Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death modality discovered and defined in the last decade, is primarily induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, it has been found that ferroptosis is involved in various physiological functions such as immune regulation, growth and development, aging, and tumor suppression. Especially its role in tumor biology has attracted extensive attention and research. Breast cancer is one of the most common female tumors, characterized by high heterogeneity and complex genetic background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer, which lacks conventional breast cancer treatment targets and is prone to drug resistance to existing chemotherapy drugs and has a low cure rate after progression and metastasis. There is an urgent need to find new targets or develop new drugs. With the increase of studies on promoting ferroptosis in breast cancer, it has gradually attracted attention as a treatment strategy for breast cancer. Some studies have found that certain compounds and natural products can act on TNBC, promote their ferroptosis, inhibit cancer cells proliferation, enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy, and improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To promote the study of ferroptosis in TNBC, this article summarized and reviewed the compounds and natural products that induce ferroptosis in TNBC and their mechanisms of action. We started with the exploration of the pathways of ferroptosis, with particular attention to the System X_c^--cystine-GPX4 pathway and iron metabolism. Then, a series of compounds, including sulfasalazine (SAS), metformin, and statins, were described in terms of how they interact with cells to deplete glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and preventing the production of lipid peroxidases. The disruption of the cellular defense against oxidative stress ultimately results in the death of TNBC cells. We have also our focus to the realm of natural products, exploring the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts for TNBC. These herbal extracts exhibit multi-target effects and good safety, and have shown promising capabilities in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC cells. We believe that further exploration and characterization of these natural compounds could lead to the development of a new generation of cancer therapeutics. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, we discussed the role of drug delivery systems in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of ferroptosis inducers. Nanoparticles such as exosomes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can improve the solubility and bioavailability of these compounds, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential while minimizing systemic side effects. Although preclinical data on ferroptosis inducers are relatively robust, their translation into clinical practice remains in its early stages. We also emphasize the urgent need for more in-depth and comprehensive research to understand the complex mechanisms of ferroptosis in TNBC. This is crucial for the rational design and development of clinical trials, as well as for leveraging ferroptosis to improve patient outcomes. Hoping the above summarize and review could provide references for the research and development of lead compounds for the treatment for TNBC.

This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which naringin alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(CI/R) injury through DRP1/LRRK2/MCU signaling axis. A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, the model group, the sodium Danshensu group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose(50, 100, and 200 mg·kg~(-1)) naringin groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(tMCAO/R) model was established in SD rats using the suture method. Longa 5-point scale was used to assess neurological deficits. 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was used to detect the volume percentage of cerebral infarction in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to assess neuronal structural alterations and the number of Nissl bodies in cortex, respectively. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 gene(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cleaved cysteine-aspartate protease-3(cleaved caspase-3), mitochondrial calcium uniporter(MCU), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), and P62. Mitochondrial structure and autophagy in cortical neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence assay was used to quantify the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion, as well as the co-localization of dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1) with leucine-rich repeat kinase 2(LRRK2) and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20(TOMM20) with LC3 in cortical mitochondria. The results showed that compared with the model group, naringin significantly decreased the volume percentage of cerebral infarction and neurological deficit score in tMCAO/R rats, alleviated the structural damage and Nissl body loss of cortical neurons in tMCAO/R rats, inhibited autophagosomes in cortical neurons, and increased the average diameter of cortical mitochondria. The Western blot results showed that compared to the sham group, the model group exhibited increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU, and the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio in the cortex and reduced protein levels of Bcl-2 and P62. However, naringin down-regulated the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and P62 proteins in cortical area. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis showed that compared with the model group, naringin and positive drug treatments significantly decreased the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion. Meanwhile, the co-localization of DRP1 with LRRK2 and TOMM20 with LC3 in cortical mitochondria was also decreased significantly after the intervention. These findings suggest that naringin can alleviate cortical neuronal damage in tMCAO/R rats by inhibiting DRP1/LRRK2/MCU-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and the resultant excessive mitophagy.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Flavanones/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Dynamins/genetics* ; Male ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*

