OBJECTIVE: To explore the anti-photoaging properties of salvianolic acid B (Sal B). METHODS: The optimal photoaging model of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were constructed by expose to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The cells were divided into control, model and different concentrations of Sal B groups. Cell viability was measured via cell counting kit-8. Subsequently, the levels of oxidative stress, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroxyproline (Hyp), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected using the relevant kits. Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) protein level was detected using Western blot. The binding pattern of Sal B and SIRT1 was determined via molecular docking. RESULTS: Sal B significantly increased the viability of UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Sal B effectively scavenged the accumulation of ROS induced by UVB (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, Sal B modulated oxidative stress by increasing the intracellular concentrations of Hyp and CAT and the activity of GSH-Px (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The Western blot results revealed a substantial increase in SIRT1 protein levels following Sal B administration (P<0.05). Moreover, Sal B exhibited good binding affinity toward SIRT1, with a docking energy of -7.5 kCal/mol. CONCLUSION Sal B could improve the repair of photodamaged cells by alleviating cellular oxidative stress and regulating the expression of SIRT1 protein.
Humans ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Oxidative Stress/radiation effects* ; Keratinocytes/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Benzofurans/pharmacology* ; Skin Aging/radiation effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Cell Survival/radiation effects* ; HaCaT Cells ; Hydroxyproline/metabolism* ; Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism* ; Catalase/metabolism* ; Depsides

Sympathectomy, as an emerging treatment method for cardiovascular diseases, has received extensive attention in recent years. Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), a precise and noninvasive therapeutic technique, has gradually been introduced into interventions targeting the sympathetic nervous system and has shown promising prospects in the management of cardiovascular conditions. Using three-dimensional imaging, SRT can accurately localize sympathetic ganglia and deliver high-energy radiation to disrupt nerve fibers, thereby achieving effects similar to conventional sympathectomy while reducing surgery-related complications and shortening recovery time. It also offers the advantages of being noninvasive and causing fewer adverse effects, and thus holds potential as an alternative to traditional approaches in the future. The integration of SRT with sympathectomy opens new avenues for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and presents broad clinical application prospects.
Radiosurgery/methods* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/radiotherapy* ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Ganglionectomy/methods* ; Ganglia, Sympathetic/radiation effects* ; Blood Vessels/physiopathology* ; Heart/physiopathology*

With the continuous advancement of deep space exploration missions, maintaining astronaut skin health has become a critical medical issue affecting the safety and effectiveness of long-duration missions. Deep space environmental stressors, including microgravity, ionizing radiation, lunar dust exposure, and microbiome dysbiosis, can synergistically disrupt the skin barrier structure, leading to immune homeostasis imbalance and impaired wound healing. In recent years, research on skin protection in deep space has gradually evolved into a systematic "multi-dimensional integrated protective" framework. From the engineering protection perspective, optimization of multi-layer composite spacesuit structures, the use of hydrogen-rich and boron-containing shielding materials, as well as cabin temperature-humidity regulation and debris-resistant technologies, have greatly enhanced environmental defense capacity. From the biomedical protection perspective, functional hydrogels, antimicrobial dressings, and active compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine have demonstrated remarkable potential in repairing the skin barrier, modulating immunity, and providing antioxidant defense. Meanwhile, the development of skin microecological interventions and wearable physiological monitoring systems has fostered a trend toward personalized health management. Future research should focus on elucidating the interactive mechanisms among the space environment, skin, and immune barrier, while exploring intelligent monitoring and nanotechnology-based protection strategies. Establishing a predictive and preventive skin health safeguarding system will provide comprehensive medical support for future deep space missions.
Humans ; Astronauts ; Skin/radiation effects* ; Space Flight ; Weightlessness/adverse effects* ; Wound Healing ; Extraterrestrial Environment

INTRODUCTION: Oral cancer is a major public health concern in India. Both conventional and altered fractionation radiotherapy schedules have been used in curative treatment of oral cancer. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of patients with carcinoma buccal mucosa who underwent treatment with definitive hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 517 patients treated from January 2011 to December 2016 were eligible for the analysis. All patients were treated with definitive hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy schedule of 5,250 cGy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks. Survival estimates were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 77.4 months, 473 (91.5%) patients attained complete remission with radiation therapy. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 69% and 80.5%, respectively. The 5-year OS for stage I, II, III and IVa tumours was 80.3%, 84.4%, 81.4% and 73.7%, respectively, and the DFS was 75.7%, 73.2%, 69.6% and 60.2%, respectively. Age >50 years was found to be a significant factor affecting DFS ( P = 0.026) and OS ( P = 0.048) in multivariate analysis. Fifty-three (10.3%) patients developed osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. CONCLUSION Excellent outcome could be achieved in less-aggressive, low-volume carcinoma of the buccal mucosa with radical accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy. A radiotherapy schedule over a 3-week period is useful in high-volume centres.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms/mortality* ; Mouth Mucosa/radiation effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Adult ; Radiation Dose Hypofractionation ; Disease-Free Survival ; India ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Dose Fractionation, Radiation ; Aged, 80 and over

