ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Taishan Panshi powder （TSPSP） on inhibiting oxidative stress injury in human chorionic trophoblast cells （HTR-8/SVneo）， and to uelucidate the underlying mechanism of TSPSP in the treatment of spontaneous abortion （SA）. MethodsGene differential analysis of SA was performed using the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） database and correlated with oxidative stress. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the active components of TSPSP， and a "Chinese medicine-component-target-disease" network was constructed to predict the mechanism of action of TSPSP. For in vitro validation experiments， HTR-8/SVneo cells were divided into blank group， model group， TSPSP-containing serum 2.5%， 5%， 10% groups， and nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） inhibitor group （ML385， 30 μmol·L^-1）. Except for the blank group， other groups were stimulated with 150 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂ for 3 h to establish a cell oxidative stress injury model. After successful modeling， the blank group and model group were given 10% blank serum， each TSPSP-containing serum group was treated with the corresponding concentration of drug-containing serum， and the Nrf2 inhibitor group was additionally given 30 μmol·L^-1 ML385 on the basis of 10% TSPSP-containing serum. All groups of cells were continuously cultured under the above conditions for 24 h， and then samples were collected for subsequent detection. Cell viability in each group was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration rate was detected by scratch test. The contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）， Fe²⁺， and Glutathione （GSH） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） level was detected by a fluorescent probe （DCF-DA）. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （KEAP1）， Nrf2， and forkhead box protein O3 （FoxO3） in cells were detected by immunofluorescence （IF） and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression levels of KEAP1， Nrf2， FoxO3， Glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in cells were detected by Western blot. ResultsThe GSE76862 and GSE22490 datasets were obtained from the GEO database. Differential gene analyses showed that the KEAP1， Nrf2， and FoxO3 genes were all associated with the disease. After matching with the oxidative stress pathway， nine significantly differential pathways were identified （P<0.05）， among which three contained the target genes Nrf2 and FoxO3. A total of 246 active ingredient targets of TSPSP and 2 804 SA-related targets were obtained through network pharmacology， and 154 potential action targets were obtained after taking the intersection. Topological analysis showed that targets such as KEAP1 and Nrf2 exhibited high degree values. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the intersection targets were mainly involved in oxidative stress response， FOXO and MAPK signaling pathways， etc. In in vitro experiments， compared with the blank group， the cell viability in the model group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the cell viability in each TSPSP-containing serum group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group， the cell viability in the ML385 group decreased to approximately 70% （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly increased contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS， decreased GSH expression （P<0.01）， significantly reduced cell migration rate （P<0.01）， and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 （P<0.01）， while decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， GPX4， and SOD （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， each TSPSP-containing serum group showed significantly decreased contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS， increased GSH expression （P<0.01）， significantly increased migration rate （P<0.01）， significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， GPX4， and SOD （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group， the ML385 group showed reversed trends in all indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTSPSP can inhibit H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury of trophoblast cells， and its mechanism of action may be related to the drug activating the KEAP1/Nrf2/FoxO3 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Taishan Panshi powder （TSPSP） on inhibiting oxidative stress injury in human chorionic trophoblast cells （HTR-8/SVneo）， and to uelucidate the underlying mechanism of TSPSP in the treatment of spontaneous abortion （SA）. MethodsGene differential analysis of SA was performed using the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） database and correlated with oxidative stress. