ObjectiveColorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation is widely used in its clinical management. However, the biological basis underlying different TCM syndromes remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate the proteomic differences between qi-blood deficiency syndrome (QBDS) and damp-heat syndrome (DHS) in CRC patients and to establish a “syndrome-differential protein-herbal component” network for exploring potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets associated with syndrome-specific treatment strategies. MethodsTumor tissue samples were collected from 10 patients with pathologically confirmed CRC, including 5 patients diagnosed with QBDS and 5 with DHS according to standardized TCM syndrome differentiation criteria. Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics was employed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the two syndrome groups. Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, were performed to characterize the biological functions and signaling pathways associated with the identified DEPs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was further applied to screen key syndrome-related proteins and construct a core protein prediction model. Subsequently, molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding affinities between representative herbal compounds, astragaloside IV and berberine, and the identified core proteins. Finally, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were performed in HCT 116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cell lines to validate the anti-proliferative activities of these compounds in vitro. ResultsA total of 44 DEPs were identified between QBDS and DHS tissues, including 21 upregulated and 23 downregulated proteins in the QBDS group relative to the DHS group. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that these proteins were primarily associated with antiviral immune responses, regulation of inflammatory signaling, NF‑κB signaling pathways, cholesterol metabolism, and other biological processes relevant to tumor progression and host immune regulation. LASSO regression analysis identified eight core proteins with potential syndrome-specific significance. Among them, ST7, GPCPD1, and PODXL were closely associated with QBDS, whereas FAT1, GRB7, KRT7, MAFF, and MMP8 were associated with DHS. Molecular docking demonstrated favorable interactions between astragaloside IV and QBDS-related proteins, with binding energies lower than -5 kcal/mol, indicating stable binding activity. Berberine exhibited even lower binding energies and stronger binding specificity toward DHS-related core proteins. In vitro experiments further confirmed that both compounds inhibited CRC cell proliferation, while berberine displayed significantly greater anti-proliferative efficacy. The lowest 48 h IC₅₀ value of berberine reached 15.21 mg/L in CRC cells, indicating a stronger growth-inhibitory effect than astragaloside IV. ConclusionCRC patients with QBDS and DHS exhibit distinct proteomic characteristics, suggesting that different TCM syndromes possess unique molecular signatures. The identified core proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for syndrome differentiation, while astragaloside IV and berberine may exert therapeutic effects through targeting syndrome-specific molecular networks. These findings provide preliminary proteomic evidence supporting syndrome-guided precision integrative medicine in CRC and offer new insights into the biological basis of TCM syndrome differentiation and individualized therapeutic strategies.

ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi， so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-SPME-GC-MS） combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST） database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi， and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor（RRF） and three internal standards， and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection（VIP） value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose， and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data， and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis（PCA）， discriminant factor alysis（DFA）， soft independent modeling of class analogies（SIMCA） and statistical quality control analysis（SQCA）. ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi， of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components， the contents of five components（ethyl isovalerate， 2-pentylfuran， benzyl alcohol， nonanal and glacial acetic acid，） in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part（P<0.01）， the contents of β-ionone， patchouli alcohol， α-caryophyllene， linalyl butyrate， valencene， 1，8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part（P<0.01）. Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82， and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted， respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%， the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99， and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose（PCA， DFA， SIMCA and SQCA） can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results， it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.

BACKGROUND:Human periodontal ligament stem cells are potential functional cells for periodontal tissue engineering.However,long-term in vitro culture may lead to reduced stemness and replicative senescence of periodontal ligament stem cells,which may impair the therapeutic effect of human periodontal ligament stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of oxymatrine on the stemness maintenance and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells in vitro,and to explore the potential mechanism. METHODS:Periodontal ligament stem cells were isolated from human periodontal ligament tissues by tissue explant enzyme digestion and cultured.The surface markers of mesenchymal cells were identified by flow cytometry.Periodontal ligament stem cells were incubated with 0,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL oxymatrine.The effect of oxymatrine on the proliferation activity of periodontal ligament stem cells was detected by CCK8 assay.The appropriate drug concentration for subsequent experiments was screened.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of stem cell non-specific proteins SOX2 and OCT4 in periodontal ligament stem cells.qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression levels of related osteogenic genes and proteins in periodontal ligament stem cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of CCK8 assay showed that 2.5 μg/mL oxymatrine significantly enhanced the proliferative activity of periodontal stem cells,and the subsequent experiment selected 2.5 μg/mL oxymatrine to intervene.(2)Compared with the blank control group,the protein expression level of SOX2,a stem marker of periodontal ligament stem cells in the oxymatrine group did not change significantly(P>0.05),and the expression of OCT4 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the osteogenic induction group,the osteogenic genes ALP,RUNX2 mRNA expression and their osteogenic associated protein ALP protein expression of periodontal ligament stem cells were significantly down-regulated in the oxymatrine+osteogenic induction group(P<0.05).(4)The oxymatrine up-regulated the expression of stemness markers of periodontal ligament stem cells and inhibited the bone differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells,and the results of high-throughput sequencing showed that it may be associated with WNT2,WNT16,COMP,and BMP6.

