ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is one of the key indicators in evaluating the renal function of patients. Mild TIF can cause a vicious cycle of renal tubular glomerular injury and aggravate renal disease. Therefore, studying the mechanisms underlying TIF is essential to identify therapeutic targets, thereby protecting the renal function of patients with timely intervention. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a Chinese medicine component that has been shown to inhibit the occurrence and progression of TIF via multiple pathways. Previous studies have reported that AS-IV protected against TIF by inhibiting inflammation, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, macrophages, and transforming growth factor-β1, which laid the foundation for the development of a new preventive and therapeutic option for TIF.
Saponins/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Fibrosis ; Animals ; Kidney Tubules/drug effects* ; Kidney Diseases/pathology*

Aim To observe the effect of lipopolysac-charide(LPS)induced supernatant of BV-2 cells on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of HT22 neu-rons.Methods After the concentration and time of LPS were determined by CCK-8 method,BV-2 cells were cultured with medium without LPS and medium containing LPS,the morphological changes of BV-2 microglia were observed by inverted microscope,and the CD86/CD206 ratio of BV-2 microglia was detected by immunofluorescence.Subsequently,BV-2 cell cul-ture supernatants were isolated and added to HT22 neuronal culture to observe the effect on the inflamma-tory response of HT22 neurons.The proliferation of HT22 neurons was detected by CCK-8 method and EdU method.The structural changes of HT22 neurons were observed under the microscope and examined by urani-um-lead staining.The levels of cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-10(IL-10),nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say(Elisa).Neuronal apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL method.The protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2 and inflammatory factors were detected by Western blot.Results After induction with 1 mg·L-1 LPS,BV-2 cells exhibited increased cell body size,thicker protrusions on both side,and some cells showed de-formed protrusions,the CD86/CD206 ratio in BV-2 cells decreased,promoting the transformation of BV-2 cells from M2 type to M1 type.After treating with the culture supernatant of BV-2 cells,HT22 neuronal cell activity and proliferation were reduced,axons short-ened,and the number of cells decreased.Neuronal cell bodies were enlarged and some cells were de-formed,with damaged cell membranes,round cell nu-clei but displaced nucleoli from the normal position,swollen mitochondria with vacuoles,reduced internal ridge structures,and increased levels of inflammatory factors NF-κB,IL-1 β,and TNF-α(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 de-creased(P＜0.05),protein expression of the pro-apoptotic indicator Bax increased(P＜0.01),and the protein expression of the anti-apoptotic indicator Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion After induction of BV-2 cell polarization by LPS,the supernatant could inhibit HT22 neuronal cell viability,upregulate inflam-matory factor expression and promote apoptosis.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the research on NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The NLRP3 inflammasome is integral to the innate immune response, and its abnormal activation can lead to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine, consequently facilitating the progression of various pathological conditions. Therefore, investigating the pharmacological inhibition pathway of the NLRP3 inflammasome represents a promising strategy for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has not approved drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome for clinical use due to concerns regarding liver toxicity and gastrointestinal side effects associated with chemical small molecule inhibitors in clinical trials. Natural small molecule compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids are ubiquitously found in animals, plants, and other natural substances exhibiting pharmacological activities. Their abundant sources, intricate and diverse structures, high biocompatibility, minimal adverse reactions, and superior biochemical potency in comparison to synthetic compounds have attracted the attention of extensive scholars. Currently, certain natural small molecule compounds have been demonstrated to impede the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via various action mechanisms, so they are viewed as the innovative, feasible, and minimally toxic therapeutic agents for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the treatment of both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Hence, this study systematically examined the effects and potential mechanisms of natural small molecule compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes at their initiation, assembly, and activation stages. The objection is to furnish theoretical support and practical guidance for the effective clinical application of these natural small molecule inhibitors.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Biological Products/therapeutic use* ; Drug Discovery ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has shown potential therapeutic benefits for individuals with simple obesity. However, some researchers argue that some of the effectiveness of acupuncture may be due to the placebo response. OBJECTIVE: To understand the placebo response of acupuncture treatment in simple obesity, a systematic review and meta-analysis was designed based on the comparison between sham acupuncture before and after treatment. SEARCH STRATEGY: Eight databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine Database, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database) were searched from inception to August 1, 2023. The MeSH search terms comprised obesity and acupuncture. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sham or placebo acupuncture as a control in treating obesity were enrolled. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Two researchers independently extracted data, and the results were cross-checked after completion. Each RCT's detailed sham/placebo acupuncture treatment protocol was assessed according to the SHam Acupuncture REporting guidelines. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system were used to determine the risk of bias and quality of evidence, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was defined as the primary outcome. Anthropometric parameters and laboratory test parameters related to obesity were defined as secondary outcomes. We used standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to calculate treatment effects of outcomes. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs with a total of 1250 patients were included. The BMI significantly decreased after treatment in the sham acupuncture group compared to baseline (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.09-0.66; I² = 81%, random model; P < 0.01). Treatment duration (P = 0.02) and other interventions significantly impacted the placebo response rate (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION The placebo response of sham acupuncture was strong in the RCTs for simple obesity, and the effect sizes differed between various outcomes. The treatment duration and other interventions emerged as potential influencing factors for the placebo response of sham acupuncture. Please cite this article as: Liu KJ, Jiao RM, Ji J, Yao WW, Han CR, Zhao XY, Zhao JJ. Placebo response in sham acupuncture therapy trials for simple obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 264-273.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Obesity/therapy* ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective To explore the feasibility and corresponding implementation methods of constructing a sample resource bank based on individual-level data of completed clinical trials and using it to construct external controls for drug/device clinical trials.Methods Taking the pre-marketing clinical trial of transcatheter active valve replacement(TAVR)for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis as an example,the individual-level databases of multiple trials were standardized to form a sample bank.The original data of any trial in the sample bank were selected as the experimental group,and the remaining samples were selected as the control group.The potential confounding was handled by using the propensity score matching and stratification methods to clarify the process of constructing external controls based on the sample bank of individual-level data of clinical trials.Results This study included individual-level data of single-group trials of 4 TAVR devices,with a total of 569 subjects(59.2%male).The number of subjects in Trials 1 to 4 was 120,120,163,and 166,respectively.Propensity score matching enabled the matching of 113,117,125,and 147 subjects with comparable or similar characteristics from individual-level data from other trials,respectively,demonstrating a high matching success rate.The PS score distribution plot after stratification showed that the proportions of subjects in the experimental and control groups in strata 1 to 5 in scheme 1 were 4/103,11/103,22/92,32/87,and 51/64,respectively.For all constructed external controlled trials,a certain number of control samples with similar baseline characteristics to the experimental groups were distributed within each propensity score stratum.The results of the simulation test also reflected the potential differences between different devices in the 12-month all-cause mortality rate.Conclusions The sample bank constructed with individual-level data from clinical trials,as a high-quality data source,can serve as a source of external control for single-arm trials in the same field,and as a useful supplement to the external control scenario of real-world evidence to support drug and device development.At the same time,targeted research on research methods and bias control measures in related fields is also needed.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Satya mode intervention on self-efficacy,quality of life,mental health and coping style in patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:This randomized controlled study enrolled 136 patients with chronic heart failure admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine between December 2022 and May 2023.Patients were randomly divided into control group(n=68,routine psychological intervention)and intervention group(n=68,additional Satya mode intervention).After 6-week intervention,self-efficacy[chronic disease self-efficacy scale(CDSES),general self-efficacy scale(GSES)scores],quality of life[Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire(MLHFQ)score],mental health[self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),Connor-Davidson resilience scale(CD-RISC)scores]and coping style[simpli-fied coping style questionnaire(SCSQ)score]were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared to pa-tients in the control group after intervention,those in the intervention group had significantly higher scores of CD-SES[(44.67±3.03)points vs.(41.56±2.96)points],GSES[(26.91±1.45)points vs.(23.11±1.39)points],CD-RISC[(73.48±3.61)points vs.(56.45±4.12)points]and SCSQ-positive[(12.39±1.20)points vs.(11.02±0.83)points](P＜0.001 all),and significantly lower scores of MLHFQ[(43.52±3.44)points vs.(48.77±3.76)points],SAS[(31.03±2.46)points vs.(47.86±3.23)points]and SCSQ-negative[(8.35±1.18)points vs.(10.42±1.23)points](P＜0.001 all).Conclusion:Satya model intervention may improve self-efficacy,quality of life,mental health and coping style in patients with chronic heart failure.

