Aim To systematically investigate the ac-tive components,targets,and regulatory pathways of Po-lygonum capitatum in intervening atherosclerosis(AS)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods Active components of Polygonum capitatum and AS-related targets were screened and identified through database searches.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database,followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses via the David plat-form.Molecular docking validation was conducted with AutoDock.An AS model was established in Syrian golden hamsters fed a high-fat diet.Predicted pathways and targets were validated using qPCR,ELISA,and histopathological assessment of aortic and hepatic tis-sues via HE staining.Results Network pharmacology identified 27 potential active components of Polygonum capitatum(primarily flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin)and 110 drug-disease intersection targets,in-cluding core targets MMP-9,ALB,and AKT1.GO and KEGG analyses enriched 593 and 125 pathways,re-spectively,with the NF-κB inflammatory pathway,TNF signaling pathway and lipid metabolism/atherosclerosis pathways highlighted as key mechanisms.Animal ex-periments demonstrated that Polygonum capitatum im-proved serum lipid profiles(reduced TC,TG,LDL-C)in AS hamsters,suppressed the MMP-9/NF-κB signa-ling pathway(downregulated MMP-9,p65 phosphoryla-tion,TNF-α,and IL-6),and inhibited VSMC synthetic phenotypic transformation(upregulated α-SMA and myocardin)by downregulating MCPIP1.Additionally,Polygonum capitatum ameliorated aortic lesions and he-patic lipid deposition in AS hamsters.Conclusions Polygonum capitatum alleviates AS by synergistically regulating the MMP-9/NF-κB/MCPIP1 axis through flavonoid components,suppressing vascular inflammato-ry cascades and maintaining VSMC contractile pheno-types.This reflects Polygonum capitatum's multi-com-ponent,multi-pathway,and multi-target characteristics in combating AS.

Objective To investigate the influence of helical tomographic radiotherapy plans with different combinations of lead gate width,pitch and algorithms on threading effects.Methods A target model was established with a Cheese Phantom used as the simulated human body,then three lead gate widths(1.0,2.5,and 5.0 cm),six screw pitches(0.143,0.172,0.215,0.287,0.430,and 0.500)and two computational grids(Fine algorithm and Normal algorithm)were respectively combined for designing the helical tomography radiotherapy plans.The radiotherapy plans with a pitch of 0.143,0.172,0.215,0.287 or 0.430 were enrolled into an experimental group,and the plans with a pitch of 0.500 were divided into a control group.The dosimetric parameters including maximum dose(Dmax),minimum dose(Dmin)and mean dose(Dmean)of the target area PTV1 and PTV2 were evaluated by the dose volume histogram(DVH).The dose homogeneity index(HI)of the target area was calculated,and the single rotation time and total treatment time of each plan were recorded and counted.SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results No significant threading effect appeared regardless of the pitch value when the lead gate width was 1.0 cm.The threading effects in the experimental group were weaker than those in the control group when the lead gate width was 2.5 or 5.0 cm.The threading effect gradually rose with the pitch increased when the lead gate width was 5.0 cm.The most significant difference was found between the threading effect in case of the screw pitch being 0.500 and that with the screw pitch being 0.143,with the differenes being statistically obvious(P<0.05).The lead gate width had significant effects on the Dmax,Dmin,Dmean and HI of PTV1 and PTV2.When the lead gate width was 5.0 cm,high HI value and uneven dose distribution were detected and lowered screw pitch weakened the threading effect.The single rotation time first remained constant and then increased with the screw pitch was enlarged,with the changing points occurring in case of the screw pitches of 0.287 and 0.430.With a certain lead gate width,the treatment time for plans was shortened with the decrease of the pitches in case of the pritches lower than 0.287,and tended to be constant after the screw pitches reached 0.287.The changes of the computational grid had no significant effects on the results of radiotherapy plans when the lead gate width and screw pitch were kept constant.Conclusion When designing a spiral tomotherapy plan with conventional doses,a lead gate width of 1.0 or 2.5 cm and a screw pitch of 0.287 or 0.430 should be selected in order to minimize the threading effect while ensuring the efficiency of plan implementation.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):58-66]

Aim To systematically investigate the ac-tive components,targets,and regulatory pathways of Po-lygonum capitatum in intervening atherosclerosis(AS)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods Active components of Polygonum capitatum and AS-related targets were screened and identified through database searches.