Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by a reduction in both the size and quantity of skeletal muscle fibers, resulting in impaired muscle strength and function. It mainly includes disuse muscle atrophy, aging muscle atrophy, denervated muscle atrophy and muscle atrophy caused by disease etc. As a cost-effective way, exercise has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy, but its mechanism for improving skeletal muscle atrophy remains unclear. Recent studies have indicated that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) plays an important role in improving muscle atrophy through exercise, in addition to promoting the survival of neurons, lowering blood sugar, and anti-inflammation. This article reviews recent findings on the mechanisms by which IGF-1 mediates exercise-induced improvement in skeletal muscle atrophy, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/physiology* ; Muscular Atrophy/therapy* ; Humans ; Exercise/physiology* ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Animals ; Insulin-Like Peptides

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infectious respiratory disease that has been prevalent since December 2019. Chinese medicine (CM) has demonstrated its unique advantages in the fight against COVID-19 in the areas of disease prevention, improvement of clinical symptoms, and control of disease progression. This review summarized the relevant material components of CM in the treatment of COVID-19 by searching the relevant literature and reports on CM in the treatment of COVID-19 and combining with the physiological and pathological characteristics of the novel coronavirus. On the basis of sorting out experimental methods in vivo and in vitro, the mechanism of herb action was further clarified in terms of inhibiting virus invasion and replication and improving related complications. The aim of the article is to explore the strengths and characteristics of CM in the treatment of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for the research and scientific, standardized treatment of COVID-19 with CM.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; Animals

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of transoral endoscopic-assisted submandibular gland resection with low-temperature plasma knife technology, aiming to establish a scarless surgical approach to meet the patients aesthetic demands. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 5 consecutive patients with benign submandibular gland pathologies treated by a single surgical team between January 2021 and December 2023. All procedures employed a transoral mucosal incision in the floor of mouth, with 0-degree high-definition endoscope assistance and low-temperature plasma knife for precise dissection and hemostasis. Close postoperative follow-up was performed. A systematic literature review compared surgical approaches regarding critical anatomical landmarks, complication profiles, and scar formation. The clinical efficacy of this technique was summarized and analyzed. Results:Successful transoral endoscopic plasma knife resections were performed for benign submandibular conditions（including neoplasms, chronic sialadenitis, and sialolithiasis）. All operations were completed without conversion to open approach. No permanent lingual nerve or marginal mandibular nerve injuries occurred. Transient lingual hypoesthesia recovered within 2 weeks. During 6-12 months follow-up, there was no recurrence and absence of visible cervical scarring, with 100% patient satisfaction regarding cosmesis. Conclusion:Transoral endoscopic plasma knife resection of the submandibular gland demonstrates procedural safety and technical feasibility. This approach offers significant advantages in minimally invasive access, superior aesthetic outcomes, and accelerated recovery, representing a viable novel alternative for benign submandibular gland disease management.
Humans ; Submandibular Gland/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult

Osteoarthritis (OA) causes chronic pain that significantly impairs quality of life, with current treatments often proving insufficient and accompanied by adverse effects. Recent research has identified the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and its resident macrophages as crucial mediators of chronic OA pain through neuroinflammation driven by macrophage polarization. We present a novel injectable thermo-sensitive hydrogel system, KAF@PLEL, designed to deliver an anti-inflammatory peptide (KAF) specifically to the DRG. This biodegradable hydrogel enables sustained KAF release, promoting the reprogramming of DRG macrophages from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies, we evaluated the hydrogel's biocompatibility, effects on macrophage polarization, and therapeutic efficacy in chronic OA pain management. The system demonstrated significant capabilities in preserving macrophage mitochondrial function, suppressing neuroinflammation, alleviating chronic OA pain, reducing cartilage degradation, and improving motor function in OA rat models. The sustained-release properties of KAF@PLEL enabled prolonged therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic exposure and side effects. These findings suggest that KAF@PLEL represents a promising therapeutic approach for improving outcomes in OA patients through targeted, sustained treatment.

