Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammation and a risk factor for diseases such as diabetes， hypertension， dyslipidemia， and malignant tumors， demonstrating an increasingly grim development situation. The nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） signaling pathway is a key signaling pathway involved in the immune response and inflammatory response. In obese individuals， the expression of NF-κB is overactivated， which leads to abnormal inflammatory responses in the body. Therefore， it is expected to alleviate inflammation and treat obesity by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway， which has been proven effective by a large number of studies. The available studies on the NF-κB signaling pathway mostly focus on tumors， and there is no systematic review of the mechanism of this pathway in mediating obesity and the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatment. We reviewed the research progress in the pathological and physiological processes of obesity mediated by NF-κB signaling pathway and TCM treatment， aiming to give insights into the clinical treatment of obesity with TCM and provide reference targets and research directions for exploring the biological foundations and the development of new TCM preparations.

BackgroundModified electroconvulsive therapy （MECT） is a common front-line strategy widely used in psychiatric practice， and the optimal first stimulus dosage in MECT is usually estimated clinically based on the factors influencing the patient's initial seizure threshold （IST）. However， previous studies on the influencing factors of IST have mostly suffered from limitations such as small sample sizes and single-dimensional research perspectives. ObjectiveTo explore the factors influencing IST in MECT for patients with mental disorders， so as to provide references for stimulus dosing strategies in MECT for the patients. MethodsA retrospective study was used to include 1 446 inpatients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for any specific mental disorder listed in the ICD-10 and receiving MECT at Shandong Daizhuang Hospital from January 1， 2021 to August 1， 2023. Their general and clinical data were collected， including IST， psychiatric diagnostic categories， gender， ethnicity， age， body weight， body mass index （BMI）， course of disease， family history of psychiatric disorders， first episode status， use of antiepileptic drugs the day before treatment， use of benzodiazepines the day before treatment， and previous MECT treatment history. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to test the correlation of IST with age， height， body weight， BMI， and course of disease， and stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting IST. ResultsIST yielded statistical difference among patients in terms of gender， first episode status， use of antiepileptic drugs the day before treatment， and use of benzodiazepines the day before treatment （t=2.256， -3.059， -2.136， -3.006， P<0.05 or 0.01）. IST in patients of different ages and psychiatric diagnostic categories also demonstrated statistical difference （F=913.120， 6.212， P<0.01）. Within young population， IST varied significantly based on the psychiatric diagnostic categories （F=2.986， P<0.05）. Correlation analysis indicated that IST was positively correlated with age， body weight， BMI and course of disease （r=0.886， 0.055， 0.184， 0.456， P<0.05 or 0.01）， and negatively correlated with height （r=-0.183， P<0.01）. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that age， gender， and body weight were influencing factors of IST （β=0.888， -0.049， -0.035， P<0.01）. ConclusionsAge， gender and body weight may be factors influencing IST in MECT for patients with mental disorders. ［Funded by Key R&D Plan Projects of Jining City in 2024 (number, 2024YXNS202）］

