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

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement mechanism of Huatan tongmai decoction on rats with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） by regulating autophagy through phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（AKT）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway. METHODS A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into blank group （purified water）， model group （purified water）， traditional Chinese medicine group [Huatan tongmai decoction， 24 g/（kg·d）] and chemical drug group [metformin， 0.16 g/（kg·d）]， with 10 rats in each group. Except for blank group， other groups were given a combination of high-fat diet and intragastric administration of 1 mg/kg letrozole suspension to establish PCOS rat model. After modeling， they were given relevant medicine or water intragastrically， once a day， for 42 consecutive days. After the last administration， the pathological and ultrastructural changes of ovarian tissue were observed. The levels of follicle stimulating hormone （FSH）， testosterone （T）， estradiol （E2） ，luteinizing hormone （LH） in serum were detected，and the LH/FSH ratio was calculated. mRNA expressions of Beclin-1， p62 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） in ovarian tissue were detected. The expressions of related proteins of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and autophagy in rat ovarian tissues were also detected. RESULTS Compared with blank group， the pathological damage and ultrastructural changes of the ovarian tissue in the model group rats were obvious， and a large number of autophagosomes could be seen in cells. The levels of T and LH and the LH/FSH ratio in serum， as well as mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3， were increased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the levels of E2 and FSH in serum， as well as mRNA and protein expressions of p62 and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K， AKT and mTOR proteins in ovarian tissue， were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the pathological damage of ovarian tissue in the administration groups was significantly reduced， the number of autophagosomes was smaller， and the expression levels of the above indicators were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Huatan tongmai decoction can inhibit autophagy in ovarian granular cells by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway， regulate the secretion of sex hormones， alleviate pathological damage in ovarian tissues， and promote normal follicular development， thereby exerting an ameliorative effect on PCOS rats.

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*

Objective To systematically evaluate the radiation impact of radioactive sources used in online elemental analyzers in cement enterprises on the surrounding environment, and to provide a scientific basis for radiation monitoring and safety management at the application sites of this type of radioactive sources. Methods A statistical analysis was conducted on 15 cement enterprises in Guangxi Province using online elemental analyzers with ²⁵²Cf as the radioactive source. On-site investigation of radiation safety management and on-site monitoring of radiation environment were performed, followed by an evaluation based on the collected data. Results Although the gamma radiation ambient dose equivalent rate and neutron ambient dose equivalent rate increased around the sites using online elemental analyzers with ²⁵²Cf as the radioactive source, they all met the requirements of the Radiological Health Protection Requirements for Instruments with Sealed Sources (GBZ 125—2009). Conclusion Under the current usage and management conditions, the application of this type of radioactive sources has controllable radiation impact on the surrounding environment, and will not pose a threat to public health and environmental safety. However, continuous strengthening of radiation safety management measures and regular radiation monitoring work are still needed to ensure the safe use of radioactive sources, further reducing potential radiation risks and providing strong guarantees for the safe application of radioactive sources in online elemental analyzers in cement enterprises.

P-glycoprotein(P-gp)is an ATP-dependent efflux transporter that is distributed in many tissues and organs.P-gp can selectively pump endogenous substrates and exogenous chemicals from the cell to the outside of the cell to maintain a stable endo-environment.However,it meanwhile restricts the entry of therapeutic drug into tissues and organs,and in particular,mediates the multidrug resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs.Therefore,understanding the localization of P-gp in different tissues and organs may be an important breakthrough point for disease treatment.In this paper,we mainly review the molecular structure,transport mechanism,localization,and regulation of P-gp in different tissues and organs,providing reference for the subsequent treatment of diseases.
Humans ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/chemistry* ; Animals ; Drug Resistance, Multiple

