ObjectiveTo observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on quality of life and immune function in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） patients undergoing chemotherapy. MethodsSeventy NSCLC patients with qi deficiency and phlegm stasis syndrome were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group， with 35 cases in each group. The control group received chemotherapy combined with routine symptomatic treatment， while the intervention group additionally received heat-sensitive moxibustion since the first day of chemotherapy. Acupoints included Dazhui （GV14）， bilateral Feishu （BL13）， Zhongwan （CV12）， Qihai （CV6）， and Guanyuan （CV4）. The site exhibiting the strongest heat-sensitization response was selected for moxibustion. Treatment was administered for 45 minutes per session， three times weekly for three consecutive weeks， totaling nine sessions. Before and after treatment， quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire （EORTC QLQ-C30）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores were evaluated. Peripheral blood levels of natural killer （NK） cells and T-lymphocyte subsets including CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD8⁺， and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio were measured. Levels of programmed cell death protein-1 （PD-1）， including PD-1⁺CD4⁺ and PD-1⁺CD8⁺ cells， were also assessed. Liver and renal function were monitored before and after treatment， and adverse events were recorded. ResultsIn the intervention group， 1 participant withdrew and 1 was excluded， while in the control group， 2 participants withdrew. Ultimately， 33 participants in each group were included in the final analysis. The intervention group showed significant improvements in physical， role， emotional， cognitive， and social functioning， as well as global health status after treatment， while scores for fatigue， nausea and vomiting， dyspnea， appetite loss， diarrhea， and TCM syndrome scale were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Moreover， the intervention group demonstrated higher scores in physical functioning， role functioning， and global health status， as well as lower scores for fatigue， nausea and vomiting， dyspnea， appetite loss， diarrhea， and the TCM syndrome scale than the control group （P＜0.05）. After treatment， the levels of peripheral NK cells and PD-1⁺CD8⁺ T cells in the intervention group increased significantly； furthermore， the intervention group exhibited higher peripheral NK cell levels and lower PD-1⁺CD8⁺ T cell levels than the control group （P＜0.05）. No significant differences were found in liver or renal function between the two groups （P＞0.05）. In addition， no adverse events such as burns or moxibustion-induced syncope occurred during the study. ConclusionHeat-sensitive moxibustion as an adjunctive therapy may enhance immune function， alleviate clinical symptoms， and improve quality of life， while demonstrating a favorable safety profile in NSCLC patients with qi deficiency and phlegm stasis.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl₄ and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the sequential mediating roles of body pain and self-reported health in the association between sleep duration and self-reported life satisfaction among elderly Chinese adults. METHODS: Data from the fifth wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) were used to analyse the relationships between sleep duration and body pain, self-reported health, and life satisfaction through logistic regression and Restricted Cubic Spline (RCS) analyses. The sequential mediation effects of body pain and self-reported health status were examined via chain mediation analysis. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that sleeping fewer than 6 hours or 6-7 hours was linked to higher risks of body pain, poor health, and dissatisfaction with life compared to sleeping 7-8 hours (all P < 0.05). Additionally, those sleeping more than 9 hours also had increased risks of poor health and dissatisfaction with life compared to those sleeping 7-8 hours (all P < 0.05). Chain mediation analysis showed that body pain and self-reported health status sequentially mediated 46.15% of the association between sleep duration and life satisfaction. CONCLUSION Body pain and self-reported health may shape the relationship between sleep duration and life satisfaction in elderly Chinese adults.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Personal Satisfaction ; Sleep ; Health Status ; Self Report ; China ; Middle Aged ; Longitudinal Studies ; Pain/psychology* ; Sleep Duration

