Objectives. To investigate the anti-aging effects of moxa smoke on SAMP8 mice.Methods. Using2×3factorial design, exposure length (15 or 30 minutes daily), and concentration (low, 5–15 mg/m³; middle, 25–35 mg/m³; high, 85–95 mg/m³), 70 SAMP8 mice were randomly assigned,n=10/group, to a model group or one of six moxa smoke groups: L₁, L₂, M₁, M₂, H₁, or H₂. Ten SAMR1 mice were used as normal control. Mice in moxa smoke groups were exposed to moxa smoke at respective concentrations and exposure lengths; the model and normal control mice were not exposed. Cerebral 5-HT, DA, and NE levels were determined using ELISA.Results. Compared to normal control, the model group showed a significant decrease in 5-HT, DA, and NE. Compared to model group, 5-HT and NE were significantly higher in groups L₂, M₁, and M₂and DA was significantly so in L₂and M₁. 5-HT, DA, and NE levels were the highest in group M₁among moxa smoke groups. A marked exposure length × concentration interaction was observed for 5-HT, DA, and NE.Conclusion. Moxa smoke increases monoamine neurotransmitter levels, which varies according to concentration and exposure length. Our finding suggests that the middle concentration of moxa smoke for 15 minutes seems the most beneficial.

Although available evidence relating to its effectiveness is weak, acupuncture is used as an alternative therapy for stress urinary incontinence. We report a protocol of a randomized controlled trial using electroacupuncture (the passing of a weak current between inserted acupuncture needles) to treat women with pure stress urinary incontinence. This is a large-scale multicenter subject-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 500 women with pure stress urinary incontinence will be randomly assigned to two groups: a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group will receive electroacupuncture with deep needling at acupuncture points BL33 and BL35. The control group will receive sham electroacupuncture with non-penetrating needling at sham locations for the acupuncture points of BL33 and BL35. Participants will be given three sessions a week for 6 weeks. A 24-week-long follow-up will be conducted. The primary outcome will be the change in amount of urine leakage at the sixth week from a baseline measured by a 1-h pad test. The secondary outcomes include: the 72-h incontinence episode frequency based on a 72-h bladder diary; the score of International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form; the degree of urinary incontinence based on a 72-h bladder diary; self-assessment of the therapeutic effect; weekly consumption of pads; application of other treatments for stress urinary incontinence; and subgroup analysis stratified by incontinence severity. The safety of electroacupuncture will also be assessed. This trial will help to identify whether electroacupuncture is effective for stress urinary incontinence, and, if so, whether it is a therapeutic effect rather than a placebo effect. Clinical Trials.gov NCT01784172

In women with mixed urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle training and solifenacin is the recommended conservative treatment, while electroacupuncture is a safe, economical and effective option. In this prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled trial, five hundred women with mixed urinary incontinence, from 10 centers will be randomized to receive either electroacupuncture or pelvic floor muscle training plus solifenacin. Women in the acupuncture group will receive electroacupuncture for 3 sessions per week, over 12 weeks, while women in the control group will receive pelvic floor muscle training plus solifenacin (5 mg once daily) for 36 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the proportion of change in 72-hour incontinence episode frequency from baseline to week 12. The secondary outcome measures include eleven items, including proportion of participants with ≥50% decrease in average 72-h incontinence episode frequency, change from baseline in the amount of urine leakage and proportion of change from baseline in 72-h incontinence episode frequency in week 25–36, and so forth. Statistical analysis will include covariance analysis, nonparametric tests and t tests. The objective of this trial is to compare the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture versus pelvic floor muscle training plus solifenacin in women with moderate and severe mixed urinary incontinence. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02047032

Background: To identify novel gene combinations and to develop an early diagnostic model for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) through the integration of artificial neural networks (ANN) and random forest (RF) methods. Methods: We retrieved and processed gene expression datasets for PCOS from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis of genes (DEGs) within the training set was performed using the “limma” R package. Enrichment analyses on DEGs using gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and immune cell infiltration. The identification of critical genes from DEGs was then performed using random forests, followed by the developing of new diagnostic models for PCOS using artificial neural networks. Results: We identified 130 up-regulated genes and 132 down-regulated genes in PCOS compared to normal samples. Gene Ontology analysis revealed significant enrichment in myofibrils and highlighted crucial biological functions related to myofilament sliding, myofibril, and actin-binding. Compared with normal tissues, the types of immune cells expressed in PCOS samples are different. A random forest algorithm identified 10 significant genes proposed as potential PCOS-specific biomarkers. Using these genes, an artificial neural network diagnostic model accurately distinguished PCOS from normal samples. The diagnostic model underwent validation using the independent validation set, and the resulting area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values was consistent with the anticipated outcomes. Conclusion: Utilizing unique gene combinations, this research created a diagnostic model by merging random forest techniques with artificial neural networks. The AUC indicated a notably superior performance of the diagnostic model.

Background: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a condition in which the ovary loses its normal reproductive potential, compromising fertility. Although the prevalence and incidence of DOR is increasing, there are currently no effective treatments for this condition. Acupuncture has been reported as an alternative therapy for female infertility. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture for women with DOR. Methods/design: In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 120 women with DOR will be randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or sham acupuncture for 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be determined by the mean change from baseline in the antral follicle count (AFC) at week 12. Secondary outcomes include serum levels of FSH, LH, E2, and AMH, the length of menstrual cycle, and the score of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Discussion: This study is expected to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in improving ovarian reserve for women with DOR. Trial registration: Acupuncture-Moxibustion Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800014988. Registered on 6 February 2018

Introduction The therapeutic needs of women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), coupled with the increasing application of acupuncture in improving ovarian function, have highlighted the need to verify the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for DOR. This study aims to provide high-quality evidence by evaluating both ovarian reserve and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcomes. Methods and analysis A large-scale, multicentre, randomised controlled trial will be carried out across seven hospitals in China. 400 women with DOR will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to an acupuncture group or a sham acupuncture group. Acupuncture or sham acupuncture will consist of 36 sessions per participant over 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in antral follicle count (AFC) at week 12 from baseline. Secondary outcomes are AFC at week 24, the serum levels of basal follicle-stimulating hormone and anti-Mullerian hormone at weeks 12 and 24, the scores of the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale at weeks 12 and 24, clinical pregnancy rate, and IVF embryo transfer related outcomes. Any adverse events during treatment will be documented. Ethics and dissemination The study protocol has been approved by all the participating institutions. Written informed consent will be obtained prior to participant enrolment. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed publications. Trial registration number ChiCTR2200062295 Protocol version V2.0-20220317