Based on commonly used acupoints in the clinical acupuncture treatment of functional dyspepsia （FD）， this study systematically analyzes the therapeutic differences and synergistic effects between local and distal point selection. It also examines the suitability of primary acupoint selection for different FD subtypes， postprandial distress syndrome （PDS） and epigastric pain syndrome （EPS）. The findings suggest that a combination of local and distal acupoints may be more appropriate as primary points for PDS， whereas local acupoints alone may be more suitable for EPS. Additionally， the study explores the impact of various factors， such as stimulation techniques， needling order， intensity or stimulation parameters， and depth， on the efficacy of acupuncture. It concludes that the intrinsic properties of acupoints are the primary determinants of therapeutic direction. Other factors mainly influence the magnitude rather than the direction of the effect. Future research may further investigate how different acupoint combinations， local versus distal， affect the treatment outcomes of FD subtypes， providing new insights for clinical acupuncture prescriptions.

This study aims to integrate data mining techniques of single cell transcriptomics and spatial transcriptomics, along with animal experiment validation, so as to systematically characterize the protective effects of Jianpi Tongluo Formula(JTF) on the cartilage in knee osteoarthritis(KOA) and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Single cell transcriptomics and spatial transcriptomics datasets(GSE254844 and GSE255460) of the cartilage tissue obtained from KOA patients were analyzed to map the single cell-spatial heterogeneity and identify key pathogenic factors. After that, a KOA rat model was established via knee joint injection of papain. The intervention effects of JTF on the expression features of these key factors were assessed through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. As a result, the integrated single cell and spatial transcriptomics data identified distinct cell subsets with different pathological changes in different regions of the inflamed cartilage tissue in KOA, and their differentiation trajectories were closely related to the inflammatory fibrosis-like pathological changes of chondrocytes. Accordingly, the expression levels of the two key effect targets, namely nuclear receptor coactivator 4(NCOA4) and high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) were significantly reduced in the articular surface and superficial zone of the inflamed joints when JTF effectively alleviated various pathological changes in KOA rats, thus reversing the abnormal chondrocyte autophagy level, relieving the inflammatory responses and fibrosis-like pathological changes, and promoting the repair of chondrocyte function. Collectively, this study revealed the heterogeneous characteristics and dynamic changes of inflamed cartilage tissue in different regions and different cell subsets in KOA patients. It is worth noting that NCOA4 and HMGB1 were crucial in regulating chondrocyte autophagy and inflammatory reaction, while JTF could reverse the regulation of NCOA4 and HMGB1 and correct the abnormal molecular signal axis in the target cells of the inflamed joints. The research can provide a new research idea and scientific basis for developing a personalized therapeutic schedule targeting the spatiotemporal heterogeneity characteristics of KOA.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology* ; Humans ; Male ; Cartilage, Articular/metabolism* ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Protective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Middle Aged ; HMGB1 Protein/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). METHODS: The clinical data of 90 children with SAA who received allo-HSCT in the Department of Hematology, Wuhan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2016 to July 2023 were collected. The clinical features and causes of death were analyzed retrospectively. Cox proportional hazards model was used to screen the risk factors of death. RESULTS: Only 9 children died with a median time of 6.3(2.6, 8.3) months among the 90 children with SAA after allo-HSCT. Among the 5 deaths due to infection, 3 were pulmonary infection, including 2 cases of cytomegalovirus pneumonia. One case developed septic shock due to gastrointestinal infection. One case experienced graft failure, which was complicated by bloodstream infection, and developed septic shock. Three cases died of transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA). One case died of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The results of multivariate analysis showed that post-transplant +60 d PLT≤30×10⁹/L (HR=7.478, 95%CI : 1.177-47.527, P =0.033), aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ (HR=7.991, 95%CI : 1.086-58.810, P =0.041), and TA-TMA occurrence (HR=13.699, 95%CI : 2.146-87.457, P =0.006) were independent risk factors for post-transplant mortality. CONCLUSION Allo-HSCT is an effective therapy for SAA in children. Post-transplant +60 d