ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of rhizosphere organic acids secreted by the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza on continuous cropping obstacles. MethodsThe mixed solution of organic acids in the rhizosphere of S. miltiorrhiza in continuous cropping and rotation cropping was added to the hairy roots subcultured for 21 days， and samples were collected on days 0， 2， 4， 6， 8， and 10. The changes of biomass， effective components， primary metabolites， secondary metabolites， antioxidant enzymes， and hormones in hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza were observed and determined. ResultsCompared with the rotation cropping group and the blank control group， the simulation of organic acid secretion from the roots of S. miltiorrhiza had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of hairy roots and decreased the content of effective components as well as total sugar and total protein in primary metabolites. Compared with the blank control group， the rotation cropping group and the continuous cropping group showed total sugar and total protein content decreases of 33.9% and 5.1%， respectively. On the other hand， the secretion of organic acids from S. miltiorrhiza roots significantly promoted the accumulation of total phenolic acids and total tanshinone， which showed increases of 14.6% and 1.6%， respectively， in continuous cropping group and rotation cropping group compared with the blank control group. ConclusionThe organic acid environment under continuous cropping significantly inhibited the growth of hairy roots and the accumulation of primary metabolites， while promoting the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites of S. miltiorrhiza.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with constipation. METHODS: A total of 80 PD patients with constipation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Additionally, 40 healthy individuals were recruited as a healthy control group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment for PD combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG), once daily for eight weeks. The observation group received additional ACE treatment at bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37), once every two weeks for eight weeks. The healthy control group received no intervention. The spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week and patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed at baseline and after treatment in the two groups. Fecal samples were collected at the end of treatment for the observation and the control groups and at baseline for the healthy control group. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed using 16S rRNA method, and SCFA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the observation group showed a significant increase in SBMs (P<0.01), and PAC-QOL scores including physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern, and total score were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment; the control group also showed a reduction in PAC-QOL total score after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group had significantly more SBMs (P<0.01), and lower PAC-QOL physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern scores, and total score (P<0.01), and higher PAC-QOL satisfaction score (P<0.01) than the control group. Compared with the healthy control group, the control group showed decreased Chao1 and Ace indices (P<0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Roseburia was increased (P<0.05), while that of Enterobacter and Ruminococcus torques (six species in total) was decreased (P<0.05) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the observation group had increased relative abundance of Dialister, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus torques (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Prevotella and Eubacterium ruminantium (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the control group had increased fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05); compared with the control group, the observation group had reduced fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were elevated in the control group (P<0.05); compared with the control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were decreased in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION ACE could increase spontaneous bowel movements and improve the quality of life in PD patients with constipation, which may be related to the regulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels.
Humans ; Constipation/metabolism* ; Male ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease/complications* ; Aged ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Catgut ; Feces/microbiology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Adult

Stroke imposes a tremendous burden on patients'families and society due to its high rates of mortality,disability,and recurrence.Advances in neuroimaging technologies have provided critical theoretical foundations for investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke,as well as enabling early clinical intervention and personalized rehabilitation.This article reviewed the application of five commonly used magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)techniques in acupuncture therapy for stroke,including functional MRI(fMRI)for cerebral blood oxygen metabolism,magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS),diffusion MRI(dMRI),perfusion MRI(pMRI),and structural MRI(sMRI).By examining functional,metabolic,structural,and hemodynamic aspects,these imaging modalities offer evidence to validate the multi-target effect and efficacy of acupuncture in stroke treatment.

Stroke imposes a tremendous burden on patients'families and society due to its high rates of mortality,disability,and recurrence.Advances in neuroimaging technologies have provided critical theoretical foundations for investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke,as well as enabling early clinical intervention and personalized rehabilitation.This article reviewed the application of five commonly used magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)techniques in acupuncture therapy for stroke,including functional MRI(fMRI)for cerebral blood oxygen metabolism,magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS),diffusion MRI(dMRI),perfusion MRI(pMRI),and structural MRI(sMRI).By examining functional,metabolic,structural,and hemodynamic aspects,these imaging modalities offer evidence to validate the multi-target effect and efficacy of acupuncture in stroke treatment.

Objective : To investigate the effect of chromosome instability(CIN) associated gene polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7(GALNT7) on proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 colon cancer cells. Methods : The HCT116 cell line withGALNT7knockdown was constructed by lentiviral infection. The correlation betweenGALNT7and CIN was verified by chromosome spread assay. The effect ofGALNT7on cell proliferation was detected by live cell counting, and the effect ofGALNT7on cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry and Western blot. Caspase-3 activity and Western blot assays were used to detect the effect ofGALNT7on apoptosis. Results : HCT116 cells showed a slower proliferation rate upon knocking down ofGALNT7, and exhibited a more scattered karyotype distribution and a phenotype of increased degree of CIN. Inhibition ofGALNT7in HCT116 cells resulted in cell cycle arrest, upregulation of P21 and downregulation of CDK6 protein levels, as well as increased levels of Caspase-3 activity, cleaved PARP1 and PUMA protein expression, and decreased levels of BCL-2 protein expression. Conclusion TheGALNT7gene may promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of HCT116 colon cancer cells through the suppression of CIN generation.

