Chinese Science Research Articles

A heterozygous SPRY4 variant identified in female infertility characterized by reduced oocyte potential and early embryonic arrest.

Can novel genetic factors contributing to early embryonic arrest in infertile patients be identified, along with the underlying mechanisms of the pathogenic variant? We identified a heterozygous variant in the SPRY4 (sprouty RTK signaling antagonist 4) in infertile patients and conducted in vitro and in vivo studies to investigate the effects of the variant/deletion, highlighting its critical role in female reproductive health. SPRY4 acts as a negative regulator of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and functions as a tumor suppressor. Its abnormal expression can lead to recurrent miscarriage by affecting trophoblast function. In mice, Spry4 knockout (KO) leads to craniofacial anomalies and growth defects. A human study links the SPRY4 variant to a male patient with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), hypothetically impacting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, and causing reproductive dysfunctions. SPRY4 is thus potentially integral in regulating endocrine homeostasis and reproductive function. To date, no study has reported SPRY4 variants associated with female fertility, and a causal relationship has not been established with functional evidence. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 392 infertile women who suffered from primary infertility of unknown reason, and the heterozygous SPRY4 variant were identified in one independent family. The infertile patients presenting were recruited from July 2017 to November 2023. Women diagnosed with primary infertility were recruited from the Reproduction Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood for WES analysis. The SPRY4 variant were identified through WES, in silico analysis, and variant screening. All variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The effects of the variants were investigated in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T (HEK293T) cells via western blotting, and in mouse oocytes and embryos through complementary RNA (cRNA) injection, RNA sequencing, fluorescence, absorbance, and RT-qPCR assays. Gene function was further examined in Spry4 KO mice via histology, western blotting, ELISA, and RT-qPCR assays. We identified a missense heterozygous pathogenic variant in SPRY4 (GRCh38, GenBank: NM_030964.5, c.157C>T p.(Arg53Trp), rs200531302) that reduces SPRY4 protein levels in HEK293T cells and disrupts the redox system and mitochondrial function in mouse oocyte, and perturbs developmental potential in mouse embryos. These phenotypes could be partially reversed by the exogenous addition of Nrf1 cRNA. Additionally, Spry4-/- mice exhibit ovarian oxidative stress and decreased ovarian function. Due to the limited WES data and population, we identified only one family with a SPRY4 mutation. The deeper mechanism and therapeutic strategy should be further investigated through mutant mice and recovery experiment. Our study has identified a pathogenic variant in SPRY4 associated with early embryonic arrest in humans. These findings enhance our understanding of the role of SPRY4 in early embryonic development and present a new genetic marker for female infertility. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82071643 and 82171655) and Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (22ZR1456200). None of the authors have any competing interests. N/A.

Exploring Interactive Metadiscourse of Chinese Science Postgraduates’ Academic English Writing

The present study aims to explore the employment of interactive metadiscourse in Chinese science postgraduates’ academic thesis writing. Based on the interpersonal model of metadiscourse, this study analyzed the form, frequency and distribution of interactive metadiscourse, using thirty English abstracts of chemistry master’s theses selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure during the period of 2021-2023 as corpus. The results showed that among all interactive metadiscourse, transition markers appeared most frequently and were distributed widely; endophoric markers and evidentials occurred less frequently and were distributed sparsely; the transition marker “and” and the code gloss “( )” were overused and frame markers were underused. Therefore, academic writing instructors should pay attention to cultivating students’ rhetorical awareness of using interactive metadiscourse in academic thesis writing to improve the organization of the abstract and make it more scientific. Through the above analysis, this research provides useful insights for academic writing in hard science, especially for improving the English academic writing skills of Chinese novice writers.

