Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） is a chronic and fibrotic lethal interstitial lung disease with poor prognosis. It is mainly treated by organ transplantation and administration of chemical drugs， which have poor efficacy and induce side effects， failing to meet the clinical needs. Therefore， it is urgent to develop more safe and effective drugs to treat IPF. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has garnered increasing attention in recent years in the treatment of IPF due to its unique advantages. Increasing studies have shown that TCM has remarkable therapeutic effects on IPF and thus demonstrate broad application prospects. Modern medical research shows that the pathogenesis of IPF can be discussed from inflammation （macrophage polarization）， oxidative stress， epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， autophagy inhibition and other related signaling pathways， while few studies systematically explain the relationship between the signaling pathways and TCM theory. According to the theory of TCM， lung collateral obstruction is the basic pathogenesis of IPF. Therefore， according to the principle of dredging and replenishing lung collaterals， IPF can be treated with the methods of reinforcing healthy qi and eliminating pathogen， replenishing qi and activating blood， and detoxifying and dredging collaterals， which demonstrate definite curative effect and can effectively relieve clinical symptoms， restore the lung function and blood oxygen partial pressure， improve the quality of life of patients， and reduce adverse reactions. Experimental studies have found that dredging and replenishing lung collaterals have significant effects on IPF inflammation （macrophage polarization）， oxidative stress， EMT， autophagy inhibition and other signaling pathways. Therefore， from the perspective of impediment， this article reviews pathogenesis of IPF， the research progress in TCM treatment of IPF， and the treatment of IPF from active components， single herbs， and compound prescriptions of TCM， with the aim of revealing the scientific connotation of the treatment of IPF from impediment and providing a new theoretical basis for enriching the TCM methods of treating IPF.

Breast cancer prevention and treatment have become major issues that urgently need to be addressed in the field of global public health. As a key pathological transitional stage in the progression of breast cancer， preneoplastic breast cancer （PBC） carries a significant risk of clinical transformation. Effective intervention in the progression of PBC is of great clinical significance in preventing the occurrence of breast cancer. Pathological studies have shown that abnormal angiogenesis is a key mechanism driving the transformation of PBC into breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， as a core regulatory molecule that promotes angiogenesis， plays a pivotal role in this process. The malignant transformation of PBC is closely associated with the abnormal activation of the VEGF-mediated pro-angiogenic network. Although modern medicine has achieved certain therapeutic effects through surgery and endocrine therapy， clinical limitations such as invasiveness， drug resistance， and adverse reactions still exist. Recent studies have demonstrated that the VEGF signaling system mediates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathway. In addition， the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/VEGF signaling pathway and the delta-like ligand 4 （DLL4）/Notch receptor 1 （Notch1） signaling pathway， together with other pathways， form a complex regulatory network that plays a central role in angiogenesis during PBC. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by multi-component synergy， multi-pathway regulation， and high safety， demonstrates significant advantages in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and blocking PBC progression by targeting the VEGF signaling pathway. From the perspective of VEGF pathway regulation， this paper systematically reviews the latest research progress on TCM in inhibiting angiogenesis and intervening in PBC， and discusses its mechanisms and application value in the early prevention and treatment of PBC， with the aim of providing references for optimizing clinical intervention strategies for PBC.

Blue light inactivation technology, particularly at the 405 nm wavelength, has demonstrated distinct and multifaceted mechanisms of action against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, offering a promising alternative to conventional antibiotic therapies. For Gram-positive pathogens such as Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the bactericidal effects are primarily mediated by endogenous porphyrins (e.g., protoporphyrin III, coproporphyrin III, and uroporphyrin III), which exhibit strong absorption peaks between 400-430 nm. Upon irradiation, these porphyrins are photoexcited to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide anions, which collectively induce oxidative damage to cellular components. Early studies by Endarko et al. revealed that (405±5) nm blue light at 185 J/cm² effectively inactivated L. monocytogenes without exogenous photosensitizers, supporting the hypothesis of intrinsic photosensitizer involvement. Subsequent work by Masson-Meyers et al. demonstrated that 405 nm light at 121 J/cm² suppressed MRSA growth by activating endogenous porphyrins, leading to ROS accumulation. Kim et al. further elucidated that ROS generated under 405 nm irradiation directly interact with unsaturated fatty acids in bacterial membranes, initiating lipid peroxidation. This process disrupts membrane fluidity, compromises structural integrity, and impairs membrane-bound proteins, ultimately causing cell death. In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii exhibit more complex inactivation pathways. While endogenous porphyrins remain central to ROS generation, studies reveal additional photodynamic contributors, including flavins (e.g., riboflavin) and bacterial pigments. For instance, H. pylori naturally accumulates protoporphyrin and coproporphyrin mixtures, enabling efficient 405 nm light-mediated inactivation without antibiotic resistance concerns. Kim et al. demonstrated that 405 nm