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Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common disabling disease. Copper has positive effects on cells that regulate bone metabolism. However, the relationship between copper metabolism (CM) and steroid-induced ONFH (SONFH) remains unclear. The GSE123568 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus. The differentially expressed CM-related SONFH genes (DE-CMR-SONFHGs) were identified via differential analysis and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for the predictive accuracy of key genes. Targeting drugs and the copper death-related genes (CDRGs) relevant to key genes were investigated. The bioinformatics results were confirmed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) and Western blot (WB) analysis. Two out of 106 DE-CMR-SONFHGs were identified as key genes (PNP and SLC2A1), which had diagnostic value in distinguishing SONFH from control samples and were related to various immune cell infiltrations. Eleven PMP-targeting drugs and five SLC2A1-targeting drugs were identified. The qRT–PCR, as well as WB, results confirmed the downregulation PNP and SLC2A1 and high expression of the CDRGs DLD, PDHB, and MTF1, which are closely related to these two key genes. In conclusion, PNP and SLC2A1 were identified as key genes related to SONFH and may provide insights for SONFH treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effect of thunder-fire moxibustion for patients with coronary heart disease of Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome. Methods Totally 126 patients with coronary heart disease of Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome were randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group, with 63 cases in each group. All patients received comprehensive treatment and nursing. The normal moxibustion was applied in the control group while a thunder-fire moxibustion were applied in the observation group. The efficacy of interventions was evaluated after a four-course treatment. Results After a four-course treatment, the frequency of chest pain, duration of chest pain and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain were lower in the intervention group than those in the control group (P <0.05). The clinical efficacy rate of interventions was higher in the intervention group than that in the control group (P < 0.05. Patients in the intervention group achieved lower Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score and factors scores compared with those in the control group (P <0.05). Patients were more satisfaction with nursing service in the observation group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The thunder-fire moxibustion is potentially effective to relieve the symptoms of coronary heart disease of Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome, and improve the sleep quality of patients as well as disease prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]