OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tongmai Hypoglycemic Capsule (THC) on myocardium injury in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) rats. METHODS: A total of 24 Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 4 weeks with high-fat and high-sugar food and then injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally for the establishment of the DCM model. In addition, 6 rats with normal diets were used as the control group. After modeling, 24 DCM rats were randomly divided into the model, L-THC, M-THC, and H-THC groups by computer generated random numbers, and 0, 0.16, 0.32, 0.64 g/kg of THC were adopted respectively by gavage, with 6 rats in each group. After 12 weeks of THC administration, echocardiography, histopathological staining, biochemical analysis, and Western blot were used to detect the changes in myocardial structure, oxidative stress (OS), biochemical indexes, protein expressions of myocardial fibrosis, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related faactor 2 (Nrf2) element, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with THC significantly decreased cardiac markers such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase-MB, etc., (P<0.01); enhanced cardiac function indicators including heart rate, ejection fraction, cardiac output, interventricular septal thickness at diastole, and others (P<0.05 or P<0.01); decreased levels of biochemical indicators such as fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate transaminase, (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and decreased the levels of myocardial fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I (Col-1) protein (P<0.01), improved myocardial morphology and the status of myocardial interstitial fibrosis. THC significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels in model rats (P<0.01), increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione (P<0.01), and significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase-1, and superoxide dismutase 2 proteins in the left ventricle of rats (P<0.01). CONCLUSION THC activates the Nrf2 signaling pathway and plays a protective role in reducing OS injury and cardiac fibrosis in DCM rats.
Animals ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/physiopathology* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Capsules ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl₄ and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Comorbid pain and depression are common but remain difficult to treat. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively improve symptoms of depression and relieve pain, but its neural mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to detect cerebral changes after initiating a mouse pain model via constriction of the infraorbital nerve (CION) and then treating these animals with EA. METHODS: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups: control, CION model, EA, and sham acupuncture (without needle insertion). EA was performed on the acupoints Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) for 20 min, once a day for 10 consecutive days. The mechanical withdrawal threshold was tested 3 days after the surgery and every 3 days after the intervention. The depressive behavior was evaluated with the tail suspension test, open-field test, elevated plus maze (EPM), sucrose preference test, and marble burying test. The rs-fMRI was used to detect the cerebral changes of the functional connectivity (FC) in the mice following EA treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the CION group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold increased in the EA group at the end of the intervention (P < 0.05); the immobility time in tail suspension test decreased (P < 0.05); and the times of the open arm entry and the open arm time in the EPM increased (both P < 0.001). There was no difference in the sucrose preference or marble burying tests (both P > 0.05). The fMRI results showed that EA treatment downregulated the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity values, while these indicators were elevated in brain regions including the amygdala, hippocampus and cerebral cortex in the CION model for comorbid pain and depression. Selecting the amygdala as the seed region, we found that the FC was higher in the CION group than in the control group. Meanwhile, EA treatment was able to decrease the FC between the amygdala and other brain regions including the caudate putamen, thalamus, and parts of the cerebral cortex. CONCLUSION EA can downregulate the abnormal activation of neurons in the amygdala and improve its FC with other brain regions, thus exerting analgesic and antidepressant effects. Please cite this article as: Yin X, Zeng XL, Lin JJ, Xu WQ, Cui KY, Guo XT, Li W, Xu SF. Brain functional changes following electroacupuncture in a mouse model of comorbid pain and depression: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 159-168.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Depression/diagnostic imaging* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Pain/diagnostic imaging* ; Acupuncture Points

