Objective: To explore whether digital facial and tongue diagnostic technologies can support the assessment of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients for coronary artery stenosis severity, and examine potential associations between digital tongue diagnosis features and myocardial biomarkers. Methods: The TFDA-1 face and tongue diagnosis instrument and the TDAS analysis system were used to perform intelligent visual examination and analysis of the facial and tongue in CHD patients who attended the Department of Cardiology at Shanghai Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between October 2, 2023 and July 31, 2024. Variables were screened using principal component analysis (PCA) and multicollinearity analysis to construct four machine learning models, including random forest, LightGBM, decision tree, and naive Bayes, for the early prediction of coronary artery stenosis severity. Model performance metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, precision, F1 score, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), were evaluated. Visual analyses were performed using the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) interpreter and decision curve analysis. For patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a conceptual model linking cardiac biomarkers and tongue diagnosis was constructed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), and its validity was assessed. Results: A total of 459 CHD patients were enrolled and assigned to a PCI group and a non-PCI group (which comprised two subgroups: mild stenosis or less group, moderate stenosis or greater group). For sublingual vein (SV) features, the PCI group had lower SV-a and SV-b than the other groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). For tongue surface features, the PCI group had significantly higher tongue body (TB)-L, TB-a, and TB-b (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001, respectively), as well as higher tongue coating (TC)-a and TC-b (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Age, SV-a, SV-b, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), CK, TC-a, lip-L, and lip-b were incorporated in the machine learning models. The random forest model performed best, with an AUC of 0.924, an F1 score of 0.839, precision of 0.807, accuracy of 0.864, sensitivity of 0.873, and specificity of 0.839. Decision curve analysis indicated that both LightGBM and random forest had clinical utility. PLS-SEM confirmed the pathway relationships: myocardial biomarkers → TB and myocardial biomarkers → TC (coefficient = – 0.238, t = 2.239, P = 0.025, and coefficient = – 0.270, t = 2.522, P = 0.012, respectively). Conclusion This study developed a noninvasive early warning model for coronary artery stenosis in patients with CHD. It applied PLS-SEM to investigate the association between post-PCI cardiac biomarkers and tongue diagnosis, and validated the proposed association chain. These findings suggest that intelligent traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) visual diagnosis integrated with modern digital technology may support CHD risk assessment and comprehensive health management.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Kangxian Yixin prescription regulates the circular RNA 0006719 （circ0006719）/microRNA 6852-5p （miR-6852-5p）/transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smad axis to ameliorate myocardial fibrosis in rats with dilated cardiomyopathy （DCM） and angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）-induced activation of cardiac fibroblasts （CFs）. MethodsA DCM rat model was established by administration of furazolidone. The rats were divided into normal group， model group， captopril （CAP， 10.1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Kangxian Yixin prescription groups （0.9， 1.8， 3.6 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 15 rats in each group. After modeling， the treatment groups received corresponding drug solutions by gavage， whereas the normal and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline for 60 consecutive days. Echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVESD）， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， and left ventricular fractional shortening （LVFS）. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM）， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial ultrastructure， pathological changes， and collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the protein expression of collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 （Col1A1） and collagen type Ⅲ（Col Ⅲ） in myocardial tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， Western blot， and fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） were used to detect the expression and localization of circ0006719， miR-6852-5p， fibrosis-related molecules， and TGF-β₁/Smad pathway-related molecules in myocardial tissue and CFs. CFs from neonatal rats were isolated and cultured in vitro. Cell Counting Kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to determine the optimal concentration of Kangxian Yixin prescription for subsequent intervention. An Ang Ⅱ-induced CF activation model was established， and the cells were divided into normal group， Ang Ⅱ group， Ang Ⅱ+CAP group， Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription group， and Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription+miR-6852-5p inhibitor group. CF viability and fibrosis-related molecular expression were detected. RNA immunoprecipitation （RNA IP） and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the targeting relationship between circ0006719 and miR-6852-5p. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased LVESD and LVEDD， significantly decreased LVEF and LVFS， aggravated myocardial ultrastructural and histopathological injury， and significantly increased collagen volume fraction （CVF） in myocardial tissue （P<0.01）. The expression of circ0006719， Col1A1 mRNA， Col ⅢmRNA， and Col1A1， Col Ⅲ， TGF-β₁， Smad3， and Smad4 proteins in myocardial tissue was significantly upregulated， whereas miR-6852-5p expression and Smad7 protein expression were significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the CAP group and the high- and medium-dose Kangxian Yixin prescription groups showed varying degrees of improvement in cardiac function， myocardial fibrosis， circ0006719/miR-6852-5p expression， and TGF-β₁/Smad pathway-related indicators， with more pronounced improvements in the CAP group and the high-dose Kangxian Yixin prescription group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In in vitro experiments， 2.0 g·L^-1 was determined as the optimal concentration of Kangxian Yixin prescription for subsequent intervention. Compared with the normal group， the Ang Ⅱ group showed significantly increased CF viability， significantly upregulated expression of circ0006719， Col1A1 mRNA， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） mRNA， and Col1A1， α-SMA， TGF-β₁， Smad3， and Smad4 proteins in CFs， and significantly downregulated miR-6852-5p expression and Smad7 protein expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the Ang Ⅱ group， the Ang Ⅱ+CAP group and the Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription group showed markedly decreased CF viability and fibrosis-related mRNA and protein expression， markedly increased miR-6852-5p expression， and markedly attenuated TGF-β₁/Smad pathway activation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription group， the Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription+miR-6852-5p inhibitor group showed significantly increased CF viability （P<0.01）， markedly increased expression of circ0006719， Col1A1 mRNA， and Col1A1， TGF-β₁， and Smad4 proteins in CFs， and markedly decreased miR-6852-5p expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. RNA IP and dual-luciferase reporter assays showed a targeting binding relationship between circ0006719 and miR-6852-5p （P<0.01）. ConclusionKangxian Yixin prescription may alleviate myocardial collagen deposition and myocardial fibrosis， improve cardiac function in DCM rats， and inhibit Ang Ⅱ-induced abnormal activation of CFs. Its mechanism may be associated with downregulation of circ0006719， restoration of miR-6852-5p expression， and inhibition of the TGF-β₁/Smad pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Kangxian Yixin prescription regulates the circular RNA 0006719 （circ0006719）/microRNA 6852-5p （miR-6852-5p）/transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smad axis to ameliorate myocardial fibrosis in rats with dilated cardiomyopathy （DCM） and angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）-induced activation of cardiac fibroblasts （CFs）. MethodsA DCM rat model was established by administration of furazolidone. The rats were divided into normal group， model group， captopril （CAP， 10.1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Kangxian Yixin prescription groups （0.9， 1.8， 3.6 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 15 rats in each group. After modeling， the treatment groups received corresponding drug solutions by gavage， whereas the normal and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline for 60 consecutive days. Echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVESD）， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， and left ventricular fractional shortening （LVFS）. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM）， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial ultrastructure， pathological changes， and collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the protein expression of collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 （Col1A1） and collagen type Ⅲ（Col Ⅲ） in myocardial tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， Western blot， and fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） were used to detect the expression and localization of circ0006719， miR-6852-5p， fibrosis-related molecules， and TGF-β₁/Smad pathway-related molecules in myocardial tissue and CFs. CFs from neonatal rats were isolated and cultured in vitro. Cell Counting Kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to determine the optimal concentration of Kangxian Yixin prescription for subsequent intervention. An Ang Ⅱ-induced CF activation model was established， and the cells were divided into normal group， Ang Ⅱ group， Ang Ⅱ+CAP group， Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription group， and Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription+miR-6852-5p inhibitor group. CF viability and fibrosis-related molecular expression were detected. RNA immunoprecipitation （RNA IP） and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the targeting relationship between circ0006719 and miR-6852-5p. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased LVESD and LVEDD， significantly decreased LVEF and LVFS， aggravated myocardial ultrastructural and histopathological injury， and significantly increased collagen volume fraction （CVF） in myocardial tissue （P<0.01）. The expression of circ0006719， Col1A1 mRNA， Col ⅢmRNA， and Col1A1， Col Ⅲ， TGF-β₁， Smad3， and Smad4 proteins in myocardial tissue was significantly upregulated， whereas miR-6852-5p expression and Smad7 protein expression were significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the CAP group and the high- and medium-dose Kangxian Yixin prescription groups showed varying degrees of improvement in cardiac function， myocardial fibrosis， circ0006719/miR-6852-5p expression， and TGF-β₁/Smad pathway-related indicators， with more pronounced improvements in the CAP group and the high-dose Kangxian Yixin prescription group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In in vitro experiments， 2.0 g·L^-1 was determined as the optimal concentration of Kangxian Yixin prescription for subsequent intervention. Compared with the normal group， the Ang Ⅱ group showed significantly increased CF viability， significantly upregulated expression of circ0006719， Col1A1 mRNA， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） mRNA， and Col1A1， α-SMA， TGF-β₁， Smad3， and Smad4 proteins in CFs， and significantly downregulated miR-6852-5p expression and Smad7 protein expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the Ang Ⅱ group， the Ang Ⅱ+CAP group and the Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription group showed markedly decreased CF viability and fibrosis-related mRNA and protein expression， markedly increased miR-6852-5p expression， and markedly attenuated TGF-β₁/Smad pathway activation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription group， the Ang Ⅱ+Kangxian Yixin prescription+miR-6852-5p inhibitor group showed significantly increased CF viability （P<0.01）， markedly increased expression of circ0006719， Col1A1 mRNA， and Col1A1， TGF-β₁， and Smad4 proteins in CFs， and markedly decreased miR-6852-5p expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. RNA IP and dual-luciferase reporter assays showed a targeting binding relationship between circ0006719 and miR-6852-5p （P<0.01）. ConclusionKangxian Yixin prescription may alleviate myocardial collagen deposition and myocardial fibrosis， improve cardiac function in DCM rats， and inhibit Ang Ⅱ-induced abnormal activation of CFs. Its mechanism may be associated with downregulation of circ0006719， restoration of miR-6852-5p expression， and inhibition of the TGF-β₁/Smad pathway.

To investigate the effect of isthmin-1 (ISM1) on the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer and its underlying mechanism, this study analyzed the expression of ISM1 in pancreatic cancer patients and normal pancreatic tissues using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Western blot was employed to detect differences in ISM1 protein expression between pancreatic cancer cell lines (Aspc1, Bxpc3, PANC1, SW1990) and the pancreatic epithelial cell line (hPNE). Cell models with stable ISM1 overexpression and knockdown were constructed, and changes in cell migration and invasion capabilities were assessed via Transwell invasion assays and wound healing assays. Meanwhile, Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of key markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, TCGA and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were utilized to analyze pathways regulated downstream of ISM1 and the mechanisms promoting pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis. Immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry (IP-MS) was used to screen for vimentin as an ISM1-binding protein, and the interaction between ISM1 and vimentin was verified by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Bxpc3 cells overexpressing ISM1 were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) to detect vimentin protein stability. The results indicate that ISM1 promotes the EMT process by inhibiting vimentin degradation, thereby enhancing the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. This study provides new experimental evidence for elucidating the mechanism of pancreatic cancer metastasis.

Objective To study the shielding effect of water body on γ spectrometer during underwater measurements.Methods A mathematical model of water immersion was constructed for the 3-inch(ф76.2 mm×76.2 mm)lanthanum bromide detector.The totipotent peak count rate of 10 typical γ characteristic energies under different radius water sphere conditions was calculated by MCNP software,and the relationship was established.Results The effective radii of γ photons of different energies based on the 3-inch lanthanum bromide detector was obtained.The relation of energy and effective radius was established,and the effective radius of Tl-208@2614keV was 102.99 cm.Conclusion The quantitative relationship between photons of different energies of a typical 3-inch lanthanum bromide detector and effective radius had been established theoretically,which provides a theoretical basis for measuring and analyzing radioactive water body by γ spectrometer.