PLT≤30×10⁹/L, aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ, and TA-TMA occurrence are independently associated with post-transplant mortality, which may be helpful for early detection of potential high-risk children and optimization of clinical diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Humans ; Anemia, Aplastic/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Male ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Child, Preschool ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Adolescent ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: Aloin, the main active component in Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., has shown promising anti-tumor effects. This study investigated the impact of aloin in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and explored its functional mechanism. METHODS: We analyzed the viability, migration, invasion, proliferation, and apoptosis of two LUSC cell lines after treatment with aloin. Target molecules of aloin and downstream target transcripts of nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2 (NR3C2) were predicted by bioinformatics. The biological functions of NR3C2 and metallothionein 1 M (MT1M) in the malignant properties of LUSC cells were determined. A co-culture system of LUSC cells with monocyte-derived macrophages was constructed. Mouse xenograft tumor models were generated to analyze the functions of aloin and NR3C2 in the tumorigenic activity of LUSC cells and macrophage polarization in vivo. RESULTS: Aloin suppressed malignant properties of LUSC cells in vitro. However, these effects were negated by the silencing of NR3C2. NR3C2 was found to activate MT1M transcription by binding to its promoter. Additional upregulation of MT1M suppressed the malignant behavior of LUSC cells augmented by NR3C2 silencing. Analysis of the M1 and M2 markers/cytokines in the macrophages or the culture supernatant revealed that aloin treatment or MT1M overexpression in LUSC cells enhanced M1 polarization while suppressing M2 polarization of macrophages, whereas NR3C2 silencing led to reverse trends. Consistent findings were reproduced in vivo. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that aloin activates the NR3C2/MT1M axis to suppress the malignant behavior of LUSC cells and M2 macrophage polarization. Please cite this article as: Chen YN, Lu JY, Gao CF, Fang ZR, Zhou Y. Aloin blocks the malignant behavior of lung squamous cell carcinoma cells and M2 macrophage polarization by modulating the NR3C2/MT1M axis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 195-208.
Lung Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Mice ; Macrophages/drug effects* ; Emodin/analogs & derivatives* ; Metallothionein/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics*

Objective:This study analyzed the expression of CD24 antigen on bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC) of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and the predictive value of induction therapy.Methods:This clinical observational study utilized 258 MM patients samples treated at the Hematology Department of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital who met the inclusion criteria in the Department of Hematology, Capital Medical University, from August 12th, 2022 to February 1st, 2024. According to the different stages of the disease, patients were divided into three groups: 78 cases of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma(NDMM) (42 males and 36 females, aged 62±11), 56 cases of the relapse refractory group (34 males and 22 females, aged 64±9), and 124 cases of the disease remission group (68 males and 56 females, aged 62±10). Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) was used to detect the expression level of CD24 antigen on BMPC and the relationship between CD24 and MM disease status. The clinical data and test results of 78 NDMM patients at initial diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed, including gender, age, MFC detection of the positive expression rate of antigens (CD19, CD20, CD24, CD27, CD56), the results of efficacy evaluation after induction therapy, ISS staging, R-ISS staging, blood hemoglobin, β2-microglobulin, human serum albumin, serum creatinine, lactate dehydrogenas, correction of calcium, BMPC ratio, and the results of FISH. The patients were divided into a deep remission group [including complete remission (CR) and very good partial remission (VGPR)] with 43 cases and a non-deep remission group (non CR and VGPR) with 17 cases according to the difference of antigen positive expression rate after induction therapy. The differences of antigen expression on BMPC between the two groups were compared. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the expression of each antigen and the efficacy after induction therapy in patients, and the results showed that CD24 was more correlated with the achievement of deep remission after induction therapy than other antigens. Therefore, taking the positive expression rate of CD24 in NDMM patients at the initial diagnosis and deep remission after induction therapy as the research objects, the predictive value of CD24 for NDMM patients reaching deep remission after induction therapy was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and the optimal cutoff value was obtained. NDMM was divided into two groups according to the cut-off value, and the differences between the two groups in clinical baseline data and prognostic indicators were compared.Results:The positive rates of plasma cell CD24 expression in the NDMM group, the relapse refractory group and the disease remission group were 2.18 (95% CI 0.08-81.85)%, 3.81 (95% CI 0.10-64.56)%, 8.74 (95% CI 0.79-95.55)% respectively. Compared with the disease remission group, the NDMM and relapse refractory group was lower ( Z=-7.889, -5.282, respectively, P<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the positive expression rate of CD24 at initial diagnosis between the deep remission group and the non-deep remission group ( Z=-3.265, P<0.001), while there was no significant difference in CD19 ( Z=-0.271, P=0.787), CD20 ( Z=-0.205, P=0.837), CD27 ( Z=-0.582, P=0.560), and CD56 ( Z=-0.328, P=0.743) between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that compared with other antigens [CD19 ( OR=1.045, 95% CI 0.975-1.120, P=0.217), CD20 ( OR=1.000, 95% CI 0.971-1.030, P=0.976), CD27 ( OR=0.997, 95% CI 0.977-1.016, P=0.734), CD56 ( OR=1.006, 95% CI 0.990-1.006, P=0.449)], the expression of CD24 ( OR=0.423, 95% CI 0.990-1.006, P=0.449) on BMPC in NDMM patients was most closely related to the achievement of deep remission was achieved after induction therapy. The lower the proportion of CD24 at the initial diagnosis was, the lower the probability of achieving deep remission after induction therapy was. The area under the curve (AUC) of CD24 in predicting deep remission after induction therapy was 0.772 (95% CI 0.655-0.889, P=0.001), with a sensitivity of 60.50%, a specificity of 85.00%, and the optimal critical value was 2.21%. Compared with the group with plasma CD24 positive rate>2.21%, the group with plasma CD24 positive rate<2.21% had a higher proportion of male (39.47%vs 65.00%, χ2=5.092, P=0.024), ISS stagingⅢ (41.67% vs 58.33%, χ2=6.175, P=0.046), β2 microglobulin (3.19 mg/L vs 4.14 mg/L, Z=-2.257, P=0.024), and BMPC [(8.672±1.827)% vs (19.530±3.188)%, t=-2.963, P=0.004] detected by MFC, and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions:The low positive rate of plasma cell CD24 is closely related to the higher tumor burden and the worse disease status of MM patients. In addition, the positive expression rate of CD24 is at initial diagnosis can predict the efficacy achieved after induction therapy, and the lower positive rate of CD24 is, the worse the efficacy achieved after induction therapy. At the same time, MFC detection of CD24 is convenient and efficient in the evaluation and prediction of MM.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the levels of serum P-glycoprotein（P-gp）and claudin-5 with epilepsy and cognitive impairment in children.Methods:A total of 120 children with epilepsy admitted to Xingtai People's Hospital from June 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively selected as the epilepsy group，and divided into the general tonic-clonic seizure group（ n=44）and the focal seizure group（ n=76）according to the type of epilepsy，and also divided into the cognitive normal group（ n=88）and the cognitive impairment group（ n=32）according to the cognitive function of the children. Another 100 healthy children in the hospital were selected as the control group. Serum P-gp and claudin-5 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between serum P-gp，claudin-5 levels and epilepsy condition in children. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of serum P-gp and claudin-5 for cognitive impairment in children with epilepsy. Results:The serum P-gp level in the epilepsy group was higher than that in the control group[(3.11±0.34) ng/L vs. (1.33±0.17) ng/L]，and the serum claudin-5 level was lower than that in the control group[(0.66±0.12) ng/mL vs. (1.66±0.28) ng/mL] , and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The serum P-gp level in the generalized tonic-clonic seizure group was higher than that in the focal seizure group [(5.62±1.02) ng/mL vs. (2.55±0.28) ng/mL]，and the serum claudin-5 level was lower than that in the focal seizure group[(0.40±0.05) ng/mL vs. (1.10±0. 25) ng/mL] , and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum P-gp was positively correlated with negatively correlated with national hospital seizure severity scale(NHS3) score in pediatric epilepsy（ r=0.447， P<0.05），and serum claudin-5 was NHS3 score in pediatric epilepsy（ r=-0.485， P<0.05）. The serum P-gp level in the cognitive impairment group was higher than that in the cognitive normal group [(5.87±1.05) ng/L vs. (2.44±0.26) ng/L]，and the serum claudin-5 level was lower than that in the cognitive normal group [(0.32±0.03) ng/mL vs. (0.86±0.08) ng/mL], and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve（AUC）of serum P-gp for evaluating cognitive impairment in children with epilepsy was 0.831（95% CI 0.781-0.881），the AUC of serum claudin-5 for evaluating cognitive impairment was 0.854（95% CI 0.804-0.904），and the AUC of the combination was 0.905（95% CI 0.855-0.955）. Conclusion:Serum P-gp level is increased and claudin-5 level is decreased in children with epilepsy，and both levels are closely associated with the disease condition and cognitive impairment，with the combination of the two indexes more effective than either indicator in diagnosing cognitive impairment in pediatric epilepsy.