Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting multiple systems, characterized by the development of harmful autoantibodies and immune complexes that lead to damage in organs and tissues. Chinese medicine (CM) plays a role in mitigating complications, enhancing treatment effectiveness, and reducing toxicity of concurrent medications, and ensuring a safe pregnancy. However, CM mainly solves the disease comprehensively through multi-target and multi-channel regulation process, therefore, its treatment mechanism is often complicated, involving many molecular links. This review introduces the research progress of pathogenesis of SLE from the aspects of genetics, epigenetics, innate immunity and acquired immunity, and then discusses the molecular mechanism and target of single Chinese herbal medicine and prescription that are commonly used and effective in clinic to treat SLE.
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an adverse event that occurs during long-term peritoneal dialysis, significantly impairing treatment efficiency and adversely affecting patient outcomes. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a principal active component derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has exhibited anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in various settings. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of PF. METHODS: The PF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid (100 mL/kg). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 cells was induced by the addition of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The differentially expressed genes in HMrSV5 cells treated with AS-IV were screened using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The potential targets of AS-IV were screened using network pharmacology and analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS: Administration of AS-IV at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg effectively mitigated the increase in peritoneal thickness and the development of fibrosis in mice with PF. The expression of the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin in the peritoneum was significantly decreased in AS-IV-treated mice. The treatment of AS-IV (10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) significantly delayed the EMT of HMrSV5 cells induced by TGF-β, as demonstrated by the decreased number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, reduced migrated area, and decreased expression of fibrosis markers. A total of 460 differentially expressed genes were detected in AS-IV-treated HMrSV5 cells through transcriptome sequencing, with notable enrichment in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway. The reduced levels of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and p-AKT were detected in HMrSV5 cells with AS-IV treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted as a direct target of AS-IV, exhibiting strong hydrogen bond interactions. The activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by the compound 740Y-P, and the activation of the EGFR pathway by NSC 228155 each partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on the EMT of HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSION AS-IV delayed the EMT process in peritoneal mesothelial cells and slowed the progression of PF, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for the early prevention and treatment of PF. Please cite this article as: Huang Y, Chu CL, Qiu WH, Chen JY, Cao LX, Ji SY, Zhu B, Wang GK, Shen QQ. Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):694-705.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Animals ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Peritoneal Fibrosis/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

This study was aimed at analyzing the molecular epidemiological characteristics of all 14 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9)virus in Xinjiang from 2014 to 2018,to provide a scientific basis for prevention,control,and treatment.The genomic sequence was obtained through high-throughput gene sequencing after nucleic acid extraction.Homolo-gy analysis,evolution analysis,mutation locus analysis,and homology modeling were performed in bioinformatics analysis software.The nucleotide homology and amino acid homology of the HA gene in 14 human infected H7N9 viruses were(97.39％-100％)and(98.38％-100％),respectively.The nucleotide homology of the NA gene and the amino acid homology ranged from 97.73％to 100％.All viruses were low pathogenic avian influenza viruses belonging to the Yangtze River Delta lin-eage and were divided into two subclades,which were most similar to the A/Hunan/02650/2016 vaccine strain.All HA pro-teins G186V and T160A were mutated;13 strains of Q226L were mutated;and none of the four key neuraminidase inhibitor resistance sites of NA protein were mutated.All sites of M2 protein S31N and V27A were mutated,all sites of PB1 protein T368V were mutated,and all sites of PA protein K356R were mutated.Xinjiang H7N9 virus exhibited double receptor bind-ing,and was resistant to amantadine drugs and sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors,which may be used in early disease sta-ges.Strengthened monitoring and timely detection of avian in-fluenza virus genome changes will be critical for prevention and control,and formulation of countermeasures.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of low-dose recombinant interleukin-2(rIL-2)therapy on immunocyte subsets and its side effects in children with solid tumor.Methods:A total of 22 children(11 males and 11 females)with solid tumor in our department from December 2012 to November 2017 were selected,with a median age of 9(3-16)years old when starting IL-2 therapy.ALL surgeries and chemotherapy of children had been completed before low-dose rIL-2 therapy,and 17 cases achieved complete remission(CR)and 5 cases achieved partial remission(PR).A low-dose rIL-2 therapy was given 1 month after chemotherapy for 1 year:4 × 105 IU/(m2·d),s.c.for every other day,3 times per week.The immunocyte subsets were detected every 3 months until the end of treatment,meanwhile,disease condition and therapy-related side effects were followed up.Results:After low-dose rIL-2 therapy in 22 children,the absolute values of CD3+T cells,CD3-CD56+natural killer cells,CD3+CD4+helper T cells(Th)and CD3+CD8+cytotoxic T cells were up-regulated remarkably,as well as Th/suppressor T cells(all P＜0.05).While,there were no significant differences in absolute value and proportion of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg cells during therapy.Among the 17 children who achieved CR before rIL-2 therapy,14 cases continued to maintain CR after therapy,while 3 cases relapsed,and with 2 died after treatment abandonment.The 5 children who achieved PR before low-dose rIL-2 therapy were evaluated CR by PET/CT scan after treatment.In the early stage of low-dose rIL-2 therapy,1 child developed skin rashes at the injection sites,and 2 children ran a slight to mild transient fever.Their symptoms disappeared without any organ damage after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion:Low-dose rIL-2 therapy has good drug tolerance,and changes the distribution of anti-tumor immune-cell subgroup in peripheral blood of children with solid tumor remarkably without up-regulation of absolute value and ratio of Treg cells.