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database,followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses via the David plat-form.Molecular docking validation was conducted with AutoDock.An AS model was established in Syrian golden hamsters fed a high-fat diet.Predicted pathways and targets were validated using qPCR,ELISA,and histopathological assessment of aortic and hepatic tis-sues via HE staining.Results Network pharmacology identified 27 potential active components of Polygonum capitatum(primarily flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin)and 110 drug-disease intersection targets,in-cluding core targets MMP-9,ALB,and AKT1.GO and KEGG analyses enriched 593 and 125 pathways,re-spectively,with the NF-κB inflammatory pathway,TNF signaling pathway and lipid metabolism/atherosclerosis pathways highlighted as key mechanisms.Animal ex-periments demonstrated that Polygonum capitatum im-proved serum lipid profiles(reduced TC,TG,LDL-C)in AS hamsters,suppressed the MMP-9/NF-κB signa-ling pathway(downregulated MMP-9,p65 phosphoryla-tion,TNF-α,and IL-6),and inhibited VSMC synthetic phenotypic transformation(upregulated α-SMA and myocardin)by downregulating MCPIP1.Additionally,Polygonum capitatum ameliorated aortic lesions and he-patic lipid deposition in AS hamsters.Conclusions Polygonum capitatum alleviates AS by synergistically regulating the MMP-9/NF-κB/MCPIP1 axis through flavonoid components,suppressing vascular inflammato-ry cascades and maintaining VSMC contractile pheno-types.This reflects Polygonum capitatum's multi-com-ponent,multi-pathway,and multi-target characteristics in combating AS.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of dexmedetomidine(Dex)in alleviating sevoflurane(Sev)-induced cognitive dysfunction in neonatal rats via the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activators of transcription 3(JAK2/STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods A total of 50 neonatal Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,Dex group,AG490 group,and Colivelin group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for control group,the rats in the other four groups were used to construct a model of cognitive dysfunction in neonatal rats by inhaling Sev.Before modeling,Dex group was intraperitoneally injected with 20 μg/kg Dex;AG490 group was intraperitoneally injected with 20 μg/kg Dex and 1 mg/kg AG490;Colivelin group was intraperitoneally injected with 20 μg/kg Dex,1 mg/kg AG490,and 1 mg/kg Colivelin;control group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with an equal doses of physiological saline.The novel object recognition test and step-down test were used to detect the cognitive,learning,and memory functions of neonatal rats.TUNEL method was used to detect the cell apoptosis rate in the hippocampus.Rhodamine 123 staining was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential in the hippocampus.ELISA method was used to detect the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in the hippocampus.DHE probe method was used to detect the intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)content.qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of phosphorylated JAK2(p-JAK2),phosphorylated STAT3(p-STAT3),Synapsin-I,brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax).Western Blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of p-JAK2,p-STAT3,JAK2,and STAT3 in the hippocampus.Results Compared with control group,model group showed cognitive and memory impairment,significantly increased apoptosis rate,increased levels of ROS and MDA,decreased SOD level,decreased mRNA expression levels of p-JAK2,p-STAT3,Synapsin-I,BDNF,and Bcl-2,increased Bax mRNA expression level,decreased ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3,and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in the hippocampus(P<0.05).Compared with model group,Dex,AG490,and Colivelin groups showed significantly improved cognitive and memory impairment,significantly decreased apoptosis rate,decreased levels of ROS and MDA,increased SOD level,increased mRNA expression levels of p-JAK2,p-STAT3,Synapsin-I,BDNF,and Bcl-2,decreased Bax mRNA level,increased ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3,and increased mitochondrial membrane potential in the hippocampus(P<0.05).Compared with Dex group,AG490 and Colivelin groups exhibited cognitive and memory impairment,significantly increased apoptosis rate,increased levels of ROS and MDA,decreased SOD level,decreased mRNA expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3,Synapsin-I,BDNF,and Bcl-2,increased Bax mRNA expression level,decreased ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3,and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in the hippocampus(P<0.05).Compared with AG490 group,Colivelin group showed significantly improved cognitive and memory impairment,significantly decreased apoptosis rate,decreased levels of ROS and MDA,increased SOD level,decreased mRNA expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3,Synapsin-I,BDNF,and Bcl-2,increased Bax mRNA expression level,decreased ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3,and increased mitochondrial membrane potential in the hippocampus,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion Dex can inhibit the oxidative stress in the hippocampus of brain tissue in Sev-induced neonatal rats and improve their cognitive,learning,and memory impairment,which may be related to the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the influence of helical tomographic radiotherapy plans with different combinations of lead gate width,pitch and algorithms on threading effects.Methods A target model was established with a Cheese Phantom used as the simulated human body,then three lead gate widths(1.0,2.5,and 5.0 cm),six screw pitches(0.143,0.172,0.215,0.287,0.430,and 0.500)and two computational grids(Fine algorithm and Normal algorithm)were respectively combined for designing the helical tomography radiotherapy plans.The radiotherapy plans with a pitch of 0.143,0.172,0.215,0.287 or 0.430 were enrolled into an experimental group,and the plans with a pitch of 0.500 were divided into a control group.The dosimetric parameters including maximum dose(Dmax),minimum dose(Dmin)and mean dose(Dmean)of the target area PTV1 and PTV2 were evaluated by the dose volume histogram(DVH).The dose homogeneity index(HI)of the target area was calculated,and the single rotation time and total treatment time of each plan were recorded and counted.SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results