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Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with clinicians often observing increased muscle stiffness associated with joint pain and dysfunction. This study examines the impact of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling (FSN), a non-pharmacological technique, on muscle stiffness in the lower limbs of individuals with knee OA. Materials and Methods: This study protocol is a pilot, single-center, randomized controlled trial. Sixty knee OA patients will be allocated equally for FSN or electroacupuncture (EA) treatments. Interventions will be applied thrice weekly for the first two weeks and twice weekly for the subsequent two weeks for a total of ten sessions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-initial session, after four weeks of intervention, and at the end of a four-week follow-up. The primary outcome will be the muscle stiffness in the lower extremities, as measured by shear wave elastography (SWE). Secondary outcomes include response rate, a reduction in the mean pain intensity on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) by at least two points and on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function subscale by six points at week four compared with baseline. Weekly monitoring of the NRS and WOMAC scores will determine the rapidity of pain alleviation and functional improvement, along with 12-item short-form (SF-12) score changes from baseline to week four. Results: This is the first standardized protocol examining the effects of FSN on lower limb muscle stiffness in patients with knee OA by SWE. We hypothesize that FSN could outperform EA in alleviating lower limb stiffness associated with knee OA. Findings will contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the efficacy of acupuncture-derived interventions in managing muscle stiffness and may guide future research directions. Study Registration: The trial has been registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registered number: ChiCTR2300073615). Registered 17 July 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of biomedicine, two-dimensional (2D) cell lines and animal models have played an important role in the study of cell pathways and drug targets. However, due to species differences between humans and other animals, and the lack of hierarchy, cellular diversity, and cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions, 2D cell lines could not fully reflect what cells actually look like in the human body. Organoids are three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture models derived from autologous tissue stem cells, which make up for the defects of 2D culture and can simulate the structure and function of real human organs to a certain extent, providing new ideas for disease diagnosis and treatment. Among them, lung organoids (LO) are a typical case studying the development process of human lung and the generation principle of lung diseases. Relevant studies have provided help for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, lung injury and other diseases. This paper aims to summarize and analyze the research progress of lung organoids in recent years, and further summarize the application of LO in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the causative gene mutation in a family with monilethrix and observe the therapeutic effect of 5% topical minoxidil. Method: Clinical data from a family with monilethrix were collected. Peripheral blood samples were taken from the proband, the parents, and 100 unrelated healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted. The genetic variation sites were screened with exome sequencing and verified by Sanger sequencing. The proband was treated with 5% topical minoxidil (1 mL twice daily). Hair quality was examined by dermoscopy before and after treatment. Results: The proband and her father have the heterozygous missense variant c.1204G > A (p.E402K) in exon 7 of the KRT86 gene. However, the mutation was not found in the mother and healthy controls. The proband was treated with 5% topical minoxidil. Hair density and hair shaft quality improved significantly after 6 months of treatment. No adverse events occurred during treatment. Conclusion: This study shows that p.E402K is a mutation "hot spot" in patients with autosomal dominant monilethrix in China. Treatment with 5% topical minoxidil, is safe and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]