Aim To investigate the effect of p-AMPK activity on autophagy in different subtypes of MDA-MB-231(triple-negative breast cancer cells)and MCF-7(estrogen receptor-positive cells)and its regulatory mechanism.Methods MDA-MB-231 cells were trea-ted with EBSS,Baf-A1,and EBSS+Baf-A1 for four hours,and MCF-7 cells for eight hours.The effects of autophagy on cell proliferation and apoptosis were ob-served,mitochondrial morphology was examined,and the expression of autophagy markers LC3B,P62,LAMP1,TOM20,AMPK,p-AMPK,ULK1,and Bec-lin1/VPS34 proteins was detected.The autophagy pathway was validated by inhibiting AMPK activity.Results Breast cancer cells underwent autophagy af-ter starvation induction(EBSS),with inconsistent au-tophagy processes observed in different subtypes of breast cancer cells.Autophagy inhibited cell prolifera-tion.In MDA-MB-231 cells,autophagy led to an in-crease in p-AMPK levels and a decrease in ULK1 lev-els,initiating autophagy through p-AMPK activation of ULK1.In MCF-7 cells,both p-AMPK and ULK1 levels decreased after autophagy,suggesting that autophagy might not be mediated by p-AMPK activation.Conclu-sions MDA-MB-231 cells primarily initiate autophagy by directly activating ULK1 by p-AMPK,independent of the MTOR pathway.In MCF-7 cells autophagy might be triggered by inhibiting MTOR through AMPK activity or directly activating MTOR through other up-stream factors.Regulating p-AMPK activity based on the autophagy pathways in different cell subtypes could enable more precise targeting and treatment of different types of breast cancer.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Satya mode intervention on self-efficacy,quality of life,mental health and coping style in patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:This randomized controlled study enrolled 136 patients with chronic heart failure admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine between December 2022 and May 2023.Patients were randomly divided into control group(n=68,routine psychological intervention)and intervention group(n=68,additional Satya mode intervention).After 6-week intervention,self-efficacy[chronic disease self-efficacy scale(CDSES),general self-efficacy scale(GSES)scores],quality of life[Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire(MLHFQ)score],mental health[self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),Connor-Davidson resilience scale(CD-RISC)scores]and coping style[simpli-fied coping style questionnaire(SCSQ)score]were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared to pa-tients in the control group after intervention,those in the intervention group had significantly higher scores of CD-SES[(44.67±3.03)points vs.(41.56±2.96)points],GSES[(26.91±1.45)points vs.(23.11±1.39)points],CD-RISC[(73.48±3.61)points vs.(56.45±4.12)points]and SCSQ-positive[(12.39±1.20)points vs.(11.02±0.83)points](P＜0.001 all),and significantly lower scores of MLHFQ[(43.52±3.44)points vs.(48.77±3.76)points],SAS[(31.03±2.46)points vs.(47.86±3.23)points]and SCSQ-negative[(8.35±1.18)points vs.(10.42±1.23)points](P＜0.001 all).Conclusion:Satya model intervention may improve self-efficacy,quality of life,mental health and coping style in patients with chronic heart failure.

Aim To investigate the effect of p-AMPK activity on autophagy in different subtypes of MDA-MB-231(triple-negative breast cancer cells)and MCF-7(estrogen receptor-positive cells)and its regulatory mechanism.Methods MDA-MB-231 cells were trea-ted with EBSS,Baf-A1,and EBSS+Baf-A1 for four hours,and MCF-7 cells for eight hours.The effects of autophagy on cell proliferation and apoptosis were ob-served,mitochondrial morphology was examined,and the expression of autophagy markers LC3B,P62,LAMP1,TOM20,AMPK,p-AMPK,ULK1,and Bec-lin1/VPS34 proteins was detected.The autophagy pathway was validated by inhibiting AMPK activity.Results Breast cancer cells underwent autophagy af-ter starvation induction(EBSS),with inconsistent au-tophagy processes observed in different subtypes of breast cancer cells.Autophagy inhibited cell prolifera-tion.In MDA-MB-231 cells,autophagy led to an in-crease in p-AMPK levels and a decrease in ULK1 lev-els,initiating autophagy through p-AMPK activation of ULK1.In MCF-7 cells,both p-AMPK and ULK1 levels decreased after autophagy,suggesting that autophagy might not be mediated by p-AMPK activation.Conclu-sions MDA-MB-231 cells primarily initiate autophagy by directly activating ULK1 by p-AMPK,independent of the MTOR pathway.In MCF-7 cells autophagy might be triggered by inhibiting MTOR through AMPK activity or directly activating MTOR through other up-stream factors.Regulating p-AMPK activity based on the autophagy pathways in different cell subtypes could enable more precise targeting and treatment of different types of breast cancer.