Understanding the evolution of China's technology standard policy from 1949 to 2019 through the lens of policy learning

Understanding the evolution of China's technology standard policy from 1949 to 2019 through the lens of policy learning

J-TEXT achievements in turbulence and transport in support of future device/reactor

Following the reconstruction of the TEXT tokamak at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, renamed as J-TEXT, a plethora of experimental and theoretical investigations has been conducted to elucidate the intricacies of turbulent transport within the tokamak configuration. These endeavors encompass not only the J-TEXT device’s experimental advancements but also delve into critical issues pertinent to the optimization of future fusion devices and reactors. The research includes topics on the suppression of turbulence, flow drive and damping, density limit, non-local transport, intrinsic toroidal flow, turbulence and flow with magnetic islands, turbulent transport in the stochastic layer, and turbulence and zonal flow with energetic particles or helium ash. Several important achievements have been made in the last few years, which will be further elaborated upon in this comprehensive review.

Effects of Virtual Reality on Preoperative Anxiety in Adult Patients: An Updated Meta-analysis

PurposeTo determine the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) on preoperative anxiety in adult patients. DesignA systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. MethodsA systematic search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG DATA, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and Sino-Med from inception to December 18, 2022. All eligible randomized controlled trials published were included (published in English and Chinese). The Cochrane Collaboration “Risk of Bias” tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Review Manager software 5.4 was used for data analysis. FindingsNine studies with sample sizes ranging from 72 to 255 and 1,046 participants were identified. The results of the meta-analysis showed that VR significantly reduced preoperative anxiety in adults (standardized mean difference = −0.48, 95% CI: −0.93 to −0.03, P = .04). Our results suggested that VR improved postoperative satisfaction scores more effectively compared with control care (mean difference = 15.29, 95% CI: 6.25 to 24.33, P = .0009). ConclusionsStudy results support that VR has a positive effect in reducing preoperative anxiety in adults. VR can also significantly improve patients' satisfaction after surgery. However, the results need to be further assessed due to the small sample sizes and high heterogeneity.

Evolution of agricultural carbon emission research in China: a historical analysis and emerging trends

Agricultural activities constitute the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Proactively mitigating agricultural carbon emissions is crucial for safeguarding the ecological en-vironment, improving agricultural productivity, and fostering long-term ecological sustainability. This paper employs bibliometric analysis to examine the research status, hot topics, and devel-opment trends of agricultural carbon emissions in China over the past 2 decades. Based on Citespace software, the study primarily conducts visual analysis on 660 academic articles on ag-ricultural carbon emissions collected from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) between 2001 and May 2023, including publications indexed in Peking University Chinese Core Journals (PKU Core), Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index and Chinese Science Citation Database. The analysis covers publication quantity, author cooperation, institution cooperation, keyword co-occurrence, keyword clustering, keyword burst, keyword timeline, and keyword timezone. Research results indicate: (1) From the annual publication volume changes perspective, research on China’s agricultural carbon emissions demonstrates a rapid upward trend in the new era, with increasing research interest. (2) The core net-work of research authors has been established, primarily concentrated in agricultural and forestry universities, and the core network of institutions in this field is gradually forming. However, collaboration networks between authors and research institutions are relatively dispersed, necessitating strengthened collaboration among institutions. (3) Current research on agricultural carbon emissions predominantly focuses on the challenges of reducing agricultural carbon emissions in China under the “dual carbon” goals, measures, and pathways to achieve agricultural carbon emission reductions; performance evaluation of agricultural carbon emissions, factors affecting these emissions, and their reduction potential; as well as the relationship between agricultural carbon emissions and agricultural economic growth. Future research should delve deeper into the precise accounting of agricultural carbon emissions under the “dual carbon” goals, their underlying mechanisms, and issues related to precise and differentiated agricultural carbon reduction strategies. (4) The development trajectory of domestic agricultural carbon emissions research shows a period of germination from 2001 to 2009, a development stage from 2010 to 2015, and a deepening stage from 2016 to 2023, with a notable increase in publications in 2021, signifying a new upward phase in research output.

