OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity of total alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans Benth. (TAG) in vivo and in vitro and to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action through transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: TAG extraction was conducted, and the primary components were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of TAG (100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) on various tumor cells, including SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116, were assessed. Effects of TAG on HCC proliferation and apoptosis were detected by colony formation assays and cell stainings. Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax protein levels were detected by Western blotting. In vivo, a tumor xenograft model was developed using H22 cells. Totally 40 Kunming mice were randomly assigned to model, cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg), TAG low-dose (TAG-L, 0.5 mg/kg), and TAG high-dose (TAG-H, 1 mg/kg) groups, with 10 mice in each group. Tumor volume, body weight, and tumor weight were recorded and compared during 14-day treatment. Immune organ index were calculated. Tissue changes were oberseved by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, as well as quatitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), were performed to detect mRNA and metabolite expressions. RESULTS: HPLC successfully identified the components of TAG extraction. Live cell imaging and analysis, along with cell viability assays, demonstrated that TAG inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116 cells. Colony formation assays, Hoechst 33258 staining, Rhodamine 123 staining, and Western blotting revealed that TAG not only inhibited HCC proliferation but also promoted apoptosis (P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that TAG inhibited the growth of solid tumors in HCC in mice (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR indicated that the inhibition of HCC by TAG was associated with the regulation of the key gene CXCL13. CONCLUSION TAG inhibits HCC both in vivo and in vitro, with its inhibitory effect linked to the regulation of the key gene CXCL13.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Humans ; Alkaloids/therapeutic use* ; Gelsemium/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

In this study, doxorubicin (DOX) was used as the model drug, new indocyanine green (IR820) as the photosensitizer, and temperature sensitive liposomes (TSL) as the carrier. H460-NCI photoheat-sensitive liposomes coated with cell membrane of human cell lung cancer (DOX-IR820-TSL@CCM) for highly effective multi-pathway tumor targeting in chemical-photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy. DOX-IR820-TSL was prepared by reverse evaporation, cancer cell membrane (CCM) was prepared by lysis, crushing and centrifugation, and DOX-IR820-TSL@CCM was prepared by nanomembrane extrusion. The drug-loading conditions of DOX-IR820-TSL were finally determined: the ratio of organic phase to aqueous phase was 4.02, the dosage of dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) was 10.04 mg, and the lipid ratio was 0.12, and the significant phase transition temperature (T_m) of DOX-IR820-TSL was 43.05 ℃. The average particle size of DOX-IR820-TSL@CCM was 153.4 nm, the PDI was 0.279, and the zeta potential was -26.2 mV. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) image shows a homogeneous spherical structure and a translucent film layer. Under near-infrared irradiation, the drug release rate reaches 63.98%, which has adjustable photothermal conversion capacity and the ability to generate reactive oxygen species. Through SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, Western blot, cytotoxicity experiments and cell uptake experiments, it was proved that the design of cell membrane coating can well retain CD47, N-cadherin, CD44, CD326 and other related functional proteins, so that DOX-IR820-TSL@CCM has good immune evasion, homologous adhesion and homologous targeting. In this paper, DOX-IR820-TSL@CCM with camouflage properties and tumor targeting properties were successfully prepared, which can be used as a promising synergistic therapeutic diagnostic platform for future lung cancer treatment. All animal research programs have been approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine (number: 2022121011).

Background::Heterotaxy (HTX) is a thoracoabdominal organ anomaly syndrome and commonly accompanied by congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to analyze rare copy number variations (CNVs) in a HTX/CHD cohort and to examine the potential mechanisms contributing to HTX/CHD.Methods::Chromosome microarray analysis was used to identify rare CNVs in a cohort of 120 unrelated HTX/CHD patients, and available samples from parents were used to confirm the inheritance pattern. Potential candidate genes in CNVs region were prioritized via the DECIPHER database, and PNPLA4 was identified as the leading candidate gene. To validate, we generated PNPLA4-overexpressing human induced pluripotent stem cell lines as well as pnpla4-overexpressing zebrafish model, followed by a series of transcriptomic, biochemical and cellular analyses. Results::Seventeen rare CNVs were identified in 15 of the 120 HTX/CHD patients (12.5%). Xp22.31 duplication was one of the inherited CNVs identified in this HTX/CHD cohort, and PNPLA4 in the Xp22.31 was a candidate gene associated with HTX/CHD. PNPLA4 is expressed in the lateral plate mesoderm, which is known to be critical for left/right embryonic patterning as well as cardiomyocyte differentiation, and in the neural crest cell lineage. Through a series of in vivo and in vitro analyses at the molecular and cellular levels, we revealed that the biological function of PNPLA4 is importantly involved in the primary cilia formation and function via its regulation of energy metabolism and mitochondria-mediated ATP production. Conclusions::Our findings demonstrated a significant association between CNVs and HTX/CHD. Our data strongly suggested that an increased genetic dose of PNPLA4 due to Xp22.31 duplication is a disease-causing risk factor for HTX/CHD.

