Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (HUC-MSC)-derived exosomes (Exo) pretreated with Huangkui capsules on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods HUC-MSCs were cultured in media containing different concentrations of Huangkui capsules for 24 hours to determine cell viability and select an appropriate concentration for subsequent experiments. HUC-MSCs were pretreated with 50 μg/mL Huangkui capsules for 24 hours, and Exo were extracted using an exosome extraction kit. The morphology was observed under a transmission electron microscope, particle size was measured by nanoparticle tracking analysis, and the expression of exosomal membrane surface marker proteins was detected by Western blot. Human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) were randomly divided into hypoxia/reoxygenation group (M group), hypoxia/reoxygenation + Exo group (E group), and hypoxia/reoxygenation + Huangkui capsules pretreated Exo group (H group). Western blotting was used to measure the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related proteins, and real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of ERS-related gene messenger RNA (mRNA). Mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), ischemia-reperfusion + Exo group (E group), and ischemia-reperfusion + Huangkui capsules pretreated Exo group (H group). Renal histological assessment, serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measurement and inflammatory factor detection were performed 24 hours later. Results Both Exo and Huangkui capsules prereated Exo had a bilayer membrane structure and a cup-shaped morphology; their average particle sizes were 116.8 nm and 81.3 nm, respectively. Both expressed CD9, CD63, TSG101. Compared with the M group, the E group had decreased relative expression of transcription factor 6 (ATF6) and protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) proteins, increased mRNA relative expression, increased relative expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) protein, and decreased mRNA relative expression. Compared with the E group, the H group had decreased relative expression of ATF6, PERK, CHOP proteins, and decreased mRNA relative expression of ATF6 and PERK (all P<0.05). Animal experimental results showed that compared with the Sham group, the I/R group had increased renal tubular injury scores, Scr, BUN, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. Compared with the I/R group, the E and H groups had decreased renal tubular injury scores and Scr, BUN, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α levels. Compared with the E group, the H group had decreased renal tubular injury scores and Scr, BUN, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α levels (all P<0.05). Conclusions Huangkui capsules pretreatment HUC-MSC-derived Exo may alleviate renal IRI by inhibiting ERS.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

The fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) catalyzes the oxidation of endogenous caffeic acid to produce green bioluminescence through an enzymatic cascade. Genetic engineering of FBP into plants creates autoluminescent specimens that circumvent the substrate limitations of conventional reporter systems. These transgenic plants serve dual functions as aesthetic displays and versatile biosensing platforms, enabling applications in real-time gene expression monitoring, continuous environmental surveillance, and non-invasive bioimaging, offering novel opportunities for horticultural production, environmental conservation, and bioengineering applications. This review synthesizes current advances in plant FBP engineering and explores how machine learning approaches can optimize autoluminescent phenotypes, thereby accelerating innovation in agricultural biotechnology, environmental sensing, and synthetic biology applications.
Fungi/genetics* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism* ; Genetic Engineering ; Biosensing Techniques ; Luminescent Measurements ; Caffeic Acids/metabolism* ; Luminescence

Obesity, as a chronic recurrent disease, has become a major public health challenge in China. To implement the requirements of the Healthy China Initiative (2019—2030), under domestic guidelines or consensus statements on overweight and obesity, and in alignment with the latest scientific advances globally, the Quality control protocol for adult overweight and obesity screening in health management (examination) institutions (2025 edition) was developed. This protocol was drafted by the Health Management Center of Shanghai Changzheng Hospital and formulated through multiple rounds of deliberation by experts in China’s health examination quality control field. The protocol establishes unified standards for screening facilities, personnel qualifications, and measurement or testing procedures. It defines specific screening items, outlines a standardized screening pathway, and sets requirements for the final medical review, ensuring the scientific validity, effectiveness, and safety of the screening process. The implementation of this protocol will enhance the consistency of weight management practices for adults across health examination institutions and strengthen the quality control of overweight and obesity screening programs.