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin combined with indobufen in the treatment of elderly patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) complicated with large atheromatous ischemic stroke (LAA-IS) during convalescence.Methods:The clinical data of 102 elderly patients with DKD complicated with LAA-IS during convalescence from September 2018 to April 2022 in Baoding Second Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 51 patients were treated with atorvastatin combined with indobufen (observation group), 51 patients were treated with atorvastatin combined with aspirin (control group), and both groups were treated continuously for 6 months. The prethrombotic state indexes, neurological function and quality of daily life, carotid artery ultrasound indexes, renal fibrosis indexes before treatment and after treatment were compared between two group. The prethrombotic state indexes included arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) induction platelet aggregation rate, fibrinogen (FIB), protein C; the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to evaluate the neurological function, and the modified Barthel index (MBI) was used to evaluate the quality of daily life; carotid artery ultrasound indexes included carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and maximum plaque area; the renal fibrosis indexes included transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), hyaluronic acid and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). The adverse reactions were recorded. Results:There were no statistical differences in the all indexes before treatment between two groups ( P>0.05). In two groups, compared before treatment, the AA induction platelet aggregation rate, ADP induction platelet aggregation rate, FIB, NIHSS score, IMT and maximum plaque area after treatment were significantly lower, the protein C and MBI score were significantly higher, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); but there were no statistical differences after treatment between two groups ( P>0.05). The TGF-β 1, MMP-9, hyaluronic acid and PDGF-BB after treatment in two groups were significantly lower than before treatment, and the indexes in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group: (39.46 ± 6.89) μg/L vs. (45.04 ± 8.20) μg/L, (278.46 ± 49.39) μg/L vs. (327.30 ± 57.28) μg/L, (102.37 ± 20.62) μg/L vs. (116.84 ± 24.97) μg/L vs. (25.26 ± 4.45) μg/L vs. (28.13 ± 5.08) μg/L, with statistically significant differences( P<0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group: 7.84% (4/51) vs. 23.53% (12/51), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with atorvastatin combined with aspirin, atorvastatin combined with indobufen in elderly patients with DKD complicated with LAA-IS during convalescence has the same effect in improving the related indicators of prethrombotic state, reducing neurological function deficit, improving the ability of daily living, and reversing carotid atherosclerosis. However, atorvastatin combined with indobufen can further protect renal function with higher safety.

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder is one of the most disabling mental diseases. Currently， medication in combination with physiotherapy and psychotherapy remains the most commonly used treatment modality for the disease， whereas only a few randomized controlled studies have been conducted on physiotherapy， and even fewer studies have focused on medication combined with physiotherapy. ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and safety profile of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation （rTMS） versus modified electroconvulsive therapy （MECT） in combination with antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder， so as to provide an optimized treatment plan for patients with major depressive disorder. MethodsPatients with major depressive disorder （n=335） hospitalized in Shandong Daizhuang Hospital from January 1， 2019 to April 30， 2023 were included， all of whom met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10）. Depending on their disease condition， patients were subjected to either MECT in combination with drugs （n=141） or rTMS in combination with drugs （n=194） after admission. Depressive symptoms were assessed using Hamilton Depression Scale-24 item （HAMD-24） at the baseline and the end of the 1^st， 2^nd， 3^rd and 4^th week of treatment， and the adverse reactions were documented in patient's medical records. ResultsAnalysis of variance on HAMD-24 revealed a significant effect of time （F=3.081， P=0.042）， but no effect of group （F=1.023， P=0.313）， and the interaction effect between the time and the groups was not statistically significant （F=1.642， P=0.191）. No statistical difference was reported between two groups in response rate and full remission rate （P>0.05）. Throughout the course of treatment， 58 cases （41.13%） of recent memory impairment and 74 cases （52.48%） of headache or neck muscle pain occurred in MECT combined with drugs group， and 27 cases （13.92%） in rTMS combined with drugs group experienced headache or head skin discomfort. ConclusionAntidepressants in combination with rTMS or MECT show equivalent efficacy in the treatment of major depressive disorder， while rTMS combined with antidepressants demonstrates a superior safety profile compared to MECT.