MHealth Service Effects for Negative Emotions Among Parents of Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This review aims to ascertain the effects of mHealth on negative emotions among parents of preterm infants and analyze the current state of mHealth services in this context. Caring for preterm infants often engenders negative emotions in parents, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Mobile Health (mHealth) services offer potential benefits for preterm infant care. However, there are several uncertainties regarding the impact of mHealth services on parental emotions. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) and quasi-RCT were published in English and Chinese until 2023 and are available in the electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAHL), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database were reviewed. Review Manager 5.4 was employed for random-effects meta-analysis. Seven RCTs and 6 quasi-RCTs with high risks were included, most of them were based on small sample size and single-centered. Meta-analysis demonstrated that mHealth interventions mitigated negative emotions, including anxiety (standard mean difference [SMD]=-1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.47 to -0.66; P<0.0001), depression (SMD=-1.94; 95% CI, -3.01 to -0.86; P<0.0001), and stress (SMD=-1.24; 95% CI, -2.07 to -0.40; P<0.0001), among parents of preterm infants. It is recommended to develop independent specialized software for mHealth, enhance theoretical underpinnings, and standardize practical protocols. Incorporating early recognition and screening of negative emotions within mHealth could offer comprehensive support for the mental health of parents with preterm infants. The mHealth-based interventions are needed to focus on the parents' emotional needs and minimize the impacts associated with mental stress.

Neural effects of acupuncture on stroke patients with motor dysfunction: an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging has been used in many studies to explore the neural mechanism of acupuncture in patients with post-stroke motor dysfunction. Inconsistent results have been found in these studies, however. This activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis was designed to quantitatively integrate changes in brain activity and the neurological effects of acupuncture on patients with motor dysfunction after stroke. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China Science and Technology Journal Database, the China Biology Medicine, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform for literature from the establishment of the database until March 21, 2024. Research papers were selected, data extracted, and quality assessment was done independently by two researchers. The GingerALE software was used for meta-analysis, and Jackknife sensitivity analysis was employed to assess result robustness. We ended up analyzing 14 studies that included 235 patients and 100 healthy people. ALE meta-analysis showed that Compared with healthy people, the enhanced brain region in poststroke patients with motor dysfunction was located in the left posterior lobe of the cerebellum, the left inferior frontal gyrus, and the left precuneus (p < 0.001). After acupuncture, the activated regions were mainly located in the left posterior lobe of the cerebellum, the right lentiform nucleus putamen, the right medial frontal gyrus, the right inferior frontal gyrus, the left precuneus, the right middle temporal gyrus, the left claustrum, the left cerebellar tonsil, the right superior marginal gyrus, the inactivated area is located in the right medial frontal gyrus the left precentral gyrus and the right precuneus (p < 0.001). Acupuncture can reestablish motor function by causing extensive changes in the brain function of patients with stroke, which may be the neurological effect of acupuncture therapy on stroke patients. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024526263.

Utopian Science Fiction and Ethnic Future Imagination in Chinese Contemporary Science Fiction

Utopian science fiction, as a fusion of science fiction literature and utopian literature, integrates the construction of imagined interactions between people, technology, society, and the environment in future narratives. In doing so, it deepens the aesthetic value and social significance of science fiction literature. Chinese science fiction utopian future narratives use technological imagination to construct three models of expression. First, they re-examine the symbiotic patterns of technology, humanity, and time within the multiple dimensions of human subjectivity. Second, within the transformation of social structures, they reassess the subject and emotions, recognizing that the acceleration of social change has transformed human nostalgia into a series of rehearsals seeking future possibilities in the past. Third, within the dissolution of cultural politics, they reconsider space and the environment, reconstructing planetary existence through a model of deterritorialization. The imagined technological developments constitute the internal logic of Chinese science fiction utopian future narratives, suggesting that the future is an uncertain movement entangled with technology, time, space, and human nature. The confluence of technology, time, and humanity gives rise to people’s expectations and yearnings for eternal life. However, these three modes of narrating the future also lead us to return to Earth as the central theme, highlighting the planetary nature and reflecting on the meaning of existence.

