The " liver disease affecting to the spleen" theory first appeared in Nanjing and was further elaborated in Jingui Yaolue. This theory encapsulates the traditional Chinese medicine principles of the " unity of the five viscera" and the " preventive treatment of disease" . The theory emphasizes that the spleen is the pivotal point where depression may progress from a functional disorder to an organic disease. The liver governs the emotions and qi flow, whereas the spleen is responsible for qi, blood, and body. In the early stages of the disease, emotional disorders and qi flow disorders primarily affect the liver, manifesting as depression or low mood. As the condition progresses, the liver (Wood) overacts on the spleen (Earth), disrupting liver and spleen functions and causing qi and blood disharmony. This stage is marked by fatigue and psychomotor retardation. Prolonged illness depletes qi and blood, eventually involving all five viscera, disrupting the harmony of the five spirits, and affecting both body and spirit. At this advanced phase, intense emotional distress or agitation often arises, accompanied by a heightened risk of suicide. The disease progression follows a dynamic " qi-blood-spirit" pattern, in which depression begins in the liver, characterized by qi stagnation, then affects the spleen, involving blood disharmony. In later stages, the disease eventually affects all viscera, with profound effects on both physical and mental health. Treatment strategies should align with the disease stage. Early intervention should focus on regulating the flow of qi, treating the liver, and strengthening the spleen. In the middle stages, qi and blood should be harmonized while promoting the harmonized functions of the liver and spleen. In the later stages, treatment should harmonize the five viscera to restore balance between body and spirit. Guided by this theory, integrating modern medical understanding of the progression of depression from emotional to somatic symptoms and adopting a stage-based approach to treatment in clinical practice can yield effective therapeutic outcomes for managing depression and related disorders.

Periodontitis is a common oral disease characterized by progressive alveolar bone resorption and inflammation of the periodontal tissues. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been used in the treatment of various immune-inflammatory diseases due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Here, we investigated for the first time the therapeutic effect of DMF on periodontitis. In vivo studies showed that DMF significantly inhibited periodontal destruction, enhanced mitophagy, and decreased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio. In vitro studies showed that DMF inhibited macrophage polarization toward M1 macrophages and promoted polarization toward M2 macrophages, with improved mitochondrial function, inhibited oxidative stress, and increased mitophagy in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DMF increased intracellular mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM) levels to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, promoted mitophagy, and modulated macrophage polarization, whereas TUFM knockdown decreased the protective effect of DMF. Finally, mechanistic studies showed that DMF increased intracellular TUFM levels by protecting TUFM from degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation pathway. Our results demonstrate for the first time that DMF protects mitochondrial function and inhibits oxidative stress through TUFM-mediated mitophagy in macrophages, resulting in a shift in the balance of macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating periodontitis. Importantly, this study provides new insights into the prevention of periodontitis.
Dimethyl Fumarate/pharmacology* ; Mitophagy/drug effects* ; Animals ; Mice ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Periodontitis/prevention & control* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Peptide Elongation Factor Tu/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Mitochondria/drug effects*

Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases, especially cancers, making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline, which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction (CPI) prediction models, cascade molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays. Among the identified compounds, Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 5.41 nM) than that of tubastatin A (TubA) (IC₅₀ = 15.11 nM), along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile (selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1), which was further verified by the Western blot analysis. Additionally, Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells, exerting desirable antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ = 2.59 μM). Furthermore, based on long-term MD simulation trajectory, the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis, thereby elucidating its binding mechanism. Moreover, the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation, thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is highly heterogeneous,but traditional TNM staging cannot distinguish the heterogeneity of CRC well,which can no longer meet the treatment needs.Integrating the clinical features,molecular genetic changes in cancer tissue,transcriptome and proteome changes,as well as immune matrix characteristics,the consensus molecular subtype(CMS)of CRC is by far the best description of its heterogeneity.This paper first discusses the molecular genetic changes of three types of CRC cancer tissues(chromosomal instability,microsatellite instability,and CpG island methylation phenotype).Then it systematically elaborates on the clinical characteristics,treatment directions,and prognosis evaluation of CRC patients with different CMS subtypes,as well as their relationship with immunotherapy and changes in gut microbiota.With the continuous improvement of sequencing technology and the prospective precision medicine clinical trial exploration,the"multi-molecule multi-drug"treatment model based on CMS typing will become the core of future precision medicine and personalized medicine.

