ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential categories and characteristics of the public hospice care demand in Hainan Province， and analyze different potential types of influencing factors， so as to provide reference for relevant departments to improve the public awareness and demand of hospice care. MethodsUsing convenience sampling method， select 6484 cities of the public as the survey object， using the general data questionnaire， the hospice care demand questionnaire of the potential profile analysis， and analyze the influencing factors of the public hospice care demand category. ResultsThe characteristics of the hospice care demand in Hainan Province were divided into three potential categories： low demand group （14.19%）， medium demand group （49.99%） and high demand group （35.82%）. Multivariate analysis showed that gender， age， education level， cultural belief， and life-death education experience were the main influencing factors of public hospice care demand （p<0.05）. Males， those aged 41-60 years， and those with high school education or below had relatively lower hospice care demand， while those with life-death education experience had relatively higher demand. ConclusionRelevant departments should focus on hospice care knowledge popularization and demand enhancement for males， middle-aged groups， and people with low education levels， while strengthening universal life-death education through stratified and classified publicity strategies and educational interventions to improve different populations’ awareness and acceptance of hospice care.

AIM To investigate the promotional effects of esculin combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BM-MSCs)transplantation on the repair of spinal cord injury(SCI)in rats.METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the esculin group for gavage of 20 mg/kg esculin,the BM-MSCs group for tail vein injection of 1 mL of 1×106/mL BM-MSCs,and the combinaiton treatment group.The SCI rat model was established using Allen's method,followed by the 14 days consecutive corresponding drug administration starting from the 2nd day after modeling.On days 3,7 and 14 of drug administration,the rats had their hind limbs motor function evaluated by the BBB scoring;and their footprint experiment conducted on the 14th day after modeling.After 14 days of administration,the rats had their morphological changes of spinal cord tissue observed with HE staining and Nissl staining;their activities of SOD and GSH,and level of MDA in spinal cord tissue detected by kits;their expressions of MAP2,GAP43 and GFAP in spinal cord tissue detected by immunofluorescence;and their expressions of NQO-1,Nrf-2,Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in spinal cord tissue detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups interved with esculin,or BM-MSCs,or the combination treatment showed improvements in hind limb function and spinal cord tissue morphology(P＜0.05);decreased MDA levels(P＜0.05);increased SOD and GSH activities(P＜0.05);increased MAP2 and GAP43 fluorescence intensity(P＜0.05);decreased GFAP fluorescence intensity(P＜0.05);increased NQO-1,Nrf-2 and Bcl-2 protein expressions(P＜0.05);and decreased Bax protein expression(P＜0.05).And the combination treatment group was observed with an even better effects(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION The combination of esculin and BM-MSCs transplantation can effectively improve the spinal cord tissue damage and hind limb function in SCI rats.This effect may be achieved by activating the Nrf-2/NQO-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress response,thereby reducing neuronal apoptosis,blocking glial scar formation,and promoting stem cell differentiation to rebuild neurons.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Xiaozhen Fang(XZF)on epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)inhibitor,erlotinib-induced skin toxicity in mice,with a focus on the underlying functional mechanisms.METHODS:A mouse model of skin toxicity was established and divided into three groups(n=5 per group):blank,erlotinib(150 mg/kg),and erlotinib(150 mg/kg)combined with XZF(45 g/kg)groups.Skin toxicity se-verity and body weight were evaluated.Western blot was performed to detect protein levels of gasdermin D(GSDMD),caspase-1,and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in skin tissue.Immunofluorescence was employed to analyze gasdermin E,IL-1β,caspase-1,and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)expression in skin tissue.In vitro,HacaT cells were cultured and treated with erlotinib followed by different concentrations of XZF-containing se-rum.Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay.Cell ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy,and p53-binding protein 1(53BP1)expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:The XZF signifi-cantly alleviated erlotinib-induced skin toxicity in mouse model,as evidenced by reduced rash incidence,alleviated limb swelling,and increased body weight(P<0.05).Expression of Gasdermins,IL-1β,caspase-1,and NLRP3 was distinctly down-regulated in dorsal skin tissue(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In vitro,XZF-containing serum markedly suppressed pyropto-sis in HacaT cells(P<0.01),preserved cell membrane integrity,and significantly reduced 53BP1 fluorescence intensity(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The XZF mitigates EGFR inhibitor,erlotinib-induced skin toxicity in mice,potentially by regulating pyroptosis through the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.This mechanism exerts a cytoprotective ef-fect and alleviates erlotinib-induced skin toxicity.