No significant threading effect appeared regardless of the pitch value when the lead gate width was 1.0 cm.The threading effects in the experimental group were weaker than those in the control group when the lead gate width was 2.5 or 5.0 cm.The threading effect gradually rose with the pitch increased when the lead gate width was 5.0 cm.The most significant difference was found between the threading effect in case of the screw pitch being 0.500 and that with the screw pitch being 0.143,with the differenes being statistically obvious(P<0.05).The lead gate width had significant effects on the Dmax,Dmin,Dmean and HI of PTV1 and PTV2.When the lead gate width was 5.0 cm,high HI value and uneven dose distribution were detected and lowered screw pitch weakened the threading effect.The single rotation time first remained constant and then increased with the screw pitch was enlarged,with the changing points occurring in case of the screw pitches of 0.287 and 0.430.With a certain lead gate width,the treatment time for plans was shortened with the decrease of the pitches in case of the pritches lower than 0.287,and tended to be constant after the screw pitches reached 0.287.The changes of the computational grid had no significant effects on the results of radiotherapy plans when the lead gate width and screw pitch were kept constant.Conclusion When designing a spiral tomotherapy plan with conventional doses,a lead gate width of 1.0 or 2.5 cm and a screw pitch of 0.287 or 0.430 should be selected in order to minimize the threading effect while ensuring the efficiency of plan implementation.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):58-66]

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) may affect the severity of hot flashes (HFs) associated with natural menopause and provide additional benefits for postmenopausal women. However, the evidence for its effectiveness in the management of early postmenopausal HFs remains inadequately understood. OBJECTIVE: We designed this trial to assess the efficacy and safety of EA for relieving early postmenopausal HFs. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This randomized sham-controlled trial involved 72 women with HFs. The participants were divided equally into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group was treated with EA, while the control group was treated with sham acupuncture. The main acupoints used were Hegu (LI4), Guanyuan (RN4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taixi (KI3), Fuliu (KI7) and Shenshu (BL23). All participants received 18 treatment sessions, distributed across a 6-week period. The treatment was administered on three occasions per week, adhering to a fixed weekday schedule (Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) with a minimum interval of one day between sessions. Each patient received a 12-week follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The HF score was the primary outcome. Participants documented the frequency and severity of HFs in a 7-day symptom diary, which provided data for calculating the HF score. Secondary outcomes were the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Score Scale (TCMSSS), as well as estradiol (E₂), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in HF scores after the treatment and during the follow-up (P < 0.001). Immediately after completion of the 6-week treatment cycle and at 12 weeks post-intervention, the HF scores were similar in both groups. At week 6, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in MRS, MENQOL (vasomotor, psychosocial, and physical), PSQI and TCMSSS scores (P < 0.05). The improvements in the MENQOL (vasomotor, and psychosocial) and PSQI total scores persisted through the follow-up (P < 0.05). However, the results showed no significant inter- or intragroup differences in sexual scores on the MENQOL (P > 0.05). EA did not significantly decrease E₂, LH or FSH levels compared to placebo. The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: EA does not significantly improve HFs in early postmenopausal patients. However, it enhances the quality of sleep and decreases menopausal symptoms across vasomotor, psychosocial and physical domains. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn); Trial ID: ChiCTR2300072002. Please cite this article as: Wang HX, Yu XT, Hu J, Chen JJ, Mei YT, Chen YF. Electroacupuncture for hot flashes in early menopause: A randomized sham-controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):519-527.
Humans ; Female ; Electroacupuncture ; Hot Flashes/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Quality of Life ; Menopause ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: CRISPR-Cas protects bacteria from exogenous DNA invasion and is associated with bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenicity. METHODS: We analyzed the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Legionella pneumophila WX48, including Cas1, Cas2-Cas3, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, and Cas6f, along with downstream CRISPR arrays. We explored the effects of the CRISPR-Cas system on the in vitro growth, biofilm-forming ability, and pathogenicity of L. pneumophila through constructing gene deletion mutants. RESULTS: The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system did not affect the in vitro growth of wild-type or mutant strains. The biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation of the mutant strains were weaker than those of the wild type owing to the regulation of type IV pili and Dot/Icm type IV secretion systems. In particular, Cas6f deletion strongly inhibited these processes. CONCLUSION The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system may reduce biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation in L. pneumophila.
Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicity* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Biofilms/growth & development* ; Phenotype ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Deletion

The inclusion complex of taxifolin(TAX)with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin(HP-β-CD)was prepared by saturated aqueous solution method,and the preparation conditions such as molar ratio,volume ratio of solution,inclusion temperature and inclusion time were selected by single-factor experiment.The orthogonal design of three-level four-factor L9(34)was used to screen the preparation process of the inclusion complex,and the inclusion complex was prepared with optimal preparation process.The prepared inclusion complex was characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR,2D NMR),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis)absorption spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction(XRD).The inclusion ratio,biostability,solubility and in vitro release of the inclusion complex were investigated.The results of orthogonal experiments showed that the optimum conditions for preparation of the inclusion complex were as follows:the molar ratio of TAX to HP-β-CD was 1:1,the volume ratio of methanol to ultra-pure water was 1:8,the inclusion time was 8 h,and the inclusion temperature was 30℃.Under the optimal conditions,the inclusion ratio between TAX and HP-β-CD was calculated to be 1:1 by Job's curve method.According to the change of UV-vis absorption spectra,the host-guest complexation constant of 4.9488×104 L/mol was obtained by Benesi-Hildebrand curve method.The solubility of TAX increased from 1.2665 mg/mL to 19.3469 mg/mL after inclusion,demonstrating that HP-β-CD could serve as an effective host molecule for TAX,which could significantly enhance the bio-stability and solubility of the formed inclusion complex.

Objective To evaluate the management and indicators of pathogen detection before antimicrobial treat-ment for inpatients in second level and above medical institutions(MIs)in Guangdong Province,and provide direc-tion and decision-making basis for the improvement of pathogen detection quality in the region.Methods The ma-nagement status,information system functions,and pathogen detection rate indicators of secondary and above MIs in 21 cities in Guangdong Province was surveyed through online questionnaire surveys and system submission.A baseline survey on sentinel monitoring MIs was conducted from July 15th to August 8th,2023.From November 7th to 30th,a baseline survey on non-sentinel monitoring MIs was launched.Surveys on indicator information of all MIs were completed from January 15th to 30th,2024.Results A total of 265 MIs were surveyed,and the proportions of establishing special working groups(83.98％),developing special action improvement plans(79.01％),estab-lishing pathogen detection rate management systems(91.71％),and developing management assessment plans(76.80％)of tertiary MIs were all higher than that of secondary MIs,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The proportion of tertiary MIs with various information system functions was higher than that of secondary MIs(all P＜0.05).The pathogen detection rate(61.07％)before antimicrobial treatment and health-care-associated infection(HAI)diagnosis-related pathogen detection rate(88.00％)of inpatients in tertiary MIs were both higher than those in secondary MIs(both P＜0.05).Among different types of MIs,pathogen detection rate before antimicrobial treatment of inpatients in maternal and child health MIs was higher than that in other types of MIs.HAI diagnosis-related pathogen detection rate in other specialized hospitals was the highest,and pathogen detection rate before combined use of key antimicrobial treatment in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals was the lowest,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Tertiary MIs have more advantages in management strategies and information technology construction than secondary MIs,secondary MIs need more guidance and support.Monitoring and analysis of pathogen detection rate indicators in MIs of different levels and types should be strengthened through special actions.

Objective To evaluate the management and indicators of pathogen detection before antimicrobial treat-ment for inpatients in second level and above medical institutions(MIs)in Guangdong Province,and provide direc-tion and decision-making basis for the improvement of pathogen detection quality in the region.Methods The ma-nagement status,information system functions,and pathogen detection rate indicators of secondary and above MIs in 21 cities in Guangdong Province was surveyed through online questionnaire surveys and system submission.A baseline survey on sentinel monitoring MIs was conducted from July 15th to August 8th,2023.From November 7th to 30th,a baseline survey on non-sentinel monitoring MIs was launched.Surveys on indicator information of all MIs were completed from January 15th to 30th,2024.Results A total of 265 MIs were surveyed,and the proportions of establishing special working groups(83.98％),developing special action improvement plans(79.01％),estab-lishing pathogen detection rate management systems(91.71％),and developing management assessment plans(76.80％)of tertiary MIs were all higher than that of secondary MIs,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The proportion of tertiary MIs with various information system functions was higher than that of secondary MIs(all P＜0.05).The pathogen detection rate(61.07％)before antimicrobial treatment and health-care-associated infection(HAI)diagnosis-related pathogen detection rate(88.00％)of inpatients in tertiary MIs were both higher than those in secondary MIs(both P＜0.05).Among different types of MIs,pathogen detection rate before antimicrobial treatment of inpatients in maternal and child health MIs was higher than that in other types of MIs.HAI diagnosis-related pathogen detection rate in other specialized hospitals was the highest,and pathogen detection rate before combined use of key antimicrobial treatment in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals was the lowest,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Tertiary MIs have more advantages in management strategies and information technology construction than secondary MIs,secondary MIs need more guidance and support.Monitoring and analysis of pathogen detection rate indicators in MIs of different levels and types should be strengthened through special actions.