The balance between growth and defense in response to nearby or canopy shading in heliotropic plants has been deeply understood. However, the adaptive traits developed by shade-tolerant plants through long-term evolution remain unclear. In this study, the typical shade-tolerant medicinal plant Anoectochilus roxburghii was used as the experimental material.(1) Different planting densities were set, including 8 cm(row spacing) × 8 cm(plant spacing), 6 cm × 6 cm, 4 cm × 4 cm, and 2 cm × 2 cm, to monitor the individual plant responses to nearby shading.(2) Different light environments, including blue light∶red light=3∶2(B3R2), blue light∶red light∶far-red light=3∶2∶1(B3R2FR1), blue light∶red light∶far-red light=3∶2∶2(B3R2FR2), and blue light∶red light∶far-red light=3∶2∶4(B3R2FR4), were set to monitor the morphological and physiological changes in plants in response to actual shading conditions. The results showed that:(1) Moderate increases in planting density helped optimize morphological traits such as stem diameter and leaf area. This not only slightly increased biomass but also significantly improved SOD activity in both leaves and stems, as well as lignin content in stems, thereby enhancing the plant's defense capabilities.(2) Increasing the far-red light in the light environment negatively regulated the plant height of A. roxburghii, which was contrary to the typical shade-avoidance response observed in heliotropic plants. However, it significantly enhanced SOD and POD activity in both stems and leaves, as well as lignin content in stems. Furthermore, it reduced the incidence and disease index of stalk rot, effectively defending against biotic stress. Therefore, the shade-tolerant plant A. roxburghii has specific adaptive strategies for shading conditions. Reasonable dense planting or light environment modulation can synergistically improve yield, medicinal quality, and resistance of A. roxburghii. This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for optimizing the regional deployment and cultivation strategies of ecological planting for Chinese medicinal materials.
Orchidaceae/genetics* ; Light ; Plant Leaves/physiology* ; Sunlight ; Adaptation, Physiological/radiation effects* ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

Riboflavin-ultraviolet A (UVA) collagen cross-linking has not only achieved good clinical efficacy in the treatment of corneal diseases such as dilatation keratopathy, bullae keratopathy, infectious keratopathy, and in the combined treatment of corneal refractive surgeries, but also its efficacy and safety in scleral collagen cross-linking have been initially confirmed. To better promote the application of cross-linking in the clinical treatment of corneal and scleral diseases, exploring controllability and predictability of the surgical efficacy are both important for evaluating the surgical efficacy and personalized precision treatment. In this paper, the progress on the cross-linking depth of riboflavin-UVA collagen cross-linking, and its relationship with the cross-linking effect will be reviewed. It will provide the reference for further application of this procedure in ophthalmology clinics.
Riboflavin/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Collagen/radiation effects* ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; Corneal Diseases/drug therapy* ; Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use*

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common degenerative disease of the nervous system. Studies have found that the 40 Hz pulsed magnetic field has the effect of improving cognitive ability in AD, but the mechanism of action is not clear. In this study, APP/PS1 double transgenic AD model mice were used as the research object, the water maze was used to group dementia, and 40 Hz/10 mT pulsed magnetic field stimulation was applied to AD model mice with different degrees of dementia. The behavioral indicators, mitochondrial samples of hippocampal CA1 region and electrocardiogram signals were collected from each group, and the effects of 40 Hz pulsed magnetic field on mouse behavior, mitochondrial kinetic indexes and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were analyzed. The results showed that compared with the AD group, the loss of mitochondrial crest structure was alleviated and the mitochondrial dynamics related indexes were significantly improved in the AD + stimulated group ( P < 0.001), sympathetic nerve excitation and parasympathetic nerve inhibition were improved, and the spatial cognitive memory ability of mice was significantly improved ( P < 0.05). The preliminary results of this study show that 40 Hz pulsed magnetic field stimulation can improve the mitochondrial structure and mitochondrial kinetic homeostasis imbalance of AD mice, and significantly improve the autonomic neuromodulation ability and spatial cognition ability of AD mice, which lays a foundation for further exploring the mechanism of ultra-low frequency magnetic field in delaying the course of AD disease and realizing personalized neurofeedback therapy for AD.
Animals ; Heart Rate/physiology* ; Mice ; Alzheimer Disease/therapy* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mitochondrial Dynamics/radiation effects* ; Magnetic Field Therapy/methods* ; Magnetic Fields ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mitochondria ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Cognition ; Dementia/therapy*

