A Bibliometric Analysis of Acupuncture Therapy in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain from 2003 to 2022.

Background: Acupuncture therapy has been widely used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain (MP) in many countries around the world. However, there are no bibliometric studies on acupuncture therapy for MP. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the current status, frontiers and hot spots in the use of acupuncture therapy for the treatment of MP. Methods: Literature on acupuncture therapy for MP was extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2003 to 2022. CiteSpace 6.2.R4 (64-bit) software was used to analyze the number and centrality of journals, countries, institutions, authors, references and keywords, and the functions of co-occurrence and clustering were applied to draw a visual knowledge map. Results: Over the past 20 years, the annual journal publications have been on a steady upward trend, with 438 articles published in 143 journals, including Acupuncture in Medicine Journal published the most (28, 6.39%), JAMA-Journal of the American Medical Association was the journal with the highest impact factor (IF = 120.7003), USA dominated with the most publications (140, 31.96%) among 44 countries, and among 196 research organizations Kyung Hee University was the most prolific (19, 4.34%) and Ha, In-Hyuk was the most published author (9, 2.05%). "Acupuncture" is the most popular and highly sought after keywords. "Low back pain" is the keyword with the highest centrality. Conclusion: This article provides the current situation of the use of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of MP in the past 20 years, and statistical analysis reveals that "low back pain", "knit osteoporosis" and "break cancer" are new research diseases related to acupuncture therapy for MP, and "myobasic trigger point" is a new research direction of acupuncture therapy for MP. Therefore, this study helps researchers grasp the research hotspots and provide certain references for in-depth research and future topic selection.

Relationship between Vitamin D and Nonspecific Low Back Pain May Be Mediated by Inflammatory Markers.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to nonspecific low back pain (Ns-LBP); however, the role of inflammation as a possible mediator between vitamin D levels and Ns-LBP is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To explore the mediating effects of inflammatory markers on the relationship between vitamin D levels and pain outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Department of Spinal Surgery of a hospital affiliated to a medical university. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we selected patients with non-specific acute low back pain (Ns-ALBP, n = 60) and non-specific chronic low back pain (Ns-CLBP, n = 78), as well as 60 people without Ns-LBP as controls, from January 2018 to January 2019. Serum 25(OH)D and inflammatory marker levels were examined. Regression and causal mediation analysis were used to evaluate the mediating effects of inflammatory markers on the association between vitamin D and pain. RESULTS: Mean serum concentrations of vitamin D in the control, Ns-ALBP, and Ns-CLBP groups were 25.70 ± 10.04, 21.44 ± 8.46 and 18.25 ± 8.05 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). After adjustment for clinical factors, vitamin D deficiency was associated with Ns-LBP (P < 0.05); however, when the interleukin 6 (IL-6) level was added to the multivariable models, the association was no longer significant in Ns-CLBP patients. Mediation analysis estimated the overall mediated effect as -0.461 (P < 0.001) in Ns-CLBP patients, and the intermediary effect of IL-6 was 0.045. LIMITATIONS: A retrospective study may include inevitable bias. More sensitive biomarkers were not investigated in this study. Pain intensity evaluation using the visual analogue scale is inevitably subjective. CONCLUSION: Patients with Ns-LBP had lower vitamin D and higher inflammatory marker levels. This association between hypovitaminosis D and Ns-CLBP may be mediated by IL-6. Therefore, large-scale clinical trials are warranted to investigate the clinical efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for decreasing inflammation and relieving Ns-LBP.

Effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for insomnia: A protocol for an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common disease characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep, and accompanied by irritability or fatigue during wakefulness. It is widely reported that insomnia is one of the most extensive mental disorders which the incidence rate is estimated to be about 10%. Insomnia can have serious influences on patients health and quality of life. Electro acupuncture (EA) is reported to be efficacious and widely used for the treatment of insomnia in China. This overview aims to summarize the available evidence from current systematic reviews for the efficacy of electroacupuncture therapy for insomnia. METHODS: We will make a comprehensive retrieval in 7 databases as following:The time is limited from the construction of the library to August 2020. We will use the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) tool to evaluate methodological quality. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) will be used in the report checklist to assess the quality of reports in the study. The Grading of the Classification of Recommendations, Evaluation, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) will be used to evaluate the included SRs and meta-analysis. Our reviewers will conduct systematic reviews, qualification evaluation, data extraction, methodological quality and evidence quality screening in pairs. The outcomes of interest include: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Athens Insomnia Scale, Sleep parameters measured by either subjective or objective approaches, such as actigraphy, polysomnogram, and electroencephalogram. Or any other scale used to assess the level of illness. The evidence will be synthesized where appropriate based on patient subgroups and outcomes. RESULTS: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202080087. CONCLUSION: This overview will provide comprehensive evidence of EA for patients with insomnia.

Zanthoxylum nitidum extract attenuates BMP-2-induced inflammation and hyperpermeability.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is commonly applied in spinal surgery to augment spinal fusion. Nevertheless, its pro-inflammatory potential could induce dangerous side effects such as vascular hyper-permeability, posing the need for manners against this condition. The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of Zanthoxylum nitidum (ZN) on BMP-2-related hyperpermeability and inflammation on the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The results revealed that, in a concentration-dependent manner, BMP-2 enhanced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α, which were, however, suppressed by ZN. ZN inhibited BMP-2-induced inflammatory response by suppressing the phosphorylation of NF-κBp65 and IκB, and the abnormal nuclear translocation of p65. Moreover, the inhibited expression intercellular tight junction protein VE-cadherin and Occludin caused by BMP-2 was blocked by ZN. The hyper-permeability of HUVECs induced by BMP-2, as expressed as the higher fluorescent intensity of dextran, was also reversed by ZN. Overall, these findings demonstrated that ZN antagonized BMP-2-induced inflammation and hyperpermeability. It could be a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of BMP-2-induced side effects during spinal fusion.

Does vitamin D status influence lumbar disc degeneration and low back pain in postmenopausal women? A retrospective single-center study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D concentration and lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) in postmenopausal women and the epidemiologic factors affecting low back pain (LBP). METHODS: Between July 2017 and December 2018, 232 participants were retrospectively enrolled. Serum concentrations of bone turnover markers were measured using electrochemiluminescence assays. Disc degeneration was evaluated using the Pfirrmann grading system. Other variables were assessed using relevant questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 65.6 ±â€Š10.1 and their serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 19.38 ±â€Š9.21 ng/mL. The prevalences of severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) and normal status (>30 ng/mL) were 12.9% and 12.5%, respectively. The severely deficient group had higher visual analog scale (VAS) scores for LBP (P = 0.002) and lower bone mineral density T scores (P = 0.004) than the other groups. Lower 25(OH)D concentration (<10 ng/mL) was significantly associated with more severe LDD in the lumbosacral region (L4-S1, L1-S1, P < 0.05), but less so in the upper lumbar region. There was an inverse relationship between vitamin D concentration and the severity of disc degeneration (L2-L3, L4-S1, L1-S1, P < 0.05). After adjustment for confounding factors, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, lack of vitamin D supplementation, high body mass index, and low bone mineral density T score were associated with higher incidence of moderate-to-severe pain in postmenopausal women (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with LDD and LBP in postmenopausal women. Specifically, a serum vitamin D concentration < 10 ng/mL is a marker of severe LDD and LBP. Smoking, severe vitamin D deficiency, lack of vitamin D supplementation, high body mass index, and osteoporosis are associated with a higher prevalence of moderate-to-severe pain.

Superconductivity in chromium nitrides Pr3Cr10-xN11 with strong electron correlations.

