ObjectiveBiochemistry and Molecular Biology, a discipline that elucidates life phenomena at the molecular level, serves as a core foundational course in medical education. It provides the theoretical basis for studying other basic and clinical medical subjects, as well as for understanding pathogenesis, disease diagnosis, and treatment. However, its complex content and highly abstract concepts have posed a dual challenge to traditional teaching models: “inefficient instruction” and “inadequate learning outcomes”. Within limited classroom hours, how to engage students and stimulate their intrinsic motivation, and how to help them recognize, understand, and develop a passion for biochemistry from the perspective of the discipline’s essence, have long been key focuses of curriculum research. MethodsUsing the lipid metabolism chapter as an example, this study employs “Rain Classroom”, a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted platform, to support education in four dimensions: teaching, learning, evaluation, and research. In teaching, it assists instructors through virtual experiments, lesson preparation support, knowledge mapping, and assignment design. For learning, it serves as an intelligent study assistant for students, providing automated assignment review, enabling educational resource sharing, and facilitating personalized learning pathways. In evaluation, the platform automates assignment grading, analyzes student performance data, and offers diagnostic feedback and teaching recommendations. In research, it aids educators in collecting and analyzing teaching data, as well as searching for and summarizing relevant literature. ResultsThe results indicate that an educational model integrating teacher-led instruction, student-centered learning, and generative AI assistance significantly enhances teaching quality, students’ self-directed learning abilities, and knowledge mastery. Furthermore, with the support of generative AI, curriculum-based ideological education—focusing on cutting-edge disciplinary advances and topical medical issues—helps cultivate students’ medical spirit of “honoring life and healing the wounded”, thereby fostering the establishment of appropriate professional values. Finally, while generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education, this study also analyzes potential risks in its teaching applications, emphasizing the need for both instructors and students to avoid over-reliance and to ensure that technological tools consistently serve the fundamental goals of education. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that integrating generative AI, specifically via the “Rain Classroom” platform, can effectively enhance biochemistry education. By supporting teaching, learning, evaluation, and research, this approach improves both educational effectiveness and student outcomes. It also facilitates the incorporation of cutting-edge knowledge and professional ethics, nurturing a patient-centered mindset. Additionally, the study addresses potential implementation risks to ensure that such technological tools remain aligned with the core purpose of education.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the partial biomechanical properties of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, and obliquus capitis inferior) in patients with cervical vertigo. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with cervical vertigo admitted from April 2024 to September 2024 were included in the vertigo group, and 30 age-and gender-matched healthy subjects were recruited as the normal group. In the vertigo group, there were 21 females and 9 males, with an average age of (24.00±2.25) years;in the normal group, there were 22 females and 8 males, with an average age of (23.00±3.00) years. Shear wave elastography was used to measure the thickness and stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles in both groups. RESULTS: In the vertigo group, there were no statistically significant differences in the Young's modulus values (E) of stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) between the left and right sides(P>0.05). The Young's modulus values(E) of stiffness of the right posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) in the cervical vertigo group were (39.66±8.21) kPa, (45.61±5.85) kPa, and (43.73±5.22) kPa, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the normal group 33.97(17.76) kPa, 41.38(8.99) kPa, 38.27(12.58) kPa, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In the vertigo group, the Young's modulus values(E) of stiffness of the left rectus capitis posterior major and left obliquus capitis inferior were (40.41±9.13) kPa and (42.11±6.20) kPa, respectively, which were significantly greater than those in the normal group (33.30±11.31) kPa, 38.94(14.62) kPa, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);however, there was no statistically significant difference in the left rectus capitis posterior minor between the two groups(P>0.05). In the vertigo group, there were no statistically significant differences in the stiffness of the posterior occipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior) between the left and right sides(P>0.05). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in the thickness of the bilateral posterior occipital muscles between the vertigo group and the normal group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The posterior occipital muscles of patients with cervical vertigo are stiffer than those of healthy individuals, while there is no significant difference in muscle thickness between the two groups.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods* ; Adult ; Vertigo/physiopathology* ; Neck Muscles/physiopathology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC. METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC. RESULTS: Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway. CONCLUSION Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Ubiquitination/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drug Synergism ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Flavones

