ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms and pathways through which Gandouling （GDL） exerts its effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis in Wilson disease. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups： the normal group， the model group， the GDL low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.24， 0.48， 0.96 g·kg^-1）， and the penicillamine group （90 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. A copper-loaded Wilson disease rat model was established by gavage administration of 300 mg·kg^-1 copper sulfate pentahydrate to all groups except the normal group. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathomorphological changes in the liver. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen type-Ⅲ peptide （PC-Ⅲ）， and collagen type-Ⅳ （C-Ⅳ）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of liver tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expression levels of liver tissues and serum exosomal long noncoding RNA H19 （LncRNA H19）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， and their phosphorylated forms， as well as autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ） in liver tissues. Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ fluorescence signal intensity was observed by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration in hepatocytes， unclear nuclear boundaries with cell cleavage and necrosis， and collagen fiber deposition around confluent areas. The levels of HA， LN， PC-Ⅲ， and C-Ⅳ were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an increased number of autophagic vesicles， with autophagic lysosomes exhibiting a single-layer membrane structure following degradation of most envelopes. Expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ were markedly enhanced. The protein expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were reduced （P<0.01）， while LncRNA H19 expression was increased （P<0.01）， and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR were decreased （P<0.01）. After treatment with GDL， the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly improved， with decreased levels of HA， LN， PC-Ⅲ， and C-Ⅳ. The number of autophagic vesicles was significantly reduced， and expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ proteins were lower （P<0.01）. The fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ weakened dose-dependently. The protein levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were elevated （P<0.01）， while the expression level of LncRNA H19 was reduced （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGDL may alleviate liver fibrosis and reduce liver injury by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR autophagy signaling pathway via LncRNA H19.

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. The blood‒brain barrier (BBB) is the first line of defense after ischemic stroke. Disruption of the BBB induced by brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) dysfunction is a key event that triggers secondary damage to the central nervous system, where blood-borne fluids and immune cells penetrate the brain parenchyma, causing cerebral edema and inflammatory response and further aggravating brain damage. Here, we develop a novel artificial mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) extracellular vesicles by integrating MSC membrane proteins into liposomal bilayers, which encapsulated miR-132-3p with protective effects on BMECs. The artificial extracellular vesicles (MSCo/miR-132-3p) had low immunogenicity to reduce non-specific clearance by the mononuclear phagocytosis system (MPS) and could target ischemia-injured BMECs. After internalization into the damaged BMECs, MSCo/miR-132-3p escaped the lysosomes via the H_II phase transition of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) and decreased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis levels by regulating the RASA1/RAS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) models, MSCo/miR-132-3p targeted impaired brain regions (approximately 9 times the accumulation of plain liposomes at 12 h), reduced cerebral vascular disruption, protected BBB integrity, and decreased infarct volume (from 44.95% to 6.99%).

Hypercholesterolemia is a significant risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. 2',3',5'-Tri-O-acetyl-N ⁶-(3-hydroxyphenyl) adenosine (IMM-H007), a novel AMPK agonist, has shown protective effects in metabolic diseases. However, its impact on cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism in hypercholesterolemia remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects and specific mechanisms by which IMM-H007 regulates cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism. To achieve this goal, we used Apoe ^-/- and Ldlr ^-/- mice to establish a hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis model. Additionally, hepatocyte-specific Ampka1/2 knockout mice were subjected to a 5-week high-cholesterol diet to establish hypercholesterolemia, while atherosclerosis was induced via AAV-PCSK9 injection combined with a 16-week high-cholesterol diet. Our results demonstrated that IMM-H007 improved cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism in mice with hypercholesterolemia. Mechanistically, IMM-H007 modulated the AMPKα1/2-LDLR signaling pathway, increasing cholesterol uptake in the liver. Furthermore, IMM-H007 activated the AMPKα1-FXR pathway, promoting the conversion of hepatic cholesterol to bile acids. Additionally, IMM-H007 prevented hepatic steatosis by activating the AMPKα1/2-ATGL pathway. In conclusion, our study suggests that IMM-H007 is a promising therapeutic agent for improving hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis through the activation of AMPKα.