Exploration of superconductivity in Cr-based compounds has attracted considerable interest because only a few Cr-based superconductors (CrAs, A2Cr3As3 and ACr3As3 (A = K, Rb, Cs, Na)) have been discovered so far and they show an unconventional pairing mechanism. We report the discovery of bulk superconductivity at 5.25 K in chromium nitride in Pr3Cr10-xN11 with a cubic lattice structure. A relatively large upper critical field of H c2(0) ∼ 12.6 T is determined, which is larger than the estimated Pauli-paramagnetic pair-breaking magnetic field. The material has a large electronic specific-heat coefficient of 170 mJ K-2 mol-1-about 10 times larger than that estimated by the electronic structure calculation, which suggests that correlations between 3d electrons are very strong in Pr3Cr10-xN11, and thus quantum fluctuations might be involved. Electronic structure calculations show that the density of states at the Fermi energy are contributed predominantly by Cr 3d electrons, implying that the superconductivity results mainly from the condensation of Cr 3d electrons. Pr3Cr10-xN11 represents a rare example of possible unconventional superconductivity emerging in a 3D system with strong electron correlations. Nevertheless, clarification of the specific pairing symmetry needs more investigation.

Preoperative vitamin D status and its effects on short-term clinical outcomes in lumbar spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have found that vitamin D deficiency has a high incidence rate worldwide, but we found few studies on the role of vitamin D in spinal degenerative diseases. We investigated the determinants of preoperative vitamin D deficiency and its effects on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery. METHODS: 360 patients treated from July 2017 to July 2018 were retrospectively identified for inclusion. The patients' fasting serum levels of 25(OH)D, N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin (N-MID), and ß typeⅠcollagen carboxyl terminal peptide (ß-CTX) were measured by electrochemiluminescence before the operation. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Oswestry Disability Index scores (ODI) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Standard demographic data and all perioperative complications occurring within 3 months follow-up after operation were recorded. RESULTS: The mean serum level of 25(OH)D was 20.81 ± 8.55 ng/mL, the rates of deficiency (<20 ng/ml) was 53.6%. The abnormal proportion of N-MID and ß-CTX were 8.61% and 34.44%, bone turnover markers serum level was higher in older age groups (p < 0.05). Female sex (p < 0.001), a high body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.012), lack of vitamin D supplementation (p = 0.018), smoking (p = 0.033), moderate (p < 0.001) to severe pain (p = 0.005) were significant predictors of vitamin D deficiency after the multivariate analysis. The VAS, JOA and ODI scores showed significantly better outcomes compared to deficient group at post-operative and final follow-up (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was common in patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery. Female sex, high BMI, lack of vitamin D supplementation, smoking and moderate to severe pain were risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, preoperative hypovitaminosis D (<20 ng/ml) was correlated with worse surgical outcomes in short-term.

Environment and economic risk: An analysis of carbon emission market and portfolio management.

Climate change has been one of the biggest and most controversial environmental issues of our times. It affects the global economy, environment and human health. Many researchers find that carbon dioxide (CO2) has contributed the most to climate change between 1750 and 2005. In this study, the orthogonal GARCH (OGARCH) model is applied to examine the time-varying correlations in European CO2 allowance, crude oil and stock markets in US, Europe and China during the Protocol's first commitment period. The results show that the correlations between EUA carbon spot price and the equity markets are higher and more volatile in US and Europe than in China. Then the optimal portfolios consisting these five time series are selected by Mean-Variance and Mean-CVAR models. It shows that the optimal portfolio selected by MV-OGARCH model has the best performance.

[Effect of pueraria crude extreact and puerarin on ethanol-induced expression of heat shock protein 70 in embryonic mouse hippocampal cultures].

OBJECTIVE: To study if the Pueraria crude extreact (CP) and standard preparation of pure puerarin (SP) possess the same neuroprotective effects on the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 in the embryonic mouse hippocampal cells. METHODS: The hippocampus of 18-days-old mouse embryo was taken out and suspension of single cells was cultured. Ethanol was added to cause HSP70 mRNA expression. Solvent, ethanol of different concentrations (50, 200, and 300 mmol/L), SP + ethanol, and SP + ethanol were added respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of the expression of HSP70 mRNA. RESULTS: Ethanol of different concentrations increased the expression of HSP70 mRNA and the protein in comparison with the solvent control group. SP and CP inhibited the expression of HSP70 mRNA and protein. CONCLUSION: With identical effect of anti-oxidative stress, both SP and CP inhibit the increase of expression of HSP70 mRNA and protein, thus demonstrating I vitro anti-oxidative neuroprotection.