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the active components of TSPSP， and a "Chinese medicine-component-target-disease" network was constructed to predict the mechanism of action of TSPSP. For in vitro validation experiments， HTR-8/SVneo cells were divided into blank group， model group， TSPSP-containing serum 2.5%， 5%， 10% groups， and nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） inhibitor group （ML385， 30 μmol·L^-1）. Except for the blank group， other groups were stimulated with 150 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂ for 3 h to establish a cell oxidative stress injury model. After successful modeling， the blank group and model group were given 10% blank serum， each TSPSP-containing serum group was treated with the corresponding concentration of drug-containing serum， and the Nrf2 inhibitor group was additionally given 30 μmol·L^-1 ML385 on the basis of 10% TSPSP-containing serum. All groups of cells were continuously cultured under the above conditions for 24 h， and then samples were collected for subsequent detection. Cell viability in each group was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration rate was detected by scratch test. The contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）， Fe²⁺， and Glutathione （GSH） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） level was detected by a fluorescent probe （DCF-DA）. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （KEAP1）， Nrf2， and forkhead box protein O3 （FoxO3） in cells were detected by immunofluorescence （IF） and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression levels of KEAP1， Nrf2， FoxO3， Glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in cells were detected by Western blot. ResultsThe GSE76862 and GSE22490 datasets were obtained from the GEO database. Differential gene analyses showed that the KEAP1， Nrf2， and FoxO3 genes were all associated with the disease. After matching with the oxidative stress pathway， nine significantly differential pathways were identified （P<0.05）， among which three contained the target genes Nrf2 and FoxO3. A total of 246 active ingredient targets of TSPSP and 2 804 SA-related targets were obtained through network pharmacology， and 154 potential action targets were obtained after taking the intersection. Topological analysis showed that targets such as KEAP1 and Nrf2 exhibited high degree values. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the intersection targets were mainly involved in oxidative stress response， FOXO and MAPK signaling pathways， etc. In in vitro experiments， compared with the blank group， the cell viability in the model group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the cell viability in each TSPSP-containing serum group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group， the cell viability in the ML385 group decreased to approximately 70% （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly increased contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS， decreased GSH expression （P<0.01）， significantly reduced cell migration rate （P<0.01）， and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 （P<0.01）， while decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， GPX4， and SOD （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， each TSPSP-containing serum group showed significantly decreased contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS， increased GSH expression （P<0.01）， significantly increased migration rate （P<0.01）， significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， GPX4， and SOD （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group， the ML385 group showed reversed trends in all indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTSPSP can inhibit H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury of trophoblast cells， and its mechanism of action may be related to the drug activating the KEAP1/Nrf2/FoxO3 signaling pathway.

Cold has been a long-term survival challenge in the evolutionary process of mammals. In response to cold stress, in addition to brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipating energy as heat through glucose and lipid oxidation to maintain body temperature, cold stimulation can strongly activate thermogenesis and energy expenditure in beige fat cells, which are widely distributed in the subcutaneous layer. However, the effects of cold stimulation on other tissues and systemic lipid metabolism remain unclear. Our previous research indicated that, under cold stress, BAT not only produces heat but also secretes numerous exosomes to mediate BAT-liver crosstalk. Whether subcutaneous fat has a similar mechanism is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the alterations in lipid metabolism across various tissues under cold exposure and to explore whether subcutaneous fat regulates systemic glucose and lipid metabolism via exosomes, thereby elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of lipid metabolism homeostasis under physiological stress. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and H&E staining methods were used to investigate the physiological changes in lipid metabolism in the serum, liver, epididymal white adipose tissue, and subcutaneous fat of mice under cold stimulation. The results revealed that cold exposure significantly enhanced the thermogenic activity of subcutaneous adipose tissue and markedly increased exosome secretion. These exosomes were efficiently taken up by hepatocytes, where they profoundly influenced hepatic lipid metabolism, as evidenced by alterations in the expression levels of key genes involved in lipid synthesis and catabolism pathways. This study has unveiled a novel mechanism by which subcutaneous fat regulates lipid metabolism through exosome secretion under cold stimulation, providing new insights into the systemic regulatory role of beige adipocytes under cold stress and offering a theoretical basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies for obesity and metabolic diseases.
