ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Jianpi Yangzheng Xiaozheng prescription （JPYZXZ） treats poorly cohesive gastric carcinoma （PC-GC） through regulation of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 51 （USP51）. MethodsIn vitro experiments： Cell viability and proliferation of PC-GC cell lines （MKN-45 and HGC-27） treated with different concentrations of JPYZXZ （2， 4， 6 g·L^-1） were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 （CCK-8） and colony formation assays. Cell migration was evaluated by wound healing （scratch） and Transwell assays. The mRNA and protein expression levels of USP51， zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 （ZEB1）， and epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）-related markers （e.g.， E-cadherin） were detected by quantitative real-time PCR （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Subsequently， stable MKN-45 and HGC-27 cell lines with USP51 knockdown （sh-USP51） and overexpression （oe-USP51） were constructed. Their migration ability and EMT-related protein expression were further evaluated by scratch assay， Transwell assay， and Western blot. In vivo experiments： A subcutaneous xenograft model of MKN-45 human gastric cancer was established in BALB/c nude mice. Thirty mice were randomly divided into six groups （NC， NC + JPYZXZ， sh-USP51， sh-USP51 + JPYZXZ， oe-USP51， and oe-USP51 + JPYZXZ）， with five mice in each group. After successful modeling， mice in the treatment groups were administered JPYZXZ （30 g·kg^-1） by gavage for 28 days. Body weight and tumor volume were monitored during the experiment. The expression levels of USP51 and EMT-related proteins in tumor tissues were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the colony formation rate， wound healing rate， and number of migrated cells in MKN-45 and HGC-27 cells were significantly reduced in all JPYZXZ groups and the 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） group （P<0.05）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of USP51 were decreased （P<0.05）. The expression of ZEB1 and mesenchymal phenotype proteins （e.g.， N-cadherin and vimentin） was reduced （P<0.05）， whereas the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， USP51 expression was decreased in the sh-USP51 group and increased in the oe-USP51 group （P<0.05）. Compared with the NC group， USP51 knockdown significantly reduced the migration and proliferation of gastric cancer cells （P<0.01）， decreased the expression of ZEB1 and EMT-related proteins， and increased E-cadherin expression （P<0.05）. In vivo results showed that JPYZXZ significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice （P<0.05） and markedly reversed the abnormal expression of EMT-related proteins in tumor tissues （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe therapeutic mechanisms of JPYZXZ in PC-GC may be associated with inhibition of the EMT process via regulation of the USP51-ZEB1 signaling pathway.

Objective To establish an epirubicin (EPI)-resistant murine triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (4T1/EPI) cell line and evaluate its biological characteristics and drug resistance. Methods The EPI-resistant cell line 4T1/EPI was developed through intermittent induction with gradually increasing EPI concentrations in vitro. Morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope. Drug resistance index (MTT assay), cell doubling time (CCK-8 assay), and migration ability (wound healing assay) were evaluated. Western blot was used to detect the expression of drug resistance-related proteins. Transcriptome sequencing and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed to identify the pathways and targets involved in EPI resistance, followed by experimental validation. Results The 4T1 cells eventually grew normally in a medium containing 100 ng/mL EPI, confirming the establishment of the 4T1/EPI resistant cell line. After stable resistance was acquired, morphological alterations were observed. Compared with their parental 4T1 cells, 4T1/EPI cells showed significantly prolonged doubling time (P<0.01) and enhanced migration ability (P<0.05). Expression levels of drug resistance-related proteins MDR1, MRP1 (P<0.01), and ABCG2 (P<0.05) were elevated in 4T1/EPI cells. In vivo models also demonstrated significant EPI resistance in 4T1/EPI tumors in terms of tumor weight and volume. Transcriptome sequencing highlighted the involvement of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and ABC transporter pathway. Validation experiments showed the upregulation of Erbb3, Egfr, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.05) and significant downregulation of Fgfr1 (P<0.01) in 4T1/EPI cells. Conclusion The EPI-resistant TNBC cell line 4T1/EPI was successfully established, exhibiting significant resistance in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism may involve the EPI-induced upregulation of Egfr and Erbb3, activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and subsequently enhancing ABC transporter expression.