Effectiveness of integrated care models for stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Given that stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, there is an urgent need for a coordinated healthcare approach to mitigate its effects. The objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of stroke integrated care models and develop recommendations for a representative model. A systematic review and meta-analysis. The literature search identified randomized controlled trials comparing integrated care models with standard care for stroke patients. The included studies followed PICOs inclusion criteria. The qualitative analysis included creating a flowchart for the literature screening process, and tables detailing the basic characteristics of the included studies, the adherence to the ten principles and the results of the quality assessments. Subsequently, quantitative meta-analytical procedures were conducted to statistically pool the data and quantify the effects of the integrated care models on stroke patients' health-related quality of life, activities of daily living, and depression. The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBMDISC), Cochrane Library, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, and Clinical Trials were searched from inception to March 13, 2024. Of the 2547 obtained articles, 19 were systematically reviewed and 15 were included in the meta-analysis. The integrated care models enhanced stroke patients' health-related quality of life, ability to perform activities of daily living, and reduced depression. Adherence to the 10 principles varied: comprehensive services, patient focus, and standardized care delivery had strong implementation, while gaps were noted in geographic coverage, information systems, governance structures, and financial management. Integrated care models improve outcomes for stroke patients and adherence to the 10 principles is vital for their implementation success. This study's findings call for a more standardized approach to implementing integrated care models, emphasizing the need for integrated services, patient-centred care, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while also addressing the identified gaps in terms of integration efforts. This study provides evidence-based recommendations on the most effective integrated care approaches for stroke patients, potentially leading to better patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and improved quality of life.

Analyzing the innovation ecosystem of China's major science and technology projects: From the ecological and systems science perspective

The National Major Science and Technology Projects in China are characterized by government leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international cooperation. However, challenges such as insufficient innovation capacity and inadequate commercialization of scientific achievements are becoming increasingly prominent. This paper adopts the conceptual framework of natural ecology to examine these projects. By utilizing theories and methods from ecology and systems science, we draw an analogy between the innovation ecosystem of China's national major science and technology projects and the structure of ecological systems, analyzing the interrelationships among the components of the innovation ecosystem and establishing the four-level model. The findings indicate that collaboration and policy guidance among the enterprise, research, and auxiliary innovation layers promote scientific output and innovation, while the external environmental layer provides robust support and safeguards, collectively driving the development of the innovation ecosystem. We study the operational mechanisms of the innovation ecosystem in depth, identifying mechanisms of competitive symbiosis, coordination, and sharing. These mechanisms work together throughout the project management process, offering new insights for enhancing the scientific and effective management of these projects. The national innovation ecosystem and high-quality development mutually reinforce and complement each other. As a critical pathway to high-quality development, our study provides new approaches to addressing the challenges of insufficient innovation capacity and the difficulty in translating scientific achievements into practice, contributing to the optimization of resource allocation, and the deep integration of technological innovation with economic and social development.

Effects of different traditional Chinese exercise for knee osteoarthritis patients: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The most popular traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) techniques include Tai Chi, Yijinjing, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, and Qigong. Exercise is advised as a primary treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) according to clinical standards. According to several studies, TCE may be an effective way to help people with KOA manage their pain, stiffness, and physical function. Which TCE therapy is the most effective and whose particular usefulness is still debatable. The network meta-analysis (NMA) method is used in this study to evaluate and compare the effects of various TCE therapies on KOA patients. We will search PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and the China Biology Medical Literature Database (CBM) for randomized controlled trials reporting TCE therapy for KOA patients published before October 25, 2023. The Stata 16.0 program will compare the effectiveness of various TCE therapies on KOA patients using conventional pairwise and NMA. The final 29 studies included 15 articles on Tai Chi, 7 articles on Baduanjin, 4 articles on Wuqinxi, and 3 articles on Yijinjing. Tai Chi was first for the effect sizes of VAS scores, WOMAC pain scores, and WOMAC available scores, while Baduanjin was ranked top for WOMAC stiffness scores. Research should continue to be conducted on the effect of Qigong on KOA intervention. This NMA will help determine the best TCE treatment for KOA and offer evidence-based bias for clinical decision-making.

