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: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a new noninvasive diagnostic model for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on features of tongue images. METHODS: Healthy controls and volunteers confirmed to have NAFLD by liver ultrasound were recruited from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between September 2018 and May 2019, then the anthropometric indexes and sampled tongue images were measured. The tongue images were labeled by features, based on a brief protocol, without knowing any other clinical data, after a series of corrections and data cleaning. The algorithm was trained on images using labels and several anthropometric indexes for inputs, utilizing machine learning technology. Finally, a logistic regression algorithm and a decision tree model were constructed as 2 diagnostic models for NAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 720 subjects were enrolled in this study, including 432 patients with NAFLD and 288 healthy volunteers. Of them, 482 were randomly allocated into the training set and 238 into the validation set. The diagnostic model based on logistic regression exhibited excellent performance: in validation set, it achieved an accuracy of 86.98%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 80.61%; with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.98]. The decision tree model achieved an accuracy of 81.09%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 66.33%; with an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.66-0.92) in validation set. CONCLUSIONS The features of tongue images were associated with NAFLD. Both the 2 diagnostic models, which would be convenient, noninvasive, lightweight, rapid, and inexpensive technical references for early screening, can accurately distinguish NAFLD and are worth further study.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography ; Anthropometry ; Algorithms ; China

Objective To study the stress change characteristics of the cervical disc after removing different ranges of the uncinate process by establishing a three⁃dimensional finite element model of the C

Protein as the allergens could lead to allergy. In addition, a widespread class of allergens were known as glycans of N-glycoprotein. N-glycoprotein contained oligosaccharide linked by covalent bonds with protein. Recently,studies implicated that allergy was associated with glycans of heterologous N-glycoprotein found in food, inhalants, insect toxins, etc. The N-glycan structure of N-glycoprotein allergen has exerted an influence on the binding between allergens and IgE, while the recognition and presentation of allergens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were also affected. Some researches showed thatN-glycan structure of allergen was remodeled by N-glycosidase, such as cFase I, gpcXylase, as binding of allergen and IgE partly decreased. Thus, allergic problems caused by N-glycoproteins could potentially be solved by modifying or altering the structure ofN-glycoprotein allergens, addressing the root of the issue. Mechanism of N-glycans associated allergy could also be elaborated through glycosylation enzymes, alterations of host glycosylation. This article hopes to provide a separate insight for glycoimmunology perspective, and an alternative strategy for clinical prevention or therapy of allergic diseases.

People frequently struggle to juggle their work, family, and social life in today’s fast-paced environment, which can leave them exhausted and worn out. The development of technologies for detecting fatigue while driving is an important field of research since driving when fatigued poses concerns to road safety. In order to throw light on the most recent advancements in this field of research, this paper provides an extensive review of fatigue driving detection approaches based on electroencephalography (EEG) data. The process of fatigue driving detection based on EEG signals encompasses signal acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification. Each step plays a crucial role in accurately identifying driver fatigue. In this review, we delve into the signal acquisition techniques, including the use of portable EEG devices worn on the scalp that capture brain signals in real-time. Preprocessing techniques, such as artifact removal, filtering, and segmentation, are explored to ensure that the extracted EEG signals are of high quality and suitable for subsequent analysis. A crucial stage in the fatigue driving detection process is feature extraction, which entails taking pertinent data out of the EEG signals and using it to distinguish between tired and non-fatigued states. We give a thorough rundown of several feature extraction techniques, such as topology features, frequency-domain analysis, and time-domain analysis. Techniques for frequency-domain analysis, such wavelet transform and power spectral density, allow the identification of particular frequency bands linked to weariness. Temporal patterns in the EEG signals are captured by time-domain features such autoregressive modeling and statistical moments. Furthermore, topological characteristics like brain area connection and synchronization provide light on how the brain’s functional network alters with weariness. Furthermore, the review includes an analysis of different classifiers used in fatigue driving detection, such as support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), and Bayesian classifier. We discuss the advantages and limitations of each classifier, along with their applications in EEG-based fatigue driving detection. Evaluation metrics and performance assessment are crucial aspects of any detection system. We discuss the commonly used evaluation criteria, including accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Comparative analyses of existing models are conducted, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, we emphasize the need for a standardized data marking protocol and an increased number of test subjects to enhance the robustness and generalizability of fatigue driving detection models. The review also discusses the challenges and potential solutions in EEG-based fatigue driving detection. These challenges include variability in EEG signals across individuals, environmental factors, and the influence of different driving scenarios. To address these challenges, we propose solutions such as personalized models, multi-modal data fusion, and real-time implementation strategies. In conclusion, this comprehensive review provides an extensive overview of the current state of fatigue driving detection based on EEG signals. It covers various aspects, including signal acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, classification, performance evaluation, and challenges. The review aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners in the field of driving safety, facilitating further advancements in fatigue detection technologies and ultimately enhancing road safety.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence and related factors of depression symptom among middle-aged and older adults belonging to Zhiguo ethnic minority groups,who experienced relative isolation prior to mod-emization and bypassed the transitional period associated with feudal monarchy in Yunnan Province.Methods:Using stratified cluster sampling,a total of 1 035 individuals from Zhiguo ethnic minority groups were investigated with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9)to measure depression symptom scores(a total score≥5 was considered indicative of depression symptom).A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to investigate 24 cova-riates across five dimensions:sociodemographic,social-interpersonal network,mental health status,physical health status,and health behaviors.Results:Among the surveyed participants,231 individuals(22.32％)exhibited depres-sion symptoms.The logistic regression analysis showed that middle-aged and elderly people belonging to Zhiguo ethnic minority groups with occupations as laborers(OR=8.73),farmers(OR=7.34),and other professions(OR=7.13),those who reported feeling stressed or anxious in the last month(OR=5.43),those suffering from one(OR=2.81)or more chronic illnesses(OR=2.14),experiencing sleep problems(OR=3.74)/debilitating(OR=1.69)/mild-moderate pain(OR=2.23,4.37),and engaging in sedentary behavior(OR=2.27)were at higher risk for depressive symptoms.The risk of depressive symptoms was lower among middle-aged and elderly people be-longing to Zhiguo ethnic minority groups with higher social support scores(OR=0.96)and meaning in life scores(OR=0.96).Conclusion:The prevalence of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly individuals of Zhiguo ethnic minorities is substantial,influenced by multiple factors.