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the first imported case of Lassa fever (LF) in China. Laboratory detection and molecular epidemiological analysis of the Lassa virus (LASV) from this case offer valuable insights for the prevention and control of LF. METHODS: Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, urine, saliva, and environmental materials were collected from the patient and their close contacts for LASV nucleotide detection. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on positive samples to analyze the genetic characteristics of the virus. RESULTS: LASV was detected in the patient's CSF, blood, and urine, while all samples from close contacts and the environment tested negative. The virus belongs to the lineage IV strain and shares the highest homology with strains from Sierra Leone. The variability in the glycoprotein complex (GPC) among different strains ranged from 3.9% to 15.1%, higher than previously reported for the seven known lineages. Amino acid mutation analysis revealed multiple mutations within the GPC immunogenic epitopes, increasing strain diversity and potentially impacting immune response. CONCLUSION The case was confirmed through nucleotide detection, with no evidence of secondary transmission or viral spread. The LASV strain identified belongs to lineage IV, with broader GPC variability than previously reported. Mutations in the immune-related sites of GPC may affect immune responses, necessitating heightened vigilance regarding the virus.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Genome, Viral ; Lassa Fever/virology* ; Lassa virus/classification* ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple environmental organic pollutants on cardiopulmonary health with a focus on the potential mediating role of oxidative stress. METHODS: A repeated-measures randomized crossover study involving healthy college students in Beijing was conducted. Biological samples, including morning urine and venous blood, were collected to measure concentrations of 29 typical organic pollutants, including hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and their metabolites, parabens, and five biomarkers of oxidative stress. Health assessments included blood pressure measurements and lung function indicators. RESULTS: Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OH-PHE) ( β = 4.35% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.85%, 7.97%]), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene ( β = 3.44% [95% CI: 0.19%, 6.79%]), and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OH-PHE) ( β = 5.78% [95% CI: 1.27%, 10.5%]) were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Exposures to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR) ( β = 3.05% [95% CI: -4.66%, -1.41%]), 2-OH-PHE ( β = 2.68% [95% CI: -4%, -1.34%]), and 4-OH-PHE ( β = 3% [95% CI: -4.68%, -1.29%]) were negatively associated with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity. These findings highlight the adverse effects of exposure to multiple pollutants on cardiopulmonary health. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and extracellular superoxide dismutase, mediated the effects of multiple OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function. CONCLUSION Exposure to multiple organic pollutants can adversely affect cardiopulmonary health. Oxidative stress is a key mediator of the effects of OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Young Adult ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/urine* ; Beijing

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

Currently, the drug delivery system (DDS) based on nanomaterials has become a hot interdisciplinary research topic. One of the core issues is drug loading and controlled release, in which the key lever is carriers. Vaterite, as an inorganic porous nano-material, is one metastable structure of calcium carbonate, full of micro or nano porous. Recently, vaterite has attracted more and more attention, due to its significant advantages, such as rich resources, easy preparations, low cost, simple loading procedures, good biocompatibility and many other good points. Vaterite, gained from suitable preparation strategies, can not only possess the good drug carrying performance, like high loading capacity and stable loading efficiency, but also improve the drug release ability, showing the better drug delivery effects, such as targeting release, pH sensitive release, photothermal controlled release, magnetic assistant release, optothermal controlled release. At the same time, the vaterite carriers, with good safety itself, can protect proteins, enzymes, or other drugs from degradation or inactivation, help imaging or visualization with loading fluorescent drugs in vitro and in vivo, and play synergistic effects with other therapy approaches, like photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and thermochemotherapy. Latterly, some renewed reports in drug loading and controlled release have led to their widespread applications in diverse fields, from cell level to clinical studies. This review introduces the basic characteristics of vaterite and briefly summarizes its research history, followed by synthesis strategies. We subsequently highlight recent developments in drug loading and controlled release, with an emphasis on the advantages, quantity capacity, and comparations. Furthermore, new opportunities for using vaterite in cell level and animal level are detailed. Finally, the possible problems and development trends are discussed.

