BACKGROUND:Many studies have focused on acupuncture,such as silver needles,for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation,but there are few studies based on the myofascial trigger point theory. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of silver needle comprehensive therapy on the ultrasound morphology and clinical efficacy of multifidus muscles in patients with lumbar disc herniation based on the theory of myofascial trigger points. METHODS:A total of 159 patients with lumbar disc herniation who were seen from January 2022 to April 2023 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into three groups:conventional group(n=53),traditional acupuncture group(n=53),and silver needle group(n=53).The conventional group received routine western medicine treatment;the traditional acupuncture group used traditional acupuncture therapy based on meridian pathways and symptom localization;and the silver needle group used silver needle warm acupuncture at myofascial trigger points for intervention.All three groups received continuous treatment for 4 weeks.The number of myofascial trigger points,pain assessment,lumbar function evaluation,ultrasound morphology changes of multifidus muscles,clinical efficacy,and traditional Chinese medicine symptom score were recorded before and after treatment in the three groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After treatment,the number of myofascial trigger points in the lumbar muscles decreased in all groups,and the silver needle group showed a significant reduction compared with the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional group(P<0.05).(2)The pain rating index score,visual analogue scale score,present pain intensity score,Oswestry disability index score,and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire score in the silver needle group were lower than those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional group(P<0.05).(3)The ultrasound morphology indexes of multifidus muscles in the silver needle group were superior to those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional western medicine group(P<0.05).(4)Traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores in the silver needle group were lower than those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional western medicine group(P<0.05).(5)There were significant differences in clinical efficacy among the three groups(P<0.05).To conclude,applying silver needle comprehensive therapy based on the theory of myofascial trigger points can effectively reduce pain,improve clinical efficacy,and enhance lumbar spine dysfunction and multifidus muscle morphology in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Objective:To investigate corneal transparency alteration in patients with type 2 diabetes and its influencing factors.Methods:A case-control study was conducted.A total of 52 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (104 eyes) and 23 age-matched healthy controls (46 eyes) were enrolled as DM group and normal control group in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from October 1, 2020 to October 30, 2021.Patients with DM were further divided into non-diabetic retinopathy (non-DR) and DR groups according to their fundus conditions.Corneal densitometry (CD) was evaluated using the Pentacam.According to its built-in program, the cornea was divided into anterior, intermediate, and posterior layers and subdivided into 0-2 mm, >2-6 mm, >6-10 mm, and >10-12 mm annular regions with the corneal apex as the center of the circle.Pentacam automatically calculated the CD value of each corneal layer and region as well as the total CD value.The influencing factors of total CD value in diabetes group were analyzed by a multivariate linear regression analysis model.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No.YX2023-129[F1]).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before any medical examination.Results:The total CD value of diabetes group was 20.24±3.10, which was significantly higher than 18.79±3.31 of normal control group ( t=-2.583, P=0.011).The CD values of the anterior layer, intermediate layer, 0-2 mm, and >2-6 mm regions were significantly higher in diabetes group than in normal control group (all at P<0.05).The CD values in the anterior layer were higher in non-DR and DR groups than in normal control group, and the CD values and total CD values in the middle and posterior layers were higher in non-DR group than in normal control group and DR group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05).The CD values in the 0-2 mm and >2-6 mm regions were significantly higher in non-DR group than in normal control group, and the CD value in the >6-10 mm annular region was significantly higher in non-DR group than in DR group and normal control group (all at P<0.05).Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that age and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were the main influencing factors for the increase in CD values in diabetic patients ( β=0.266, P<0.001; β=0.423, P=0.003). Conclusions:The decrease of corneal transparency precedes the appearance of DR in patients with diabetes.Poor control of HbA1c level in diabetic patients may cause the decline of corneal transparency.

Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester (AD-1) is a synthetic peptide composed of acetic acid and cetyl alcohol with arginine and tyrosine, which has certain anti-inflammatory and skin barrier enhancement effects, has been used in cosmetics for sensitive skin.Meanwhile, the ingredient has also been used in anti-aging cosmetics, but there is a lack of published scientific evidence on anti- senescence aspect.In this study, we investigated the related effects of AD-1 by evaluating its in vitro antioxidant and antiglycation efficacies.Furthermore, we established a photoaging model on primary rat dermal fibroblasts by repeated exposures to UVA irradiation.MTT assay was used to detect the effects of AD-1 on the cell viability.RT-qPCR was used to determine the effects of AD-1 on the mRNA levels of senescence-related p21, p53, MMPs, IL6, Col1, Col3 and autophagy-related p62, ATG5, ATG7.Western blot was used to detect the effects of AD-1 on the protein levels of p16, p21, p53, Col1, LC3B and p62.SA-β-gal was performed to indicate senescence level of the cell.MDC was performed to indicate autophagy level.Intracellular reactive oxygen species were monitored by fluorescent probes DCFH-DA.The results showed that AD-1 could reduce UVA-induced the cell damage and regulate the abnormal expression of mRNA levels. It alleviated the abnormal protein levels of p16, p21, p53, Col1, LC3B and p62 induced by UVA. These results suggested that AD-1 has not only antioxidant and antiglycation effects but also can activate autophagy to achieve anti-senescence effect.

Pulmonary blast injury has become the main type of trauma in modern warfare, characterized by externally mild injuries but internally severe injuries, rapid disease progression, and a high rate of early death. The injury is complicated in clinical practice, often with multiple and compound injuries. Currently, there is a lack of effective protective materials, accurate injury detection instrument and portable monitoring and transportation equipment, standardized clinical treatment guidelines in various medical centers, and evidence-based guidelines at home and abroad, resulting in a high mortality in clinlcal practice. Therefore, the Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized military and civilian experts in related fields such as thoracic surgery and traumatic surgery to jointly develop the Clinical treatment guideline for pulmonary blast injury ( version 2023) by combining evidence for effectiveness and clinical first-line treatment experience. This guideline provided 16 recommended opinions surrounding definition, characteristics, pre-hospital diagnosis and treatment, and in-hospital treatment of pulmonary blast injury, hoping to provide a basis for the clinical treatment in hospitals at different levels.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety between WangShiBaoChiWan and mosapride in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD).Methods:From September 2019 to September 2020, patients with postprandial fullness and early satiation who met the Rome Ⅳ criteria for FD diagnosis were enrolled from 15 hospitals, including the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical College. The subjects were randomly divided into WangShiBaoChiWan (experimental) group and mosapride (control) group in the ratio of 1∶1. The treatment regimens were WangShiBaoChiWan+ mosapride simulator, WangShiBaoChiWan simulator+ mosapride, respectively with a treatment period of 2 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was the improvement rates of main symptoms before and after treatment, the secondary efficacy primary efficacy outcome was the total clinical effective rate and the change of the single symptom score. And the safety indicator included adverse events. Independent sample t-test, paired t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 251 FD patients were enrolled in the full analysis set, including 124 in the experimental group and 127 in the control group; 241 FD patients were in the per-protocol analysis set, including 117 in the experimental group and 124 in the control group. The analysis of per-protocol analysis set showed that the improvement rates of the main symptoms of the experimental group and the control group were (66±29)% and (60±30)%, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The improvement rate of the main symptoms of the experimental group reached 117% of that of the control group, which exceeded the expected non-inferiority standard of 80%. The total clinical effective rates of the experimental group and the control group were 76.07% (89/117) and 75.81% (94/124), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The results of full analysis set showed that the incidence of adverse events of the experimental group and the control group was 1.62% (2/124) and 1.57% (2/127), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There were no serious adverse events in the two groups. Conclusion:The improvement rate of the main symptoms of WangShiBaoChiWan is not inferior to that of mosapride in the treatment of FD, and it has good safety.

Objective To explore the spatial-temporal characteristics of influenza epidemic in Hubei from 2009 to 2020, and make short-term prediction to provide reference for influenza prevention and control strategies. Methods Time series seasonal decomposition model and geographic spatial analysis method were used to analyze spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of influenza prevalence in Hubei during 2009-2020. LSTM neural network model was used to predict the monthly influenza incidence from 2020 to 2023. Results Influenza was mainly prevalent in the end of winter and the beginning of spring (December to March) were periods of high influenza incidence. In recent years, the influenza pandemic has shown an increasing trend. Influenza epidemic was characterized by significant spatial differentiation, with ^“A-shaped point-axis structure^” surrounding counties were more severe . The epidemic center of gravity experienced a spatial evolution process from west to east and from north to south. LSTM neural network model predicted that although the influenza incidence rate from January 2020 to December 2023 is lower than that in 2019, it is still at a high level, and shows a peak epidemic in winter and spring. Conclusion Influenza epidemic in Hubei is characterized by a high epidemic period in late winter and early spring, and the southeast of Hubei is the key epidemic area. It is suggested that publicity and prevention and control should be strengthened according to people, time and place, and key populations and areas should be encouraged to receive influenza vaccines in advance.