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatments and prognoses of carotid artery dissection (CAD).Methods:Nine patients with CAD, admitted to Department of Neurology, Air Force Medical Center of PLA from May 2010 to April 2024, were chosen; the clinical and imaging data, treatments and prognoses (mRS score≤2: good prognosis) of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results:(1) Among the 9 patients with CAD, histories of hypertension, diabetes, head and neck trauma, and radiotherapy were noted 3, 2, 4 and 1 patients, respectively; and unclear past history was noted in 1 patient. Carotid ultrasound was performed in 9 patients: slow blood flow of the internal carotid artery with stenosis or occlusion in 7 patients and normal blood flow of the internal carotid artery in 2 patients were noted. MRA in 5 patients showed severe stenosis or subtotal occlusion in the internal carotid artery. DSA in 8 patients showed CAD plus severe stenosis or subtotal occlusion. (2) After ineffective antiplatelet therapy in 3 patients and ineffective anticoagulant therapy in 2 patients, carotid artery stenting (CAS) was performed; direct CAS was given in one patient, and anticoagulant therapy was given in 3 patients. (3) After 3 months of treatment, 9 patients had a good prognosis; carotid ultrasound in 4 patients showed vascular recanalization; MRA re-examination in 3 patients showed vascular recanalization. DSA re-examination in 1 patient showed vascular recanalization; CTA re-examination in 1 patient showed moderate stenosis of the right internal carotid artery.Conclusion:CAD causes are various; CAD should be considered in patients with neck trauma combined with stroke; endovascular treatment should be considered when antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy are not effective.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of severe congenital heart dis-ease in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 to provide a basis for its comprehensive prevention and control measures.Methods Based on hospital monitoring data,453 children patients with severe congenital heart dis-ease monitored by the birth defects monitoring institutions in Chongqing city from January 2007 to December 2023 were included in the study.They were grouped by year,perinatal infants gender,maternal permanent res-idence(urban/rural),maternal age,different regions and other categories.The χ2 test was used to analyze the difference in the incidence rate of different categories of severe congenital heart diseases,and the Joinpoint re-gression model was used to analyze the change trend.Results A total of 1 468 005 perinatal neonates were monitored in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 and 453 cases of severe congenital heart disease were found,with an incidence rate of 3.09/10 000,in which the incidence rate of atrioventricular septal defect was 2.16/10 000,the incidence rate of tetralogy of fallot was 0.66/10 000 and the incidence rate of transposition of great ar-teries was 0.27/10 000.The total incidence rate of cities and towns was higher than that in the countryside(χ2=64.08,P<0.001),the urban area was higher than the Chongqing southeast and Chongqing northeast towns cluster(χ2=49.34,P<0.001),the female was higher than the male(χ2=5.63,P=0.018).The inci-dence rates in different ages groups showed the U shape distribution(χ2=31.63,P<0.001).The incidence rate of the pregnant women<20 years old group and pregnant women≥35 years old group was higher,which of the 25-29 years old group was lower.The incidence rate of severe congenital heart disease in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 appeared the turning point,which during 2007-2016 was gradually increased(APC=-15.95),and which during 2016-2023 was gradually decreased(APC=-15.36).Conclusion The incidence rate of severe congenital heart disease in Chongqing city during 2007-2023 was increased first and then de-creased,moreover there were differences in time,region and population.

Objective To analyze the application of in-use laparoscopes in clincal departments to enhance the laparoscope's effectiveness.Methods The effective utilization data of 29 laparoscopes from January 2024 to June 2024 were acquired with an hospital intelligent medical device management platform.Comparisons were carried out in terms of average daily workload,average daily hours of use and average daily efficiency between the laparoscopes from different departments and brands with non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and between the conventional and 3D laparoscopes with non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test.Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between the number of years of laparoscope use and the average daily workload,the average daily hours of use,and the average daily efficiency and the chi-square test was applied to investigating the relationship between the surgery grade and the type of equipment selected.Results Thoracic sugery department had the highest average daily workload(3.82 person-time),while the general medical department had the highest average daily hours of use(443.76 min)and the highest daily efficiency(92.45％).There were significant differences between the laparoscopes from different departments in average daily workload,average daily hours of use and average daily efficiency(P＜0.05).Brand D laparoscope behaved the best among brands of laparoscopes with the highest average daily workload(3.72 person-time),average daily hours of use(394.41 min)and average daily efficiency(82.17％).There were sig-nificant differences between the brands of laparoscopesin average daily workload,average daily hours of use and average daily efficiency(P＜0.05).3D laparoscopes obviously gained advantages over the conventional ones in average daily workload,average daily hours of use and average daily efficiency(P＜0.05).The number of years of use correlated negatively with average daily workload,average daily hours of use and average daily efficiency,with Pearson correlation coefficients being-0.095,-0.039 and-0.039 respectively.Grade Three and Four surgeries had significant differences in types of selected equipment(P＜0.001),and 3D laparoscopes were preferred for Grade Four surgery.Conclusion Utilization analysis of laparoscopes provides data support for optimized application and setup of laparoscopes.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):87-91]

Objective To carry out quality control testing of anesthesia ventilators to ensure the reliability and safety during their clinical use.Methods Totally 88 anesthesia ventilators used in some hospital underwent quality control testing in terms of tidal volume,peak airway pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure by using a gas flow analyzer according to JJF(E)61-2020 Calibration Specification of Anesthetic Machines,which included 31 ones,36 ones,12 ones and 9 ones respectively from brand A,B,C and D.The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the variability of the measured values and errors of the performance indicators between different brands of anesthesia ventilators,the chi-square test was applied to discussing the variability of the accuracy class of the performance indicators between different brands of anesthesia ventilators,and the Pearson correlation coefficient was adopted to investigate the correlation between the years of use and the absolute values of the relative errors of the performance indicators.Results The 88 anesthesia ventilators had the overall pass rate for quality control testing being 42.05%,of which,brand B had the highest pass rate(52.78%)and brand C had the lowest pass rate(8.33%).Brand B gained advantages in tidal volume when compared with brand A,C and D,with the differences being significant(P<0.05);brand A behaved the best in peak airway pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure when compared with brand B,C and D,with the differences being significant(P<0.05).Brand A had the highest proportion(63.08%)of distinction and credit in terms of the three performance indicators.The absolute value of the relative error in tidal volume was positively correlated with the years of use at the 3 measurement points for setting values of 400,600,and 800 mL respectively(P<0.05),and there was a significant correlation between the absolute value of the relative error and the years of use at a peak airway pressure setting of 10 cmH2O(1 cmH2O=98.07 Pa)(P<0.05).Conclusion Quality control testing of anesthesia ventilators contributes to finding the risks during their application,which can be an effective tool to ensure the safety of anesthesia ventilators used in medical institutions.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):75-80]

