Optical imaging is highly valued for its superior temporal and spatial resolution. This is particularly important in near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1 000-3 000 nm) imaging, which offers advantages such as reduced tissue absorption, minimal scattering, and low autofluorescence. These characteristics make NIR-II imaging especially suitable for deep tissue visualization, where high contrast and minimal background interference are critical for accurate diagnosis and monitoring. Currently, inorganic fluorescent probes—such as carbon nanotubes, rare earth nanoparticles, and quantum dots—offer high brightness and stability. However, they are hindered by ambiguous structures, larger sizes, and potential accumulation toxicity in vivo. In contrast, organic fluorescent probes, including small molecules and polymers, demonstrate higher biocompatibility but are limited by shorter emission wavelengths, lower quantum yields, and reduced stability. Recently, gold clusters have emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials with potential applications in biocatalysis, fluorescence sensing, biological imaging, and more. Water-soluble gold clusters are particularly attractive as fluorescent probes due to their remarkable optical properties, including strong photoluminescence, large Stokes shifts, and excellent photostability. Furthermore, their outstanding biocompatibility—attributed to good aqueous stability, ultra-small hydrodynamic size, and high renal clearance efficiency—makes them especially suitable for biomedical applications. Gold clusters hold significant potential for NIR-II fluorescence imaging. Atomic-precision gold clusters, typically composed of tens to hundreds of gold atoms and measuring only a few nanometers in diameter, possess well-defined three-dimensional structures and clear spatial coordination. This atomic-level precision enables fine-tuned structural regulation, further enhancing their fluorescence properties. Variations in cluster size, surface ligands, and alloying elements can result in distinct physicochemical characteristics. The incorporation of different atoms can modulate the atomic and electronic structures of gold clusters, while diverse ligands can influence surface polarity and steric hindrance. As such, strategies like alloying and ligand engineering are effective in enhancing both fluorescence and catalytic performance, thereby meeting a broader range of clinical needs. In recent years, gold clusters have attracted growing attention in the biomedical field. Their application in NIR-II imaging has led to significant progress in vascular, organ, and tumor imaging. The resulting high-resolution, high signal-to-noise imaging provides powerful tools for clinical diagnostics. Moreover, biologically active gold clusters can aid in drug delivery and disease diagnosis and treatment, offering new opportunities for clinical therapeutics. Despite the notable achievements in fundamental research and clinical translation, further studies are required to address challenges related to the standardized synthesis and complex metabolic behavior of gold clusters. Resolving these issues will help accelerate their clinical adoption and broaden their biomedical applications.

Diabetic foot (DF) is one of the most serious chronic complications of diabetes. The incidence rate among global diabetes patients is as high as 15% to 25%, and about 50% of patients will develop contralateral foot ulcers within 5 years after the first unilateral ulcer. As a non-invasive prevention and control solution, the application progress of functional insoles is mainly reflected in the following aspects:(1) Material innovation. The application of new composite materials and smart materials has significantly enhanced the pressure reduction effect and comfort. (2) Structural optimization. The development of multi-layer design and local pressure reduction structure has achieved more precise pressure distribution regulation. (3) Manufacturing process. 3D printing and parametric design have enabled the personalized customization of functional insoles. (4) Intelligent monitoring. It integrates functions such as pressure sensing and temperature monitoring, achieving real-time monitoring and early warning of foot conditions. Clinical research has confirmed that personalized functional insoles could reduce the incidence of foot ulcers and shorten the healing time of ulcers. At present, the research hotspots mainly focus on the development of smart materials, the construction of multi-functional integration and remote monitoring systems. However, in-depth research is still needed in the aspects of biomechanical mechanisms, standardized evaluation systems and long-term efficacy assessment. The development of future functional insoles should focus on the coordinated advancement of "personalization-intelligence-standardization", with the aim of providing more effective solutions for the prevention and treatment of DF.