Objective To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in the eNOS gene and genetic susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)in Hainan.Methods Blood samples were collected from SLE patients(SLE group,n=214)and healthy controls(control group,n=214)from January 2020 to December 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College and Hainan Provincial People's Hospital.The bases of eNOS gene rs3918188,rs1799983 and rs1007311 loci in each group were detected by SNaPshot sequencing technology.Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between genotypes,alleles and gene models(dominant model,recessive model,and overdominant model)of the above 3 target loci of the eNOS gene and genetic susceptibility to SLE.Haplotype analysis was conducted using HaploView 4.2 software to investigate the relationship between haploid and genetic susceptibility to SLE at each site.Results The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the CC genotype and the C allele at rs3918188 locus were risk factors for genetic susceptibility to SLE(CC vs.AA:OR=2.449,P<0.05;C vs.A:OR=2.133,P<0.001).In recessive model at rs3918188 locus,CC genotype carriers had an increased risk of SLE development compared with AA+AC genotype carriers(OR=2.774,P<0.001).In contrast,in overdominant model at this locus,AC genotype carriers had a decreased risk of SLE occurrence compared with AA+CC genotype carriers(OR=0.385,P<0.001).In addition,polymorphisms of rs1799983 and rs1007311 were not associated with susceptibility to SLE in genotype,allele type and the 3 genetic models(P>0.05).Haplotype analysis revealed a strong linkage disequilibrium between the rs1007311 and rs1799983 loci of the eNOS gene,but no significant correlation was found between haplotype and genetic susceptibility to SLE(P>0.05).Conclusion The CC genotype and C allele at rs3918188 locus of eNOS gene may be risk factors for SLE in Hainan,while the risk of SLE occurrence is reduced in carriers of AC genotype under the overdominant model.

Objective To analyze the pharmacodynamic interaction of esketamine and propofol in hysteroscopic surgery by response surface method.Methods Forty-five patients underwent elective hystero-scopic surgery,aged 18.5-64.0 years,BMI 18.5-28.0 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ.Compound propofol target control infusion of esketamine(0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7,and 0.8 μg/ml)with different plasma drug concentrations were selected to keep the plasma drug concentration of esketamine unchanged,and the plasma drug concentration of propofol was increased step by step.To evaluate body re-sponse caused by dilation of the cervix.A response surface model was used to analyze the pharmacodynamic interaction of esketamine and propofol.Results The three-dimensional response surface of esketamine(0.0-0.8 μg/ml)and propofol(1.0-7.0 μg/ml)showed that the two have an additive effect in sedation and inhibition of body activity reaction caused by dilated cervix.The median effective concentration(EC50)of esketamine was 0.61 μg/ml(95％CI 0.41-0.81 μg/ml),and the EC50 of propofol was 4.69 μg/ml(95％CI 3.17-6.21 μg/ml)when inhibits the body activity reaction caused by dilated cervix.Conclusion Response surface method can qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the pharmacodynamic interaction of es-ketamine and propofol.Esketamine and propofol have additive effects in inhibiting the body activity reaction caused by dilated cervix.

Objective:To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors.Methods:From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions.Results:Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects ( χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients ( χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications ( χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment ( R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not ( OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions:Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of pharyngeal swabs combined with anal swabs as multidrug-resistant organism(MDRO)admission screening for patients in intensive care unit(ICU),and provide reference for healthcare-associated infection(HAI)prevention and control strategies.Methods Patients who underwent MDRO admission screening by pharyngeal swabs combined with anal swabs within 24 hours of admission to an ICU of a hospital in Shanghai from August 1 to December 31,2022 were included as the experimental group,and those who underwent MDRO admission screening only by pharyngeal swabs from August 1 to December 31,2021 were as the control group.Positive rate of screening,occurrence and pathogen of HAI between the two groups,as well as the sensitivity and specificity of combined admission screening for MDRO in the experimental group were compared.Results A total of 917 patients were included in the study,with 442 cases in the experimental group and 475 cases in the control group.The positive rates of admission screening for MDRO in the experimental and control groups were 7.40％and 3.37％,respectively.The incidences of HAI with MDRO in the experimental and control groups were 2.71％and 5.68％,respectively.Incidences of digestive system HAI with MDRO in the experimental and control groups were 0.68％and 2.32％,respectively.Differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The area under the ROC curve of admission screening by pharyngeal swabs combined with anal swabs for predicting HAI with MDRO in patients were 0.897(P＜0.01,95％CI:0.802-0.993).The sensitivity and specificity of admi-ssion screening for MDRO by pharyngeal swabs combined with anal swabs in the experimental group were 72.73％and 97.65％,respectively.Conclusion The combination of pharyngeal swabs and anal swabs can be used as an ICU admission screening method for MDRO,and has an important clinical application value.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the carrier rate, genotype and phenotype of α-thalassemia fusion gene in Huadu district of Guangzhou, Guangdong province of China, and provide data reference for the prevention and control of thalassemia. METHODS: A total of 10 769 samples who were screened for thalassemia in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Huadu District from July 2019 to November 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Blood cell analysis and hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis were performed. Thalassemia genes were analyzed by gap-PCR and PCR-reverse dot blot hybridization (PCR-RDB). RESULTS: A total of 9 cases with α-thalassemia fusion gene were detected in 10 769 samples (0.08%). There were 7 cases with fusion gene heterozygote, 1 case with compound of α-thalassemia fusion gene and Hb G-Honolulu, 1 case with compound of α-thalassemia fusion gene and Hb QS. The MCV results of 4 samples of blood cell analysis were within the reference range, the Hb A2 value of 1 case was decreased, and there were no other abnormalities found. CONCLUSION The α-thalassemia fusion gene is common in Huadu district of Guangzhou, and heterozygotes are more common, and current screening methods easily lead to misdiagnosis.
Humans ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Genotype ; Phenotype ; Heterozygote ; China ; Mutation

Eight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the 80% aqueous ethanol extract of the roots and stems of Rubus pirifolius Smith by AB-8 macroporous resin, silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectral analysis such as 1D/2D NMR, MS, UV, IR and by comparison with literature information as rubussecotriterpene A (1), rubussecotriterpene B (2), cecropiacic acid (3), cecropiacic acid 3-methyl ester (4), alphitolic acid (5), betulinic acid (6), betulin (7), and obtusalin (8). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds, and compounds 3-8 were isolated from this plant for the first time.