Laser acupuncture and photobiomodulation therapy in Bell's palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks: a randomized controlled trial.

To investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture and photobiomodulation therapy in alleviating symptoms among patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy with duration of greater than 8 weeks. The randomized controlled trial has been performed from May 2021 to April 2023. Patients were eligible who had Bell's palsy with duration of greater than 8 weeks on out-patient Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Beijing Tongren Hospital. The laser acupuncture group received class IV laser treatment for 3 times per weeks, a total of 72 times. The control group received the same treatment procedure except the laser parameter. The primary outcome measures comprised House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system and electroneurography. Secondary outcome measures comprised Sunnybrook facial grading system, electromyography, and the blink reflex. A total of 84 participants were included (42 control group, 42 laser acupuncture group). After treatment, House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.04-0.30; P < 0.001), and the pathologic numbers of electroneuronography were statistically different between the laser acupuncture group and control group, including orbicularis oculi (OR,0.08; 95% CI, 0.02-0.21; P < 0.001), Frontalis muscle (OR,0.14; 95% CI, 0.05-0.39; P < 0.001), Orbicularis oris (OR,0.13; 95% CI, 0.04-0.36; P < 0.001), Ala nasi muscle (OR,0.06; 95% CI, 0.02-0.18; P < 0.001). In secondary outcomes, Sunnybrook facial grading system, has significant difference between the two groups (20.26; 95% CI, 14.69 to 25.83; P < 0.01). Latency by ENoG, include orbicularis oculi (-0.61; 95% CI, -0.43 to -0.09; P < 0.001), frontalis muscle (-0.12; 95% CI, -0.21 to -0.03; P < 0.01), orbicularis oris (-0.28; 95% CI, -0.41 to -0.16; P < 0.001), and ala nasi muscle (-0.26; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.16; P < 0.001). All amplitudes of MUAPs and durations by electromyography (EMG) showed statistically significant differences compared with the control group after treatment. For the frontalis muscle, the amplitude of MUAPs was -64.23 (95% CI, -80.89 to -47.56; P < 0.001) and duration was -1.18 (95% CI, -1.49 to -0.87; P < 0.001). For orbicularis oris, amplitude of MUAPs was -29.82 (95% CI, -55.03 to -4.62; P = 0.02) and duration was -0.57 (95% CI, -0.94 to -0.20; P < 0.001). For depressor angulli oris, amplitude of MUAPs was -47.06 (95% CI, -62.15 to -31.97; P < 0.001) and duration was -2.21 (95% CI, -2.69 to -1.72; P < 0.001). Blink reflex, including R1 (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.16; P < .001), R2 (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.004-0.29; P < .001), and R2 latency differences (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.51; P < .001), have significant difference between the two groups, respectively. The findings suggest that laser acupuncture relieve symptoms for patients with Bell's palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05846217.

Associations between serum ferritin, iron, and liver transaminases in adolescents: a large cross-sectional study / Asociaciones entre la ferritina sérica, el hierro y las transaminasas hepáticas en adolescentes: un amplio estudio transversal

Introduction: few previous studies suggest that serum iron status may be associated with liver function, but the relevant evidence remainslimited, especially in adolescents.Objective: we aimed to investigate the association between serum ferritin, iron, and liver transaminases in adolescents.Methods: a cross-sectional study including 3,404 adolescents aged 10-19 was performed based on the National Health and Nutrition ExaminationSurvey. Weighted multivariate regression, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were used.Results: a total of 3,404 adolescents were eventually included. Serum ferritin and iron were positively correlated to alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The association between serum ferritin and ALT remained positive in all genders and races, but onlyremained positive in girls and several races between serum ferritin and AST. The positive correlations kept present among girls between serumiron and ALT, and also kept present among girls and non-Hispanic whites between serum iron and AST. Additionally, serum ferritin and iron werealso positively correlated to elevated ALT and elevated AST using binary logistic regression analysis. After excluding the subjects with serumferritin levels above the upper limit of normal, the main results remained the same basically.Conclusion: the present results add novel evidences about the associations between serum ferritin, iron, and liver transaminases, which requiresmore confirmatory studies. (AU)

