ObjectiveThe controllability changes of structural brain network were explored based on the control and brain network theory in young smokers, this may reveal that the controllability indicators can serve as a powerful factor to predict the sleep status in young smokers. MethodsFifty young smokers and 51 healthy controls from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology were enrolled. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to construct structural brain network based on fractional anisotropy (FA) weight matrix. According to the control and brain network theory, the average controllability and the modal controllability were calculated. Two-sample t-test was used to compare the differences between the groups and Pearson correlation analysis to examine the correlation between significant average controllability and modal controllability with Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in young smokers. The nodes with the controllability score in the top 10% were selected as the super-controllers. Finally, we used BP neural network to predict the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in young smokers. ResultsThe average controllability of dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, lenticular nucleus putamen, and lenticular nucleus pallidum, and the modal controllability of orbital inferior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, gyrus rectus, and posterior cingulate gyrus in the young smokers’ group, were all significantly different from those of the healthy controls group (P<0.05). The average controllability of the right supplementary motor area (SMA.R) in the young smokers group was positively correlated with FTND (r=0.393 0, P=0.004 8), while modal controllability was negatively correlated with FTND (r=-0.330 1, P=0.019 2). ConclusionThe controllability of structural brain network in young smokers is abnormal. which may serve as an indicator to predict sleep condition. It may provide the imaging evidence for evaluating the cognitive function impairment in young smokers.

Objective To investigate the expression level and clinical application value of circular RNA hsa_circ_0001766 in gastric cancer(GC)tissues and serum of patients with GC.Methods The PCR amplification products from GES-1 cells of normal gastric mucosa were analyzed for the cyclic sites of hsa_circ_0001766 by the Sanger sequencing technique.The expression levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in GES-1 cells treated or untreated with RNase R(RNase R)were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR).The expression levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC and adjacent tissues of 73 GC patients and serum samples of 34 GC patients were also detected by qRT-PCR.The receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the clinical diag-nostic value of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC.The correlations between hsa_circ_0001766 and clinicopathological parameters in GC patients were also analyzed.Results There was cyclic sites in hsa_circ_0001766 and RNase R had no significant impact on the expression lev-el of hsa_circ_0001766 in GES-1 cells(t=1.678,P=0.169).Compared with adjacent tissues,the expression levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues were significantly up-regulated(U=1 360,P<0.001).Compared with healthy controls,the expres-sion levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in serum of GC patients were significantly up-regulated(U=375,P<0.001).The area under the ROC curve(AUCROC),sensitivity,and specificity of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues for diagnosing GC were 0.759(95％CI:0.682-0.837,P<0.000 1),79.45％,and 68.49％,respectively.The AUCROC,sensitivity,and specificity of serum hsa_circ_0001766 in diagnosing GC were 0.773(95％CI:0.662-0.884,P<0.000 1),73.53％,and 72.12％,respectively.The expression levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues were correlated with lymph node metastasis(x2=5.509,P=0.019)and TNM staging(x2=5.161,P=0.023).The 3-year survival rate of GC patients with high expression of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues was significantly lower than that with low ex-pression(x2=3.700,P=0.037).Conclusion The hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues and serum of GC patients is highly expressed,and its change in the expression level is of great significance for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of GC patients.

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism. METHODS: Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. RESULTS: Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Signal Transduction ; Imiquimod ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Male ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers-based prediction of long-term risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is scarce. We aim to develop a risk score integrating clinical routine information (C) and plasma biomarkers (B) for predicting long-term risk of ACS patients. METHODS: We included 2729 ACS patients from the OCEA (Observation of cardiovascular events in ACS patients). The earlier admitted 1910 patients were enrolled as development cohort; and the subsequently admitted 819 subjects were treated as validation cohort. We investigated 10-year risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI) and all cause death in these patients. Potential variables contributing to risk of clinical events were assessed using Cox regression models and a score was derived using main part of these variables. RESULTS: During 16,110 person-years of follow-up, there were 238 CV death/MI in the development cohort. The 7 most important predictors including in the final model were NT-proBNP, D-dimer, GDF-15, peripheral artery disease (PAD), Fibrinogen, ST-segment elevated MI (STEMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), termed as CB-ACS score. C-index of the score for predication of cardiovascular events was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.82) in development cohort and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.76-0.78) in the validation cohort (5832 person-years of follow-up), which outperformed GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS risk score. The CB-ACS score was also well calibrated in development and validation cohort (Greenwood-Nam-D'Agostino: P = 0.70 and P = 0.07, respectively). CONCLUSIONS CB-ACS risk score provides a useful tool for long-term prediction of CV events in patients with ACS. This model outperforms GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS ischemic risk score.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the expression level and clinical application value of circular RNA hsa_circ_0001766 in gastric cancer(GC)tissues and serum of patients with GC.Methods The PCR amplification products from GES-1 cells of normal gastric mucosa were analyzed for the cyclic sites of hsa_circ_0001766 by the Sanger sequencing technique.The expression levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in GES-1 cells treated or untreated with RNase R(RNase R)were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR).The expression levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC and adjacent tissues of 73 GC patients and serum samples of 34 GC patients were also detected by qRT-PCR.The receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the clinical diag-nostic value of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC.The correlations between hsa_circ_0001766 and clinicopathological parameters in GC patients were also analyzed.Results There was cyclic sites in hsa_circ_0001766 and RNase R had no significant impact on the expression lev-el of hsa_circ_0001766 in GES-1 cells(t=1.678,P=0.169).Compared with adjacent tissues,the expression levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues were significantly up-regulated(U=1 360,P<0.001).Compared with healthy controls,the expres-sion levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in serum of GC patients were significantly up-regulated(U=375,P<0.001).The area under the ROC curve(AUCROC),sensitivity,and specificity of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues for diagnosing GC were 0.759(95％CI:0.682-0.837,P<0.000 1),79.45％,and 68.49％,respectively.The AUCROC,sensitivity,and specificity of serum hsa_circ_0001766 in diagnosing GC were 0.773(95％CI:0.662-0.884,P<0.000 1),73.53％,and 72.12％,respectively.The expression levels of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues were correlated with lymph node metastasis(x2=5.509,P=0.019)and TNM staging(x2=5.161,P=0.023).The 3-year survival rate of GC patients with high expression of hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues was significantly lower than that with low ex-pression(x2=3.700,P=0.037).Conclusion The hsa_circ_0001766 in GC tissues and serum of GC patients is highly expressed,and its change in the expression level is of great significance for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of GC patients.