To explore the anti-depression effect of Suanzaoren Decoction(SZRD), the regulatory effects on endogenous metabolites in the liver of rats with depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) were analyzed by using LC-MS metabolomics. The rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, low-dose SZRD group, high-dose SZRD group, and positive drug group. The CUMS depression model was replicated by applying a variety of stimuli, such as fasting and water deprivation, ice water swimming, hot water swimming, day and night reversal, tail clamping, and restraint for rats. Modeling and treatment were conducted for 56 days. The behavioral indexes of rats in each group, including body weight, open field test, sucrose preference test, and tail suspension test, were observed. Plasma samples and liver tissue samples were collected, and the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), dopamine(DA), and norepinephrine(NE) in plasma were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Meanwhile, the regulatory effects of SZRD on the liver metabolic profile of CUMS model rats were analyzed by the LC-MS metabolomics method. The results show that SZRD can significantly improve the depression-like behavior of CUMS model rats and increase the neurotransmitter levels of 5-HT, DA, and NE in plasma. A total of 24 different metabolites in the rats' liver are identified using the LC-MS metabolomics method, and SZRD can reverse 13 of these metabolites. Metabolic pathway analysis indicates that nine metabolic pathways are found to be significantly associated with depression, and in the low-dose SZRD group, four pathways can be regulated, including pentose phosphate pathway, purine metabolism, inositol phosphate metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism. In the high-dose SZRD group, two metabolic pathways can be regulated, including sphingolipid metabolism and glycerol glycerophospholipid metabolism. Sphingolipid metabolism is a metabolic pathway that can be regulated by SZRD at different doses, so it is speculated that it may be the primary pathway through which SZRD can alleviate metabolic disturbances in the liver of CUMS model rats.
Animals ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Metabolomics ; Depression/metabolism* ; Male ; Liver/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Antidepressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Serotonin/blood* ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

Objective To construct a perioperative nursing intervention scheme for patients undergoing hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)via brachial artery access and to discuss its clinical application.Methods By using systematic literature search method,a perioperative nursing intervention scheme was constructed.A total of 90 patients with confirmed hepatic malignancy,who were admitted to hospital to receive HAIC from February 2022 to August 2023,were collected to validate this perioperative nursing intervention scheme,and its clinical application effect was evaluated.Results Through two rounds of expert letter inquiry,a nursing intervention scheme containing five primary indicators and 16 secondary indicators was finally formulated.The clinical validation was conducted.After the implementation of this nursing intervention scheme,the incidences of phlebitis and limb swelling in the intervention group decreased from previous 17.78％ to post-intervention 2.22％ and from previous 33.33％ to post-intervention 8.89％,respectively.The patient's anxiety level and depressed mood were significantly improved;the HADS scores decreased by 35.2％and 36.6％,respectively;the EORTC QLQ-C30 scores in the dimensions of somatic,role,emotional,and social functioning were obviously improved and the quality of life was strikingly improved(all P＜0.05).Besides,in the patients of the intervention group the clinical symptoms(e.g.pain,nausea,etc.)were significant alleviated,and the severity of the symptoms as well as the degree of distress to the patients were significantly reduced,indicating that the nursing intervention plays an important role in relieving the symptoms,anxiety and depression of the patients.Conclusion The perioperative nursing intervention scheme constructed in this study for patients undergoing AIC via brachial artery access is scientific and practical,it provides an important reference basis for the therapeutic nursing care of patients with hepatic malignancy.