In order to support the implementation of the Opinions on Improving the Quality of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry and fundamentally promote the high-quality development of Chinese materia medica(CMM) industry, this article analyzed the quality and safety issues arising during the transition of CMM from wild harvesting to cultivation. Root causes of these issues were identified, including changes in the habitats of medicinal plants caused by inappropriate field cultivation patterns, excessive use of chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, and shortened cultivation periods due to rising economic costs. To address the above issues, the following countermeasures and suggestions were proposed to advance the high-quality development of CMM:(1) comprehensively adjust the cultivation patterns, vigorously promote ecological cultivation of CMM, and ensure production quality and safety of CMM from the source;(2) strengthen the breeding of high-quality, stress-resistant CMM varieties, improve cultivation techniques to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and improve the quality and efficiency of ecological cultivation of CMM;(3) systematically design the production, operation, and supervision models for ecological cultivation of CMM, carry out demonstrations of "high quality with fair price", and ensure the sustainable development of ecological cultivation of CMM.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Quality Control ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; China ; Fertilizers/analysis* ; Materia Medica/standards* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*

Objective:To develop a treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:The initial scale was constructed through a literature search, Delphi expert correspondence, and cognitive testing. This study conducted a preliminary survey of 379 patients with MM and a formal survey of 865 patients from the hematology departments of 155 hospitals nationwide from February 2024 to March 2024. The final scale was obtained after conducting item analysis and reliability and validity tests on the initial scale.Results:The constructed scale contains 36 items covering six domains: physiological, psychological, social, treatment side effects, general health, and others. In the preliminary survey, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of each item ranged from 0.597 to 0.939, and the test-retest reliability was 0.747 ( P<0.001). Exploratory factor analysis extracted eight common factors with a cumulative variance contribution of 60.058%. In the formal survey, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of each item ranged from 0.484 to 0.930, and the test-retest reliability was 0.835 ( P<0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a comparative fit index of 0.750, a root-mean-square error of approximation of 0.090, and a root-mean-square residual of 0.067. Conclusion:The treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with MM designed in this study exhibited good reliability and validity, reflecting the impact of treatment on the quality of life of patients. This scale can provide a reference to clinicians for assessing the disease status of patients.

Aim To investigate the effects of lycopene on myocardial microvascular remodeling and elucidate its underlying mechanisms via the LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway.Methods 50 SD rats were selected to establish a coronary microcirculation disorder model and divided into sham,model and low/mid/high concentration lycopene groups.Left ven-tricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)in rats were detected using echocardiography,creatine kinase(CK),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)were detected using ELISA,matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and PI3K/Akt pathway related protein expression were detected using Western blot,and liver X receptor α(LXRα)and liver X receptor β(LXRβ)expression were detected using immunohistochemical staining.In vitro,a hypoxia model of myo-cardial microvascular endothelial cells(MCMEC)was established,with groups including control,hypoxia,hypoxia+low/mid/high concentration lycopene,LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor group and mitochondrial fission inhibitor group.Cell viability was detected using CCK-8,LXRα and LXRβ were detected using immunofluorescence,superoxide dismutase(SOD),reactive oxygen species(ROS),VEGF and PDGF levels were detected using ELISA,mitochondrial function-re-lated proteins(Drp1,Fis1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,PINK1,Parkin and Opa1)and MMP-9,MMP-2 and PI3K/Akt pathway related proteins were detected using Western blot,and myocardial tissue injury was evaluated using HE staining.Results Compared with the sham group,the model group exhibited severe myocardial injury,with increased levels of LVEDD,LVESD,CK and LDH,decreased LVEF and LVFS,downregulated expression of VEGF,PDGF,MMP-9 and MMP-2,de-creased expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt,and downregulated expression of LXRα and LXRβ.In cells,com-pared with the control group,the hypoxia group showed decreased cell viability,downregulated expression of VEGF,PDGF,MMP-9,and MMP-2,and decreased expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt.Lycopene treatment could ef-fectively reverse the above changes and increase the expression of LXRα and LXRβ.Moreover,lycopene could also re-verse and modulate the characteristic alterations of Drp1,Fis1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,PINK1,Parkin and Opa1 induced by LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitors or mitochondrial fission inhibitors.Conclusion Lycopene enhances mitochondrial activi-ty,reduces oxidative stress and improves myocardial microvascular remodeling by activating the LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and verify the effect and potential mechanism of Brucea javanica Seed Oil Emulsion Injection (YDZI) and Shengmai Injection (SMI) on peripheral microcirculation dysfunction in treatment of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: The potential mechanisms of YDZI and SMI were explored through network pharmacology and verified by cellular and clinical experiments. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) were cultured for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured for tube formation assay. Twenty healthy volunteers and 97 patients with GC were enrolled. Patients were divided into surgical resection, surgical resection with chemotherapy, and surgical resection with chemotherapy combining YDZI and SMI groups. Forearm skin blood perfusion was measured and recorded by laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia. Cutaneous vascular conductance and microvascular reactivity parameters were calculated and compared across the groups. RESULTS: After network pharmacology analysis, 4 ingredients, 82 active compounds, and 92 related genes in YDZI and SMI were screened out. β-Sitosterol, an active ingredient and intersection compound of YDZI and SMI, upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, P<0.01), downregulated the expression of caspase 9 (CASP9) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1, P<0.01) in HMECs under oxaliplatin stimulation, and promoted tube formation through VEGFA. Chemotherapy significantly impaired the microvascular reactivity in GC patients, whereas YDZI and SMI ameliorated this injury (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS YDZI and SMI ameliorated peripheral microvascular reactivity in GC patients. β-Sitosterol may improve peripheral microcirculation by regulating VEGFA, PTGS2, ESR1, and CASP9.
Humans ; Microcirculation/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Emulsions ; Male ; Plant Oils/administration & dosage* ; Brucea/chemistry* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Drug Combinations ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Injections ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Aged ; Network Pharmacology