Objective To establish a chronic kidney disease-associated aortic calcification model in SD rats using different nephrectomy surgical methods, and to compare and evaluate surgical duration and survival time to explore a more optimized modeling method. Methods According to different surgical methods, the SD rats were divided into four groups: Group A: intraperitoneal resection of 2/3 of the left kidney followed by right total nephrectomy in the second stage; Group B: intraperitoneal resection of 2/3 of the left kidney and simultaneous right total nephrectomy; Group C: dorsal approach right total nephrectomy followed by resection of 2/3 of the left kidney in the second stage; Group D: dorsal approach resection of 2/3 of the left kidney followed by right total nephrectomy in the second stage. After comparing survival curves of SD rats undergoing intraperitoneal versus dorsal approaches, and staged versus single-stage nephrectomy, the optimal nephrectomy surgical method was determined. Then, twenty-four 8-week-old SPF-grade male SD rats were selected for nephrectomy combined with calcitriol-induced calcification. Experimental group (12 rats): the dorsal approach left 2/3 nephrectomy followed by right total nephrectomy, with intraperitoneal injection of 1 μg/kg calcitriol administered one week later to induce aortic calcification. Control group (12 rats): the intraperitoneal injection of 250 μL/kg physiological saline containing 1% DMSO one week after sham surgery. After intraperitoneal injection of drugs for 3 months, the survival status of rats in each group was observed. Under anesthesia, blood samples were collected from each group to measure serum phosphorus and calcium ion concentrations, as well as serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. After euthanizing the rats, a post-mortem examination was performed to observe the residual kidney morphology, and HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the coronal section of the kidney. Additionally, the entire aorta of each group was taken, and the degree of aortic calcification was observed by staining with Alizarin red S and von Kossa. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the gene expression of smooth muscle actin-associated protein alpha (Sm22), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osteopontin (OPN) in rat aortic tissue to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. Results The exploratory optimization experiment of different surgical procedures found that the survival rate of group D rats,which underwent 2/3 left kidney resection followed by right whole kidney resection via the dorsal approach, was the highest, indicating that this surgical procedure was the best method for establishing a chronic kidney disease model with renal dysfunction. The experimental group rats treated with this surgical procedure combined with high-dose calcitriol injection had significantly lower serum calcium ion concentration than those in the sham-operated control group (P<0.05), while serum phosphorus ion concentration, serum creatinine, and serum urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). HE staining of the kidneys showed significant organic changes in the kidneys of the experimental group rats, with a significant decrease in glomerular count compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), indicating the successful establishment of a renal failure model. Alizarin red S staining showed significant pigment deposition in the aortic media of the experimental group rats, while von Kossa staining showed significant silver nitrate deposition in the aortic media of the experimental group rats, which was consistent with the manifestation of aortic calcification in renal failure. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of Sm22 in the aortic tissue of the experimental group rats decreased (P<0.05), while the expression levels of OPN and Runx2 increased (P<0.05), indicating a transition of aortic smooth muscle cells from smooth muscle phenotype to bone-like phenotype and successful induction of an aortic calcification model. Conclusion The method of establishing an aortic calcification model of chronic kidney disease in SD rats by first removing two-thirds of the left kidney via the dorsal approach followed by right total nephrectomy, combined with high-dose calcitriol administration, shortens the surgical time, improves the success rate of modeling, and increases the animal survival rate.