Objective This research aims to investigate the impact of Orff music therapy on long-term schizophrenic patients in hospitals.Methods The study was a randomized,single-blind controlled trial conducted from April,2023 to September,2023.From April to September 2023,sixty-eight individuals diagnosed with persistent schizophrenia were enrolled and evenly distributed into a pair of cohorts:a treatment group of thirty-four people receiving the intervention,and an equal number forming the control group for comparative purposes.Individuals enrolled in the experimental arm of the study were administered Orff-music therapy alongside routine rehabilitation treatment across a span of two months.For a period of 8 weeks,the control group was given only standard rehabilitation treatment,whereas the research group underwent Orff-music therapy in addition to the standard rehabilitation treatment.Results Before treatment,there were no significant differences in the positive and negative symptoms scale(PANSS),the inpatient psychosis rehabilitation observe scale(IPROS)and the personal and social performance scale(psp)between two groups.After intervention,the PANSS showed that the changes were better in the study group than in the control group in 3 indicators:negative symptoms(-3.20±4.13 vs.-0.17±2.43,P<0.001),general symptoms(-2.79±3.83 vs.-0.17±2.99,P=0.003)and the total scores(-5.88±6.36 vs.0.00±4.08,P<0.001),but not in positive symptoms(P>0.05).The IPROS showed that the performances of patients in the study group were better than the control group in terms of participation in work therapy(-0.82±2.08 vs.0.23±2.10,P=0.041),socialization(-0.59±1.94 vs.0.53±1.69,P=0.014)and ability to live(-0.94±2.50 vs.0.15±1.48,P=0.033),the changes in scores before and after the intervention were significantly different when compared to the control group.The PSP showed that the changes in scores before and after the treatment of the study group was better than the control group in terms of social activity[0(-1,0)vs.0(0,0),P=0.011],and self-care[0(-1,0)vs.0(-0.25,0),P=0.012]were better than the control group.Conclusion For long-term hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia.Orff-music therapy can be a powerful tool for alleviating mental issues,fostering social functioning,and enhancing rehabilitation results.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of a combined model constructed by the radiomics features based on non-contrast CT (NCCT) combined with clinical risk factors in predicting the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhagic transformation (sICH) after intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, clinical and imaging data of 316 patients with anterior circulation AIS who received intravenous thrombolysis with rt-PA at Nantong First People′s Hospital from October 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were divided into a training set of 210 cases and a validation set of 106 cases by stratified random sampling at a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to select the independent clinical risk factors for predicting sICH. The infarct area was delineated on the NCCT images and radiomics features were extracted. The extracted radiomics features were dimensionally reduced and selected using the inter-and intra-group correlation coefficients, maximum correlation and minimum redundancy, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and then the radiomics score was calculated. Finally, multivariate logistic analysis was performed and the clinical risk factors and radiomics scores were used to establish the clinical model, the radiomics model and the radiomics-clinical combined model. The predictive efficacy of each model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to calculate and quantify the net benefits of each predictive model.Results:In total eight radiomics features were selected to construct the radiomics model. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that hypertension ( OR=2.703, 95% CI 1.153-6.334, P=0.022), atrial fibrillation ( OR=3.023, 95% CI 1.290-7.085, P=0.011), and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission ( OR=1.078, 95% CI 1.017-1.143, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for sICH after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis in patients with anterior circulation AIS. In the validation set, the area under the curve of the combined model for predicting sICH was 0.763 (95% CI 0.618-0.909), which was higher than that of the clinical model 0.710 (95% CI 0.552-0.868) and the radiomics model 0.708 (95% CI 0.568-0.848). DCA showed that the combined model could allow patients to obtain higher net benefits. Conclusion:The combined model constructed based on the radiomics of NCCT and clinical risk factors has a high diagnostic efficacy in predicting sICH after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis in patients with anterior circulation AIS.

Objective To investigate the application value of the quantitative parameters of collateral circulation based on computed tomography perfusion(CTP)in evaluating the clinical prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods A total of 126 patients with AIS caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion were enrolled,collateral circulation were reconstructed and scored via multiphase computed tomography angiography(mCTA)based on CTP.The hypoperfusion intensity ratio(HIR)and collateral vessel density(CVD)were calculated.All patients were divided into good prognosis group(72 cases)and poor prognosis group(54 cases)based on 90 d modified Rankin scale(mRS)scores.Differences in cardiovascular risk factors,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores,Albert stroke program early CT(ASPECT)scores,Tmax＞10 s volume,Tmax＞6 s volume,core infarct area volume,and final infarct volume between the two groups were compared.Binary logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of the clinical prognosis,and the DeLong test was used to compare the efficacy of different predictors in predicting clinical prognosis.Results The good prognosis group had significantly higher ASPECT scores,mCTA scores,and CVD,but significantly lower HIR,Tmax＞10 s volume,and baseline NIHSS scores compared to the poor prognosis group(P＜0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that ASPECT scores[odds ratio(OR)=0.780],mCTA scores(OR=0.669),CVD(OR=0.595),and HIR(OR=28.968)were independent predictors of clinical prognosis(P＜0.05).DeLong test found no significant difference in area under the curve(AUC)values between mCTA scores,CVD and HIR in predicting the clinical prognosis of AIS patients(P＞0.05).Conclusion Quantitative parameters such as CVD and HIR related to collateral circulation have a strong diagnostic efficacy in predicting the 90 d clinical prognosis in patients with AIS.

