Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of maggot for psoriasis-like lesions in mice from the perspective of immune stress and complement activation regulation.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,maggot(1.25%,2.5%,and 5%)groups,and Benvitimod(1%)group.Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by application of imiquimod cream,and the severity of skin lesions was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(MPASI)score.Auricular swelling of the mice was observed,and histopathological changes of the skin lesions were examined with HE staining.Scratching behavior of the mice was observed and the spleen index was calculated.Toluidine blue staining was used to detect mast cells in the skin lesions,and serum levels of IgG,IgM,the complements CH50,C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a,and the inflammatory factors IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α were determined with ELISA.Results In mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions,treatment with the maggot at the 3 doses significantly decreased MPASI score,alleviated auricular swelling and pathologies in the skin lesions,reduced scratching behaviors,spleen index,and the number of mast cells in the lesions.Treatment with high-dose maggot significantly lowered serum levels of IgG,C1s,C3a,C5a,IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α and the levels of C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a in the lesion tissue,and increased serum levels of CH50,C3,and C5.The therapeutic effect of maggot showed a dose-effect dependence.Conclusion Maggot can alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting immune stress and complement activation.

Objective: To investigate whether acupoint penetration acupuncture (APA) could regulate chondrocyte autophagy and apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt-mTOR signaling pathway to reduce cartilage degeneration in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats. Methods: KOA was induced in rats via intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate resolution. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to blank control, model, APA, electro-acupuncture (EA), and sham model groups (n = 8) and those in the APA and EA groups received their respective therapies. Following completion of the treatment course, histological examinations of cartilage and muscle were conducted. Levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related factors, including Bax, Bcl-2, mTOR, ULK-1, and Beclin-1 protein, and mRNAs were assessed. Additionally, β-endorphin (β-EP) concentrations in the brain and serum were measured. Results: Histological analysis revealed that APA alleviated cartilage and muscle damage compared with the model group. APA inhibited cartilage degeneration by modulating the expression of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins and mRNA, thus preventing chondrocyte apoptosis. In the APA group, Bax and mTOR protein levels were significantly lower than those in the model group (both P = .024). Conversely, the Bcl-2 expression level was significantly higher than that in the EA group (P = .035). Additionally, ULK-1 expression was significantly lower than that in the EA group (P = .045). The mRNA level of Bax was significantly higher than that in the blank control group (P < .001). However, Beclin-1 levels were significantly higher than those in both the model and EA groups (both P < .001). ELISA results showed a significant decrease in the concentration of β-EP in the brains of the rats in the APA group compared with those in the model group (P = .032). Conclusions APA reduced osteoarthritis-related pain and alleviated cartilage damage by upregulating chondrocyte autophagy and down-regulating apoptosis via signaling pathways involving PI3K/Akt-mTOR in KOA rats.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of maggot for psoriasis-like lesions in mice from the perspective of immune stress and complement activation regulation.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,maggot(1.25%,2.5%,and 5%)groups,and Benvitimod(1%)group.Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by application of imiquimod cream,and the severity of skin lesions was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(MPASI)score.Auricular swelling of the mice was observed,and histopathological changes of the skin lesions were examined with HE staining.Scratching behavior of the mice was observed and the spleen index was calculated.Toluidine blue staining was used to detect mast cells in the skin lesions,and serum levels of IgG,IgM,the complements CH50,C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a,and the inflammatory factors IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α were determined with ELISA.Results In mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions,treatment with the maggot at the 3 doses significantly decreased MPASI score,alleviated auricular swelling and pathologies in the skin lesions,reduced scratching behaviors,spleen index,and the number of mast cells in the lesions.Treatment with high-dose maggot significantly lowered serum levels of IgG,C1s,C3a,C5a,IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α and the levels of C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a in the lesion tissue,and increased serum levels of CH50,C3,and C5.The therapeutic effect of maggot showed a dose-effect dependence.Conclusion Maggot can alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting immune stress and complement activation.

