ObjectiveTo investigate the liver-protecting and anti-liver fibrosis effects of astragaloside Ⅳ （AS-Ⅳ） in vitro and in vivo， as well as its mechanism of action in intervention against liver fibrosis. MethodsIn the animal experiment， C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group， model group， low-dose AS-Ⅳ （20 mg/kg） group， and high-dose AS-Ⅳ （80 mg/kg） group. The mice were given intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis， and since week 3 of injection， the mice in the low-dose AS-Ⅳ group and the high-dose AS-Ⅳ group were given AS-Ⅳ by gavage at a dose of 20 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg， respectively. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were measured after 4 weeks of administration， as well as the serum levels of hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide （PⅢNP）， and collagen type Ⅳ （Col-Ⅳ）. HE staining， picrosirius red staining， and Masson staining were used to observe liver histopathology and collagen deposition； RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Acta2， Col1a1， and Col3a1 in liver tissue， and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， collagen type Ⅲ （Col-Ⅲ）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， phosphorylated PI3K （pPI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， and phosphorylated AKT （p-Akt） in liver tissue； transcriptome sequencing was performed for liver tissue to identify differentially expressed genes and perform a bioinformatics analysis. In the cell experiment， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） was used to induce the activation of LX-2 cells， and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and the PI3K activator 740 Y-P were used for intervention. The cells were divided into control group， model group， AS-Ⅳ group， LY294002 group， and AS-Ⅳ+740 Y-P group， and the cells were harvested after 36 hours of intervention. Changes in the protein expression levels of α-SMA， Col-Ⅲ， pPI3K/PI3K， and pAkt/Akt in LX-2 cells were measured， as well as changes in the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2， Col1a1， and Col3a1. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsIn the animal experiment， compared with the model group， the AS-Ⅳ treatment group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT， AST， HA， LN， PⅢNP， and Col-Ⅳ （all P<0.01）， the mRNA expression levels of Acta2， Col1a1， and Col3a1 in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， and the protein expression levels of α-SMA， Col-Ⅲ， pPI3K， and pAkt （Ser473） in liver tissue （all P<0.05）. In the cell experiment， compared with the control group， the model group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of α-SMA， Col-Ⅲ， pPI3K， and pAkt （Ser473） after TGF-β induction （all P<0.05）； compared with the model group， the AS-Ⅳ group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of α-SMA， Col-Ⅲ， pPI3K， and pAkt （Ser473） （all P<0.05）， and both the AS-Ⅳ group and the LY294002 group had significant reductions in the protein expression level of pPI3K and the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2， Col1a1， and Col3a1 （all P<0.05）. Compared with the AS-Ⅳ group， there were significant increases in the protein expression level of pPI3K and the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2， col1a1， and Col3a1 after 740 Y-P intervention （all P<0.05）. ConclusionAS-Ⅳ can inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation and improve liver fibrosis， possibly by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the main causes and risk factors of unplanned reoperation after liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 242 liver transplant recipients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2015 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether unplanned reoperation was performed during the same hospitalization after surgery, the recipients were divided into the reoperation group (n=36) and the non-reoperation group (n=206). The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data of the two groups, as well as donor and graft-related data, were compared to analyze the risk factors of unplanned reoperation after liver transplantation and the survival status of the two groups. Results Among the 242 liver transplant recipients, 36 underwent unplanned reoperations, with a total of 54 procedures including various laparotomies, endoscopic and interventional surgeries, among which there were 20 laparotomies, 18 endoscopic surgeries and 16 interventional surgeries. The most common cause of unplanned reoperation was biliary complications (20 times), followed by vascular complications (17 times). Compared with the non-reoperation group, the reoperation group had longer graft cold ischemia time, higher postoperative fatality rate of recipients, longer length of stay in the intensive care unit and postoperative hospital stay, and higher total hospitalization costs (all P<0.05). The incidence of unplanned reoperation was higher in recipients who underwent split liver transplantation (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that intraoperative blood loss ≥1 000 mL, positive culture of graft perfusate and split liver transplantation were independent risk factors for unplanned reoperation (all P<0.05). The postoperative 7-day, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month survival rates of recipients in the reoperation group and the non-reoperation group were 100% vs. 98.1%, 88.9% vs. 94.2%, 69.4% vs. 90.8% and 66.7% vs. 90.8%, respectively, and the postoperative survival rate of recipients in the reoperation group was lower than that in the non-reoperation group (P<0.05). Conclusions The main causes of unplanned reoperation after liver transplantation are biliary complications, vascular complications, abdominal incision infection and intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Intraoperative massive blood loss, positive culture of graft perfusate and split liver transplantation are the risk factors associated with unplanned reoperation after liver transplantation.