To analyze the distribution of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of clinical Salmonella isolates from multiple centers across China.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has shown potential therapeutic benefits for individuals with simple obesity. However, some researchers argue that some of the effectiveness of acupuncture may be due to the placebo response. OBJECTIVE: To understand the placebo response of acupuncture treatment in simple obesity, a systematic review and meta-analysis was designed based on the comparison between sham acupuncture before and after treatment. SEARCH STRATEGY: Eight databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine Database, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database) were searched from inception to August 1, 2023. The MeSH search terms comprised obesity and acupuncture. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sham or placebo acupuncture as a control in treating obesity were enrolled. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Two researchers independently extracted data, and the results were cross-checked after completion. Each RCT's detailed sham/placebo acupuncture treatment protocol was assessed according to the SHam Acupuncture REporting guidelines. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system were used to determine the risk of bias and quality of evidence, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was defined as the primary outcome. Anthropometric parameters and laboratory test parameters related to obesity were defined as secondary outcomes. We used standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to calculate treatment effects of outcomes. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs with a total of 1250 patients were included. The BMI significantly decreased after treatment in the sham acupuncture group compared to baseline (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.09-0.66; I² = 81%, random model; P < 0.01). Treatment duration (P = 0.02) and other interventions significantly impacted the placebo response rate (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION The placebo response of sham acupuncture was strong in the RCTs for simple obesity, and the effect sizes differed between various outcomes. The treatment duration and other interventions emerged as potential influencing factors for the placebo response of sham acupuncture. Please cite this article as: Liu KJ, Jiao RM, Ji J, Yao WW, Han CR, Zhao XY, Zhao JJ. Placebo response in sham acupuncture therapy trials for simple obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 264-273.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Obesity/therapy* ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Colorectal adenoma is a definite precancerous lesion,and the"inflammation-cancer transformation"is a key pathological link in the process of colorectal adenoma-cancer evolution.Under the guidance of the theory of"preventive treatment of diseases"in TCM,prevention before disease onset and preventing the development of the occurred disease has become the consensus and the important subject of clinical research to block the"inflammation-cancer transformation"and prevent the precancerous lesions of colorectal cancer.This article discussed the effectiveness of TCM in preventing and treating the"inflammation-cancer transformation"from different aspects.Its advantages are reflected in improving the symptoms of TCM and improving the quality of life,etc.Its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of cancer-promoting signals,regulating inflammation,maintaining intestinal microbial homeostasis,and protecting the intestinal barrier.By explaining the pathogenesis of adenoma-cancer transformation in TCM,this article discussed the efficacy and advantages of TCM to block"inflammation-cancer transformation",analyzed its intervention targets and pathways,providing references for the intervention of TCM in the management of precancerous lesions of colorectal cancer and the synergistic prevention and treatment of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Objective:To observe and compare the application of different scanning fields of view (FOV) in cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and to explore the advantages and disadvantages of different CBCT scanning FOV for TMJ imaging. The aim is to provide a reference for the rational selection of CBCT scanning FOV for TMJ imaging in clinical practice.Methods:A total of 46 patients with temporomandibular disorders [22 males, 24 females; median age 24.5 years (range from 12 to 84 years)] were enrolled from the Department of Stomatology,the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, between January 2023 and January 2025. All patients underwent CBCT scanning of the temporomandibular joints with both large and small fields of view using the same CBCT device, Newtom 5G (QR S.r.l, Italy), including small-field-of-view (sFOV 6 cm×6 cm, 46 cases, 92 sides) and large-field-of-view (lFOV 15 cm×12 cm for 26 cases with 52 sides or 18 cm×16 cm for 20 cases with 40 sides). A self-matched design was used to compare imaging parameters (scan time, exposure time, reconstruction voxel, radiation dose, data volume), image quality, and lesion detection efficacy (articular surface flattening, surface erosion, osteophyte, subcortical sclerosis, subcortical cyst, intra-articular calcification). Additionally, differences in joint spaces, condylar head height, and condylar height were analyzed.Results:In the sFOV group, scan time (72 s vs. 24 s) and exposure time (14.6 s vs. 4.8 s) were significantly longer than those in the lFOV group, with smaller reconstruction voxels (0.15 mm vs. 0.3 mm). Radiation dose in the sFOV group [(199.94±5.52) mGy·cm] was significantly higher than that in the lFOV 15 cm×12 cm subgroup [(96.20±25.34) mGy·cm, t=-20.29, P<0.001] and the 18 cm×16 cm subgroup [(101.73±13.49) mGy·cm, t=-31.34, P<0.001]. In terms of data volume, the sFOV group [(274.18±1.74) MB] was larger than the lFOV 15 cm×12 cm subgroup [(208.83±20.13) MB, t=-16.75, P<0.001], while the lFOV 18 cm×16 cm subgroup [(386.39±1.63) MB] was significantly larger than the sFOV group [(274.83±1.78) MB, t=214.49, P<0.001]. sFOV images showed clearer anatomical margins, distinguishable trabecular bone, and fewer artifacts. The detection rate of subcortical cyst in the sFOV group (50.0%, 46/92) was significantly higher than that in the lFOV group (36.96%, 34/92, χ2=5.61, P=0.018), with a moderate agreement Kappa coefficient of 0.48. Detection rates of articular surface flattening (80.43%, 74/92) and osteophyte (55.43%, 51/92) were identical between groups, with a perfect agreement Kappa coefficient of 1. Detection rates of subcortical sclerosis (69.57% vs. 68.48%) and intra-articular calcification (5.43% vs. 4.34%) were slightly higher in sFOV but without statistical significance ( P>0.05), with high Kappa coefficients of 0.93 and 0.88, respectively. For subcortical erosion, sFOV detection rate (38.04%, 35/92) was higher than lFOV (26.09%, 24/92, Kappa=0.53, moderate agreement), with no significant difference in detection rate (χ2=2.97, P=0.085). There were no statistical differences in joint space or condylar head height measurements between groups ( P>0.05), but condylar height measurements in the sFOV group were significantly greater than those in the lFOV group ( t=4.52, P<0.001). Conclusions:Large FOV provides wide anatomical coverage, optimizes radiation dose and data processing efficiency, and is more convenient for quantitative TMJ measurements.Small FOV offers superior resolution for displaying subtle condylar structures and lesions.Clinically, the choice of scan field should be individualized based on examination objectives (large FOV for holistic assessment/quantitative analysis; small FOV for early bone lesion diagnosis), equipment performance, and patient characteristics.