OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an adverse event that occurs during long-term peritoneal dialysis, significantly impairing treatment efficiency and adversely affecting patient outcomes. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a principal active component derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has exhibited anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in various settings. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of PF. METHODS: The PF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid (100 mL/kg). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 cells was induced by the addition of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The differentially expressed genes in HMrSV5 cells treated with AS-IV were screened using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The potential targets of AS-IV were screened using network pharmacology and analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS: Administration of AS-IV at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg effectively mitigated the increase in peritoneal thickness and the development of fibrosis in mice with PF. The expression of the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin in the peritoneum was significantly decreased in AS-IV-treated mice. The treatment of AS-IV (10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) significantly delayed the EMT of HMrSV5 cells induced by TGF-β, as demonstrated by the decreased number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, reduced migrated area, and decreased expression of fibrosis markers. A total of 460 differentially expressed genes were detected in AS-IV-treated HMrSV5 cells through transcriptome sequencing, with notable enrichment in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway. The reduced levels of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and p-AKT were detected in HMrSV5 cells with AS-IV treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted as a direct target of AS-IV, exhibiting strong hydrogen bond interactions. The activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by the compound 740Y-P, and the activation of the EGFR pathway by NSC 228155 each partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on the EMT of HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSION AS-IV delayed the EMT process in peritoneal mesothelial cells and slowed the progression of PF, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for the early prevention and treatment of PF. Please cite this article as: Huang Y, Chu CL, Qiu WH, Chen JY, Cao LX, Ji SY, Zhu B, Wang GK, Shen QQ. Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):694-705.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Animals ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Peritoneal Fibrosis/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Aim To explore the mechanism of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in antagonizing endometriosis fibrosis by regulating mitophagy.Methods After the animal model was constructed,the syndrome was evalu-ated by general condition,organ water content and ther-mal imaging.The curative effect was evaluated by the weight of ectopic focus and the degree of adhesion.The pathological changes were compared using HE stai-ning,transmission electron microscopy,Masson and Sir-ius red staining.The expression of PINK1 and Parkin was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of mRNA and protein was determined by qPCR and Western blot,and the level of serum ROS was detected by ELISA.Results The autonomic activity of model mice was weakened,the water content of organs rose,and the temperature of limbs and lower abdomen was reduced by thermal imaging.HE staining showed obvi-ous hyperplasia of ectopic epithelium and glands.Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum structure damage,and nor-mal autophagy structure disappeared.Masson and Siri-us red staining showed increased collagen deposition;immunohistochemistry showed decreased expression of PINK1 and Parkin in ectopic foci.qPCR and Western blot showed that the expression of PINK1,Parkin,Bec-lin1,LC3 mRNA and protein in ectopic foci of model mice decreased,the expression of p62 mRNA and pro-tein increased,and serum ROS increased.The syn-drome performance of model mice was improved after the intervention of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction;the inflammatory infiltration of ectopic foci was relieved,the morphology of mitochondria and endoplasmic retic-ulum was restored,and normal autophagy structure ap-peared.The degree of collagen deposition and fibrosis was reduced;the mRNA and protein expression of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin1 and LC3 increased.The ex-pression of p62 mRNA and protein decreased,and the level of ROS decreased.Conclusions Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction can improve the fibrosis of ectopic le-sions in mice with endometriosis of cold-dampness sta-sis syndrome,which may be related to the regulation of mitophagy.

