The association between SII and aging: evidence from NHANES 1999-2018.

Background: The study aimed to examine the association between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), a contemporary metric of systemic inflammatory response, and biological aging, which are closely interconnected processes. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized 10 cycles of data from the NHANES database spanning from 1990 to 2018. The study examined the relationship between the SII index, calculated as P * N/L, where P represents preoperative peripheral platelet count, N represents neutrophil count, and L represents lymphocyte count, and biological aging. Biological aging was assessed through various methods, such as phenotypic age, phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel), biological age, and biological age acceleration (BioAgeAccel). Correlations were analyzed using weighted linear regression and subgroup analysis. Results: Among the 7,491 participants analyzed, the average age was 45.26 ± 0.34 years, with 52.16% being female. The average phenotypic and biological ages were 40.06 ± 0.36 and 45.89 ± 0.32 years, respectively. Following adjustment for potential confounders, elevated SII scores were linked to increased phenotypic age, biological age, Phenotypic age acceleration, and Biological age acceleration. Positive correlations were observed between health behavior and health factor scores and biological aging, with stronger associations seen for health factors. In health factor-specific analyses, the ß coefficient was notably higher for high BMI. The robust positive associations between SII scores and both phenotypic age and biological age in the stratified analyses were consistently observed across all strata. Conclusion: The evidence from the NHANES data indicate that SII may serve as a valuable marker for assessing different facets of aging and health outcomes, such as mortality and the aging process. Additional research is warranted to comprehensively elucidate the implications of SII in the aging process and its utility as a clinical instrument for evaluating and addressing age-related ailments.

Immune response analysis of solid organ transplantation recipients inoculated with inactivated COVID-19 vaccine: A retrospective analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of solid organ transplantation recipients inoculated with an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the antibody levels and related adverse events of non-transplantation subjects and solid organ transplant recipients, both pre-transplantation (individuals awaiting organ transplantation) and post-transplantation (individuals who have undergone organ transplantation), who received inactivated COVID-19 vaccines from February 2021 to July 2022. Results: The study included 38 pre-transplantation vaccination group, 129 post-transplantation vaccination group, and 246 non-transplantation group. The antibody titer was assessed monthly within the period of 1-12 months after the last injection. The antibody-positive rate among the three groups were 36.84, 20.30, 61.17% (P < 0.05). The antibody-positive rates among three groups with one, two doses vaccine were not significantly different (P > 0.05), but were significantly different after three doses (P < 0.05). The antibody titers among three groups were significantly different after two doses (P < 0.05). Adverse reactions occurred in six transplant recipients, which were relieved after treatment, and not in the non-transplantation subjects. Conclusion: Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for solid organ transplantation recipients, at least two doses of which should be completed before organ transplant surgery.

Association of nicotine dependence and gut microbiota: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Nicotine dependence is a key factor influencing the diversity of gut microbiota, and targeting gut microbiota may become a new approach for the prevention and treatment of nicotine dependence. However, the causal relationship between the two is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between nicotine dependence and gut microbiota. Methods: A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted using the largest existing gut microbiota and nicotine dependence genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Causal relationships between genetically predicted nicotine dependence and gut microbiota abundance were examined using inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, weighted mode, and MR-PRESSO approaches. Cochrane's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out analysis were performed as sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results. Multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis was also conducted to eliminate the interference of smoking-related phenotypes. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was then performed to determine the causal relationship between genetically predicted gut microbiota abundance and nicotine dependence. Results: Genetically predicted nicotine dependence had a causal effect on Christensenellaceae (ß: -0.52, 95% CI: -0.934-0.106, P = 0.014). The Eubacterium xylanophilum group (OR: 1.106, 95% CI: 1.004-1.218), Lachnoclostridium (OR: 1.118, 95% CI: 1.001-1.249) and Holdemania (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.001-1.167) were risk factors for nicotine dependence. Peptostreptococcaceae (OR: 0.905, 95% CI: 0.837-0.977), Desulfovibrio (OR: 0.014, 95% CI: 0.819-0.977), Dorea (OR: 0.841, 95% CI. 0.731-0.968), Faecalibacterium (OR: 0.831, 95% CI: 0.735-0.939) and Sutterella (OR: 0.838, 95% CI: 0.739-0.951) were protective factor for nicotine dependence. The sensitivity analysis showed consistent results. Conclusion: The Mendelian randomization study confirmed the causal link between genetically predicted risk of nicotine dependence and genetically predicted abundance of gut microbiota. Gut microbiota may serve as a biomarker and offer insights for addressing nicotine dependence.

Qihuang needle therapy in senile cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Background: Neurogenic cervical spondylosis [cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR)] accounts for ~50-60% of all types of cervical spondylosis, and its incidence is the highest among all types of cervical spondylosis. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of the Qihuang needle in the treatment of senile cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 55 elderly patients with neurogenic cervical spondylosis were randomly divided into the general acupuncture group (27 cases) and the Qihuang acupuncture group (28 cases). The treatment given to these patients lasted for three sessions. The VAS scores and the Tanaka Yasuhisa Scale scores were compared before the treatment, after the first treatment, after the first session, and at the end of the session. Results: The basic data of the two groups before the treatment showed no difference. The VAS scores in the mackerel acupuncture group decreased significantly, whereas in the Tanaka Kangjiu Scale scores, the efficiency rates of the first and second courses of treatment increased significantly. Conclusion: The Qihuang needle therapy is recommended for the treatment of cervical spondylosis of the nerve root type. The said therapy is characterized by selection of fewer acupoints, a quick operation time, and no needle retention.