Anxiety disorder is a highly prevalent psychological illness, and research has shown that obesity is a significant risk factor for its development. This study explored the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of saponins from Panax japonicus(SPJ) on anxiety disorder in mice fed a high-fat diet(HFD). Fifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control diet(NCD) group, HFD group, and low-and high-dose SPJ groups. At week 12, six mice from the HFD group were further divided into a control group(treated with DMSO) and an exogenous fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21) group(administered rFGF21). The anxiety-like behavior of the mice was assessed using the open field test and elevated plus maze test. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining were performed to observe pathological changes in the liver and adipose tissue. Glucose metabolism was evaluated through the glucose tolerance test(GTT) and insulin tolerance test(ITT). Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of FGF21 and its downstream-related proteins in the liver and cortex, along with the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), disks large homolog 4(DLG4), and synaptophysin(SYP) in the cortex. Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR(qPCR) was used to detect the expression of FGF21 and its receptor genes in the liver and cortex. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to examine the expression of neuronal activator c-Fos, FGF21, and the FGF21 co-receptor β-klotho in the cerebral cortex. The results showed that SPJ significantly improved the frequency of activity in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and the central area of the open field in HFD mice, up-regulated the expression of BDNF, DLG4, and SYP, and effectively alleviated anxiety-like behaviors in HFD mice. Compared with the NCD group, HFD mice exhibited up-regulated expression of FGF21 in the liver and cerebral cortex, while the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1(FGFR1) and β-klotho was significantly down-regulated, suggesting that HFD mice exhibited FGF21 resistance. SPJ markedly up-regulated the β-klotho levels in HFD mice, reversing FGF21 resistance. Further comparison with exogenously administered FGF21 revealed that SPJ activates brain cortical regions in a consistent manner, and additionally, SPJ promotes the number and colocalization of c-Fos and β-klotho positive cells in the brain cortex. In summary, SPJ effectively alleviates anxiety-like behaviors in HFD mice. Its mechanism is associated with up-regulation of β-klotho expression in the brain, reversal of FGF21 resistance, and subsequent activation of neurons in the cerebral cortex and amygdala.
Animals ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Fibroblast Growth Factors/genetics* ; Mice ; Male ; Panax/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Anxiety/etiology* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics* ; Humans ; Liver/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*

Astragalus membranaceus(A. membranaceus), a traditional tonic, contains flavonoids as one of its main bioactive components and key indicators for quality standard detection. These compounds predominantly exist in glycosylated forms after glycosylation modification within the plant. The catalytic products of flavonoid glycosyltransferases in A. membranaceus have been reported to be mostly monoglycosides, and only AmUGT28 catalyzes luteolin to form diglycosides. In this study, we cloned a glycosyltransferase gene, AmGT90, from A. membranaceus, with an ORF length of 1 335 bp, encoding 444 amino acids, and the protein had a relative molecular mass of 50.5 kDa. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that AmGT90 belongs to the UGT74 family. In vitro enzymatic reaction showed that AmGT90 had broad substrate specificity and could catalyze the glycosylation of various flavonoids, including isoflavones, flavones, flavanones, and chalcones. AmGT90 not only catalyzed the formation of monoglycosides but also diglycosides. In addition, the mechanism of AmGT90 catalyzing the formation of diglycosides from luteolin was preliminarily explored. The experimental results showed that AmGT90 may preferentially recognize C4'-OH of luteolin and then recognize C7-OH to form diglycosides. This study reported a glycosyltransferase from A. membranaceus capable of converting flavonoids into monoglycosides and diglycosides. This finding not only enhances our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways of flavonoid glycosides in A. membranaceus but also introduces a new component for glycoside production through synthetic biology.