People frequently struggle to juggle their work, family, and social life in today’s fast-paced environment, which can leave them exhausted and worn out. The development of technologies for detecting fatigue while driving is an important field of research since driving when fatigued poses concerns to road safety. In order to throw light on the most recent advancements in this field of research, this paper provides an extensive review of fatigue driving detection approaches based on electroencephalography (EEG) data. The process of fatigue driving detection based on EEG signals encompasses signal acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification. Each step plays a crucial role in accurately identifying driver fatigue. In this review, we delve into the signal acquisition techniques, including the use of portable EEG devices worn on the scalp that capture brain signals in real-time. Preprocessing techniques, such as artifact removal, filtering, and segmentation, are explored to ensure that the extracted EEG signals are of high quality and suitable for subsequent analysis. A crucial stage in the fatigue driving detection process is feature extraction, which entails taking pertinent data out of the EEG signals and using it to distinguish between tired and non-fatigued states. We give a thorough rundown of several feature extraction techniques, such as topology features, frequency-domain analysis, and time-domain analysis. Techniques for frequency-domain analysis, such wavelet transform and power spectral density, allow the identification of particular frequency bands linked to weariness. Temporal patterns in the EEG signals are captured by time-domain features such autoregressive modeling and statistical moments. Furthermore, topological characteristics like brain area connection and synchronization provide light on how the brain’s functional network alters with weariness. Furthermore, the review includes an analysis of different classifiers used in fatigue driving detection, such as support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), and Bayesian classifier. We discuss the advantages and limitations of each classifier, along with their applications in EEG-based fatigue driving detection. Evaluation metrics and performance assessment are crucial aspects of any detection system. We discuss the commonly used evaluation criteria, including accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Comparative analyses of existing models are conducted, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, we emphasize the need for a standardized data marking protocol and an increased number of test subjects to enhance the robustness and generalizability of fatigue driving detection models. The review also discusses the challenges and potential solutions in EEG-based fatigue driving detection. These challenges include variability in EEG signals across individuals, environmental factors, and the influence of different driving scenarios. To address these challenges, we propose solutions such as personalized models, multi-modal data fusion, and real-time implementation strategies. In conclusion, this comprehensive review provides an extensive overview of the current state of fatigue driving detection based on EEG signals. It covers various aspects, including signal acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, classification, performance evaluation, and challenges. The review aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners in the field of driving safety, facilitating further advancements in fatigue detection technologies and ultimately enhancing road safety.

In addition to providing energy for cells, mitochondria also participate in calcium homeostasis, cell information transfer, cell apoptosis, cell growth and differentiation. Therefore, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis is very crucial for the body to carry out normal life activities. Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification of proteins, is involved in various physiological and pathological processes of cells by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis. However, the mechanism by which ubiquitination regulates mitochondrial homeostasis has not been summarized, especially the effect of Parkin protein on cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, the specific mechanism of mitochondrial homeostasis regulated by ubiquitination of Parkin protein is discussed, and the influence of mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance on cardiovascular diseases is reviewed, with a view to providing potential therapeutic strategies for the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective:To study the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) genotype of Yersinia pestis and its regional distribution characteristics in natural plague focus of Tibet Autonomous Region. Methods:A total of 125 representative Yersinia pestis strains isolated from natural plague focus in Tibet Autonomous Region at different times, regions, hosts and vectors were selected as experimental strains, and the phenol chloroform mixed extraction method was used to extract Yersinia pestis DNA. Three pairs of CRISPR primers (for YPa, YPb, YPc locus) were used to amplify the DNA of the experimental strains, and the CRISPR genotype of Yersinia pestis was determined by sequencing. Results:All 125 strains of Yersinia pestis had three CRISPR locus: YPa, YPb, and YPc. A total of 18 spacer were found, including 8 in YPa loci, 6 in YPb loci, and 4 in YPc loci. Two new types of spacers had been discovered, namely b52 and c14. CRISPR typing revealed 10 genotypes, including G1, G7, G7-b4''', G7-b52, G7-c2 -, G8, G22, G22-a4 -, G22-b4''', and G22-c14, of which 6 were newly discovered genotypes. Among the 125 experimental strains, G7 was the main genotype, accounting for 65.6% (82/125), which was distributed in 6 prefecture level citys and 1 region of Tibet Autonomous Region. Next were G22 and G7-c2 - genetypes, accounting for 14.4% (18/125) and 11.2% (14/125), respectively. G22 gene type was distributed in Nagqu, Changdu, Lhasa citys, and Ngari Prefecture, while G7-c2 - genetype was distributed in Shigatse and Shannan cities. Conclusion:The CRISPR locus of Yersinia pestis in natural plague focus of Tibet Autonomous Region is highly polymorphic, and the Yersinia pestis strains with different genotypes have obvious regional distribution characteristics.