Assessment is an indispensable and critical activity in the educational process. In the recent decades, with the birth and development of competence-based educational paradigm, the rationale behind assessment is shifting from "assessment of learning" to "assessment for learning". Workplace-based assessment (WPBA), which aims to improve the quality of both learning and teaching through assessment in real workplace circumstances, is a set of assessment tools that conforms to the new concepts of medical education. In this article, with the purpose to promote the application of WPBA and thus enhance the quality of dental education in our country, a thorough discussion is performed regarding the core principles, tools, advantages of WPBA as well as attentions that should be noted when applying WPBA. It is recommended to establish a longitudinal assessment system which employs various WPBA tools and assesses the development of students' competencies through the whole educational process. Such a dynamic assessment system may be helpful to provide all-rounded and competent dental talents who can eventually benefit the society.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Akt2 inhibitor on macrophage polarization in the periapical tissue in a rat model of periapical inflammation. METHODS: Rat models of periapical inflammation were established in 28 normal SD rats by opening the pulp cavity of the mandibular first molars, followed by injection of normal saline and Akt2 inhibitor into the left and right medullary cavities, respectively. Four rats without any treatment served as the healthy control group. At 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after modeling, 7 rat models and 1 control rat were randomly selected for observation of inflammatory infiltration in the periapical tissues by X-ray and HE staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and localization of Akt2, macrophages and the inflammatory mediators. RT-PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of Akt2, CD86, CD163, inflammatory mediators, miR-155-5p and C/EBPβ to analyze the changes in macrophage polarization. RESULTS: X-ray and HE staining showed that periapical inflammation was the most obvious at 21 days after modeling in the rats. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that compared with those in the control rats, the expressions of Akt2, CD86, CD163, miR-155-5p, C/EBPβ, and IL-10 increased significantly in the rat models at 21 days (P < 0.05). Compared with saline treatment, treatment with the Akt2 inhibitor significantly decreased the expression levels of Akt2, CD86, miR-155-5p and IL-6 and the ratio of CD86⁺M1/CD163⁺M2 macrophages (P < 0.05) and increased the expression levels of CD163, C/EBPβ and IL-10 in the rat models (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Inhibition of Akt2 can delay the progression of periapical inflammation in rats and promote M2 macrophage polarization in the periapical inflammatory microenvironment possibly by reducing miR-155-5p expression and activating the expression of C/EBPβ in the Akt signaling pathway.
Rats ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Interleukin-10 ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism*

With the continuous development of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， the requirement for the quality of Chinese medicines has become increasingly higher since they have been widely used in clinical practice. Chinese medicinal materials are the material basis for the inheritance and development of TCM， and their quality directly affects the clinical efficacy. Studying the quality of Chinese medicinal materials is the key to ensure the quality and realize the large-scale application. As one of rare Chinese medicinal materials， Cistanches Herba has the functions of tonifying kidney yang， invigorating blood and essence， moistening intestines to relieve constipation. High-quality Cistanches Herba is characterized by glossy appearance， high density， fleshy and soft texture， and sweet taste. With the reduction of wild resources， the products from cultivated Cistanche deserticola or C. tubulosa become dominant on the market of Cistanches Herba. The cultivation areas are widely distributed， mainly concentrated in Gansu， Inner Mongolia， and Xinjiang. However， the cultivated products have varied quality due to the differences in germplasm， producing region， cultivation method， harvesting， and processing. According to the theories of quality evaluation based on morphological characteristics and excellent appearance indicating high quality， this paper reviewed the literature on the quality evaluation， growth， development， and processing of Cistanches Herba in the last decade to explore the main factors （genetic characteristics， environmental conditions， and harvesting and processing factors） affecting the quality of Cistanches Herba. The review aims to explore the factors for the high quality and provide a reference for the producing region screening， directional cultivation， and production of Cistanches Herba.