To address the economic challenge associated with acquiring labeled sample data for white paeony,a semi-supervised learning model based on metric learning and consistency constraints was proposed to predict the content of trace heavy metal pollutants Pb and Cd in white paeony.The model was comprised of two multi-task deep learning networks with the same structure but different parameters,namely the teacher model and the student model.The multi-task deep learning network utilized metric learning within the classification branch to ensure the clustering of different samples,thereby enhancing the predictive performance of the regression branch for heavy metal content in white peony samples.The student model effectively utilized unlabeled data by constraining the consistency of outputs between the teacher and student models.Experimental results showed that the proposed multi-task deep learning network combined with the regression subnetwork model significantly reduced the average relative errors of Pb and Cd in the test set to 7.01%and 8.16%when predicting trace heavy metal pollutants in paeony.Furthermore,after integrating the metric learning loss function-constrained and the consistency-constrained teacher-student semi-supervised learning model,the same samples exhibited clustering phenomena,with faster convergence speed and convergence values closer to 0 in the loss function,reducing the average relative errors of Pb and Cd in the test set to 3.32%and 4.77%.The above results indicated that the model proposed in this work could effectively enhance the accuracy and reliability of LIBS in quantitative analysis of trace heavy metal elements in paeony,strengthening the advantages of LIBS in practical applications for quality supervision in the traditional Chinese medicine market.

Polygonati Rhizoma demonstrates significant potential for addressing both chronic and hidden hunger. The supply of high-quality seedlings is a primary factor influencing the development of the Polygonati Rhizoma industry. Warm water soaking is often used in agriculture to promote the rapid germination of seeds, while its application and molecular mechanism in Polygonati Rhizoma have not been reported. To rapidly obtain high-quality seedlings, this study treated Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium seeds with sand storage at low temperatures, warm water soaking, and cultivation temperature gradients. The results showed that the culture at 25 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months rapidly broke the seed dormancy of P. kingianum var. grandifolium, while the culture at 20 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 1 month failed to break the seed dormancy. Soaking seeds in 60 ℃ warm water further increased the germination rate, germination potential, and germination index. Specifically, the seeds soaked at 60 ℃ and cultured at 25 ℃ without sand storage treatment(Aa25) achieved a germination rate of 78. 67%±1. 53% on day 42 and 83. 40%±4. 63% on day 77. The seeds pretreated with sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months, soaked in 60 ℃ water, and then cultured at 25 ℃ achieved a germination rate comparable to that of Aa25 on day 77. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that warm water soaking might promote germination by triggering reactive oxygen species( ROS), inducing the expression of heat shock factors( HSFs) and heat shock proteins( HSPs), which accelerated DNA replication, transcript maturation, translation, and processing, thereby facilitating the accumulation and turnover of genetic materials. According to the results of indoor controlled experiments and field practices, maintaining a germination and seedling cultivation environment at approximately 25 ℃ was crucial for the one-year seedling cultivation of P. kingianum var. grandifolium.
Germination ; Seedlings/genetics* ; Water/metabolism* ; Seeds/metabolism* ; Polygonatum/genetics* ; Temperature ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Plant Dormancy

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism. METHODS: Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. RESULTS: Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Signal Transduction ; Imiquimod ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Male ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) among < 5-year-old children in three provinces of China during 2020-2024 via a propensity score-matched test-negative case-control study. METHODS: Electronic health records and immunization information systems were used to obtain data on acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases tested for rotavirus (RV) infection. RV-positive cases were propensity score matched with RV-negative controls for age, visit month, and province. RESULTS: The study included 27,472 children with AGE aged 8 weeks to 4 years at the time of AGE diagnosis; 7.98% (2,192) were RV-positive. The VE (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1-2 and 3 doses of RV5 against any medically attended RV infection (inpatient or outpatient) was 57.6% (39.8%, 70.2%) and 67.2% (60.3%, 72.9%), respectively. Among children who received the 3rd dose before turning 5 months of age, 3-dose VE decreased from 70.4% (53.9%, 81.1%) (< 5 months since the 3rd dose) to 63.0% (49.1%, 73.0%) (≥ 1 year since the 3rd dose). The three-dose VE rate was 69.4% (41.3%, 84.0%) for RVGE hospitalization and 57.5% (38.9%, 70.5%) for outpatient-only medically attended RVGE. CONCLUSION Three-dose RV5 VE against rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children aged < 5 years was higher than 1-2-dose VE. Three-dose VE decreased with time since the 3rd dose in children who received the 3rd dose before turning five months of age, but remained above 60% for at least one year. VE was higher for RVGE hospitalizations than for medically attended outpatient visits.
Humans ; Rotavirus Vaccines/immunology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology* ; Male ; Propensity Score ; Female ; Vaccine Efficacy ; Gastroenteritis/virology* ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; Rotavirus

