BACKGROUND: As an essential part of health services, rehabilitation is of great significance to improve the health and quality of life of the whole population. Accelerating aging calls for a significant expansion of rehabilitation services in China, but rehabilitation needs remain unclear. We conducted the study to explore the rehabilitation needs in China and project the trend of rehabilitation needs from 2020 to 2034. METHODS: The data of health conditions that might potentially benefit from rehabilitation were obtained from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to quantify the trends of the age-standardized rates. Projections of rehabilitation needs were made until 2034 using Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis (BAPC). RESULTS: Approximately 460 million persons (33.3% of the total population) need rehabilitation in China, contributing to 63 million years lived with disabilities (YLDs) in 2019. The number of prevalent cases that need rehabilitation increased from around 268 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 257-282) million in 1990 to almost 460 (95% UI: 443-479) million in 2019, representing an increase of 71.3%. The highest contribution to the need for rehabilitation was musculoskeletal disorders with about 322 (95% UI: 302-343) million persons in seven aggregate disease and injury categories, and hearing loss with over 95 (95% UI: 84-107) million people among 25 health conditions. Based on the projection results, there will be almost 636 million people (45% of the total population) needing rehabilitation services in China by 2034, representing an increase of 38.3%. The rehabilitation needs of neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders are expected to increase significantly from 2019 to 2034, with increases of 102.3%, 88.8% and 73.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The need for rehabilitation in China substantially increased over the last 30 years. It is predicted that over two in five people will require rehabilitation by 2034, thus suggesting the need to develop rehabilitation services that meet individuals' rehabilitation needs.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Global Burden of Disease ; Female ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology* ; Rehabilitation/trends* ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Bayes Theorem

Polygonati Rhizoma demonstrates significant potential for addressing both chronic and hidden hunger. The supply of high-quality seedlings is a primary factor influencing the development of the Polygonati Rhizoma industry. Warm water soaking is often used in agriculture to promote the rapid germination of seeds, while its application and molecular mechanism in Polygonati Rhizoma have not been reported. To rapidly obtain high-quality seedlings, this study treated Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium seeds with sand storage at low temperatures, warm water soaking, and cultivation temperature gradients. The results showed that the culture at 25 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months rapidly broke the seed dormancy of P. kingianum var. grandifolium, while the culture at 20 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 1 month failed to break the seed dormancy. Soaking seeds in 60 ℃ warm water further increased the germination rate, germination potential, and germination index. Specifically, the seeds soaked at 60 ℃ and cultured at 25 ℃ without sand storage treatment(Aa25) achieved a germination rate of 78. 67%±1. 53% on day 42 and 83. 40%±4. 63% on day 77. The seeds pretreated with sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months, soaked in 60 ℃ water, and then cultured at 25 ℃ achieved a germination rate comparable to that of Aa25 on day 77. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that warm water soaking might promote germination by triggering reactive oxygen species( ROS), inducing the expression of heat shock factors( HSFs) and heat shock proteins( HSPs), which accelerated DNA replication, transcript maturation, translation, and processing, thereby facilitating the accumulation and turnover of genetic materials. According to the results of indoor controlled experiments and field practices, maintaining a germination and seedling cultivation environment at approximately 25 ℃ was crucial for the one-year seedling cultivation of P. kingianum var. grandifolium.
Germination ; Seedlings/genetics* ; Water/metabolism* ; Seeds/metabolism* ; Polygonatum/genetics* ; Temperature ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Plant Dormancy

OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying molecular mechanism of Modified Hu-Lu-Ba-Wan (MHW) in alleviating renal lesions in mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into model group and MHW group according to a random number table, while db/m mice were settled as the control group (n=8 per group). The control and model groups were gavaged daily with distilled water [10 mL/(kg·d)], and the MHW group was treated with MHW [17.8 g/(kg·d)] for 6 weeks. After MHW administration for 6 weeks, indicators associated with glucolipid metabolism and urinary albumin were tested. Podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Kidney transcriptomics was performed after confirming therapeutic effects of MHW on DKD mice. The relevant target of MHW' effect in DKD was further determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, MHW improved glucose and lipid metabolism (P<0.05), and reduced lipid deposition in the kidney. Meanwhile, MHW reduced the excretion of urinary albumin (P<0.05) and ameliorated renal damage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the inflammation response, particularly the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, may be responsible for the effect of MHW on DKD. Furtherly, our results found that MHW inhibited IL-17A and alleviated early fibrosis in the diabetic kidney. CONCLUSION MHW ameliorated renal damage in DKD via inhibiting IL-17A, suggesting a potential strategy for DKD therapy.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/genetics* ; Interleukin-17/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Kidney/ultrastructure* ; Podocytes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Albuminuria ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism. METHODS: Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. RESULTS: Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Signal Transduction ; Imiquimod ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Male ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

Objective:To analyze the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination on virus mutation.Methods:The whole genome sequencing sequences of 2 659 local SARS-CoV-2 specimens from Jiangsu Province in 2023 were selected for analysis, and relevant information such as demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and the effects of infection and vaccination on the genome-wide mutation rate and S gene′s selective pressure of the virus were analyzed by univariate and multivariate linear regression models.Results:The average age of these infected patients was 55.0 (31.0, 74.0) years, 1 150 cases (43.2%) in the age group of ≥60 years, 1 367 cases (51.4%) were males, 2 044 cases (76.9%) had a history of COVID-19 vaccination, and 1 629 cases (61.3%) had the first-time infection. The clinical symptoms of the infected patients were mainly mild, with a total of 2434 cases (91.5%), and 29 cases (1.1%) with severe symptoms or more. The average substitution rate of SARS-CoV-2 was 9.69 (9.38, 9.98)×10 -4 subs/site/year, and the dN/dS value of the S gene was 6.08 (5.56, 8.66), which was significantly greater than that of 1 ( P<0.001), indicating positive selection. The result of univariate and multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that the SARS-CoV-2 substitution rate was higher in those with vaccination history and reinfection, aged 20-30 years, ≥60 years, and the SARS-CoV-2 substitution rate was lower in males with moderate clinical symptoms and severe disease and above. Those with a history of vaccination and reinfection, aged 50-60 years old, ≥60 years old have smaller S gene dN/dS. Conclusions:Under the immune pressure exerted by vaccination and infection, the genome-wide mutation of SARS-COV-2 accelerated, but the non-synonymous mutation rate of the S gene decreased. The mechanism causing these phenomena needs further study.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the freeze-drying process for sheep placenta slices. METHODS An orthogonal test design was used with pre-freezing time， drying time and drying temperature as indicators to screen for the optimal freeze-drying process for sheep placenta slices. The peptide content， ethanol-soluble extract content， and freeze-drying rate of sheep placenta were used as indicators，the analytic hierarchy process-criteria importance through intercriteria correlation （AHP-CRITIC） method was employed to determine the weight of each indicator and calculate the comprehensive score， which was verified using the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution （TOPSIS） model. RESULTS The optimal preparation process was found to be the pre-freezing time of 2 hours， the drying time of 16 hours， and the drying temperature of 30 °C. The average values of peptide content， ethanol-soluble extract content， and freeze-drying rate for three batches of samples were 5.883 mg/mL， 27.1%， and 95.77%， respectively； the comprehensive scores of three batches were 96.42， 99.18 and 99.58， with RSD of 1.75%. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimized the freeze-drying process for sheep placenta slices， which can provide a reference for the quality standard setting and industrial production of this type of slice.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the immunomodulatory and protumorigenic microenviron-ment of colorectal cancer(CRC).However,the effect of ginsenoside Rk3(Rk3)on CRC and gut microbiota remains unclear.Therefore,the purpose of this study is to explore the potential effect of Rk3 on CRC from the perspective of gut microbiota and immune regulation.Our results reveal that treatment with Rk3 significantly suppresses the formation of colon tumors,repairs intestinal barrier damage,and regulates the gut microbiota imbalance caused by CRC,including enrichment of probiotics such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Barnesiella intestinihominis,and clearance of pathogenic Desulfovibrio.Subsequent metabolomics data demonstrate that Rk3 can modulate the metabolism of amino acids and bile acids,particularly by upregulating glutamine,which has the potential to regulate the immune response.Furthermore,we elucidate the regulatory effects of Rk3 on chemokines and inflammatory factors associated with group 3 innate lymphoid cells(ILC3s)and T helper 17(Th17)signaling pathways,which inhibits the hyperactivation of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(JAK-STAT3)signaling pathway.These results indicate that Rk3 modulates gut microbiota,regulates ILC3s immune response,and inhibits the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway to suppress the development of colon tumors.More importantly,the results of fecal microbiota transplantation suggest that the inhibitory effect of Rk3 on colon tumors and its regulation of ILC3 immune responses are mediated by the gut microbiota.In summary,these findings emphasize that Rk3 can be utilized as a regulator of the gut microbiota for the prevention and treatment of CRC.

