Malignant tumors remain one of the most critical global public threats to human health. The early diagnosis and precise therapeutic interventions are pivotal for improving patient survival rates and prognosis. Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), distinguished by their ultra-small size (<3 nm), tunable optical properties, and exceptional biocompatibility, have emerged as transformative agents in precision oncology. This comprehensive review systematically summarizes the multifaceted applications of Au NCs in malignant tumor treatment. We discuss their roles as follows. (1) Intelligent delivery vehicles for targeted chemotherapy and controlled release through surface functionalization. (2) Therapeutic agents for chemodynamic therapy (CDT). This capability stems from their intrinsic enzyme-like catalytic activity or potent thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitory function, which disrupts the intracellular redox homeostasis and effectively activates downstream apoptotic pathways.(3) Direct therapeutic agents are characterized by their energy conversion capabilities: they can either convert absorbed light into heat to directly kill cancer cells, or transfer that photon energy to surrounding oxygen molecules to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cell apoptosis or necrosis. (4) Potent radiosensitizers that enhance radiotherapy efficacy by enhancing localized radiation dose and promoting ROS generation. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in Au NCs as intelligent delivery systems, direct chemotherapeutic agents, phototherapeutic agents, and efficient radiosensitizers in tumor treatment, elucidating how Au NCs overcome traditional therapeutic limitations through synergistic strategy. It establishes a robust theoretical foundation for next-generation nanotheranostic platforms. However, the translation of laboratory findings into functional clinical technologies confronts three significant challenges. First, although researchers can synthesize atomically precise Au NCs, achieving large-scale production of batches with completely consistent structure, size, and surface chemistry remains extremely challenging. To effectively control the final synthetic product, a deep understanding of the characteristics and formation mechanisms of Au NCs is essential. The traditional “trial-and-error” experimental approach faces inherent limitations when dealing with vast combinations of variables, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and struggles with systematic exploration and reproducibility. Machine learning has emerged as a powerful tool to bridge fundamental research and clinical application, which can guide experiments in reverse by predicting synthesis success through data mining and multi-variable analysis. In the future, we anticipate to achieve precise prediction and on-demand design of Au NCs’ structure and properties. Secondly, a systematic framework for evaluating the in vivo pharmacokinetics and long-term toxicity of Au NCs is absent. To address this gap, it is crucial to develop advanced imaging methodologies and integrated theranostic platforms. Au NCs, serving as both a therapeutic core and a highly promising photoluminescent material, are key to constructing such platforms through integration with other agents. These multifunctional systems are designed to achieve optimal synergistic therapy by combining multiple treatment modalities. Finally, the investigation of Au NCs is still largely confined to preclinical cellular and animal studies. Progress necessitates comprehensive clinical research to rigorously assess their safety and efficacy across a range of human cancer models, thereby ensuring broad clinical applicability. In summary, Au NCs-based platforms hold immense promise for translation into clinical anticancer therapy.

ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m⁶A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m⁶A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m⁶A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.

The symptom science model identifies complex symptoms and measures their phenotypic characteristics.It provides an in-depth analysis of symptom behaviors and biological mechanisms,aiding healthcare professionals in early symptom detection and initiating appropriate diagnostic and treatment measures.The model supports personalized interventions,aiming to achieve precision care and ultimately improve patient health.This study reviews the development and scope of the symptom science model,analyzes its current applications in chronic kidney disease,and explores its implications for symptom management in this condition.The aim is to offer insights and references for the scientific management of chronic kidney disease symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

This study employed the "disease-medicine-dose" pattern to mine the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prescriptions containing Astragali Radix in ancient Chinese medical books, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of Astragali Radix and the development of new medicines. The TCM prescriptions containing Astragali Radix were retrieved from databases such as Chinese Medical Dictionary and imported into Excel 2020 to construct the prescription library. Statical analysis were performed for the prescriptions regarding the indications, syndromes, medicine use frequency, herb effects, nature and taste, meridian tropism, dosage forms, and dose. SPSS statistics 26.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 were used for association rules analysis and cluster analysis. A total of 2 297 prescriptions containing Astragali Radix were collected, involving 233 indications, among which sore and ulcer, consumptive disease, sweating disorder, and apoplexy had high frequency(>25), and their syndromes were mainly Qi and blood deficiency, Qi and blood deficiency, Yin and Yang deficiency, and Qi deficiency and collateral obstruction, respectively. In the prescriptions, 98 medicines were used with the frequency >25 and they mainly included Qi-tonifying medicines and blood-tonifying medicines. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium were frequently used. The medicines with high frequency mainly have warm or cold nature, and sweet, pungent, or bitter taste, with tropism to spleen, lung, heart, liver, and kidney meridians. In the treatment of sore and ulcer, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 3.73 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to promote granulation and heal up sores. In the treatment of consumptive disease, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 37.30 g and combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma to tonify deficiency and replenish Qi. In the treatment of sweating disorder, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 3.73 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to consolidate exterior and stop sweating. In the treatment of apoplexy, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 7.46 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to dispell wind and stop convulsions. Astragali Radix can be used in the treatment of multiple system diseases, with the effects of tonifying Qi and ascending Yang, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating, and expressing toxin and promoting granulation. According to the manifestations of different diseases, when combined with other medicines, Astragali Radix was endowed with the effects of promoting granulation and healing up sores, tonifying deficiency and Qi, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating, and dispelling wind and replenishing Qi. The findings provide a theoretical reference and a scientific basis for the clinical application of Astragali Radix and the development of new medicines.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; History, Ancient ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; China ; Astragalus propinquus