Objective To explore the clinical features,imaging and pathological characteristics of the patients with congenital liver fibrosis(CHF).Methods The medical case data of 6 patients with pathological-ly diagnosed CHF in this hospital from January 2011 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed,and the clini-cal menifastations,laboratory indicators,imaging characteristics,pathological manifestations,treatment and outcomes were summarized.Results The clinical classification in 6 cases of CHF was mainly portal hyperten-sion(66.67％),and the most common clinical manifestations and signs were hepatosplenomegaly(83.33％),melena(50.00％)and abdominal distension(33.33％).Total bil irubin was normal,and only 2 cases(33.33％)were mildly elevated.The prothrombin time was in the normal range in 4 cases(66.67％),and mild abnormality in 2 cases(33.33％).Imaging showed abnormal liver morphology in 6 cases,spleen enlarge-ment in 5 cases(83.33％),portal vein widening in 3 cases(50.00％),diffuse dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts in 2 cases(33.33％),and complicating Caroli disease in 1 case(16.67％).The pathological manifesta-tions were normal liver parenchymal cells,periportal fibrosis,and manifold-manifold bridging-like fibrosis.Six cases received the conventional liver protection therapy,3 cases underwent splenectomy+pericardia vascular dissection,the median follow-up time was 68.2 months,1 case died due to liver failure,and 5 cases were rela-tively stable.Conclusion The patients with hepatic disease whose portal hypertension is inconsistent to the degree of hepatic function damage,especially those complicating polycystic kidney disease should perfect the liver puncture pathological examination and genetic testing to clarify the diagnosis,and conduct the genetic counseling and intervention treatment as soon as possible.

Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death distincted from apoptosis and necrosis, which is accompanied by the lysis of cell membranes and the release of cell contents. Pyroptosis occurs as mediated by Gasdermin protein family and is dependent on the activity of caspase. GSDME is one of the most important members of the Gasdermin protein superfamily. GSDME-mediated pyroptosis relies on the activity of caspase-3. In recent years, with further research on pyroptosis, the mechanism of GSDME-induced pyroptosis is becoming clear. Numerous studies have shown that GSDME-mediated pyroptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors, as well as chemotherapy resistance. However, GSDME-mediated pyroptosis has no specificity and can induce pyroptosis of normal cells in the body while inducing tumor cell pyroptosis, thus causing different degrees of damage to various organs of the body. Further study on the mechanism of GSDME-induced pyroptosis, the role of GSDME in malignant tumors and the adverse reactions of chemotherapy can provide new ideas for tumor monitoring, treatment and prognosis judgment.

Objective:To analyze the research hotspots and trends of exercise treatment of hypertension in China with bibliometrics software of CiteSpace and VOS viewer.Methods:The databases of CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data and the core collection of Web of Science were searched with the key words of exercise therapy, exercise intervention, exercise prescription, sports, movement, high blood pressure, hypertension, etc. Relevant periodical literature in Chinese and English were retrieved from the establishment of the databases to December 31, 2021. The CiteSpace and VOS viewer were used to perform visual analysis of the literature in the field of exercise therapy for hypertension in China.Results:A total of 1 507 literatures were included, including 1 430 in Chinese and 77 in English. In recent years, the number of studies on exercise treatment of hypertension in China showed a fluctuating upward trend. The research institutions were mainly universities and hospitals, high-yield institutions mainly included Beijing Sport University (20 articles), the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (12 articles), the PLA General Hospital (13 articles) and Shanghai Sport University (11 articles). There was less cooperation between institutions and less cross-border cooperation. The proportion of sports and medical compound researchers in high-yield authors was relatively low (22.2%, 2/9). Keyword clustering could be summarized as three aspects: disease research, research objects and intervention methods. In terms of disease research, “pregnancy outcome”, “blood pressure”, “blood lipid” and “coronary heart disease” had strong burst (burst intensity 3.75, 3.70, 3.52, 3.12); in terms of research objects, “elderly patients” had the strongest burst (burst intensity 3.10); in terms of intervention methods, “exercise prescription”, “aerobic exercise” and “health education” had strong emergence (emergence intensity 6.08, 5.47, 4.01).Conclusions:Research achievements in the field of exercise therapy for hypertension in China are relatively rich in recent years. At present, the main research hotspots are disease research, research objects and intervention methods, and the integration degree of sports and medicine needs to be improved.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation of magnetic resonance (MR) T₂-weighted image (T₂WI) signal characteristics of adenomyosis and the efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation. METHODS: Based on the presence or absence of patchy hyperintense foci on preoperative MR T₂WI, the patients with adenomyosis undergoing HIFU treatment were divided into homogeneous signal group and heterogeneous signal group, and the heterogeneous group was further divided into heterogeneous hypointense group and heterogeneous isointense group according to signal intensity of the lesions. The patients in heterogeneous signal group were matched with the patients in the homogeneous group at a 1:1 ratio using the propensity score matching, and similarly, the patients in the heterogeneous hypointense group were matched with those in the heterogeneous isointense group at a 1:1 ratio. The non-perfused volume ratio (NPVR) and relief of dysmenorrhea were used to assess the therapeutic efficacy in the 4 groups. RESULTS: A total of 299 patients were enrolled, who had a median preoperative dysmenorrhea score of 7.0 (6.0, 8.0) and a median NPVR of 53.5% (35.4, 70.1)%. After propensity score matching, the NPVR in homogeneous signal group was significantly higher than that in heterogeneous signal group [(60.3 ± 21.8)% vs (44.6±21.6)%, P < 0.05]. At 3, 6 and 12 months after HIFU, dysmenorrhea relief rates were higher in homogeneous signal group than in heterogeneous signal group, and the difference was statistically significant at 12 months (91.1% vs 76.8%, P < 0.05). The NPVR of heterogeneous hypointense group was higher than that of heterogeneous isointense group [(54.0±22.0) % vs (47.3± 22.9) %, P < 0.05]. At 6 months after HIFU, dysmenorrhea relief rate was significantly higher in heterogeneous hypointense group than in heterogeneous isointense group (91.5% vs 80.9%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The signal characteristics of adenomyosis on T₂WI are closely related with the outcome of HIFU ablation, and its efficacy is better for homogeneous than for heterogeneous adenomyosis, and better for heterogeneous hypointense adenomyosis than for heterogeneous isointense adenomyosis.
Female ; Humans ; Adenomyosis/pathology* ; Dysmenorrhea ; Cohort Studies ; Propensity Score ; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