The Dionex CaboPac^TM PA10 BioLC^TM Analyical 2 mm × 250 mm column was used with a protective column (Dionex CaboPac^TM PA10 BioLC^TM Guard 2 mm × 50 mm). 100 mmol·L^-1 sodium hydroxide solution was used as eluent; the flow rate was 0.25 mL·min^-1. Sample tray temperature: 35 ℃. The pulse amperometric detector was adopted, and the waveform was Gold CWE, Ag-AgCl RE, Carbo, Quad. The samples were cultured with 8 concentrations of glycogen substrates (0.31, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg·mL^-1). D-Glucose concentrations were measured at 5 different time points (T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4). The glucose concentration from T1 to T4 minus the glucose concentration at T0. The reaction rate was calculated at different glycogen substrate concentrations. These reaction rates are plotted against substrate concentrations using Michaelis-Menten equation. The kinetic parameters were expressed as V_max (nmol·mg^-1·min^-1) and K_m (mg·mL^-1). The RSD of glucose standard curve R² (n = 6, linear range: 1.25-500 μmol·L^-1) was 0.1% and the RSD (n = 6) of the slope of the standard curve was 2.2%. The mean limit of quantitation was 0.14 μmol·L^-1, and the mean limit of detection was 0.05 μmol·L^-1. The RSD of K_m and V_max were 4.4% and 4.6% respectively in three separate experiments. The durability of the method was good. The method was developed for the on-line automatic determination of the hydrolysis kinetics of acid α-glucosidase (GAA) for injection by ion chromatography. The method has good precision, repeatability and durability, and can be used for the determination of glycogen hydrolysis kinetics of GAA for injection, and could reference value for the enzyme kinetics evaluation of recombinant enzyme replacement therapy.

Objective To explore the effects of monocular deprivation(MD)on the expression of astrocytes in the superior colliculus,hippocampus,and visual cortex in mice during the critical period of visual development.Methods Eighteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal control group(CON group)and the MD group,with 9 mice in each group.Mice were bred under the 12 h/12 h dark/light conditions.Mice in the CON group received no treat-ment,while mice in the MD group underwent MD of the right eye on postnatal day 27,and the tissue was removed after 7 days.The mRNA and protein expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)in the superior colliculus,hippo-campus and visual cortex of mice in the two groups were detected using the real-time reverse transcription quantitative pol-ymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and Western blot,respectively.The number of astrocytes labeled by GFAP and central nervous system specific protein β(S100β)in the superior colliculus,hippocampus and visual cortex of mice in the two groups was detected using the immunofluorescence staining.Results RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the CON group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of GFAP in the superior colliculus,hippocampus(CA1,CA3 and dentate gyrus)and visual cortex of mice in the MD group decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The immunofluorescence staining results showed that compared with the CON group,the number of GFAP and S1OOβ co-labeled astrocytes in the superior colliculus,hippocampus(CA1,CA3 and dentate gyrus)and visual cortex of mice in the MD group decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion MD of mice during the critical period of visual development can result in a decrease in the number of astrocytes in the supe-rior colliculus,hippocampus and visual cortex.

AIM:To investigate the optimal time of blood collection and the best concentration of Ganlong capsule(GLC)-containing serum for steatohepatitis.METHODS:Sixty C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with GLC at a dose of 90 mg/kg body weight,twice a day for 7 days.Control mice were administered the same volume of 0.9%saline.After 0.5,1,2 and 4 h from the last gavage,blood was collected to prepare GLC-containing serum.The LC-MS/MS was used to detect the inosine content of blank and drug-containing serum at different blood collection times to determine the optimal time.Subsequently,NCTC1469 cells stimulated with palmitic acid(PA)were treated with different concentrations of the GLC-containing serum.Nile Red staining was used to detect lipid droplet formation,and RT-qPCR was employed to as-sess the expression of intracellular fatty acid synthesis(Fabp1,Scd1)and fatty acid β-oxidation gene(Pparα).RE-SULTS:(1)LC-MS/MS detection revealed that the inosine concentration peaked 2 h after the last administration.(2)Nile red staining demonstrated that the GLC-containing serum exerted a dose-dependent decreasing trend of lipid droplets in hepatocytes induced by PA.(3)GLC-containing serum significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of lipo-genesis-genes(Fabp1 and Scd1)with a dose-dependent decreasing trend in the PA-induced NCTC1469 cells.The mRNA expression of genes associated with fatty acid β-oxidation(Pparα)were upregulated with a dose-dependent increasing trend.CONCLUSION:The 10%GLC-containing serum collected 2 hours after the last administration in mice has the best therapeutic effect for steatohepatitis.