Objective: Combining the aluminium content data of food in Henan Province with the data of children s food consumption, to evaluate probability of dietary aluminum exposure among primary school students. Methods: Database of nine types of aluminum containing food and their consumption among primary school students in Henan Province were established. The probability distribution of dietary aluminum exposure was calculated by Monte Carlo simulation using Crystal Ball 11.1.2.4 software, and the sensitivity analysis of exposure was conducted. Results: The average content of aluminum in fried bread stick was the highest, with the value of 150.89 mg/kg. The consumption of dietary aluminum was highest in steamed bun, with the value of 0.15 g. The average dietary aluminum exposure per kilogram of body weight was 1.99 mg per week of primary school students in Henan Province, accounting for 99.7% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The 95th percentile of aluminum exposure per kilogram of body weight per week was 6.16 mg, which was three times of that of PTWI. Nearly 13.22% of primary school students had dietary aluminum exposure higher than PTWI. Among all kinds of food, the average aluminum exposure of fried bread stick per kilogram of body weight per week was the highest 1.19 mg. Aluminum content in fried bread stick accounted the highest proportion of average dietary aluminum exposure among primary school students. Conclusion The average dietary aluminum exposure level of primary school students in Henan Province is close to the PTWI established by JECFA, with the high consumption population exceeds the PTWI. Measures should be taken to reduce the dietary aluminum exposure risk of primary school students.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Jinghua Weikang capsule combined with Bifidobacterium for curing patients featured by spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection with low DOB values.Methods:To enroll 130 cases who were admitted to the Digestion Center of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University from March 2019 to March 2020. According to the treaatment protocols, the quadruple therapy group and dual therapy group, each had 65 patients. The quadruple therapy group had two different treatment protocols, 34 cases with Rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablet, Bismuth potassium citrate capsule, Amoxicillin capsule, and Clarithromycin, the other one had 31 cases with Rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablet, Bismuth potassium citrate capsule, Amoxicillin capsule, and Levofloxacin tablets. The Dual therapy group was treated with Jinghua Weikang capsule combined with Bifidobacterium. As for quadruple therapy group, 14 days was a course of treatment, while28 days was a course of treatment for dual therapy group. The two groups were treated for one course, respectively. The TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. After 4-weeks long drug withdrawal, all cases were reexamined via 13C-UBT. The Hp eradication rate, efficacy evaluation and adverse reactions were compared between both groups.Results:The eradication rate was 90.8% (59/65) in quadruple therapy group and 78.5% (51/65) in dual therapy group. There was no statistical difference between two groups ( χ２=3.78, P=0.052). As for quadruple therapy group, the eradication rate was 91.2% (31/34) in Protocol One and 90.3% (28/31) in Protocol Two. There was no statistical difference between two protocols ( χ２=0.01, P=0.906). After treatment, the TCM syndrome score of quadruple therapy group [(7.02±0.89) vs. (6.51±0.85), Z=-3.01], was significantly higher than that of dual therapy group ( P<0.01). The total effective rate was 93.9% (61/65) in dual therapy group and 78.5% (51/65) in quadruple therapy group. There was statistically significantly difference between two groups ( χ２=6.45, P=0.011). The adverse reactions was 24.6% (16/65) in quadruple therapy group and 6.2% (4/65) in dual therapy group. There was statistically significantly difference in two groups ( χ２=8.51, P=0.004). Conclusions:The Jinghua Weikang capsule combined with Bifidobacterium had curative effects on Hp infected patients with low DOB values. It could improve TCM Syndromes with little adverse reactions.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of Ganhai Weikang capsule (GWC) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD).Methods:A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel, multi-center, superiority clinical trial was conducted. From March 2018 to April 2020, totally 324 patients with dyspepsia symptoms, who were diagnosed as chronic non-atrophic gastritis by endoscopy and pathology and met the Rome Ⅳ diagnostic criteria for FD from 7 top hospitals were enrolled, including the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Heilongjiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Capital Medical University and the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. The patients were randomly divided into the GWC group and the placebo group according to the ratio of 1∶1. The patients of GWC group were given GWC and the patients of placebo group were given GWC capsule simulant. The patients of