Objective: To reveal the therapeutic effects of moxibustion in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat models using the combined analysis of plasma and synovial membrane lipidomic profiling and to enhance the understanding of how moxibustion affects lipid metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: A total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, moxibustion control (MC), model, and moxibustion model (MM) groups, with 8 rats in each group. CIA was induced in SD rats by two immunizations. The paw volume was measured before the induction of CIA. Following induction, after assessing paw volume and arthritis index (AI) scores, the MC and MM groups received treatment at bilateral Shenshu (BL23) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints for 10 min per acupoint. The intervention included three treatment courses, each spanning 6 d and followed by a 1-d interval. Paw volume and AI scores were assessed after each treatment course. After the completion of the three treatment courses, serum, plasma, synovial tissue, and ankle joint samples were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed for histopathological examination of the ankle joint tissues. Meanwhile, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) was utilized to analyze the plasma and synovial tissue samples. In addition, multivariate statistical analysis was performed to identify differential lipid metabolites, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was applied to explore metabolic pathways modulated by moxibustion therapy. Results: No significant difference in hind paw volume and AI scores was observed among the groups (P > 0.05). After CIA induction, model group showed increased hind paw volume and AI scores compared with control group (P < 0.05), which were significantly reduced after moxibustion treatment in MM group compared with model group (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in model and MM groups compared with control group (P < 0.05), but were lower in MM group than those in model group (P < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed improved cartilage and reduced inflammation in MM group. A total of 33 differential lipid metabolites in the plasma and 24 in the synovial membranes of CIA rat models were identified when compared with control group. Among these lipid metabolites, 31 in the plasma and all 24 in the synovial membranes were regulated by moxibustion treatment. Pathological analysis revealed upregulation of diacylglycerol (DG) and fatty acid (FA) levels, alongside downregulation of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Under physiological conditions, the treatment specifically reduced LPC and PC levels. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that moxibustion predominantly affected α-linolenic acid, glycerophospholipid, and sphingolipid metabolism under pathological conditions. Under physiological conditions, the regulation was centered around α-linolenic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Conclusion The RA rat models exhibited significant lipid metabolic disturbances. Moxibustion alleviated paw swelling, reduced AI scores, modulated inflammatory cytokine levels, and partially corrected the altered levels of multiple lipid metabolites. The potential metabolic pathways implicated in the regulation of lipid metabolism under both physiological and pathological conditions include α-linolenic acid, glycerophospholipid, and sphingolipid metabolism.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy of patients with hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma(RCC) syndrome-associated RCC (HLRCC-RCC) in China.Methods:The clinical data of 119 HLRCC-RCC patients with fumarate hydratase (FH) germline mutation confirmed by genetic diagnosis from 15 medical centers nationwide from January 2008 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 73 were male and 46 were female. The median age was 38(13, 74) years. The median tumor diameter was 6.5 (1.0, 20.5) cm. There were 38 cases (31.9%) in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱand 81 cases (68.1%) in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ. In this group, only 11 of 119 HLRCC-RCC patients presented with skin smooth muscle tumors, and 44 of 46 female HLRCC-RCC patients had a history of uterine fibroids. The pathological characteristics, treatment methods, prognosis and survival of the patients were summarized.Results:A total of 86 patients underwent surgical treatment, including 70 cases of radical nephrectomy, 5 cases of partial nephrectomy, and 11 cases of reductive nephrectomy. The other 33 patients with newly diagnosed metastasis underwent renal puncture biopsy. The results of genetic testing showed that 94 patients had FH gene point mutation, 18 had FH gene insertion/deletion mutation, 4 had FH gene splicing mutation, 2 had FH gene large fragment deletion and 1 had FH gene copy number mutation. Immunohistochemical staining showed strong 2-succinocysteine (2-SC) positive and FH negative in 113 patients. A total of 102 patients received systematic treatment, including 44 newly diagnosed patients with metastasis and 58 patients with postoperative metastasis. Among them, 33 patients were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), 8 patients were treated with bevacizumab combined with erlotinib, and 61 patients were treated with TKI monotherapy. Survival analysis showed that the median progression-free survival (PFS) of TKI combined with ICI was 18 (5, 38) months, and the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. The median PFS and OS were 12 (5, 14) months and 30 (10, 32) months in the bevacizumab combined with erlotinib treatment group, respectively. The median PFS and OS were 10 (3, 64) months and 44 (10, 74) months in the TKI monotherapy group, respectively. PFS ( P=0.009) and OS ( P=0.006) in TKI combined with ICI group were better than those in bevacizumab combined with erlotinib group. The median PFS ( P=0.003) and median OS ( P=0.028) in TKI combined with ICI group were better than those in TKI monotherapy group. Conclusions:HLRCC-RCC is rare but has a high degree of malignancy, poor prognosis and familial genetic characteristics. Immunohistochemical staining with strong positive 2-SC and negative FH can provide an important basis for clinical diagnosis. Genetic detection of FH gene germ line mutation can confirm the diagnosis. The preliminary study results confirmed that TKI combined with ICI had a good clinical effect, but it needs to be confirmed by the results of a large sample multi-center randomized controlled clinical study.