Objective To discuss the prediction value of the early efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)in treating stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The clinical data of 81 patients with stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ HCC,who received at least 3 times of HAIC at the Nanchang Municipal Central Hospital of China from November 2021 to March 2024,were retrospectively analyzed.CT or MRI was used to compare patient's local tumor response after each treatment cycle.Based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(mRECIST),the curative effects of patients after receiving the first,the second,and the last HAIC treatment were compared between each other.The prediction value of the early efficacy of HAIC in treating patients with stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ HCC was analyzed.Results In the 67 patients,the efficacy of the last time HAIC was equal or similar to that of the first time HAIC,and in the remaining 14 patients the efficacy of the last time HAIC was different from that of the first time HAIC,with an efficacy prediction rate of 82.72％.The efficacy of the last time HAIC was equal or similar to that of the second time HAIC in 71 patients,and in the remaining 10 patients the efficacy of the last time HAIC was different from that of the second time HAIC,with an efficacy prediction rate of 87.65％.Conclusion In treating stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ HCC with HAIC,the early efficacy can be used to predict the final efficacy after completion of the total treatment course.

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a common malignancy of the digestive system,with increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide.The standard treatment for CRC has,in the past,been surgery,chemotherapy,and radiotherapy.However,these treatments have significant side effects and are particularly challenging for patients with advanced metastatic CRC(mCRC).Therefore,it is crucial to explore alternative and more effective treatments.In recent years,with the development of molecular technology,numerous biomarkers have been identified,and targeted therapy and immunotherapy have achieved surprisingly positive results in the treatment of mCRC.Patients receiving targeted ther-apy and immunotherapy have an improved prognosis and quality of life.On this basis,this article reviews the latest research progress in tar-geted therapy and immunotherapy for mCRC,providing a reference for precision treatment of mCRC.

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a common malignancy of the digestive system,with increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide.The standard treatment for CRC has,in the past,been surgery,chemotherapy,and radiotherapy.However,these treatments have significant side effects and are particularly challenging for patients with advanced metastatic CRC(mCRC).Therefore,it is crucial to explore alternative and more effective treatments.In recent years,with the development of molecular technology,numerous biomarkers have been identified,and targeted therapy and immunotherapy have achieved surprisingly positive results in the treatment of mCRC.Patients receiving targeted ther-apy and immunotherapy have an improved prognosis and quality of life.On this basis,this article reviews the latest research progress in tar-geted therapy and immunotherapy for mCRC,providing a reference for precision treatment of mCRC.

Objective:To observe the characteristics and differences of gut microbiota in asthma patients with different inflammatory types through metagenomic analysis.Methods:Adults aged ≥18 years who visited the Respiratory Clinic of Peking University Third Hospital from August 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022 and were primarily diagnosed with asthma were selected as the study subjects. Finally, 29 patients with stable asthma were included. Fresh fecal samples were collected and the fecal DNA was extracted for high-throughput 16sRNA sequencing of gut microbiota. The diversity and community structure of gut microbiota in different groups of asthma patients were compared, and the species differences were analyzed through random forest and LEfSe analysis.Results:There were sex-based differences in asthma patients with different types of inflammation, and the proportion of female patients was higher in neutrophilic asthma patients ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). There was no significant intergroup difference in the alpha diversity of gut microbiota among asthma patients with different inflammatory types, but there were significant differences in the microbiome. Patients with neutrophilic asthma had higher relative abundance of Bacillales ( P=0.029) and Oscillospiraceae ( P=0.015). In species LEfSe analysis, patients with eosinophilic asthma had a higher relative abundance of fungi. Conclusion:There are intergroup differences in the gut microbiota of asthma patients with different inflammation types, and fungi are biomarkers that distinguish the differences in gut microbiota between patients with eosinophilic asthma and neutrophilic asthma.

Objective : Using RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to explore the expres⁃ sion , mechanism , and clinical significance of KCTD7 in hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) . Methods : The RNA sequencing data and clinical information of HCC patients were downloaded from the TCGA database . Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to explore the correlation between the expression level of the KCTD7 gene in HCC and the clinical information and prognosis of patients . Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ( GSEA) was used to predict possible pathways regulated by the KCTD7 gene in HCC . Single⁃sample GSEA (ssGSEA) was used to compare immune infiltration between KCTD7 high expression group and low expression group . KCTD7 knockdown HCC cell lines were established to explore its function and possible mechanism in HCC regulation . Results: KCTD7 was highly expressed in HCC tissues compared to normal tissues (P < 0. 01) . The overall survival rate of HCC patients with high expression of KCTD7 gene was worse (P < 0. 05) . The expression level of KCTD7 was an independent risk factor affecting the overall survival of HCC patients . GSEA results showed that the KCTD7 gene was related to cell cycle signaling pathways . In the tumor microenvironment , high expression of the KCTD7 gene was positively correlated with activated CD4 + T cells , central memory CD4 + T cells , and natural killer cells . Knocking down KCTD7might inhibit HCC cell proliferation , impair cell cycle distribution , and promote apoptosis . Conclusion KCTD7 gene is highly expressed in HCC and affects the prognostic survival of HCC patients . Knocking down KCTD7 can inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells and promote apoptosis .