Objective To analyze the application value of 3D Slicer software in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma resection.Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 36 patients with pituitary adenomas treated with 3D Slicer-assisted endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery(3D Slicer group)in the Department of Neurosurgery,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from January 2024 to December 2024.Preoperatively,multimodal images were fused and reconstructed using 3D Slicer software to systematically evaluate bony anatomical structures such as sphenoid sinus ostia,intrasphenoidal septa,and sellar floor structures,design the size of pedicled nasoseptal flaps,and clarify the positional relationships between pituitary adenomas and surrounding vital structures including the internal carotid artery,pituitary gland,and optic chiasm,so as to provide real-time guidance for intraoperative procedures.Meanwhile,45 patients with pituitary adenomas treated with neuronavigation-assisted endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery from January 2023 to December 2023 were included as the control group(neuronavigation group).The surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the neuronavigation group,the 3D Slicer group demonstrated higher identification rates of the optic nerve groove and carotid artery impression(94.4％vs.77.8％),shorter operative time[(2.9±0.6)h vs.(3.5±0.9)h],less intraoperative bleeding[(159.7±70.5)mL vs.(237.8±96.0)mL],and a lower incidence of postoperative olfactory dysfunction(8.3％vs.26.7％),with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the identification rate of the sphenoid sinus ostium(100.0％vs.97.8％),gross total resection rate(75.0％vs.64.4％),and the incidence of other postoperative complications,including cerebrospinal fluid leakage(0.0％vs.6.7％),intracranial infection(2.8％vs.11.1％),transient diabetes insipidus(30.6％vs.22.2％),and hypopituitarism(38.9％vs.37.8％,P＞0.05).Conclusion 3D Slicer software helps improve the mastery of anatomical basics in endoscopic transsphenoidal approach among junior and primary physicians,enhancing the clinical efficacy and safety of pituitary adenoma resection,and thus is worthy of clinical promotion.

The incidence of chronic venous disease(CVD)is significantly higher in the elderly population compared to non-elderly individuals,with more severe disease manifestations.Additionally,elderly CVD patients often have comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular diseases,making the evaluation process more complex and increasing treatment difficulty.Currently,there are no established recommendations in China for the diagnosis and treatment of CVD in individuals aged 60 and above.Against this backdrop,the Peripheral Vascular Disease Management Branch of the Chinese Geriatric Society has developed the Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Venous Disease in the Elderly based on domestic and international guidelines,relevant evidence-based medical research,and the physiological and clinical characteristics of the elderly population in China.This consensus aims to provide an important reference for improving the diagnosis and treatment of CVD in elderly patients in China.

Objective:To report the nationwide surveillance results of pathogenic profiles and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Gram-positive bloodstream infections in China in 2023.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-posttive bacteria from blood cultures were collected in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）during January to December 2023. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the dilution method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. Statistical analyses were conducted using WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software.Results:A total of 4 385 Gram-positive bacterial isolates were obtained from 60 participating center. The top five pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 544，35.2%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=1 441，32.9%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=574，13.1%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=385，8.8%），and α-hemolytic Streptococci（ n=187，4.3%）. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）was 26.2%（405/1 544）and 69.8%（1 006/1 441），respectively. Notably，all Staphylococci remained susceptible to glycopeptide or daptomycin. Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated excellent susceptibility（>97.0%）to cephalobiol，rifampicin，trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline，tigecycline，and eravacycline. No Enterococcus exhibiting resistance to linezolid were detected. Glycopeptide resistance was uncommon but more frequent in Enterococcus faecium（resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin：both 1.7%）compared to Enterococcus faecalis（both 0.3%）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS exhibited significant regional variations across the country（ χ2=17.674 and 148.650，respectively，both P<0.001）. No vancomycin-resistant Enterococci were detected in central China. Institutional comparison demonstrated higher prevalence of MRSA（ χ2=14.111， P<0.001）and MRCNS（ χ2=4.828， P=0.028）in provincial hospitals than that in municipal hospitals. Socioeconomic analysis identified elevated detection rates of both MRSA（ χ2=18.986， P<0.001）and MRCNS（ χ2=4.477， P=0.034）in less developed regions（per capita GDP