Aim To investigate the therapeutic effect of luteolin(LUT)on myasthenia gravis(MG)rats and its mechanism.Methods Female Lewis rats were di-vided into five groups:C group,MG group,low dose luteolin group(L-LUT),medium dose luteolin group(M-LUT)and high dose luteolin group(H-LUT),with 12 rats in each group.Rats in C group were nor-mal control rats.Rats in other groups were MG model rats induced by subcutaneous injection of Rα97-116.Rats in C group and MG group were intragastrically fed with 1 mL corn oil.Rats in L-LUT group,M-LUT group and H-LUT group were intragastrically infused with 1 mL 10,20 and 40 mg·kg-1 luteolin solution,respectively.The administration period was four weeks.Lennon grading method was used to score clini-cal symptoms,and EMG evoked potential instrument was used to detect the attenuation rate of low frequency repetitive nerve stimulation(RNS).The morphology of skeletal muscle was observed by hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining.The levels of serum AChR antibody(AChR-Ab),interferon gamma(IFN-γ)and interleu-kin-4(IL-4)were detected by ELISA method.The activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)in skeletal muscle was detected by visible spectrophotometry,and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and malondialde-hyde(MDA)were detected by micromethod.The mR-NA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α),nuclear respiratory factor 1(NRF1)and mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM)in skeletal muscle were measured by qRT-PCR.The protein expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase α(AMPKα)and p-AMPKα in skeletal muscle were detected by Western blot.Results Com-pared with C group,Lennon score and RNS decay rate in MG group increased,AChR-Ab and IFN-γ levels increased,skeletal muscle showed obvious injury,SOD and GSH-Px levels decreased,MDA levels in-creased,p-AMPKα protein expression levels and PGC-1α,NRF1 and TFAM mRNA levels decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with MG group,Lennon score and RNS decay rate in L-LUT group and M-LUT group M and H-LUT group decreased,AChR-Ab and IFN-γlevels decreased,skeletal muscle damage was allevia-ted,SOD and GSH-Px levels increased,MDA levels decreased,p-AMPKα protein expression levels and PGC-1α,NRF1 and TFAM mRNA levels increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of luteolin in treating MG rats may be related to correcting the bal-ance of Th1/Th2 cells and activating AMPK.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between hearing loss and microvascular complications in diabetes.Methods:This cross-sectional study conducted the data from 572 patients with diabetes hospitalized in the Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command from September 2022 to July 2023. All participants underwent electrical audiometry and acoustic immittance in the ENY department. Based on the audiometric results, participants were categorized into normal hearing group and hearing loss group. Additionally, 572 non-diabetic patients from the outpatient department were enrolled as the non-diabetic group. The general information and laboratory results were collected and compared using t test, rank sum test or χ2 test. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of diabetic hearing loss with diabetic kidney disease(DKD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Results:Among 572 patients with diabetes, 429 suffered from hearing loss and 143 were normal. χ2 test showed significant differences in combined DKD and DPN between two groups, but not in DR. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified DKD and DPN as risk factors for hearing loss, but no correlation was found with DR. Conclusion:Diabetic patients with DKD or DPN should be monitored for potential hearing loss. Early screening and treatment are crucial to prevent severe hearing impairment.

Highly sensitive multiple detection and accurate identification of gases are of great importance in the fields of public safety,environmental protection,health diagnosis and industrial production.However,the traditional means of gas detection have many shortcomings such as low sensitivity,long time-consuming,bulky equipment,cumbersome processes and expensive costs.In recent years,Raman spectroscopy has become a hotspot in the field of gas detection because of its fast,sensitive and non-destructive characteristics,and has been more and more closely combined with artificial intelligence.This paper reviews the progress of Raman spectroscopy in gas detection in recent years,including conventional Raman spectroscopy and enhanced Raman spectroscopy,and also introduces the integration of artificial intelligence algorithms in gas Raman detection technology,and discusses the future development of gas Raman detection.

The biological clock(also known as the circadian rhythm)is the fundamental reliance for all organisms on Earth to adapt and survive in the Earth's rotation environment.Circadian rhythm is the most basic regulatory mechanism of life activities,and plays a key role in maintaining normal physiological and biochemical homeostasis,disease occurrence and treatment.Recent studies have shown that the biologi-cal clock plays an important role in the development of oral tissues and in the occurrence and treatment of oral diseases.Since there is cur-rently no guiding literature on the research methods of biological clock in stomatology,researchers mainly conduct research based on pub-lished references,which has led to controversy about the research methods of biological clock in stomatology,and there are many confusions about how to rationally apply the research methods of circadia rhythms.In view of this,this expert consensus summarizes the characteristics of the biological clock and analyzes the shortcomings of the current biological clock research in stomatology,and organizes relevant experts to summarize and recommend 10 principles as a reference for the rational implementation of the biological clock in stomatology research.

China prospective multicenter birth cohort (Prospective Omics Health Atlas birth cohort, POHA birth cohort) study was officially launched in 2022. This study, in collaboration with 12 participating units, aims to establish a high-quality, multidimensional cohort comprising 20 000 naturally conceived families and assisted reproductive families. The study involves long-term follow-up of parents and offspring, with corresponding biological samples collected at key time points. Through multi-omics testing and analysis, the study aims to conduct multi-omics big data research across the entire maternal and infant life cycle. The goal is to identify new biomarkers for maternal and infant diseases and provide scientific evidence for risk prediction related to maternal diseases and neonatal health.