Objective To study the synergistic effects of gentiopicroside combined with pabolizumab on photodynamic therapy in mice with breast cancer.Methods MCF-7 cells were injected subcutaneously to establish a tumor bearing mouse model of breast cancer and were randomly divided into model group,control group,positive control group,experimental group and combination group,with 10 mice in each group.The control group was intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg·kg-1 of 5-aminolevulinic acid and irradiated with 200 J·cm-2 laser for 20 min,once a week.The positive control group was intraperitoneally injected with 100μg·kg-1 pabolizumab,twice a week,and photodynamic therapy once a week,the experimental group was intragastric given 100 mg·kg-1 gentiopicroside,once a day,and photodynamic therapy once a week,the combined group was intraperitoneally injected with pabolizumab(100 μg·kg-1),twice a week,and gavage of gentiopicroside(100 mg·kg-1)once a day and photodynamic therapy once a week.Five groups of mice were given the drug for 3 weeks.The tumor inhibition rate of each group was compared,and the levels of interleukin(IL)-12,interferon(INF)-γand tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 associated gene(Bax),B-lymphoblastoma-2 gene(Bcl-2)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)protein in tumor tissues were determined by Western blot.Results The tumor inhibition rates of control,positive control,experimental and combined groups were(22.38±2.26)％,(42.27±3.21)％,(38.16±2.17)％and(60.24±2.84)％,respectively.The serum IL-12 levels of model,control,positive control,experimental and combined groups were(127.13±1.25),(132.29±2.31),(155.27±1.48),(163.31±2.67)and(185.24±1.71)pg·mL-1;INF-γ levels were(724.16±3.63),(891.12±4.45),(1 043.19±3.85),(1 082.34±4.51)and(1 492.13±6.57)pg·mL-1;TNF-α levels were(83.81±4.52),(65.26±3.77),(41.07±3.85),(43.59±3.94)and(27.12±3.93)pg·mL-1;the relative protein expression levels of Bax were 0.30±0.08,0.47±0.05,0.67±0.11,0.89±0.06 and 1.03±0.10;the relative protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were 0.99±0.04,0.86±0.06,0.71±0.05,0.46±0.06 and 0.31±0.08;the relative protein expression levels of VEGF were 1.06±0.04,0.92±0.03,0.76±0.04,0.49±0.04 and 0.29±0.08.The differences of above indexes between the combined group and the control,positive control group and experimental groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Gentiopicroside combined with pembrolizumab can significantly enhance the tumor inhibition effect of photodynamic therapy on breast cancer mice,promote the apoptosis of breast cancer cells,and then inhibit the tumor progression of breast cancer mice.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypomethylating agents (HMA) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) .Methods:A total of 409 MDS patients from 45 hospitals in Zhejiang province who received at least four consecutive cycles of HMA monotherapy as initial therapy were enrolled to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HMA. Mann-Whitney U or Chi-square tests were used to compare the differences in the clinical data. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to analyze the factors affecting efficacy and survival. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis. Results:Patients received HMA treatment for a median of 6 cycles (range, 4-25 cycles) . The complete remission (CR) rate was 33.98% and the overall response rate (ORR) was 77.02%. Multivariate analysis revealed that complex karyotype ( P=0.02, OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.84) was an independent favorable factor for CR rate. TP53 mutation ( P=0.02, OR=0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.77) was a predictive factor for a higher ORR. The median OS for the HMA-treated patients was 25.67 (95% CI 21.14-30.19) months. HMA response ( P=0.036, HR=0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.95) was an independent favorable prognostic factor, whereas complex karyotype ( P=0.024, HR=2.14, 95% CI 1.10-4.15) , leukemia transformation ( P<0.001, HR=2.839, 95% CI 1.64-4.92) , and TP53 mutation ( P=0.012, HR=2.19, 95% CI 1.19-4.07) were independent adverse prognostic factors. There was no significant difference in efficacy and survival between the reduced and standard doses of HMA. The CR rate and ORR of MDS patients treated with decitabine and azacitidine were not significantly different. The median OS of patients treated with decitabine was longer compared with that of patients treated with azacitidine (29.53 months vs 20.17 months, P=0.007) . The incidence of bone marrow suppression and pneumonia in the decitabine group was higher compared with that in the azacitidine group. Conclusion:Continuous and regular use of appropriate doses of hypomethylating agents may benefit MDS patients to the greatest extent if it is tolerated.

Objective To observe the effect of cervical degenerative change on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2(VEGFR-2).Methods The C3 to C7 segments of bilateral healthy cervical vertebrae of adult cadavers were taken as the control group,and the C3 to C7 segments of bilateral degenerative cervical vertebrae of adult cadavers were taken as the experimental group.The expression changes of VEGF and VEGFR-2 of the two groups were observed and analyzed by immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence staining and real-time quantitative PCR.Results The protein and mRNA expressions of VEGF and VEGFR-2 in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion Cervical Luschka joint degenerative change significantly up-regulates the expression of VEGF and VEGFR-2,which is closely related to the microenvironmental changes around the Luschka joint caused by degeneration of joint-like structure.