ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Sanren Runchang formula in treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-C） by regulating the brain-gut axis and the effects of the formula on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， and substance P （SP）. MethodsA randomized controlled design was adopted， and 72 IBS-C patients meeting Rome Ⅳ criteria were randomized into observation and control groups （36 cases）.The observation group received Sanren Runchang formula granules twice daily， and the control group received lactulose oral solution daily for 4 weeks. IBS Symptom Severity Scale （IBS-SSS）， IBS Quality of Life Scale （IBS-QOL）， and Bristol Stool Form Scale （BSFS） were used to assess clinical symptoms， and bowel movement frequency was recorded. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale （SAS） and Self-Rating Depression Scale （SDS） were employed to evaluate psychological status. ELISA was employed to measure the serum levels of 5-HT， VIP， and SP. ResultsThe total response rate in the observation group was 91.67% （33/36）， which was higher than that （77.78%， 28/36） in the control group （χ²=4.50， P<0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed increased defecation frequency and BSFS scores， decreased IBS-SSS total score， abdominal pain and bloating scores， IBS-QOL health anxiety， anxiety， food avoidance， and behavioral disorders scores， SAS and SDS scores， serum 5-HT and VIP levels， and increased SP levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group showed more significant changes in the indicators above than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The SP level showed no significant difference between the two groups. During the 4-week follow-up， the recurrence rate was 5.88% in the observation group and 31.25% in the control group. No adverse events occurred in observation group， and 2 cases of mild diarrhea occurred in the control group. ConclusionSanren Runchang formula demonstrated definitive efficacy in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and improving the psychological status and quality of life in IBS-C patients， with a low recurrence rate. The formula can regulate serum levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT and VIP， suggesting its potential regulatory effect on the brain-gut axis through modulating neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. However， its complete mechanism of action requires further investigation through detection of additional brain-gut axis-related biomarkers.

Atherosclerosis （AS） is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response， which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS， is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently， the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However， they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function， drug tolerance， target vessel restenosis， and stent thrombosis， which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by multiple components， multiple targets， and multi-pathway synergy， shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways， such as nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Toll-like receptors （TLRs）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers， TCM pairs， and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets， regulating lipid metabolism disorders， and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS， so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.

Atherosclerosis （AS） is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response， which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS， is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently， the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However， they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function， drug tolerance， target vessel restenosis， and stent thrombosis， which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by multiple components， multiple targets， and multi-pathway synergy， shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways， such as nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Toll-like receptors （TLRs）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers， TCM pairs， and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets， regulating lipid metabolism disorders， and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS， so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.

Uveal melanoma(UM)is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, characterized by high invasiveness and unique metastatic biological features. Although local treatments(such as proton beam therapy and brachytherapy)can effectively control the primary lesion, approximately 50% of patients eventually develop distant metastasis, with the liver being the primary target organ(occurring in 90% of cases). This highlights a paradigm shift in treatment focus from mere local control to systemic prevention and management. For metastatic UM(mUM), current treatment strategies encompass biomarker-guided molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy(including Tebentafusp, vaccines, and oncolytic virus therapy), and liver-directed therapy. Focusing on the synergy between local and systemic prevention and control, this article systematically elaborates on the precision local treatment for primary UM, the decision-making pathway for systemic treatment of metastatic UM based on molecular subtyping, the integration of local and systemic therapies for liver metastases, and the translational value of nanomedicine in addressing therapeutic bottlenecks. It provides insights for optimizing clinical management of mUM and developing novel therapeutic strategies.

BACKGROUND:The mesenchymal stem cell secretome contains bioactive substances,cytokines,and growth factors.Three-dimensional cell culture can regulate the secretion of these components,potentially enhancing the ability to promote injury repair.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the repair effect of three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome on skin injuries in mice.METHODS:Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in conventional two-dimensional culture dishes and 96-well U-bottom cell culture plates,from which their secretory components were subsequently collected.The expression of skin damage repair related secretory factors in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells was analyzed using RT-qPCR.The protein expression level of skin damage repair related factors in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome to repair vascular injuries was evaluated using an immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cell migration model.A mouse skin injury model was established,and the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome was injected subcutaneously.Repair effects on skin injury were assessed through wound healing rates and histopathological analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After three days of cultivation,human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cultured in two dimensions exhibited a fibroblast-like,swirling growth pattern,whereas three-dimensional culture led to the formation of uniform microspheres.(2)Compared with two-dimensional culture,three-dimensional culture significantly increased the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor β and basic fibroblast growth factor in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.(3)Compared with two-dimensional culture,three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome significantly enhanced the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,interleukin-10,and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome.(4)Compared with two-dimensional culture,three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome significantly promoted the migration of immortalized human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.(5)Compared with the untreated control group and the two-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome,the three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome can significantly accelerate the skin wound healing rate and wound skin structure remodeling in mice.These results indicate that three-dimensional culture can enhance the expression of paracrine factors of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,and their secretome can significantly promote the repair of mouse skin damage.