Effects of Qihuang Needling on Motor Function for Patients With Parkinson's Disease: Study Protocol for a Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Although significant progress has been made in the pharmacologic management of Parkinson's Disease (PD), effective management of movement disorders is still a hurdle for therapeutics targeting PD. Acupuncture is one therapeutic option that could potentially improve the motor function of PD and is widely used as adjuvant therapy. Among the various acupuncture approaches, Qihuang Needling (QHN) therapy has been found to improve motor-function control for patients with PD. However, evidence regarding its efficacy remains scarce. Therefore, to address this need, this study will determine the effects of QHN therapy on motor function in patients with PD and compare it to placebo effects. Methods: This trial is a multicenter, prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. We randomly allocated 144 participants to two groups of 72 patients. Patients in the treatment group were treated with QHN therapy. The control group had undergone insertion of acupuncture needles at sham acupoints not corresponded to acupuncture points. Participants in the verum treatment group and sham-acupuncture control group received 9 sessions over 6 weeks followed by 8 weeks of follow-up. The primary outcome was the change of motor function from baseline to weeks 6 and 14 measured by the PD Rating Scale-Part III Motor Examination (UPDRS-III). Secondary outcome measures included the change of PD daily quality of life-39 (PDQ-39) and Non-Motor Symptoms Scale for PD (NMSS) from baseline to weeks 6 and 14. Discussion: The results of this trial will generate data to improve our general understanding of the efficacy of QHN therapy on motor function in patients with PD and thoroughly compare these responses to the placebo effect. Trial Registration: The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR- 2000030871) on 16 March 2020.

A study on the effects of the Qihuang Needle therapy on patients with Parkinson's disease.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Qihuang Needle (QHN) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD). Design setting and participants: The trial was an 8-week randomized clinical trial (4 weeks of treatment followed by 4 weeks of follow-up) conducted from January 2021 to July 2022 in outpatient settings at three clinical sites in Guangzhou, China. Thirty-four participants with PD were diagnosed based on the diagnostic criteria formulated by the brain bank of the British Parkinson's Disease Society in 1992. Interventions: Patients in the treatment and control groups received six sessions within 4 weeks of the QHN therapy or the sham acupuncture therapy (two times per week for the first two consecutive weeks and one time per week for the following two consecutive weeks). Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome measure was the change in the Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-Part III Motor Examination (UPDRS III) between baseline and 8 weeks after treatments. Secondary outcome measures were the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale for Parkinson's Disease (NMSS) and Parkinson's Disease Daily Quality of Life-39 (PDQ-39). Real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) was assessed for each patient at baseline and during the 4-week period as the third outcome measure. Results: A more significant reduction of UPDRS III score, PDQ-39, NMSS, and SWE was observed in the QHN group than in the sham acupuncture group. Conclusions: The QHN therapy consistently demonstrated superiority and produced clinically meaningful benefits in reducing motor and non-motor symptoms, as well as significantly improving muscle stiffness, in patients with PD.

[Post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome treated with floating-needle therapy combined with rehabilitation training: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy in the treatment of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome between floating-needle therapy and conventional acupuncture on the basis of rehabilitation training. METHODS: One hundred cases of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome were randomized into a floating-needle group and an acupuncture group, 50 cases in each one. The passive and positive rehabilitation training was adopted in the two groups. Additionally, in the floating-needle group, the floating-needle therapy was used. The needle was inserted at the site 5 to 10 cm away from myofasical trigger point (MTrP), manipulated and scattered subcutaneously, for 2 min continuously. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianqian (EX-UE), Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), etc. The treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week, and 14 days of treatment were required. The shoulder hand syndrome scale (SHSS), the short form McGill pain scale (SF-MPQ) and the modified Fugl-Meyer motor function scale (FMA) were used to evaluate the damage severity, pain and motor function of the upper limbs before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: SHSS score, SF-MPQ score and FMA score were improved significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01), and the improvements in the floating-needle group were superior to those in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) in the floating-needle group, which was better than 90.0% (45/50) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The floating-needle therapy combined with rehabilitation training achieves a satisfactory efficacy on post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome, which is better than the combined therapy of conventional acupuncture and rehabilitation training.

[Effects of electro-acupuncture on electroencephalography in patients with vascular dementia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on electroencephalography (EEG) in vascular dementia (VD) patients. METHODS: According to the Hasegawa dementia scale (HDS), the severity of 46 VD patients were classified into three grades as gentle, medium and severe, in the same time, they were divided into the EA group (n = 23) and the nimotop group (n = 23) randomly. Changes of EEG in the patients were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: The degree of normality of EEG in VD patients were positively correlated with the severity of their illness, i. e. the severer VD, the more obvious the abnormal EEG changes. CONCLUSION: EEG can be accessible for evaluating the severity of VD, and the electrical activity of brain in VD patients could be improved by EA therapy.