BACKGROUND:Studies have found that massage can reduce blood sugar,promote myogenic factor expression,and increase skeletal muscle content.The extracellular matrix is an important component of skeletal muscle,and association between massage and extracellular matrix and their mechanism of action are still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of massage on extracellular matrix collagen deposition in type 2 diabetic sarcopenia rats.METHODS:Totally 24 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,and massage group.High-fat diet combined with the streptozotocin method was used to establish a type 2 diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia model.After successful model establishment,the massage group used abdominal massage combined with hind limbs.After 8 weeks of treatment,the fasting blood glucose and serum insulin levels of the rats were measured.The skeletal muscle mass was detected by dual-energy X-ray.The exhaustion time was measured by small animal treadmill.The sliding angle was measured by inclined board test.The pathological changes of skeletal muscle tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The skeletal muscle collagen deposition was observed by Masson staining.The mRNA and protein expressions of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen in skeletal muscle were detected by qPCR and western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the model group,the blood glucose(P＜0.05)and serum insulin(P＜0.01)decreased in the massage group.(2)Compared with the model group,the skeletal muscle mass,running exhaustion time,and the angle of inclined plate experiment were increased in massage group(P＜0.05).(3)Compared with the model group,the skeletal muscles of the massage group were arranged neatly,muscle atrophy was improved,and collagen fiber deposition was reduced.(4)Compared with the model group,the expression levels of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen mRNA and protein in skeletal muscle were decreased in the massage group(P＜0.05).(5)The results suggest that massage can enhance insulin sensitivity,lower blood sugar,improve skeletal muscle mass,strength and function,and diminish collagen deposition in rats with type 2 diabetes,and may be a potential target for massage to exert its therapeutic effects.

[Objective]To explore the etiology,pathogenesis,syndrome and treatment of coronary heart disease with depression based on the theory of"the pathways of spirit".[Methods]Starting from the theory of"the pathways of spirit",the relationships among insufficient control of spirit,obstructed the pathways of spirit and impaired heart-spirit functioning in coronary heart disease with depression were analyzed,and the treatment principles at different stages were summarized.[Results]The evolution of coronary heart disease with depression is based on the deficiency of Qi and blood and the insufficient control of spirit.At this stage,Guipi Decoction,Guizhi Longgu Muli Decoction and Jiji Decoction should be used to supplement Qi and blood.The root cause of coronary heart disease with depression is the combination of blood stasis and toxin,which leads to the obstruction of the pathways of spirit.At this stage,Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction or Simiao Yong'an Decoction should be used to dissipate blood stasis and detoxing,combined with large dosage of Astragalus membranaceus to strengthen the healthy Qi without retaining pathogens.The important reason for the deterioration of coronary heart disease with depression is stagnation of Qi which causes impaired heart-spirit functioning.At the obvious stage of Qi stagnation,modified prescriptions such as Bupleurum based formulas and Yueju Pill should be flexibly applied to promote Qi circulation and relieve depression,combined with acupuncture in order to prevent the deterioration of the disease.[Conclusion]"The pathways of spirit"is the way of heart spirit interaction,and communication and coordination between the heart and other organs.Insufficient control of spirit,obstructed pathways of spirit,and impaired heart-spirit functioning are important pathogenesis for the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease with depression.Based on the theory of"the pathways of spirit",it helps to understand the disease evolution process of coronary heart disease with depression,improve the staged diagnosis and treatment rules and specific prescriptions for coronary heart disease with depression.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effect of catalpol against triptolide-induced liver injury and explore its mechanism to test the Fuzheng Zhidu theory for detoxification. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were randomized into blank control group, catalpol group, triptolide group and triptolide+catalpol group. After 13 days of treatment with the agents by gavage, the mice were examined for liver tissue pathology, liver function, hepatocyte subcellular structure, lipid peroxidation, ferrous ion deposition and expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins in the liver. In a liver cell line HL7702, the effect of catalpol or the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 on triptolide-induced cytotoxicity was tested by examining cell functions, Fe²⁺ concentration, lipid peroxidation, ROS level and the ferroptosis-related proteins. RESULTS: In C57BL/6J mice, catalpol significantly alleviated triptolide-induced hepatic injury, lowered the levels of ALT, AST and LDH, and reversed the elevation of Fe²⁺ concentration and MDA level and the reduction of GP_X level. In HL7702 cells, inhibition of ferroptosis by Fer-1 significantly reversed triptolide-induced elevation of ALT, AST and LDH levels. Western blotting and qRT-PCR demonstrated that catalpol reversed abnormalities in expressions of SLC7A11, FTH1 and GPX4 at both the mRNA and protein levels in triptolide-treated HL7702 cells. CONCLUSIONS The combined use of catalpol can reduce the hepatotoxicity of triptolide in mice by inhibiting excessive hepatocyte ferroptosis through the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
Animals ; Phenanthrenes/toxicity* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Diterpenes/toxicity* ; Epoxy Compounds/toxicity* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Hepatocytes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase ; Iridoid Glucosides/pharmacology* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control* ; Male ; Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*

Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)‍-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female ; Mice ; Demethylation/drug effects* ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Estrogens/administration & dosage* ; Gene Expression/drug effects* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oocytes ; Ovary/drug effects* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Animals

Objective To explore the facilitators and barriers of palliative care volunteering,and to provide references for further advancement of palliative care volunteering.Methods Purposeful sampling was used to select 12 volunteers from a palliative care ward in Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province,between April and September 2024.Semi-structured interviews were conducted,and directed content analysis was applied to organize and analyze the data,followed by theme analysis.Results Facilitators and barriers for volunteers' participation in palliative care volunteering were extracted.The 5 sub-themes of facilitators include motivating factors and perceived benefits,support and collaboration among volunteers,professional training and healthcare recognition,increased social awareness and public acceptance,and government support and institutional safeguards.The 5 sub-themes of barriers include limitations in individual capacity,challenges in collaboration with patients,families and healthcare workers,inadequate management and service mechanisms,uneven development of palliative care and insufficient public attention to psychological problems,and inadequate relevant laws and incentives.Conclusion There are more factors affecting the development of palliative care volunteering,and healthcare professionals should adopt targeted strategies to promote the active participation of volunteers in order to promote the sustainable development of palliative care volunteering.

AIM:To investigate the ameliorative effect of interleukin 17A(IL-17A)gene knockout on airway remodeling in asthmatic mice and the specific mechanism involved.METHODS:In vivo,wild-type and IL-17A knockout(IL-17A-/-)mice were divided into 4 groups:control,IL-17A-/-,ovalbumin(OVA)and OVA+IL-17A-/-,with 6 mice in each group.Airway hyperresponsiveness was measured,pathological changes in the lungs were observed by staining tissue sections,the expression of the proteins related to airway remodeling,such as α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),matrix me-talloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and collagen type Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ),was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the level of p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was detected by Western blot.In vitro,the regulatory effects of IL-17A on transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)-induced proliferation and migration of human airway smooth muscle(HASM)cells were as-sessed.Additionally,the level of p38 phosphorylation was detected,and the effect of a p38 inhibitor on airway remodel-ing-related protein expression was evaluated.RESULTS:Knockout of IL-17A significantly attenuated airway hyperrespon-siveness,airway inflammation and downregulated α-SMA(P<0.01),MMP-9(P<0.01)and Col Ⅲ(P<0.01)in asth-matic mice.In HASM cells,the proliferation and migration of these cells were inhibited following IL-17A intervention.Furthermore,a significant reduction in p38 phosphorylation was observed in both mouse lung tissue(P<0.01)and HASM cells(P<0.01).In addition,the gene expression of α-SMA(P<0.05),MMP-9(P<0.01)and Col Ⅲ(P<0.05)was re-duced upon further inhibition of p38 phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:Knockout of IL-17A attenuates airway remodeling in asthmatic mice by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 in airway smooth muscle.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the unmet needs and challenges of caregivers of cancer patients at home and clarify their unmet needs.Methods:A computerized search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Scopus, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc for qualitative studies on the unmet needs and challenges of caregivers of cancer patients in the home environment. The search time limit was from the establishment of the databases to April 30, 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare's quality assessment criteria for qualitative research were used to evaluate the quality of the literatures, and the aggregative integration method was used to summarize and integrate the research results.Results:A total of 17 articles were finally included, which were summarized into eight new categories. Further synthesis yielded three integrated results: caregivers in the home environment face multi-dimensional unmet needs and challenges related to patients; caregivers in the home environment face challenges and unmet needs in self-care; caregivers in the home environment are hesitant to obtain external support, and continuity and sustainability are hindered.Conclusions:Medical staff should accurately assess the unmet needs of caregivers of cancer patients at home, pay attention to their negative experiences, promote positive coping, optimize the patient-and family-centered cancer care model, and strengthen social support.