Objective:To investigate the epileptogenic networks of bilateral asymmetric tonic seizures (BATS) originating from the posterior insula using stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. Among the epilepsy patients who underwent preoperative assessment and SEEG monitoring in the Epilepsy Department of Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from January 1, 2015 to July 1, 2024, 7 patients with insular epilepsy characterized by BATS originating from the posterior insula were selected based on anatomo-electro-clinical characteristics. The clinical characteristics, neuroimaging features, scalp EEG patterns, and SEEG recordings of the 7 patients were collected and analyzed. Via synchronously analyzing ictal semiology and electroanatomical propagation pathways shown by SEEG, the features of epileptogenic networks were elucidated. Results:Four patients had seizure onset from the dorsal-superior part of the left posterior insula, and 3 patients from the dorsal-superior part of the right posterior insula. The electroencephalographic characteristics of the seizure onset zones showed high consistency in these 7 patients: rhythmic spike or multiple spike discharges at the initial stage, and a low-amplitude rapid rhythm pattern subsequently. Totally, 3-10 seizures were recorded in each patient. Four patients experienced prodromal symptoms, including 3 patients with somatosensory symptoms (1 with chest and abdominal pain, 1 with contralateral facial numbness combined with throat constriction sensation, and 1 with contralateral limb numbness), and 1 patient with non-specific presentation (hugging family member before seizure). The seizure semiological evolution sequence was from prodrome to BATS, and then to secondary symptoms, with 3 patients exhibiting clustered spasms as secondary symptoms, and 4 patients showing eyelids and contralateral upper limb distal tonic-clonic manifestations as secondary symptoms. The epileptogenic networks followed a consistent pattern: the dorsal-superior part of the posterior insula leads to the middle-posterior part of the superior circular sulcus, to the ventral posterior insular and posterior circular sulcus, and then to the supplementary sensorimotor area (SSMA), and finally to the central sulcus, central region-vertex, and inferior parietal lobule. Only 2 patients had the anterior insular-involved epileptic brain networks, while the remaining 5 patients did not involve the anterior insular. During BATS, SEEG electrode contacts corresponding to the posterior insular, superior circular sulcus and SSMA exhibited low-amplitude rapid rhythm patterns.Conclusion:The seizures spread from the dorsal-superior part of the posterior insula to the middle-posterior part of the superior circular sulcus at the early stage of onset, and then connected with SSMA; these structures formed a epileptogenic brain network through abnormal synchronous discharge, which eventually led to BATS.