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of iron overload on the transplant outcomes of pediatric patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 74 children with SAA who received allo-HSCT at the Hematology Department of Wuhan Children’s Hospital between January 2018 and August 2022. Children with iron overload (serum ferritin >1 000 μg/L) before transplantation had a longer disease course, received more red blood cell transfusions, and had a higher number of CD34 + cells infused. Moreover, iron overload significantly delayed the reconstitution of regulatory T cells after transplantation, increasing the incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease after transplantation. However, iron overload did not significantly affect the overall survival and failure-free survival rates of the children.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography(aEEG)monitoring results of hospitalized neonates in plateau areas.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 5 945 neonates who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology,Kunming Children's Hospital,and received aEEG monitoring from January 2020 to December 2022.According to the aEEG monitoring results,they were divided into a normal aEEG group and an abnormal aEEG group.The incidence rate of aEEG abnormalities was analyzed in neonates with various systemic diseases,as well as the manifestations of aEEG abnormalities and the consistency between aEEG abnormalities and clinical abnormalities.Results Among the 5 945 neonates,the aEEG abnormality rate was 19.28%(1 146/5 945),with an abnormality rate of 29.58%(906/3 063)in critically ill neonates and 8.33%(240/2 882)in non-critically ill neonates(P<0.05).The children with inherited metabolic diseases showed the highest aEEG abnormality rate of 60.77%(79/130),followed by those with central nervous system disorders[42.22%(76/180)]and preterm infants[35.53%(108/304)].Compared with the normal aEEG group,the abnormal aEEG group had significantly lower age and gestational age,as well as a significantly lower birth weight of preterm infants(P<0.05).Among the 1 146 neonates with aEEG abnormalities,the main types of aEEG abnormalities were sleep cycle disorders in 597 neonates(52.09%),background activity abnormalities in 294 neonates(25.65%),and epileptiform activity in 255 neonates(22.25%),and there were 902 neonates(78.71%)with abnormal clinical manifestations.The sensitivity and specificity of aEEG monitoring for brain function abnormalities were 33.51%and 92.50%,respectively.Conclusions In plateau areas,there is a relatively high rate of aEEG abnormalities among hospitalized neonates,particularly in critically ill neonates and those with smaller gestational ages and younger ages,suggesting a high risk of brain injury.Therefore,routine aEEG monitoring for the hospitalized neonates can help with the early detection of brain function abnormalities,the decision-making in treatment,and the formulation of brain protection strategies.

Objective To understand the distribution and changing resistance profiles of clinical isolates of Enterococcus in hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted for the clinical isolates of Enterococcus according to the unified protocol of CHINET program by automated systems,Kirby-Bauer method,or E-test strip.The results were interpreted according to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints in 2021.WHONET 5.6 software was used for statistical analysis.Results A total of 124 565 strains of Enterococcus were isolated during the 7-year period,mainly including Enterococcus faecalis(50.7％)and Enterococcus faecalis(41.5％).The strains were mainly isolated from urinary tract specimens(46.9％±2.6％),and primarily from the patients in the department of internal medicine,surgery and ICU.E.faecium and E.faecalis strains showed low level resistance rate to vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid(≤3.6％).The prevalence of vancomycin-resistant E.faecalis and E.faecium was 0.1％and 1.3％,respectively.The prevalence of linezolid-resistant E.faecalis increased from 0.7％in 2015 to 3.4％in 2021,while the prevalence of linezolid-resistant E.faecium was 0.3％.Conclusions The clinical isolates of Enterococcus were still highly susceptible to vancomycin,teicoplanin,and linezolid,evidenced by a low resistance rate.However,the prevalence of linezolid-resistant E.faecalis was increasing during the 7-year period.It is necessary to strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance to effectively identify the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and curb the spread of resistant pathogens.