ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the action mechanism by which Banxia Xiexintang （BXT） inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） in chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） rats by regulating the interleukin-17（IL-17）/extracellular regulated protein kinases（ERK）/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β（C/EBPβ）signaling pathway， thereby providing new theoretical evidence for the treatment of CAG with classic traditional Chinese medicine formulas. MethodsA CAG rat model was established by using the combined factor method. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.549， 1.098， 2.196 g·kg^-1， respectively） of BXT， and the positive drug group （vitacoenzyme， 0.3 g·kg^-1）. A normal control group was also set up. After 8 weeks of intervention， the pathological changes of gastric tissue were evaluated. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the contents of IL-17， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， and C/EBPβ in serum， as well as the contents of EMT markers in gastric mucosal tissue including E-cadherin， N-cadherin， and vimentin. The immunohistochemistry method was employed to determine the localization and protein expression levels of IL-17， p-ERK， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and its phosphorylated form （p）-ERK in gastric mucosa. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of ERK， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosa. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， the rats in the model group showed gastric mucosal glandular atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein and their related mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly increased， while the content of E-cadherin was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， after intervention with different doses of BXT， the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa was improved to varying degrees. The protein and mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly reduced （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBP β in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosa tissue were decreased， while the content of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBXT can effectively improve the pathological damage of gastric mucosal tissue in CAG rats. Its action mechanism may be related to reducing the levels of IL-17 and TNF-α in serum， regulating the IL-17/ERK/C/EBPβ signaling pathway and inhibiting the EMT process.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Qizhujianwei granules （QZJW） on abnormal proliferation and malignant transformation of gastric mucosal cells in rats with gastric intraepithelial neoplasia （GIN） and to explore the related mechanisms. MethodsA total of 80 SPF male Wistar rats were used. A GIN rat model was established using a four-factor comprehensive method consisting of methylnitronitrosoguanidine （MNNG）， ranitidine， irregular feeding patterns， and sodium salicylate. Except for the normal group， after successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided according to body weight into a model group， a Moluodan group （0.55 g·kg^-1）， and a QZJW group （7.34 g·kg^-1）， with 12 rats in each group. All groups were treated for 8 weeks. The general characteristics of the rats and morphological changes of the gastric mucosa were observed. Histopathological changes of the gastric mucosa were examined by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum levels of pepsinogenⅠ （PGⅠ）， pepsinogenⅡ （PGⅡ）， and gastrin （G-17）， as well as the expression level of transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） in gastric mucosal tissue， and the PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio was calculated. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the localization and expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （Ki-67） and Vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue. Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein expression levels of Wnt family member 3A （Wnt3a）， β-catenin， CyclinD₁， proto-oncogene Cmyc， transforming growth factor-β receptor Ⅰ （TGFβRⅠ）， intracellular signaling transducers Smad2/3， phosphorylated （p）-Smad2/3， twist family transcription factor （Twist1）， and Vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed characteristic changes including dim eyes， pale ears and claws， dark-red tongue， and reduced luster of the tail. The gastric mucosa appeared pale， with surface congestion and erosion. The gastric mucosal glands were disordered， the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio increased， and local tumor cells were observed. Serum PGⅠ and PGⅡ levels and the PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the level of G-17 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Ki-67， Wnt3a， β-catenin， CyclinD₁， Cmyc， TGF-β₁， TGFβRⅠ， Smad2/3， Twist1， and Vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， whereas the ratio of p-Smad2/3 to Smad2/3 was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the general characteristics and gastric mucosal conditions of rats in the Moluodan group and the QZJW group were improved. HE staining showed that QZJW could effectively block the malignant progression of GIN. Serum PGⅠ and PGⅡ levels and the PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the level of G-17 was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Ki-67， Wnt3a， β-catenin， CyclinD₁， Cmyc， TGF-β₁， TGFβRⅠ， Smad2/3， Twist1， and Vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionQZJW have a therapeutic effect on rats with GIN. The mechanism may involve inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to regulate the cell cycle and suppress abnormal cell proliferation. Meanwhile， it may inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition by suppressing the TGF-β₁/Smad/Twist1 signaling pathway， thereby blocking the malignant progression of GIN.