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

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Polysaccharides/isolation & purification* ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans

As an intermediate phenotype for multiple cardiovascular diseases, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) benefits from early diagnosis, which allows for timely intervention to prevent worsening of the condition, mitigate severe complications like heart failure and arrhythmias, and consequently improve patient outcomes. Preliminary advances have been made using deep learning for the early diagnosis and identification of etiology in LVH. This paper reviews the pathophysiology, causes, and diagnostic standards for LVH, discusses the strengths and weaknesses of applying deep learning to diagnostic tools such as echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and electrocardiogram, examines its use in prognostic evaluation, and concludes by summarizing current achievements and suggesting future research avenues.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve (taVNS) with modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on the upper limb function of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Seventy-one hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a taVNS group of 24, an mCIMT group of 23 and a combined group of 24. In addition to conventional rehabilitation therapy, the taVNS group received taVNS therapy, the mCIMT group received mCIMT, while the combined group received both for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, everyone′s upper limb function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment (FMA-UE) and the Action Research arm test (ARAT). Ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was quantified using the modified Barthel index (MBI). The latency and amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were also measured.Results:After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the average FMA-UE, ARAT and MBI scores. MEP latency and amplitude had also improved. The averages in the mCIMT group were then significantly better than among the taVNS group.Conclusions:taVNS combined with mCIMT can significantly improve the upper limb function and ADL functioning of stroke survivors with hemiplegia. It can also promote the recovery of central nervous system function.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve (taVNS) with modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on the upper limb function of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Seventy-one hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a taVNS group of 24, an mCIMT group of 23 and a combined group of 24. In addition to conventional rehabilitation therapy, the taVNS group received taVNS therapy, the mCIMT group received mCIMT, while the combined group received both for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, everyone′s upper limb function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment (FMA-UE) and the Action Research arm test (ARAT). Ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was quantified using the modified Barthel index (MBI). The latency and amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were also measured.Results:After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the average FMA-UE, ARAT and MBI scores. MEP latency and amplitude had also improved. The averages in the mCIMT group were then significantly better than among the taVNS group.Conclusions:taVNS combined with mCIMT can significantly improve the upper limb function and ADL functioning of stroke survivors with hemiplegia. It can also promote the recovery of central nervous system function.