light at 288 J/cm² inactivates Salmonella by inducing genomic DNA oxidation (e.g., 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine formation) and disrupting membrane functions, particularly efflux pumps and glucose uptake systems. Huang et al. highlighted the enhanced efficacy of pulsed 405 nm light over continuous irradiation for E. coli, attributing this to increased membrane damage and optimized ROS generation through frequency-dependent photodynamic effects. Environmental factors such as temperature, pH, and osmotic stress further modulate susceptibility, sublethal stress conditions (e.g., high salinity or acidic environments) weaken bacterial membranes, rendering cells more vulnerable to subsequent ROS-mediated damage. The 405 nm blue light inactivates drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa through endogenous porphyrins, pyocyanin, and pyoverdine, with the inactivation efficacy influenced by bacterial growth phase and culture medium composition. Intriguingly, repeated 405 nm exposure (20 cycles) failed to induce resistance in A. baumannii, with transient tolerance linked to transient overexpression of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase) or stress-response genes (e.g., oxyR). For Gram-positive bacteria, porphyrin abundance dictates sensitivity, whereas in Gram-negative species, membrane architecture and accessory pigments modulate outcomes. Critically, ROS-mediated damage is nonspecific, targeting DNA, proteins, and lipids simultaneously, thereby minimizing resistance evolution. The 405 nm blue light technology, as a non-chemical sterilization method, shows promise in medical and food industries. It enhances infection control through photodynamic therapy and disinfection, synergizing with red light for anti-inflammatory treatments (e.g., acne). In food processing, it effectively inactivates pathogens (e.g., E. coli, S. aureus) without altering food quality. Despite efficacy against multidrug-resistant A. baumannii, challenges include device standardization, limited penetration in complex materials, and optimization of photosensitizers/light parameters. Interdisciplinary research is needed to address these limitations and scale applications in healthcare, food safety, and environmental decontamination.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Wnt signaling pathway and miRNAs mechanism of extracts of Plastrum Testudinis (PT) in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). METHODS: Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by random number table method, including sham group, ovariectomized group (OVX), ovariectomized groups treated with high-, medium-, and low-dose PT (160, 80, 40 mg/kg per day, respectively), with 6 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy to simulate OP and received PT by oral gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. After treatment, bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; bone microstructure was analyzed by micro-computed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining; and the expressions of osteogenic differentiation-related factors were detected by immunochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) was used to inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and miRNA overexpression was used to evaluate the effect of miR-214 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Subsequently, PT extract was used to rescue the effects of Dkk-1 and miR-214, and its impacts on the osteogenic differentiation-related factors of BMSCs were evaluated. RESULTS: PT-M and PT-L significantly reduced the weight gain in OVX rats (P<0.05). PT also regulated the bone mass and bone microarchitecture of the femur in OVX rats, and increased the expressions of bone formation-related factors including alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein type 2, collagen type I alpha 1, and runt-related transcription factor 2 when compared with the OVX group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, different doses of PT significantly rescued the inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway-related factors in OVX rats, and increased the mRNA or protein expressions of Wnt3a, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PT stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs inhibited by Dkk-1 and activated the Wnt signaling pathway. In addition, the expression of miR-214 was decreased in OVX rats (P<0.01), and it was negatively correlated with the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs (P<0.01). MiR-214 mimic inhibited Wnt signaling pathway in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conversely, PT effectively counteracted the effect of miR-214 mimic, thereby activating the Wnt signaling pathway and stimulating osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION PT stimulates bone formation in OVX rats through β-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling pathway, which may be related to inhibiting miR-214 in BMSCs.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics* ; Osteogenesis/genetics* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Bone Density/drug effects* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoporosis/drug therapy* ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Rats ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Objective:To investigate the differences in electrophysiological brain development of neonates in Tibet and Beijing.Methods:This prospective cohort study included neonates with gestational ages of 28 to 40 weeks and 6 days, without asphyxia, hypoxia, or brain injury, who were born between January 2022 and June 2024 at the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital and Peking University First Hospital. The first electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring was completed within 48 hours to 7 days after birth, which included a 4-channel amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) and a 12-channel continuous EEG (cEEG). Two electrophysiology experts scored the EEG results according to a rating scale, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to explore the consistency between different evaluators. Preterm infants with gestational ages of 32 to 36 weeks and 6 days and post-menstrual age (PMA) less than full-term at the first EEG monitoring were re-examined with aEEG and cEEG at PMA of 37 to 40 weeks and 6 days. Infants were grouped based on PMA at the first EEG monitoring. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlations between total aEEG+cEEG scores, individual aEEG and cEEG scores, and PMA, gestational age, birth weight, and head circumference at the first EEG monitoring. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni correction were used to compare the differences in total aEEG+cEEG scores, individual aEEG and cEEG scores between Tibet and Beijing, among adjacent PMA groups, and for premature infants at full-term PMA. Results:(1) A total of 341 neonates were included in this study, including 154 cases from Tibet (nine cases in the PMA of 28-29 weeks and 6 days group, 13 cases in the PMA of 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, 28 cases in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 38 cases in the PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 66 cases in the PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days group) and 187 cases from Beijing (10 cases in the PMA of 28-29 weeks and 6 days group, 10 cases in the PMA of 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, 16 cases in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 91 cases in the PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 60 cases in the PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days group). (2) Inter-rater consistency:the consistency of PMA inferred based on the total aEEC+CEEC score and actual PMA was high in two raters ( ICCrater one=0.96, ICCrater two=0.94, both P<0.01). (3) The correlation between total aEEG+cEEG score and PMA ( r=0.80) was stronger than that between the aEEG alone or cEEG scores and PMA ( r were 0.79 and 0.66, respectively). The total aEEG+cEEG score also correlated with gestational age at birth ( r=0.74), birth weight ( r=0.69), and head circumference at first EEG monitoring ( r=0.69) (all P<0.01). (4) Regardless of whether in Tibet or Beijing, the total aEEG+cEEG score increased sequentially in the PMA of 30- 31 weeks and 6 days, 32-33 weeks and 6 days, 34-36 weeks and 6 days, and 37-40 weeks and 6 days groups; the cEEG score increased sequentially in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 37-40 weeks and 6 days groups; the aEEG score in the PMA 32- 33 weeks and 6 days group was higher than that in the 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, and the score in the PMA 37-40 weeks and 6 days group was higher than that in the 34-36 weeks and 6 days group (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.05). (5) At PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days, the total aEEG+cEEG score [25 points (22-26 points) vs. 26 points (24-28 points), Z=－2.62, P=0.009] and cEEG score [12 points (12-14 points) vs. 15 points (13-16 points), Z=－4.77, P<0.001] of newborns in Tibet were lower than those in Beijing, while the aEEG score was higher than those in Beijing [12 points (10-13 points) vs. 11 points (10-12 points), Z=2.17, P=0.030]; at PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days, the cEEG score of newborns in Tibet was lower than those in Beijing [16 points (15-17 points) vs. 17 points (15-18 points), Z=－2.27, P=0.023]. (6) The total aEEG+cEEG score of preterm infants born at 32 to 33 weeks and 6 days in Tibet was lower at PMA full-term compared to those in Beijing [27 points (26-28 points) vs. 29 points (28 -30 points), Z=－2.94], and also lower compared to the total aEEG+cEEG score of full-term gestational age newborns in Tibet during their first EEG monitoring [29 points (27-30 points)] (both P<0.05). Conclusions:In the high-altitude hypobaric hypoxic environment, the electroencephalographic development of newborns, especially premature infants, maybe lag behind of plain areas. The combined use of aEEG+cEEG may provide a better evaluation of neonatal brain development than using cEEG or aEEG alone.

Objective:To construct multimorbidity patterns among elderly individuals with chronic diseases and to explore the relationship between these patterns and frailty.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 4, 706 elderly participants aged 60 years and older from selected prefecture-level cities in Shaanxi Province.Data were collected on general information, chronic diseases, and frailty status.The average age of the participants was 69.9±6.7 years, with males comprising 47.3%(2, 255 cases)and females comprising 52.7%(2, 481 cases)of the sample.Latent class analysis(LCA)was employed to identify multimorbidity patterns, while multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the associations between these patterns and frailty.Results:The prevalence of multimorbidity within the study population was found to be 43.6%(2, 052 cases out of 4, 706 cases).The highest rates of multimorbidity were observed in anxiety and depression(100%, 23 cases out of 23 cases), dementia(100%, 6 cases out of 6 cases), and Parkinson's disease(100%, 11 cases out of 11 cases).Stroke followed closely with a rate of 96.8%(597 cases out of 617 cases), while rheumatoid arthritis exhibited the lowest rate of multimorbidity with other chronic diseases at 50%(4 cases out of 8 cases).Five distinct multimorbidity patterns were identified through LCA: the complex multimorbidity class(123 cases), the stroke-respiratory class(546 cases), the sleep disorders-osteoarticular class(488 cases), the cardiovascular-metabolic class(987 cases), and the relatively healthy class(2, 562 cases).When compared to the relatively healthy class, the complex multimorbidity class( OR=2.317, 95% CI: 1.573-3.412), stroke-respiratory class( OR=2.279, 95% CI: 1.862-2.788), sleep disorders-osteoarticular class( OR=1.370, 95% CI: 1.111-1.691), and cardiovascular-metabolic class( OR=1.185, 95% CI: 1.003-1.400)were all found to be significantly associated with frailty. Conclusions:The cardiovascular-metabolic class is the most prevalent among elderly individuals.Various patterns exhibit distinct associations with frailty, with the complex multimorbidity class and the stroke-respiratory class being the most significant, as they markedly elevate the risk of frailty.

