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”.

Objective:Preparation of rapamycin nanoparticles inhibits abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)in mice.Methods:Aldehyde-modified pluronic F127 encapsulating rapamycin (RAPA) was used to prepare nanoparticles (AMPF@RAPA nanoparticles), which were then characterized and analyzed.Elastase from porcine pancreas was used to induce AAA in C57BL/6J wild-type mice. Rapamycin was administered via intraperitoneal injection, and AMPF@RAPA nanoparticles were administered via intravenous injection. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and elastica van gieson staining were used for histological evaluation of the AAA in mice.Results:Compared with the model group, RAPA intraperitoneal injection significantly reduced the abdominal aorta expansion ratio, with a relative reduction of 40.3% in the abdominal aorta diameter. The particle size of AMPF@RAPA nanoparticles was approximately 104 nm, with an encapsulation efficiency of (71.3±0.7)% and a drug loading of (18.4±0.2)%. Compared with the model group, AMPF@RAPA nanoparticles intravenous injection significantly reduced the abdominal aorta expansion ratio, with a relative reduction of 51% in the abdominal aorta diameter.Conclusion:The intravenous injection of AMPF@RAPA nanoparticles significantly inhibited the development of AAA in mice, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to the intraperitoneal injection of rapamycin.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of Liuwei Dihuang Capsules for type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)with yin deficiency syndrome and the effects on intestinal flora and inflammatory factors.Methods Totally 60 patients of T2DM with yin deficiency syndrome in Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the study objects,and were divided into control group and observation group according to the method of block randomization,with 30 cases in each group.Both groups received basic treatment.The control group was given a simulated agent of Liuwei Dihuang Capsules,while the observation group was given Liuwei Dihuang Capsules.The treatment course for both groups was 4 weeks.Clinical efficacy,blood glucose levels[fasting plasma glucose(FPG),2-hour postprandial plasma glucose(2 hPG),glycated albumin(GA)],serum insulin levels[fasting insulin(FINS)and insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)],changes in gut microbiota,and serum inflammatory cytokine levels[interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α]of both groups were compared.Results The total effective rate of the observation group(76.67%)was better than that of the control group(50.00%)(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the FPG,2 hPG,GA,FINS and HOMA-IR decreased in the observation group,while the FPG,2 hPG and FINS decreased in the control group(P<0.05);after treatment,the Shannon index of the observation group increased after treatment(P<0.05),and the diversity of the microbiota increased;the abundance of the microbial communities such as Coprococcus 3,Cutibacterium,Pseudomonas,Faecalibaculum,Dubosiella and Mucispirillum significantly increased(P<0.05);the abundance of Sphingomonas,Corynebacterium 1,Ileibacterium,Ruminiclostridium and other microbiota communities significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in both groups were significantly reduced after treatment(P<0.01,P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Liuwei Dihuang Capsules can effectively reduce blood glucose levels in patients of T2DM with yin deficiency syndrome,improve insulin resistance,increase gut microbiota diversity,increase beneficial bacterial abundance,reduce harmful bacterial abundance,and alleviate inflammatory cytokine levels.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of male genital system lympho-ma(MGSL).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological and immunophenotypic features and prognosis of 80 ca-ses of MGSL.Results:The onset age of the MGSL patients ranged from 4 to 85(median 62)years old.All the cases showed non-specificity of the imaging features and clinical manifestations.MGSL was located mainly in the testis(n=66),followed by the pros-tate(n=7),epididymis(n=3),scrotum(n=3)and penile glans(n=1).Diffused large B cell lymphoma(DLBCL)was the most common pathological type(n=62),next came extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT)(n=7)and other rare types(n=12).During the 1-112-month follow-up of 10 of the 19 patients,1 died at 1 month af-ter diagnosed with prostatic B-lymphoblastic lymphoma(B-LBL)and another 1 died at 50 months after diagnosed with testicular DLBCL.Conclusion:MGSL is rare clinically,mainly of the DLBCL type pathologically,lacking specificity in clinical symptoms and imaging manifestation.The definite diagnosis of the malignancy depends on histopathology combined with related molecular exami-nation and immunohistochemical labeling,and R-CHOP chemotherapy is the first choice for its treatment.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence, trends in disease burden, and risk factors of esophageal cancer in various provinces of China from 1990 to 2019.Methods:Utilizing data from the 2019 global burden of disease study, the disease burden of esophageal cancer of 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region of China from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed. The disease burden of esophageal cancer in China was described with the number (and incidence) of cases, the number (and mortality) of death, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and their age-standardized rates. Joinpoint regression analysis and t-test were used to evaluate the annual percent change and the average annual percent change (AAPC). Scatter plots and Spearman correlation coefficients were performed to analyze the correlation between the disease burden of esophageal cancer and the socio-demographic index (SDI), as well as DALY in each province. Results:In 2019, there were 278 121 new cases of esophageal cancer and 257 316 deaths in China, increased by 60.13% and 45.70% respectively compared with 1990. The top 3 provinces with the highest age-standardized incidence of esophageal cancer were Sichuan Province (25.96/100 000), Jiangsu Province (23.80/100 000), and Fujian Province (21.98/100 000). From 1990 to 2019, except for Jiangsu Province and Sichuan Province, the age-standardized incidence in other provinces showed a declining trend. The age-standardized mortality and DALYs of esophageal cancer decreased in all provinces as well as in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China. The attributable risk factors of esophageal cancer caused deaths in China mainly included smoking, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, and low fruit intake, accounting for 91.38% of all the cases. With the increase of the SDI, the age-standardized rates of DALY in high incidence areas of esophageal cancer (Sichuan Province, Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province, Henan Province, Chongqing City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shanxi Province, and Anhui Province) demonstrated a trend of initially decline and then an upward. In contrast, the age-standardized rates of DALY of esophageal cancer in other provinces, as well as in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China, showed a trend of initially upward and then decline. The age-standardized rate of DALY of esophageal cancer showed a negative correlation with SDI ( r=-0.315, P<0.001). From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer generally demonstrated a downward trend. The AAPC was -1.43% ( t=-19.16, P<0.001) for incidence and -1.83% ( t=-29.63, P<0.001) for mortality, respectively. It is projected that by 2044, the actual number of new esophageal cancer cases in China will increase from 278 121 in 2019 to 291 206 in 2044, and the actual number of deaths will increase from 257 316 to 275 856. Conclusions:In recent years, the disease burden of esophageal cancer in China remains a serious status, with significant differences in geography and gender. It is projected that by 2044, the number of new esophageal cancer cases and deaths in China will continue to increase. Effective strategies and policies are urgently needed to reduce the disease burden.

In this study, araucarene diterpenes, characterized by a pimarene skeleton with a variably oxidized side chain at C-13, were investigated. A total of 16 araucarene diterpenoids and their derivatives were isolated from the woods of Agathis dammara, including 11 previously unreported compounds: dammaradione (1), dammarones D-G (2, 5, 14, 15), dammaric acids B-F (8-12), and dammarol (16). The structures of these new compounds were elucidated using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS) and one-dimensional/two-dimensional (1D/2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), while their absolute configurations were determined through the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) exciton chirality method and Snatzke's method. The hypoglycemic activity of all isolated compounds was evaluated using a transgenic zebrafish model, and a structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was conducted. Araucarone (3) and dammaric acid C (9), serving as representative compounds, demonstrated significant hypoglycemic effects on zebrafish. The primary mechanism involves the promotion of pancreatic β cell regeneration and glucose uptake. Specifically, these compounds enhance the differentiation of pancreatic endocrine precursor cells (PEP cells) into β cells in zebrafish.