The efficacy mechanism of the alcoholic extract of Gnaphalium affine was investigated by observing its influence on oxidative stress and intestinal flora in rats modeled for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). UPLC-MS was used to evaluate the quality of the alcoholic extract of G. affine, and 72 rats were randomly divided into six groups, with COPD models established in five groups by cigarette smoke combined with airway drip lipopolysaccharide, and the rats were given the positive drug of Danlong Oral Solution, as well as low-, medium-, and high-doses alcoholic extract of G. affine, respectively. After two weeks of continuous gastric gavage, the body weights and general morphology observations were performed; HE staining and Masson staining were used to verify the effects of the alcoholic extract of G. affine on alveolar inflammation and collagen deposition area in COPD rats; the oxidative stress indexes CAT and GSH in serum and SOD and MDA in lung tissue of the rats were measured, and the mRNA expression of HO-1, Nrf2, and NQO1 were determined by qRT-PCR. The protein expressions of HO-1, Nrf2, and NQO1 were determined by the Western blot method, and the mechanism by which the alcoholic extract of G. affine affected oxidative stress in COPD rats was explored. Finally, the influence of G. affine on the changes in intestinal flora caused by COPD was studied by 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that a total of 121 chemical components were identified by UPLC-MS, including 70 positive and 51 negative ion modes. In animal experiments, it was found that the alcoholic extracts of G. affine were able to reduce the percentage of collagen deposition, affect the oxidative stress indexes such as CAT, GSH, SOD, MDA, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed an increase in the level of Lactobacillales and a decrease in the level of Desulfovibrio and Desulfovibrionales, suggesting that the alcoholic extracts of G. affine could reverse the changes in intestinal flora caused by COPD. In conclusion, the alcoholic extracts of G. affine may exert anti-COPD effects by affecting the oxidative stress pathway and modulating the changes in intestinal flora.
Animals ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Humans ; Lung/metabolism*

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)balloon—Vesscrack shockwave balloon—for vascular preparation before stent implantation in patients with severe coronary artery calcification(CAC).Methods This was a prospective,single-arm,multicenter study conducted in China from June 2022 to October 2022.Patients with severe CAC were treated with the Vesscrack shockwave balloon for lesion preparation,followed by drug-eluting stent(DES)implantation.Of these,33 patients underwent optical coherence tomography(OCT).The primary endpoint was procedural success,defined as successful stent implantation with residual stenosis≤30％and the absence of in-hospital major adverse events,including cardiac death,target vessel-related myocardial infarction,or target lesion revascularization.Results A total of 170 patients[mean age:(65.9±7.9)years,116 males]were enrolled.After treatment with IVL and DES,the minimum lumen diameter increased significantly compared to baseline[(2.34±0.40)mm vs.(0.95±0.33)mm,P＜0.001],the degree of stenosis was significantly reduced[(13.24±6.60)％vs.(65.18±10.59)％,P＜0.001].Procedural success was achieved in 100％of cases,and device success was 98.8％.The 30-day patient-related cardiovascular clinical composite endpoint(POCE)rate was 0.0,with no target lesion failure,no confirmed or potential thrombotic events were observed.The shockwave energy generator demonstrated excellent stability and ease of use.Among the 33 patients assessed with OCT,after IVL intervention,the maximum calcified area of the lumen[(3.51±1.51)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P＜0.001],and the minimum lumen area within the target lesion[(3.08±1.04)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P＜0.001],and after DES intervention,the luminal area of the largest calcified site[(6.59±1.64)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P＜0.001]and the minimum luminal area within the target lesion[(6.19±1.45)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P＜0.001]were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusions The Vesscrack shockwave balloon is effective and safe for vascular preparation in patients with severe CAC prior to stent implantation.It achieves significant calcified plaque modification,high procedural success rates,and minimal complications.

