This study identified blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills and explored their anti-insomnia effects and mechanisms. The main blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills were detected and identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The rationality of the formula was assessed by using enrichment analysis based on the relationship between drugs and symptoms, and core targets of its active components were selected as the the potential anti-insomnia targets of Anshen Dropping Pills through network pharmacology analysis. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction(PPI) network, Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis were performed on the core targets. An active component-core target network for Anshen Dropping Pills was constructed. Finally, the effects of low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Anshen Dropping Pills on sleep episodes, sleep duration, and sleep latency in mice were measured by supraliminal and subliminal pentobarbital sodium experiments. Moreover, total scores of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI) scale was used to evaluate the changes before and after the treatment with Anshen Dropping Pills in a clinical study. The enrichment analysis based on the relationship between drugs and symptoms verified the rationality of the Anshen Dropping Pills formula, and nine blood-entering components of Anshen Dropping Pills were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The network proximity revealed a significant correlation between eight components and insomnia, including magnoflorine, liquiritin, spinosin, quercitrin, jujuboside A, ginsenoside Rb_3, glycyrrhizic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that the major anti-insomnia pathways of Anshen Dropping Pills involved substance and energy metabolism, neuroprotection, immune system regulation, and endocrine regulation. Seven core genes related to insomnia were identified: APOE, ALB, BDNF, PPARG, INS, TP53, and TNF. In summary, Anshen Dropping Pills could increase sleep episodes, prolong sleep duration, and reduce sleep latency in mice. Clinical study results demonstrated that Anshen Dropping Pills could decrease total scores of PSQI scale. This study reveals the pharmacodynamic basis and potential multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway effects of Anshen Dropping Pills, suggesting that its anti-insomnia mechanisms may be associated with the regulation of insomnia-related signaling pathways. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of Anshen Dropping Pills.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/metabolism* ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Male ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Female ; Adult

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, is characterized by high mortality and recurrence rates. Common treatments include hepatectomy, liver transplantation, ablation therapy, interventional therapy, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). While exhibiting specific advantages, these approaches are associated with varying degrees of adverse effects. To alleviate patients' suffering and burdens, it is crucial to explore additional treatments and elucidate the pathogenesis of HCC, laying a foundation for the development of new TCM-based drugs. With emerging research on gut microbiota, it has been revealed that microbiota plays a vital role in the development of HCC by influencing intestinal barrier function, microbial metabolites, and immune regulation. TCM, with its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics, has been increasingly recognized as a vital therapeutic treatment for HCC, particularly in patients at intermediate or advanced stages, by prolonging survival and improving quality of life. Recent global studies demonstrate that TCM exerts anti-HCC effects by modulating gut microbiota, restoring intestinal barrier function, regulating microbial composition and its metabolites, suppressing inflammation, and enhancing immune responses, thereby inhibiting the malignant phenotype of HCC. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which gut microbiota contributes to the development and progression of HCC and highlight the regulatory effects of TCM, addressing the current gap in systematic understanding of the "TCM-gut microbiota-HCC" axis. The findings provide theoretical support for integrating TCM with western medicine in HCC treatment and promote the transition from basic research to precision clinical therapy through microbiota-targeted drug development and TCM-based interventions.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/microbiology* ; Liver Neoplasms/microbiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

PURPOSE: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left and right lower extremities was treated in the same way, but the left and right extremities received different levels of attention. This study aimed to investigate the differences between the right and left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT). METHODS: Clinical characteristics of LEDVT patients from July 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to compare the incidence of LEDVT on different limbs, demographics, predisposing factors, and anatomical characteristics. The exclusion criteria were bilateral LEDVT and recurrent thrombosis. Measured data was analyzed using independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney test. Count data were analyzed by Chi-square test. A p < 0.05 was considered a statistically significant difference. RESULTS: There were 478 patients included in this study and the ratio of left to right LEDVT on the left and right limbs was 3.16:1 (363:115). Left LEDVT predominantly affected female, with the major aged > 50 years (50 - 60 years: 16.80%; > 60 years: 57.30%). The primary predisposing factor was iliac vein compression syndrome, with iliofemoral thrombosis being the main type. Male patients with LEDVT on the right limb were predominant and the age of onset was usually ≤ 60 years (52.17%). The main predisposing factor was recent surgery or trauma (< 30 days) and femoropopliteal thrombosis was the main type. In more detail, the left iliac vein was compressed mainly in the proximal segment, and the right iliac vein was compressed mainly in the intermediate and distal segments. Recent surgery or trauma to the locomotor system and genitourinary system often induced LEDVT. CONCLUSION The incidence of LEDVT on the left is significantly higher than that on the right. LEDVT on different sides has different characteristics, which is crucial for prevention and diagnosis in the relevant population so there are also differences in treatment of the affected limbs.