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Qizhujianwei granules （QZJW） on abnormal proliferation and malignant transformation of gastric mucosal cells in rats with gastric intraepithelial neoplasia （GIN） and to explore the related mechanisms. MethodsA total of 80 SPF male Wistar rats were used. A GIN rat model was established using a four-factor comprehensive method consisting of methylnitronitrosoguanidine （MNNG）， ranitidine， irregular feeding patterns， and sodium salicylate. Except for the normal group， after successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided according to body weight into a model group， a Moluodan group （0.55 g·kg^-1）， and a QZJW group （7.34 g·kg^-1）， with 12 rats in each group. All groups were treated for 8 weeks. The general characteristics of the rats and morphological changes of the gastric mucosa were observed. Histopathological changes of the gastric mucosa were examined by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum levels of pepsinogenⅠ （PGⅠ）， pepsinogenⅡ （PGⅡ）， and gastrin （G-17）， as well as the expression level of transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） in gastric mucosal tissue， and the PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio was calculated. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the localization and expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （Ki-67） and Vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue. Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein expression levels of Wnt family member 3A （Wnt3a）， β-catenin， CyclinD₁， proto-oncogene Cmyc， transforming growth factor-β receptor Ⅰ （TGFβRⅠ）， intracellular signaling transducers Smad2/3， phosphorylated （p）-Smad2/3， twist family transcription factor （Twist1）， and Vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed characteristic changes including dim eyes， pale ears and claws， dark-red tongue， and reduced luster of the tail. The gastric mucosa appeared pale， with surface congestion and erosion. The gastric mucosal glands were disordered， the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio increased， and local tumor cells were observed. Serum PGⅠ and PGⅡ levels and the PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the level of G-17 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Ki-67， Wnt3a， β-catenin， CyclinD₁， Cmyc， TGF-β₁， TGFβRⅠ， Smad2/3， Twist1， and Vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， whereas the ratio of p-Smad2/3 to Smad2/3 was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the general characteristics and gastric mucosal conditions of rats in the Moluodan group and the QZJW group were improved. HE staining showed that QZJW could effectively block the malignant progression of GIN. Serum PGⅠ and PGⅡ levels and the PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the level of G-17 was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Ki-67， Wnt3a， β-catenin， CyclinD₁， Cmyc， TGF-β₁， TGFβRⅠ， Smad2/3， Twist1， and Vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionQZJW have a therapeutic effect on rats with GIN. The mechanism may involve inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to regulate the cell cycle and suppress abnormal cell proliferation. Meanwhile， it may inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition by suppressing the TGF-β₁/Smad/Twist1 signaling pathway， thereby blocking the malignant progression of GIN.

Objective To describe the clinical characteristics and nutritional management status of hospitalized elderly patients with multimorbidity in a tertiary hospital's geriatric center in 2024, and to analyze the correlation between nutritional status and hospitalization outcomes, thereby providing a basis for optimizing nutritional management pathways for this population. Methods A retrospective study was conducted, including 2 937 elderly patients with multimorbidity. Data on general information, clinical indicators, nutritional risk screening and assessment, nutritional therapy, and costs were collected for descriptive analysis. The relationship between nutritional status (based on BMI and serum albumin levels) and hospitalization outcomes was explored. Results The average age of the patients was (77.45±10.70) years, with 57.17% being male. The average number of chronic diseases diagnosed was (11.56±5.08) per patient, and 26.01% were critically ill. The nutritional risk screening rate was 80.40%, with a screening positivity rate of 33.44%. The nutritional assessment rate was 31.63%, and the malnutrition prevalence was 23.08%. The low BMI group had the longest median hospital stay [15 (9.75, 22) days] and the highest hospitalization costs [15 057.2 (8 980.48, 28 160.46) CNY]. Serum albumin levels were negatively correlated with hospital stay duration (rs=-0.276, P< 0.01) and hospitalization costs (rs=-0.276, P<0.01). Conclusion Hospitalized elderly patients with multimorbidity are characterized by multiple comorbidities and high healthcare resource consumption. While the nutritional risk screening rate is relatively high, there remains room for improvement in nutritional assessment and therapy. It is necessary to strengthen standardized management throughout the entire process. Nutritional status is a significant variable affecting hospital stay duration and costs, with poorer nutritional status significantly associated with prolonged hospitalization and higher costs, suggesting that it may be an important factor influencing hospitalization outcomes.