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Radiation pneumonitis is a major complication in lung cancer radiotherapy. Four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) imaging provides dynamic ventilation information, which is valuable for lung function assessment and radiation pneumonitis prevention. Many methods have been developed to calculate lung ventilation from 4DCT, but a systematic comparison is lacking. Prediction of radiation pneumonitis using 4DCT-based ventilation is still in an early stage, and no comprehensive review exists. This paper presented the first systematic comparison of functional lung ventilation algorithms based on 4DCT over the past 15 years, highlighting their clinical value and limitations. It then reviewed multimodal approaches combining 4DCT ventilation imaging, dose metrics, and clinical data for radiation pneumonitis prediction. Finally, it summarized current research and future directions of 4DCT in lung cancer radiotherapy, offering insights for clinical practice and further studies.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography/methods* ; Radiation Pneumonitis/etiology* ; Algorithms ; Lung/radiation effects* ; Pulmonary Ventilation

Tumor treating fields (TTF) therapy is an innovative tumor treatment modality. Currently, the TTF devices predominantly employ insulated ceramic electrodes as the electric field transmission medium, resulting in low energy transfer efficiency of the electric field and poor portability of the devices. This study proposed an innovative TTF transmission mode and independently designed a conducted-electrode TTF cell culture dish utilizing inert titanium materials. The electric field conduction characteristics were verified through finite element simulations and experimental tests. Finally, based on the self-manufactured conducted-electrode TTF cell culture dish, experiments on the proliferation inhibition of U87 tumor cells by TTF were conducted. The results demonstrated that under an applied TTF voltage of 10 V and frequency of 200 kHz, the electric field intensities within the medium for conducted and insulated electrodes are approximately 2.5 V/cm and 0.7 V/cm, respectively. Compared to conventional insulated TTF systems, the conducted-electrode TTF configuration exhibited a lower electrode voltage drop and a higher electric field intensity in the culture medium, indicating superior electric field transmission efficiency. Following 36 hours of treatment with conducted-electrode TTF on U87 cells, the proliferation inhibition rate reached approximately 50%, demonstrating effective suppression of tumor cell growth. This approach presents a potential direction for optimizing TTF treatment modality and device design.
Humans ; Electrodes ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/radiation effects* ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods* ; Electromagnetic Fields

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and preliminary mechanisms of icariin (ICA) in enhancing the reparative effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on skin radiation damagies in rats. METHODS: Twelve SPF-grade Sprague Dawley rats [body weight (220±10) g] were subjected to a single dose of 10 Gy X-ray irradiation on a 1.5 cm×1.5 cm area of their dorsal skin, with a dose rate of 200 cGy/min to make skin radiation damage model. After successful modelling, the rats were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=3), and on day 2, the corresponding cells were injected subcutaneously into the irradiated wounds: group A received 0.1 mL of rat ADSCs (1×10 ⁷cells/mL), group B received 0.1 mL of rat ADSCs (1×10 ⁷cells/mL)+1 μmol/L ICA (0.1 mL), group C received 0.1 mL of rat ADSCs (1×10 ⁷cells/mL) pretreated with a hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) inhibitor+1 μmol/L ICA (0.1 mL), and group D received 0.1 mL of rat ADSCs (1×10 ⁷cells/mL) pretreated with a Notch1 inhibitor+1 μmol/L ICA (0.1 mL). All treatments were administered as single doses. The skin injury in the irradiated areas of the rats was observed continuously from day 1 to day 7 after modelling. On day 28, the rats were sacrificed, and skin tissues from the irradiated areas were harvested for histological examination (HE staining and Masson staining) to assess the repair status and for quantitative collagen content detection. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect CD31 expression, while Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to measure the protein and mRNA relative expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), interleukin 10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), HIF-2α, and Notch1, 2, and 3. RESULTS: All groups exhibited skin ulcers and redness after irradiation. On day 3, exudation of tissue fluid was observed in all groups. On day 7, group B showed significantly smaller skin injury areas compared to the other 3 groups. On day 28, histological examination revealed that the epidermis was thickened and the dermal fibers were slightly disordered with occasional inflammatory cell aggregation in group A. In group B, the epidermis appeared more normal, the dermal fibers were more orderly, and there was an increase in new blood vessels without significant inflammatory cell aggregation. In contrast, groups C and D showed significantly increased epidermal thickness, disordered and disrupted dermal fibers. Group B had higher collagen fiber content than the other 3 groups, and group D had lower content than group A, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that group B had significantly higher CD31 expression than the other 3 groups, while groups C and D had lower expression than group A, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Western blot and qRT-PCR results indicated that group B had significantly higher relative expression levels of VEGF, PDGF-BB, FGF-2, IL-10, TGF-β, HIF-2α, and Notch1, 2, and 3 proteins and mRNAs compared to the other 3 groups ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION ICA may enhance the reparative effects of ADSCs on rat skin radiation damage by promoting angiogenesis and reducing inflammatory responses through the HIF-2α-VEGF-Notch signaling pathway.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin/pathology* ; Rats ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics* ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Adipose Tissue/cytology* ; Stem Cells/cytology* ; Receptors, Notch/metabolism* ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental/metabolism* ; Wound Healing/drug effects* ; Male