Farrerol is a dihydroflavone compound extracted from the dried leaves of Rhododendron dauricum belonging to the Ericaceae family. This article systematically reviews relevant research on farrerol both domestically and internationally， summarizes its pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action， and finds that it exerts cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective effects by maintaining the homeostasis of vascular endothelial function and inhibiting vascular intimal hyperplasia； exerts renal protective effects by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway to reduce renal damage； exerts liver protective effects by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway， activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway， improving insulin resistance， and reducing lipid deposition in the liver； exerts neuroprotective effects by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway， inhibiting the Toll-like receptor 4 and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase/stimulator of interferon genes signaling pathways to reduce neuroinflammatory damage； exerts bone protective effects by promoting tendon formation and inhibiting osteoclast differentiation； exerts antitumor effects by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and weakening tumor cell invasion and metastasis； and exerts antibacterial effects by downregulating α -toxin expression， interfering with β -lactamase/penicillin-binding protein 2a （PBP2a）， and inhibiting PBP2a oligomerization. Currently， research on the pharmacological effects of farrerol is still mainly focused on animal and cell experiments. Further mechanistic studies and clinical trials are needed to provide theoretical basis for its new drug development and clinical application.

Farrerol is a dihydroflavone compound extracted from the dried leaves of Rhododendron dauricum belonging to the Ericaceae family. This article systematically reviews relevant research on farrerol both domestically and internationally， summarizes its pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action， and finds that it exerts cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective effects by maintaining the homeostasis of vascular endothelial function and inhibiting vascular intimal hyperplasia； exerts renal protective effects by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway to reduce renal damage； exerts liver protective effects by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway， activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway， improving insulin resistance， and reducing lipid deposition in the liver； exerts neuroprotective effects by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway， inhibiting the Toll-like receptor 4 and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase/stimulator of interferon genes signaling pathways to reduce neuroinflammatory damage； exerts bone protective effects by promoting tendon formation and inhibiting osteoclast differentiation； exerts antitumor effects by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and weakening tumor cell invasion and metastasis； and exerts antibacterial effects by downregulating α -toxin expression， interfering with β -lactamase/penicillin-binding protein 2a （PBP2a）， and inhibiting PBP2a oligomerization. Currently， research on the pharmacological effects of farrerol is still mainly focused on animal and cell experiments. Further mechanistic studies and clinical trials are needed to provide theoretical basis for its new drug development and clinical application.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly widespread sleep-breathing disordered disease, and is an independent risk factor for many high-risk chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias and diabetes, which is potentially fatal. The key to the prevention and treatment of OSA is early diagnosis and treatment, so the assessment and diagnostic technologies of OSA have become a research hotspot. This paper reviews the research progresses of severity assessment parameters and diagnostic technologies of OSA, and discusses their future development trends. In terms of severity assessment parameters of OSA, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), as the gold standard, together with the percentage of duration of apnea hypopnea (AH%), lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO₂), heart rate variability (HRV), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the emerging biomarkers, constitute a multi-dimensional evaluation system. Specifically, the AHI, which measures the frequency of sleep respiratory events per hour, does not fully reflect the patients’ overall sleep quality or the extent of their daytime functional impairments. To address this limitation, the AH%, which measures the proportion of the entire sleep cycle affected by apneas and hypopneas, deepens our understanding of the impact on sleep quality. The LSpO₂ plays a critical role in highlighting the potential severe hypoxic episodes during sleep, while the HRV offers a different perspective by analyzing the fluctuations in heart rate thereby revealing the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The ODI provides a direct and objective measure of patients’ nocturnal oxygenation stability by calculating the number of desaturation events per hour, and the biomarkers offers novel insights into the diagnosis and management of OSA, and fosters the development of more precise and tailored OSA therapeutic strategies. In terms of diagnostic techniques of OSA, the standardized questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is a simple and effective method for preliminary screening of OSA, and the polysomnography (PSG) which is based on recording