Animals ; Lipid Metabolism/physiology* ; Mice ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Cold Temperature ; Subcutaneous Fat/physiology* ; Thermogenesis/physiology* ; Adipose Tissue, Brown/metabolism* ; Male

The tumor microenvironment is a crucial factor in tumor occurrence and progression. The hypoxic microenvironment is widely present in tumor tissue and is a key endogenous factor accelerating tumor deterioration. The "blood stasis toxin" theory, as an emerging perspective in tumor research, is regarded as the unique "soil" in tumor progression from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) due to its dynamic evolution mechanism, which closely resembles the formation of the hypoxic microenvironment. Scientifically integrating TCM theories with the biological characteristics of tumors and exploring precise syndrome differentiation and treatment strategies are key to achieving comprehensive tumor prevention and control. This article focused on the hypoxic microenvironment of the tumor, elucidating its formation mechanisms and evolutionary processes and carefully analyzing the internal relationship between the "blood stasis toxin" theory and the hypoxic microenvironment. Additionally, it explored the interaction among blood stasis, toxic pathogens, and hypoxic environment and proposed micro-level prevention and treatment strategies targeting the hypoxic microenvironment based on the "blood stasis toxin" theory, aiming to provide TCM-based theoretical support and therapeutic approaches for precise regulation of the hypoxic microenvironment.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

PURPOSE: The study aimed to examine the pattern of motorization and the mortality rate related to road traffic crashes in Zunyi (a city in northern Guizhou province of China) from 2013 to 2022, and to identify the epidemiological characteristics of these crashes with to provide insights that could help improve road safety. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Zunyi traffic management data platform, and the mortality rates were calculated. We deployed various analytical methods, including descriptive analysis, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, circular distribution map analysis, and Rayleigh test to characterize the traits of road traffic crashes in the region. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, 7488 people died due to road traffic accidents, with males accounting for 70.4% and females 29.6% (χ² = 101.97, p < 0.001). The mortality rate increased from 7.80 deaths per 100,000 people in 2013 to 10.70 deaths per 100,000 people in 2016, but then decreased to 9.54 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019. A notable finding was that the death rate per 10,000 vehicles declined from 16.09 deaths per 10,000 vehicles in 2013 to 5.48 deaths per 10,000 vehicles in 2022. The study also found that vulnerable road users represented nearly half (48.76%) of all accident fatalities, and unlicensed or inexperienced driving contributed significantly to the occurrence of road traffic accidents. CONCLUSION Although the number of road traffic accidents in Zunyi has decreased, there are still some critical issues that need to be addressed, particularly for vulnerable road users and unlicensed drivers. Our results highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the specific risk factors of road traffic crashes, particularly those affecting vulnerable road users and drivers without sufficient experience or license.
Humans ; Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data* ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Child

A previous study showed that the length of the foreskin plays a role in the risk of sexually transmitted infections and chronic prostatitis, which can lead to poor quality of sexual life. Here, the association between foreskin length and sexual dysfunction was evaluated. A total of 5700 participants were recruited from the andrology clinic at The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei, China). Clinical characteristics, including foreskin length, were collected, and sexual function was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) questionnaires. Men with sexual dysfunction were more likely to have redundant foreskin than men without sexual dysfunction. Among the 2721 erectile dysfunction (ED) patients and 1064 premature ejaculation (PE) patients, 301 (11.1%) ED patients and 135 (12.7%) PE patients had redundant foreskin, respectively. Men in the PE group were more likely to have redundant foreskin than men in the non-PE group ( P = 0.004). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the presence of redundant foreskin was associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ED (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.31, adjusted P = 0.04), moderate PE (aOR = 1.38, adjusted P = 0.02), and probable PE (aOR = 1.37, adjusted P = 0.03) after adjusting for confounding variables. Our study revealed a positive correlation between the presence of redundant foreskin and the risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in PE patients. Assessment of the length of the foreskin during routine clinical diagnosis may provide information for patients with sexual dysfunction.