Humans ; Diabetic Foot/therapy* ; Foot Orthoses

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and compare it with traditional cupping. METHODS: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation from January 2022 to August 2024 were selected and divided into two groups:the automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping group (controlled pressure cupping group) and the traditional cupping group (control group), 50 cases in each group. In the controlled pressure cupping group, there were 18 males and 32 females, with an age of (51.98±12.69) years;in the control group, there were 16 males and 34 females, with an age of (51.32±12.05) years. The visual analogue scale(VAS), comfort score, and lumbar range of motion were observed before treatment and after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments to evaluate the efficacy and safety. RESULTS: All patients completed the treatment intervention, with complete follow-up data collected. No adverse reactions or complications occurred during treatment and follow-up. After the 3rd treatment, the VAS score of the controlled pressure cupping group was (2.38±0.49), which was lower than that of the control group (2.94±0.68), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). In the controlled pressure cupping group, the VAS scores after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments were significantly better than those before treatment (P=0.026);in the control group, the VAS scores after the 3rd and 7th treatments were better than those before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.182). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) on VAS scores at different time points in both groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in inter-group, time, and interaction effects (P<0.05). After the 1st treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 42 patients (84%) felt mild discomfort, and 8 patients (16%) felt moderate discomfort;in the control group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 28 patients (56%) felt mild discomfort, and 22 patients(44%) felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.005). After the 3rd treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 30 patients(60%) felt comfortable, 20 patients (40%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort; in the control group, 9 patients (18%) felt comfortable, 41 patients (82%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in comfort between the two groups after the 7th treatment(P>0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in lumbar range of motion between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05);compared with before treatment, the lumbar range of motion of both groups after treatment was significantly improved, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping can effectively relieve symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, with excellent safety.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Pressure ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic potential of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=32) were fed either a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. The HFD mice were divided into 3 groups according to a simple random method, including HFD, PAB low-dose [10 mg/(kg·d), PAB-L], and PAB high-dose [20 mg/(kg·d), PAB-H] groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance were assessed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Biochemical assays were used to measure the serum and cellular levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). White adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver tissue were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining or Oil Red O staining to observe the alterations in adipose tissue and liver injury. PharmMapper and DisGeNet were used to predict the NAFLD-related PAB targets. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) pathway involvement was suggested by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and search tool Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) analyses. Luciferase reporter assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and drug affinity responsive target stability assay (DARTS) were conducted to confirm direct binding of PAB with PPARα. Molecular dynamics simulations were applied to further validate target engagement. RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to assess the downstream genes and proteins expression, and validated by PPARα inhibitor MK886. RESULTS: PAB significantly reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, and ALT levels, and increased HDL-C level in HFD mice (P<0.01). Target prediction analysis indicated a significant correlation between PAB and PPARα pathway. PAB direct target binding with PPARα was confirmed through luciferase reporter assay, CETSA, and DARTS (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The target engagement between PAB and PPARα protein was further confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations and the top 3 amino acid residues, LEU321, MET355, and PHE273 showed the most significant changes in mutational energy. Subsequently, PAB upregulated the genes expressions involved in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis downstream of PPARα (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Significantly, the PPARα inhibitor MK886 effectively reversed the lipid-lowering and PPARα activation properties of PAB (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION PAB mitigates lipid accumulation, ameliorates liver damage, and improves mitochondrial biogenesis by binding with PPARα, thus presenting a potential candidate for pharmaceutical development in the treatment of NAFLD.
Animals ; PPAR alpha/metabolism* ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Diterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Diet, High-Fat ; Humans ; Mice ; Liver/metabolism* ; Insulin Resistance ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.019.].