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 examine the regulatory effects of a potential antifibrotic tetrapeptide called N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) on the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in lung tissues with fibrosis induced by silicosis in rats. This study aims to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of Ac-SDKP in the prevention and treatment of fibrotic lung diseases associated with silicosis.Methods:In January 2024, disease targets and Ac-SDKP active ingredients were predicted through GeneCards (https://www.genecards.org) and OMIM (https://www.omim.org) databases. Using R 4.2.1 software, we identified overlapping targets between pulmonary fibrosis and AC-SDKP. Cytoscape 3.10.2 was employed to visualize interactions between active chemical components and these targets, followed by GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis using R 4.2.1. Forty healthy adult Wistar rats were selected to establish silicosis models through single-dose gavage with 50 mg/ml silica suspension (1. 0 ml per rat). The rats were randomly divided into four groups: model control group (4 weeks), silicosis model group (4 weeks), Ac-SDKP preventive treatment group (acquired via intraperitoneal injection of a micro-release pump containing Ac-SDKP [800 μg/ (kg·d) ] during modeling, maintained for 4 weeks), and Ac-SDKP anti-fibrosis treatment group (acquired via intraperitoneal injection of the same pump after 2 weeks of modeling, continued maintenance for 2 weeks). Each group contained 10 rats. The pathological changes in rat lung tissues were observed. Western blot technology was used to detect the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transduction and activation transcription factor 3 (STAT 3), caspase 3, and caspase 8 in lung tissues. Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to assess the expressions of EGFR, STAT3, caspase 3, and caspase 8. Overall differences between groups were compared using one-way ANOVA.Results:Compared with the control group in the silicosis model, rats in the 4-week group exhibited significant fibrotic nodules. The lung tissues of these rats showed statistically significant increases in α-SMA, EGFR, STAT 3, Caspase 3, and Caspase 8 protein expression ( P<0.05). In contrast, the Ac-SDKP prevention and anti-fibrosis treatment group demonstrated markedly reduced expression levels of these proteins compared to the 4-week silicosis model group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that brownish-yellow expression of EGFR, STAT3, Caspase3, and Caspase8 was significantly enhanced in silicotic nodules within the silicosis model group. Conversely, this brownish-yellow expression was notably decreased in the Ac-SDKP prevention and anti-fibrosis treatment group compared to the 4-week silicosis model group. Conclusion:Ac-SDKP may exert antifibrotic effects on the lungs of rats with silicosis by regulating the EGFR/STAT3 pathway.

Multimorbidity has become a widely recognized public health problem worldwide. Identifying multimorbidity patterns can improve not only the efficiency of healthcare resource utilization but also patients' prognosis. This article summarizes three common approaches for the identification of multimorbidity patterns: association analysis methods (including association rule mining and network analysis), classification methods (including cluster analysis, latent class analysis, and latent transition analysis), and dimensionality reduction and feature extraction methods (including principal component analysis, factor analysis, and multiple correspondence analysis), introduces the application of these methods using data from the UK Biobank to identify multimorbidity patterns and discusses and compares the results of case analysis to provide reference for the selection of appropriate methods for multimorbidity pattern research.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and analyze the factors associated with prognosis.Methods:A case series study was conducted by retrospectively collecting clinical data from patients aged over 60 years with newly diagnosed stage Ⅰ DLBCL across 20 medical centers in Jiangsu Province, China, between June 2010 and April 2023. The involved site, classification and treatment plan were summarized. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression model.Results:The study included 255 patients with a median age of 69 years, of whom 130 (51.0%) were male, 66 (25.9%) were aged ≥75 years and 26 (10.1%) had a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of ≥2. Extranodal involvement was observed in 163 (63.9%) patients, with the stomach (37.4%, 61/163), intestine (19.0%, 31/163), testes (11.0%, 18/163), and breast (7.4%, 12/163) being the most frequently affected sites. The non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype was prevalent in 63.7% of patients (142/223), with no significant difference between the nodal and extranodal groups ( P=0.681). Furthermore, 73.9% (184/249) and 11.7% (29/249) of patients received the R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and R-miniCHOP regimen, respectively. The overall 3-year PFS rate was 81.5%, and the 3-year OS rate was 85.6%. Patients aged ≥75 years ( HR=2.910, 95% CI 1.565-5.408, P=0.001) and/or with a CCI score ≥2 ( HR=2.324, 95% CI 1.141-4.732, P=0.020) had a significantly poorer PFS. Incorporating age ≥75 years and CCI score ≥2 into the stage-modified international prognostic index (sm-IPI) can better stratify the prognosis of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ DLBCL. The 3-year PFS rate was 48.7% in the high-risk group versus 85.7% in the low-risk group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Our findings show that the elderly patients with stage Ⅰ DLBCL were predominantly characterized by extranodal involvement (particularly in the stomach and intestinal tract) and non-GCB subtype. Age ≥75 years and CCI ≥2 were identified as independent prognostic factors. The newly established sm-IPI-75-CCI incorporating these factors demonstrated superior prognostic discrimination compared to conventional risk assessment systems.