Objective:To investigate the application value of antegrade splenic superior region dissection first in laparoscopic total gastrectomy of obesity gastric cancer.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 21 obesity patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy in Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from July 2018 to October 2023 were collected. There were 16 males and 5 females, aged (58±13)years. All 21 patients underwent laparoscopic total gastrec-tomy with antegrade splenic superior region dissection first. Observation indicators: operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, laparotomy conversion, intraoperative splenic hemorrhage or gastric hemorrhage, lymph node dissection, time to postoperative first flatus, time to postoperative initial liquid food intake, duration of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complication. Measure-ment data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and count data were expressed as absolute numbers. Results:All 21 patients underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy success-fully, with the operation time of (283±47)minutes, time for splenogastric ligament and vascular manage-ment of (34±12)minutes, volume of intraoperative blood loss of (143±86)mL, and no laparotomy conversion. There was no intraoperative splenic hemorrhage or gastric haemorrhage. The total number of lymph node dissected in 21 patients was 375, with the number of lymph node dissected as (21±9)per case. Time to postoperative first flatus, time to postoperative initial liquid food intake and duration of postoperative hospital stay in 21 patients were (3.1±0.7)days, (4.0±0.8)days and (10.1±3.0)days, respectively. There were 2 patients with postoperative complications, including 1 case of incision infection and 1 case of lung infection. The 2 patients with postoperative com-plications were recovered and discharged after conservative treatment. There was no death during the postoperative 30 days.Conclusion:The application of antegrade splenic superior region dissec-tion first in laparoscopic total gastrectomy is safe and feasible, which can reduce surgical difficulty.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulatory effects of biofilm associated non-coding small RNA(sRNA)00085 on the survival and environmental fitness of Listeria monocytogenes.Homologous recombination technology was used to construct a deletion mutant strain(△sRNA 00085)and a complementary strain(C △sRNA 00085)of the sRNA00085 target gene.The differences in biological characteristics were compared among the standard strain,△sRNA 00085,and C△sRNA 00085.The deletion of sRNA00085 led to a significant decrease in biofilm formation capacity and sensitivity to several antibiotics,including penicillin,piperacillin,doxycycline,tetracycline,vancomycin,and cotrimoxazole.However,only the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of tetracycline exhibited a significant decrease in △sRNA00085.Meanwhile,the decreased biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance of the sRNA00085 mutant were restored in the C△sRNA00085 strain.Furthermore,we investigated the transcription levels of tetracycline resistance-related genes in L.monocytogenes.Down-regu-lated transcription of the tetS gene but no significant difference in transcription of the tetA gene were observed in △sRNA 00085 compared with the standard strain and C△sRNA00085.Moreover,the elimination of sRNA00085 did not affect bacterial growth ability or sensitivity to disinfectants.These findings highlight that sRNA00085 plays an important role in the environ-mental adaptability of L.monocytogenes by affecting bacterial biofilm formation and resistance.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors of patients with primary extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)in the rituximab era.Methods:The continuous data of newly diagnosed DLBCL patients with complete case data and first-line treated with rituximab,cyclophosphamide,epirubicin,vincristine,prednisone(R-CHOP)or R-CHOP treatment admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 2013 to November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical and molecular immunological features and prognosis of extranodal DLBCL were analyzed,Logistics regression model was used to analyzed the influencing factors of patients prognosis.Results:A total of 237 patients were enrolled,of which 54.4％(129 cases)were primary extranodal sources of DLBCL,and the most common extranodal sites were as follows:stomach(19.4％),colon(14.7％),tonsils(12.4％),skin/muscle(9.3％),central(7.7％),nasal/nasopharynx(6.2％),bone marrow(5.4％),testes(4.7％).The 3-year PFS and OS of DLBCL patients with extranodal involvement of bone marrow,central,liver,gastrointestinal or pulmonary origin were significantly lower than those of other patients with extranodal DLBCL of non-special site origin,and the difference was statistically significant(PFS:65.2％vs 76.7％,P=0.008;OS:82.6％vs 88.3％,P=0.04).Multivariate analysis showed that the prognostic factors affecting OS included NCCN-IPI score＞3(OR:0.142,95％CI:0.041-0.495,P=0.002),non-germinal center source(OR:2.675,95％CI:1.069-6.694,P=0.036),and DEL patients(OR:0.327,95％CI:0.129-0.830,P=0.019).An NCCN-IPI score＞3 was the only independent adverse prognostic factor for PFS(OR:0.235,95％CI:0.116-0.474,P＜0.001).Conclusion:Patients with primary extranodal source DLBCL are more common in gastrointestinal involvement,and the overall prognosis is worse than that of patients with lymph node origin.NCCN-IPI score is an important independent adverse prognostic factor for predicting overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with primary extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Objective:To investigate the early predictive value of halving time(HT)of BCR-ABLIS for deep molecular response(DMR)in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia(CML)treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI).Methods:The continuous data of newly diagnosed CML patients with complete case data and first-line imatinib treatment admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 2014 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Combined with the clinical characteristics of the patients and the efficacy analysis at each time point,a logistic regression model was used to explore the independent influencing factors of DMR,and combined HT of BCR-ABLIS with BCR-ABLIS level at 3 months to predict DMR of the patients.Results:Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that HT and 3-month BCR-ABLIS levels were independent influencing factors for MR4,MR4.5,and stable MR4.5(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis determined that the best cut-off value of HT was 28 days.Compared with patients with HT＞28 d,patients with HT ≤28 d were more likely to obtain DMR at 2,3,and 5 years,respectively(74.2％vs 27.3％,71.2％vs 22.7％,and 63.6％vs 25.0％,all P＜0.001).The patients were divided into 4 groups according to BCR-ABLIS levels at 3 months and HT.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the patients in the BCR-ABLIS ≤10％and HT≤28 d group had a higher probability of obtaining cumulative MR4 and MR4.5 than those in the BCR-ABLIS≤10％and HT＞28 d group(P＜0.05);Patients in the BCR-ABLIS＞10％and HT≤28 d group had a higher probability of obtaining cumulative MR4 and MR4.5 than those in the BCR-ABLIS＞10％and HT＞28 d group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:In addition to BCR-ABLIS level,HT of BCR-ABLIS can be used as another important predictor of treatment efficacy in CML patients.The combination of BCR-ABLIS level and HT has a more accurate predictive value for long-term molecular response of CML patients after TKI treatment.