Objective To explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods A total of 60 hospitalized non-dialysis patients with CKD in the Department of Nephrology of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2022 to September 2023 were enrolled as research objects.According to the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),they were divided into stage 1 to 2 of CKD group[eGFR ≥60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 23 cases,the stage 3 of CKD group[eGFR 30～＜60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 20 cases,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group[eGFR＜30 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 17 cases.The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients.Basic data and common clinical laboratory in-dicators on hospital admission were collected to analyze the differences in cognitive function levels under different renal function statuses and to explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment.Results The incidence rates of cognitive impairment in the stage 1 to 2 of CKD group,stage 3 of CKD group,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group were 47.8％,85.0％,and 94.1％respectively,the median MoCA scored 26,24 and 20 respectively,with statistically significant between-group differ-ences(P＜0.05).Cognitive function was significantly negatively correlated with age(r=-0.634,P＜0.001),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(r=-0.574,P＜0.001),serum creatinine(Cr)(r=-0.417,P＜0.001),cystatin C(Cys-C)(r=-0.327,P=0.011),serum β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)(r=-0.259,P=0.046),and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)(r=-0.474,P＜0.001),and was significantly positively correlated with hemoglobin(HB)(r=0.401,P=0.001)and eGFR(r=0.485,P＜0.001).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age(P=0.006)and NT-proBNP(P=0.041)were influencing factors of cognitive im-pairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity,and specificity of age for prediction were 0.860,0.864 and 0.812 respectively,the AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of NT-proBNP for pre-diction were 0.808,0.795 and 0.875 respectively,and the combined prediction of age and NT-proBNP had an AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of 0.893,0.955,and 0.750,respectively.Conclusion As renal function deteriorates,the incidence rate and severity of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD tend to increase.Advanced age,renal function deterioration,high NT-proBNP level,and anemia are associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment in non-di-alysis patients with CKD,among which age and NT-proBNP are influencing factors for cognitive im-pairment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of moxibustion at Tianshu(ST25)acupoint on 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis(IM)and its underlying mechanisms.Methods:Eighteen C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups:normal control(NC),IM model(IM),moxibustion 15 min(MO 15 min),and moxibustion 30 min(MO 30 min).The IM model was established via intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU.Pathological changes in colon tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα),nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB),phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB),NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1,interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-18(IL-18)were analyzed via Western blot,ELISA,and immunohistochemistry.Results:Compared with the NC group,the IM group showed significantly shortened colon length(P＜0.05),exhibited mucosal damage,inflammatory cell infiltration,and glandular disorder,along with upregulated protein expression of p-NF-κB,NLRP3,IL-1β,IL-18,and caspase-1(P＜0.05),and downregulated PPARα expression(P＜0.05).After moxibustion intervention,the MO 15 min group demonstrated increased intestinal length(P＜0.05),reduced pathological scores(P＜0.05),significantly downregulated expression of NLRP3,p-NF-κB,IL-1β,and IL-18(P＜0.05),and elevated PPARα expression(P＜0.05),while total NF-κB protein levels remained unchanged.Conclusion:Moxibustion at Tianshu(ST25)acupoint may alleviate 5-FU-induced intestinal mucosal inflammatory responses by activating PPARα to suppress the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.

Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI),also known as premature ovarian failure(POF),is one of the major causes of female infertility.Its incidence has been increasing year by year,seriously af-fecting women's reproductive health and becoming an increasingly serious public health problem world-wide.The pathogenesis of POI is complex and may be related to genetic,immune and environmental fac-tors,but in recent years,oxidative stress(OS)has received widespread attention as a key factor that can affect the function of ovarian granulosa cells(GCs),which can lead to the occurrence of POI.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)regulate the proliferation,survival and apoptosis of GCs through multiple signaling pathways,such as PI3K-Akt,MAPK,TGF-β/Smad,Notch,etc.AMPK and mitochondrial autophagy play important roles in attenuating the ROS damage and protecting the ovarian function.Excessive ROS disrupts the autophagy and lysosomal functions,leading to the accumulation of intracellular waste prod-ucts,thus affecting the physiological function and endocrine stability of GCs.In addition,OS can in-crease the risk of POI by affecting hormone synthesis and disrupting the function of GCs,leading to an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone levels.Herein we review the mechanism of OS in POI,explore how OS affects ovarian decline through the regulation of signaling pathways and cellular functions,and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of POI,which in turn provides new research ideas for its early diagnosis and prevention.