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the outcome of skin injury and urinary arsenic methylation metabolism levels in people exposed to arsenic through drinking water.Methods:Using cluster sampling method, permanent residents from drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as survey subjects in 2004 (before water improvement). In 2017 (after water improvement), 74 survey subjects from 2004 were tracked and followed up. Urine samples were collected from survey subjects and high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to detect the levels of arsenic methylation metabolites in urine. According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenic Poisoning" (WS/T 211-2015), the clinical grading (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe) of skin injury of the survey subjects and the outcome of 2017 (improved, unchanged, aggravated) were assessed. A database was established and SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:The clinical grading ratios of skin injuries among survey subjects in 2004 and 2017 were compared, the differences were statistically significant (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe: 38, 18, 4, 14 cases in 2004 and 27, 31, 3, 13 cases in 2017, χ 2 = 53.02, P < 0.001). Compared with 2004, in 2017, the levels of total arsenic (tAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic (MMA), dimethylarsenic (DMA), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), and ratio of monomethylarsenic to dimethylarsenic (MMA/DMA) in the urine of survey subjects were low, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 8.24, - 9.07, - 7.81, - 8.04, - 8.24, - 3.56, P < 0.001). The levels of dimethylarsenic percentage (DMA%), monomethylation rate (PMI) and dimethylation rate (SMI) were higher, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 6.39, - 8.24, - 3.52, P < 0.001). In 2004, patients with different clinical grading of skin injuries had different outcomes in 2017 (χ 2 = 30.80, P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in tAs, iAs, MMA and DMA variation in urine among skin injury patients with different outcomes ( H = 10.62, 9.35, 8.80, 9.13, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Improving water can significantly reduce the levels of tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA in the urine of arsenic exposed individuals. The outcome of skin injury in individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water is related to the variation of urinary arsenic methylation metabolites tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA.

Secondary organic aerosol(SOA)produced by photooxidation of styrene and other aromatic compounds is a major part of fine particles in urban atmosphere.In this study,the measurement of component and content of SOA formed from photooxidation of styrene in smog chamber using synchronous radiation vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer(VUV-PIAMS)was conducted.Photoionization mass spectra of styrene SOA was detected by synchrotron radiation photon with 10.5 eV,and the proportion of main components was quantified based on the peak area of each ion peak.The photoionization efficiency curve of ion peak was obtained under synchrotron radiation photons in the range from 7.5 to 11.5 eV,and then the ionization potential was acquired for qualitative analysis of the component structure.The results showed that the photoionization mass spectra of styrene SOA mainly contained ion peaks at m/z 106,108,120 and 122,and the ionization potentials of each peak were(9.41±0.03)eV,(8.93±0.03)eV,(9.24±0.03)eV and(9.25±0.03)eV,respectively.Combined with quantum chemistry calculation and off-line measurement verification of infrared absorption spectra and electrospray ionization mass spectra,it was determined that benzaldehyde,benzyl alcohol,4-vinylphenol and benzoic acid were main components of styrene SOA,accounting for 32.5%,17.5%,25%and 15%of the measured components,respectively,and the generated quantity ratio was 13∶7∶10∶6.VUV-PIAMS could overcome the disadvantages of off-line method,and could on-line detect component and content of SOA,proving a useful tool to measure the chemical components and reveal the formation process of SOA particles.

Objective To establish a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)characteristic chromatogram and multi-component content determination method for the substance benchmark of Fuzi Decoction.Methods The characteristic chromatogram method of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark was established,and the Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2012 Edition)was used to analyze the characteristic chromatograms of 15 batches of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples.The HPLC content determination methods of 1 1 components in the Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples were established respectively,and the dry extract rate of 15 batches of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples was determined.Results The similarity of characteristic chromatograms of 15 batches of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples was greater than 0.9,and 12 common peaks were selected and eight of them were identified.The results showed that the contents of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhypaconine,atractylenolide Ⅲ,ginsenoside Rg1,ginsenoside Re,ginsenoside Rb1,gallic acid,albiflorin,paeoniflorin,1,2,3,4,6-penta-galloyl glucose and benzoyl paeoniflorin were 0.050 3-0.191 1,0.026 7-0.047 0,0.043 0-0.127 6,0.554 6-1.006 8,0.568 7-0.979 5,0.929 9-1.726 1,1.058 9-2.118 4,1.430 3-4.965 5,6.882 9-9.511 1,0.056 1-0.262 5,0.160 6-0.369 0 mg/g,respectively.The average dry extract rate of the 15 batches of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples was 29.54％.Conclusion The established characteristic chromatogram and multi-index content determination method are accurate and stable,which provides a basis for the quality control of the substance benchmark and related preparations of Fuzi Decoction.