Objective:To explore a reasonable relationship between the survival of descending genicular artery (chimeric) perforator flap [DGAPF (-Ch)] and the preservation of the great saphenous vein (GSV), so as to optimise the protection and reduction of a damage to the donor site in clinical applications.Methods:From June 2015 to October 2022, the Division of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of Department of Orthopaedics of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, conducted cadaver perfusion studies on 15 fresh specimens of human lower extremity, and then on 31 patients who received free DGAPF (-Ch) transfer surgery. Among the patients, 13 had soft tissue defects in hand or forearm, 17 had soft tissue defects in foot or ankle and 1 had early femoral head necrosis after internal fixation for femoral neck fracture. Among them, 6 patients were complicated with bone defect. The size of soft tissue defect was 5.5 cm×3.0 cm-13.0 cm×6.5 cm, the size of flaps was 6.5 cm×3.5 cm-14.5 cm×7.5 cm, and bone flap volume was 3.5 cm×1.5 cm×1.5 cm-5.0 cm×1.5 cm×1.5 cm. All patients underwent preoperative evaluation of donor site by computed tomography angiography (CTA), and the CTA data were processed with Mimics 20.0 to design the flaps. Intraoperatively, the location of the descending genicular artery (DGA) was detected using Doppler ultrasound. When harvesting the flap, the P point (SP-p) was used as the centre to form an arteriovenous pedicle. A matching medial femoral condyle flap was designed to reconstruct the bone defect. The free flap (25 patients) or chimeric flap (6 patients) was transferred to the recipient site, and end-to-end vessel anastomoses were performed to establish the blood supply. After surgery, the patients were kept in bed for 7-9 days. Antibiotics were routinely administered to prevent infection, together with a symptomatic anticoagulation and anti-spasm treatment. The colour, temperature, capillary refilling and tension of the flap were closely observed. All patients were entered in postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic for review at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery to observe the appearance, texture and function of the flaps and the condition of the donor sites.Results:Through anatomy observation, cutaneous perforating branch of DGA was located in front of the main trunk of the GSV at the plane of medial femoral condyle. It was found that both of the perforators of cutaneous artery and the branches of osteoarticular artery originated from the DGA. Distance between SP-p and S-p(DSPS) of fresh samples was 2.9-4.1 (3.6±0.5) cm. The DSPS of 31 patients measured in surgery was 2.9-4.3 (3.7±0.4) cm. A total of 30 flaps survived completely. One flap had partial necrosis, which healed at 2 weeks after skin grafting. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 6-48 (mean, 11.23) months. X-rays of 5 patients with chimeric bone flaps showed the healing of bone defects at 3 months after surgery. All donor sites were directly sutured and left with linear scars after healing, except 5 donor sites that received skin grafting. Eight patients received further flap thinning surgery at 3 to 12 months after primary surgery without any complication. All donor sites healed well without numbness.Conclusion:If the GSV is preserved during harvest of a DGAPF(-Ch), it causes less damage to the donor site and does not affect the survival of the flap. The DGAPF(-Ch) without GSV is a better method in the surgical treatment of complex tissue defects.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and analyze the factors associated with prognosis.Methods:A case series study was conducted by retrospectively collecting clinical data from patients aged over 60 years with newly diagnosed stage Ⅰ DLBCL across 20 medical centers in Jiangsu Province, China, between June 2010 and April 2023. The involved site, classification and treatment plan were summarized. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression model.Results:The study included 255 patients with a median age of 69 years, of whom 130 (51.0%) were male, 66 (25.9%) were aged ≥75 years and 26 (10.1%) had a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of ≥2. Extranodal involvement was observed in 163 (63.9%) patients, with the stomach (37.4%, 61/163), intestine (19.0%, 31/163), testes (11.0%, 18/163), and breast (7.4%, 12/163) being the most frequently affected sites. The non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype was prevalent in 63.7% of patients (142/223), with no significant difference between the nodal and extranodal groups ( P=0.681). Furthermore, 73.9% (184/249) and 11.7% (29/249) of patients received the R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and R-miniCHOP regimen, respectively. The overall 3-year PFS rate was 81.5%, and the 3-year OS rate was 85.6%. Patients aged ≥75 years ( HR=2.910, 95% CI 1.565-5.408, P=0.001) and/or with a CCI score ≥2 ( HR=2.324, 95% CI 1.141-4.732, P=0.020) had a significantly poorer PFS. Incorporating age ≥75 years and CCI score ≥2 into the stage-modified international prognostic index (sm-IPI) can better stratify the prognosis of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ DLBCL. The 3-year PFS rate was 48.7% in the high-risk group versus 85.7% in the low-risk group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Our findings show that the elderly patients with stage Ⅰ DLBCL were predominantly characterized by extranodal involvement (particularly in the stomach and intestinal tract) and non-GCB subtype. Age ≥75 years and CCI ≥2 were identified as independent prognostic factors. The newly established sm-IPI-75-CCI incorporating these factors demonstrated superior prognostic discrimination compared to conventional risk assessment systems.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting a substantial proportion of women of reproductive age. It is frequently associated with ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, and an increased risk of chronic metabolic diseases. A hallmark pathological feature of PCOS is the arrest of follicular development, closely linked to impaired intercellular communication between the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. Transzonal projections (TZPs) are specialized cytoplasmic extensions derived from granulosa cells that penetrate the zona pellucida to establish direct contact with the oocyte. These structures serve as essential conduits for the transfer of metabolites, signaling molecules (e.g., cAMP, cGMP), and regulatory factors (e.g., microRNAs, growth differentiation factors), thereby maintaining meiotic arrest, facilitating metabolic cooperation, and supporting gene expression regulation in the oocyte. The proper formation and maintenance of TZPs depend on the cytoskeletal integrity of granulosa cells and the regulated expression of key connexins, particularly CX37 and CX43. Recent studies have revealed that in PCOS, TZPs exhibit significant structural and functional abnormalities. Contributing factors—such as hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysregulation of critical signaling pathways (including PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‑catenin, and MAPK/ERK)—collectively impair TZP integrity and reduce their formation. This disruption in granulosa-oocyte communication compromises oocyte quality and contributes to follicular arrest and anovulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of TZP biology, including their formation mechanisms, molecular composition, and stage-specific dynamics during folliculogenesis. We highlight the pathological alterations in TZPs observed in PCOS and elucidate how endocrine and metabolic disturbances—particularly androgen excess and hyperinsulinemia—downregulate CX43 expression and impair gap junction function, thereby exacerbating ovarian microenvironmental dysfunction. Furthermore, we explore emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring TZP integrity. Anti-androgen therapies (e.g., spironolactone, flutamide), insulin sensitizers (e.g., metformin), and GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide) have shown potential in modulating connexin expression and enhancing granulosa-oocyte communication. In addition, agents such as melatonin, AMPK activators, and GDF9/BMP15 analogs may promote TZP formation and improve oocyte competence. Advanced technologies, including ovarian organoid models and CRISPR-based gene editing, offer promising platforms for studying TZP regulation and developing targeted interventions. In summary, TZPs are indispensable for maintaining follicular homeostasis, and their disruption plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PCOS-related folliculogenesis failure. Targeting TZP integrity represents a promising therapeutic avenue in PCOS management and warrants further mechanistic and translational investigation.