both groups orally took capsules before meals, 2.4 g each time and 3 times per day, and the course of treatment was 4 weeks. The main efficacy index was the total clinical effective rate after 4 weeks, and the secondary efficacy index was the changes of clinical symptom scores of upper abdominal pain, upper abdominal burning, postprandial fullness and early satiety. The safety index included laboratory tests and adverse events. Chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 320 FD patients were enrolled in the full analysis set (FAS), which included 161 cases in GWC group and 159 cases in placebo group. A total of 298 cases were in the per-protocol set (PPS), 149 cases each in GWC group and placebo group. The results of FAS and PPS both showed that the total clinical effective rates of the GWC group were higher than those of the placebo group (84.5%, 136/161 vs. 44.0%, 70/159 and 83.9%, 125/149 vs. 46.3%, 69/149), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=57.07 and 46.32, both P<0.001). In addition, the differences of the total score of main symptoms and each symptom (upper abdominal pain, upper abdominal burning, postprandial fullness and early satiety) before and after treatment of GWC group were all higher than those of the placebo group (FAS: 10 (7, 14) vs. 5 (3, 11); 3 (2, 4) vs. 2 (0, 3); 2 (0, 4) vs. 1 (0, 3); 3 (1, 4) vs. 2 (1, 3); 2 (0, 4) vs. 1 (0, 3). PPS: 10 (7, 13) vs. 5 (3, 11); 3 (2, 4) vs. 2 (0, 3); 2 (0, 4) vs. 1 (0, 2); 3 (1, 4) vs. 2 (1, 3); 2 (0, 4) vs.1 (0, 3)), and the differences were statistically significant (FAS: Z=5.80, 5.91, 3.19, 3.72 and 3.30; PPS: Z=5.14, 5.11, 2.86, 3.21 and 2.84; all P<0.01). The results of FAS and PPS indicated that the improvement rates of main symptoms and each symptom (upper abdominal pain, upper abdominal burning, postprandial fullness and early satiety) of GWC group were all higher than those of the placebo group (FAS: 77.8% (54.6%, 91.3%) vs. 42.9% (28.6%, 61.5%); 100.0% (60.0%, 100.0%) vs. 50.0% (25.0%, 60.0%); 100.0% (50.0%, 100.0%) vs. 50.0% (25.0%, 100.0%); 71.4% (33.3%, 100.0%) vs. 41.4% (25.0%, 66.7%); 100.0% (50.0%, 100.0%) vs. 50.0% (20.0%, 100.0%). PPS: 77.8% (54.2%, 89.5%) vs. 44.0% (28.6%, 65.0%); 100.0% (60.0%, 100.0%) vs. 50.0% (25.0%, 100.0%); 100.0% (50.0%, 100.0%) vs. 50.0% (25.0%, 100.0%); 71.4% (33.3%, 100.0%) vs. 46.4% (25.0%, 66.7%); 100.0% (50.0%, 100.0%) vs. 50.0% (20.0%, 100.0%)), and the differences were statistically significant (FAS: Z=8.60, 7.72, 4.98, 4.24 and 5.61; PPS: Z=7.90, 7.03, 4.49, 3.88 and 4.83; all P<0.001). After 2 weeks of treatment, the differences of the total score of main symptoms and score of each symptom (upper abdominal pain, upper abdominal burning and early satiety) before and after treatment of GWC group were all higher than those of the placebo group (5.0 (3.0, 8.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0, 6.0); 2.0 (1.0, 2.0) vs. 2.0 (0.0, 2.0); 1.5 (0.0, 2.0) vs. 1.0 (0.0, 2.0); 1.5 (0.0, 2.0) vs. 1.0 (0.0, 2.0)), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=2.95, 3.44, 2.43 and 2.79, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the GWC group and the placebo group (0.6%, 1/163 vs. 0, 0/159). Conclusion:The clinical total effective rate of GWC in the treatment of FD is superior to that of placebo and it has good safety.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of high-intensity interval training and moderate continuous aerobic training on patients classified as low risk for exercise rehabilitation after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:A total of 43 patients considered low-risk after a PCI were randomly divided into a high-intensity interval training group (HIIT group, 22 cases) and a moderate continuous aerobic training group (MCT group, 21 cases). The HIIT group received high-intensity, but aerobic interval training involving 8 rounds of 3 minutes of high-intensity exercise with 2-minute intervals at 80% of peak power over 40 minutes, 3 times a week. The MCT group trained continuously at 60% of peak power for the same duration. After 12 weeks both groups were given an ultrasound examination and a cardiopulmonary exercise test to assess their cardiac functioning and exercise endurance. The subjects′ life quality was evaluated and compared using some items from the SF-36 scale.Results:Before the training, no significant differences were observed in the average left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume, peak power, peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, physiological functioning, physical pain, general health or social functioning between the two groups. After the training significant improvement in all these indicators was observed in both groups, but compared with MCT group, the average left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume, peak power and peak oxygen uptake of the HIIT group were significantly better.Conclusions:High-intensity, aerobic interval training is superior to moderate but continuous aerobic training for improving the cardiac functioning and exercise endurance of patients suitable for exercise rehabilitation after a PCI. But there is no significant difference in their effect on the short-term quality of life.