ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of salidroside （SAL） on the impaired bioactivity of endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs） in atherosclerotic （As） mice and the potential mechanisms regarding AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）. MethodsAtherosclerosis was induced in 8-week-old male ApoE^-/- mice with high-fat diet. Intragastric administration of SAL was given to one mice group to investigate the effects of SAL on aortic plaque burden， plasma NO level， the migration and angiogenic capabilities of bone marrow-derived EPCs （BM-EPCs）. The proliferation， migration and vasculogenic properties of EPCs isolated from As mice were investigated in vitro. AMPK-sh-RNA or the AMPK inhibitor Compound C was used to investigate the role of AMPK/Akt/eNOS pathway in the regulatory effects of SAL. ResultsCompared with As group， NO level was significantly elevated in SAL group. The sizes of atherosclerotic plaques at the aortic root were reduced with smaller lipid cores in SAL group compared with As group. Moreover， the migration and angiogenesis capacity of EPCs markedly decreased in As mice， while SAL treatment reversed these impairments. Incubation with SAL at concentrations of 20， 40， and 80 μmol/L for 48 hours significantly promoted the proliferation， migration， and angiogenesis of EPCs. AMPK-sh-RNA transfection abrogated the 20 μmol/L SAL improvement in EPC biological activities. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that treatment with Compound C blocked the activation of AMPK/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway induced by SAL. ConclusionSAL upregulates the biological functions of EPCs through activating the AMPK/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway， thereby ameliorating EPC dysfunction during the pathological progression of atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the small joints of the whole body and degrades the patients' quality of life. Zhengqing Fengtongning (ZF) is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation used to treat RA. ZF may cause liver injury. In this study, we aimed to develop a prediction model for abnormal liver function caused by ZF. METHODS: This retrospective study collected data from multiple centers from January 2018 to April 2023. Abnormal liver function was set as the target variable according to the alanine transaminase (ALT) level. Features were screened through univariate analysis and sequential forward selection for modeling. Ten machine learning and deep learning models were compared to find the model that most effectively predicted liver function from the available data. RESULTS: This study included 1,913 eligible patients. The LightGBM model exhibited the best performance (accuracy = 0.96) out of the 10 learning models. The predictive metrics of the LightGBM model were as follows: precision = 0.99, recall rate = 0.97, F1_score = 0.98, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.98, sensitivity = 0.97 and specificity = 0.85 for predicting ALT < 40 U/L; precision = 0.60, recall rate = 0.83, F1_score = 0.70, AUC = 0.98, sensitivity = 0.83 and specificity = 0.97 for predicting 40 ≤ ALT < 80 U/L; and precision = 0.83, recall rate = 0.63, F1_score = 0.71, AUC = 0.97, sensitivity = 0.63 and specificity = 1.00 for predicting ALT ≥ 80 U/L. ZF-induced abnormal liver function was found to be associated with high total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, the combination of TNF-α inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, methotrexate + nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, leflunomide, smoking, older age, and females in middle-age (45-65 years old). CONCLUSION This study developed a model for predicting ZF-induced abnormal liver function, which may help improve the safety of integrated administration of ZF and Western medicine. Please cite this article as: Yu Z, Kou F, Gao Y, Lyu CM, Gao F, Wei H. A machine learning model for predicting abnormal liver function induced by a Chinese herbal medicine preparation (Zhengqing Fengtongning) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis based on real-world study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 25-35.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Machine Learning ; Adult ; Aged ; Liver/physiopathology* ; Alanine Transaminase/blood*

Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: High-altitude hypoxia exposure often damages hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Nogo-A is an important axonal growth inhibitory factor. However, its function in high-altitude hypoxia and its mechanism of action remain unclear. METHODS: In an in vivo study, a low-pressure oxygen chamber was used to simulate high-altitude hypoxia, and genetic or pharmacological intervention was used to block the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway. Contextual fear conditioning and Morris water maze behavioral tests were used to assess learning and memory in rats, and synaptic damage in the hippocampus and changes in oxidative stress levels were observed. In vitro, SH-SY5Y cells were used to assess oxidative stress and mitochondrial function with or without Nogo-A knockdown in Oxygen Glucose-Deprivation/Reperfusion (OGD/R) models. RESULTS: Exposure to acute high-altitude hypoxia for 3 or 7 days impaired learning and memory in rats, triggered oxidative stress in the hippocampal tissue, and reduced the dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons. Blocking the Nogo-A/NgR1 pathway ameliorated oxidative stress, synaptic damage, and the learning and memory impairment induced by high-altitude exposure. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the detrimental role of Nogo-A protein in mediating learning and memory impairment under high-altitude hypoxia and suggest the potential of the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway as a crucial therapeutic target for alleviating learning and memory dysfunction induced by high-altitude exposure. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT available in www.besjournal.com.