Zebrafish ; Animals ; Diterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Regeneration/drug effects*

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence, trends in disease burden, and risk factors of esophageal cancer in various provinces of China from 1990 to 2019.Methods:Utilizing data from the 2019 global burden of disease study, the disease burden of esophageal cancer of 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region of China from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed. The disease burden of esophageal cancer in China was described with the number (and incidence) of cases, the number (and mortality) of death, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and their age-standardized rates. Joinpoint regression analysis and t-test were used to evaluate the annual percent change and the average annual percent change (AAPC). Scatter plots and Spearman correlation coefficients were performed to analyze the correlation between the disease burden of esophageal cancer and the socio-demographic index (SDI), as well as DALY in each province. Results:In 2019, there were 278 121 new cases of esophageal cancer and 257 316 deaths in China, increased by 60.13% and 45.70% respectively compared with 1990. The top 3 provinces with the highest age-standardized incidence of esophageal cancer were Sichuan Province (25.96/100 000), Jiangsu Province (23.80/100 000), and Fujian Province (21.98/100 000). From 1990 to 2019, except for Jiangsu Province and Sichuan Province, the age-standardized incidence in other provinces showed a declining trend. The age-standardized mortality and DALYs of esophageal cancer decreased in all provinces as well as in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China. The attributable risk factors of esophageal cancer caused deaths in China mainly included smoking, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, and low fruit intake, accounting for 91.38% of all the cases. With the increase of the SDI, the age-standardized rates of DALY in high incidence areas of esophageal cancer (Sichuan Province, Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province, Henan Province, Chongqing City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shanxi Province, and Anhui Province) demonstrated a trend of initially decline and then an upward. In contrast, the age-standardized rates of DALY of esophageal cancer in other provinces, as well as in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China, showed a trend of initially upward and then decline. The age-standardized rate of DALY of esophageal cancer showed a negative correlation with SDI ( r=-0.315, P<0.001). From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer generally demonstrated a downward trend. The AAPC was -1.43% ( t=-19.16, P<0.001) for incidence and -1.83% ( t=-29.63, P<0.001) for mortality, respectively. It is projected that by 2044, the actual number of new esophageal cancer cases in China will increase from 278 121 in 2019 to 291 206 in 2044, and the actual number of deaths will increase from 257 316 to 275 856. Conclusions:In recent years, the disease burden of esophageal cancer in China remains a serious status, with significant differences in geography and gender. It is projected that by 2044, the number of new esophageal cancer cases and deaths in China will continue to increase. Effective strategies and policies are urgently needed to reduce the disease burden.

Thoracolumbar spine fracture often leads to severe pain, functional impairments, and neurological deficits, for which open reduction and internal fixation can effectively restore the spinal structural stability. Open decompression and reduction with internal fixation can help relieve spinal cord compression and improve spinal function in cases of concomitant cord injury. Although spinal stability can be restored through surgery, patients often face chronic pain and functional impairments postoperatively. A postoperative rehabilitation program is critical in optimizing therapeutic outcomes, reducing complications, and minimizing the risk of secondary injuries. However, current rehabilitation methods, such as physical therapy, functional training, and pain management, are confronted with problems in clinical practice, including significant variation in efficacy, poor patient adherence, and prolonged rehabilitation period. There is an urgent need for a unified rehabilitation strategy to address these problems. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Spine Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Human Health Technology Promotion Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate Evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation treatment after internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults ( version 2025) by integrating evidences from clinical researches and advanced rehabilitation concepts at home and abroad. A total number of 14 recommendations concerning the rehabilitation treatment with multimodal analgesia, psychological intervention, deep vein thrombosis prevention, core muscle and extremity exercise, appropriate use of braces, early weight-bearing, device-aided rehabilitation exercise, neuroregulatory therapy, rehabilitation team were put forward, aiming to standardize the post-operative rehabilitation process following internal fixation, promote the functional recovery, and enhance patients′ quality of life.