ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan （ZGW） treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 （DRD4）/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH） oxidase 4 （NOX4） signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone （0.35 mg·kg^-1）. After successful modeling， the rats were randomized into model， methimazole （positive control， 5 mg·kg^-1）， low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.85， 3.70， 7.40 g·kg^-1， respectively） ZGW， and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage， the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones ［triiodothyronine （T₃）， thyroxine （T₄）， thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）］， renal function indexes ［serum creatine （Scr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN）］， energy metabolism markers ［cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） and cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）］， and oxidative stress-related factors ［superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and NADPH）］ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4， NOX4， mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins ［NADH：ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 （NDUFS4） and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 （COX4）］， and inflammation-related protein ［tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）］ pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed mental malaise， body weight decreases （P<0.01）， inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue， a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid， elevations in serum levels of T₃， T₄， Scr， BUN， cAMP， cAMP/cGMP， MDA， and NADPH （P<0.01）， down-regulation in protein levels of TSH， SOD， and DRD4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulation in expression of NOX4， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and inflammatory factors （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， ZGW increased the body weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells， restored the thyroid structure and follicle size， lowered the serum levels of T₃， T₄， Scr， BUN， cAMP， cAMP/cGMP， MDA and NADPH （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated the expression of TSH， SOD and DRD4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of NOX4， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and inflammatory factors （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole （P<0.05）. ConclusionBy activating DRD4， ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway， reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response， thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.

ObjectiveTo investigate and manage an imported dengue fever (DF) outbreak in Shanghai in 2024, to summarize the experience and lessons learned from the on-site management, and to provide a reference basis for future prevention and control of DF. MethodsEpidemiological investigation and case search were carried out for an imported DF outbreak in Shanghai, 2024. Real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect dengue virus nucleic acid in the serum samples from cases. Meanwhile, emergency vector surveillance and mosquito control measures were carried out in the affected areas, and the effectiveness of the management was evaluated. ResultsAccording to the epidemiological investigation, it was confirmed that this epidemic was a family cluster of imported DF, with both cases infected in Thailand and developed symptoms successively after returning to Shanghai. Laboratory testing identified the pathogens as dengue virus serotype-3 (DENV-3). In the core and precautionary area, ultra-low-volume space spraying and residual spraying were combined to kill adult mosquitoes, and at the same time, comprehensive cleaning and elimination of mosquito breeding sites was carried out. After 2 weeks, the Breteau Index (BI) in the core area decreased from 20 to 5, and the mosquito net trap index decreased from 2 mosquitoes (net·hour)^-1 to 0.67 mosquitoes (net·hour)^-1. Continuous implementation of mosquito control measures kept the BI and net trap index below the safety thresholds [BI<5 and mosquito net trap index <2 mosquitoes (net·hour)^-1] both in the core and precautionary area. ConclusionEarly diagnosis and isolation of patients, combined with rapid suppression of the density of vector Aedes mosquitoes, are the key measures to prevent the transmission of imported DF cases.

BACKGROUND:Zinc-based alloy medical implant materials have excellent mechanical properties,complete degradability and good biocompatibility,and are mainly used in orthopedic implants,cardiovascular stents,bile duct stents,tracheal stents,nerve catheters,etc. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of biodegradable zinc-based alloys in bone defect repair and prospect the promising research direction and achievements of zinc-based materials. METHODS:After searching PubMed,Web of Science,WanFang Data,and CNKI databases from the establishment of the database to June 2023,various relevant articles on biodegradable zinc-based alloys for bone implant material research were collected.The basic characteristics of biodegradable zinc based alloys were summarized,and the role of zinc-based alloys in promoting bone tissue repair was sorted and summarized.The current research hotspots and shortcomings were discussed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Zinc-based alloys have good biocompatibility.Using zinc-based alloys as the matrix material,with the help of scaffold structure construction technology and coating optimization process,the bone conductivity of zinc-based alloys will be effectively improved,and their degradation products will have efficient bone induction to regulate the gene expression of osteoblasts and osteoclasts,thereby promoting the repair and reconstruction of bone defects.(2)However,in the research on optimizing zinc-based alloys,the coating process is relatively insufficient,and additive loading technology is still lacking.(3)Zinc-based alloys have excellent mechanical and biological properties.Through special processes,their bone conductivity and osteoinductivity can be increased to effectively improve their ability to promote bone repair and reconstruction,and it is expected to further achieve the development of personalized transplant materials.Further research and development are needed to optimize the integration of coating and additive loading technologies into zinc-based alloys.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics of Stevens-Johnson syndrome （SJS） and toxic epidermal necrolysis （TEN） induced by tislelizumab， providing evidence for clinical medication safety. METHODS Case reports of tislelizumab-related SJS/TEN were retrieved from CNKI， VIP， Wanfang Data， PubMed， ScienceDirect， and Embase. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS Seventeen cases from 17 publications were included （SJS 4 cases， TEN 13 cases）. Among them， there were 10 males and 7 females. Twelve patients were aged between 70 and 79 years. The predominant tumor type was lung cancer （10 cases）. Thirteen patients received combination therapy with chemotherapeutic drugs. The median onset time of SJS/ TEN was 26 （4， 104） days. Nine patients developed SJS/TEN after the first administration of the drug. Sixteen patients exhibited prodromal rash symptoms， primarily characterized by severe skin damage such as skin detachment， accompanied by mucosal injury. Sixteen patients improved after symptomatic treatment， while one patient died. CONCLUSIONS Tislelizumab-associated SJS/TEN risk is higher in elderly patients， males， those with lung cancer and those receiving combination chemotherapy. Mucosal lesions and atypical rashes may indicate the early onset of SJS/TEN. During clinical use， pharmaceutical care can be carried out through measures such as identifying high-risk populations， closely monitoring skin symptoms from the first administration to the fifth treatment cycle， and enhancing patient education. When relevant symptoms occur， the medication should be promptly discontinued and symptomatic treatment should be administered to ensure the patient’s medication safety.