Liumotang comes from the Yuan dynasty's Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians. It is composed of six medicinal materials： Arecae Semen， Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum， Aucklandiae Radix， Linderae Radix， Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， and Aurantii Fructus. It is a classical formula for treating abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. This study systematically collated the records of Liumotang in ancient medical books and modern clinical literature and conducted in-depth analysis and textual research on its formula source， main diseases， composition， dosage， medical books， container capacity， processing， preparation method， usage， drug basis， formula meaning， and other key information， so as to provide a powerful reference for the development and clinical application of compound preparations of the classical formula Liumotang. The results show that Liumotang was first seen in Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians， and many medical books of the past dynasties have imitated this. In terms of drug basis， the dried and mature seeds of the palm plant Areca catechu， resin-containing wood of the Daphneaceae plant Aquilaria sinensis， the dried roots of the Asteraceae plant woody Aucklandia lappa， the dried tuber root of the Lauraceae plant Lindera aggregata， the dried roots and rhizomes of the knotweed plant， R. palmatum， R.tangutikum， and R. officinale， and the dried and unripe fruits of the citrus genus C. aurantium and its cultivated varieties from the family Rutaceae were selected. In terms of dosage， through the textual research on bowls in the Ming and Qing dynasties， combined with the conversion of medicines and bowl capacity in the Qing dynasty， it was estimated that the dosage of each drug in the Yuan dynasty was 10.86 g. In the Ming and Qing dynasties， the dosage of drugs was mostly equal， but the dosage of drugs was somewhat different. In terms of processing， preparation method， and usage， in the medical books of the past dynasties， the processing of drugs has slightly changed， but raw drugs are used in all preparations. The preparation method and usage did not change much during the Yuan， Ming， and Qing dynasties， except for certain differences in dosage. In terms of syndrome， Liumotang was first used to treat abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. Medical books of the past dynasties often omit the symptoms of heat. In modern clinical practice， Liumotang is mainly used in the digestive system and urinary system diseases and is mostly used to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome， biliary reflux gastritis， functional constipation， slow transit constipation， and other diseases， with no adverse reactions found yet. The above results provide a reliable scientific basis for the development and clinical treatment of Liumotang compound preparations.

ObjectiveTo observe the prevention and control effect of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） in female rats. MethodsForty rats were assigned into control， model， and low-， medium-， and high-dose processed P. cyrtonema groups according to the random number table method， with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of depression was established with the CUMS method. The body mass， open field test， forced swimming test， Morris water maze test， levels of neurotransmitters ［dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-TH）， and acetylcholine （ACh）］， serum levels of sex hormones ［gonadotropin-releasing hormone（GnRH）， testosterone （T）， and estradiol （E₂）］ and inflammatory factors ［tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-6， and IL-10］， and mRNA and protein levels of factors in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）/tyrosine kinase receptor B （TRKB）/cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB） pathway were employed to evaluate the effect of processed P. cyrtonema on the CUMS-induced depression in female rats. ResultsThe body mass， open field test results， and forced swimming test results showed that the rat model of depression was successfully established. The comparison of behaviors， neurotransmitters， sex hormones， inflammatory factors， and neural pathways among groups showed that processed P. cyrtonema had different effects of preventing the development of depression in female rats. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis of error and significance. T test was conducted between groups. Each treatment group showed significant therapeutic effect compared with the model group （P<0.05）. Processed P. cyrtonema elevated the level of 5-TH （P<0.01） and lowered the levels of DA and ACh （P<0.01） in the brain tissue of female rats. In addition， it reduced the serum levels of GnRH， T， E₂， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.05） and up-regulated the mRNA levels of BDNF and TRKB in the rat brain. ConclusionProcessed P. cyrtonema has a non-hyperactive preventive effect on CUMS-induced depression in rats， which provides a theoretical basis for the development of processed P. cyrtonema as a functional food product.

ObjectiveTo observe the prevention and control effect of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） in female rats. MethodsForty rats were assigned into control， model， and low-， medium-， and high-dose processed P. cyrtonema groups according to the random number table method， with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of depression was established with the CUMS method. The body mass， open field test， forced swimming test， Morris water maze test， levels of neurotransmitters ［dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-TH）， and acetylcholine （ACh）］， serum levels of sex hormones ［gonadotropin-releasing hormone（GnRH）， testosterone （T）， and estradiol （E₂）］ and inflammatory factors ［tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-6， and IL-10］， and mRNA and protein levels of factors in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）/tyrosine kinase receptor B （TRKB）/cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB） pathway were employed to evaluate the effect of processed P. cyrtonema on the CUMS-induced depression in female rats. ResultsThe body mass， open field test results， and forced swimming test results showed that the rat model of depression was successfully established. The comparison of behaviors， neurotransmitters， sex hormones， inflammatory factors， and neural pathways among groups showed that processed P. cyrtonema had different effects of preventing the development of depression in female rats. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis of error and significance. T test was conducted between groups. Each treatment group showed significant therapeutic effect compared with the model group （P<0.05）. Processed P. cyrtonema elevated the level of 5-TH （P<0.01） and lowered the levels of DA and ACh （P<0.01） in the brain tissue of female rats. In addition， it reduced the serum levels of GnRH， T， E₂， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.05） and up-regulated the mRNA levels of BDNF and TRKB in the rat brain. ConclusionProcessed P. cyrtonema has a non-hyperactive preventive effect on CUMS-induced depression in rats， which provides a theoretical basis for the development of processed P. cyrtonema as a functional food product.