜0.01);increased urine levels of UA and Cr(P＜0.01);increased FEUA value(P＜0.01);decreased GLUT9,URAT1 mRNA and protein expressions(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and increased ABCG2,OAT1 mRNA and protein expressions(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and more alleviated renal histological aberrations.CONCLUSION G.divaricate polysaccharide exerts good protective effects against yeast/adenine-induced GN in rats probably through down-regulating protein expression of GLUT9,URAT1 and up-regulating ABCG2 and OAT1.

Objective To investigate the angiographic manifestations and interventional treatment outcomes of inferior vena cava occlusion associated with dangerous collateral vessels in Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS).Methods The data of 43 BCS patients with inferior vena cava occlusion and dangerous collateral vessels were retrospectively analyzed.All 43 patients underwent digital subtraction angiography(DSA)of the inferior vena cava and recanalization treatment of the occluded segment of the inferior vena cava.Results DSA in 43 patients showed that the inferior vena cava was occluded,and a total of 70 dangerous collateral vessels originated from the occluded end.All patients were successfully treated.DSA showed that the blood flow in the inferior vena cava was unobstructed and the dangerous collateral vessels disappeared.No complications,such as rupture or bleeding of the inferior vena cava,occurred during the interventional treatment.The 43 patients were followed up for 6-75 months after interventional treatment,and re-occlusion occurred in 6 cases.All patients made it through.Conclusion DSA can clearly show the dangerous collateral vessels originating from the occluded end of the inferior vena cava in BCS,and interventional treatment is safe and effective.

Objective:To investigate whether malignant tumors affect the laboratory outcomes of patients in their first controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control study that analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of patients who underwent fertility preservation before chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to malignant tumors, as well as patients with infertility caused by tubal factors who first underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to May 2024. Patients who underwent fertility preservation were designated as the research group, while patients who underwent assisted reproduction due to tubal factors during the same period were designated as control group. After 1∶3 propensity score matching (PSM), 40 patients were included in the research group and 118 patients were included in control group. The ovarian response, oocyte retrieval outcomes, and embryonic development after fertilization in the first COH cycle were compared between the two groups. Results:After PSM, the research group and control group showed statistically significant differences in the gonadotropin (Gn) starting dosage [225.00 (162.50, 300.00) U vs. 193.75 (150.00, 225.00) U, P=0.002], duration of Gn used [10.00 (8.00, 11.00) d vs. 12.00 (10.00, 13.00) d, P<0.001], and average estradiol levels on human chorionic gonadotropin trigger day [2 487.00 (1 461.25, 4 090.25) pmol/L vs. 10 738.50 (8 400.00, 16 507.25) pmol/L, P<0.001]. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the total dosages of Gn used between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of metaphase Ⅱ oocytes, two pronuclei (2PN) rate, 2PN cleavage rate, available embryo rate, high-quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, and available blastocyst formation rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with infertility patients with tubal factors, there is no significant difference in the laboratory outcomes of malignant tumor patients undergoing COH for fertility preservation prior to chemotherapy and radiation.

Objective:To investigate the effects of male body mass index (BMI) on semen parameters and perinatal outcomes following artificial insemination by husband (AIH) treatment.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 5 053 patients underwent AIH treatment at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from January 2017 to February 2024. The study focused on factors such as male semen parameter abnormalities, male sexual dysfunction, female cervical factors, reproductive tract malformations, and unexplained infertility. Patients were classified into three groups based on male BMI: normal weight group (18.5-23.9 kg/m2, n=1 673), overweight group (24.0-27.9 kg/m2, n=2 078), and obese group (BMI≥28.0 kg/m2, n=1 302). The primary objective was to assess the differences in semen parameters and perinatal outcomes among the three groups. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression analyses were applied to adjust for potential confounders that could influence semen parameters and perinatal outcomes. Results:Semen volume in the normal weight group and overweight group [4.00 (3.00, 5.50) mL, 4.00 (3.00, 5.50) mL] was higher than that in the obese group [4.00 (3.00, 5.00) mL], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P<0.001, a P<0.001). The total sperm count in the normal group and overweight group [207.60 (121.90, 341.75)×10 6, 211.80 (119.88, 334.83)×10 6] was higher than that in the obese group [188.40 (110.96, 323.41)×10 6], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.007, a P<0.001). The total progressive sperm motility count in the normal group [88.18 (43.63, 163.80)×10 6] was higher than that in the obese group [75.30 (40.29, 147.86)×10 6], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.001, a P<0.001). The percentage of forward motile sperm in the normal group [(45.37±17.16)%] was higher than that in the overweight group [(44.03±17.36)%] and the obese group [(43.80±17.21)%], with a significant difference compared among the three groups ( P=0.020, a P=0.016]. In terms of perinatal outcomes, after multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the overweight and obese groups had higher newborn birth weights [(3 389.53±472.65) g, (3 408.57±507.90) g] compared with the normal group [(3 271.32±532.02) g], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.010, a P=0.009). Conclusion:Higher male BMI is associated with decreased semen quality and may increase newborn birth weight following AIH treatment.