Liposomes serve as critical carriers for drugs and vaccines, with their biological effects influenced by their size. The microfluidic method, renowned for its precise control, reproducibility, and scalability, has been widely employed for liposome preparation. Although some studies have explored factors affecting liposomal size in microfluidic processes, most focus on small-sized liposomes, predominantly through experimental data analysis. However, the production of larger liposomes, which are equally significant, remains underexplored. In this work, we thoroughly investigate multiple variables influencing liposome size during microfluidic preparation and develop a machine learning (ML) model capable of accurately predicting liposomal size. Experimental validation was conducted using a staggered herringbone micromixer (SHM) chip. Our findings reveal that most investigated variables significantly influence liposomal size, often interrelating in complex ways. We evaluated the predictive performance of several widely-used ML algorithms, including ensemble methods, through cross-validation (CV) for both liposome size and polydispersity index (PDI). A standalone dataset was experimentally validated to assess the accuracy of the ML predictions, with results indicating that ensemble algorithms provided the most reliable predictions. Specifically, gradient boosting was selected for size prediction, while random forest was employed for PDI prediction. We successfully produced uniform large (600 nm) and small (100 nm) liposomes using the optimised experimental conditions derived from the ML models. In conclusion, this study presents a robust methodology that enables precise control over liposome size distribution, offering valuable insights for medicinal research applications.

BACKGROUND: There is a gap in understanding the effects of different acupoints and treatment methods (acupuncture and moxibustion) on microcirculatory changes in the lumbar region. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the thermal effects of acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40), with acupuncture at Chize (LU5) and moxibustion at both acupoints as control interventions. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: In this randomized controlled trial, 140 healthy participants were equally divided into four groups: acupuncture at BL40 (Acu-BL40), acupuncture at LU5 (Acu-LU5), moxibustion at BL40 (Mox-BL40) and moxibustion at LU5 (Mox-LU5). Participants underwent a 30-minute session of their assigned treatment. Infrared thermal imaging was used to collect temperature data on the areas of interest for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary measure was the change in average temperature of the observed area after the intervention. The secondary measures included periodic temperature changes every 5 min and the temperature changes of the Governor Vessel and Bladder Meridian in the observed area after the intervention. RESULTS: Significant interactions were observed between treatments and acupoints affecting temperature (P < 0.001). The Acu-BL40 group showed a notably higher increase in mean temperature after 30 min compared to the Acu-LU5 and Mox-BL40 groups, with increases of 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.17 to 0.41) and 0.24 (95% CI = 0.08 to 0.41) °C, respectively. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at BL40 acupoint can significantly increase the mean temperature in the observed area, highlighting the specific thermal effect of acupuncture compared to moxibustion in the lumbar area. This suggests a potential therapeutic benefit of acupuncture at BL40 for managing lumbar conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05665426). Please cite this article as: Zheng SY, Wang XY, Lin LN, Liu S, Huang XX, Liu YY, Yu XS, Pan W, Fang JQ, Liang Y. Lumbar temperature change after acupuncture or moxibustion at Weizhong (BL40) or Chize (LU5) in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 145-151.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Body Temperature ; Healthy Volunteers ; Lumbosacral Region/physiology* ; Moxibustion ; Adolescent

Astrocytes play a non-negligible role in the process of nerve injury and repair.China has abundant resources of natural drugs,and the research on the drug effects and mechanisms of astrocytes has been on rise recently,providing a rich basis and ideas for the treatment of ischemic stroke.In this paper,we de-scribe the effects of astrocytes on neural repair after ischemic stroke and the underlying mechanisms,as well as the role of nat-ural drugs in regulating this process and thus promoting repair.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial communities of biting midges and ticks collected from three sites in the Poyang Lake area,namely,Qunlu Practice Base,Peach Blossom Garden,and Huangtong Animal Husbandry,and whether vectors carry any bacterial pathogens that may cause diseases to humans,to provide scientific basis for prospective pathogen discovery and disease prevention and control. Methods Using a metataxonomics approach in concert with full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit(OPU)analysis,we characterized the species-level microbial community structure of two important vector species,biting midges and ticks,including 33 arthropod samples comprising 3,885 individuals,collected around Poyang Lake. Results A total of 662 OPUs were classified in biting midges,including 195 known species and 373 potentially new species,and 618 OPUs were classified in ticks,including 217 known species and 326 potentially new species.Surprisingly,OPUs with potentially pathogenicity were detected in both arthropod vectors,with 66 known species of biting midges reported to carry potential pathogens,including Asaia lannensis and Rickettsia bellii,compared to 50 in ticks,such as Acinetobacter lwoffii and Staphylococcus sciuri.We found that Proteobacteria was the most dominant group in both midges and ticks.Furthermore,the outcomes demonstrated that the microbiota of midges and ticks tend to be governed by a few highly abundant bacteria.Pantoea sp7 was predominant in biting midges,while Coxiella sp1 was enriched in ticks.Meanwhile,Coxiella spp.,which may be essential for the survival of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann,were detected in all tick samples.The identification of dominant species and pathogens of biting midges and ticks in this study serves to broaden our knowledge associated to microbes of arthropod vectors. Conclusion Biting midges and ticks carry large numbers of known and potentially novel bacteria,and carry a wide range of potentially pathogenic bacteria,which may pose a risk of infection to humans and animals.The microbial communities of midges and ticks tend to be dominated by a few highly abundant bacteria.