Objective The effect of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation combined with recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(rhBNP)treatment on ventricular remodeling after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in elderly patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction.Methods A retrospective analysis was con-ducted on 66 elderly patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction who underwent emergency PCI in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2023.They were divided into a control group(n=32)who underwent PCI+rhBNP,and a study group(n=32)who underwent PCI+rhBNP+intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation.Blood pressure,lactic acid level,mechanical complications,ventricular remodeling,inflammatory factors,myocardial enzymology,ox-LDL level were detected and compared between the two groups.Results Before treatment,Lactic acid,diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure,left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),left ventricular remodeling index(LVRI),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),homocysteine(Hcy),interleukin-6(IL-6)and myocardial troponin were compared between the two groups.Myocardial troponin T(cTnT),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB),oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)levels(P>0.05);At 3 months follow-up after discharge,the levels of lactic acid,LVESD,LVEDD,LVPWT,LVRI,Hcy,IL-6,cTnT,LDH,CK-MB and ox-LDL were decreased,and the levels were lower in the study group,and the levels of diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure and LVEF were increased,and the levels were higher in the study group(P<0.05).The pro-portion of mechanical complications between the two groups before and after treatment were compared(P>0.05).Conclusion In elderly patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction after emergency PCI,intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation combined with rhBNP could alleviate ventricular remodeling,myocardial injury,reduce inflamma-tory injury,improve oxidative stress response,and regulate tissue perfusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between long-term glycemic control and cerebral infarction risk in patients with diabetes through a large-scale cohort study. METHODS: This prospective, community-based cohort study included 12,054 patients with diabetes. From 2006 to 2012, 38,272 fasting blood glucose (FBG) measurements were obtained from these participants. FBG trajectory patterns were generated using latent mixture modelling. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess the subsequent risk of cerebral infarction associated with different FBG trajectory patterns. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of the participants was 55.2 years. Four distinct FBG trajectories were identified based on FBG concentrations and their changes over the 6-year follow-up period. After a median follow-up of 6.9 years, 786 cerebral infarction events were recorded. Different trajectory patterns were associated with significantly varied outcome risks (Log-Rank P < 0.001). Compared with the low-stability group, Hazard Ratio ( HR) adjusted for potential confounders were 1.37 for the moderate-increasing group, 1.23 for the elevated-decreasing group, and 2.08 for the elevated-stable group. CONCLUSION Sustained high FBG levels were found to play a critical role in the development of ischemic stroke among patients with diabetes. Controlling FBG levels may reduce the risk of cerebral infarction.
Humans ; Cerebral Infarction/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Blood Glucose/analysis* ; Fasting/blood* ; Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Diabetes Mellitus/blood* ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models

AIM:This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Xiaozhen Fang(XZF)on epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)inhibitor,erlotinib-induced skin toxicity in mice,with a focus on the underlying functional mechanisms.METHODS:A mouse model of skin toxicity was established and divided into three groups(n=5 per group):blank,erlotinib(150 mg/kg),and erlotinib(150 mg/kg)combined with XZF(45 g/kg)groups.Skin toxicity se-verity and body weight were evaluated.Western blot was performed to detect protein levels of gasdermin D(GSDMD),caspase-1,and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in skin tissue.Immunofluorescence was employed to analyze gasdermin E,IL-1β,caspase-1,and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)expression in skin tissue.In vitro,HacaT cells were cultured and treated with erlotinib followed by different concentrations of XZF-containing se-rum.Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay.Cell ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy,and p53-binding protein 1(53BP1)expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:The XZF signifi-cantly alleviated erlotinib-induced skin toxicity in mouse model,as evidenced by reduced rash incidence,alleviated limb swelling,and increased body weight(P<0.05).Expression of Gasdermins,IL-1β,caspase-1,and NLRP3 was distinctly down-regulated in dorsal skin tissue(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In vitro,XZF-containing serum markedly suppressed pyropto-sis in HacaT cells(P<0.01),preserved cell membrane integrity,and significantly reduced 53BP1 fluorescence intensity(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The XZF mitigates EGFR inhibitor,erlotinib-induced skin toxicity in mice,potentially by regulating pyroptosis through the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.This mechanism exerts a cytoprotective ef-fect and alleviates erlotinib-induced skin toxicity.

Cardiac fibrosis(CF) is a cardiac pathological process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM). When the heart is damaged by adverse stimuli, cardiac fibroblasts are activated and secrete a large amount of ECM, leading to changes in cardiac fibrosis, myocardial stiffness, and cardiac function declines and accelerating the development of heart failure. There is a close relationship between heart yin deficiency and cardiac fibrosis, which have similar pathogenic mechanisms. Heart Yin deficiency, characterized by insufficient Yin fluids, causes the heart to lose its nourishing function, which acts as the initiating factor for myocardial dystrophy. The deficiency of body fluids leads to stagnation of blood flow, resulting in blood stasis and water retention. Blood stasis and water retention accumulate in the heart, which aligns with the pathological manifestation of excessive deposition of ECM, as a tangible pathogenic factor. This is an inevitable stage of the disease process. The lingering of blood stasis combined with water retention eventually leads to the generation of heat and toxins, triggering inflammatory responses similar to heat toxins, which continuously stimulate the heart and cause the ultimate outcome of CF. Considering the syndrome of heart Yin deficiency, traditional Chinese medicine capable of nourishing Yin, activating blood, and promoting urination can reduce myocardial cell apoptosis, inhibit fibroblast activation, and lower the inflammation level, showing significant advantages in combating CF.
Humans ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Yin Deficiency/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*