Humans ; Venous Thrombosis/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Lower Extremity/blood supply* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Aged ; Age Factors ; Sex Factors ; Risk Factors ; Acute Disease ; Incidence ; Aged, 80 and over ; Young Adult ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mechanism of action of tanshinone II A (Tan II A) in promoting chemosensitization of osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin (DDP). METHODS: The effects of different concentrations of Tan II A (0-80 µ mol/L) and DDP (0-2 µ mol/L) on the proliferation of osteosarcoma cell lines (U2R, U2OS, 143B, and HOS) at different times were examined using the cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays. Migration and invasion of U2R and U2OS cells were detected after 24 h treatment with 30 µ mol/L Tan II A, 0.5 µ mol/L DDP alone, and a combination of 10 µ mol/L Tan II A and 0.25 µ mol/L DDP using the transwell assay. After 48 h of treatment of U2R and U2OS cells with predetermined concentrations of each group of drugs, the cell cycle was analyzed using a cell cycle detection kit and flow cytometry. After 48 h treatment, apoptosis of U2R and U2OS cells was detected using annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit and flow cytometry. U2R cells were inoculated into the unilateral axilla of nude mice and then the mice were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 nude mice each. The 4 groups were treated with equal volume of Tan II A (15 mg/kg), DDP (3 mg/kg), Tan II A (7.5 mg/kg) + DDP (1.5 mg/kg), and normal saline, respectively. The body weight of the nude mice was weighed, and the tumor volume and weight were measured. Cell-related gene and signaling pathway expression were detected by RNA sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. p38 MAPK signaling pathway proteins and apoptotic protein expressions were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: In vitro studies have shown that Tan II A, DDP and the combination of Tan II A and DDP inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. The inhibitory effect was more pronounced in the Tan II A and DDP combined treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Osteosarcoma cells underwent significantly cell-cycle arrest and cell apoptosis by Tan II A-DDP combination treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vivo studies demonstrated that the Tan II A-DD combination treatment group significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to the Tan II A and DDP single drug group (P<0.01). Additionally, we found that the combination of Tan II A and DDP treatment enhanced the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Western blot assays showed higher p-p38, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax and lower caspase-3, and Bcl-2 expressions with the combination of Tan II A and DDP treatment compared to the single drug treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Tan II A synergizes with DDP by activating the p38/MAPK pathway to upregulate cleaved caspase-3 and Bax pro-apoptotic gene expressions, and downregulate caspase-3 and Bcl-2 inhibitory apoptotic gene expressions, thereby enhancing the chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to DDP.
