OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN1) and "Fengchi" (GB20) on hippocampal neuronal ferritinophagy mediated by the nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)/ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) signaling pathway in vascular dementia (VD) rats, and to explore the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture for VD. METHODS: A total of 60 male rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a blank group (12 rats), a sham surgery group (12 rats) and a modeling group (36 rats). In the modeling group, the modified 4-vessel occlusion method was used to establish the VD model. The 24 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at left and right "Sishencong" (EX-HN1), and bilateral "Fengchi" (GB20), with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz and current intensity of 1 mA, 30 min a time, once daily for 21 consecutive days. The learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze test before modeling, after modeling and after intervention, as well as the novel object recognition test after intervention. After intervention, the neuronal morphology in the hippocampus was observed by Nissl staining; the iron deposition was observed by Prussian blue staining; the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence staining; the levels of iron, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampal tissue were measured by the colorimetric assay, TBA method, and WST-1 method, respectively; the positive expression of NCOA4, FTH1 and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was detected by immunohistochemistry; the protein expression of NCOA4, FTH1, GPX4, and the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham surgery group, in the model group, the escape latency was prolonged, and the number of platform crossings reduced (P<0.01), the recognition index (RI) was decreased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons displayed a blurred laminar structure, disorganized cellular arrangement, and the number of Nissl bodies was decreased (P<0.01); the percentage of iron deposition area in the hippocampus was increased (P<0.01); in the hippocampus, the levels of ROS, iron, MDA, and the protein expression of NCOA4, as well as the LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were increased (P<0.01), the SOD level, and the protein expression of FTH1 and GPX4 were decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the electroacupuncture group, the escape latency was shortened and the number of platform crossings was increased (P<0.01), the RI was increased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons exhibited more regular morphology, better-organized cellular structure, and the number of Nissl bodies was increased (P<0.05); the percentage of iron deposition area in the hippocampus reduced (P<0.01); in the hippocampus, the levels of ROS, iron, MDA, and the protein expression of NCOA4, as well as the LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the SOD level, and the protein expression of FTH1 and GPX4 were increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN1) and "Fengchi" (GB20) can improve learning and memory abilities in VD rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the hippocampal NCOA4/FTH1 signaling pathway, inhibition of ferritinophagy, and alleviation of oxidative stress damage.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Dementia, Vascular/genetics* ; Male ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Humans ; Memory ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Nuclear Receptor Coactivators/genetics* ; Ferritins/genetics* ; Learning ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points

Objective: To evaluate the clinical feasibility and potential for malignant transformation prevention of hyperkeratotic oral leukoplakia (OLK) treatment using erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser (Er,Cr:YSGG) ablation combined with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT), providing a reference for clinical practice. Methods: Two cases of histopathologically confirmed gingival leukoplakia were treated. Following Er,Cr:YSGG (wavelength: 2,780 nm) ablation of the hyperkeratotic layer, 20% ALA solution was topically applied for 3 hours, followed by irradiation with a 635 nm diode laser (energy density: 100 J/cm²). Follow-up assessments included lesion regression and exfoliative cytology DNA ploidy stability, supplemented by a systematic literature review on OLK treatment advancements. Results: Case 1: at 1-year follow-up, > 90% lesion regression was observed (residual: 2 mm circular white patch) without recurrence, with stable diploid DNA ploidy. Case 2: complete lesion resolution and no recurrence at 1 year, with stable diploid DNA ploidy. Literature review showed that pharmacological therapies ameliorate OLK symptoms but fail to halt malignant progression, while surgical interventions carry recurrence risks. PDT demonstrates unique advantages by selectively targeting dysplastic cells. However, uneven ALA penetration due to the keratin barrier limits efficacy. Compared to needling, diode laser, or CO₂ laser pretreatment, Er,Cr:YSGG leverages water absorption for precise, low-thermal keratin ablation, substantially enhancing tissue permeability and optimizing ALA diffusion, thereby improving PDT outcomes. Conclusion Er,Cr:YSGG ablation combined with PDT serves as an optimized regimen for hyperkeratotic OLK, offering a novel approach to mitigate OLK carcinogenesis.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.