Objective To summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of children with sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide(NTCP)deficiency.Methods Clinical data of children with NTCP deficiency diagnosed and treated at the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from July 2022 to March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.Results A total of 14 children were included(6 males,8 females),all with normal growth and development.Reasons for initial consultation included elevated serum bile acids in 7 cases,jaundice in 4 cases,cholestatic hepatitis in 1 case,and one case each of pneumonia and cow's milk protein allergy.At the first visit,all patients had elevated serum total bile acids beyond the normal range,with a mean of 152.5 μmol/L.Elevated alanine aminotransferase was observed in 1 case,elevated aspartate aminotransferase in 2 cases,and elevated total bilirubin in 10 cases.Genetic sequencing revealed that all children carried the homozygous SLC10A1 variant c.800C>T(p.Ser267Phe),classified as likely pathogenic.Conclusions NTCP deficiency often lacks obvious clinical symptoms and signs.Some children present with transient hyperbilirubinemia,cholestasis,or other liver function abnormalities.Persistent isolated elevation of serum bile acids warrants suspicion for this disease.Biallelic pathogenic variants in SLC10A1 constitute the basis for definitive diagnosis.There is no specific treatment for this disease,and management is mainly symptomatic.

Objective To carry out quality control testing of anesthesia ventilators to ensure the reliability and safety during their clinical use.Methods Totally 88 anesthesia ventilators used in some hospital underwent quality control testing in terms of tidal volume,peak airway pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure by using a gas flow analyzer according to JJF(E)61-2020 Calibration Specification of Anesthetic Machines,which included 31 ones,36 ones,12 ones and 9 ones respectively from brand A,B,C and D.The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the variability of the measured values and errors of the performance indicators between different brands of anesthesia ventilators,the chi-square test was applied to discussing the variability of the accuracy class of the performance indicators between different brands of anesthesia ventilators,and the Pearson correlation coefficient was adopted to investigate the correlation between the years of use and the absolute values of the relative errors of the performance indicators.Results The 88 anesthesia ventilators had the overall pass rate for quality control testing being 42.05%,of which,brand B had the highest pass rate(52.78%)and brand C had the lowest pass rate(8.33%).Brand B gained advantages in tidal volume when compared with brand A,C and D,with the differences being significant(P<0.05);brand A behaved the best in peak airway pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure when compared with brand B,C and D,with the differences being significant(P<0.05).Brand A had the highest proportion(63.08%)of distinction and credit in terms of the three performance indicators.The absolute value of the relative error in tidal volume was positively correlated with the years of use at the 3 measurement points for setting values of 400,600,and 800 mL respectively(P<0.05),and there was a significant correlation between the absolute value of the relative error and the years of use at a peak airway pressure setting of 10 cmH2O(1 cmH2O=98.07 Pa)(P<0.05).Conclusion Quality control testing of anesthesia ventilators contributes to finding the risks during their application,which can be an effective tool to ensure the safety of anesthesia ventilators used in medical institutions.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):75-80]

Objective To summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of children with sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide(NTCP)deficiency.Methods Clinical data of children with NTCP deficiency diagnosed and treated at the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from July 2022 to March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.Results A total of 14 children were included(6 males,8 females),all with normal growth and development.Reasons for initial consultation included elevated serum bile acids in 7 cases,jaundice in 4 cases,cholestatic hepatitis in 1 case,and one case each of pneumonia and cow's milk protein allergy.At the first visit,all patients had elevated serum total bile acids beyond the normal range,with a mean of 152.5 μmol/L.Elevated alanine aminotransferase was observed in 1 case,elevated aspartate aminotransferase in 2 cases,and elevated total bilirubin in 10 cases.Genetic sequencing revealed that all children carried the homozygous SLC10A1 variant c.800C>T(p.Ser267Phe),classified as likely pathogenic.Conclusions NTCP deficiency often lacks obvious clinical symptoms and signs.Some children present with transient hyperbilirubinemia,cholestasis,or other liver function abnormalities.Persistent isolated elevation of serum bile acids warrants suspicion for this disease.Biallelic pathogenic variants in SLC10A1 constitute the basis for definitive diagnosis.There is no specific treatment for this disease,and management is mainly symptomatic.