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a myeloid tumor derived from the malignant clones of hematopoietic stem cells, has an annually increasing incidence. The contemporary research direction has shifted to analyzing the synergistic effect of immune surveillance collapse and abnormal bone marrow microenvironment in the pathological process of MDS. Against this backdrop, the immune checkpoint molecule TIM3 has emerged as a key target because of its persistently high expression on the surface of important immune cells such as T and NK cells. The abnormal activation of the TIM3 pathway is the mechanism by which solid tumors and hematological malignancies achieve immune escape and is a key hub in the formation of immune exhaustion phenotypes. This work integrates the original discoveries of our team with the latest international progress, systematically demonstrating the bidirectional regulatory network of TIM3 between the malignant clone proliferation of MDS and the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Integrating the evidence from emerging clinical trials allows us to consider the clinical significance of TIM3-targeted blocking for MDS, providing a transformative path to overcome the resistance of traditional treatments and marking a new chapter in the active immune reconstitution of MDS treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of antagonistic needling therapy on lower limb spasticity and the muscle morphology of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius in patients with stroke. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with post-stroke lower limb spasticity were randomly divided into an antagonistic needling group (50 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a routine acupuncture group (50 cases, 1 case dropped out). Both groups received basic treatment and rehabilitation training. The routine acupuncture group was treated with scalp acupuncture at anterior oblique line of vertex-temporal and vertex lateral line 1, combined with body acupuncture at Jianyu (LI15), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Taichong (LR3), etc. on the affected side, with Quchi (LI11) and Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36) and Fenglong (ST40), Yanglingquan (GB34) and Taichong (LR3) connected to an electroacupuncture device, using disperse wave at 2 Hz of frequency. The antagonistic needling group used the same scalp and upper limb acupoints as the routine acupuncture group, with additional antagonistic needling on the lower limb at Yanglingquan (GB34), Qiuxu (GB40), Jiexi (ST41), and Xuanzhong (GB39) on the affected side, with Quchi (LI11) and Hegu (LI4), Yanglingquan (GB34) and Qiuxu (GB40), Jiexi (ST41), and Xuanzhong (GB39) connected to an electroacupuncture device, using disperse wave at 2 Hz of frequency. Both groups received treatment once daily for 6 consecutive days per course, with a total of 4 courses. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Holden functional ambulation classification (FAC), lower limb Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), composite spasticity scale (CSS), and musculoskeletal ultrasound parameters (thickness and fiber length of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius, and pennation angle of the gastrocnemius on both sides) were evaluated before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the MAS grades and CSS scores were decreased in both groups after treatment (P<0.01), with greater reductions in the antagonistic needling group (P<0.05, P<0.01). FAC grades and FMA scores were increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), with greater improvements in the antagonistic needling group (P<0.05). The muscle thickness, fiber length of the tibialis anterior, the muscle thickness, fiber length and pennation angle of the gastrocnemius on the affected side were improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.01), with greater improvements in the antagonistic needling group (P<0.01, P<0.05). On the unaffected side, these parameters were also increased after treatment in both groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), but the antagonistic needling group showed smaller increases than the routine acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate in the antagonistic needling group was 91.8% (45/49), higher than 81.6% (40/49) in the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Antagonistic needling could effectively reduce spasticity, improve motor function, and enhance muscle structure in patients with post-stroke lower limb spasticity.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Spasticity/pathology* ; Aged ; Stroke/physiopathology* ; Lower Extremity/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Muscle, Skeletal/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the survival outcomes of segmentectomy versus lobectomy for T1c non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We searched PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and Wanfang Data, with the search time limit set from the inception of the databases to February 2024. Three researchers independently screened the literature, extracted relevant information, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included literature according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 15.1. Results A total of 8 retrospective cohort studies were included, involving 7 433 patients. The NOS scores of the included studies were all ≥7 points. Patients who underwent lobectomy had significantly higher five-year overall survival (OS) rates compared to those who underwent segmentectomy (adjusted HR=1.11, 95%CI 0.99-1.24, P=0.042). Compared with lobectomy, segmentectomy showed no significant difference in adjusted three-year OS rate (adjusted HR=0.88, 95%CI 0.62-1.24) and adjusted five-year lung cancer-specific survival (adjusted HR=1.10, 95%CI 0.80-1.51, P=0.556) of patients with T1c NSCLC. Moreover, there were no differences in the five-year adjusted relapse-free survival (adjusted HR=1.23, 95%CI 0.82-1.85, P=0.319), and adverse events (OR=0.57, 95%CI 0.37-0.90, P=0.015) in the segmentectomy group were significantly less than those in the lobectomy group. Subgroup analysis based on whether patients received neoadjuvant therapy showed that among studies that excluded patients who received neoadjuvant therapy, no significant difference in 5-year adjusted OS rate was observed between the segmentectomy group and lobectomy group (adjusted HR=1.02, 95%CI 0.81-1.28, P=0.870). Conclusion Segmentectomy and lobectomy show no significant difference in long-term survival in stage T1c NSCLC patients, with segmentectomy associated with fewer postoperative complications. Further high-quality research is needed to confirm the comparative efficacy and safety of lobectomy and segmentectomy for T1c NSCLC patients.