Epigenomic imbalance drives abnormal transcriptional processes,promoting the onset and progression of cancer.Although defective gene regulation generally affects carcinogenesis and tumor suppression networks,tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses may also be affected by epigenomic changes,which may have significant implications for the development and application of epigenetic therapy,cancer immunotherapy,and their combinations.Herein,we focus on the impact of epigenetic regulation on tumor immune cell function and the role of key abnormal epigenetic processes,DNA methylation,histone post-translational modification,and chromatin structure in tumor immunogenicity,and introduce these epigenetic research methods.We emphasize the value of small-molecule inhibitors of epigenetic modulators in enhancing antitumor immune responses and discuss the challenges of developing treatment plans that combine epigenetic therapy and immuno-therapy through the complex interaction between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology.

Eclipta prostrata L.has been used in traditional medicine and known for its liver-protective properties for centuries.Wedelolactone(WEL)and demethylwedelolactone(DWEL)are the major coumarins found in E.prostrata L.However,the comprehensive characterization of these two compounds on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)still remains to be explored.Utilizing a well-established zebrafish model of thioacetamide(TAA)-induced liver injury,the present study sought to investigate the impacts and mechanisms of WEL and DWEL on NAFLD through integrative spatial metabolomics with liver-specific transcriptomics analysis.Our results showed that WEL and DWEL significantly improved liver function and reduced the accumulation of fat in the liver.The biodistributions and metabolism of these two compounds in whole-body zebrafish were successfully mapped,and the discriminatory endogenous metabolites reversely regulated by WEL and DWEL treatments were also characterized.Based on spatial metabolomics and transcriptomics,we identified that steroid biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism are mainly involved in the hepatoprotective effects of WEL instead of DWEL.Our study unveils the distinct mechanism of WEL and DWEL in ameliorating NAFLD,and presents a"multi-omics"platform of spatial metabolomics and liver-specific transcriptomics to develop highly effective compounds for further improved therapy.

The difference in the crystal form of the drug leads to different solubility and stability,affecting drug's the clinical efficacy and bioavailability.Therefore,in recent years,drug crystal forms have received more and more attention from researchers.By reviewing and sorting out relevant literature,this paper summarizes the research progress of drug crystallization theory in recent years from the aspects of influencing factors of drug crystal form,identification and control of drug crystal form,drug crystal form evaluation methods,and applications,aiming to provide a reference for drug crystal form control and process screening.

Traditional Chinese medicine monomer has certain curative effects in tumor treatment,but its low targeting and difficulty in gathering at the tumor site limit its application.As a new type of drug delivery method,environmentally responsive nano drug delivery system has the advantages of targeted drug delivery,reducing drug side effects,and environmentally responsive release,and has been widely used in tumor treatment.In this paper,by consulting and sorting out the relevant literature,the general situation of traditional Chinese medicine monomers in the treatment of tumors,the classification of environment-responsive traditional Chinese medicine monomer nano drug delivery system,and its application in tumor treatment are summarized in three aspects,to provide ideas for solving the limitations of traditional Chinese medicine monomer in the treatment of tumor.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.

