OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology for a pregnant woman with a history of multiple adverse pregnancies and assess the phenotype-genotype correlation of 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome in her family. METHODS: Amniotic fluid sample was taken from a pregnant woman for whom non-invasive prenatal screening indicated chromosome 22 abnormalities in the fetus. Peripheral blood samples from the woman, her brother and parents were collected for high-throughput low-depth whole genome sequencing (CNV-seq). A pedigree traceability analysis of the results was conducted in conjunction with analysis of clinical manifestation. Relevant literature (from establishment to March 2025) was systematically searched. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Mianyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Ethics No.: Lun Shen [2024]009). RESULTS: CNV-seq revealed that the fetus had harbored a 6.02 Mb duplication at 22q11.21q11.23. Karyotyping confirmed it as 46,X?dup(22)(q11.2). Pedigree verification demonstrated that the pregnant woman, her brother and mother had all carried the same duplication. Phenotypic analysis of the affected family members showed classic features of 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome, including hypernasal speech, low nasal bridge, congenital heart disease, and cognitive impairment. A total of 44 cases with full information (including three patients from this pedigree) were included in the analysis. The penetrance of 22q11.2 duplication was approximately 29.5% (13/44), and 52.3% (23/44) of the cases had inherited the variant from a phenotypically normal parent. CONCLUSION This study has identified the genetic basis for the woman's recurrent adverse pregnancies and phenotypic abnormalities in her family members. The scoliosis identified in her younger brother has not been previously reported, thereby may enrich the clinical phenotype of this syndrome. For fetuses identified with a 22q11.2 microduplication, detailed fetal imaging is recommended, and genetic counseling should be provided to the couples.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Chromosome Duplication/genetics* ; Male ; Pedigree ; DiGeorge Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Adult ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22/genetics* ; Abnormalities, Multiple

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy （DR）. MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study， which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group （120 cases） and a control group （120 cases）. The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets， and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision， DR progression rate， retinal microhemangioma， hemorrhage area， exudation area， glycosylated hemoglobin （HbA1c） level， and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment， and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity （BCVA） than the control group （P<0.05）. The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups， while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group （Z=-1.437， P<0.05） and the control group （Z=-2.238， P<0.05）， and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged， the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time， both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR， being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of research is exploring the role of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory dietary supplements in the treatment of osteoarthritis, highlighting an increasing emphasis on non-pharmacological interventions. Although more patients are turning to supplements to manage osteoarthritis, their actual effectiveness remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the available evidence concerning the efficacy of various dietary supplements in osteoarthritis treatment. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science for studies on the use of various dietary supplements in the treatment of osteoarthritis from the creation of each database until Jan 20, 2025. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) Research object: osteoarthritis. (2) Intervention measures: patients in the treatment group received dietary supplements, while the control group received placebos. (3) Research type: randomized controlled trials (RCTs). DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Two researchers independently examined the literature and retrieved data based on predefined criteria. The information gathered included the first author, year of publication, sample size, participant demographics, length of the follow-up period, intervention and control measures, and inclusion indications. RCTs comparing dietary supplements to placebo with the pain and function subscales of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) among patients with osteoarthritis were included. The optimal dietary supplement was identified based on the total ranking by summing the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) of these two scores. Furthermore, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to confirm the quality of the evidence. RESULTS: Overall, 23 studies covering 21 dietary supplements and involving 2455 participants met the inclusion criteria. In the WOMAC pain score, the SUCRA of passion fruit peel extract was 91% (mean difference [MD]: -9.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [-16.0, -2.3]), followed by methylsulfonylmethane (89%), undenatured type II collagen (87%), collagen (84%), and Lanconone (82%). The SUCRA (99%) of passion fruit peel extract (MD: -41.0; 95% CI: [-66.0, -16.0]) ranked first in terms of the WOMAC function score, followed by Lanconone (95%), collagen (86%), ParActin (84%), and Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (83%). The top three total rankings are passion fruit peel extract (95.0%), Lanconone (88.5%), and collagen (85.0%). However, the GRADE revealed low evidence quality. CONCLUSION Passion fruit peel extract was the best supplement for improving WOMAC pain and function scores in patients with osteoarthritis, followed by Lanconone and collagen. However, further large-scale, well designed RCTs are required to substantiate these promising findings. Please cite this article as: Chen CS, Wen L, Yang F, Deng YC, Ji JH, Chen RJ, Chen Z, Chen G, Gu JY. Effects of dietary supplements on patients with osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 357-369.