Objective:To report the results of bacterial resistant investigation collaborative system（BRICS）on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2023，and provide reference for clinical tretment of bloodstream infections and prevention and control of bacterial resistance.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of BRICS were collected during January 2023 to December 2023. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，11 492 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 60 hospitals，of which 10 098（87.9%）were Enterobacterales and 1 394（12.1%）were non-fermentative bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（50.0%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（26.1%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（5.1%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（5.0%）and Enterobacter cloacae complex（4.1%）. The ESBL-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirablilis were 46.8%（2 685/5 741），18.3%（549/2 999）and 44.0%（77/175），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（76/5 741）and 15.0%（450/2 999）；32.9%（25/76）and 78.0%（351/450）of CREC and CRKP were sensitive to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. 94.7%（72/76）and 90.2%（406/450）of CREC and CRKP were sensitive to aztreonam/avibactam combination. Furthermore，57.9%（44/76）and 79.1%（356/450）were sensitive to imipenem/relebactam combination. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 64.6%（370/573），while more than 80.0% of CRAB complex was sensitive to tigecycline，eravacycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 17.0%（99/581）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of important Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions in China，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA and CRAB complex（ χ2=10.6，28.6，10.8 and 19.3， P<0.05）. The prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli， CREC，CRAB complex and CRKP were higher in provincial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=12.5，9.8，12.7 and 57.8，all P<0.01）. Conclusions:Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of Klebsiella pneumoniae increases continuously with time. CRKP infection shows a slow upward trend，CREC infecton maintains a low prevalence level，and CRAB complex infection continues to exhibit a high prevalence rate. The composition and resistance patterns of pathogens causing bloodstream infections vary to some extent across different regions and levels of hospitals in China.

Objective:To analyze intestinal microecological differences and their correlation with psychological status in patients with constipated irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-C)and functional constipation(FC).Methods:A total of 160 patients with IBS-C and FC attending the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Department of Gastroenterology at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2021 to January 2024 were selected and grouped according to the type of disease into the IBS-C group(80 patients)and the FC group(80 patients),and 80 patients who had a health checkup during the same period were selected as the control group.Fresh fecal specimens were taken from all subjects,and 16S rRNA sequencing was used to detect the intestinal flora,and the indices of intestinal microecological diversity(Ace index,Chao index,Shannon index,and Sobs index)were detected,and the psychological state of the subjects was assessed by using the Self-Assessment Scale for Anxiety(SAS)and the Self-Depression Scale(SDS).Pearson's correlation method was used to analyze the correlation between intestinal microecology and correlation with psychological state in IBS-C and FC patients.Result:Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus levels were lower in both the FC and IBS-C groups compared with the control group,and the decrease was more pronounced in the IBS-C group(P＜0.05).Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci contents were higher in patients in the FC and IBS-C groups(P＜0.05),with the greatest increase in the IBS-C group(P＜0.05);Microbial diversity analysis showed that there were differences in Ace,Chao,Shannon and Sobs indices among the three groups(P＜0.05).All diversity indices were lower in the FC and IBS-C groups than in the control group,and the degree of reduction was more pronounced in the IBS-C group than in the FC group(P＜0.05);The SAS and SDS scores of both FC and IBS-C groups were higher than those of the control group,and the scores of the IBS-C group were higher than those of the FC group(P＜0.05);correlation analysis showed that,in the IBS-C and FC groups,Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus,Ace index,Chao index,Shannon index,and Sobs index were negatively correlated with SAS and SDS scores.Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci were positively correlated with SAS and SDS scores(P＜0.05).Conclusion:There are possible differences in the gut microbiota between IBS-C and FC patients.The imbalance of gut microbiota is more significant in IBS-C patients,and gut microbiota is closely related to psychological status.Clinical treatment of IBS-C and FC should pay attention to the regulation of gut microbiota and intervention of psychological status.