[Potential antiviral drug Pueraria crude extract and puerarin protect against ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in embryonic mouse hippocampal cultures].

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether Chinese medical herb Pueraria crude extract (CP) and standard of pure puerarin (SP) possess the same neuroprotective effects during concomitant ethanol (EtOH) treatment. METHODS: Hippocampus cultures were prepared from mice at gestational age of 18 day. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. RT-PCR was employed to determine mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD). RESULTS: As measured by MTT assay, supplementation with 15 mg/L CP or 10 mg/L SP afforded neuroprotection against all EtOH concentrations (50, 200 and 350 mmol/L, respectively) in embryonic hippocampal culture system. In addition, both 15 mg/L CP and 10 mg/L SP could decrease expression of SOD at mRNA level. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CP and SP could decrease oxidative stress induced by ethanol treatment by the decreased expression of SOD at mRNA level, and demonstrates antioxidative neuroprotective effect of CP and SP against developmental ethanol exposure in vitro.

[Genistein induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and T47D cells].

Dietary genistein, a natural flavone compound found in soy, has been proposed to be related to the lower prevalence of breast cancer in Asian women. In order to elucidate the mechanism of chemopreventive effect of genistein so that to provide more scientific basis for dietary intervention for breast cancer in women, the apoptosis in estrogen responsive breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and T47D cells) was induced as the study model and the effect of genistein on the apoptosis was observed. The results showed that, functionally similar to the anti-estrogen tamoxifen, genistein induced in a dose- and time-dependent manner the MCF-7 cell apoptosis at concentrations above 20 x 10(-6) mol/L. The findings suggested that the increased isoflavone intake can induce apoptosis in estrogen responsive cells.

[Effects of beech dust extract on lipid peroxidation and expression of ref-1 gene of mouse lung tissue].

In order to explore the effects of beech dust on lipid peroxidation and expression of redox-related gene ref-1, the 2-stage model of mouse lung tumor short-term induction test is used. The mice exposed to the extract beech dust are divided into 3 groups(group of normal lung tissue, group of papillary adenoma and group of lung adenoma) with the mice treated with solvents as control. The extent of homogenate lipid peroxides is determined by measuring the formation of TBARS, and expression of ref-1 measured by immunohistochemistry. The results show that 1. The formation of TBARS of all groups treated with the beech extracts of beech dust is increased compared with the control, and the differences between the groups with adenoma and the control are statistically significant (P < 0.01), while the P value of that of the group of normal lung tissue is less than 0.05. 2. Both the control and the group of normal lung tissue treated with the extracts are Ref-1-negative, strong nuclear Ref-1 immunostaining is found in the group of papillary adenoma, and the cytoplasmic/nuclear expression of Ref-1 is significantly enhanced in the group of lung adenoma and group of mixed adenoma. It is suggested that the extracts of beech dust toxicity is probably related to its altering redox regulation of ref-1 and subsequent disturbance of redox status.

[The model of mouse lung tumor short-term induction test for assaying the carcinogencity induced by extracts of birch wood dust].

OBJECTIVE: To assay the carcinogencity of water and organic extracts of birch wood dust. METHODS: One stage and two stage model of mouse lung tumor by short-term induction test were used. RESULTS: In the one stage experiment, no significant difference of the incidence of mice lung tumors was observed between different dosage groups of water extracts and organic extracts. In the two stage experiment, the tumor incidence and the average number of tumor per mouse in three dosage groups treated with the water extracts(1, 2, 4 g/kg) were 4.08% and 0.04, 8.33% and 0.15, 14.30% and 0.24 respectively with dose increment. There was a significant dose-response relationship between them(P < 0.05), and the tumor incidence and the average number of tumor per mouse in 4 g/kg group were significantly higher than those in the control group and 1 g/kg group and its one stage group(P < 0.05). The tumor incidence and the average number of tumor per mouse induced by organic extracts were higher with increasing dose, but no significant difference among groups was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both extracts of birch wood dust may be initiators, and carcinogenic effect of the water extract is stronger than that of the organic extract.