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of Huanglian-Renshen-Decoction (HRD) on ameliorating type 2 diabetes mellitus by maintaining islet β -cell identity through regulating paracrine and endocrine glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in both islet and intestine. METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into the model (distilled water), low-dose HRD (LHRD, 3 g/kg), high-dose HRD (HHRD, 6 g/kg), and liraglutide (400 µ g/kg) groups using a random number table, 8 mice in each group. The db/m mice were used as the control group (n=8, distilled water). The entire treatment of mice lasted for 6 weeks. Blood insulin, glucose, and GLP-1 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The proliferation and apoptosis factors of islet cells were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Then, GLP-1, GLP-1R, prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3), PC2, v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homologue A (MafA), and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) were detected by Western blot, IHC, IF, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: HRD reduced the weight and blood glucose of the db/db mice, and improved insulin sensitivity at the same time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HRD also promoted mice to secrete more insulin and less glucagon (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, it also increased the number of islet β cell and decreased islet α cell mass (P<0.01). After HRD treatment, the levels of GLP-1, GLP-1R, PC1/3, PC2, MafA, and PDX1 in the pancreas and intestine significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION HRD can maintain the normal function and identity of islet β cell, and the underlying mechanism is related to promoting the paracrine and endocrine activation of GLP-1 in pancreas and intestine.
Animals ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor/metabolism* ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Insulin/blood* ; Mice ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Islets of Langerhans/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying molecular mechanism of Modified Hu-Lu-Ba-Wan (MHW) in alleviating renal lesions in mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into model group and MHW group according to a random number table, while db/m mice were settled as the control group (n=8 per group). The control and model groups were gavaged daily with distilled water [10 mL/(kg·d)], and the MHW group was treated with MHW [17.8 g/(kg·d)] for 6 weeks. After MHW administration for 6 weeks, indicators associated with glucolipid metabolism and urinary albumin were tested. Podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Kidney transcriptomics was performed after confirming therapeutic effects of MHW on DKD mice. The relevant target of MHW' effect in DKD was further determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, MHW improved glucose and lipid metabolism (P<0.05), and reduced lipid deposition in the kidney. Meanwhile, MHW reduced the excretion of urinary albumin (P<0.05) and ameliorated renal damage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the inflammation response, particularly the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, may be responsible for the effect of MHW on DKD. Furtherly, our results found that MHW inhibited IL-17A and alleviated early fibrosis in the diabetic kidney. CONCLUSION MHW ameliorated renal damage in DKD via inhibiting IL-17A, suggesting a potential strategy for DKD therapy.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/genetics* ; Interleukin-17/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Kidney/ultrastructure* ; Podocytes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Albuminuria ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Aim To elucidate the underlying mecha-nism by which total triterpenoids extracted from Hove-nia dulcis(H-TP)enhance the sensitivity of A549/DDP cells to cisplatin.Methods The ARE-Nrf2 lu-ciferase reporter assay was applied to investigate the impact of H-TP on Nrf2 expression.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1,Nrf2-GPX4 signaling pathway,apoptosis-related proteins of Bcl-2 and Bax.Further validation of its effects on Nrf2 was conducted by using Nrf2 activator/inhibitor.Results H-TP could enhance the sensitivi-ty of A549/DDP cells to cisplatin by modulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2,inhibiting the Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signating pathway in A549/DDP cells,and inducing ferroptosis.Conclusion H-TP enhances the sensitivity of A549/DDP cells to cisplatin by inducing the Nrf2-mediated ferroptosis pathway.

