Global burden and trends of stroke attributable to kidney dysfunction from 1990 to 2021.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that kidney dysfunction (KD) is a risk factor for stroke and stroke subtypes (SSS). However, comprehensive studies on the global burden of SSS attributable to KD are lacking. This study aimed to compare the long-term trends of KD-related SSS from 1990 to 2021 at the global, regional and national levels, and predict the disease burden until 2045.

NF-κB signalling pathway in neurodegenerative diseases: Acupuncture as a potential therapeutic approach.

The NF-κB signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, particularly through its role in the regulation neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, protein misfolding, and apoptosis. Emerging evidence suggests that acupuncture modulates the NF-κB pathway, thus offering therapeutic potential by mitigating neuroinflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and protecting mitochondrial function. Specifically, acupuncture inhibits NF-κB activation, downregulates pro-inflammatory mediators like TNF-α and IL-6, and mitigates neurotoxicity and apoptosis.

Comparative efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on pain intensity of primary dysmenorrhoea: protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) is the most common gynaecological condition among young women and is associated with significant socioeconomic repercussions. It is unclear which works best for pain relief when pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are compared. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) will aim to compare and rank the effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in patients with PD.

BCAT1 Activation Reprograms Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolism and Epigenetically Promotes Inflammation in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: To investigate how branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism is remodeled and to determine its contribution to diabetic retinopathy progression.

Methods: We analyzed Bcat1 and Bcat2 expression in the retina using single-cell sequencing data and immunofluorescence. Bcat1-mediated remodeling of BCAA metabolism was assessed via targeted metabolomics in Müller cells.

Effects and Neuroimaging Findings of Acupuncture for Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aim: Due to the limited evidence, the effects and neuroimaging mechanisms of acupuncture for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are still needed to investigate. Our objectives were to assess the effects and investigate its therapy-driven modification in functional neural response.

Methods: Right-handed aMCI patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to an acupuncture group (AG) or a waitlist control group (WG) in the randomized clinical trial using computer-generated randomization sequence method.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute stroke in pregnancy and puerperium (ASPP) patients and their offspring: a retrospective, observational, nationwide, multicenter study protocol.

Background: Previous studies on the risk factors and prognosis of acute stroke in pregnancy and puerperium (ASPP) mainly used European and American national healthcare databases, lacking detailed patient-level data and precise event timing.

Aim: (1) To identify the risk factors and prognostic factors for ASPP, (2) to assess the risk of recurrent stroke, particularly during subsequent pregnancies, and (3) to evaluate offspring prognosis.

Design: This study is a retrospective, observational, nationwide, multicenter research project planned to include 400 ASPP patients from 36 centers across 22 provinces in China, from 2015 to 2024.

Atomically-Thin Freestanding Racetrack Memory Devices.

Advances in freestanding membranes allow novel heterostructures to be formed from distinct families of materials in 2D or 3D configurations. Recently, this technique has been used to form a 3D racetrack memory device by transferring a complex magnetic thin film heterostructure, in the form of a membrane, onto a corrugated surface. The membrane is released using a water-soluble oxide layer (SrAlO).

Acupuncture Modulates Spatiotemporal Neuronal Dynamics in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Protocol for Simultaneous EEG-fMRI Study.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by abnormal changes in spatiotemporal neuronal specificity responses. Simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG)-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers a novel approach to measure these changes. Emerging evidence suggests that acupuncture may enhance cognitive function by modulating spatial or temporal central activity in individuals with MCI.

A new species of Odontobdella Oka, 1923 (Erpobdelliformes: Salifidae), a macrophagous terrestrial leech from Central China.

This paper describes a new species of macrophagous terrestrial leech distributed in Wuling Mountain area in Central China. On the basis of morphological and structural observation, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree inference, this leech was identified as a new species of the genus Odontobdella in the family Salifidae, and named Odontobdella gaowangjiensis sp. nov.

Electroacupuncture ameliorates cognitive impairment and white matter injury in vascular dementia rats via activating HIF-1α/VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway.

Vascular dementia (VaD) significantly impairs patients' quality of life and imposes a major social and economic burden. Electroacupuncture (EA), a contemporary modification of traditional acupuncture, has demonstrated potential in improving cognitive function in VaD, particularly when applied at the Shenting and Baihui. However, the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately understood.

Outcome Expectations on Physical Activity: The Roles of Body Appreciation and Health Status.

Although the research has demonstrated that outcome expectations influence physical activity, the precise underlying mechanisms remain ambiguous. Therefore, this study employed a cross-sectional research design to investigate the effect of outcome expectations on physical activity and to examine the roles of body appreciation and health status. A total of 1349 participants ( = 19.

The Microtubule Cytoskeleton in Bryophytes.