Acupuncture for the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with spinal cord injury: A study protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

Spinal cord injury patients frequently suffer from anxiety and depression, which can seriously affect their quality of life and recovery. Acupuncture, as a traditional Chinese therapy, has been used to treat anxiety and depression for more than 2000 years. The aim is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of anxiety and depression in spinal cord injury patients. The literature on acupuncture treating anxiety and depression in patients with spinal cord injury in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Data, and Wanfang data were searched through computers from the establishment of the database to May 2024. In the study, the Cochrane tool for assessing the risk of bias was used and the meta-analyses were carried out using the software package Review Manager 5.4. Ten trials were included in this systematic review, with 361 cases in the experimental group and 355 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis showed that compared with conventional treatment, acupuncture combined with conventional treatment was beneficial in improving the total clinical efficacy (odds ratio = 3.55 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.34-9.37], P < .001). We found acupuncture-assisted therapy could be beneficial in improving the Modified Barthel Index (MD = 10.48 [95% CI: 4.78-16.19], P < .001) and reducing anxiety or depression scores (such as the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale [MD = -6.08 {95% CI: -6.85 to -5.30}, P < .001]; reducing the Self-Rating Depression Scale [MD = -6.01 {95% CI: -6.95 to -5.07}, P < .001]). In addition, the study showed that the application of acupuncture treatment could improve 5-hydroxytryptamine compared to control group (MD = 44.99 [95% CI: 40.04-49.95], P < .001) and reduce TNF-α compared to control group (MD = -7.78 [95% CI: -8.73 to -6.83], P < .001). Acupuncture could be used as a complementary therapy to reduce anxiety and depression in spinal cord injury patients. Further original and high-quality research is needed to verify the conclusions of this study.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of 100 consecutive patients with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome in Eastern Chinese region

BackgroundAlthough an increasing number of patients with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD) are being recognized in China, clinical and genetic characteristics are not well-defined. In addition, revised diagnostic criteria for the Chinese population was proposed in 2023, we aimed to explore their utility in clinical practice at a rare lung disease center.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 100 consecutive patients with BHD diagnosed according to the revised Chinese BHD criteria, encountered at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from Jan 2017 to June 2023.ResultsThere were 100 patients (including 63 females) from 65 unrelated families in Eastern China, mostly Anhui Province. The common manifestations were pulmonary cysts (99%), pneumothorax (60%), and skin lesions (77%). Renal cancer and renal angiomyolipoma were detected in 5 patients each. 37% of patients had no family history of BHD. In total, 25 FLCN germline mutations were detected, including 6 novel mutations. In addition to hotspot mutation c.1285delC/dupC (17%), the most common mutations were c.1015 C > T (16%), c.1579_1580insA (14%), and exons 1–3 deletion (11%) in FLCN. Higher risk of pneumothorax was associated with exons 1–3 deletion mutation and c.1177-5_1177-3de1CTC compared to the hotspot mutation c.1285dupC (91% [95% CI: 0.31, 46.82, p = 0.015] and 67% [95% CI: 0.35, 71.9, p = 0.302] vs. 30%, respectively). The average delay in diagnosis was 7.6 years after initial symptoms. Chinese diagnostic criteria were mostly consistent with typical pulmonary presentations with supportive genetic evidence.ConclusionIn the Eastern Chinese region, patients with BHD present most commonly with pulmonary cysts associated with pneumothorax and skin lesions. However, low incidence of renal cancer along with unexpected renal angiomyolipoma was observed. Genotypic spectrum differed from that reported from other global regions, and genotype association of pneumothorax warrants further research. The revised Chinese criteria for BHD seem more appropriate in diagnosing BHD in Chinese patients.