Objective To study the shielding effect of water body on γ spectrometer during underwater measurements.Methods A mathematical model of water immersion was constructed for the 3-inch(ф76.2 mm×76.2 mm)lanthanum bromide detector.The totipotent peak count rate of 10 typical γ characteristic energies under different radius water sphere conditions was calculated by MCNP software,and the relationship was established.Results The effective radii of γ photons of different energies based on the 3-inch lanthanum bromide detector was obtained.The relation of energy and effective radius was established,and the effective radius of Tl-208@2614keV was 102.99 cm.Conclusion The quantitative relationship between photons of different energies of a typical 3-inch lanthanum bromide detector and effective radius had been established theoretically,which provides a theoretical basis for measuring and analyzing radioactive water body by γ spectrometer.

Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a group of chronic disorders characterized by the progressive loss of neurons. Major neurodegenerative conditions include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Pathologically, these diseases are marked by the accumulation of aggregates formed by pathological proteins such as amyloid-β, tau, α-synuclein, and TAR DNA-binding protein 43. These proteins assemble into amyloid fibrils that undergo prion-like propagation and dissemination, ultimately inducing neurodegeneration. Understanding the biology of these protein aggregates is fundamental to elucidating the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the aggregation and transmission of pathological proteins, the processes through which these protein aggregates trigger neurodegeneration, and the interactions between different pathological proteins. We also provide an overview of the current diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies targeting pathological protein aggregates.
Humans ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism* ; alpha-Synuclein/metabolism* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; tau Proteins/metabolism* ; Protein Aggregation, Pathological/metabolism* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Animals ; Protein Aggregates/physiology*

Objective To construction and investigate the application effect of auricular acupressure technology in patients with cough with different syndrome types.Methods From December 2022 to March 2023,the Delphi method was used to consult experts to form a technical scheme for auricular pressure in patients with cough with different syndrome types in the early and middle stages.122 patients with stage Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ lung cancer cough from the oncology department of 3 tertiary hospitals of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing between July 2023 to January 2024 were randomly divided into an experimental group(61 cases)and a control group(61 cases).The experimental group referred to the constructed auricular acupressure technique program to identify and take acupoints,and the control group used the original auricular acupressure program for 7 d of continuous intervention.The changes in the scores of the Visual Analog Scale(VAS)and the scores of The MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for lung cancer(MDASI-LC)were observed in the 2 groups before and after the intervention.Results The final scheme included 3 first-level items,12 second-level items,and 14 third-level items.The 2 rounds of expert authority coefficients were 0.88,indicating a high degree of authority,and the Kendall harmony coefficients of the 2 rounds of correspondence were 0.170 and 0.130(P＜0.001),respectively,and the results tended to be consistent.A total of 122 patients completed the study.After intervention,the VAS score of cough severity in the experimental group was 3.0(2.0,3.0)points,which was lower than 3.0(3.0,4.0)points in the control group.The MDASI-LC score of the experimental group was 17.0(9.5,31.5)points,which was lower than 28.0(15.5,47.5)points in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The constructed auricular acupressure technique program has certain scientificity,and it can effectively relieve cough symptoms of stage Ⅰ～Ⅱ lung cancer patients,and the severity of symptom clusters has been improved,which provides the basis for TCM nursing intervention in cough symptoms of lung cancer patients.

The current transformation of the tripartite linkage of medical treatment has gradually shifted towards collaborative development and governance among medical care,medical insurance,and medicine,necessitating a clear understanding of the internal mechanisms underpinning this collaboration and governance to lay a theoretical foundation for practical exploration.Drawing on synergetics theory,it delves into the self-organizing characteristics of the collaborative development and governance among the tripartite system,grasping its fundamental operational laws.Through a questionnaire survey of the main functional departments in each field of the tripartite system to verify the rationality of the sequence parameters selected for the study.It ultimately identifies the order parameters as the value standard centered on health,the interest contract focused on public interest,new system for mobilizing resources nationwide,the innovative capacity of the pharmaceutical industry,and the rigorous accountability system.Furthermore,it systematically expounds on the self-organizing evolution process of the collaborative development and governance among the tripartite system,thereby revealing the inherent mechanisms of its collaborative development and governance.It proposes countermeasures and suggestions for establishing and improving diversified collaboration mechanisms,innovating monitoring and early warning mechanisms,and fostering positive feedback mechanisms,aiming to facilitate more scientific and efficient collaborative development and governance among the tripartite system.