Objective:To analyze the carriage status, subtype distribution and flanking gene sequence characteristics of oxacillinases (OXA enzyme) in 241 clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and assess their roles in the drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and ability to horizontally transfer across species. Methods:Clinical P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from four hospitals in Sanya, Tangshan, Zhangjiakou, and Beijing. The prevalence of oxacillinases and their flanking gene sequences was analyzed by whole-genome sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic approaches. Results:A total of 241 isolates of P. aeruginosa were gathered, and 35 blaOXA subtypes were identified through screening of 252 blaOXA genes. These genes were classified into three subfamilies: blaOXA-50-like (241, 95.6%), blaOXA-1-like (9, 3.6%) and blaOXA-10-like (2, 0.8%). Among these, 11 subtypes (11, 31.4%) were novel blaOXA subtypes. Nine of these belonged to the blaOXA-50-like subfamily and were designated as blaOXA-1244, blaOXA-1245, blaOXA-1246, blaOXA-1250, blaOXA-1252, blaOXA-1253, blaOXA-1254, blaOXA-1255, and blaOXA-1256. The remaining two belonged to the blaOXA-10-like subfamily and were named blaOXA-1247 and blaOXA-1248. Compared to the amino acid sequence of OXA-10, the newly identified subtype OXA-1247 exhibited a mutation at position 117, where a valine was replaced by a leucine. This change was thought to improve the enzyme′s ability to hydrolyze carbapenems. In the analysis of the flanking sequences of the blaOXA genes, Class I integrons were identified in four bacterial strains. The variable regions of these integrons carried three distinct patterns of resistance gene cassettes: aac( 6′) -Ib-blaOXA-1247-ant( 3′′) -Ia, aac( 6′) -Ib-blaOXA-1248 and aac( 6′) -Ib- blaIMP-45-blaOXA-1-catB3. Among these, the strain BJ2326 carried a class I integron that was connected to the downstream IS CR1 element to form a composite class I integron structure, additionally carrying the resistance gene blaPER-1. Out of the 223 non-wild-type P. aeruginosa strains, 127 strains exhibited non-wild-type profiles to the four beta-lactam antibiotics MEM, CAZ, FEP, and TZP, with the combination of MEM+CAZ+FEP being the most prevalent, representing 57.0% of the total. Conclusions:The blaOXA genes in 241 clinical P. aeruginosa strains showed diversity. Some blaOXA genes had a co-transfer risk with the metallo-β-lactamase resistance gene blaIMP-45. Among the 11 newly discovered blaOXA subtypes, the new subtype OXA-1247 may have carbapenemase activity and potential for horizontal transfer.

Objective To identify the multidimensional needs of postoperative gastric cancer patients for home-based nutritional management based on patient journey maps,and to provide a reference for carrying out nutritional management interventions.Methods Using descriptive qualitative research methods,we facilitated semi-structured in-depth interviews with 9 pairs of postoperative gastric cancer homebound patients and their primary caregivers from a tertiary general hospital in Yichang City,China,from September 2024 to January 2025,and analysed the data and drew the patient journey maps by content analysis.Results Totally 24 sub-themes were summarised from 4 aspects,namely tasks,emotions,pain points and opportunity points,and journey maps involving the acute recovery period,the transitional adaptation period and the nutritional reconstruction period were formed.Conclusion The nutritional needs of homebound patients after gastric cancer surgery are complex and variable,and their needs for dietary guidance,eating-related symptom management,and real-time counselling are highlighted.In the future,appropriate intervention strategies can be developed based on the journey maps to meet the multidimensional nutritional needs of patients.

Clamshell incision is widely used in the surgical resection of complex mediastinal tumors, but it is also controversial. Its advantages are the full exposure of the field of vision and the huge operating space, while its disadvantages are the destruction of chest wall muscles and respiratory function impairment. At present, there is a lack of norms for the selection and application of Clamshell incisions, and the definition of complex mediastinal tumors is ambiguous and the dimensions are single. Therefore, this article reviews the literature and combines practical experience to systematically summarize the application progress of Clamshell incisions in the surgical resection of complex mediastinal tumors, with the aim of providing guidance for clinical work.