Microtubules (MTs) are essential cytoskeletal elements in all eukaryotes, playing critical roles in cell shape, intercellular organization, cell division, and cell motility. The organization of the MT network has undergone significant changes throughout plant evolution. Some MT structures, such as the preprophase band and phragmoplast, are innovations in plant lineages, while others, including the centriole and flagellum, have been lost over time.

Origin and evolution of the North Atlantic Oscillation.

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the dominant mode of atmospheric variability in the North Atlantic region, plays a crucial role in weather and climate. Here, to investigate when the NAO emerged and how it evolved over geological timescales, we analyzed time-slice paleoclimate simulations during the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea, starting 160 million years ago (Ma). Our findings indicate that a present-day-like NAO mode gradually formed between 80 Ma and 60 Ma, driven by the expansion of the North Atlantic Ocean and the enhanced land-ocean contrast.

Variant and Infectious Burden Associated With Intracranial Artery Stenosis in Moyamoya Disease.

Background: The mechanisms driving the progression of moyamoya disease (MMD) remain unrecognized. There is evidence suggesting that genetic and environmental factors may be associated with intracranial artery stenosis. Here, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of infectious exposure and the association of the (RING finger protein 213) variant and infectious burden (IB) with intracranial artery stenosis of MMD.

The value of thrombus markers applied in patients with respiratory failure.

Background: This work assessed the value of novel thrombus markers-thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasmin-a2-plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC), thrombomodulin (TM), and tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex (t-PAIC) applied in patients with respiratory failure (RF), including their role in predicting thrombus formation, evaluating prognosis, and assessing disease severity.

Methods: Eighty patients with RF were enrolled and categorized into mild (n = 10), moderate (n = 9), and severe (n = 71) groups based on disease severity. Meanwhile, patients were also classified into thrombus (n = 14) and non-thrombus (n = 76) groups based on the presence of thrombus.

Auricular Acupuncture for Perioperative Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose: We conducted a more comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture (AA) in perioperative pain management.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) findings were retrieved from the Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang, VIP, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from their inception to March 2024 using the search terms "pain", "auriculotherapy", and "randomized controlled trial". The experimental group was treated with AA alone or in combination with analgesic drugs, whereas the control group was treated with sham auricular acupuncture, placebo, conventional treatment, or no treatment.

Effect of electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture on postoperative ileus after laparoscopic surgery for left-sided colorectal cancer: study protocol for a multicentre, randomised, sham-controlled trial.

Introduction: Postoperative ileus (POI) is an inevitable complication after abdominal surgery, often hindering recovery and prolonging hospital stay. Despite the increasing use of electroacupuncture (EA) as an alternative treatment for gastrointestinal dysfunction, its effectiveness for POI is still controversial. This study aims to verify the efficacy and safety of EA in alleviating POI.

Comparative effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies for postoperative cognitive dysfunction: Protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Introduction: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication following surgery. Electroacupuncture (EA), manual acupuncture (MA), transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), and cognitive training (CT) can effectively maintain or improve the postoperative cognitive function of patients. However, it remains unclear which therapy is the most effective.

Discovery of the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanisms of acupuncture for amnestic mild cognitive impairment based on multi-omics analyses: A pilot study.

Objectives: Acupuncture is a promising therapy for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Growing evidence suggest that alterations in the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis contribute to the development and progression of aMCI. However, little is known about whether and how acupuncture change the MGB axis of aMCI individuals.

Prognostic value of morphology and hemodynamics in moyamoya disease for long-term outcomes and disease progression.

To explore the relationship between morphological and hemodynamic parameters, baseline characteristics, and long-term outcomes in patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) using a computational fluid dynamics model. We retrospectively reviewed 129 patients at Beijing Tiantan hospital between July 2020 and December 2021. Perioperative clinical variables and Suzuki stage were recorded.

Long-Term Effects of Individualized Acupuncture for Chronic Neck Pain : A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Long-term effects of individualized acupuncture in persons with chronic neck pain (CNP) remain unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pressure pain, sensory-based individualized acupuncture for relieving CNP.

Design: A 24-week multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial.

Accumulation of branched-chain amino acids deteriorates the neuroinflammatory response of Müller cells in diabetic retinopathy via leucine/Sestrin2-mediated sensing of mTOR signaling.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism in diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: Wild-type and db/db mice were fed BCAAs (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks, and hyperglycemia-exposed Müller cells were treated with BCAAs (2 or 5 mmol/L) for 24 and 48 h. BCAA levels were measured using MS/MS.

Controlling factors for the global meridional overturning circulation: A lesson from the Paleozoic.

The global meridional overturning circulation (GMOC) is important for redistributing heat and, thus, determining global climate, but what determines its strength over Earth's history remains unclear. On the basis of two sets of climate simulations for the Paleozoic characterized by a stable GMOC direction, our research reveals that GMOC strength primarily depends on continental configuration while climate variations have a minor impact. In the mid- to high latitudes, the volume of continents largely dictates the speed of westerly winds, which in turn controls upwelling and the strength of the GMOC.