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Objective: To explore the effect of acupuncture with mind regulating method on heart rate variability in patients with primary insomnia. Methods: A total of 120 patients with primary insomnia treated in the Insomnia Clinic of Acupuncture Center of Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from July 2014 to May 2017 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into the treatment group and the sham acupuncture group with 60 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by acupuncture with mind regulating method. Patients in the sham acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at ineffective points. The treatment should be given 3 times in a week, and continuous 4 weeks of treatment was needed. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the changes of sleep quality. Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14) was used to evaluate the changes of fatigue degree. In addition, the changes of heart rate variability (HRV) before and after treatment were detected respectively, in order to analyze the regulating effect of acupuncture on sympathetic and parasympathetic function of primary insomnia. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment and during the follow-up period, (1) PSQI score: Compared with the sham acupuncture group, the PSQI score of the treatment group decreased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). (2) FS-14 score: Compared with the sham acupuncture group, the difference in the treatment group at the fourth week of treatment was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (3) Low-frequency power (LF) and LF/HF index of heart rate variability: LF and LF/HF in the treatment group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment. High-frequency power (HF) in the treatment group after treatment increased compared with that before treatment, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). LF and LF/HF in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the sham acupuncture group at the fourth week of treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, HF in the treatment group was higher than that in the sham acupuncture group, but there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The acupuncture with mind regulating method can improve sleep quality, reduce fatigue degree, improve heart rate variability, and reduce sympathetic excitability in patients with primary insomnia, as well as balance the excitability of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The association between blood eosinophil (EOS) counts and arterial/venous thrombosis is unclear. We aim to explore whether EOS count is a risk factor for thrombosis. We searched several databases and preprint platforms using core terms ‘eosinophil’, ‘myocardial infarction’, ‘ischemic stroke’, and ‘venous thromboembolism’ (VTE), among others. Studies comparing the odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios (RRs) of EOSs with the abovementioned diseases were eligible. Overall, 22 studies were included. A high EOS count was associated with acute coronary artery thrombosis events (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.15–1.32), short‐term cerebral infarction and mortality (RR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.49–5.51). The short‐term risk of VTE was more common in patients with EOS‐related diseases (RR: 6.52, 95% CI: 2.42–17.54). For coronary artery disease, a high EOS count was a protective factor against 6‐month to 1‐year mortality (RR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.45–0.69) but was associated with long‐term mortality (RR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.25–2.14). Therefore, we conclude that for coronary artery thrombosis, EOS count is not associated with AMI events in general population. It may be associated with NSTEMI and STEMI in CAD patients, but more studies are needed to confirm this. In addition, EOS count is associated with an increased risk of both short‐ and long‐term mortality but is not predictive of the composite endpoints. For cerebral artery thrombosis, EOS count may be associated with cerebral infarction and could lead to an increased risk of poor short‐term prognosis. For VTEs, EOS count was a risk factor for some patients, especially those with acute‐phase EOS‐related diseases.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive, pulmonary vascular disease with high morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of PH is complex and remains unclear. Existing studies have suggested that inflammatory factors are key factors in PH. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a crucial role in the regulation of the immune system. Current studies reveal that IL-6 is elevated in the serum of patients with PH and it is negatively correlated with lung function in those patients. Since IL-6 is one of the most important mediators in the pathogenesis of inflammation in PH, signaling mechanisms targeting IL-6 may become therapeutic targets for this disease. In this review, we detailed the potential role of IL-6 in accelerating PH process and the specific mechanisms and signaling pathways. We also summarized the current drugs targeting these inflammatory pathways to treat PH. We hope that this study will provide a more theoretical basis for targeted treatment in patients with PH in the future.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is beneficial in patients with non-male factor infertility.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis included articles from inception to May 2022. Published studies of non-male factor infertile women undergoing ICSI or in vitro fertilization (IVF) included in PubMed, Embase, web of science, Wanfang Database, and CNKI were searched by computer, without language restrictions. A random-effect model was applied to calculate the risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Letters, case reports, and review articles including meta-analyses and expert opinions were excluded. The primary endpoints were laboratory outcomes and pregnancy outcomes. The Secondary endpoints were neonatal outcomes.ResultsSix randomized controlled studies and 20 retrospective cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. In meta-analytic forest plots, compared with IVF, those who received ICSI treatment were not different in fertilization rate (RR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.90–1.09], P = 0.88), total fertilization failure rate (RR = 1.30, 95% CI [1.17–1.45], P