Animals ; Oxidative Stress ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats ; Nogo Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Altitude ; Synapses ; Humans ; Altitude Sickness/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and genetic risk and their combined effects on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 318,085 biobank participants from the UK. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-genetic-risk groups based on their polygenic risk scores. Multivariate Cox regression models and multiplicative interaction analyses were used. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 13 years, 9,209 participants were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For low genetic risk, compared to low physical activity, the hazard ratios ( HRs) for moderate and high physical activity were 0.853 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.748-0.972) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.727-0.950), respectively. For intermediate genetic risk, the HRs were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.758-0.905) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.764-0.914), respectively. For participants with high genetic risk, the HRs were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.746-0.877) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.754-0.888), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between genetic risk and physical activity. CONCLUSION Moderate or high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across all genetic risk groups, highlighting the need to tailor activity interventions for genetically susceptible individuals.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Exercise ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Risk Factors ; United Kingdom/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Adult

Aim To explore the relationship between multiple cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and falls in middle-aged and elderly people.Methods Using the fifth dataset of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS),18 968 middle-aged and elderly people aged 45 years and above were enrolled as study subjects.The relationship between multiple cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and falls was analyzed by Logistic regression model.Results The incidence rates of falls,severe falls and hip fractures in the study subjects were 17.3％,6.8％and 0.9％,respectively.Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases were positively associated with the risk of falls.Compared with study subjects without cardiovascular and metabolic diseases,those with 1,2,3 and 4 cardiovascular and metabolic disea-ses had a 13％,44％,69％and91％increased risk of falls,respectively,with OR(95％CI)of 1.13(1.02～1.25),1.44(1.29～1.61),1.69(1.48～1.93)and 1.91(1.56～2.32);the risk of serious falls increased by 22％,51％,69％and 102％,respectively,with OR(95％CI)of 1.22(1.05～1.42),1.51(1.27～1.78),1.69(1.38～2.05)and 2.02(1.54～2.66).The risk of hip fractures increased by 95％,147％and 157％in study subjects with2,3 and 4 cardiovascular and metabolic diseases,respectively,with OR(95％CI)of 1.95(1.24～3.05),2.47(1.50～4.07)and 2.57(1.26～5.20).Conclusion Multiple cardiovascular and metabolic diseases significantly increased the risk of falls in middle-aged and elderly people.

Objective:To compare the effect of in situ and ex situ liver splitting techniques on the short-term outcomes of complete split liver transplantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the perioperative and follow-up data of 81 adult split liver transplant recipients and 42 donors at Ningbo University's Affiliated Lihuili Hospital from Mar 2021 to Dec 2023. Patients were divided into the ex situ and in situ splitting groups, and short-term complications were compared.Results:As of Dec 2023, the follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 30 months, with a median of 19 months. Cold and warm ischemia times were significantly shorter in the in situ splitting group compared to the ex situ group ( P<0.001). Postoperative peak levels of AST and ALT were also lower in the in situ splitting group ( P<0.01). However, the incidence of biliary complications was higher in the in situ splitting group (13 cases vs. 1 case, P=0.028). Conclusions:Compared to ex situ splitting, in situ splitting significantly reduces cold and warm ischemia times and results in less hepatocellular injury. However, it is associated with a higher incidence of biliary complications.