Introducción: pocos estudios previos sugieren que el estado del hierro sérico pueda estar asociado con la función hepática, pero la evidenciarelevante sigue siendo limitada, especialmente en adolescentes.Objetivo: nuestro objetivo fue investigar la asociación entre la ferritina sérica, el hierro y las transaminasas hepáticas en adolescentes.Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal que incluyó a 3,404 adolescentes de diez a 19 años de edad, basado en la Encuesta Nacional deExamen de Salud y Nutrición. Se utilizaron la regresión multivariada ponderada, el análisis de subgrupos y el análisis de sensibilidad.Resultados: finalmente, se incluyó un total de 3.404 adolescentes. La ferritina sérica y el hierro se correlacionaron positivamente con la alaninaaminotransferasa (ALT) y la aspartato aminotransferasa (AST). La asociación entre ferritina sérica y ALT se mantuvo positiva en todos los génerosy razas, pero solo se mantuvo positiva en niñas y en varias razas entre ferritina sérica y AST. Las correlaciones positivas siguieron presentesen las niñas entre el hierro sérico y la ALT, y también en las niñas y personas blancas no hispanas entre el hierro sérico y la AST. Además, laferritina sérica y el hierro también se correlacionaron positivamente con ALT elevada y AST elevada mediante análisis de regresión logísticabinaria. Después de excluir a los sujetos con niveles de ferritina sérica por encima del límite superior de la normalidad, los resultados principalesse mantuvieron básicamente iguales.Conclusión: los presentes resultados agregan evidencias novedosas sobre las asociaciones entre la ferritina sérica, el hierro y las transaminasashepáticas, lo que requiere más estudios confirmatorios. (AU)

A Nonrandomized Trial of the Effects of Near-Infrared Photobiomodulation Therapy on Bell's Palsy with a Duration of Greater Than 8 Weeks.

Objective: To determine whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) by class IV Multiwave Locked System laser treatment as an adjunctive therapy could relieve symptoms in patients with Bell's palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks. Materials and methods: This nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted from January 2020 to December 2022. Patients were eligible if they had Bell's palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks at the out-patient department of otorhinolaryngology in Beijing Tongren Hospital. The control group consisted of patients recruited between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. The PBMT group consisted of patients recruited between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022. In this study, the PBM used has a wavelength of 808 and 905 nm, 1.2 W power (808 nm is 1 W, 905 nm is 200 mW), continuous mode emission (808 nm) and pulsed mode emission (905 nm), 8.35 J/cm2 dosimetry, administered 3 times per week, 72 times of total treatment. The primary outcome measures included the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system, the Sunnybrook facial grading system, and the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale (FaCE). Secondary outcome measures comprised electroneurography, electromyography, and the blink reflex. Results: A total of 54 participants were included (27 in the control group and 27 in the photobiomodulation group). After 6 months, the House-Brackmann grading system [risk difference, -0.59, confidence interval (95% CI), -0.81 to -0.38, relative risk, 0.27, 95% CI, 0.13-0.56, p < 0.001], Sunnybrook facial grading system (21.14, 95% CI, 11.71-30.58; p < 0.001), and FaCE (-0.20, 95% CI, 0.41-0.02; p = 0.07) had significant difference between the two groups. Latency of ala nasi muscle (10.92, 95% CI, 5.58-16.27; p < 0.001) was not statistically significant after treatment compared with the control group; however, most of the electrophysiological examinations have significant difference between the two groups, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that PBMT may relieve symptoms for patients with Bell's palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05585333.