Abietanes/therapeutic use* ; Osteosarcoma/enzymology* ; Cisplatin/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Bone Neoplasms/enzymology* ; Cell Cycle/drug effects* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

Azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) are recommended for COVID-19 treatment in China, but their safety and efficacy in the elderly population are not fully known. In this multicenter, retrospective, cohort study, we identified 5131 elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 32,864 COVID-19 patients admitted to nine hospitals in Henan Province, China, from December 5, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The primary outcome was all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was composite disease progression. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control for confounding factors, including demographics, vaccination status, comorbidities, and laboratory tests. After 2:1 PSM, 1786 elderly patients receiving azvudine and 893 elderly patients receiving Paxlovid were included. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses revealed that compared with Paxlovid group, azvudine could significantly reduce the risk of all-cause death (log-rank P = 0.002; HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.573-0.883, P = 0.002), but there was no difference in composite disease progression (log-rank P = 0.52; HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.877-1.260, P = 0.588). Four sensitivity analyses verified the robustness of above results. Subgroup analysis suggested that a greater benefit of azvudine over Paxlovid was observed in elderly patients with primary malignant tumors (P for interaction = 0.005, HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18-0.57) compared to patients without primary malignant tumors. Safety analysis revealed that azvudine treatment had a lower incidence of adverse events and higher lymphocyte levels than Paxlovid treatment. In conclusion, azvudine treatment is not inferior to Paxlovid treatment in terms of all-cause death, composite disease progression and adverse events in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture therapies are known for their effectiveness in treating a variety of gastric diseases, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. This study tested the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) at acupoints Zhongwan (RN12) and Weishu (BL21) for managing gastric motility disorder (GMD) and investigated the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: A GMD model was used to evaluate the impact of EA on various aspects of gastric function including the amplitude of gastric motility, electrogastrogram, food intake, and the rate of gastric emptying. Immunofluorescence techniques were used to explore the activation of spinal neurons by EA, specifically examining the presence of cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-positive neurons and fibers emanating from acupoints RN12 and BL21. The stimulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn, the inhibition of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal lateral horn, and their collective effects on the activity of sympathetic nerves were examined. RESULTS: EA at RN12 and BL21 significantly improved gastric motility compromised by GMD. Notably, EA activated spinal neurons, with CTB-positive neurons and fibers from RN12 and BL21 being detectable in both the dorsal root ganglia and the spinal dorsal horn. Further analysis revealed that EA at these acupoints not only stimulated GABAergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn but also suppressed sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal lateral horn, effectively reducing excessive activity of sympathetic nerves triggered by GMD. CONCLUSION EA treatment at RN12 and BL21 effectively enhances gastric motility in a GMD model. The therapeutic efficacy of this approach is attributed to the activation of spinal neurons and the modulation of the spinal GABAergic-sympathetic pathway, providing a neurobiological foundation for the role of acupuncture in treating gastric disorders. Please cite this article as: Zhang MT, Liang YF, Dai Q, Gao HR, Wang H, Chen L, Huang S, Wang XY, Shen GM. A spinal neural circuit for electroacupuncture that regulates gastric functional disorders. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 56-65.
Electroacupuncture ; Animals ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Stomach Diseases/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Rats ; Gastric Emptying ; Neurons ; Spinal Cord ; Stomach/physiopathology*

Objective:To explore the risk factors for recurrence of intussusception in children after successful ultrasound-guided saline enema reduction.Methods:The clinical and follow up data of 355 hospitalized children with intussusception at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Feb 2018 to Feb 2023 were reviewed.Patients were divided into two groups by recurrence develped and the differences were compared, Data with significant differences were incorporated into multi-factor logistic analysis.Results:The overall recurrence rate was 15.8% (56/355). By univariate variable analysis model, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, previous intussusception history, vomiting, maximum diameter of concentric circles shown by ultrasound, and concurrent bowel organic diseases (lead points) (all P<0.05). In multivariate Logistic regression model, age, previous intussusception history, maximum diameter of concentric circles, and lead points were independent risk factors for recurrent intussusception after saline enema.The optimal cut-off values for age and maximum diameter of concentric circles were 2 years and 33.5 mm, respectively, according to ROC curve analysis. Conclusion:Age older than 2 years, previous intussusception history, maximum diameter of concentric circles longer than 33.5 mm, and lead points are independent risk factors for recurrence after saline enema.