Objective:To discuss the therapeutic effect of resveratrol on the temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis(TMJOA),and to clarify the related mechanism.Methods:Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,and resveratrol group,and there were 15 rats in each group.The rats in model group and resveratrol group were intra-articularly injected with 50 μL of 20 g·L-1 monosodium iodoacetate(MIA)to set TMJOA rat models,while the rats in control group were injected with an equal volume of normal saline.Three weeks after modeling,the rats in resveratrol group received an injection of 80 μL resveratrol solution,once a week for three weeks,while the rats in control and model groups were injected with an equal volume of normal saline.Micro-computed tomography(Micro-CT)system was used to detect the condyle structure and the bone volume fraction(BV/TV),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),trabecular spacing(Tb.Sp),and trabecular number(Tb.N)of the rats in various groups were calculated;HE staining and toluidine blue staining were used to observe the pathomorphology of temporomandibular joint(TMJ)tissue of the rats in various groups;immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of SRY-related HMG box(SOX)-9,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-13,silent information regulator(Sirt)1,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt),and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)in TMJ tissue of the rats in various groups;real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of SOX-9,MMP-13,Sirt1,PI3K,mTOR,and Akt mRNA in TMJ tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Three weeks after modeling,condylar bone was destructed,the surface was roughness,and continuity interruption were observed,indicating TMJOA model of the rats was established successfully.The Micro-CT system results showed that the condylar surface of the rats in control group was smooth and regularly shaped,with continuous bone texture;the rats in model group had significant condylar destruction,disrupted continuity,surface roughness,and varying degrees of bone defects;the rats in resveratrol group showed alleviated condylar lesions and improved appearance.Compared with control group,the BV/TV and Tb.Th of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and Tb.Sp was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the BV/TV and Tb.Th of the rats in resveratrol group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the Tb.Sp was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The HE staining results showed clear layers and orderly chondrocyte arrangement in condyle of the rats in control group;the rats in model group showed rough uneven surface,obvious defects,and typical TMJOA features;the rats in resveratrol group showed slightly rough surface with generally clear layers and orderly arranged cells.The toluidine blue staining results showed distinct blue-purple staining of chondrocytes in hypertrophic layer of the rats in control group;pale staining or even loss of staining in some areas of the rats in model group;and distinct and relatively uniform staining in hypertrophic layer of the rats in resveratrol group.The immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of MMP-13,PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR proteins in TMJ tissue of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of SOX-9 and Sirt1 proteins in TMJ tissue of the rats were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of SOX-9 and Sirt1 proteins in TMJ tissue of the rats in resveratrol group were significantly increased(P<0.05),whereas the expression levels of MMP-13,PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of MMP-13,PI3K,Akt,and mTOR mRNA in TMJ tissue of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of SOX-9 and Sirt1 mRNA were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of SOX-9 and Sirt1 mRNA in TMJ tissue of the rats in resveratrol group were significantly increased(P<0.05),whereas the expression levels of MMP-13,PI3K,Akt,and mTOR mRNA were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Resveratrol has therapeutic effect on TMJOA,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of Sirt1 and inhibition of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the correlation between frailty and carotid plaque stability in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. From May to December 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 360 patients with ischemic stroke in the Department of Neurology of Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University and underwent carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound examination as the study subject. Patients were surveyed using the General Information Questionnaire, Barthel Index and the Edmonton Frail Scale. Carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate the stability of carotid plaques in patients. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to explore the correlation between frailty and carotid plaque stability.Results:A total of 360 questionnaires were distributed, and 352 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 97.78%. The incidence of frailty in 352 ischemic stroke patients was 44.89% (158/352). Multivariate analysis showed that compared to stable plaques, unstable carotid plaques were an independent risk factor for frailty in patients with ischemic stroke ( OR=2.127, 95% confidence interval: 1.247-3.626) . Conclusions:Compared to stable plaques, unstable carotid plaques increase the risk of frailty in patients with ischemic stroke. Strengthening the assessment of carotid plaques in patients with ischemic stroke by nursing staff can early identify high-risk individuals for frailty, and timely carry out personalized interventions, thereby reducing the occurrence of adverse health events in patients.