Humans ; Dietary Supplements ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVE: Baicalein has been reported to have wide therapeutic effects that act through its anti-inflammatory activity. This study examines the effect and mechanism of baicalein on sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC). METHODS: A thorough screening of a small library of natural products, comprising 100 diverse compounds, was conducted to identify the most effective drug against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. The core target proteins and their associated signaling pathways involved in baicalein's efficacy against LPS-induced myocardial injury were predicted by network pharmacology. RESULTS: Baicalein was identified as the most potent protective agent in LPS-exposed H9C2 cardiomyocytes. It exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell injury and inflammation. In the LPS-induced septic mouse model, baicalein demonstrated a significant capacity to mitigate LPS-triggered myocardial deficits, inflammatory responses, and ferroptosis. Network pharmacological analysis and experimental confirmation suggested that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit α (HIF1-α) is likely to be the crucial factor in mediating the impact of baicalein against LPS-induced myocardial ferroptosis and injury. By combining microRNA (miRNA) screening in LPS-treated myocardium with miRNA prediction targeting HIF1-α, we found that miR-299b-5p may serve as a regulator of HIF1-α. The reduction in miR-299b-5p levels in LPS-treated myocardium, compared to the control group, was reversed by baicalein treatment. The reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and dual-luciferase reporter gene analyses together identified HIF1-α as the target of miR-299b-5p in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION Baicalein mitigates SIC at the miRNA level, suggesting the therapeutic potential of it in treating SIC through the regulation of miR-299b-5p/HIF1-α/ferroptosis pathway. Please cite this article as: Zhou WY, Du JK, Liu HH, Deng L, Ma K, Xiao J, Zhang S, Wang CN. Baicalein attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting ferroptosis via miR-299b-5p/HIF1-α pathway. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):560-575.
Flavanones/pharmacology* ; Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Mice ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cardiomyopathies/etiology* ; Cell Line ; Sepsis/complications*

OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sensitive to ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death that occurs in most tumor types. However, the mechanism through which ferroptosis modulates HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the oncogenic role and prognostic value of FANCD2 and provide novel insights into the prognostic assessment and prediction of immunotherapy. METHODS: Using clinicopathological parameters and bioinformatic techniques, we comprehensively examined the expression of FANCD2 macroscopically and microcosmically. We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the prognostic value of FANCD2 in HCC and elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of FANCD2 in oncogenesis by promoting iron-related death. RESULTS: FANCD2 was significantly upregulated in digestive system cancers with abundant immune infiltration. As an independent risk factor for HCC, a high FANCD2 expression level was associated with poor clinical outcomes and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that FANCD2 was mainly involved in the cell cycle and CYP450 metabolism. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively elucidate the oncogenic role of FANCD2. FANCD2 has a tumor-promoting aspect in the digestive system and acts as an independent risk factor in HCC; hence, it has recognized value for predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for poor responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis* ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Immunotherapy ; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development. METHODS: A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected. RESULTS: Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ ² = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Infant, Newborn ; Viremia/virology* ; Hepatitis C ; Hepacivirus/physiology* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology* ; Young Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood*

Chronic hepatitis B（CHB）is one of the major challenges in the global public health field. As of 2022，approximately 254 million people worldwide were infected with the hepatitis B virus（HBV）. CHB is one of the main causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）. Nucleos（t）ide analogs（NAs）and interferon therapy can delay the progression of liver fibrosis by inhibiting viral replication，but they cannot completely avoid the problem of heterogeneous treatment responses. Some patients are in a state of low-level viremia（LLV）during treatment. The persistent LLV state can induce chronic inflammation and the progression of liver fibrosis，ultimately increase the risk of HCC. In patients with poor treatment responses，the continuous active viral replication can induce immune disorders，accelerate the evolution of fibrosis to the decompensated stage of liver cirrhosis，and increase the risk of patient death. This article aims to review the definition，mechanisms，and impact on treatment outcomes of LLV and suboptimal response based on the latest research，provide a basis for optimizing antiviral therapy for CHB.