As a complex autoimmune disease， rheumatoid arthritis （RA） involves immune microenvironment dysregulation resulting from excessive activation of pyroptosis， which is a crucial factor in disease progression. Based on the theory of ying-wei in traditional Chinese medicine， "ying decline and wei attack" is considered the fundamental pathogenesis of RA. Pyroptosis serves as a microscopic manifestation of this concept， suggesting a potential correlation between "ying decline and wei attack" and pyroptosis nd immune microenvironment dysregulation in RA. Accordingly， treatment principles based on this theory are proposed： in the early stage of the disease， boosting wei to consolidate the exterior， and regulating ying to dispel pathogens； in the middle and late stages， harmonizing ying to remove stagnation， and nourishing its transformational source.

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a common primary malignant tumor. In recent years， the role of ubiquitin-specific proteases （USPs） in HCC has attracted widespread attention. USPs are a class of key deubiquitinating enzymes that affect a variety of biological processes by regulating the ubiquitination status of proteins. Studies have shown that USPs participate in the regulation of cell proliferation， apoptosis， migration， and invasion by deubiquitinating various tumor-related proteins. In addition， the abnormal expression of USPs is closely associated with the prognosis of HCC patients and may thus be used as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This article reviews the research advances in USPs in HCC and explores their key roles in the development， progression， and metastasis of HCC. A deep understanding of the mechanism of action of USPs in HCC not only helps to reveal the pathogenesis of HCC， but also provides a scientific basis for developing new diagnostic tools and treatment strategies. Future research should further explore the regulatory effect of USPs in HCC， in order to provide more effective means for the clinical treatment of HCC.

The etiology of tumors is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including the host and environmental conditions. Allergy is primarily driven by the immune response of helper T cell 2 (Th2). Research has shown that the Th2 immune response is closely related to tumors, which is specifically manifested through Th2 antibodies, allergy-related effector cells and mediators within the tumors, as well as tumor immune-related functions. This internal interaction mechanism will increase the complexity and challenges associated with the clinical diagnosis and treatment of tumors and allergy. The formation of allergic constitution is shaped by both congenital and acquired factors, and its physical state is closely linked to the occurrence and progression of allergic diseases. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the relationship between tumors and allergic reactions from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution theory. Based on the four basic principles of the TCM constitution, including endowment inheritance theory, environment constraint theory, body-spirit composition theory, and life process theory, this exploration will focus on four aspects: genetic factors and internal disease causes, inflammatory environments and functional regulation, psychological disorders and emotional pathogenesis, as well as age structure and disease risk. Furthermore, from the perspective of constitution-disease relation of chronic disease prevention, this paper will discuss the significant importance of adjusting allergic constitution to improve both subjective symptoms and objective indicators of allergic reactions in tumor patients.

Liver cancer has high prevalence and mortality rates around the world， and its development and progression are closely associated with the interaction between the tumor microenvironment and tumor-associated macrophages （TAMs）. TAMs play a significant role in immune suppression， immune escape， cell proliferation， invasion， metastasis， and drug resistance in liver cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with its unique therapeutic concepts and methods， has shown great potential in regulating TAMs and improving the prognosis of liver cancer. This article reviews the role and molecular mechanisms of TCM in regulating TAMs for the treatment of liver cancer， discusses the key role of TAMs in the progression of liver cancer， and analyzes the impact of Chinese medicinal components on the recruitment， polarization， and activity of TAMs and the expression of related factors based on TCM theory. Studies have shown that TCM can regulate the polarization state of TAMs， promote the formation of M1-type antitumor macrophages， and inhibit the activity of M2-type tumor macrophages， thereby playing a role in inhibiting the proliferation of liver cancer cells， promoting apoptosis， inhibiting angiogenesis， and enhancing immune response. In addition， this article also summarizes the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of TCM monomers， compound prescriptions， and novel preparations in the treatment of liver cancer， such as inhibiting the secretion of cytokines by TAMs， regulating signaling pathways， and affecting metabolic pathways， in order to provide a scientific basis for the application of TCM in liver cancer treatment and offer new ideas for immunotherapy for liver cancer.

