Psychological factors have become significant contributors to the onset and progression of insomnia. This article explored the treatment of insomnia from the perspective of “liver governs wei qi （defensive qi）”. The concept of “liver governs wei qi （defensive qi）” is summarized in three aspects， firstly， the liver assists the spleen and stomach in transformation and transportation， governing the generation of wei qi； secondly， the liver aids lung qi diffusion and dispersion， governing the distribution of wei qi； thirdly， the liver regulates circadian rhythms， governing the circulation of wei qi. It is proposed that the clinical treatment of insomnia should focus on the following methods： for regulating the liver to harmonize the five viscera， and facilitate the circulation of wei qi， medicinals entering the liver channel include Chaihu （Bupleuri radix）， Baishao （Paeoniae Radix Alba）， Zhizi （Gardeniae Fructus）， and Suanzaoren （Ziziphi Spinosae Semen） could be commonly used； for nourishing the liver， the treatment should align with the day-night rhythm， and herbs such as Baihe （Lilium）， Hehuan （Albizia julibrissin）， and Yejiaoteng （Polygoni multiflori caulis） are commonly used； for soothing the liver and address both mental and physical health to calm wei qi， treatment should advocate verbal counseling， psychological regulation， and health education. Ultimately， this treatment approach can free liver qi to flow， soothe qi movement， restore the motion of wei qi， regulate during day and night， balance yin and yang， and resolve insomnia effectively.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Based on the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) from the meridian-zangfu relationship and the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis, it proposes that dysfunction of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis is closely related to the occurrence of ED. Among these, brain-heart disharmony is the key pathogenic factor, kidney deficiency and essence depletion constitute an important basis, and essence chamber stasis is a critical mechanism. The treatment approach emphasizes harmonizing the brain and heart, regulating the mind, tonifying the kidney and replenishing qi, unblocking qi and blood to harmonize the essence chamber. The primary acupoints include Baihui (GV20)-Neiguan (PC6)-Shenmen (HT7), Taixi (KI3)-Guanyuan (CV4)-Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zhongji (CV3)-Dahe (KI12)-Gongsun (SP4), with additional acupoints selected based on syndrome differentiation. This approach aims to restore the clarity of the brain and heart, replenish kidney qi, and unblock the essence chamber, thereby facilitating the restoration of normal functions of the brain, heart, kidney, and essence chamber, and alleviating ED symptoms and improving overall clinical efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Heart/physiopathology*

N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a crucial post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism and the most abundant and highly conserved RNA epigenetic modification in eukaryotes. Previous studies have indicated the involvement of m6A modification in various tissue regeneration processes, including liver regeneration. Vir-like m6A methyltransferase associated protein (VIRMA) is an m6A methyltransferase with robust methylation capability. However, its role in liver regeneration remains poorly understood. In this study, we generated liver-specific Virma knockout mice using the Cre-loxP system and investigated the biological functions of VIRMA in liver regeneration using both the Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) mouse model and the carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) mouse model. The expression level of VIRMA was rapidly up-regulated after ALPPS surgery and gradually down-regulated during liver repair. Virma deficiency significantly impaired liver regeneration capacity and disrupted cell cycle progression. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) analysis revealed that Shq1 is an effective downstream target of VIRMA-mediated m6A modification. The upregulation of Shq1 enhanced the proliferation ability of cells, which was attenuated by the specific AKT inhibitor ipatasertib. Supplementation of Shq1 in vivo alleviated the liver cell proliferation inhibition caused by Virma deficiency. Furthermore, the m6A-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein a2b1 (HNRNPA2B1) enhanced the mRNA stability of Shq1. Mechanistically, Virma deficiency resulted in decreased m6A modification on Shq1 mRNA, leading to reduced binding ability of m6A-binding protein HNRNPA2B1 with Shq1, thereby decreasing the mRNA stability of Shq1 and reducing its protein expression level. Downregulation of Shq1 inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby suppressing cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, ultimately impeding liver regeneration. In summary, our results demonstrate that VIRMA plays a critical role in promoting liver regeneration by regulating m6A modification, providing valuable insights into the epigenetic regulation during liver regeneration.