Objective:To explore the effect of secreted frizzled-related protein 3 (sFRP3) on tau aggregation.Methods:(1) Twelve wild-type C57BL/6J mice and 12 P301S mutant tau transgenic (tau P301S) mice were selected; Western blotting was used to detect the sFRP3 protein expression in the brain tissues; co-immunoprecipitation experiment was conducted to verify endogenous sFRP3 binding to tau; and double immunofluorescent staining was performed to observe whether sFRP3 co-localized with phosphorylated tau. (2) Recombinant human tau (K18) and sFRP3 protein were purified, and pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) containing only K18 or mixed PFFs (containing both sFRP3 and K18) were prepared; His pull-down assay was adopted to verify exogenous purified sFRP3 binding to tau. Aggregation of these two types of PFFs was observed by thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence,and anti-digestibility of these two types of PFFs was detected by proteinase K (PK) assay. Ultrastructure of two types of PFFs was observed under transmission electron microscope. (3) HEK293 cells stably expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and tau repeat domain (GFP-tau RD HEK293) were treated with the two tpyes of PFFs; intracellular tau aggregation was observed by immunofluorescence; intracellular soluble or insoluble component was evaluated by density gradient lysis. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with the two types of PFFs; cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect cell viability; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2-associated X protein [Bax] and cleaved caspase-3); double staining with propidium iodide (PI) and Hoechst 33342, and TUNEL were used to detect cell apoptosis. Primary neurons were treated with the two types of PFFs; density of dendritic spines was measured by 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) staining; expressions of synaptic proteins, such as synapsin I and vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2), were detected by Western blotting and double immunofluorescent staining. Results:(1) sFRP3 expression in the brain tissues of tau P301S mice was significantly higher than that in wild-type mice (1.10±0.05 vs. 0.79±0.06, P<0.05). In the brain tissues of wild-type mice, endogenous sFRP3 could bind to tau, and in the brain tissues of tau P301S mice, sFRP3 and phosphorylated tau were co-localized. (2) Exogenous tau and sFRP3 could interact with each other. After constant temperature oscillation for approximately 180 minutes, the ThT fluorescent intensity in mixed PFFs was significantly higher than that in K18 PFFs. Remaining proteins of mixed PFFs were significantly increased compared with those of K18 PFFs after the same digestion time of 1 and 2 μg/mL PK (0.77±0.02 vs. 0.67±0.03; 0.52±0.04 vs. 0.33±0.02, P<0.05). The ultrastructure of mixed PFFs was longer and more compact than K18 PFFs. (3) Compared with K18 PFFs, mixed PFFs formed more intracellular tau aggregation points and had more insoluble components (insoluble protein and soluble protein ratio: 0.43±0.04 and 0.92±0.08), with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with K18 PFFs, mixed PFFs had significantly decreased SH-SY5Y cell viability (0.44±0.01 vs. 0.24±0.02), significantly up-regulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expressions (0.71±0.04 vs. 0.87±0.04; 0.60±0.06 vs. 0.88±0.03), significantly increased percentage of apoptotic cells (PI/Hoechst staining: 8.00%±0.49% vs. 18.11%±1.13%; TUNEL staining: 6.62%±0.91% vs. 14.94%±1.32%, P<0.05). Compared with the K18 PFFs group, the mixed PFFs group had significantly decreased density of dendritic spines ([5.7±0.28]/10 μm vs. [2.7±0.29]/10 μm), synapsin I and VAMP2 expressions (0.95±0.02 vs. 0.48±0.04; 0.88±0.03 vs. 0.52±0.06), and average fluorescent intensity of synapsin I and VAMP2 in the primary neurons (7.73±0.70 vs. 2.74±0.34; 6.14±0.60 vs. 2.96±0.54, P<0.05). Conclusion:sFRP3 interacts with tau to promote tau aggregation, and enhance the cytotoxic effect of tau aggregation.