Associations between serum ferritin, iron, and liver transaminases in adolescents: a large cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Introduction: few previous studies suggest that serum iron status may be associated with liver function, but the relevant evidence remains limited, especially in adolescents. Objective: we aimed to investigate the association between serum ferritin, iron, and liver transaminases in adolescents. Methods: a cross-sectional study including 3,404 adolescents aged 10-19 was performed based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weighted multivariate regression, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were used. Results: a total of 3,404 adolescents were eventually included. Serum ferritin and iron were positively correlated to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The association between serum ferritin and ALT remained positive in all genders and races, but only remained positive in girls and several races between serum ferritin and AST. The positive correlations kept present among girls between serum iron and ALT, and also kept present among girls and non-Hispanic whites between serum iron and AST. Additionally, serum ferritin and iron were also positively correlated to elevated ALT and elevated AST using binary logistic regression analysis. After excluding the subjects with serum ferritin levels above the upper limit of normal, the main results remained the same basically. Conclusion: the present results add novel evidences about the associations between serum ferritin, iron, and liver transaminases, which requires more confirmatory studies.

Introducción: Introducción: pocos estudios previos sugieren que el estado del hierro sérico pueda estar asociado con la función hepática, pero la evidencia relevante sigue siendo limitada, especialmente en adolescentes. Objetivo: nuestro objetivo fue investigar la asociación entre la ferritina sérica, el hierro y las transaminasas hepáticas en adolescentes. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal que incluyó a 3,404 adolescentes de diez a 19 años de edad, basado en la Encuesta Nacional de Examen de Salud y Nutrición. Se utilizaron la regresión multivariada ponderada, el análisis de subgrupos y el análisis de sensibilidad. Resultados: finalmente, se incluyó un total de 3.404 adolescentes. La ferritina sérica y el hierro se correlacionaron positivamente con la alanina aminotransferasa (ALT) y la aspartato aminotransferasa (AST). La asociación entre ferritina sérica y ALT se mantuvo positiva en todos los géneros y razas, pero solo se mantuvo positiva en niñas y en varias razas entre ferritina sérica y AST. Las correlaciones positivas siguieron presentes en las niñas entre el hierro sérico y la ALT, y también en las niñas y personas blancas no hispanas entre el hierro sérico y la AST. Además, la ferritina sérica y el hierro también se correlacionaron positivamente con ALT elevada y AST elevada mediante análisis de regresión logística binaria. Después de excluir a los sujetos con niveles de ferritina sérica por encima del límite superior de la normalidad, los resultados principales se mantuvieron básicamente iguales. Conclusión: los presentes resultados agregan evidencias novedosas sobre las asociaciones entre la ferritina sérica, el hierro y las transaminasas hepáticas, lo que requiere más estudios confirmatorios.

[Discussion on current state and research strategies of inter-disciplines of acupuncture-moxibustion and artificial intelligence].

At present, the breakthrough of the key techniques of artificial intelligence (AI), including image recognition, deep learning, neural network, Robot technique, etc., greatly promote the development of discipline crossing and medicine. In the present paper, we make an in-depth discussion about the future application of inter-discipline techniques of acupuncture-moxibustion and AI. We think that some of the current instruments have been part of the new acupuncture-moxibustion devices and may have the potential to intersect with the AI discipline. Relying on these existing devices and those of meridian detection, we can obtain relatively objective data, and further conduct meridian-syndrome differentiation and big data collection to possibly realize remote medical treatment. In addition, we may also develop an AI system for studying the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion therapies. Nevertheless, there still exist a lot of problems and challenges in clinical, teaching and scientific researches. It is recommended that the discipline of acupuncture-moxibustion should be intersected with the AI subject and formulate appropriate development strategies, promoting a faster and better development of acupuncturology.

Transcription factor NF-κB promotes acute lung injury via microRNA-99b-mediated PRDM1 down-regulation.