Metastasis remains the primary cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent critical targets for metastasis prevention and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine may prevent lung cancer metastasis through long-term intervention in CTC activity. Tiao-Shen-Zhi-Ai Formular (TSZAF) represents a Chinese medicine compound prescription utilized clinically for lung cancer treatment. This study combined three principal active ingredients from TSZAF into a novel TSZAF monomer combination (TSZAF mc) to investigate its anti-metastatic effects and mechanisms. TSZAF mc demonstrated significant inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion in CTC-TJH-01 and LLC cells, while inducing cellular apoptosis in vitro. Moreover, TSZAF mc substantially inhibited LLC cell growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, TAZSF mc significantly suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and CXCL5 expression in lung cancer cells and tissues. Additionally, TAZSF mc notably reduced neutrophil infiltration in metastatic lesions. These findings indicate that TSZAF mc inhibits lung cancer growth and metastasis by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and reducing CXCL5 secretion, thereby decreasing neutrophil recruitment and infiltration. TSZAF mc demonstrates potential as an effective therapeutic agent for lung cancer metastasis.
Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/drug effects* ; Animals ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Neoplasm Metastasis/prevention & control* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neutrophil Infiltration/drug effects* ; Down-Regulation/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; beta Catenin/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating/drug effects*

ObjectiveTo understand the characteristics of PM_2.5 pollution in the air of Pearl River Delta city in Guangdong Province under the COVID-19 epidemic and the health risks of inhaling elements in PM_2.5. MethodsIn 2022， 10 PM_2.5 monitoring points were set up in 10 districts in Guangzhou， Shenzhen， Foshan and Zhuhai， and air samples were collected for 7 consecutive days every month to analyze the concentration of PM_2.5 and the 12 elements in PM_2.5. The classic "four-step" method was used to evaluate the carcinogenic risk and chronic non-carcinogenic risk of the elements in air PM_2.5 on health. The age-sensitive characteristics of metal elements were combined in the carcinogenic risk assessment， and age-sensitive factors were introduced to analyze the impact of air pollution on population health. ResultsA total of818 samples were collected. and the average annual PM_2.5 concentration in the four cities of the Pearl River Delta was 30.17 （1.00-166.00， s=21.06） μg·m^-3， which was lower than the concentration limit of the secondary standard of the Ambient Air Quality Standard （GB 3095-2012）. The difference of PM_2.5 concentration in the four cities was statistically significant. The PM_2.5 concentrations in Zhuhai and Shenzhen， which were located near the sea， were lower than those in Guangzhou and Foshan. The monthly mean concentration of PM_2.5 in the four cities was the lowest at 13.70 （4.00-34.00， s=5.93） μg·m^-3 in July and the highest at 57.73 （14.00-146.00， s=27.96） μg·m^-3 in January， showing a low concentration from May to October and a high concentration from November to April of the following year. The average daily PM_2.5 concentration exceeded the secondary standard for 29 days， mainly distributed in January and November. The average annual mass concentration of elements in PM_2.5 in the four cities was Al>Mn>Pb>As>Ni>Cr>Se>Sb>Cd>Tl>Be>Hg. AS and Mn have chronic non-carcinogenic risk in population， while Cr， AS， Cd， Be and Ni have carcinogenic risk in population. ConclusionThe PM_2.5 pollution levels of the four cities in the Pearl River Delta are low and variable. Coastal cities are lower than non-coastal cities， which shows the characteristics of first decreasing and then increasing throughout the year. The order of mass concentration of metal elements of PM_2.5 in four cities is basically the same except Be and Ni. As and Mn in PM_2.5 show a certain degree of chronic non-carcinogenic risk， and As， Cr， Cd， Ni and Be have a certain degree of carcinogenic risk. The four cities need to take effective intervention measures to continue to strengthen the pollution control and health protection of Cr， As， Cd and Mn in the air， and control the health burden caused by air pollution.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease involving multiple organ systems in the body.In recent years,its global incidence rate has increased year by year.In China,the blood glucose control of patients with diabetes mellitus who receive oral hypogly-cemic agents or insulin treatment remains poor.In the early disease stages,exercise is important to control blood glucose levels.Recently,many studies have found that the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was related to declining levels of irisin,an exercise-related muscle factor.Furthermore,studies have found that irisin improved insulin resistance,promoted the production of pancreatic isletβcells,and affected the body's glucose and lipid metabolism.In addition,its levels were also implicated in the occurrence of various complications,such as diabetic nephropathy and diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases.This article summarizes and analyzes the role of irisin in the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus and further describes its impact and mechanism on various diabetic complications.