Objective:To explore the remodeling of brain function 2 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and its relationship with functioning and behavior.Methods:Forty-eight volunteers who had received ACLR from the same surgeon were divided into a coping and a non-coping group, each of 17. Another 14 health volunteers formed the control group. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to record blood oxygen level-dependent signals from the members of all three groups in the 0.01 to 0.08Hz band. One-way analysis of variance was applied to the differences in low frequency amplitude (ALFF) observed.Results:The results of multiple comparisons with Gaussian random field theory correction showed that the differences in bilateral putamen ALFF values among the three groups were statistically significant. The signals from the right cerebellar area 8 and the bilateral putamen were significantly stronger among the non-coping group on average. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the ALFF values from the right cerebellar 8 region were positively and significantly more correlated with the symmetry of a subject′s Y balance function test results in the coping group compared with the non-coping group.Conclusions:Subcortical brain function remodeling occurs in ACLR patients returning to exercise after surgery, and a Y-balance function test can indirectly reflect such remodeling. That can provide a basis for designing programs for rehabilitating advanced brain functions.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of balanced cupping intervention in treatment of patients with primary dysmenorrhea differentiated as type of qi stagnation and blood stasis Methods A total of 64 patients with primary dysmenorrhea differentiated as type of qi stagnation and blood stasis in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the research objects, and they were divided into observation group and control group according to the order of consultation and patients' wishes, with 32 cases in each group. The control group received routine health guidance for dysmenorrhea, while the observation group received balanced cupping intervention on the basis of the control group. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, dysmenorrhea symptom score, serum prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), estradiol (E₂), menstrual onset time, menstrual cycle, menstrual volume, and efficacy were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results There were significant differences in VAS scores during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstruation compared with those before intervention between the two groups (P<0.05); the VAS scores of the observation group during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstruation were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). There were significant differences in dysmenorrhea symptom scores during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstruation with those before intervention between the two groups (P<0.05); the dysmenorrhea symptom score of the observation group during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstruation was significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). There were significant differences in PGE₂ and E₂ levels during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstruation with those before intervention between the two groups (P<0.05). There were significant differences in PGE₂ and E₂ levels between the two groups during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstruation (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in menstrual cycle, menstrual duration and menstrual volume between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Balanced cupping intervention has a good effect and high safety in the treatment of patients with primary dysmenorrhea differentiated as type of qi stagnation and blood stasis.

Objective:To evaluate protective effects of isorhamnetin on mitochondrial structure and function in HaCaT cells under oxidative stress.Methods:HaCaT cells served as the research object, and were divided into 4 groups: control group receiving conventional culture, isorhamnetin group treated with 60 μmol/L isorhamnetin, H 2O 2 group treated with 600 μmol/L H 2O 2, and isorhamnetin + H 2O 2 group pretreated with 60 μmol/L isorhamnetin for 12 hours followed by medium replacement and 12-hour treatment with 600 μmol/L H 2O 2. Flow cytometry was performed to detect cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, transmission electron microscopy to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure, confocal fluorescence microscopy to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potential, real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine the mitochondrial DNA copy number, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay kit was used to determine the mitochondrial ATP content. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons among multiple groups, and least significant difference- t test for multiple comparisons. Results:Oxidative stress was provoked in HaCaT cells after the treatment with H 2O 2. Compared with the control group, the H 2O 2 group showed significantly increased ROS levels (10 725.0 ± 845.8 vs. 1 708.0 ± 69.4, t = 18.40, P < 0.001), but significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial ATP content, and expression of ND-1 (a characteristic gene of mitochondrial DNA) ( t = 4.58, 4.48, 6.11, P = 0.010, 0.010, 0.003, respectively). After the pretreatment with isorhamnetin followed by H 2O 2 treatment, the isorhamnetin+ H 2O 2 group showed significantly decreased ROS levels (7 640.0 ± 922.7) compared with the H 2O 2 group ( t = 4.27, P = 0.013), but significantly increased fluorescence intensity of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial ATP content, and expression of ND-1 compared with the H 2O 2 group ( t = 4.59, 4.58, 5.61, P = 0.010, 0.010, 0.005, respectively). Under the electron microscope, the mitochondrial structure was clearer and more complete in the isorhamnetin+ H 2O 2 group than in the H 2O 2 group; there was slight or no swelling of mitochondrial cristae, and no vacuolization of mitochondria in the isorhamnetin+ H 2O 2 group; in addition, autophagosomes engulfing damaged mitochondria were observed in the isorhamnetin+ H 2O 2 group. Conclusion:Isorhamnetin may reduce ROS levels by inducing autophagy, and has a protective effect against the H 2O 2-induced mitochondrial structural and functional damage in HaCaT cells.

Objective To explore the difference of brain function remodeling in patients with differ-ent motor ability and record the brain function index of patients returning to exercise 2 years after an-terior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR).Methods Patients undergoing ACLR in year 2017 and 2018(2 years after ACLR)were selected and randomly divided into a return-to-exercise(CP,n=7)group,a non-return-to-exercise(NP,n=7)group.Moreover,8 healthy counterparts of the CP group were chosen into a healthy control(HC)group.Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)was used to obtain the blood oxygen level dependent signals,and the amplitude of low-frequen-cy fluctuation(ALFF)was computed across the typical band(0.01～0.08 Hz),sub-band Slow-4(0.027～0.073 Hz)and Slow-5(0.01～0.027 Hz).Meanwhile,brain maps were obtained and two-sample t-tests were performed among different groups(P<0.005).Results In the typical frequency band,the average ALFF value was higher in the CP and HC groups than the NP group for the Cerebelum_Crus1,but lower in the CP group than the NP group for the Occipital_Mid,higher in the CP group than the HC group for the Putamen and higher in the NP group than the HC group for the Frontal_Mid_Orb.More-over,in the Slow-4 band,the ALEF level was lower in the CP group than the NP group for the Oc-cipital_Mid,higher in the CP group than the HC group for the Putamen,and higher in the NP group than the HC group for the Frontal_Mid_Orb and cerebellum_Crus2.However,in the Slow-5 band,the ALEF values were higher in the CP group than the NP group for the Occipital_Inf and Precen-tral,but lower for the caudate.In the same band,those values were higher in the CP group than in the HC group for the Cerebellum_Crus1,but lower in the NP group than the HC group for the Cere-bellum_Crus1 and Supp_Motor_Area,and higher in the NP group than the HC group for the Fron-tal_Mid_Orb.Conclusion The patients returning to exercise after ACLR have higher cerebellar remodel-ing and lower visual compensation than those not,and display higher basal ganglia and cerebellar nerve remodeling than healthy controls,suggesting that functional compensation occurs in the former pa-tients.Moreover,Slow-4,Slow-5 and other sub-bands can complement the classical frequency bands and are worthy of further study.