multiple physiological signals stands for gold standard, but it has limitations of complex operations, high costs and inconvenience. As a convenient alternative, the home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) allows patients to monitor their sleep with simplified equipment in the comfort of their own homes, and the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) offers a minimal version that simply analyzes the electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. As an emerging diagnostic technology of OSA, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) adeptly pinpoint respiratory incidents and expose delicate physiological changes, thus casting new light on the diagnostic approach to OSA. In addition, imaging examination utilizes detailed visual representations of the airway’s structure and assists in recognizing structural abnormalities that may result in obstructed airways, while sound monitoring technology records and analyzes snoring and breathing sounds to detect the condition subtly, and thus further expands our medical diagnostic toolkit. As for the future development directions, it can be predicted that interdisciplinary integrated researches, the construction of personalized diagnosis and treatment models, and the popularization of high-tech in clinical applications will become the development trends in the field of OSA evaluation and diagnosis.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy（AIT） remains the only therapeutic approach with the potential to modify the natural course of allergic rhinitis（AR）. Nevertheless, considerable inter-individual variability exists in patients'responses to AIT. To facilitate more reliable assessment of treatment efficacy, the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group（CRRCG） convened young and middle-aged nasal experts in China to formulate the present consensus. The recommended subjective outcome measures for AIT comprise symptom scores, medication scores, combined symptom and medication scores, quality-of-life assessments, evaluation of disease control, and assessment of comorbidities. Objective indicators may supplement these measures. Currently available objective approaches include skin prick testing, nasal provocation testing, and allergen exposure chambers. However, these methods remain constrained by practical limitations and are not yet appropriate for routine implementation in clinical efficacy evaluation. In addition, several biomarkers, including sIgE and the sIgE/tIgE ratio, sIgG4, serum IgE-blocking activity, IgA, cytokines and chemokines, as well as immune cell surface molecules and their functional activity, have been shown to have associations with AIT outcomes. While these biomarkers may complement subjective assessments, they are subject to significant limitations. Consequently, large-scale multicenter trials and real-world evidence are required to strengthen the evidence base. The present consensus underscores the necessity of integrating patients'subjective experiences with objective testing throughout the treatment process, thereby providing a more comprehensive and accurate framework for efficacy evaluation. Looking forward, future investigations should prioritize the incorporation of multi-omics data and artificial intelligence methodologies, which hold promise for overcoming current limitations in assessment strategies and for advancing both the standardization and personalization of AIT.
Humans ; Allergens/immunology* ; China ; Consensus ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Immunoglobulin E ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; East Asian People

Objective To evaluate the radiation impact of a self-developed digital miniature CT on the human body and the environment under simulated scanning conditions, and verify its safety and regulatory compliance. Methods Under typical head scanning conditions with the digital miniature CT (70 kV/10 mA), the equivalent doses received at the body surface sites corresponding to the thyroid, breast, stomach, liver, kidney, and gonads of the phantom were measured without protection and with 0.5 mmPb equivalent protection using LiF (Mg, Cu, P) thermoluminescent dosimeters. The ambient dose equivalent rates at the bed level inside the CT room at different directions and distances from the scanning center were measured using a model AT1121 X/γ dosimeter. The equivalent doses of organs on both sides of the phantom and the ambient equivalent dose rates on the left and right sides of the longitudinal axis of the bed in the CT room were compared. The Mann-Whitney test was used at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results During a single scan of the head with the digital miniature CT, the equivalent doses at the body surface sites corresponding to the thyroid, breast, stomach, liver, kidney, and gonads without protection were 1.04, 0.95, 0.55, 0.57, 0.40, and 0.12 mSv, respectively, which were only 0.84% to 8.24% of the doses inside the irradiation field. With 0.5 mm Pb equivalent protection, the equivalent dose of the thyroid decreased from 8.24 mSv to 3.27 mSv with a reduction of 60.3%, and the doses of the other organs were reduced to 1.5-11.5 μSv with the maximum reduction of 14 times. In the longitudinal axis direction of the CT bed, the ambient dose equivalent rate at a distance of 2 m from the scanning center was reduced to 0.066 mSv/h, which was only 9.6% of the ambient equivalent dose rate at a distance of 50 cm from the scanning center. Conclusion The digital miniature CT has advantages in ensuring patient safety, optimizing imaging quality, and promoting technological development, demonstrating promising application potential. However, the radiation protection of personal and CT room should not be ignored.