BACKGROUND:In the process of exploring the mechanism of Alzheimer's disease,the important role of bioinformatics for common target screening has been revealed,enabling the use of its screening results as a basis for exploring the therapeutic effects of drugs on the disease. OBJECTIVE:To predict the targets of liraglutide,a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist,in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by bioinformatics and molecular biology. METHODS:DisGeNET database and SEA database were used to obtain the common genes of Alzheimer's disease and liraglutide.GO/KEGG enrichment analysis of common targets was conducted using DAVID online database.Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using STRING database.The optimal dosage of liraglutide was determined using cell counting kit-8 assay.Expression of key proteins was analyzed using immunofluorescence and immunoblotting techniques.The mouse hippocampal neuron HT22 cell line was used for ex vivo experiments,and the cells were randomly divided into three groups:HT22 group,HT22+Aβ group,and HT22+Aβ+Lir group.No special treatment was done in the HT22 group,while Aβ1-42 was used to intervene in the HT22 cell line for 24 hours to construct an Aβ injury cell model in the HT22+Aβ group.In additional to modeling,liraglutide was added to the HT22+Aβ+Lir group for 12 hours. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 3 333 genes associated with Alzheimer's disease were screened from DisGeNET database.Then 147 potential targets of liraglutide were obtained from SEA database.Finally,64 common targets of Alzheimer's disease and Liraglutide were determined using R packets.GO/KEGG analysis of common targets using DAVID online database suggested that common targets were mainly enriched in the following biological processes:neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,renin-angiotensin system,bladder cancer,endopeptidase activity,peptide receptor activity,G protein-coupled peptide receptor activity,and transport vesicles.The obtained 64 common target proteins were imported into SRTING online database for protein-protein interaction network construction,and the top three genes,matrix metalloproteinases 2,9 and interleukin 1β,were obtained.The activity of cultured cells was detected by the cell counting kit-8 kit.Liraglutide at 100 nmol/L was the optimal concentration for antagonizing Aβ1-42.In the western blot and immunofluorescence assays,the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2,9 and interleukin 1β was significantly increased in the HT22+Aβ group compared with the HT22 group(P＜0.05)but significantly decreased in the HT22+Aβ+Lir group compared with the HT22+Aβ group(P＜0.05).To conclude,the above bioinformatics data and secondary validation of differential genes in the GEO database suggest that both matrix metalloproteinases 2,9 and interleukin 1β could be potential targets of liraglutide in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective We aimed to investigate the relationship between microscopic pattern of blood stasis and renal pathological grade and related physical and chemical indexes in children with Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura nephritis(HSPN).Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 800 HSPN children from the medical records of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine.Laboratory indicators(blood routine test,urine routine test,coagulation test,liver function)and renal pathological indicators of them were collected.According to the severity of renal pathological microscopic lesions,the microscopic pattern of blood stasis was divided into three types,including choroidal discord,dead blood coagulation and intracarenal disease accumulation.The classification of renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis and the correlation between laboratory indexes and renal pathological index were analyzed by Spearman grade correlation and binary Logistic regression analysis.Results(ⅰ)There was no statistical difference of the distribution of the renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis in the different traditional Chinese medicine patterns.(ⅱ)There were significant differences in the contents or the grade of albumin and fibrinogen in the HSPN children with different microscopic pattern of blood stasis(all P＜0.05).(ⅲ)The maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve between fibrinogen and intracarenal disease accumulation was 0.594(95％CI from 0.540 to 0.633,P＜0.001);sensitivity was 0.447,specificity was 0.725;the best threshold on the ROC curve of 0.172 was 3.755 g/L.(ⅳ)There were positive correlations between the content of fibrinogen,ISKDC grade and Bohle A grade respectively with the scores of intracarenal disease accumulation type(r=0.176,r=0.315,r=0.656;all P＜0.001).(ⅴ)There were positive correlations between the content of fibrinogen,ISKDC grade and Bohle A grade respectively with the renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis(r=0.157,r=0.377,r=0.429;all P＜0.001).Conclusion The microscopic renal pattern of blood stasis can not only reflect the severity of renal blood stasis,but also reflect the severity and long-term prognosis of renal diseases.Albumin and urinary protein grade can reflect the early stage of the microscopic renal pattern of the blood stasis(choroidal discord).The content of fibrinogen increases with the aggravation of renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis,reflecting the end-stage of HSPN,which has the correlation with the formation and severity of related indexes.Fibrinogen can be used as a laboratory indicator to assist in the diagnosis of irreversible lesionsin the renal pathology of HSPN children.