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huatan Tongluo Prescription(mainly composed of Fici Simplicissimae Radix,Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum,Poria,Nelumbinis Folium,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,etc.)combined with drug-coated balloon(DCB)in the treatment of coronary heart disease(CHD)and to observe its effect on low-shear related serological indicators.Methods A total of 106 patients with CHD of qi deficiency and phlegm stasis obstructing collateral type who were scheduled to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 53 cases in each group.The control group was treated with drug-eluting stent implantation,and the treatment group was treated with DCB.After the operation,the control group was given conventional antiplatelet aggregation drugs,and the treatment group was given oral administration of Yiqi Huatan Tongluo Prescription.The medication for the two groups lasted for 12 weeks.The changes in the serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1),interleukin 1 β(IL-1β)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome efficacy after treatment and the incidence of adverse events one year after operation were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 12 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy of the treatment group was 88.68％(47/53),and that of the control group was 75.47％(40/53).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the TCM syndrome efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(2)The analysis of indicators related to endothelial dysfunction in the blood flow with low shear stress showed that after treatment,the levels of serum MCP-1,IL-1βand VEGF in the control group presented no obvious changes(P＞0.05),but the serum levels of MCP-1 and IL-1β in the treatment group were significantly lowered compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of serum MCP-1,IL-1β and VEGF levels in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)The one-year follow-up after the operation showed that the total incidence of adverse events in the treatment group was 18.87％(10/53),and that in the control group was 20.75％(11/53).There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Huatan Tongluo Prescription combined with DCB has definite action on the targets related to endothelial dysfunction in coronary blood flow with low shear stress,which is conducive to reducing inflammatory response,improving the symptoms of angina pectoris and enhancing clinical efficacy.The incidence of adverse events did not increase one year after operation,indicating good safety and effectiveness.

Objective:To explore the prognostic impact of different intracranial radiotherapy modalities in patients with a limited number (≤10) of brain metastases from small cell lung cancer (SCLC-BM).Methods:The data of 143 cases with SCLC-BM that received intracranial radiotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University in 2019-2022 were analyzed. The patients were grouped by radiotherapy modalities: whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT, 58 cases), WBRT combined with simultaneous integrated boost (WBRT+ SIB, 53 cases), and WBRT combined with sequential integrated boost (WBRT+ SEB, 32 cases). The overall survival (OS) and intracranial progression-free survival (IPFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazard model was used for prognostic analysis.Results:In the whole group, the median OS and IPFS were 11.9 and 9.9 months, and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 49.7%, 15.3%, and 2.9%, respectively. The difference in OS among patients in the WBRT+ SIB, WBRT+ SEB, and WBRT groups was not significant (median OS: 13.0 months vs. 12.5 months vs. 11.2 months, P>0.05). The WBRT+ SIB and WBRT+ SEB groups were preferred over the WBRT group in terms of IPFS (median IPFS: 11.7 months vs. 10.4 months vs. 8.1 months, χ2=21.69, P<0.001). For patients with few brain metastases (≤3) analyzed separately, the WBRT+ SIB and WBRT+ SEB groups were preferred over the WBRT group in terms of OS and IPFS (median OS: 14.4 months vs. 13.7 months vs. 11.5 months, χ2=8.72, P=0.013; median IPFS: 12.6 months vs. 10.4 months vs. 8.9 months, χ2=12.37, P=0.002). Evaluation of the central nervous system as well as hematological acute radiological reactions reaching grade 2 and above showed no significant differences among the three groups ( P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that subsequent chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy were common independent influencing factors for patients′ OS and IPFS. Body mass index (BMI) level was an independent influencing factor for patients′ OS, and the number of brain metastases, lymph node metastasis, and radiotherapy modality were independent influencing factors for patients′ IPFS. Conclusions:BMI level and subsequent treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy) are independent influencing factors for patients' prognosis. WBRT+ SIB and WBRT+ SEB modalities are associated with increased IPFS.