Low-level patent foramen ovale nonocclusion(PFO)is a rare type of PFO in which the PFO opening is low during transcatheter closure of PFO and the distance between the PFO left atrial opening and the root of the septal side of the mitral valve is less than 9 mm,and the smallest model of the current double-disk PFO occluder(18/18)commonly used in clinical practice for low-level PFOs can touch the mitral valve,resulting in increased risk of mitral regurgitation or leaflet abrasion.The risk of mitral regurgitation or leaflet abrasion is increased,and transcatheter closure of PFO procedure can only be abandoned when encountered intraoperatively.In this article,we present a case of successful transcatheter closure of a low-level PFO using the Amplatzer ADOⅡ occluder,which provides new ideas and strategies to deel wtih this rare type of PFO.

Objective Meta modelling was employed to develop a risk prediction model for intradialytic hypotension(IDH)and validate the model.Methods Literature on risk factors for IDH published up to March 31,2023 was retrieved from 8 databases,including Cochrane Library,PubMed,Web of Science,EBSCO,Scopus,CINAHL,CNKI and Wanfang Database.Random effects model was used to combine ORs,and factors with P＜0.05 were selected to establish the model based on their regression coefficients.286 maintenance hemodialysis patients were selected as a validation cohort to evaluate the model's discrimination,calibration and clinical utility.Results 39 studies were included,involving 25 546 patients.14 factors were identified to establish the risk prediction model.The risk score for IDH occurrence was calculated as-0.301 × male+0.015 × age+0.004 × dialysis vintage+0.988 × diabetes+0.730 × cardiovascular disease-0.042 × predialysis systolic blood pressure+0.666 × dialysis mode of hemodialysis filter+0.076 × temperature+0.159 × ultrafiltration rate+0.476 × ultrafiltration volume+1.024 × weight gain between dialysis+0.053 × serum phosphorus+0.023 × blood urea nitrogen+0.040 ×β2-microglobulin.Definition in the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guideline,nadir intradialytic systolic blood pressure＜90 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),falling intradialytic systolic blood pressure ≥20 mmHg,and definition in the United Kingdom Kidney Association guideline were selected as 4 outcomes.The areas under the curve for the prediction model with respect to these 4 outcomes were 0.830,0.648,0.647,and 0.763,respectively.Calibration curves showed that the model predictive outcomes were consistent with actual outcomes for the first 2 outcomes(x2=14.824,P=0.064;x2=12.016,P=0.149).Decision curve analysis indicated that the model had better net benefit compared to either intervention/no intervention for all definitions.Conclusion The IDH risk prediction model developed by meta-modeling in this study has good predictive performance and certain application value.

Objective To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of the growth differentia-tion factor 15(GDF-15)/glial-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha-like(GFRAL)pathway on the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE-/-mice.Methods Eight 8-week-old male ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into control group and rGDF-15 group.The mice in the control group received an injection of phosphate-buffered saline via tail vein once a week after 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding,and those in the rGDF-15 group received an injection of recombinant GDF-15(0.05 mg/kg)via tail vein once a week after 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding.The mice were fed with high-fat diet for another 8 weeks,the body weight was monitored during this period.After 12 weeks'feeding,the mice were euthanized.Another 4 normal mice(at the same age,20 weeks old)were subjected and served as normal control group.The levels of fasting blood glucose,blood lip-ids,cortisol,and aldosterone were compared among the three groups.Oil red O staining was used to evaluate plaque size in the aorta,and immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of GDF-15 and GFRAL in the brain tissue.Results The serum level of GDF-15 was higher in the rGDF-15 group than in the control group(52.59±2.90 ng/ml vs 20.09±1.27 ng/ml,P＜0.01).The weight of mice was significantly lower in the rGDF-15 group than the con-trol group during Week 11(28.60±0.22 g vs 29.47±0.25 g,P＜0.01)and 12(28.98±0.22 g vs 30.35±0.13 g,P＜0.01).The rGDF-15 group had a statistically lower level of triglycerides(0.22±0.02 mmol/L vs 0.38±0.09 mmol/L,P＜0.05),lighter plaque burden[(22.22±2.58)％vs(31.61±3.51)％,P＜0.01],and enhanced expression levels of GDF-15 and GFRAL in the brain tissue(0.088±0.007 vs 0.030±0.006,0.031±0.003 vs 0.010±0.001,P＜0.01).The levels of cor-tisol and aldosterone in the control group and rGDF-15 group were significantly higher than those in the normal group(P＜0.01).The aldosterone level in the rGDF-15 group was significantly re-duced compared to the control group(22.013.67 mg/ml vs 87.29±8.63 mg/ml,P＜0.01).Conclusion GDF-15 may regulate body weight and triglyceride and aldosterone levels through GFRAL,and then affect the progression of atherosclerosis.