This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of liquiritin (LQ) in the improvement of ventricular remodeling (VR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Molecular docking was used to predict the binding affinity of liquiritin to thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). After 2 weeks of modeling, the rats were randomly divided into a model group, a low-dose liquiritin group (20 mg/kg LQ), and a high-dose liquiritin group (40 mg/kg LQ). Liquiritin was administered by gavage once a day, and the sham group and model group were given the same volume of 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na), with intervention of 4 consecutive weeks. Echocardiography was employed to detect the cardiac function, HE staining was used to observe cardiological changes, ELISA was used to detect the activity of serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity, and the colorimetric method was adopted to detect serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. RT-qPCR was used to detect the gene expressions of TXNIP, thioredoxin (TRX) and NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3(NLRP3). Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of TXNIP, TRX and NLRP3 in rat myocardial tissue. Molecular docking results showed that liquiritin had a good binding affinity to TNXIP target. After 20 and 40 mg/kg liquiritin intervention, the levels of ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the levels of LVIDs, LVIDd, LVESV, and LVEDV were decreased (P<0.01). The myocardial structure was significantly improved, the cell arrangement tended to be regular, and the area of inflammatory cell infiltration and necrosis was reduced. Liquiritin significantly reduced the level of CK-MB (P<0.01), decreased the activity of MDA, and increased the activities of CAT and T-SOD (P<0.01). Liquiritin effectively inhibited the overexpression of TXNIP and NLRP3 genes and proteins, and enhanced the expression of TRX genes and proteins in the myocardial tissues of AMI rats. In conclusion, liquiritin has a regulatory effect on the TXNIP/TRX signaling pathway, inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and thus improves ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction.

Objective:To analyze and validate the reliability and validity of the social skills improvement system-rating scales Chinese version (parent version) (SSIS-RS-C) in middle school students.Method:A total of 1 486 parents of middle school students were recruited according to the cluster sampling method.The social responsiveness scale and strengths and difficulties questionnaire were used as criterion validity tools.A retest was conducted one month later.SPSS 27.0 was used for descriptive statistics, item analysis, internal consistency test, test-retest reliability test and criterion validity test. AMOS 24.0 was used to perform confirmatory factor analysis .Results:Item analysis indicated significant positive correlations between each item and the subscales ( r=0.293-0.782, all P<0.01), with significant differences in scores between high and low groups ( t=10.079-37.038, all P<0.01).Confirmatory factor analysis supported a seven-factor structure for the social skills subscale(communication, cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, engagement and self control) and a five-factor structure for the problem behavior subscale (externalizing, bullying, hyperactivity/inattention, internalizing and autism spectrum) of the SSIS-RS-C.There was a positive correlation between the social skills subscale and prosocial behavior ( r=0.637, P<0.001), and between the problem behavior subscale and social impairments and difficult behaviors ( r=0.765, 0.688, both P<0.001).The Cronbach's α coefficients for the total scale, social skills subscale and problem behavior subscale were 0.934, 0.972 and 0.963, respectively.The test-retest correlation coefficients for the total score and the two subscales were 0.665, 0.871 and 0.598, respectively (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The SSIS-RS-C demonstrated good reliability and validity in the Chinese adolescent population.