Objective To construct a nursing follow-up checklist for patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,providing a basis for postoperative follow-up care.Methods Using evidence-based methods,the literature from major guide websites and databases using Chinese and English search terms was retrieved,and their quality was evaluated.The relevant items were extracted,and a first draft was formed.15 experts were selected in relevant fields from 14 tertiary hospitals in 13 provinces,cities,and autonomous regions across the country for Delphi inquiry.The nursing follow-up checklist was revised again based on expert opinions and clinical practice.The nursing follow-up checklist was initially applied and then revised again to form the final draft.Results 15 experts include 12 undergraduate and 3 master's degree holders.The positivity coefficients of the 2 rounds of inquiry were 100％;the authority coefficients of the experts were 0.815;the Kendall coefficients were 0.119 and 0.144,respectively;the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).The final nursing follow-up checklist was formed,which includes 6 primary indicators,including physiological status,psychological status,social and family support,living conditions,disease knowledge,and laboratory tests.19 patients(95％)found the follow-up content to be comprehensive.The follow-up nurses's satisfaction rate exceeded 85％.There were 27 secondary indicators and 61 tertiary indicators,with coefficients of variation of all indicators less than 0.25.Conclusion The nursing follow-up checklist is scientific,reliable,and practical,which can provide a basis for clinical nursing staff to follow up and comprehensively manage patients after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the influence and mechanism of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs), i.e. hADMSC-EVs on pyroptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by high glucose, with the aim of providing evidence for improving vascular function in diabetic wounds.Methods:This study was an experimental research. The umbilical cords from 5 women aged 25 to 40 years were collected who had normal vaginal delivery at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from June to September in 2023, and HUVECs were isolated and successfully identified. Adipose tissue was obtained from 6 healthy women aged 25 to 35 years who underwent abdomen liposuction at the Department of Plastic Surgery of the above-mentioned hospital in the same period. After hADMSCs were isolated, hADMSC-EVs were extracted and successfully identified. The fourth passage of HUVECs were cultured in endothelial cell medium containing glucose in a molarity of 33 mmol/L and divided into phosphate buffered solution (PBS) group cultured with PBS, EV group cultured with hADMSC-EVs, and EV+LY294002 group cultured with hADMSC-EVs and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins PI3K and Akt, and pyroptosis-related proteins nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-1 (caspase-1), gasdermin D, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18 of cells after 48 hours of culture. A cell counting kit-8 was used to test the proliferation levels of cells at 0 (immediately), 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours of culture. After 48 hours of culture, the cell scratch test was performed and the cell migration rates at 12 and 24 hours after scratching were calculated; the cell Transwell assay was conducted and the number of cells migrating in 24 hours was calculated; the cell tube formation experiment was performed, and the total length of tube formation and the number of branch nodes were measured and counted. The sample size was 3.Results:After 48 hours of culture, the protein expressions of PI3K and Akt of cells in EV group were significantly higher than those in PBS group ( P<0.05), and the protein expressions of PI3K and Akt of cells in EV+LY294002 group were significantly lower than those in EV group ( P<0.05). After 48 hours of culture, the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, gasdermin D, IL-1β, and IL-18 of cells in EV group were 0.54±0.08, 0.96±0.11, 0.525±0.061, 1.216±0.039, and 1.317±0.023, respectively, which were significantly lower than 2.32±0.11, 1.86±0.07, 1.256±0.113, 2.589±0.084, and 2.042±0.132 in PBS group ( P<0.05); the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, gasdermin D, IL-1β, and IL-18 of cells in EV+LY294002 group were 1.16±0.05, 1.37±0.06, 0.962±0.028, 1.834±0.017, and 1.803±0.065, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in EV group ( P<0.05). At 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours of culture, the proliferation levels of cells in EV group were significantly higher than those in PBS group ( P<0.05), and the proliferation levels of cells in EV+LY294002 group were significantly lower than those in EV group ( P<0.05). After 48 hours of culture, the cell migration rates at 12 and 24 hours after scratching in EV group were significantly higher than those in PBS group ( P<0.05), and the cell migration rates at 12 and 24 hours after scratching in EV+LY294002 group were significantly lower than those in EV group ( P<0.05); the number of cells migrating in 24 hours in EV group was significantly greater than that in PBS group ( P<0.05), and the number of cells migrating in 24 hours in EV+LY294002 group was significantly less than that in EV group ( P<0.05). After 48 hours of culture, compared with those in PBS group, the total length of tube formation of cells in EV group was significantly prolonged ( P<0.05), and the number of branch nodes was significantly increased ( P<0.05); compared with those in EV group, the total length of tube formation in EV+LY294002 group was significantly shortened ( P<0.05), and the number of branch nodes was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusions:hADMSC-EVs can inhibit the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins in HUVECs induced by high glucose through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and improve the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis capabilities of HUVECs.