METTL3 and METTL14 are two components that form the core heterodimer of the main RNA m6A methyltransferase complex (MTC) that installs m6A. Surprisingly, depletion of METTL3 or METTL14 displayed distinct effects on stemness maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC). While comparable global hypo-methylation in RNA m6A was observed in Mettl3 or Mettl14 knockout mESCs, respectively. Mettl14 knockout led to a globally decreased nascent RNA synthesis, whereas Mettl3 depletion resulted in transcription upregulation, suggesting that METTL14 might possess an m6A-independent role in gene regulation. We found that METTL14 colocalizes with the repressive H3K27me3 modification. Mechanistically, METTL14, but not METTL3, binds H3K27me3 and recruits KDM6B to induce H3K27me3 demethylation independent of METTL3. Depletion of METTL14 thus led to a global increase in H3K27me3 level along with a global gene suppression. The effects of METTL14 on regulation of H3K27me3 is essential for the transition from self-renewal to differentiation of mESCs. This work reveals a regulatory mechanism on heterochromatin by METTL14 in a manner distinct from METTL3 and independently of m6A, and critically impacts transcriptional regulation, stemness maintenance, and differentiation of mESCs.
Animals ; Mice ; Methylation ; Chromatin ; Histones/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; RNA/metabolism*

In recent years, significant breakthroughs have been made in the research on the role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis. In terms of clinical research, several multicenter randomized double-blind controlled studies have been conducted with liver pathological changes as the main efficacy evaluation indicator, which have improved the level of evidence in clinical research on the TCM prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis. As for basic research, in-depth studies have been conducted on the mechanism of action of TCM in intervening against liver fibrosis at various levels, including the effect on HSC activation, apoptosis and autophagy, inhibition of liver inflammatory injury, immunoregulation, and inhibition of hepatic sinusoidal capillarization, thereby highlighting the advantages and research difficulties of TCM through "multiple components, targets, and pathways". Under the guidance of Implementation Plan for the Major Projects of Revitalizing and Developing TCM, it is crucial to conduct high-quality clinical and basic research on TCM in the treatment of liver fibrosis, produce high-quality industry achievements, and thus help TCM to be recognized around the world.