Objective:To analyze intestinal microecological differences and their correlation with psychological status in patients with constipated irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-C)and functional constipation(FC).Methods:A total of 160 patients with IBS-C and FC attending the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Department of Gastroenterology at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2021 to January 2024 were selected and grouped according to the type of disease into the IBS-C group(80 patients)and the FC group(80 patients),and 80 patients who had a health checkup during the same period were selected as the control group.Fresh fecal specimens were taken from all subjects,and 16S rRNA sequencing was used to detect the intestinal flora,and the indices of intestinal microecological diversity(Ace index,Chao index,Shannon index,and Sobs index)were detected,and the psychological state of the subjects was assessed by using the Self-Assessment Scale for Anxiety(SAS)and the Self-Depression Scale(SDS).Pearson's correlation method was used to analyze the correlation between intestinal microecology and correlation with psychological state in IBS-C and FC patients.Result:Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus levels were lower in both the FC and IBS-C groups compared with the control group,and the decrease was more pronounced in the IBS-C group(P＜0.05).Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci contents were higher in patients in the FC and IBS-C groups(P＜0.05),with the greatest increase in the IBS-C group(P＜0.05);Microbial diversity analysis showed that there were differences in Ace,Chao,Shannon and Sobs indices among the three groups(P＜0.05).All diversity indices were lower in the FC and IBS-C groups than in the control group,and the degree of reduction was more pronounced in the IBS-C group than in the FC group(P＜0.05);The SAS and SDS scores of both FC and IBS-C groups were higher than those of the control group,and the scores of the IBS-C group were higher than those of the FC group(P＜0.05);correlation analysis showed that,in the IBS-C and FC groups,Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus,Ace index,Chao index,Shannon index,and Sobs index were negatively correlated with SAS and SDS scores.Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci were positively correlated with SAS and SDS scores(P＜0.05).Conclusion:There are possible differences in the gut microbiota between IBS-C and FC patients.The imbalance of gut microbiota is more significant in IBS-C patients,and gut microbiota is closely related to psychological status.Clinical treatment of IBS-C and FC should pay attention to the regulation of gut microbiota and intervention of psychological status.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of lightroom therapy on depressive mood and sleep problems in patients with depression, and the potential effects on physiological indices related to circadian rhythms.Methods:From October 2021 to July 2023, 54 patients with acute-phase depression hospitalized in the Mental Health Center of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University were recruited. The participants were randomly assigned to either medication combined with the bright light therapy group (bright light group, n=36) or medication combined with the dim light therapy group (dim light group, n=18). Both groups received light therapy for 2 weeks, at 10 000 lx in the bright light group and 300 lx in the dim light group. Both groups received 30 minutes of light therapy from 7:30-8:00 a.m daily over two weeks, followed up for 1 week post-treatment. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD 17) was used to assess patients′ depressive symptoms, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess patients′ sleep quality at baseline, at the end of every week. The 32-Item Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32) was used at the end of week 2 to assess the risk of manic switching after treatment. Daily measurements of body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure were taken before and after light therapy, along with recording adverse events related to the therapy. Paired t- tests were used to compare changes in physiological indicators before and after treatment, and repeated measures ANOVA was applied to compare clinical symptom changes between the two groups. Results:Thirty-one and fifteen patients completed this study in the bright light and dim light groups, respectively, with no statistically significant difference in dropout rates( P>0.05). There were significant interaction effects between the time and group for HAMD 17 and PSQI score( F=5.51,4.11, both P<0.05). Both groups showed significant reductions in HAMD 17 and PSQI scores at baseline, week 1, week 2, and week 3 ( P<0.001). In the bright light group, body temperature increased significantly post-treatment on days 1-4, day 7, and day 12 (all P<0.05). Heart rate elevated on day 5 ( P<0.05).Systolic blood pressure decreased on days 4, 5, 11, and 12 compared to the pre-treatment baseline(all P<0.05). In the dim light group, systolic blood pressure increased on day 11 ( P<0.05). Diastolic blood pressure in the bright light group decreased on days 1, 5, and 6( P<0.05). No serious adverse events, vision loss, ocular structural changes occurred in either group. No hypomania or mania episodes were observed. The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Medication combined with indoor bright light is more effective than the combination of dim light for depressive symptoms and sleep problems in patients with depression. Patients receiving bright light also may exhibit a higher body temperature, accelerated heart rate, and reduced blood pressure.

The incidence of chronic venous disease(CVD)is significantly higher in the elderly population compared to non-elderly individuals,with more severe disease manifestations.Additionally,elderly CVD patients often have comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular diseases,making the evaluation process more complex and increasing treatment difficulty.Currently,there are no established recommendations in China for the diagnosis and treatment of CVD in individuals aged 60 and above.Against this backdrop,the Peripheral Vascular Disease Management Branch of the Chinese Geriatric Society has developed the Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Venous Disease in the Elderly based on domestic and international guidelines,relevant evidence-based medical research,and the physiological and clinical characteristics of the elderly population in China.This consensus aims to provide an important reference for improving the diagnosis and treatment of CVD in elderly patients in China.