Objective To establish a chronic kidney disease-associated aortic calcification model in SD rats using different nephrectomy surgical methods, and to compare and evaluate surgical duration and survival time to explore a more optimized modeling method. Methods According to different surgical methods, the SD rats were divided into four groups: Group A: intraperitoneal resection of 2/3 of the left kidney followed by right total nephrectomy in the second stage; Group B: intraperitoneal resection of 2/3 of the left kidney and simultaneous right total nephrectomy; Group C: dorsal approach right total nephrectomy followed by resection of 2/3 of the left kidney in the second stage; Group D: dorsal approach resection of 2/3 of the left kidney followed by right total nephrectomy in the second stage. After comparing survival curves of SD rats undergoing intraperitoneal versus dorsal approaches, and staged versus single-stage nephrectomy, the optimal nephrectomy surgical method was determined. Then, twenty-four 8-week-old SPF-grade male SD rats were selected for nephrectomy combined with calcitriol-induced calcification. Experimental group (12 rats): the dorsal approach left 2/3 nephrectomy followed by right total nephrectomy, with intraperitoneal injection of 1 μg/kg calcitriol administered one week later to induce aortic calcification. Control group (12 rats): the intraperitoneal injection of 250 μL/kg physiological saline containing 1% DMSO one week after sham surgery. After intraperitoneal injection of drugs for 3 months, the survival status of rats in each group was observed. Under anesthesia, blood samples were collected from each group to measure serum phosphorus and calcium ion concentrations, as well as serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. After euthanizing the rats, a post-mortem examination was performed to observe the residual kidney morphology, and HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the coronal section of the kidney. Additionally, the entire aorta of each group was taken, and the degree of aortic calcification was observed by staining with Alizarin red S and von Kossa. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the gene expression of smooth muscle actin-associated protein alpha (Sm22), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osteopontin (OPN) in rat aortic tissue to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. Results The exploratory optimization experiment of different surgical procedures found that the survival rate of group D rats,which underwent 2/3 left kidney resection followed by right whole kidney resection via the dorsal approach, was the highest, indicating that this surgical procedure was the best method for establishing a chronic kidney disease model with renal dysfunction. The experimental group rats treated with this surgical procedure combined with high-dose calcitriol injection had significantly lower serum calcium ion concentration than those in the sham-operated control group (P<0.05), while serum phosphorus ion concentration, serum creatinine, and serum urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). HE staining of the kidneys showed significant organic changes in the kidneys of the experimental group rats, with a significant decrease in glomerular count compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), indicating the successful establishment of a renal failure model. Alizarin red S staining showed significant pigment deposition in the aortic media of the experimental group rats, while von Kossa staining showed significant silver nitrate deposition in the aortic media of the experimental group rats, which was consistent with the manifestation of aortic calcification in renal failure. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of Sm22 in the aortic tissue of the experimental group rats decreased (P<0.05), while the expression levels of OPN and Runx2 increased (P<0.05), indicating a transition of aortic smooth muscle cells from smooth muscle phenotype to bone-like phenotype and successful induction of an aortic calcification model. Conclusion The method of establishing an aortic calcification model of chronic kidney disease in SD rats by first removing two-thirds of the left kidney via the dorsal approach followed by right total nephrectomy, combined with high-dose calcitriol administration, shortens the surgical time, improves the success rate of modeling, and increases the animal survival rate.

Cannabidiol(CBD),a natural,non-toxic,non-psy-choactive cannabinoid extracted from Cannabis sativa L,has a wide range of pharmacological activities,including anti-inflam-matory,antioxidant,immunomodulatory,analgesic,anti-tumor,anti-convulsant,anxiolytic effects.Recent studies have indica-ted that CBD may have potential neuroprotective effects in vari-ous models of central nervous system diseases.This paper re-views the experimental research progress of CBD in central nerv-ous system diseases and its possible neuroprotective mecha-nisms,aiming to provide references for its clinical application and new drug development.