Acute lung injury (ALI), is a rapidly progressing heterogenous pulmonary disorder that possesses a high risk of mortality. Accumulating evidence has implicated the activation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB [NF-κB(p65)] activation in the pathological process of ALI. microRNAs (miRNAs), a group of small RNA molecules, have emerged as major governors due to their post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in a wide array of pathological processes, including ALI. The dysregulation of miRNAs and NF-κB activation has been implicated in human diseases. In the current study, we set out to decipher the convergence of miR-99b and p65 NF-κB activation in ALI pathology. We measured the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNFα) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid using ELISA. MH-S cells were cultured and their viability were detected with cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assays. The results showed that miR-99b was up-regulated, while PRDM1 was down-regulated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine model of ALI. Mechanistic investigations showed that NF-κB(p65) was enriched at the miR-99b promoter region, and further promoted its transcriptional activity. Furthermore, miR-99b targeted PRDM1 by binding to its 3'UTR, causing its down-regulation. This in-creased lung injury, as evidenced by increased wet/dry ratio of mouse lung, myeloperoxidase activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and enhanced infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues. Together, our findings indicate that NF-κB(p65) promotion of miR-99b can aggravate ALI in mice by down-regulating the expression of PRDM1.

Serum levels of vitamin A and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) as reflectors of pulmonary function and quality of life (QOL) in children with stable asthma: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the relationship between serum vitamin A and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) levels with pulmonary function and quality of life (QOL) in children with stable asthma. METHODS: A total of 117 cases of children with stable asthma were assigned into the case group and 129 healthy children underwent physical examination during the same period into the control group. Electrochemiluminescence was employed to determine serum vitamin A and 25OHD3 levels. The children with stable asthma were further divided into the mild, moderate, and severe groups according to their degree of asthma. A pulmonary function meter was used to assess the pulmonary function indexes: percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/predictive value (FEV1%pred), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). The children's quality (QOL) of life with asthma was evaluated by their activities of daily living (ADLs) and Medical Research Council (MRC) scores. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the correlations of serum vitamin A and 25OHD3 levels with FEV1%pred, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, MVV, ADL, and MRC. RESULTS: Serum vitamin A and 25OHD3 levels were lower in children with stable asthma than those who were in the control group (P < .05). The severe group showed the lowest FEV1%pred, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, MVV, and ADL scores, and the highest MRC score compared to the mild and moderate groups (all P < .05). Serum vitamin A and 25OHD3 levels were positively correlated with pulmonary function and ADL score in children with stable asthma, while serum vitamin A and 25OHD3 levels were negatively correlated with MRC score (all P < .05). In the case group, serum vitamin A and 25OHD3 levels were positively correlated with serum calcium and phosphorus levels (all P < .05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that increased serum vitamin A and 25OHD3 levels reflect good pulmonary function and good QOL in children with stable asthma.

Penetrating effect of high-intensity infrared laser pulses through body tissue.

Researchers have utilized infrared (IR) lasers as energy sources in laser therapy for curing skin diseases and skin injuries with remarkable effects. Preliminary experiments have also shown that high-intensity IR laser pulses could penetrate thick body tissues, resulting in remarkable effects for recovery from injuries in deep muscles and cartilage tissues. However, for deep-level IR laser therapy, it is unclear how much of the laser power density penetrates the body tissues at certain depths and which of the three major effects of laser irradiation, namely, laser-induced photo-chemical effect, photo-thermal effect and mechanical dragging effect, play a key role in the curing process. Thus, in this study, we developed micro-sized thin-film thermocouple (TFTC) arrays on freestanding Si3N4 thin-film windows as sensors for laser power density and local temperature. These devices showed excellent linear responses in output voltage to laser power density with wavelengths in the range of 325-1064 nm, and also indicated the local temperature at the laser spot. We systematically measured the penetrating effect and thermal effect through thick porcine tissues for high-intensity IR pulses with a laser system used in clinical treatment and subtracted the attenuation parameters for the porcine skin, fat and muscle tissue from the experimental data. The results offered reliable quantitative references for safe irradiation doses of high-intensity IR laser pulses in practical laser therapy.