Objective:To investigate the CT image characteristics of anterior ethmoidal artery（AEA） through CT scan and its significance in nasal endoscopic surgery. Methods:A retrospective study of 82 patients（164 sides） with chronic sinusitis was conducted. All patients underwent CT scan and the images were reconstructed. The AEA classification was used and calculate the rate of AEA suspension. The AEA was classified, and the suspension rate of the AEA was calculated. The height of the lateral lamella of the cribriform plate （LLCP） was measured, and Keros classification was performed. The relationship between Keros classification and AEA suspension was analyzed. The supraorbital ethmoidal cell （SOEC） was identified, and its relationship with AEA suspension was analyzed. Results:Type Ⅰ AEA accounted for 42.07%（69/164）. Type Ⅱ AEA accounted for 22.56%（37/164）. Type Ⅲ AEA accounted for 35.37%（58/164）. The suspension rate was 35.37%. The average height of the LLCP was （3.7±1.8） mm. In the Keros classification, type Ⅰaccounted for 53.05%（87/164）, Type Ⅱaccounted for 37.80%（62/164）. Type Ⅲ accounted for 9.15%（15/164）. The results of the Spearman analysis showed that there was a moderate positive correlation between the Keros classification and the suspension of the AEA（r=0.526, P<0.01）. Among 164 sides, SOEC was present in 15 sides. The suspension rate of AEA in the group with SOEC was significantly higher than that in the group without SOEC（P<0.01）. Conclusion:Sinus CT and multiplanar reconstruction can clarify the image characteristics of AEA and its relationship with surrounding structures. When the level of Keros classification is higher or SOEC is present, the suspension rate of AEA increases significantly. It is of great significance to clarify the characteristics of AEA before surgery in order to avoid injury during surgery.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Endoscopy ; Ethmoid Sinus/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Arteries/diagnostic imaging* ; Sinusitis/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged

Cerebral edema is characterized by fluid accumulation, and the glymphatic system (GS) plays a pivotal role in regulating fluid transport. Using the Tenecteplase system, magnesium salt of salvianolic acid B/ginsenoside Rg1 (SalB/Rg1) was injected intravenously into mice 4.5 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion and once every 24 h for the following 72 h. GS function was assessed by Evans blue imaging, near-infrared fluorescence region II (NIR-II) imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SalB/Rg1 had significant effects on reducing the infarct volume and hemorrhagic transformation score, improving neurobehavioral function, and protecting tissue structure, especially inhibiting cerebral edema. Meanwhile, the influx/efflux drainage of GS was enhanced by SalB/Rg1 according to NIR-II imaging and MRI. SalB/Rg1 inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, reduced cleaved β-dystroglycan (β-DG), and stabilized aquaporin-4 (AQP4) polarity, which was verified by colocalization with CD31. Our findings indicated that SalB/Rg1 treatment enhances GS function and attenuates cerebral edema, accompanying the regulation of the MMP9/β-DG/AQP4 pathway.
Animals ; Ginsenosides/administration & dosage* ; Brain Edema/etiology* ; Male ; Benzofurans/administration & dosage* ; Glymphatic System/diagnostic imaging* ; Mice ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/drug therapy* ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Depsides

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Dulongneedling in the treatment of vertigo in cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery(CSA).Methods A total of 46 cases of patients with definitive diagnosis of vertigo in CSA admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Acupuncture,Muxibustion and Rehabilitation Department of Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from June to October 2024 were selected for the study.The patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method,with 23 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with Dulongten-needling in shoulder and neck,and the control group was given conventional acupuncture treatment,the course of treatment for the two groups covered two weeks.After two weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the scores of Evaluation Scale For Cervical Vertigo(ESCV)before and after treatment were observed in the patients of the two groups.Three dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling(3D-pCASL)technique was applied to determin the changes in cerebral blood flow(CBF)values in the region of region of interest(ROI),and the changes in CBF values in the patients of the two groups were compared.Results(1)The total effective rate of the observation group was 91.30%(21/23),and that of the control group was 78.26%(18/23),and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the ESCV scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the CBF change values of each ROI in the two groups showed elevated(positive),and the CBF change values of the right middle cerebral artery(R-MCA)in the control group showed decreased(negative).After treatment,the CBF change values of the observation group in the blood supply areas of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery(R-PICA),right anterior inferior cerebellar artery(R-AICA),right anterior cerebral artery(R-ACA),branches from vertebral arteries(VA)and basilar arteries(BA),bilateral superior cerebellar arteries(SCA),and bilateral posterior cerebral arteries(PCA)were significantly elevated,and the observation group was significantly superior in improving the above ROIs in the CBF change value to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Dulongneedling in the treatment of vertigo in CSA can significantly improve the CBF of patients,reduce the clinical symptoms such as vertigo,neck and shoulder pain,headache.