Objective To investigate the impact of propofol(Pro)on high glucose(HG)-induced myocardial cell injury through autophagy mediated by forkhead box O1(Fox O1)/thioredoxininteracting protein(TXNIP)signaling pathway.Methods H9c2 cells were divided into blank group(5.5 mmol·L-1 glucose),high glucose(HG)group(30 mmol·L-1 glucose),HG+Pro group(30 mmol·L-1 glucose+25 μmol·L-1 Pro),HG+Pro+negative control(OE NC)group(first transfected with OE NC,then treated with 30 mmol·L-1 glucose+25 μmol·L-1 Pro),HG+Pro+Fox O1 overexpression plasmid(Fox O1-OE)group(first transfected with Fox O1-OE,then treated with 30 mmol·L-1 glucose+25 μmol·L-1 Pro).Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method,TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)method,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),transmission electron microscope and Western blot were applied to detect the cell survival rate,apoptosis rate,superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in the supernatant,and the changes in Autophagosome,Fox O1/TXNIP and autophagy protein expression levels.Results The cell viabilities of blank group,HG group,HG+Pro group,HG+Pro+OE NC group and HG+Pro+Fox O1-OE group were(100.00±0.00)％,(48.15±4.82)％,(79.66±7.98)％,(78.89±7.91)％and(49.22±4.93)％,respectively;the apoptosis rates were(12.04±1.21)％,(42.34±4.25)％,(26.22±2.63)％,(27.02±2.71)％,(38.29±3.86)％,respectively;SOD levels were(62.24±6.25),(28.21±2.85),(55.37±5.58),(55.09±5.53),(30.66±3.08)U·mg-1 pro,respectively;MDA levels were(0.38±0.04),(1.43±0.15),(0.67±0.07),(0.72±0.08)and(1.34±0.14)U·mg-1 pro,respectively;the number of autophagosomes was 6.24±0.63,13.05±1.32,8.31±0.84,8.55±0.86 and 12.22±1.23,respectively;phosphorylated Fox O1(p-Fox O1)/Fox O1 ratios were expressed as 0.34±0.04,0.86±0.09,0.48±0.05,0.43±0.05 and 0.74±0.08;TXNIP were expressed as 0.24±0.03,0.62±0.08,0.38±0.04,0.36±0.04 and 0.58±0.06;Bcelin-1 were expressed as 1.12±0.12,0.53±0.06,1.02±0.11,1.05±0.11 and 0.62±0.07;p62 were expressed as 0.56±0.06,1.56±0.16,0.82±0.09,0.86±0.09 and 1.44±0.15;there were statistical differences in the above indexes between HG group and blank group,HG+Pro group and HG group,HG+Pro+Fox O1-OE group and HG+Pro+OE NC group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Pro inhibits autophagy by inhibiting Fox O1/TXNIP signaling pathway,and improves HG-induced myocardial cell injury.

Objective To observe the influence of nintedanib ethanesulfonate soft capsules combined with tetrandrine tablets on pulmonary function and dyspnea symptoms in patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.Methods Patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were divided into treatment group and control group by cohort method.The control group was given basic treatment such as glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants according to the patient's condition;the treatment group was given ethanesulfonate nintedanib soft capsules(100 mg,bid)and tetrandrine tablets(40 mg,tid)on the basis of the control group,and the treatment course was 3 months.The clinical efficacy,severity of dyspnea[modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale(mMRC)and St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ)],pulmonary function indicators,pulmonary fibrosis score,and blood gas analysis indicators were compared between the two groups,and the safety was assessed.Results A total of 42 cases were included in the treatment group and the control group,respectively.The total effective rates of the treatment group and the control group were 92.86％(39 cases/42 cases)and 76.19％(32 cases/42 cases)respectively(P＜0.05).After treatment,the mMRC scores of the treatment group and the control group were(1.43±0.27)and(1.69±0.31)points;the SGRQ scores were(46.51±4.39)and(51.08±4.76)points;the forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)values were(64.96±6.55)％and(58.67±5.01)％;the fibrosis scores were(1.12±0.14)and(1.26±0.18)points;the partial pressure of arterial oxygen values were(80.31±7.03)and(75.02±6.94)mmHg.The above indexes of the treatment group were compared with those of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).There were no adverse drug reactions in the treatment group,and the main adverse drug reactions in the control group were gastrointestinal discomfort.The total incidence rates of adverse drug reactions in the treatment group and the control group were 0 and 2.38％,respectively(P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with basic treatment,nintedanib ethanesulfonate soft capsules combined with tetrandrine tablets can better improve the pulmonary fibrosis degree and dyspnea degree in patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis,and delay the decline of pulmonary function of patients.