Objective To investigate the effects of Carthamus tinctorius L.extract(CTLE)on the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in mice with ethanol-induced alcoholic liver disease and its mechanism of action.Methods SPF-grade C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups:control group,model group,low-CTLE group(50 mg·kg-1),and high-CTLE group(100 mg·kg-1).The control group was given Lieber-Decarli liquid diet,and the other groups were given Lieber-Decarli alcohol diet to construct a chronic alcoholic liver injury model in mice.Serum and liver tissues of mice were collected and serum biochemical indexes of mice were detected.HE and oil red O staining were applied to observe pathological changes in mouse liver tissues.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Keap1/Nrf2 and STAT3/NF-κB pathway-related factors.Results Compared with the model group,the ALT,AST,LDL-C,and MDA levels were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while the levels of HDL-C,SOD,and GSH were increased dramatically in the administered group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),which indicated that CTLE has specific protective and antioxidant effects on alcoholic liver injury in mice.HE staining and oil red O staining showed that the hepatic lesions and lipid deposition of mice were ameliorated.It enhances the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the body by activating the mRNA and protein expression levels of antioxidant factors related to the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting the mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory factors related to STAT3/NF-κB pathway(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion It was shown that CTLE could exert anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects through regulating Keap1/Nrf2 and STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathways to attenuate alcoholic liver injury in mice.This study may provide a new idea for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and the subsequent study of molecular mechanisms.

Aim To investigate the effects of Cartham-us tinctorius L.extract(CTLE)on oxidative stress,lipid metabolism,and apoptosis levels of mice with al-cohol-induced liver injury and its mechanism of action.Methods The mouse model of alcohol-associated liver disease was established by chronic alcohol feeding and acute alcohol gavage.Mice were randomly divided into four groups.During the modeling period,the state changes of mice were observed every day,and their weight was recorded.At the end of modeling,blood and liver tissues were collected from each group of mice.The blood of mice was analyzed biochemically,and HE staining and Oil Red O staining were used to evaluate further the degree of pathological damage in the liver of mice.Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)and Western blot were applied to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of p-PI3K,PI3K,p-Akt,Akt,p-mTOR,mTOR,p-FoxO1,FoxO1,p-FoxO3a,FoxO3a,p-FoxO4,FoxO4,BCL and BAX factors.Results Compared to the model group,the CTLE administration group showed improved hepatic patho-logical injury and reduced lipid deposition.The bio-chemical indexes in serum and liver,such as ALT,AST,TG,TC,and MDA levels were reduced,while GSH and SOD levels increased.Regulating the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway resulted in increased production of SOD,which reduced damage and apoptosis caused by reactive oxygen species(ROS).Conclusions CTLE can exert anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic effects through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway and attenuates alcoholic liver injury in mice,providing new ideas for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and the develop-ment of related drugs.