Objective To explore the value of combining apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)heterogeneity with morphological indicators in assessing the pathological grading of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Methods The MRI images of 86 patients confirmed with NMIBC by surgical pathology were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent T2WI,diffusion weighted ima-ging(DWI),and dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE)examinations.Two radiologists independently measured tumor largest diam-eter(LD),actual tumor-wall contact length(ACTCL),ADCmean,ADCmin,and ADCmax values.ADC heterogeneity was calculated using the formula(ADCmax-ADCmin)/ADCmean.Differences in quantitative parameters between low-and high-grade NMIBC were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test,while differences in qualitative parameters were compared using the chi-square test.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of high-grade NMIBC,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn to evaluate the performance of ADC heterogeneity combined with morphological indicators in assessing high-grade NMIBC.Results ADC heterogeneity and ACTCL were independent predictors for preoperative assessment of NMIBC pathological grading.The area under the curve(AUC)of ADC heterogeneity and ACTCL in assessing high-grade NMIBC were 0.843 and 0.744,respectively.The combined AUC was 0.902.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of ADC heterogeneity with ACTCL can effectively improve the efficiency of preoperative assessment of NMIBC pathological grading,and providing more precise clinical decision-making and prognosis monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between GPSM2 expression level and gastric cancer progression and analyze the functional pathways and action mechanism of GPSM2. METHODS: We analyzed GPSM2 expression levels in gastric cancer tumors based on data from the GEPIA database and the clinical data of 109 patients. Public databases enrichment analysis were used to assess the impact of GPSM2 expression level on survival outcomes and the functional pathways and action mechanism of GPSM2. We further observed the effects of GPSM2 knockdown and overexpression on proliferation, migration and apoptosis of MGC803 cells using CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and immunoblotting and on the growth of MGC803 cell xenografts in nude mice. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analysis and immunohistochemical staining of the clinical specimens both revealed high GPSM2 expressions in gastric cancer (P<0.01). A high GPSM2 expression was significantly correlated with T3-4 stages, N2-3 stages, a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level ≥5 μg/L, and a carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level ≥37 kU/L (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis identified high GPSM2 expression as an independent risk factor affecting 5-year survival of the patients (P<0.05). Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that GPSM2 was involved in cell cycle regulation. In MGC803 cells, GPSM2 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and G1/S transition and xenograft growth in nude mice. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that GPSM2 executed its biological functions by regulating the p53 signaling pathway, which was confirmed by the results of immunoblotting experiments showing suppression of p53 signaling pathway activity in GPSM2-over expressing MGC803 cells. CONCLUSIONS GPSM2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer to affect patient prognosis by promoting tumor cell proliferation and G1/S transition possibly via inhibiting the p53 pathway.
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Cell Proliferation ; Prognosis ; Animals ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Apoptosis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism* ; Cell Movement

OBJECTIVES: To analyze MYO1B expression in gastric cancer, its association with long-term prognosis and its role in regulating biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells. METHODS: We analyzed MYO1B expression in gastric cancer and its correlation with tumor grade, tumor stage, and patient survival using the Cancer Public Database. We also examined MYO1B expression with immunohistochemistry in gastric cancer and paired adjacent tissues from 105 patients receiving radical surgery and analyzed its correlation with cancer progression and postoperative 5-year survival of the patients. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were used to explore the biological functions of MYO1B and the key pathways. In cultured gastric cancer cells, we examined the changes in cell proliferation, migration and invasion following MYO1B overexpression and knockdown. RESULTS: Data from the Cancer Public Database showed that MYO1B expression was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in normal tissues with strong correlations with tumor grade, stage and patient prognosis (P<0.05). In the clinical tissue samples, MYO1B was significantly overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues in positive correlation with Ki67 expression (r=0.689, P<0.05) and the parameters indicative of gastric cancer progression (CEA ≥5 μg/L, CA19-9 ≥37 kU/L, G3-4, T3-4, and N2-3) (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that high MYO1B expression was associated with decreased postoperative 5-year survival and was an independent risk factor (HR: 3.522, 95%CI: 1.783-6.985, P<0.05). MYO1B expression level was a strong predictor of postoperative survival (cut-off value: 3.11, AUC: 0.753, P<0.05). GO and KEGG analyses suggested that MYO1B may regulate cell migration and the mTOR signaling pathway. In cultured gastric cancer cells, MYO1B overexpression significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR. CONCLUSIONS High MYO1B expression promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells and is correlated with poor patient prognosis.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Prognosis ; Cell Movement ; Myosin Type I/genetics* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Male