Exploring the Influence of Internet Usage Attitudes on Educational Equity among Chinese Migrant Workers: A Regional Analysis

As urban builders, migrant workers (rural residents working in cities) should fairly enjoy urban educational resources. However, due to their social status, they face numerous educational challenges. This study explores how Chinese migrant workers' attitudes towards Internet usage influence educational equity, particularly in an environment where the Internet has become indispensable for learning, work, and daily life among Chinese residents. Using ANOVA and correlation analysis, the study investigates the relationship and influencing factors between migrant workers' attitudes towards Internet usage and educational equity. The research data were obtained from a 2020 survey conducted by the Peking University Chinese Social Sciences Survey Center, focusing primarily on Chinese migrant workers. The findings reveal that migrant workers' attitudes towards Internet usage significantly impact educational equity; groups that place greater emphasis on Internet usage exhibit better educational equity than others. Although the statistical differences in Internet usage attitudes among different regions are not significant, educational equity disparities among regions remain statistically significant. Based on these findings, recommendations are provided at the family, school, and government levels, aiming to address the digital divide, establish remote open education platforms, and improve the household registration system to enhance educational equity for migrant workers.

Fire needle therapy for the treatment of cancer pain: a protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cancer patients frequently suffer pain as one of their symptoms. It includes acute and chronic pain and is one of the most feared symptoms for patients. About one-third of adults actively undergoing cancer treatment suffer from pain related to their condition. Cancer pain control remains suboptimal due to a lack of assessment, knowledge, and access. Fire needle therapy, a traditional Chinese medicine, offers a potentially beneficial addition to current pain management approaches. This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis to compile evidence and examine the pain-relieving effects and safety of fire needle therapy for cancer patients. We will systematically search China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China Science and Technology Journal Database (CSTJ or VIP), PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Chictr), Opengrey, Worldcat, and Scopus from inception through July 2023. Random control trials (RCTs) include all types of cancer patients (age ≥ 18 years) complaining of pain. The primary outcome will be changes in pain intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), or Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Secondary outcomes include quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and GCQ), performance status (KPS), times of burst pain, treatment response rate, the dose reduction of analgesic drugs, and side effects rates. Utilizing the Cochrane risk bias measurement tool: Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2), the trials' quality will be evaluated, and meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan software (version 5.4). This systematic review will be the first comprehensive review of the literature to provide a meta-analysis of fire needle therapy for cancer pain, including only Random control trials (RCTs). For the sake of transparency and to avoid future duplication, the publication of this protocol offers a clear illustration of the procedures utilized in this evaluation. The results of our future studies may provide a new approach and theoretical basis for the treatment of cancer pain by medical oncology professionals. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023418609.

Effectiveness of acupuncture plus music therapy for post-stroke depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a prevalent complication of stroke that adversely affects patient outcomes. The etiology of PSD is complex, and no universally effective treatment exists. Acupuncture, with its historical use, combined with music therapy, presents a novel approach for PSD treatment. This study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of combining acupuncture with music therapy for PSD through a meta-analysis. We systematically searched both Chinese and English literature in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and the Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP Database) for randomized controlled trials evaluating acupuncture combined with music therapy for PSD. Two independent evaluators conducted quality assessments and data extraction. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0 software. This article contains 11 studies, involving a total of 698 patients. The results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, the test group showed significant improvement on multiple outcome measures: HAMD score [mean difference (MD) = -3.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-3.61, -2.76), P < .00001], Self-Rating Depression Scale score [MD = -5.12, 95% CI (-6.61, -3.63), P < .00001], Pittsburgh sleep quality index score [MD = -2.40, 95% CI (-2.96, -1.84), P < .00001], BI score [MD = 14.16, 95% CI (4.37, 23.94), P = .005] were all significantly lower, significantly higher effectiveness [risk ratio = 1.21, 95% CI (1.11, 1.33), P < .0001]. These differences were also statistically significant. The use of acupuncture combined with music therapy is effective in reducing depression in PSD patients.