The occurrence of benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH)was related to disrupted sex steroid hormones,and metformin(Met)had a clinical response to sex steroid hormone-related gynaecological disease.How-ever,whether Met exerts an antiproliferative effect on BPH via sex steroid hormones remains unclear.Here,our clinical study showed that along with prostatic epithelial cell(PEC)proliferation,sex steroid hormones were dysregulated in the serum and prostate of BPH patients.As the major contributor to dysregulated sex steroid hormones,elevated dihydrotestosterone(DHT)had a significant positive rela-tionship with the clinical characteristics of BPH patients.Activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)by Met restored dysregulated sex steroid hormone homeostasis and exerted antiproliferative effects against DHT-induced proliferation by inhibiting the formation of androgen receptor(AR)-mediated Yes-associated protein(YAP1)-TEA domain transcription factor(TEAD4)heterodimers.Met's anti-proliferative effects were blocked by AMPK inhibitor or YAP1 over-expression in DHT-cultured BPH-1 cells.Our findings indicated that Met would be a promising clinical therapeutic approach for BPH by inhibiting dysregulated steroid hormone-induced PEC proliferation.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanisms of the flavonoids from new "Zhe Eight Flavors" Quzhou Fructus Aurantii(PTFC) against hepatocellular carcinoma based on the prediction of network pharmacology and experimental verification. METHODS From TCMSP, TCMID, ETCM, BATMAN-TCM and SwissTargetPrediction databases, the potential target proteins of PTFC, including naringin, narirutin and neohesperidin were collected. Based on the GeneCards, CTD, Disgenet, and OMIM databases, a set of target proteins for hepatocellular carcinoma was constructed. Taking the intersection of potential target proteins of PTFC and target proteins of hepatocellular carcinoma, key target proteins were obtained and a protein-protein interaction network was established. Besides, GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the core target proteins was performed and a Compounds-Targets-Pathways-Disease network was constructed. Through proliferation, cloning, wound healing, and migration experiments, the effects of PTFC on the viability of HepG2 liver cancer cells were analyzed. Using fluorescence probe staining the impacts of PTFC on the mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis of HepG2 were observed. Finally, the validation of the regulatory effect of PTFC on the key predicted target PRKCA were carried out through RT-qPCR. RESULTS Based on network pharmacology, a total of 217 potential target proteins for PTFC were screened, with 59 intersecting target proteins related to diseases, including ALB, ESR1, PRKCA, and others. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the PTFC target proteins were involved in 193 biological processes and 13 cancer-related signaling pathways. Experimental results demonstrated that PTFC could impact the proliferation, cloning, wound healing, and migration abilities of liver cancer cells, leading to a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and promoting cell apoptosis. The results of RT-qPCR confirmed a significant downregulation of PRKCA expression by PTFC, validating the predictions made by network pharmacology analysis. CONCLUSION This study has revealed the potential molecular mechanism of PTFC treating hepatocellular carcinoma via the PRKCA target, laying the foundation for clinical application of PTFC.

The close relationship between gastric cancer (GC) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has garnered significant attention. On one hand, T2DM may play a role in the development and progression of GC, correlating with poor patient outcomes. On the other hand, after radical surgery for GC, T2DM can be effectively managed, potentially improving tumor prognosis. In recent years, bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) has revolutionized T2DM treatment for obese and overweight patients. Comparative analyses reveal similarities between surgical approaches for gastric cancer and BMS, leading to the emergence of the onco-metabolic surgery (OMS) concept, which suggests that radical tumor resection and T2DM remission in GC patients can be potentially achieved through a single procedure. However, there are notable differences between OMS and BMS, including target populations, surgical details, and perioperative management. Therefore, optimizing the application of the OMS concept in GC patients holds significant clinical importance. This article provides a review to facilitate the better implementation of this concept in practice.