Abdominal massage for chronic constipation in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Introduction: Chronic constipation (CC) is a highly prevalent health challenge that is particularly challenging to treat in elderly patients. Although lifestyle guidance and laxative therapy often yield positive outcomes, patients occasionally struggle with maintaining dietary control. Therefore, identifying an economical and safe alternative therapy to the existing treatment methods documented in the international literature is necessary.

Assessing the causal relationship between genetically determined inflammatory biomarkers and low back pain risk: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies have suggested an association between inflammatory markers and low back pain (LBP), but the causal relationship between these factors remains uncertain.

Methods: We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis (MR) study to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between inflammatory markers and low back pain. We obtained genetic data for CRP, along with its upstream inflammatory markers IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, as well as low back pain from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Cytotoxicity of Metal-Based Nanoparticles: From Mechanisms and Methods of Evaluation to Pathological Manifestations.

Metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) are particularly important tools in tissue engineering-, drug carrier-, interventional therapy-, and biobased technologies. However, their complex and varied migration and transformation pathways, as well as their continuous accumulation in closed biological systems, cause various unpredictable toxic effects that threaten human and ecosystem health. Considerable experimental and theoretical efforts have been made toward understanding these cytotoxic effects, though more research on metal-based NPs integrated with clinical medicine is required.

Effect of constant compressive stress induced by imitating Tuina stimulation with various durations on the cell cycle, cellular secretion, apoptosis, and expression of myogenic differentiation and myogenic factor 5 of rat skeletal muscle cells in vitro.

Objective: To investigate the effect of constant compressive stress induced by imitating Tuina stimulation with various durations on the cell cycle, cellular secretion, apoptosis, and expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), myogenic factor 5(Myf5) and myogenic differentiation (MyoD) of rat skeletal muscle cells (RSkMCs) in vitro.

Methods: Third passage RSkMCs were subjected to constant compressive stresses with various durations at 2000 strain for 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min via a four-point bending system. The control group (CG) was cultured in the absence of mechanical loading.

Effect of electroacupuncture at the ST36 and GB39 acupoints on apoptosis by regulating the p53 signaling pathway in adjuvant arthritis rats.

p53 and mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) serve key regulatory roles in the apoptosis of synovial cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the 'Zusanli' (ST36) and 'Xuanzhong' (GB39) acupoints on apoptosis in an adjuvant arthritis (AA) rat model. A total of 40 male Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly divided into Control, AA, AA + EA and AA + sham EA groups (n=10 rats in each group).

[Anterior-posterior acupoint combination for low back pain].

The meridian diseases, abnormal psoas and abdominal muscles and abdominal pressure are key causes of low back pain. We treat low back pain mainly with lumbar back area, neglecting abdomen. The anterior-posterior acupoint combination, regulating to treat is effective.

[Professor LUO Cai-gui's experience of using acupoint "Baliao" for treatment of low back pain].

Professor LUO Cai-gui's experience of acupuncture at acupoint "Baliao" with twisting manipulation for treatment of low back pain is introduced. This method has significant efficacy on improving low back pain and numbness of lower extremities, which is characterized with short-time manipulation, quick de-qi and long effective time. The acupuncture methods, manipulations, precautions, etc.