Objective To investigate the influence of helical tomographic radiotherapy plans with different combinations of lead gate width,pitch and algorithms on threading effects.Methods A target model was established with a Cheese Phantom used as the simulated human body,then three lead gate widths(1.0,2.5,and 5.0 cm),six screw pitches(0.143,0.172,0.215,0.287,0.430,and 0.500)and two computational grids(Fine algorithm and Normal algorithm)were respectively combined for designing the helical tomography radiotherapy plans.The radiotherapy plans with a pitch of 0.143,0.172,0.215,0.287 or 0.430 were enrolled into an experimental group,and the plans with a pitch of 0.500 were divided into a control group.The dosimetric parameters including maximum dose(Dmax),minimum dose(Dmin)and mean dose(Dmean)of the target area PTV1 and PTV2 were evaluated by the dose volume histogram(DVH).The dose homogeneity index(HI)of the target area was calculated,and the single rotation time and total treatment time of each plan were recorded and counted.SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results No significant threading effect appeared regardless of the pitch value when the lead gate width was 1.0 cm.The threading effects in the experimental group were weaker than those in the control group when the lead gate width was 2.5 or 5.0 cm.The threading effect gradually rose with the pitch increased when the lead gate width was 5.0 cm.The most significant difference was found between the threading effect in case of the screw pitch being 0.500 and that with the screw pitch being 0.143,with the differenes being statistically obvious(P<0.05).The lead gate width had significant effects on the Dmax,Dmin,Dmean and HI of PTV1 and PTV2.When the lead gate width was 5.0 cm,high HI value and uneven dose distribution were detected and lowered screw pitch weakened the threading effect.The single rotation time first remained constant and then increased with the screw pitch was enlarged,with the changing points occurring in case of the screw pitches of 0.287 and 0.430.With a certain lead gate width,the treatment time for plans was shortened with the decrease of the pitches in case of the pritches lower than 0.287,and tended to be constant after the screw pitches reached 0.287.The changes of the computational grid had no significant effects on the results of radiotherapy plans when the lead gate width and screw pitch were kept constant.Conclusion When designing a spiral tomotherapy plan with conventional doses,a lead gate width of 1.0 or 2.5 cm and a screw pitch of 0.287 or 0.430 should be selected in order to minimize the threading effect while ensuring the efficiency of plan implementation.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):58-66]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a well-accepted therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines integrating TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of AD, limiting the clinical application of such combined approaches. Therefore, the China Association of Chinese Medicine initiated the development of the current guideline, focusing on key issues related to the use of TCM in the treatment of AD. This guideline was developed in accordance with the principles of the guideline formulation manual published by the World Health Organization. A comprehensive review of the literature on the combined use of TCM and Western medicine to treat AD was conducted. The findings were extensively discussed by experts in dermatology and pharmacy with expertise in both TCM and Western medicine. This guideline comprises 23 recommendations across seven major areas, including TCM syndrome differentiation and classification of AD, principles and application scenarios of TCM combined with Western medicine for treating AD, outcome indicators for evaluating clinical efficacy of AD treatment, integration of TCM pattern classification and Western medicine across disease stages, daily management of AD, the use of internal TCM therapies and proprietary Chinese medicines, and TCM external treatments. Please cite this article as: Du XR, Wu MY, Tao MC, Lin Y, Gu CY, Wu MF, Cao Y, Chen DC, Li W, Wang HW, Wang Y, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Liu X, Su XF, Li FL. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):641-653.
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Integrative Medicine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Quantitative CT (QCT) is a method of measuring bone mineral density (BMD) of human based on a CT machine,calibrated by QCT body model and analyzed by professional software.Compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry,QCT can not only assess the cortical and cancellous BMD but also exclude the influences of osteophytes and aortic/vascular calcification,thus being capable of accurately reflecting patients' bone mass.In recent years,increasing studies on QCT and osteoporosis (OP) have been carried out,and the application of QCT in the diagnosis of OP,evaluation of vertebral bone conditions,prediction of fracture risks,and assessment of anti-OP treatment is garnering increasing attention from researchers at home and abroad.This article reviews the research progress in this field,aiming to provide a reference for the research on QCT in the diagnosis and treatment of OP.
Humans ; Osteoporosis/diagnosis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Bone Density

Objective To compare the effect of small optical zone orthokeratology lenses(OK lenses)and repeated low-level red-light(RLRL)therapy in controlling myopia progression for adolescents,and the therapeutic effectiveness of RLRL is evaluated.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 80 adolescent myopic patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University.The patients were divided into the RLRL group and the OK lenses group according to different intervention methods,with 40 cases in each group.Patients in the RLRL group received RLRL therapy combined with single-vision spectacles,and patients in the OK lenses group were treated with OK lenses.The changes of spherical equivalent(SE),axial length and subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT)1,3,6,and 12 months after treatment compared with the baseline,and color vision of patients were assessed.Based on the mean baseline axial length of the RLRL group,the patients in this group were subdivided into the short axial group and the long axial group,and the changes of the axial length and SFCT were further analyzed.Results The diopter 1,3,6,and 12 months after treatment in the RLRL group were not significantly different from the baseline(P>0.05).Axial lengths of patients in the RLRL group progressively shortened after treatment and returned close to the baseline 12 months after treatment.In contrast,axial lengths of patients in the OK lens continued to grow within 12 months after treatment;the axial lengths at each time point after treatment of patients in the two groups were significantly different from the baseline(P<0.05).The changes of axial length of patients in the RLRL group at each time point after treatment were significantly smaller than those in the OK lenses group(P<0.05).The SFCT changes of patients in the RLRL group at each time point after treatment were all greater than those in the OK lenses group(P<0.05).The SFCT at each time point after treatment in the RLRL group were significantly different from the baseline(P<0.05),whereas the SFCT at each time point after treatment in the OK lenses group were not significantly different from the baseline(P>0.05).The changes of axial length at each time point after treatment of patients in the long axial group were all greater than those in the short axial group(P<0.05);the SFCT changes 6 months after treatment of patients in the long axial group was greater than that in the short axial group(P<0.05);the SFCT at each time point after treatment of patients in the two groups were signifi-cantly different from the baseline(P<0.05).Color vision tests revealed no abnormities after treatment in the RLRL group and the OK lenses group.Conclusion RLRL therapy is effective in controlling myopia progression and demonstrates superior axial length control compared to orthokeratology lenses.