Abstract In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen rapidly, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health. To provide scientific, systematic, and standardized weight management guidance for overweight and obese children and adolescents, the study focuses on the core concept of healthy lifestyle intervention, integrates multidisciplinary expert opinions and research findings,and proposes a comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention framework covering scientific exercise intervention, precise nutrition and diet, optimized sleep management, and standardized psychological support. It calls for the establishment of a multi agent collaborative management mechanism led by the government, implemented by families, fostered by schools, initiated by individuals, optimized by communities, reinforced by healthcare, and coordinated by multiple stakeholders. Emphasizing a child and adolescent centered approach, the consensus advocates for comprehensive, multi level, and personalized guidance strategies to promote the internalization and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It serves as a reference and provides recommendations for the effective prevention and control of overweight and obesity, and enhancing the health level of children and adolescents.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of interventricular septal thickness(IVST),the ratio of mitral ear-ly diastolic peak flow velocity to late diastolic peak flow velocity(E/A)combined with aortic valve flow velocity(AV)for hypertensive heart disease(HHD)and its association with blood pressure grade.Methods:A total of 202 patients with hy-pertension suspected of HHD admitted to Qinhuangdao Hospital of Dongfang Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medi-cine between May 2020 and May 2023 were enrolled and divided into HHD group(n=102)and non-HHD group(n=100)according to color Doppler energy imaging and blood pressure diagnosis.Blood pressure,IVST,E/A and AV were measured in two groups.The predictive value of IVST,E/A and AV for HHD were evaluated by receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC)curve.According to hypertension grading,patients in HHD group was divided into grade 1～2 group(n=59)and grade 3 group(n=41).The association of IVST,E/A,AV with blood pressure grade in HHD patients were ana-lyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results:Compared with patients in non-HHD group,those in HHD group had significant higher IVST,and significant lower E/A and AV(P＜0.001 all);Compared with patients in grade 1～2 group,those in grade 3 group had significant higher IVST,and significant lower E/A and AV(P＜0.001 all).ROC curve showed that the AUC of IVST,E/A and AV alone and their combination in HHD diagnosis was 0.798(95％CI 0.736～0.851),0.682(95％CI 0.613～0.746),0.810(95％CI 0.748～0.862)and 0.927(95％CI 0.881～0.959)respectively,and the diagnostic value of combined detection was significantly higher than those of single detections(Z=4.431,5.669,3.948,P=0.001 all).Spearman correlation analysis showed that E/A and AV were significant negatively correlated with blood pressure grade(r=-0.725,-0.781),while I VST was significant positively correlated with blood pressure grade(r=0.714),and combined detection possessed a stronger correlation with it in HHD patients(r=0.875,P＜0.001 all).Con-clusion:The combined detection of I VST,E/A and AV demonstrates a good predictive value for HHD and exhibits a sig-nificant correlation with blood pressure grade in HHD patients.