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of high expression of transmembrane and coiled helix structural domain 1 (TMCO1) on prognosis of gastric cancer and the possible mechanisms. METHODS: TMCO1 expression in gastric cancer and its effect on gastric cancer progression and prognosis were analyzed using publicly available databases and clinical data of patients undergoing radical surgery in our hospital, and its possible biological functions were explored using KEGG and GO analyses. In gastric cancer HGC-27 cells, the effects of lentivirus-mediated TMCO1 overexpression and TMCO1 silencing on cell apoptosis, proliferation, invasion and migration were examined. RESULTS: TMCO1 expression was significantly elevated in gastric cancer tissues (P<0.05), and its high expression was positively correlated with cancer progression (P<0.001) and a lowered postoperative 5-year survival rate of the patients (P<0.05). Bioinformatic analyses suggested that TMCO1 may affect gastric cancer cell apoptosis via Wnt signaling. In HGC-27 cells, TMCO1 overexpression significantly promoted tumor cell proliferation, inhibited cell apoptosis, and enhanced cell migration and invasion, whereas TMCO1 silencing produced the opposite effects. Western blotting showed that β-catenin levels were significantly upregulated in TMCO1-overexpressing cells and downregulated in cells with TMCO1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS TMCO1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues, and its high expression promotes gastric cancer progression and affects long-term prognosis of the patients possibly by activating the Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Prognosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Movement ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Dingchan Granule （定颤颗粒） for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with syndrome of qi stagnation and blood stasis. MethodsUsing a randomised， double-blind， placebo controlled study method， 90 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were divided into 45 cases each in the treatment group and the control group. Both groups were given conventional western medicine treatment， and the treatment group was additionally treated with Dingchan Granule， while the control group was treated with Dingchan Granule placebo， both of which were taken orally for 8 g each time twice a day. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. We compared the clinical effectiveness， the improvement of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptoms and the recovery rate of atrial fibrillation between the two groups. We compared the number and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes， TCM symptoms score， atrial fibrillation symptom classification， 24-hour average ventricular rate， Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）， anxiety index， depression index before and after treatment， and evaluated the safety of the two groups. ResultsThe total clinical effectiveness rate in the treatment group was 82.22% （37/45）， which was better than 60.00% （27/45） in the control group （P＜0.05）. The total effective rate of TCM syndrome effectiveness in the treatment group was 88.89% （40/45）， which was better than 66.67% （30/45） in the control group （P＜0.05）； and the rate of atrial fibrillation regression in the treatment group was 26.67% （12/45）， better than 6.67% （3/45） in the control group （P＜0.05）. The number and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes in both groups were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）， and the number and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group （P＜0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores of both groups after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment （P＜0.01）， and the scores of the treatment group was lower than those of the control group （P＜0.05）. The severity of atrial fibrillation symptoms and the grading of atrial fibrillation symptoms in both groups after treatment were improved （P＜0.01）， and the degree of symptom improvement in the treatment group was better than that in the control group （P＜0.01）. The 24-hour average ventricular rate of both groups after treatment was significantly lower （P＜0.01）. The PSQI， anxiety index and depression index of the treatment group were all lower than before treatment （P＜0.01）， while the PSQI and anxiety index of the control group were both lower than before treatment （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）， the PSQI， anxiety index and depression index of the treatment group being lower than those of the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. No adverse events occurred in both groups， and no abnormalities were observed in blood， urine， stool routine， liver and kidney function， and coagulation function indexes. ConclusionDingchan Granule for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome can alleviate clinical symptom， improve TCM symptom scores， increase atrial fibrillation recovery rate， stabilise the average ventricular rate， and significantly improve the quality of sleep， alleviate the anxiety and depression， with a good safety profile.

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-34a(miR-34a-5p)on the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL)through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Methods Human chronic B-cell leukemia MEC-1 cells were selected for experimentation.MEC cells were divided into two groups,group one:the p53 agonist group and the control group;group two:the control group,the miR-34a-5p mimic group and its corresponding negative control,the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group and its corresponding negative control,as well as the miR-34a-5p inhibitor+Wnt inhibitor XAV-939 group.The expression levels of miR-34a-5p in each group were measured using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay,while cell migration ability was evaluated using Transwell migration assay.Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to validate the targeting relationships between p53 and miR-34a-5p,as well as between miR-34a-5p and Wnt1.Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expressions of β-catenin and Cyclin D1,which were key components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Results In MEC-1 cells:① compared with the control group,there was a increased miR-34a-5p expression and inhibited cell proliferation in the p53 agonist group(P＜0.05).Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed a negative regulatory correlation between miR-34a-5p and p53.② the miR-34a-5p mimic group showed significantly upregulated miR-34a-5p expression compared to the control group,leading to suppressed cell proliferation,reduced migration capability and decreased protein expressions of β-catenin and Cyclin D1(P＜0.05).Conversely,the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group demonstrated significantly downregulated miR-34a-5p expression,resulting in enhanced cell proliferation,increased migratory capacity and upregulated protein levels of β-catenin and Cyclin D1 compared to those of the control group(P＜0.05).③ A targeting relationship was observed between miR-34a-5p and Wnt1.④ Compared with the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group,the XAV-939 group exhibited significantly upregulated miR-34a-5p expression,markedly decreased numbers of migrated cells and substantially reduced protein expression levels of β-catenin and Cyclin D1(P＜0.05).Conclusion miR-34a plays the role of a tumor suppressor gene in CLL.Overexpression of miR-34a can inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,reduce the proliferation activity and migration ability of cells,and promote cell apoptosis.