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of transvaginal core needle biopsy for pelvic masses under finger guidance during a vagino-recto-abdominal examination.Methods:The clinicopathological data and follow-up information of 29 patients with pelvic masses who underwent transvaginal core needle biopsy under finger guidance during a vagino-recto-abdominal examination at Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2020 to July 2024 were collected, and the safety and diagnostic accuracy of the procedure were retrospectively analyzed.Results:(1) A total of 29 patients with pelvic masses were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 50 years (range: 29-73 years), and a median tumor diameter of 3.9 cm (range: 2.7-13.3 cm). Among these patients, 7 were newly diagnosed, and 22 were follow-up. The pre-procedure disease types included 21 patients (72%, 21/29) cervical cancer, 6 patients (21%, 6/29) epithelial ovarian cancer, and 2 patients (7%, 2/29) other suspected gynecologic tumors. (2) Among 29 patients with pelvic masses, 8 cases (28%, 8/29) were diagnosed with benign diseases according to core needle biopsy pathological findings, and 1 case suggested possible residual cervical cancer in the parametrial region by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging after radical chemoradiotherapy 3 months, while the result of core needle biopsy for this patient was negative, with follow-up after 1 year revealed progression of the lesion in the right parametrial area. Another patient underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology, which suggested gastrointestinal stromal tumor, requiring differentiation from endometriosis, and core needle biopsy pathology confirmed endometriosis, with follow-up at 6 months revealed no evidence of malignancy in this patient. The remaining 6 patients with benign diagnoses had follow-up periods exceeding 1 year without imaging or clinical evidence of local lesion progression or malignancy. Among the 21 patients (72%, 21/29) diagnosed with malignant tumors by core needle biopsy, 14 cases were suspected cases of residual or recurrent cervical cancer, 6 cases had advanced ovarian cancer, and 1 case had rectal cancer metastasis, with all biopsy diagnoses being consistent with preoperative clinical findings and imaging results. The overall diagnostic accuracy of the core needle biopsy was 97% (28/29). Among the 7 newly diagnosed patients, the diagnostic accuracy was 7/7, while it was 95% (21/22) for the 22 follow-up patients, with no statistically significant difference observed between the two groups ( P=1.000). (3) All 29 patients with pelvic masses successfully underwent transvaginal core needle biopsy guided by vagino-recto-abdominal examination. Among them, 28 cases (97%, 28/29) reported tolerable pain during the procedure, while 1 case (3%, 1/29) experienced transient syncope at the end of the procedure due to pain, which resolved within seconds. Vaginal bleeding exceeding 50 ml occurred in 3 patients (10%, 3/29) during paracervical tissue sampling, with the maximum blood loss being 150 ml, and hemorrhage was successfully controlled using vaginal tamponade. The overall incidence of adverse events during the core needle biopsy procedure was 14% (4/29). Conclusion:Transvaginal core needle biopsy for pelvic masses guided by vagino-recto-abdominal examination is a simple, safe, and accurate diagnostic method, suitable for patients with gynecologic malignancies, non-gynecologic malignancies suspected of pelvic mass metastasis, and other benign pelvic lesions.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of combined pelvic magnetic therapy and pelvic floor electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback therapy in perimenopausal women with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), and its effects on bladder function and urodynamic status.Methods:A total of 137 perimenopausal women with PFD treated at Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between February 2022 and May 2024 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into a control group ( n=68) and a study group ( n=69) by random number table method. Both groups received Kegel exercises. The control group additionally received pelvic floor EMG biofeedback therapy. The study group received combined pelvic magnetic therapy and pelvic floor EMG biofeedback therapy. The outcomes compared between groups were as follows: Bladder Function: First urge voiding volume (FVS), maximum urge voiding volume (MVS), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), prolapse of pelvic floor organs, urodynamics: Pressure of urethral maximum measurement (PUM), maximum urethral closure pressure (PMUC), bladder compliance (BC), pelvic floor muscle function: Pelvic floor muscle strength grade (PFMT), pelvic floor resting pressure (RP), vaginal dynamic pressure (VDPT). Normally distributed continuous data were presented as xˉ± s and compared by independent samples t-test. Categorical data were presented as case (%) and compared by χ2 test. Ranked data were compared by Kruskal-Wallis H test. A P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups ( P>0.05). At post-treatment, the study group had a significantly higher clinical effective rate of 97.10% (67/69) compared to the control group, which was 88.24% (60/68) ( χ2=3.98, P=0.046). At post-treatment, the study group had significantly higher FVS [(238.29±10.22) mL vs. (229.37±10.54) mL, t=5.03, P<0.001] and MVS [(436.57±12.48) mL vs. (428.23±12.75) mL, t=3.87, P<0.001], and significantly lower PVR [(5.14±1.28) mL vs. (6.96±1.21) mL, t=8.55, P<0.001] compared to the control group. At post-treatment, urodynamic parameters were significantly higher in the study group: PUM [(10.08±0.97) kPa vs. (8.54±0.73) kPa, t=10.49, P<0.001], PMUC [(8.71±0.75) kPa vs. (7.68±0.64) kPa, t=8.64, P<0.001], and BC [(396.58±30.49) mL/kPa vs. (378.86±32.91) mL/kPa, t=3.27, P<0.001]. For pelvic organ prolapse (POP-Q), the distribution were as follows: Study Group: Grade 0: 16, Grade Ⅰ: 34, Grade Ⅱ: 18, Grade Ⅲ: 1, Grade Ⅳ: 0, control Group: Grade 0: 9, Grade Ⅰ: 31, Grade Ⅱ: 23, Grade Ⅲ:5, Grade Ⅳ: 0. The difference was statistically significant ( Z=2.08, P=0.037). At post-treatment, pelvic floor muscle function was significantly higher in the study group: PFMT [(4.21±0.29) vs. (3.84±0.23), t=8.27, P<0.001], RP [(9.59±1.26) cmH?O vs. (8.34±1.17) cmH?O, t=6.02, P<0.001], and VDPT [(82.74±3.36) cmH?O vs. (77.45±3.52) cmH?O, t=9.00, P<0.001]. Conclusion:Combined pelvic magnetic therapy and pelvic floor EMG biofeedback therapy demonstrates significant efficacy in treating PFD in perimenopausal women. It markedly improves bladder function and urodynamic status.