Hemorrhagic shock is a common clinical emergency that can aggravate cell injury after resuscitation. Astrocytes are crucial for the survival of neurons because they regulate the surrounding ionic microenvironment of neurons. Although hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) injury can impair cognition, it remains unclear how this insult directly affects astrocytes. In this study, we established an HSR model by bleeding and re-transfusion in mice. The social interaction test and new object recognition test were applied to evaluate post-operative cognitive changes, and the results suggest that mice experience cognitive impairment following exposure to HSR. In the HSR group, the power spectral density of β and γ oscillations decreased, and the coupling of the θ oscillation phase and γ oscillation amplitude was abnormal, which indicated abnormal neuronal oscillation and cognitive impairment after HSR exposure. In brief, cognitive impairment in mice is strongly correlated with Ca²⁺ signal strength in lateral septum astrocytes following HSR.
Animals ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; Shock, Hemorrhagic/metabolism* ; Resuscitation/adverse effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Calcium Signaling/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Septal Nuclei/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cognition Disorders/etiology*

BACKGROUND: The use of inserted sham acupuncture as a placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is controversial, because it may produce specific effects that cause an underestimation of the effect of acupuncture treatment. OBJECTIVE: This systematic survey investigates the magnitude of insert-specific effects of sham acupuncture and whether they affect the estimation of acupuncture treatment effects. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify acupuncture RCTs from their inception until December 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: RCTs that evaluated the effects of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: The total effect measured for an acupuncture treatment group in RCTs were divided into three components, including the natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (controlled for no-treatment group), the placebo effect, and the specific effect of acupuncture. The first two constituted the contextual effect of acupuncture, which is mimicked by a sham acupuncture treatment group. The proportion of acupuncture total effect size was considered to be 1. The proportion of natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (PNE) and proportional contextual effect (PCE) of included RCTs were pooled using meta-analyses with a random-effect model. The proportion of acupuncture placebo effect was the difference between PCE and PNE in RCTs with non-inserted sham acupuncture. The proportion of insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture (PIES) was obtained by subtracting the proportion of acupuncture placebo effect and PNE from PCE in RCTs with inserted sham acupuncture. The impact of PIES on the estimation of acupuncture's treatment effect was evaluated by quantifying the percentage of RCTs that the effect of outcome changed from no statistical difference to statistical difference after removing PIES in the included studies, and the impact of PIES was externally validated in other acupuncture RCTs with an inserted sham acupuncture group that were not used to calculate PIES. RESULTS: This analysis included 32 studies with 5492 patients. The overall PNE was 0.335 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.255-0.415) and the PCE of acupuncture was 0.639 (95% CI, 0.567-0.710) of acupuncture's total effect. The proportional contribution of the placebo effect to acupuncture's total effect was 0.191, and the PIES was 0.189. When we modeled the exclusion of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, the acupuncture treatment effect changed from no difference to a significant difference in 45.45% of the included RCTs, and in 40.91% of the external validated RCTs. CONCLUSION The insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture in RCTs represents 18.90% of acupuncture's total effect and significantly affects the evaluation of the acupuncture treatment effect. More than 40% of RCTs that used inserted sham acupuncture would draw different conclusions if the PIES had been controlled for. Considering the impact of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, caution should be taken when using inserted sham acupuncture placebos in RCTs. Please cite this article as: Luo XC, Liu JL, Yao MH, Chen YM, Fan AY, Liang FR, Zhao JP, Zhao L, Zhou X, Zhong XY, Yang JH, Li B, Zhang Y, Sun X, Li L. Specific effect of inserted sham acupuncture and its impact on the estimation of acupuncture treatment effect in randomized controlled trials: A systematic survey. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):630-640.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To compare the success rate and stability of rat models of comorbid chronic pain and depression induced by different doses of complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA).Methods Sixty SD rats were divided randomly into a control group,low-dose CFA group(CFA-L),and high-dose CFA group(CFA-H)(n=20 rats per group).Rats in the CFA-L and CFA-H groups were injected with 50 and 100 μL CFA,respectively,and rats in the control group were injected with 0.9％sodium chloride solution.The general state,body weight,mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT),and thermal withdrawal latency(TWL)were observed at 0,7,14,21,and 28 days after modeling.Depressive behavior was evaluated using the open field test(OFT),forced swim test(FST),and tail suspension test(TST).Glutamate(Glu)and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)levels in the anterior cingulate cortex were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)expression in the anterior cingulate cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry,and pathological changes in the anterior cingulate cortex were observed by HE staining.Results(1)Regarding the general condition of the rats,the left ankle joint and toes were obviously red and swollen in the CFA-L and CFA-H groups on the 7th day after modeling,and the swelling was more severe in the CFA-H group.The redness and swelling of the left hind foot and ankle joint and toes gradually recovered in the CFA-L group on days 14,21,and 28 after modeling,but were still obvious in the CFA-H group,and the water and food intake decreased.(2)The body mass was significantly lower in rats in the CFA-H group compared with those in the blank and CFA-L groups on days 14,21,and 28 after modeling(P＜0.05,P＜0.05).(3)Regarding pain-related behavior,the MWT and TWL were significantly decreased in the CFA-L and CFA-H groups on the 7th and 14th days after modeling,compared with the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.05).On day 21 after modeling,MWT was significantly lower in the CFA-H group than in the blank and CFA-L groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.05),and TWL was significantly lower in the CFA-L and CFA-H groups than in the blank group(P＜0.05,P＜0.05).On day 28 after modeling,MWT and TWL were significantly lower in the CFA-H group than in the blank and CFA-L groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.05).(4)In terms of depression-related behaviors,the total OFT movement distance was significantly lower in the CFA-H group than in the blank and CFA-L groups on day 7 after modeling(P＜0.05,P＜0.05).The total OFT distance and central dwell time were significantly lower in the CFA-H group than in the blank and CFA-L groups on days 14,21,and 28 after modeling(P＜0.05,P＜0.05),and the result in the FST and TST were significantly higher than in the blank and CFA-L groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.05).(5)Glu,GABA,and BDNF expression levels were significantly higher in the CFA-H group than in the blank and CFA-L groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.05),while GABA,Glu/GABA,and BDNF levels were significantly lower in the CFA-H group than in the blank and CFA-L groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.05,P＜0.05).(6)The CFA-L group showed less damage in the anterior cingulate cortex,more pyramidal cells,more arranged cells,clear nucleoli,and a small number of cells with karyokynesis and deep staining.Compared with the CFA-L group,rats in the CFA-H group showed a disordered cell arrangement in the injured area of the anterior cingulate cortex,a large number of pyknotic and hyperchromatic neurons,significantly fewer or absent pyramidal cells,and vacuoles,red blood cells,and neurofibrillary tangles in the interstitial space.Conclusions Injection of CFA 100 μL can be used to establish a rat model of chronic inflammatory pain and depression,showing hyperalgesia,depression-like behavioral changes,changes in levels of Glu,GABA,and BDNF in the anterior cingulate cortex,and pathological changes in the anterior cingulate cortex,consistent with the pathophysiological characteristics of chronic pain and depression.

Objective:To explore the structural equation model to explore the levels of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and various risk factors in the feet and ankle of China's occupational population, providing scientific basis for for preventing WMSDs in feet and ankles.Methods:Data of 73497 national occupational epidemiological cases were selected from June 2018 to December 2023 used the Chinese version of the Electronic Questionnaire on Musculoskeletal Disorders. The adverse ergonomic factors and their source classification standard and confirmatory factor analysis were used to investigate foot and ankle WMSDs and their related risk factors (including individual factors, work organization, work posture, work type, fatigue, etc.) in key occupational groups in China, and structural equation model hypothesis, fitting, verification, and path and intermediary effect analysis were carried out. The model fit evaluation indexes included Chi-square specific degrees of freedom ( χ2/ df), gauge fit index (NFI), Tucker Lewis index (TLI), goodness of Fit index (GFI), adjusted Goodness of Fit index (AGFI) and approximate root mean square error (RMSEA) . Results:A total of 73497 occupational workers were surveyed, with local muscle fatigue and WMSDs incidence rates in the feet and ankles being 17.17% and 12.06%, respectively. The fitting index of the adjusted structural equation model basically meets the standard (GFI=1, AGFI=1, RMESA=0.042, NFI=0.716, TLI=0.663). The top three factors affecting feet and ankle WMSDs are feet and ankle muscle fatigue, work type, and work organization, with standardized path coefficients of 0.221, 0.105, and 0.095, respectively. The top two factors affecting feet and ankle muscle fatigue are work organization and work type, with standardized path coefficients of 0.548 and 0.383, respectively. Feet and ankle muscle fatigue, work type, work organization, and work posture have a direct effect on feet and ankle WMSDs, with effect values of 0.221, 0.105, 0.095, and 0.077, respectively. The organization and type of work can also have indirect effects through feet and ankle muscle fatigue, with effect values of 0.121 and 0.084, respectively.Conclusion:Feet and ankle muscle fatigue has a direct impact on WMSDs, and plays a mediating role between ankle and ankle WMSDs caused by work organization and work type. Feet and ankle muscle fatigue is an important pathway leading to feet and ankle WMSDs. It is recommended that employers and managers detect job fatigue early and take corresponding prevention and intervention measures, which can play a key role in preventing feet and ankle WMSDs.

Objective:To explore the structural relationship between WMSDs in the upper limbs and various risk factors in the occupational population in China, based on a large sample epidemiological survey and structural equation analysis, and to establish a structural equation model, so as to lay a foundation for the prevention and control of such diseases.Methods:The Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Electronic Questionnaire was used to conduct a nationwide survey on the prevalence of WMSDs in the upper extremity. Six factors related to WMSDs in the upper extremity were extracted by the classification standard of adverse ergonomic factors and their source and confirmatory factor analysis, including work organization, work type, upper extremity work posture, individual factors, upper extremity fatigue and upper extremity WMSDs. The structural equation analysis was carried out and the structural equation model was established.Results:The incidence of WMSDs and fatigue in the upper limbs was 24.44% and 43.76%, respectively. The adjusted structural equation model fitting indicators were generally up to the standard (GFI=1.000, AGFI=1.000, RMSEA=0.043, NFI=0.808, TLI=0.784) . The four exogenous latent variables of work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and individual factors were correlated. There was a strong positive correlation between job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.865) , a moderate positive correlation between work organization and job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.570, 0.490) , and a weak negative correlation between individual factors and the other three exogenous latent variables. Upper limb work posture and individual factors had direct effects on upper limb WMSDs, and the effect coefficients were 0.10 and 0.06, respectively. Upper limb fatigue played a mediating role between work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and upper limb WMSDs. The effect coefficient was 0.46, and the composition ratios of indirect effects were 100.0%, 100.0%, and 38.3%, respectively. The direct path effect of upper limb work posture, individual factors and upper limb WMSDs was weaker than the mediating path through upper limb fatigue. Conclusion:When carrying out the prevention and control of upper limbWMSDs, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the pathogenesis path of upper limb muscle fatigue and upper limb WMSDs caused by work organization, work type, and upper limb work posture, so as to provide theoretical reference for improving the prevention and control level of such diseases.

Objective:To explore the changes in the whole transcriptome gene expression profile affected by EPB41L4A-AS,and to reveal its potential mechanisms that influence the progression of AD.Methods:U251 cells with stable low expression of EPB41L4A-AS1 were constructed using shRNA technology.Transcriptome sequencing was performed to screen for transcripts regulated by EPB41L4A-AS1.KEGG pathway and GO analysis were used to explore the related signaling pathways and biological processes regulated by EPB41L4A-AS1.Immunofluorescence assay was used to investigate the effects of EPB41L4A-AS1 on the activity of glial cells with antibodies against GFAP.Results:Knocking down the expression of EPB41L4A-AS1 in U251 cells significantly influenced the levels of multiple transcripts,with 626 upregulated and 949 downregulated.Further analysis revealed that the downregulated transcripts are related to AD,activation and proliferation of glial cells,and formation of amyloid fibers,and close to multiple signaling pathways that are involved in the glial cells-mediated Aβ clearance.Cellular experiments have shown that EPB41L4A-AS1 regulated the synapses length and activity of glial cells.Conclusions:EPB41L4A-AS1 may influence the glial cells-mediated Aβ clearance through multiple signaling pathways.