Objective To explore the effects of pretreatment with rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide(RGP)and basic fibroblast growth factor(FGF-2)alone or in combination on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)into cardiomyoid cells and the related mechanisms.Methods BMSCs pretreated with FGF-2 and RGP alone or in combination were cultured for 1,2,and 4 weeks.The expression levels of NKx2.5 and GATA-4 were detected by Real-time PCR.BMSCs pretreated with FGF-2 or RGP alone and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002 were used to detect the expression levels of myocardial specific proteins and related pathway proteins by Western blotting.Results Compared with the blank control group,pretreatment with FGF-2 or RGP alone increased the expression rate of myocardial specific markers,and the effect of combined pretreatment with FGF-2 and RGP was more obvious(P＜0.05).Compared with pretreatment with FGF-2 or RGP alone,pretreatment with LY294002 combined with FGF-2 or RGP significantly down-regulated the expression of cardiac-specific proteins in BMSCs and inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both FGF-2 and RGP can induce BMSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,and the combination of FGF-2 and RGP has a better inductive effect.

Objective To establish a human intestinal organ-on-a-chip model using a multi-array chip array to simulate the microphysiological structure of the human intestine and to investigate the impact of ionizing radiation on radiation-induced damage to human intestinal cells.Methods Caco-2 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were co-cultured in an organ chip.The cells were subjected to fluid shear stress via a precision shaker.After 7 days of dynamic culture,the morphological structure of intestinal epithelial cells and venous endothelial cells within the intestinal organ chip was examined using phase contrast microscopy,immunofluorescence staining,and confocal microscopy for three-dimensional(3D)imaging.γ-H2AX and TUNEL immunofluorescence staining were employed to assess DNA damage and apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells two days post-irradiation.Villin immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate villus height three days post-irradiation.EdU incorporation assay and Ki67 immunofluorescence staining were conducted to observe the effects of ionizing radiation on the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells.Results After 7 days of dynamic culture,phase contrast microscopy and immunofluorescence staining combined with confocal 3D imaging revealed that the upper intestinal epithelial cells in the middle compartment of the chip formed a 3D intestinal villus structure,while the vascular endothelial cells in the lower compartment developed a vascular network structure.The chip was subsequently irradiated by 10 Gy X-ray.Immunofluorescence staining results indicated that the mean fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX and TUNEL in the irradiated group was significantly higher than in the non-irradiated group 2 days after irradiation(P＜0.01),and that the proportion of EDU+and Ki67+cells in the irradiated group was significantly lower than in the non-irradiated group three days after irradiation(P＜0.05).Conclusion Caco-2 cells and HUVECs co-culture on an organ chip can generate the biomimetic structure of human intestinal villus.Ionizing radiation has been found to shorten intestinal villus,increase DNA damage and apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells,and inhibit the proliferation of these cells.

In this study, we constructed a GLP-2R-HEK293 cell line and established a method for the determination of the in vitro biological activity of teduglutide based on HTRF, after optimizing experimental conditions and methodological verification. We also carried out relative potency detection of teduglutide pharmaceutical products using this method. The result showed that there was a quantitative-efficient relationship between the teduglutide activity and cAMP contents in GLP-2R-HEK293 cells, which conformed to four-parameter model. Method verification results of five concentrations of teduglutide (64%, 80%, 100%, 125% and 156%) met the requirements of the General Rules of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020 edition, Volume IV (9401). We then analyzed the relative potency of three batches of teduglutide drug substances and three batches of drug products. The linearity, regression and parallelism of the obtained curves all fit the system suitability requirements. The relative potency of six batches of teduglutide was from 83% to 105%. In summary, the biological activity detection method established in this study was accurate, precise, simple and time-saving, which can be used for quality control of teduglutide pharmaceutical products.

Objective To explore the characteristics of high-frequency users of pediatric telemedicine outpatient services and analyze the factors influencing the frequency of use,providing theoretical support for the promotion and broader application of pediatric telemedicine outpatient services.Methods 197 parents of patients were randomly selected for telephone questionnaire survey by cross-sectional research method,and were divided into high frequency and low frequency users according to their frequency of use.Based on annual usage frequency,participants were divided into high-frequency and low-frequency groups.Mann-Whitney U test and x2 test or Fisher exact probability method were used for univariate analysis,and multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent influencing fac-tors of the difference in the frequency of pediatric outpatient telemedicine use.Results A total of 165 questionnaires were completed.Among high-frequency users,the proportion of provinces outside Beijing was higher than that of low-frequency users,the overall knowledge level of information was better than that of low-frequency users,the overall satisfaction evaluation was better than that of low-frequency users,and the proportion of gastroenterology pa-tients was higher than that of low-frequency users.Conclusion Pediatric medical institutions need to strengthen the pub-licity of the platform,improve service quality,improve user experience by optimizing technical means,further pro-mote Internet outpatient services,and expand its application potential in children's health management.