Humans ; Male ; Foreskin ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology* ; Premature Ejaculation/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/epidemiology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the whole-genome differential methylation profile of patients with high-altitude polycythemia (HAPC). METHODS: In this study, a total of 20 adult male patients with HAPC were included, including 10 Tibetan and 10 Han patients. The control group consisted of 20 healthy adult males, including 10 Tibetan and 10 Han patients. Peripheral blood was collected from each group for DNA extraction and quality inspection, and DNA libraries were constructed. The differential methylation regions (DMRs) between groups were detected using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, with enriched regions compared to those of the control group. The differential enrichment regions were selected, and the intersection of the enriched regions was associated with genes. The methylation enrichment regions that differed significantly between groups were filtered based on the number of enriched samples in the enriched regions between the groups. GO, KEGG functional, and pathway analysis were performed on the differentially associated gene sets to reveal significant differences between the patients and control groups at the functional and pathway levels. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, 17 152 sites with more than 25% difference and 15 558 sites with less than -25% difference were identified in Tibetan patients. The top 5 genes with the largest methylation differences between the two groups were MCCC2, RP3-399L15.3, ZNF621, RP11-394A14.2 and SLC39A10. The top significantly different pathways annotated in the differentially expressed genes pathway was serotonergic synapse. In comparison with the control group, 2 687 CpG sites with a greater than 25% difference and 2 602 CpG sites with a less than -25% difference were identified in Han patients. The top 5 genes with the largest methylation differences between the two groups were NAA25, CORO2B, PDC, ZNF853, and MLLT10. The top significantly different pathways annotated in the differentially expressed genes pathway were glutamatergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, Rap1 signaling pathway and cholinergic synapse. In comparison with the control group, 3 895 CpG sites with a greater than 25% difference and 3 969 CpG sites with a less than -25% difference were identified in HAPC patients. The maximum methylation difference between the two groups could reach 78.1%, while the minimum was -42.6%. The top 5 genes with the largest methylation differences between the two groups were MCCC2, ARSJ, CTNNA3, SLC39A10, and SWAP70. The top significantly different pathways annotated in the differentially expressed genes pathway was signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells. CONCLUSION The occurrence of HAPC may be related to abnormal changes in DNA methylation, and methylation sites may be helpful for the early diagnosis of HAPC.
Humans ; DNA Methylation ; Altitude ; Polycythemia/genetics* ; Male ; Adult ; CpG Islands

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2017.08.005.].

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BACKGROUND: China is seeing a growing demand for rehabilitation treatments for post-stroke upper limb spastic paresis (PSSP-UL). Although acupuncture is known to be effective for PSSP-UL, there is room to enhance its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: This study explored a semi-personalized acupuncture approach for PSSP-UL that used three-dimensional kinematic analysis (3DKA) results to select additional acupoints, and investigated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of this approach. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This single-blind, single-center, randomized, controlled trial involved 74 participants who experienced a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with spastic upper limb paresis. The participants were then randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups received conventional treatments and acupuncture treatment 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The main acupoints in both groups were the same, while participants in the intervention group received additional acupoints selected on the basis of 3DKA results. Follow-up assessments were conducted for 8 weeks after the treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) response rate (≥ 6-point change) at week 4. Secondary outcomes included changes in motor function (FMA-UE), Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS), manual muscle test (MMT), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS), and activities of daily life (Modified Barthel Index, MBI) at week 4 and week 12. RESULTS: Sixty-four participants completed the trial and underwent analyses. Compared with control group, the intervention group exhibited a significantly higher FMA-UE response rate at week 4 (χ² = 5.479, P = 0.019) and greater improvements in FMA-UE at both week 4 and week 12 (both P < 0.001). The intervention group also showed bigger improvements from baseline in the MMT grades for shoulder adduction and elbow flexion at weeks 4 and 12 as well as thumb adduction at week 4 (P = 0.007, P = 0.049, P = 0.019, P = 0.008, P = 0.029, respectively). The intervention group showed a better change in the MBI at both week 4 and week 12 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.010, respectively). Although the intervention group had a higher BRS for the hand at week 12 (P = 0.041), no intergroup differences were observed at week 4 (all P > 0.05). The two groups showed no differences in MAS grades as well as in BRS for the arm at weeks 4 and 12 (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Semi-personalized acupuncture prescription based on 3DKA results significantly improved motor function, muscle strength, and activities of daily living in patients with PSSP-UL. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200056216. Please cite this article as: Huang XY, Liao OP, Jiang SY, Tao JM, Li Y, Lu XY, Li YY, Wang C, Li J, Ma XP. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis can improve the efficacy of acupoint selection for post-stroke patients with upper limb spastic paresis: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 15-24.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Upper Extremity/physiopathology* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Single-Blind Method ; Aged ; Stroke/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Stroke Rehabilitation/methods* ; Adult ; Muscle Spasticity/therapy* ; Paresis/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome