ObjectivePeripheral nerve injury is a common clinical condition that can impair the regulatory function of target organs, leading to functional disability; severe injuries may even result in lifelong disability. Therefore, how to effectively promote the morphological and functional reconstruction of injured peripheral nerves has become a critical scientific issue that urgently needs to be addressed. This study biomimicked the highly oriented structure and electrophysiological properties of peripheral nerves and investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of combining electrical stimulation (ES) with oriented conductive substrates for the repair of injured peripheral nerves at the cellular level. MethodsPolydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates with oriented microgroove structures of varying widths (0, 5, 10, and 20 μm) were fabricated using silicon wafers with micropatterned grooves as templates. Graphene-based conductive patterned substrates (GCPSs) with oriented microgrooves were then constructed via soft lithography and designated as GCPS 0, GCPS 5, GCPS 10, and GCPS 20 according to the groove width. The GCPSs were prepared from collagen/polycaprolactone (PCL) matrices containing 1.0 wt% graphene, and their morphology, wettability, and conductivity were characterized. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) viability, proliferation, adhesion, and orientation on the substrates were evaluated before ES treatment. Then, ES at a frequency of 2 Hz and field strengths of 10, 20, or 50 mV/cm were applied to the cells for 10 min daily, over 3 or 7 consecutive days. Neural differentiation was assessed by morphological observation, immunofluorescence staining, and analysis of neural lineage-related markers. ResultsThe oriented microgroove PDMS substrates supported long-term MSCs growth, guided cells to align along the groove direction, and promoted a morphological transition toward neural-like cells, exhibiting the capacity to induce MSCs differentiation toward the neural lineage. Microgroove structures effectively guided the alignment of MSCs and promoted the development of a more elongated, neural-like morphology, with the most pronounced morphological changes observed on grooves of 10 and 20 μm in width. Meanwhile, the incorporation of graphene endowed the GCPSs with favorable electrical conductivity, though the groove width did not significantly affect the conductive performance. The GCPSs showed good cytocompatibility with MSCs, and cell proliferation on these substrates exhibited a time-dependent pattern, with no significant effect observed from groove width. The inductive effect of ES combined with GCPSs on MSCs differentiation toward specific neural lineages was co-regulated by ES intensity (0, 10, 20, and 50 mV/cm) and microgroove width. ES at 10 mV/cm and 20 mV/cm promotes MSCs differentiation toward neurons on microgrooved substrates of various widths (5, 10, and 20 μm); under the same ES intensities, microgrooves with widths of 5 μm and 10 μm are more favorable for MSCs differentiation toward glial cells/SCs. Notably, low-intensity ES (10 or 20 mV/cm) combined with GCPS 10 significantly enhanced the neural differentiation of MSCs. Neurotrophic factor secretion levels by MSCs cultured on various GCPS substrates after 3 d of ES application was further detected. There were no significant differences in nerve growth factor‑β (NGF‑β) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations among the GCPS 5, GCPS 10, and GCPS 20 substrates, and these levels were not affected by variations in ES intensity. Under ES at 10 mV/cm, the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) concentration in each GCPS substrate was higher than that in the corresponding non-ES group on the same substrate. However, as ES intensity increased, the GDNF concentration decreased to varying degrees. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the combined strategy of “oriented topographical structure+ES” can effectively promote the neural differentiation of MSCs and holds promise for accelerating the repair process of peripheral nerve injuries.

Aim To investigate the role of mesence-phalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor(MANF)in the inhibitory effect of rhynchophylline(Rhy)on the malignant biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells and its underlying regulatory mechanisms.Meth-ods SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells were transfected using adenovirus and liposome transfection techniques.The experimental groups included:Control group,Rhy group,Rhy+NC group(Rhy+adenovirus-transfected MANF-irrelevant fragment),Rhy+si-MANF group(Rhy+adenovirus-transfected MANF siRNA),Vec-tor group(empty vector),OVE-MANF group(recom-binant plasmid overexpressing MANF).After 24 hours of intervention,cell proliferation,apoptosis,migra-tion,and invasion were assessed using the MTT assay,Hoechst staining,and Transwell assays,respectively.The expressions of MANF,Cyclin D1,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were measured using Western blot.NF-κB transcriptional activity was evaluated via a lucif-erase reporter assay.Results Compared to the control group,Rhy treatment significantly inhibited gastric cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner(P＜0.05),induced typical apoptotic morphological chan-ges,and increased the expression of MANF and cleaved caspase-3 proteins(P＜0.05),while reduc-ing Cyclin D1 protein expression and NF-κB transcrip-tional activity(P＜0.05).Additionally,Rhy treat-ment markedly decreased cell migration and invasion capabilities(P＜0.05).In comparison to the Rhy group,adenovirus-mediated transfection of MANF siR-NA suppressed apoptosis,promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,inhibited MANF and cleaved caspase-3 expression(P＜0.05),and enhanced Cyclin D1 protein levels and NF-κB transcriptional activity(P＜0.05).Compared to the Vector group,OVE-MANF(overexpression of MANF)induced apoptosis,suppressed proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of gastric cancer cells,upregulated MANF and cleaved caspase-3 expression(P＜0.05),and inhibited Cyclin D1 protein levels and NF-κB tran-scriptional activity(P＜0.05).Conclusion Rhy in-hibits the proliferation,migration,and invasion of gas-tric cancer cells and induces apoptosis,with its mecha-nism linked to the promotion of MANF expression and suppression of NF-κB transcriptional activity.

Prostate cancer(PCa) is a common malignant tumor among elderly men, with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide, posing a serious threat to human health. Traditional treatments face limitations, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Recent studies on the regulatory mechanisms of micro ribonucleic acid(microRNA, miRNA) in tumor development has identified miRNA as new targets for PCa diagnosis and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its multi-mechanism, multi-target, and multi-pathway regulatory properties, shows promising potential in miRNA-based PCa therapy. This review summarized recent findings on miRNA' roles in PCa and research progress of TCM intervention and found that a variety of miRNA played important regulatory roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, immune microenvironment, and drug resistance, and their potential as biomarkers for PCa diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy, indicating the potential to be a biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and treatment of PCa. The review concluded that the active components of TCM(terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and others) and compounds(Yishen Tonglong Decoction, Shenhu Decoction, Zhoushi Qiling Decoction, Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction, and Qilan Formula) could regulate the expression of their downstream target genes by acting on specific miRNA and affect the above biological behaviors of PCa cells, thus playing a role in the treatment of PCa. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for miRNA as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCa and suggest new avenues for further development of targeted therapy strategies against miRNA.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Aim To investigate the role of mesence-phalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor(MANF)in the inhibitory effect of rhynchophylline(Rhy)on the malignant biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells and its underlying regulatory mechanisms.Meth-ods SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells were transfected using adenovirus and liposome transfection techniques.The experimental groups included:Control group,Rhy group,Rhy+NC group(Rhy+adenovirus-transfected MANF-irrelevant fragment),Rhy+si-MANF group(Rhy+adenovirus-transfected MANF siRNA),Vec-tor group(empty vector),OVE-MANF group(recom-binant plasmid overexpressing MANF).After 24 hours of intervention,cell proliferation,apoptosis,migra-tion,and invasion were assessed using the MTT assay,Hoechst staining,and Transwell assays,respectively.The expressions of MANF,Cyclin D1,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were measured using Western blot.NF-κB transcriptional activity was evaluated via a lucif-erase reporter assay.Results Compared to the control group,Rhy treatment significantly inhibited gastric cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner(P＜0.05),induced typical apoptotic morphological chan-ges,and increased the expression of MANF and cleaved caspase-3 proteins(P＜0.05),while reduc-ing Cyclin D1 protein expression and NF-κB transcrip-tional activity(P＜0.05).Additionally,Rhy treat-ment markedly decreased cell migration and invasion capabilities(P＜0.05).In comparison to the Rhy group,adenovirus-mediated transfection of MANF siR-NA suppressed apoptosis,promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,inhibited MANF and cleaved caspase-3 expression(P＜0.05),and enhanced Cyclin D1 protein levels and NF-κB transcriptional activity(P＜0.05).Compared to the Vector group,OVE-MANF(overexpression of MANF)induced apoptosis,suppressed proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of gastric cancer cells,upregulated MANF and cleaved caspase-3 expression(P＜0.05),and inhibited Cyclin D1 protein levels and NF-κB tran-scriptional activity(P＜0.05).Conclusion Rhy in-hibits the proliferation,migration,and invasion of gas-tric cancer cells and induces apoptosis,with its mecha-nism linked to the promotion of MANF expression and suppression of NF-κB transcriptional activity.

Objective To investigate the effect of varying blood pressure stratification on renal function in the diabetic population.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted,enrolling 9 489 diabetic patients from a total of 101 510 Kailuan Group employees who underwent health examinations between July 2006 and October 2007.The follow-up period was(8.6±4.0)years.Participants were categorized into four groups based on their baseline blood pressure levels:normal blood pressure(systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<80 mmHg),elevated blood pressure(systolic blood pressure 120-130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<80 mmHg),stage 1 hypertension(systolic blood pressure 130-140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure 80-90 mmHg),and stage 2 hypertension(systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure≥90 mmHg).The incidence density of chronic kidney disease(CKD)was compared among these groups.A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to assess the effects of different blood pressure levels on renal function in diabetic patients,with the stability of the results confirmed using a multivariate time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model.Sensitivity analysis was conducted after excluding cases of cardiovascular disease(CVD)during follow-up,and cases using antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications at baseline.Results(1)At baseline,stage 1 hypertension patients demonstrated statistically significant higher differences with age and body mass index(BMI)compared to normal blood pressure group(P<0.05).(2)By the end of the follow-up,2 294 cases of CKD were identified,including 1 117 cases of estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)decline and 1 575 cases of urinary protein.The incidences density of CKD,eGFR decline and urinary protein for stage 1 hypertension group were 39.4,16.3 and 25.5 per thousand person-years,respectively,all of which were statistically significant different from normal blood pressure group(log-rank test,P<0.01).(3)Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that,compared to the normal blood pressure group,stage 1 hypertension was associated with a 29%increased risk of CKD(HR=1.29,95%CI 1.09-1.52)and a 40%increased risk of eGFR decline(HR=1.40,95%CI 1.08-1.80)in diabetic individuals.Conclusion Stage 1 hypertension significantly increases the risk of CKD and eGFR decline in diabetic individuals,with a particularly notable effect on the risk of eGFR decline.

Objective:We aimed to develop a novel visualized model based on nomogram to predict postoperative overall survival.Methods:This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study, including participants with histologically confirmed gastric and colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery from 11 medical centers in China from August 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018. Baseline characteristics, histopathological data and nutritional status, as assessed using Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) score and the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, were collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Cox regression were used to identify variables to be included in the predictive model. Internal and external validations were performed.Results:There were 681 and 127 patients in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. A total of 188 deaths were observed over a median follow-up period of 59 (range: 58 to 60) months. Two independent predictors of NRS 2002 and Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage were identified and incorporated into the prediction nomogram model together with the factor of age. The model's concordance index for 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival was 0.696, 0.724, and 0.738 in the training cohort and 0.801, 0.812, and 0.793 in the validation cohort, respectively.Conclusions:In this study, a new nomogram prediction model based on NRS 2002 score was developed and validated for predicting the overall postoperative survival of patients with gastric colorectal cancer. This model has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability in predicting the long-term survival rate of patients with gastrointestinal cancer after radical surgery.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) is a common disease in middle-aged and elderly men, with lower urinary tract symptoms as the main manifestation, severely affecting the quality of life of patients. The pathogenesis of BPH is not yet fully understood, and there are still some challenges and limitations in western medicine treatment for BPH. Therefore, finding new and more effective treatment strategies is urgent. In recent years, many basic and clinical studies have confirmed the important role of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of BPH. This article reviews the progress of basic and clinical research in the treatment of BPH with traditional Chinese medicine, and believes that basic research mainly focuses on the active ingredients of Chinese medicine [regulating pathways such as NF-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK)/forkhead box O subtype(FOXO3a), etc.], single Chinese herbs(regulating inflammatory factors, oxidative stress-related proteins, cell cycle-related proteins, and apoptotic factors, etc.), and Chinese herbal compounds and patent medicines [regulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK1/2), transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)/Smad, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), PI3K/Akt, Nrf2, trefoil factor 2(TFF2)/Wnt, interleukin-6(IL-6)/Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/STAT3, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor(VEGFR), etc.], and then play a therapeutic role by inhibiting BPH cell proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, promoting apoptosis, and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Clinical studies mainly focus on internal treatment, external treatment, combined internal and external treatment, and integrated Chinese and western medicine treatment as the main methods, aiming to improve traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, prostate symptom scores, residual urine volume, effective bladder volume, sexual quality of life, increase average urine flow rate, maximum urine flow rate, and promote balance of sex hormone secretion. Through this research, it is hoped to provide some reference ideas for clinical research and drug development for BPH.
Prostatic Hyperplasia/metabolism* ; Male ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*

Traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients have significant advantages in treating prostate cancer(PCa),and can complement the shortcomings of Western medicine,improving the quality of life for patients.This article reviews the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine and its effective ingredients in intervening in Wnt/β-catenin pathway to treat PCa,summarizing that the main effective ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating PCa through this pathway are flavonoids,terpenes,alkaloids,phenols,and other compounds;the main traditional Chinese medicine formulas include Guben Qingyuanfang,Yishen Tongpang granules,etc,and discusses the mechanisms of action of these traditional Chinese medicines and their effective ingredients in intervening in this pathway to prevent and treat PCa,in order to provide a reference for the precise treatment of PCa and the application of traditional Chinese medicine research.

Traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients have significant advantages in treating prostate cancer(PCa),and can complement the shortcomings of Western medicine,improving the quality of life for patients.This article reviews the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine and its effective ingredients in intervening in Wnt/β-catenin pathway to treat PCa,summarizing that the main effective ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating PCa through this pathway are flavonoids,terpenes,alkaloids,phenols,and other compounds;the main traditional Chinese medicine formulas include Guben Qingyuanfang,Yishen Tongpang granules,etc,and discusses the mechanisms of action of these traditional Chinese medicines and their effective ingredients in intervening in this pathway to prevent and treat PCa,in order to provide a reference for the precise treatment of PCa and the application of traditional Chinese medicine research.