The phrase"wood element characterized by spreading harmony"from the Huangdi Neijing five-phase theory summarizes the fundamental nature and functions of the wood element,emphasizing the crucial significance of the harmonious virtue of wood in promoting the generation and transformation of all things.In human physiology,"wood element characterized by spreading harmony"corresponds to the harmonious spreading of liver-gallbladder qi,ensuring smooth liver qi regulation and proper functioning of the ascending-descending movement mechanisms.Bipolar disorder,categorized in traditional Chinese medicine as"depression"or"manic depressive psychosis,"primarily arises from hepatic wood dysfunction.Insufficient wood qi dispersion typically manifests as a depressive phase,whereas excessive dispersion leads to a manic phase,with alternating manic-depressive phase indicating qi movement disorder.By integrating wood qi characteristics,disease pathogenesis of bipolar disorder,and our team's clinical experience in treating emotional disorders,this study developed an integrated acupuncture and moxibustion diagnosis and treatment approach for bipolar disorder,focusing on soothing the liver and regulating spirit,structured as"acupuncture-moxibustion-consolidation."Based on the physiological characteristics of"wood element characterized by spreading harmony,"from liver failing to controll conveyance and dispersion:depressive phase should apply warm-nourishing growth method,manic phase should suppress hyperactive liver for tranquillizing mind method,and alternating manic-depressive phase should apply harmonized rigidity-flexibility method.These methods aim to regulate the spirit of the heart and brain,harmonize the qi movement of the spleen and stomach,and replenish the essence and blood of the liver and kidney.Clinical application through syndrome differentiation has demonstrated satisfactory therapeutic outcomes.

Perimenopausal women are more susceptible to fire pathogen disturbances,often resulting in the restlessness of the mind owing to the deficiency and decline of the thoroughfare and conception vessels,as well as the insufficiency of the essence and blood of the viscera.CHENG Zhongling's theory of thief and child fire in Medical Insights proposes that thief fire primarily arises from exogenous pathogen invasion and improper diet,leading to syndromes such as food retention in the stomach or phlegm-fire stagnation.In contrast,child fire is generated endogenously,often owing to liver and kidney deficiency,resulting in an imbalance of water and fire and liver dysfunction,leading to excessive fire transformation.This theory provides a novel perspective for understanding the pathogenesis of perimenopausal insomnia.An in-depth exploration of the role of thief fire and child fire in perimenopausal insomnia is presented,along with a detailed discussion of corresponding treatment strategies.For the invasion of thief fire,therapeutic approaches include ascending and dispersing stagnant fire,clearing and moistening to remove interior heat,purging the heat accumulation to unblock the bowels,and subduing the fire and nourishing yin to eliminate depression.When child fire disturbs the spirit,treatment methods involve smoothing and relieving the liver qi to clear the stagnant heat,nourishing the true yin to restrain the yang,warming and nurturing the primordial qi and harmonizing the nutrient and defensive qi,and guiding and reducing the deficient heat to remove the floating fire.Clinical practice necessitates precise identification of thief and child fire,thorough investigation of exogenous pathogens and internal damage,and careful differentiation between deficiency and excess,as well as the superficial and internal aspects.Strict adherence to the treatment principle of"nourishing the child fire can drive out the thief fire,but driving out the thief fire should not harm the child fire"ensures a balanced approach.By harmonizing the yin and yang of the viscera and allowing the mind to be at ease,this strategy effectively alleviates perimenopausal insomnia.The application of these principles provides a practical and feasible theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the treatment of perimenopausal insomnia using traditional Chinese medicine.