OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism. METHODS: Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. RESULTS: Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Signal Transduction ; Imiquimod ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Male ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

Objective To apply a COMSOL-based finite element analysis method to investigating the electric field effects produced by the human lower limb musculoskeletal system under the synergistic effects of stress field and electromagnetic field.Methods Firstly,a 3D human body model was constructed by Maxon Cinema 4D R21 software,and then imported into COMSOL 6.1 software in STL format.Secondly,an electromagnetic field intervention and stress loading model for the left lower limb of the human body was designed and constructed,in which 15 Hz quasi-pulse group current signals were used for electromagnetic field excitation and the stress field was realized by applying a vibration load with an average compressive force of about 90 N/cm2 to the left foot of the human body.Finally,the electromagnetic properties of human tissue were simulated by numerical simulation,and then the effects of stress field or elecromagnetic field or combined stress field and electromagnetic field on human bioelectric field were compared.Results Simulation results showed that the electric field intensity peaked at the leg joints under both electromagnetic and stress fields acting alone or synergistically,the bioelectric field intensity generated by the human body was related to the distance from the exogenous excitation loading location,and the electric field generated under synergistic action was equivalent to the linear superposition of the bioelectric field in the tissue induced by the electromagnetic field and the stress field acting alone.Conclusion Data supplement is provided for predicting bioelectric field changes within the musculoskeletal tissue,and theoretical foundation is laid for the development and application of multi-physics field synergistic intervention therapy for treating the disorders of the lower limb musculos-keletal system.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(9):21-26]

Objective To summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system(CNS)by a single-center analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1247 cases of CNS infectious diseases diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2001 to 2020.Results The data for this group of CNS infectious diseases by disease type in descending order of number of cases were viruses 743(59.6％),Mycobacterium tuberculosis 249(20.0％),other bacteria 150(12.0％),fungi 68(5.5％),parasites 18(1.4％),Treponema pallidum 18(1.4％)and rickettsia 1(0.1％).The number of cases increased by 177 cases(33.1％)in the latter 10 years compared to the previous 10 years(P<0.05).No significant difference in seasonal distribution pattern of data between disease types(P>0.05).Male to female ratio is 1.87︰1,mostly under 60 years of age.Viruses are more likely to infect students,most often at university/college level and above,farmers are overrepresented among bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and more infections of Treponema pallidum in workers.CNS infectious diseases are characterized by fever,headache and signs of meningeal irritation,with the adductor nerve being the more commonly involved cranial nerve.Matagenomic next-generation sequencing improves clinical diagnostic capabilities.The median hospital days for CNS infectious diseases are 18.00(11.00,27.00)and median hospital costs are ￥29,500(￥16,000,￥59,200).The mortality rate from CNS infectious diseases is 1.6％.Conclusions The incidence of CNS infectious diseases is increasing last ten years,with complex clinical presentation,severe symptoms and poor prognosis.Early and accurate diagnosis and standardized clinical treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and ease the burden of disease.

Objective To explore the eradication rate of human papillomavirus(HPV)and gestational outcome of patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial disease of the cervix(HSIL)after loop electrosurgical excision procedure(LEEP)by transvaginal dissection of the vesicorectal form the cervix.Methods A total of 53 patients treated with LEEP by transvaginal dissection of the vesicorectal form the cervix in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University from Jan to Dec,2019 were investigated.Clinical information of cervical cytological examination,HPV test and cervical biopsy under colposcopy were followed up for 6,12 and 24 months post-LEEP were collected.HPV infection in these 53 patients were compared before and after LEEP surgery.The rate of successful fertility of the cohort,the HPV conversion rate of patients with hysterectomy and LEEP done were compared.The association between the pathological type and positive surgical margin and the association between HPV infection type and positive surgical margin were analyzed.Results HPV infection rate of was 94.3%(50/53)and the proportion of HPV16 and/or 18 infection was 75.5%(40/53).Mono-HPV infection rate(69.8%,37/53)was significantly higher than mixed HPV infection rate(22.7%,13/53).Thirty-eight patients(71.7%)were found with positive surgical margin in previous LEEP operation.Fifteen patients had recurrence(28.3%)and 40 patients(75.5%)successfully delivered baby after surgery.Postoperative pathology was mainly HSIL,accounting for 66%(30/53),and 28.3%patients(15/53)had no pathological change.Forty cases had satisfying fertility-conservative operation outcome with negative surgical margin,and 38 patients eradicated HPV infection after LEEP,which took up 95%of patients with satisfying fertility-conservative operation.There was no significant difference of positive resection margin rate in between groups of HPV16/18 infection and other types.Five cases had successful delivery(12.5%,5/40)with 1 case of vaginal delivery and 4 cases of cesarean section.Among these 5 cases,3 cases undertook preventive cervical cerclage,with 1 case of vaginal delivery and 2 cases of cesarean sections.Conclusion HPV eradication rate and surgical outcome could be significantly improved by LEEP with transvaginal dissection of the vesicorectal from the cervix,which satisfied the fertility preservation of females at reproductive age.

Pogostemon cablin is a famous southern medicine.As the important raw material for modern medicine and industry,Pogostemon cablin becomes required with a large marketing demand.However,due to the serious continuous cropping obstacles in the growth process of Pogostemon cablin,the aggravation of diseases of Pogostemon cablin and the degradation of its quality arose.This paper outlined the ecological factors such as climate factors,soil factors and topographic factors suitable for the growth of Pogostemon cablin,analyzed the continuous cropping obstacles and diseases arising in the cultivation,reviewed the current ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin such as crop rotation,intercropping,relay-cropping and under-forest planting,and also made a comprehensive evaluation of the economic benefits,ecological benefits and social benefits of the ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin,aiming to provide a theoretical basis and a reference for the promotion of the ecological planting mode of Pogostemon cablin.