Objective:To analyze and explore the independent risk factors of 28-day mortality in patients with septic myocardial injury.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect clinical data of 505 patients diagnosed with sepsis related myocardial injury admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 2015 to December 2020. According to the 28-day survival status of patients, they were divided into survival group and death group. COX multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of the 28-day mortality rate of sepsis related myocardial injury patients, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to evaluate the effectiveness of independent risk factors in predicting the 28-day mortality rate of sepsis related myocardial injury patients.Results:A total of 505 patients with sepsis myocardial injury were included, of which 282 survived on 28 days and 223 died, with a mortality rate of 44.16%. COX multivariate regression analysis showed that Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, blood lactate (LAC), oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2), admission heart rate, and albumin were independent risk factors for sepsis associated myocardial injury mortality at 28 days (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of SOFA score was 0.766 2, and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.724 5-0.807 9; The predictive value of 28-day mortality in sepsis associated myocardial injury patients was superior to APACHE Ⅱ score, LAC, PaO 2/FiO 2, admission heart rate, and albumin [The AUC values were 0.754 1(0.711 5-0.796 7), 0.752 6(0.710 1-0.795 1), 0.697 0(0.649 7-0.744 2), 0.623 2(0.573 7-0.672 7), and 0.620 3(0.570 8-0.669 7), respectively]. Conclusions:SOFA score, APACHE Ⅱ score, LAC, PaO 2/FiO 2, admission heart rate, and albumin are independent risk factors for the 28-day mortality rate of sepsis related myocardial injury. Clinical practice should identify these factors early, intervene early, and improve patient prognosis.

Objective:To explore the independent influencing factors of patients with spontaneous rupture hemorrhage of primary liver cancer (PLC).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 128 patients with PLC spontaneous rupture hemorrhage in Ningxia Medical University General Hospital from January 2017 to March 2022 were analyzed, including 108 males and 20 females, aged (53.4±10.6) years. According to different treatment, 128 patients were divided into liver resection group (LR, n=28), interventional group [ n=39, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)], and conservative group ( n=61). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was performed to analyze prognostic factors. The LR and TACE groups were subdivided into LR (aLR, n=15), TACE/TAE (aTACE, n=33) and LR+ TACE ( n=19) groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed, and the survival rate was compared by log-rank test. Results:The median survival time of LR group and TACE group was 23 months and 21 months, respectively, with no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The median survival time (38 months) in LR+ TACE group was significantly longer than that in aLR group (10 months) and aTACE group (9 months), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer (BCLC)staging, tumor length ≥10.0 cm, vascular invasion, α-fetoprotein ≥400 μg/L, total bilirubin, prothrombin time and treatment affected overall survival of PLC spontaneous rupture hemorrhage patients (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that BCLC staging, tumor length ≥10.0 cm, Child-Pugh grade and treatment were independent influencing factors for overall survival of PLC spontaneous rupture hemorrhage patients (all P<0.05). Conclusion:BCLC stage, tumor length ≥10.0 cm, Child-Pugh grade and treatment method are independent predictors of overall survival in patients with spontaneous rupture of PLC. LR combined with TACE therapy can improve the survival and prognosis of patients with spontaneous rupture of primary liver cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the synergistic interaction between the deltoid muscle and the rotator cuff muscle group in patients with rotator cuff tears (RCT), as well as the impact of the critical shoulder angle (CSA) on deltoid muscle strength. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 42 RCT patients who met the selection criteria and were treated between March 2022 and March 2023. There were 13 males and 29 females, with an age range of 42-77 years (mean, 60.5 years). Preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.0±1.6. CSA measurements were obtained from standard anteroposterior X-ray films before operation, and patients were divided into two groups based on CSA measurements: CSA>35° group (group A) and CSA≤35° group (group B). Handheld dynamometry was used to measure the muscle strength of various muscle group in the shoulder (including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and anterior, middle, and posterior bundles of the deltoid). The muscle strength of the unaffected side was compared to the affected side, and muscle imbalance indices were calculated. Muscle imbalance indices between male and female patients, dominant and non-dominant sides, and groups A and B were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between muscle imbalance indices and CSA as well as VAS scores. RESULTS: Muscle strength in all muscle groups on the affected side was significantly lower than on the unaffected side ( P<0.05). The muscle imbalance indices for the supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and anterior, middle, and posterior bundles of the deltoid were 14.8%±24.4%, 5.9%±9.7%, 7.2% (0, 9.1%), 17.2% (5.9%, 26.9%), 8.3%±21.3%, and 10.2% (2.8%, 15.4%), respectively. The muscle imbalance indices of the anterior bundle of the deltoid, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus were significantly lower in male patients compared to female patients ( P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in muscle imbalance indices among other muscle groups between male and female patients or between the dominant and non-dominant sides ( P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between the muscle imbalance indices of infraspinatus and VAS score ( P<0.05), and a positive correlation between CSA and the muscle imbalance indices of middle bundle of deltoid ( P<0.05). There was no correlation between the muscle imbalance indices of other muscle groups and VAS score or CSA ( P>0.05). Preoperative CSA ranged from 17.6° to 39.4°, with a mean of 31.1°. There were 9 cases in group A and 33 cases in group B. The muscle imbalance indices of the anterior bundle of the deltoid was significantly lower in group A compared to group B ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in muscle imbalance indices among other muscle groups between group A and group B ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Patients with RCT have a phenomenon of deltoid muscle strength reduction, which is more pronounced in the population with a larger CSA.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Shoulder ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/surgery* ; Shoulder Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Rotator Cuff/surgery* ; Muscle Strength ; Deltoid Muscle

Objective:To compare the effects of auricular point intradermal needling with auricular point sticking on digestive symptoms and quality of life in patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. Methods:Ninety-six patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned to three groups using the random number table method,with 32 cases in each group.The control group received conventional nursing care plus 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist,and the other two groups received additional auricular point intradermal needling or sticking.For the three groups of participants,the acute and delayed vomiting and nausea severity,quality of life,and the additional antiemetic consumption rate were observed. Results:The three groups had no significant differences in the acute vomiting frequency and nausea severity and appetite(P>0.05)but had significant differences in the delayed vomiting frequency and nausea severity(P<0.05);the auricular point intradermal needling group won over the auricular point sticking group.The three groups showed significant differences in comparing the appetite in the delayed stage(P<0.05);both auricular point intradermal needling and sticking groups showed advantages over the control group(P<0.05),but no significant difference existed between the auricular point intradermal needling and sticking groups(P>0.05).There were significant differences in comparing the functional living index-emesis(FLIE)score in both acute and delayed stages among the three groups(P<0.05)and the result favored the auricular point intradermal needling group over the auricular point sticking group(P<0.05).The additional antiemetic consumption rate was higher in the control group than in the other groups(P<0.05). Conclusion:Based on the conventional nursing and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist,adding either auricular point intradermal needling or auricular point sticking can lower the vomiting frequency and nausea severity in the delayed stage and improve appetite in patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy regimen,but they have no notable impact on digestive symptoms in the acute stage;auricular point intradermal needling is superior to auricular point sticking in comparing the overall efficacy.Both auricular point intradermal needling and auricular point sticking can enhance the quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy and reduce their additional antiemetic consumption.