Objective To investigate the detection status and risk factors of bacterial pneumonia (BP) in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of BP in elderly patients with AIS. Methods The case data of 320 elderly patients with AIS admitted to Xijing Hospital from June 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The distribution status of pathogenic bacteria of BP in the elderly AIS patients was statistically analyzed, and the risk factors of BP in AIS patients were explored and the predictive value was analyzed. Results Among the 320 elderly AIS patients, 57 cases (17.81%) developed BP. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that concurrent dysphagia [OR (95% CI) = 1.654 (1.240-2.206)], high platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) [OR (95% CI) = 1.418 (1.116-1.801)], high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) [OR (95% CI) = 2.756 (1.197-5.360)], and acute ischemic stroke-associated pneumonia score (AIS-APS) [OR (95% CI) = 3.414 (1.574-7.405)] were independent influencing factors for BP in elderly AIS patients (P<0.05). The combination of the above four factors had the largest area under the curve (AUC) (0.866) in predicting BP in elderly AIS. Conclusion The occurrence of BP in elderly AIS patients is related to dysphagia, high level of PLR, high level of NLR, and high score of AIS-APS. It is necessary to strengthen the early identification and intervention of high-risk factors in clinical practice.

AIM:To investigate the influencing factors of dry eye in elderly people aged over 60 years, and to construct a risk nomogram prediction model, so as to provide a reference for the identification of high-risk individuals and the development of preventive strategies.METHODS:A convenience sampling method was used to select 301 people aged over 60 years who attended the ophthalmology outpatient clinic or were hospitalized at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between July 2023 and December 2023. They were divided into a dry eye group(n=173)and a non-dry eye group(n=128)based on the presence or absence of dry eye. Data from the two groups were compared and a risk prediction model was constructed.RESULTS:Gender, hypertension, meibomian gland dysfunction, frequent use of eye drops, frequent use of electronic products, and frequent exposure to dry environments were significant influencing factors for the occurrence of dry eye in people aged over 60 years(all P<0.05). The nomogram prediction model demonstrated excellent discrimination(AUC=0.86, 95% CI: 0.81-0.90). The calibration curve showed good fit with the ideal curve, indicating high predictive accuracy. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test yielded a P-value of 0.424. The sensitivity was 73% and the specificity was 86%.CONCLUSION:The nomogram predictive model for the risk of dry eye in elderly people aged over 60 years constructed in this study showed good discrimination and calibration. It can serve as an intuitive and effective clinical risk assessment tool, providing a basis for the early identification of high-risk populations and the development of individualized intervention strategies.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of preoperative CT angiography (CTA) for incomplete endothelialization of the occluder after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods:The clinical data of 92 atrial fibrillation patients underwent LAAC in the Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2022 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. CTA examinations were performed both before operation and 3 months after operation. Before operation, the long diameter of left atrial appendage opening, short diameter of left atrial appendage opening, area of left atrial appendage opening, diameter of anchoring area and effective depth were measured. After operation, the condition of occluder endothelialization was evaluated, and the patients were divided into the completely endothelialization group and the incomplete endothelialization group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors of occluder incomplete endothelialization after LAAC in patients with atrial fibrillation. The predictive value of independent risk factors was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:Among the 92 patients, CTA 3 months after the operation showed that 58 cases had complete occluder endothelialization (complete endothelialization group), and 34 cases had occluder incomplete endothelialization (incomplete endothelialization group). Before operation, the long diameter of left atrial appendage opening, short diameter of left atrial appendage opening, area of left atrial appendage opening and diameter of anchoring area in incomplete endothelialization group were significantly larger than those in complete endothelialization group: (28.35 ± 1.77) mm vs. (26.21 ± 2.21) mm, (22.09 ± 2.01) mm vs. (20.86 ± 1.75) mm, (512.76 ± 63.35) mm 2 vs. (453.83 ± 75.39) mm 2 and (24.71 ± 2.50) mm vs. (23.12 ± 2.40) mm, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there was no statistical difference in effective depth between the two groups ( P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that the long diameter of left atrial appendage opening before operation was an independent risk factor for occluder incomplete endothelialization after LAAC in patients with atrial fibrillation ( OR = 2.141, 95% CI 1.217 to 3.768, P<0.01). ROC curve analysis result showed that the area under the curve of the long diameter of left atrial appendage opening before operation for predicting occluder incomplete endothelialization after LAAC in patients with atrial fibrillation was 0.768 (95% CI 0.674 to 0.862, P<0.01), the optimal cut-off value was 26.5 mm, the sensitivity was 88.2%, and the specificity was 55.2%. Conclusions:A larger long diameter of left atrial appendage opening before operation can lead to occluder incomplete endothelialization after LAAC in patients with atrial fibrillation.