The effect of intraoperative fluoroscopy on acetabular component positioning and patient anatomy restoration during total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In total hip arthroplasty (THA), the positioning of components holds critical importance for factors such as joint stability, polyethylene liner wear, and range of motion. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of intraoperative fluoroscopy (IF) versus no use of IF on component positioning and the restoration of patient anatomy during THA. We conducted our systematic review following the recommendations outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The literature search was performed from the inception of medical databases up to August 2023. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Library, Highwire, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), and China Science and Technology Journal (CSTD) databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies comparing IF versus no IF during primary THA. Thirteen studies involving 2195 patients (2207 hips) were incorporated in the Analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of acetabular cup inclination angle (ACIA, P = .9), ACIA within the safe zone rate (P = .87), acetabular cup anteversion angle (ACAA, P = .42), ACAA within the safe zone rate (P = .35), combined safe zone rate (P = .30), limb length difference (LLD, P = .13), dislocation rate (P = .76), and infection rate (P = .97). In comparison to the no fluoroscopy group, the IF group exhibited prolonged operation time (P < .00001) and reduced femoral component offset difference (FCOD, P = .03). IF did not demonstrate improvements in acetabular cup placement, limb length difference, or dislocation occurrence. Nonetheless, IF showed a significant enhancement in restoring femoral offset. It is noteworthy that surgeons operating in facilities with lower patient volumes may observe more pronounced benefits from IF.

The correlation between traditional Chinese medicine constitution and primary osteoporosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In recent years, as societal awareness of the risks associated with primary osteoporosis (POP) has deepened, numerous studies have explored the relationship between POP and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution types. To further clarify the TCM constitution types closely associated with POP and provide evidence-based medical support for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis from a TCM perspective, we have employed evidence-based methods to investigate the relationship between POP and TCM constitution types. We conducted a comprehensive search of observational studies on the relationship between POP and TCM constitutional types in databases, including PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), up to October 2023. After literature selection, data extraction, and bias assessment, 29 studies were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 20 cross-sectional studies and 9 case-control studies. Using R software (version 4.2.3), we analyzed the distribution of TCM constitutional types in POP patients and compared the TCM constitutional types between POP patients and healthy individuals. The meta-analysis results revealed that in POP patients, Yang-deficiency constitution accounted for 22.7% (95% CI: 19.8-25.8%), Yin-deficiency constitution accounted for 15.8% (95% CI: 13.0-18.6%), and Qi-deficiency constitution accounted for 14.1% (95% CI: 12.2-16.0%). The proportions of the three mentioned TCM constitutions all exceed that of the Balanced constitution, with the balanced constitution accounting for 12.3% (95% CI: 7.4-18.1%). The proportions of Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, and Qi-deficiency constitutions were higher in POP patients compared to healthy individuals, with odds ratios (OR) of 2.36 (95% CI: 1.43-3.89), 1.69 (95% CI: 1.36-2.04), and 1.80 (95% CI: 1.23-2.64), respectively, while the Balanced type was lower in POP patients with an OR of 0.16 (95% CI: 0.11-0.23) compared to healthy individuals. The evidence suggests that the Yang-deficiency constitution, Yin-deficiency constitution, and Qi-deficiency constitution are the predominant TCM constitutional types in POP patients. Furthermore, Yang-deficiency constitution, Yin-deficiency constitution, and Qi-deficiency constitution may serve as potential risk factors for POP, while the Balanced constitution may act as a protective factor.

Resilience evaluation and spatio-temporal evolution analysis of China's science and technology financial ecosystem

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the resilience of science and technology (sci-tech) financial ecosystem. It constructs an evaluation system from four dimensions: resistance, adaptability, recovery and innovation. The data are from 29 provinces in China from 2010 to 2020. It is evaluated using entropy weights–TOPSIS and dynamic evaluation model. The spatial evolution law is revealed by spatial autocorrelation analysis. The results show that: (1) The overall resilience level of sci-tech financial ecosystem is not high. Its evolution and development are generally in a relatively stable state. It has significant regional heterogeneity, showing a distribution pattern of ‘high east and low west’. (2) It has significant spatial positive correlation. The structure of the sci-tech financial ecosystem in the eastern region is highly complex, most provinces are in high–high agglomeration area. Provinces in other regions are mainly in low–low agglomeration area. Only a few provinces have experienced changes in the spatial distribution. (3) The dynamic value in the eastern region shows polarisation characteristics. Although the static value of resilience in the central and western regions is low, the dynamic evaluation value in some provinces in the central and western regions is high. The subsequent growth momentum of resilience in the north-eastern region is insufficient.