Parabacteroides distasonis is a gram-negative bacterium initially isolated from a clinical specimen in the 1930s. The strain was re-classified to form the new genus Parabacteroides in 2006. P. distasonis can regulate intestinal barrier function and plays a key role in immune response and metabolic regulation of bodies. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is closely related to the intestinal microbiota. Polysaccharides, saponins, and other ingredients of TCM can treat diseases by interacting with P. distasonis, but the specific mechanisms underlying these processes are still unclear, requiring further exploration. This study reviewed the roles and related mechanisms of P. distasonis in inflammatory-immune diseases, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric diseases, cancer, and other diseases and summarized the relevant research results of TCM to prevent and treat diseases by regulating P. distasonis. This study provides a reference for subsequent exploration of P. distasonis and research on the interaction between TCM and intestinal microbiota.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Animals ; Bacteroidetes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Entinostat plus exemestane in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) advanced breast cancer (ABC) previously showed encouraging outcomes. This multicenter phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of entinostat plus exemestane in Chinese patients with HR + ABC that relapsed/progressed after ≥1 endocrine therapy. Patients were randomized (2:1) to oral exemestane 25 mg/day plus entinostat (n = 235) or placebo (n = 119) 5 mg/week in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was the independent radiographic committee (IRC)-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). The median age was 52 (range, 28-75) years and 222 (62.7%) patients were postmenopausal. CDK4/6 inhibitors and fulvestrant were previously used in 23 (6.5%) and 92 (26.0%) patients, respectively. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the entinostat and placebo groups. The median PFS was 6.32 (95% CI, 5.30-9.11) and 3.72 (95% CI, 1.91-5.49) months in the entinostat and placebo groups (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.98; P = 0.046), respectively. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 154 (65.5%) patients in the entinostat group versus 23 (19.3%) in the placebo group, and the most common grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs were neutropenia [103 (43.8%)], thrombocytopenia [20 (8.5%)], and leucopenia [15 (6.4%)]. Entinostat plus exemestane significantly improved PFS compared with exemestane, with generally manageable toxicities in HR + ABC (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03538171).

Objective: Explore the relationship between tip of the left bundle branch pacing lead and anatomic location of left bundle branch as well as the mechanism of left bundle branch current of injury. To clarify the clinical value of left bundle branch current of injury during operation. Methods: The pacing leads were implanted in the hearts of two living swines. Intraoperative electrophysiological study confirmed that the left bundle branch or only the deep left ventricular septum was captured at low output. Immediately after operation, the gross specimen of swine hearts was stained with iodine to observe the gross distribution of His-purkinje conduction system on the left ventricular endocardium and its relationship with the leads. Subsequently, the swine hearts were fixed with formalin solution, and the pacing leads were removed after the positions were marked. The swine hearts were then sectioned and stained with Masson and Goldner trichrome, and the relationship between the anatomic location of the conduction system and the tip of the lead was observed under a light microscope. Results: After iodine staining of the specimen, the His-purkinje conduction system was observed with the naked eye in a net-like distribution, and the lead tip was screwed deeply and fixed in the left bundle branch area of the left ventricular subendocardium in the ventricular septum. Masson and Goldner trichrome staining showed that left bundle branch pacing lead directly passed through the left bundle branch when there was left bundle branch potential with left bundle branch current of injury, while it was not directly contact the left bundle branch when there was left bundle branch potential without left bundle branch current of injury. Conclusion: The left bundle branch current of injury observed on intracardiac electrocardiogram during His-purkinje conduction system pacing suggests that the pacing lead directly contacted the conduction bundle or its branches, therefore, the captured threshold was relatively low. Left bundle branch current of injury can be used as an important anatomic and electrophysiological evidence of left bundle branch capture.
Animals ; Swine ; Bundle of His/physiology* ; Ventricular Septum ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Heart Conduction System ; Electrocardiography ; Iodine

Objective: Explore the relationship between tip of the left bundle branch pacing lead and anatomic location of left bundle branch as well as the mechanism of left bundle branch current of injury. To clarify the clinical value of left bundle branch current of injury during operation. Methods: The pacing leads were implanted in the hearts of two living swines. Intraoperative electrophysiological study confirmed that the left bundle branch or only the deep left ventricular septum was captured at low output. Immediately after operation, the gross specimen of swine hearts was stained with iodine to observe the gross distribution of His-purkinje conduction system on the left ventricular endocardium and its relationship with the leads. Subsequently, the swine hearts were fixed with formalin solution, and the pacing leads were removed after the positions were marked. The swine hearts were then sectioned and stained with Masson and Goldner trichrome, and the relationship between the anatomic location of the conduction system and the tip of the lead was observed under a light microscope. Results: After iodine staining of the specimen, the His-purkinje conduction system was observed with the naked eye in a net-like distribution, and the lead tip was screwed deeply and fixed in the left bundle branch area of the left ventricular subendocardium in the ventricular septum. Masson and Goldner trichrome staining showed that left bundle branch pacing lead directly passed through the left bundle branch when there was left bundle branch potential with left bundle branch current of injury, while it was not directly contact the left bundle branch when there was left bundle branch potential without left bundle branch current of injury. Conclusion: The left bundle branch current of injury observed on intracardiac electrocardiogram during His-purkinje conduction system pacing suggests that the pacing lead directly contacted the conduction bundle or its branches, therefore, the captured threshold was relatively low. Left bundle branch current of injury can be used as an important anatomic and electrophysiological evidence of left bundle branch capture.
Animals ; Swine ; Bundle of His/physiology* ; Ventricular Septum ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Heart Conduction System ; Electrocardiography ; Iodine