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an underdiagnosed genetic heart disease worldwide. The management and prognosis of obstructive HCM (HOCM) and non-obstructive HCM (HNCM) are quite different, but it also remains challenging to discriminate these two subtypes. HCM is characterized by dysmetabolism, and myocardial amino acid (AA) metabolism is robustly changed. The present study aimed to delineate plasma AA and derivatives profiles, and identify potential biomarkers for HCM. METHODS: Plasma samples from 166 participants, including 57 cases of HOCM, 52 cases of HNCM, and 57 normal controls (NCs), who first visited the International Cooperation Center for HCM, Xijing Hospital between December 2019 and September 2020, were collected and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based on targeted AA metabolomics. Three separate classification algorithms, including random forest, support vector machine, and logistic regression, were applied for the identification of specific AA and derivatives compositions for HCM and the development of screening models to discriminate HCM from NC as well as HOCM from HNCM. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that the serine, glycine, proline, citrulline, glutamine, cystine, creatinine, cysteine, choline, and aminoadipic acid levels in the HCM group were significantly different from those in the NC group. Four AAs and derivatives (Panel A; proline, glycine, cysteine, and choline) were screened out by multiple feature selection algorithms for discriminating HCM patients from NCs. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in Panel A yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.83 (0.75-0.91) in the training set and 0.79 (0.65-0.94) in the validation set. Moreover, among 10 AAs and derivatives (arginine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, proline, alanine, asparagine, creatine, tryptophan, ornithine, and choline) with statistical significance between HOCM and HNCM, 3 AAs (Panel B; arginine, proline, and ornithine) were selected to differentiate the two subgroups. The AUC values in the training and validation sets for Panel B were 0.83 (0.74-0.93) and 0.82 (0.66-0.98), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The plasma AA and derivatives profiles were distinct between the HCM and NC groups. Based on the differential profiles, the two established screening models have potential value in assisting HCM screening and identifying whether it is obstructive.
Humans ; Amino Acids ; Cysteine ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/diagnosis* ; Biomarkers ; Proline ; Arginine ; Ornithine ; Glycine ; Choline

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, efficacy and prognostic influencing factors of IgD multiple myeloma (MM) in the new immunotherapy era.Methods:The clinical data of 29 patients diagnosed with IgD MM in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from March 2014 to February 2021 were retrospectively collected. The clinical characteristics, treatment regimens and efficacy, especially the efficacy of new drugs and immunotherapy for the disease were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariate Cox proportional risk model was used for analysis of prognostic influencing factors.Results:The median age of patients was 58 years. There were 20 cases (69.0%) below 65 years, 12 cases (41.4%) of complicated with stomach function damage, 6 cases (20.7%) of extramedullary invasion. All patients were treated with combined therapy containing proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in the first-line therapy, and the overall response rate was 82.8% (24/29). Among 21 relapsed/refractory patients, 12 patients were treated with the second-line or above treatment regimen chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) immunotherapy, including 9 cases achieving very good partial remission (VGPR) or above; 5 patients were treated with the new drug daratozumab, including 1 case achieving complete remission (CR). The median OS time of 29 patients was 48 months (95% CI 17-79 months), the median PFS time after the first-line treatment was 9 months (95% CI 3-15 months), and the median PFS time after the second-line treatment was 11 months (95% CI 1-21 months). Multivariate Cox regression results showed that CAR-T therapy is an independent influencing factor of the prognosis of relapsed/ refractory IgD MM patients ( HR = 0.094, 95% CI 0.019-0.473, P = 0.004). Conclusions:IgD MM patients are characterized with lower onset age, more renal function damage and a high incidence of extramedullary invasion. The first-line therapy containing proteasome inhibitor has a better short-term efficacy, and CAR-T therapy can improve the remission rate and survival rate of relapsed/refractory IgD MM to a certain extent.