Objective:To explore the current status of readiness for young and middle-aged maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients to return to work and analyze its influencing factors, with the aim of providing reference for the evaluation and intervention of patients returning to work.Methods:From October to December 2022, convenience sampling was used to select 425 patients from six hospitals in the urban area of Yangzhou as the subject. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the General Information Questionnaire, Readiness for Return-To-Work Scale (RRTWS), Distress Disclosure Index (DDI) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS). Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of returning to work.Results:Among 425 young and middle-aged patients undergoing MHD, 105 (24.7%) returned to work, of which 79 (75.2%) were in the uncertain maintenance stage and 26 (24.8%) were in the active maintenance stage. 320 did not return to work, including 148 (46.3%) in the pre-intention stage, 86 (26.9%) in the intention stage, 42 (13.1%) in the action preparation self-evaluation stage, and 44 (13.8%) in the action preparation behavior stage. Age, per capita monthly income of the family, number of comorbidities, level of self-disclosure, and level of perceived social support were factors that affected patients' readiness to return to work.Conclusions:The rate of young and middle-aged MHD patients returning to work needs to be improved. The return of patients to work is influenced by multiple factors. Medical and nursing staff should focus on patients who are old, have low per capita monthly income of the family, and have a large number of comorbidities. Targeted interventions and guidance should be provided to patients, such as self-disclosure training and improving their perceived social support, in order to increase the rate of patients returning to work rate.

Objective:To study the risk factors of axillary lymph node metastasis by analyzing the acoustic image characteristics of the automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) of breast cancer masses.Methods:The imaging features of ABVS of 212 patients with breast cancer, unilaterally and singly, confirmed by pathological examination admitted in Hangzhou First People’s Hospital from Jan. 2016 to Dec. 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 83 cases with axillary lymph node metastasis (metastatic group) and 129 cases without (non-metastatic group) . The correlation of clinical and the imaging features of ABVS with axillary lymph node metastasis was analyzed using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. ROC curve was used to analyze the cut-off value of the maximum diameter of the mass in predicting the breast cancer axillary lymph node metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of each risk factor were analyzed for predicting breast cancer axillary lymph node metastasis.Results:The retraction phenomenon and micro-calcification of breast cancer in the metastatic group (60.2%, 65.1%) were higher than those in the non-metastatic group (43.4%,37.2%) ( P=0.017 vs P<0.001) . The maximum diameter of the breast cancer in the metastatic group was bigger than in the non-metastatic group ( Z=2.18, P=0.029) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the micro-calcification of breast cancer ( OR=2.522, P=0.003) was an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. The area under the curves and the cut-off value of the maximum diameter of the mass in predicting the breast cancer axillary lymph node metastasis were 0.589 and 2.85 cm. The sensitivity was 34.9%, the specificity was 82.9%, the positive predictive value was 56.9%, and the negative predictive value was 66.5%. The sensitivities of micro-calcification and retraction phenomenon to predict the occurrence of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients were 65.1% and 60.2%, specificities were 62.8% and 56.6%, positive predictive values were 52.9% and 47.2%, and negative predictive values were 73.6% and 68.9%. Conclusion:The study suggests that the maximum diameter, micro-calcification, and retraction phenomenon of masses are associated with the occurrence of the axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

The general data, blood routine, liver and kidney function, glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism of 11 922 participants who underwent physical examination at the Health Management Center of the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2019 to December 2019 were collected. Clinical characteristics and independent factors of patients with discordance between HbA1c and FPG were evaluated and analyzed. The prevalence of HbA1c-defined diabetes and prediabetes (respectively 8.13%, 34.79%) were significantly higher than that in FPG-defined diabetes and prediabetes (respectively 4.70%, 8.97%) (χ2=2 635.940; P<0.001). The prevalence of inconsistence between HbA1c and FPG was 35.65% and increased with increasing age. This inconsistence mainly occurred in population with HbA1c:5.7%-6.0% and FPG<5.6 mmol/L, followed by population with HbA1c:6.1%-6.4% and FPG<5.6 mmol/L. The risk factors of inconsistency included advanced age, overweight or obesity, hypoalbuminemia, dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia. Among these special participants, compared with participants under 45 years old, participants with over 45 years of age ( OR=3.525, 95% CI: 3.216-3.863, P<0.001) were more likely to have inconsistence between HbA1c and FPG; and overweight participants ( OR=1.474, 95% CI: 1.341-1.620, P<0.001) or obese participants ( OR=1.856, 95% CI: 1.633-2.110, P<0.001) are prone to have the inconsistence than those with normal weight.