Objective To establish a stable and reliable method for the determination of ethylene oxide residue,and to analyze ethylene oxide residue in multi components made of different materials involved in some medical devices,so as to provide references for sample selection and ethylene oxide residue detection of multi-component medical device kits.Methods A method for the determination of ethylene oxide residue of multi-component medical devices was developed using headspace-gas chromatography and DB-WAX column under the conditions of headspace extraction with equilibration at 80℃ for 20 min,and the weighing mass,linearity,limit of detection,limit of quantification,precision and recovery of the method were determined.Trials of the method were carried out on the items undergoing ethylene oxide sterilization,including disposable perineal care kit,disposable gynecological examination kit,disposable suture dressing kit,disposable debridement kit and the components contacting human body in the disposable dialysis kit,and the abilities of different materials of the components were analyzed in absorbing,retaining and releasing ethylene oxide.Results The method showed high linearity(r=0.999 8)in the range of ethylene oxide mass concentration from 0.4 to 16.0 μg/mL with a weighing mass of 1.00 g,which had the limit of detection being 0.11 μg/mL,the limit of quantification being 0.37 μg/mL and the relative standard deviations(RSDs)for the precision from 0.35％to 1.52％.The average recoveries of different spiked amounts of ethylene oxide in the three blank matrices ranged from 92.68％to 101.42％with the relative standard deviations(RSDs)from 2.46％to 7.59％,which all satisfied the detection requirements.The components made of rubber and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer(ABS)in multi-component medical device kits had the highest ethylene oxide residues,followed by the components made of wood,degreased cotton,polypropylene and polystyrene.Conclusion The method proposed gains advantages in easy operation and high specificity,quantification and reproducibility,which can be used for the determination of ethylene oxide residue in the multi-component medical device kit undergoing ethylene oxide sterilization.References are provided for sample selection of multi-component medical devices.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):56-61]

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

ObjectiveGlutathione (γ-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine, GSH) is the most abundant non-protein compound containing sulfhydryl (―SH) groups in cells. It serves as a source of reducing equivalents, effectively neutralizing harmful reactive substances, and playing a crucial role in maintaining cellular redox balance. Therefore, sensitive detection and accurate measurement of GSH levels in tissues are of great importance. In this work, we presents a novel method for GSH detection utilizing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. MethodsInitially, ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate acid)) solution was mixed with K₂S₂O₈ solution and reacted in the dark for 12 to 16 h to prepare ABTS·⁺ solution, which was then quantified using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Subsequently, the concentration of glutathione (GSH) was determined based on the changes in the EPR signal of ABTS·⁺. On this basis, the optimal reaction time and temperature were explored to establish a standard equation correlating the EPR signal intensity of ABTS·⁺ with GSH concentration. Finally, the derived standard curve was employed to quantitatively analyze the GSH concentration in whole blood from C57BL/6J mice, and the results were compared with those reported in the literature to verify the accuracy of the method. ResultsThe experimental results demonstrate that this method has a linear detection range from50 nmol/L to 15 μmol/L for GSH, spanning two orders of magnitude, with a limit of detection (LOD) at0.50 nmol/L. The measured GSH content in mouse whole blood is (10 660±706) nmol/g Hb, which agrees with the value of (11 200±237) nmol/g Hb as previously reported. Furthermore, a similar method was developed for detection of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) at higher reaction temperature. ConclusionThis article presents a novel assay for the rapid detection of GSH using the intensity of EPR signal from ABTS·⁺ as indicator. This method demonstrates enhanced detection sensitivity and a broader linear range compared to conventional colorimetric methods. Furthermore, we have extended the application of this method to detect GSH content in blood samples efficiently and accurately, offering valuable information for assessing tissue redox balance, thus holding significant potentials.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Xiongcan Yishen Formula(XYF)on ferroptosis in mouse TM3 Leydig cells after oxidative stress injury(OSI)induced by H2O2.Methods:An oxidative stress injury model was established in mouse TM3 Leydig cells using H2O2 induction.The modeled TM3 cells were randomly divided into OSI group,XYF group,the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1(F-1)group,and F-1+XYF group,which were respectively intervened with blank serum,20%drug-containing serum,2μmol/L F-1,and2μmol/L F-1+20%drug-containing serum.A control group(normal TM3 cells+blank serum)was also set up.The morphology of cells in each group was observed,and the levels of testosterone,superoxide dismutase(SOD),reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione(GSH),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),fatty acid CoA ligase 4(FACL4),total iron ions,and ferrous ions were detected.Re-sults:Compared with the model group,the control group showed significantly decreased expression of ROS,MDA,FACL4,total iron,and ferrous ions(P<0.05),and significantly increased levels of testosterone,SOD,GSH,FTH1,SLC7A11,and GPX4(P<0.05).The male silkworm kidney-tonifying formula group significantly promoted testosterone secretion by TM3 cells and upregulated the expression of FTH1,SLC7A11,GPX4,GSH,and SOD in TM3 cells(P<0.05),while significantly downregulating ROS,MDA,FACL4,total iron ions,and ferrous ions(P<0.05).Conclusion:Following H2O2 exposure,oxidative stress can induce ferroptosis in mouse TM3 Leydig cells.XYF can antagonize OSI and ferroptosis in TM3 cells by activating the SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 axis,which may underlie the mechanism of XYF in the treatment of male late-onset hypogonadism.