Diabetic cognitive impairment （DCI） has an insidious onset and progressive and irreversible development. There is currently no first-line treatment for DCI. Early intervention of diabetes with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） can effectively control blood sugar and improve cognitive impairment， which has significant advantages. As a representative of bitter and cold heat-clearing medicines， Coptidis Rhizoma， known for its abilities to clear heat and dampness and remove turbidity and toxins， has been widely used in the clinical prevention and treatment of diabetes， Alzheimer's disease， vascular dementia， and other cognitive impairments. This article systematically summarized relevant literature and observed that Coptidis Rhizoma has shown good potential in the prevention and treatment of DCI with its active ingredients such as berberine and quercetin， drug pairs such as Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix， Coptidis Rhizoma-Acorus Tatarinowii Rhizoma， Coptidis Rhizoma-Pinelliae Rhizoma， Coptidis Rhizoma-Zingiberis Rhizoma， and prescriptions such as Gegen Qinliantang， Huanglian Jiedutang， Banxia Xiexintang， Huanglian Wendantang， Jiaotai Wan， Danggui liuhuangtang， and related Chinese patent medicines. Its mechanism may be related to regulating glucose metabolism， improving insulin resistance， improving amyloid β-protein （Aβ） deposition and tau protein phosphorylation， inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress， and regulating the "microbe-gut-brain axis". The article systematically reviewed the research progress of Coptidis Rhizoma and its prescriptions in the prevention and treatment of DCI， aiming to preliminarily explain the scientific connotation of Coptidis Rhizoma and provide a basis for its clinical application in the prevention and treatment of DCI.

With the widespread use of antimicrobial agents, bacterial drug resistance has become an increasingly severe issue, posing significant challenges to global healthcare. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a research focus in the field of bacterial resistance due to its broad sources, high safety profile, low toxicity, and antimicrobial mechanisms distinct from those of chemical drugs. Studies have shown that various TCM herbs, such as Scutellaria baicalensis, exert antibacterial effects through multiple pathways, including disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell walls and membranes, inhibiting nucleic acid and protein synthesis, and impairing energy production and metabolism. Additionally, certain TCM herbs, including Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis chinensis, and Fritillaria thunbergii, can reverse antimicrobial resistance by eliminating resistant plasmids, inhibiting bacterial efflux pump function, and suppressing β-lactamase activity. TCM holds promising potential for antibacterial applications and synergistically reversing antimicrobial resistance, though systematic analyses remain limited. This review summarizes the mechanisms of antibacterial action of TCM and current research on its synergistic use with antimicrobial agents to reverse drug resistance, aiming to provide insights for developing novel TCM-based antimicrobials and addressing bacterial resistance.

Cinnabar(HgS) was widely used in ancient times for medicinal purposes, religious rituals, and pigments. A group of bright red powdery clumps was excavated from Mawangdui Tomb No.3 of the Han Dynasty. Early studies considered the clumps as evidence of cinnabar's medicinal use during the Qin-Han period. This study employed a range of archaeometric techniques, including extended-depth-of-field stereo imaging, micro-CT, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry FTIR, to systematically analyze the material composition and structural characteristics of these remains. The results revealed that the cinnabar particles were granular, finely ground, and tightly bound to silk matrix, with no detectable excipients typically associated with medicinal formulations. Micro-CT imaging indicated a well-preserved textile structure, with clear signs of sedimentary accumulation and mechanical damage. Based on historical and archaeological studies, this study suggested that these remains were more likely degraded accumulations of cinnabar-colored silk textiles rather than medicinal cinnabar. By clarifying the diversity of ancient cinnabar applications and preservation states, this study provides new insights for the archaeological identification of mineral medicinal materials and contributes to the standardized study of Chinese medicinal materials and understanding of the historical use of cinnabar.
History, Ancient ; China ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Archaeology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Mercury Compounds