AIM:To investigate the ameliorative effect of interleukin 17A(IL-17A)gene knockout on airway remodeling in asthmatic mice and the specific mechanism involved.METHODS:In vivo,wild-type and IL-17A knockout(IL-17A-/-)mice were divided into 4 groups:control,IL-17A-/-,ovalbumin(OVA)and OVA+IL-17A-/-,with 6 mice in each group.Airway hyperresponsiveness was measured,pathological changes in the lungs were observed by staining tissue sections,the expression of the proteins related to airway remodeling,such as α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),matrix me-talloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and collagen type Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ),was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the level of p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was detected by Western blot.In vitro,the regulatory effects of IL-17A on transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)-induced proliferation and migration of human airway smooth muscle(HASM)cells were as-sessed.Additionally,the level of p38 phosphorylation was detected,and the effect of a p38 inhibitor on airway remodel-ing-related protein expression was evaluated.RESULTS:Knockout of IL-17A significantly attenuated airway hyperrespon-siveness,airway inflammation and downregulated α-SMA(P<0.01),MMP-9(P<0.01)and Col Ⅲ(P<0.01)in asth-matic mice.In HASM cells,the proliferation and migration of these cells were inhibited following IL-17A intervention.Furthermore,a significant reduction in p38 phosphorylation was observed in both mouse lung tissue(P<0.01)and HASM cells(P<0.01).In addition,the gene expression of α-SMA(P<0.05),MMP-9(P<0.01)and Col Ⅲ(P<0.05)was re-duced upon further inhibition of p38 phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:Knockout of IL-17A attenuates airway remodeling in asthmatic mice by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 in airway smooth muscle.

[Objective]To explore the etiology,pathogenesis,syndrome and treatment of coronary heart disease with depression based on the theory of"the pathways of spirit".[Methods]Starting from the theory of"the pathways of spirit",the relationships among insufficient control of spirit,obstructed the pathways of spirit and impaired heart-spirit functioning in coronary heart disease with depression were analyzed,and the treatment principles at different stages were summarized.[Results]The evolution of coronary heart disease with depression is based on the deficiency of Qi and blood and the insufficient control of spirit.At this stage,Guipi Decoction,Guizhi Longgu Muli Decoction and Jiji Decoction should be used to supplement Qi and blood.The root cause of coronary heart disease with depression is the combination of blood stasis and toxin,which leads to the obstruction of the pathways of spirit.At this stage,Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction or Simiao Yong'an Decoction should be used to dissipate blood stasis and detoxing,combined with large dosage of Astragalus membranaceus to strengthen the healthy Qi without retaining pathogens.The important reason for the deterioration of coronary heart disease with depression is stagnation of Qi which causes impaired heart-spirit functioning.At the obvious stage of Qi stagnation,modified prescriptions such as Bupleurum based formulas and Yueju Pill should be flexibly applied to promote Qi circulation and relieve depression,combined with acupuncture in order to prevent the deterioration of the disease.[Conclusion]"The pathways of spirit"is the way of heart spirit interaction,and communication and coordination between the heart and other organs.Insufficient control of spirit,obstructed pathways of spirit,and impaired heart-spirit functioning are important pathogenesis for the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease with depression.Based on the theory of"the pathways of spirit",it helps to understand the disease evolution process of coronary heart disease with depression,improve the staged diagnosis and treatment rules and specific prescriptions for coronary heart disease with depression.

This paper reports a 45-year-old female patient with lung squamous cell carcinoma who received chemotherapy for multiple systemic metastases,and then 171 mg of the immune checkpoint inhibitor serplulimab was added,ivd,d1(21 d as a cycle).After 2 cycles of treatment,the patient developed dizziness and nausea,and tumor brain metastasis was considered.The lung CT showed that the irregular mass shadow in the anterior segment of the upper lobe of the right lung was enlarged compared with the previous one,and MRI of the liver showed patchy abnormal signal in the liver segment Ⅳ.PET-CT showed that the lung,liver,adrenal gland,left groin and multiple bones were all progressed compared with the previous progress.It was considered to be tumor hyperprogression caused by serplulimab.Serplulimab was immediately discontinued and methylprednisolone was given for symptomatic treatment,but the patient still died due to overprogression.The Naranjo's Assessment Scale was used to evaluate the correlation between the tumor progression and serplulimab in this case,and the result was' likely to be related'.This case suggested that,the prognosis of tumor hyperprogression caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors has a poor prognosis,the clinical use of immune checkpoint inhibitors should be alert to this situation,and pay attention to early differential diagnosis and timely treatment to avoid serious consequences.