Glycosyltransferases/chemistry* ; Flavonoids/chemistry* ; Astragalus propinquus/classification* ; Phylogeny ; Glycosylation ; Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Substrate Specificity ; Cloning, Molecular ; Amino Acid Sequence

Moringa oleifera, widely utilized in Ayurvedic medicine, is recognized for its leaves, seeds, and velamen possessing traditional effects such as vātahara(wind alleviation), sirovirecaka(brain clearing), and hridya(mental nourishment). This study aims to identify the medicinal part of ■ in the Sārasvata ghee formulation as described in the Bower Manuscript, while investigating the ameliorative effects of different medicinal parts of M. oleifera on learning and memory deficits in mice and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. A total of 144 male ICR mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: control, model(scopolamine hydrobromide, Sco, 2 mg·kg~(-1)), donepezil(donepezil hydrochloride, Don, 3 mg·kg~(-1)), M. oleifera leaf low-, medium-, and high-dose groups(0.5, 1, 2 g·kg~(-1)), M. oleifera seeds low-, medium-, and high-dose groups(0.25, 0.5, 1 g·kg~(-1)), and M. oleifera velamen low-, medium-, and high-dose groups(0.31, 0.62, 1.24 g·kg~(-1)). Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze. Nissl and HE staining were employed to examine histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transcriptomics and targeted metabolomics were used to screen differential genes and metabolites, with MetaboAnalyst 6.0 and O2PLS methods applied to identify key disease-related targets and pathways. RESULTS:: demonstrated that M. oleifera leaf(1 g·kg~(-1)) significantly ameliorated Sco-induced learning and memory deficits, outperforming M. oleifera seeds(0.25 g·kg~(-1)) and M. oleifera velamen(1.24 g·kg~(-1)). This was evidenced by improved behavioral performance, reversal of neuronal damage, and reduced acetylcholinesterase(AChE) activity. Multi-omics analysis revealed that M. oleifera leaf upregulated Tuba1c gene expression through the synaptic vesicle cycle, enhancing glutamate(Glu), dopamine(DA), and acetylcholine(ACh) release via Tuba1c-Glu associations for neuroprotection. M. oleifera seeds targeted the dopaminergic synapse pathway, promoting memory consolidation through Drd2-ACh associations. M. oleifera velamen was associated with the cocaine addiction pathway, modulating dopamine metabolism via Adora2a-DOPAC, with limited relevance to learning and memory. In conclusion, M. oleifera leaf exhibits superior efficacy and mechanistic advantages over M. oleifera seeds and velamen, suggesting that the ■ in the Sārasvata ghee formulation is likely M. oleifera leaf, providing scientific evidence for its identification in ancient texts.
Animals ; Moringa oleifera/chemistry* ; Male ; Mice ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Memory Disorders/psychology* ; Transcriptome/drug effects* ; Memory/drug effects* ; Learning/drug effects* ; Metabolomics ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Maze Learning/drug effects*

To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the baicalin-berberine complex(BA-BBR) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC), BA-BBR nanocrystal microspheres(BA-BBR NC MS) were prepared using the dropping method. The microspheres were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction(XRD). The release profiles of BA and BBR from the microspheres were measured, and the drug release mechanism was investigated. A rat model of UC was induced by 5% dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) and treated continuously for 7 days to evaluate the therapeutic effects of different formulations. The results showed that the prepared BA-BBR MS and BA-BBR NC MS were uniform gel spheres with particle sizes of(1.77±0.16) mm and(1.67±0.08) mm, respectively. After drying, the gels collapsed inward and exhibited a rough surface. During the preparation process, the BA-BBR nanocrystals(BA-BBR NC) were uniformly encapsulated within the microspheres. The release profiles of the microspheres followed a first-order kinetic model, and the 12-hour cumulative release of BA and BBR from BA-BBR NC MS was higher than that from BA-BBR MS. Compared with BA-BBR, BA-BBR NC, and BA-BBR MS, BA-BBR NC MS further alleviated UC symptoms in rats, most significantly reducing the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MPO, while increasing the level of IL-4 in colon tissues. These results indicate that BA-BBR NC MS, based on a "nano-in-micro" design, can deliver BA-BBR to the intestine and exert significant therapeutic effects in a UC rat model, suggesting it as a promising new strategy for the treatment of UC.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Rats ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Microspheres ; Male ; Berberine/administration & dosage* ; Flavonoids/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Particle Size ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Drug Liberation ; Drug Compounding

OBJECTIVES: To explore potential keywords, research clusters, collaborative pattern, and research trends in the field of medical technology management (MTM) through bibliometric analysis, providing insights for researchers, policy makers, and hospital administrators. METHODS: A retrieval formula was applied to the title, abstract, and keywords in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, along with system-recommended terms, to identify articles on MTM. A total of 181 articles published between 1974 and 2022 were retained for quantitative analysis. The global trend of research output; total citations, average citations, and H-index; and bibliographic coupling, co-authorship, and keyword co-occurrence were analyzed using VOSviewer. RESULTS: The number of articles on MTM has been steadily increasing year by year. The focus of research has shifted from addressing basic medical needs to prioritizing emergency response and medical information security. The United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom emerged as the main contributors, with the United States leading in both volume of publications (60 articles) and academic impact (H-index = 21). Authors from the United Kingdom and the United States led the way in cross-border cooperation. The top five institutions, ranked by total link strength among cross-institutional authors, were primarily located in Canada and Spain. CONCLUSIONS The field of MTM has experienced stable growth over the past three decades (1993-2022). The shift of research focus has prompted a heightened emphasis on protecting patient privacy and ensuring the security of medical data. Future research should emphasize interdisciplinary and professional collaboration, as well as international cooperation and open sharing of knowledge.