BACKGROUND:The mesenchymal stem cell secretome contains bioactive substances,cytokines,and growth factors.Three-dimensional cell culture can regulate the secretion of these components,potentially enhancing the ability to promote injury repair.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the repair effect of three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome on skin injuries in mice.METHODS:Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in conventional two-dimensional culture dishes and 96-well U-bottom cell culture plates,from which their secretory components were subsequently collected.The expression of skin damage repair related secretory factors in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells was analyzed using RT-qPCR.The protein expression level of skin damage repair related factors in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome to repair vascular injuries was evaluated using an immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cell migration model.A mouse skin injury model was established,and the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome was injected subcutaneously.Repair effects on skin injury were assessed through wound healing rates and histopathological analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After three days of cultivation,human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cultured in two dimensions exhibited a fibroblast-like,swirling growth pattern,whereas three-dimensional culture led to the formation of uniform microspheres.(2)Compared with two-dimensional culture,three-dimensional culture significantly increased the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor β and basic fibroblast growth factor in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.(3)Compared with two-dimensional culture,three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome significantly enhanced the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,interleukin-10,and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome.(4)Compared with two-dimensional culture,three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome significantly promoted the migration of immortalized human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.(5)Compared with the untreated control group and the two-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome,the three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome can significantly accelerate the skin wound healing rate and wound skin structure remodeling in mice.These results indicate that three-dimensional culture can enhance the expression of paracrine factors of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,and their secretome can significantly promote the repair of mouse skin damage.

After being treated with acupuncture, some patients with idiopathic tinnitus may experience a short-term aggravation of tinnitus symptoms on the original basis. These symptoms can be gradually relieved and the overall condition fluctuates towards recovery. This phenomenon has brought some difficulties to patients and clinicians. Based on the academic view of TCM, "destroying pathogens and re-building balance", and in association with the existing understanding of acupuncture in modern medicine for tinnitus, this paper briefly discusses the mechanism and influencing factors of symptom fluctuation in patients with idiopathic tinnitus after acupuncture treatment in terms of both TCM and modern medicine, and proposes the future direction in the research of symptom fluctuation, so as to promote the recognition of clinicians and patients on symptom fluctuation and make rational use of its positive effects. Besides, it is hoped that more researchers will pay attention to symptom fluctuation and advance the exploration of it in academic field.
Humans ; Tinnitus/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female

BACKGROUND: Gout is a chronic disease primarily caused by elevated urate levels, severely affecting joint health. Its global distribution varies, and updated data for China are lacking. This study aimed to analyze the current burden and trends of gout globally and in China, examining the burden by gender, age, and risk factors while providing future predictions. METHODS: This descriptive epidemiological secondary analysis utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) 2021 study. Age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), prevalence rate (ASPR), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates (ASDR) were used to assess the gout burden. Trends from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed across global regions, genders, and sociodemographic index (SDI) levels. The burden in China was further examined by gender, age, and associated risk factors. The Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict future trends. Gout burden in China and the United States was compared. RESULTS: In 2021, gout affected 57 million people globally, with 9.4 million new cases and 1.75 million DALYs. From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR increased by 17.2%, 21.9%, and 21.3%, respectively. Males experienced a significantly higher burden, with greater ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR increasing with higher SDI levels. In China, male ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR were over 2.8 times those of females, and the burden increased with age. In 2021, 31.4% of gout-related DALYs in China were attributed to high body mass index and 7.6% to kidney dysfunction. Between 1990 and 2021, the high body mass index-related burden of gout rose annually for both genders, while the kidney dysfunction-related gout burden remained stable. By 2050, the burden of gout in China is expected to continue increasing, with a slower rise in females and a decline in males after an initial increase. However, the overall burden will remain substantial. In comparison, the gout burden will be higher in the United States than in China. CONCLUSIONS Gout is becoming a significant health burden globally and in China, particularly among Chinese males and older individuals. With the aging population and lifestyle changes exacerbating the issue, effective strategies and measures are essential to prevent or reduce gout-related health issues.
Humans ; Gout/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Global Burden of Disease ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the time characteristics of the Ethos online adaptive radiotherapy (OART) process in clinical practice and provide guidance for the comprehensive optimization of each stage of adaptive radiotherapy. METHODS: The study involved 61 patients with cervical, rectal, gastric, lung, esophageal, and breast cancers who underwent Ethos OART. The mean ± standard deviation of segmental time, total time, and target volume for these patients were tracked. The time characteristics for different cancer types were evaluated, and the average time for target and organ at risk (OAR) modifications was compared with the average target volume for each cancer type. RESULTS: Cervical cancer born the longest total treatment time, while breast cancer had the shortest. For all cancer types except breast cancer, the modification time for target and OAR was the most time-consuming segment. The average time for target and OAR modifications aligned with the trend of the average target volume. CONCLUSION The total treatment time for various cancers ranges from 15 to 35 minutes, indicating room for improvement.
Humans ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Female

Abuse of amphetamine-based stimulants is a primary public health concern. Recent studies have underscored a troubling escalation in the inappropriate use of prescription amphetamine-based stimulants. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the impact of acute methamphetamine exposure (AME) on sleep homeostasis remain to be explored. This study employed non-human primates and electroencephalogram (EEG) sleep staging to evaluate the influence of AME on neural oscillations. The primary focus was on alterations in spindles, delta oscillations, and slow oscillations (SOs) and their interactions as conduits through which AME influences sleep stability. AME predominantly diminishes sleep-spindle waves in the non-rapid eye movement 2 (NREM2) stage, and impacts SOs and delta waves differentially. Furthermore, the competitive relationships between SO/delta waves nesting with sleep spindles were selectively strengthened by methamphetamine. Complexity analysis also revealed that the SO-nested spindles had lost their ability to maintain sleep depth and stability. In summary, this finding could be one of the intrinsic electrophysiological mechanisms by which AME disrupted sleep homeostasis.
Animals ; Methamphetamine ; Electroencephalography ; Male ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Central Nervous System Stimulants ; Delta Rhythm/drug effects* ; Sleep Stages/drug effects*