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on acute lung injury (ALI) and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The chemical constituents of BBP were analyzed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). After 7 days of adaptive feeding, 50 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table (n=10): normal control (NC), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dexamethasone (Dex), low-, and high-dose BBP groups. The dosing cycle was 9 days. On the 12th and 14th days, 20 µL of Staphylococcus aureus solution (bacterial concentration of 1 × 10^-7 CFU/mL) was given by nasal drip after 1 h of intragastric administration, and the mice in the NC group was given the same dose of phosphated buffered saline (PBS) solution. On the 16th day, after 1 h intragastric administration, 100 µL of LPS solution (1 mg/mL) was given by tracheal intubation, and the same dose of PBS solution was given to the NC group. Lung tissue was obtained to measure the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the lung wet/dry weight ratio and expressions of CD14 and other related proteins. The lower lobe of the right lung was obtained for pathological examination. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α ) and IL-1β in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the number of neutrophils was counted. The colonic contents of the mice were analyzed by 16 sRNA technique and the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). RESULTS: UPLC-MS revealed that the chemical components of BBP samples were mainly tauroursodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid sodium salt. BBP reduced the activity of MPO, concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the expression of CD14 protein, thus suppressing the activation of NF-κB pathway (P<0.05). The lung histopathological results indicated that BBP significantly reduced the degree of neutrophil infiltration, cell shedding, necrosis, and alveolar cavity depression. Moreover, BBP effectively regulated the composition of the intestinal microflora and increased the production of SCFAs, which contributed to its treatment effect (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS BBP alleviates lung injury in ALI mouse through inhibiting activation of NF-κB pathway and decreasing expression of CD14 protein. BBP may promote recovery of ALI by improving the structure of intestinal flora and enhancing metabolic function of intestinal flora.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/pathology* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Ursidae ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Bile/chemistry* ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/metabolism* ; Powders ; Male ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Peroxidase/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cytokines/metabolism*

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for periodontitis, yet the precise mechanisms by which smoking contributes to periodontal disease remain poorly understood. Recent advances in spatial transcriptomics have enabled a deeper exploration of the periodontal tissue microenvironment at single-cell resolution, offering new opportunities to investigate these mechanisms. In this study, we utilized Visium HD single-cell spatial transcriptomics to profile gingival tissues from 12 individuals, including those with periodontitis, those with smoking-associated periodontitis, and healthy controls. Our analysis revealed that smoking disrupts the epithelial barrier integrity, induces fibroblast alterations, and dysregulates fibroblast-epithelial cell communication, thereby exacerbating periodontitis. The spatial analysis showed that endothelial cells and macrophages are in close proximity and interact, which further promotes the progression of smoking-induced periodontal disease. Importantly, we found that targeting the endothelial CXCL12 signalling pathway in smoking-associated periodontitis reduced the proinflammatory macrophage phenotype, alleviated epithelial inflammation, and reduced alveolar bone resorption. These findings provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of smoking-associated periodontitis and highlight the potential of targeting the endothelial-macrophage interaction as a therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, this study establishes an essential information resource for investigating the effects of smoking on periodontitis, providing a foundation for future research and therapeutic development for this prevalent and debilitating disease.
Humans ; Gingiva/cytology* ; Smoking/adverse effects* ; Male ; Periodontitis/pathology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Macrophages ; Fibroblasts ; Endothelial Cells ; Case-Control Studies ; Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture therapies are known for their effectiveness in treating a variety of gastric diseases, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. This study tested the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) at acupoints Zhongwan (RN12) and Weishu (BL21) for managing gastric motility disorder (GMD) and investigated the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: A GMD model was used to evaluate the impact of EA on various aspects of gastric function including the amplitude of gastric motility, electrogastrogram, food intake, and the rate of gastric emptying. Immunofluorescence techniques were used to explore the activation of spinal neurons by EA, specifically examining the presence of cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-positive neurons and fibers emanating from acupoints RN12 and BL21. The stimulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn, the inhibition of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal lateral horn, and their collective effects on the activity of sympathetic nerves were examined. RESULTS: EA at RN12 and BL21 significantly improved gastric motility compromised by GMD. Notably, EA activated spinal neurons, with CTB-positive neurons and fibers from RN12 and BL21 being detectable in both the dorsal root ganglia and the spinal dorsal horn. Further analysis revealed that EA at these acupoints not only stimulated GABAergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn but also suppressed sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal lateral horn, effectively reducing excessive activity of sympathetic nerves triggered by GMD. CONCLUSION EA treatment at RN12 and BL21 effectively enhances gastric motility in a GMD model. The therapeutic efficacy of this approach is attributed to the activation of spinal neurons and the modulation of the spinal GABAergic-sympathetic pathway, providing a neurobiological foundation for the role of acupuncture in treating gastric disorders. Please cite this article as: Zhang MT, Liang YF, Dai Q, Gao HR, Wang H, Chen L, Huang S, Wang XY, Shen GM. A spinal neural circuit for electroacupuncture that regulates gastric functional disorders. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 56-65.
Electroacupuncture ; Animals ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Stomach Diseases/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Rats ; Gastric Emptying ; Neurons ; Spinal Cord ; Stomach/physiopathology*