Bibliometrics ; Humans ; Biomedical Technology

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence and development of atrial fibrillation (AF) are influenced by the autonomic nervous system and inflammation. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for AF. This study explored the protective effects of acupuncture in a rat model of paroxysmal AF and investigated its mechanisms. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 130) were randomly divided into blank control (Con), sham operation (Sham), AF, and acupuncture treatment (Acu) groups. A paroxysmal AF model was established by rapid atrial pacing through the jugular vein. Rats in the Acu group were immobilized to receive acupuncture treatment at Neiguan acupoint (PC6) for 20 min daily for seven days. The other groups were immobilized for the same duration over the treatment period but did not receive acupuncture. The AF induction rate, AF duration, cardiac electrophysiological parameters, and heart rate variability were evaluated by monitoring surface electrocardiogram and vagus nerve discharge signals. After the intervention, the rats were euthanized, and atrial morphology was assessed using haematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression of macrophage F4/80 antigen (F4/80) and cluster of differentiation (CD) 86 in atrial myocardial tissue was detected using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The expression levels or contents of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) in atrial myocardial tissue were detected using Western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The role of α7nAChR in acupuncture treatment was verified by intraperitoneal injection of the α7nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA). RESULTS: Compared with the AF group, acupuncture significantly reduced AF duration and induction rate, improved cardiac electrophysiology by enhancing vagus nerve activity and regulating autonomic balance. It also decreased the pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage proportion, alleviating myocardial injury and infiltration. MLA weakened acupuncture's electrophysiological improvement and anti-inflammatory effect. Results suggest that acupuncture triggers the α7nAChR-JAK2/STAT3 pathway and exerts cardioprotection via neuroimmune regulation. CONCLUSION Acupuncture significantly reduced the AF induction rate, shortened AF duration, improved cardiac electrophysiological parameters, enhanced vagus nerve activity, and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and inflammatory factors in rats with paroxysmal AF. Its positive effects are related to the activation of the α7nAChR-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway, indicating that the interaction between cardiac vagus nerve and macrophages may be a potential target for acupuncture in the prevention and treatment of AF. Please cite this article as: Li ZH, Yang WM, Huang Q, Shi GX, Liu CZ, Zhang YQ. Acupuncture activates vagus nerve-macrophage axis and improves cardiac electrophysiology and inflammatory response in rats with atrial fibrillation via α7nAChR-JAK2/STAT3 pathway. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 398-414.
Animals ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/metabolism* ; Janus Kinase 2/metabolism* ; Atrial Fibrillation/metabolism* ; Vagus Nerve/physiopathology* ; Rats ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Signal Transduction ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Inflammation/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective To investigate the key factors influencing the implementation of long-acting injection-promoting policies and propose effective improving paths.Methods Qualitative interviews were carried out for stakeholders involved in the promotion of long-acting injections,based on the consolidated framework for implementation research.Additionally,countermeasures for identified barriers were proposed based on expert recommendations for implementation changes.Results A total of 46 health administrators,healthcare workers,and patients in Beijing were interviewed.The study identified several barriers in the strength and quality of evidence,adaptability,relative advantage,complexity and cost,patient needs and resources,external collaboration,external policies and incentives,organizational structural characteristics,and self-efficacy.Conclusions From the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders,the promotion of long-acting injections has shown initial success but still faces multiple obstacles.It is recommended that efforts should be made to coordinate and adapt policies,improve and incentivize relative organizations,and continuously strengthen the advocacy and education for individuals.
Humans ; Beijing ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Health Personnel ; Health Policy ; Injections