Objective To screen and analyze 23 mutation sites of deafness susceptibility genes in newborns in Shenzhen using microfluidic chip technology,aiming to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of early diagnosis of congenital deafness.Methods A total of 10 561 newborns delivered in 19 hospitals in Shenzhen between November 2021 and January 2023 were selected.Heel blood samples were collected from them,and 23 key mutation sites within four core deafness susceptible genes(GJB2,SLC26A4,12S rRNA and GJB3)were detected using microfluidic chip technology.Results The results revealed that 21.87%(2 310/10 561)of the newborns carried at least one mutation in deafness susceptibility genes,with the mutation carrier rate of the GJB2 gene reaching as high as 20.42%(2 157/10 561),57 newborns were found to has compound heterozygous mutations.To further verify the accuracy of the screening results,1 203 newborns out of the 2 310 initially screened as deafness gene carriers were recalled for Sanger sequencing,the gold standard,for verification.The verification results were fully consistent with the initial screening results.Conclusion The method combining microfluidic chip technology with Sanger sequence verification significantly improves the detection efficiency and accuracy of neonatal deafness genes,providing scientific evidence and practical guidance for implementing the three-level prevention strategy for congenital deafness.

Objective To carry out cervical cancer VMAT radiotherapy planning respectively with the single-criteria optimization(SCO)and multi-criteria optimization(MCO)modes of Raystation 4.7 planning system,and to provide references for selecting optimization mode clinically by comparing and analyzing the dosimetric parameters such as target dose distribution,exposure dose to organ at risk(OAR),monitor unit and beam-on time.Methods Ten cervical cancer patients who attended some hospital from February to December 2022 were retrospectively selected,and some VMAT plans were designed for them with the SCO mode of Raystation 4.7 planning system and then enrolled into a SCO group;other VMAT plans were redesigned with the MCO mode under the premise the setup conditions such as machine model and shot field angle were unchanged,and divided into a MCO group.The two groups were compared in terms of maximum dose(D2%),minimum dose(D98%),homogeneity index(HI)and conformity index(CI)of the planning target volume(PTV),beam-on time,monitor unit and exposure doses to OARs including bladder V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy,rectum V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy,small intestine V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy and left and right femur V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy.SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results Both the two groups met clinical requirements.There were no significant differences between the two groups in D98%,CI,small intestine V50 Gy and left and right femur V40 Gy(P>0.05).The MCO group had the values of HI,D2%,V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy,rectum V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy,small intestine V40 Gy and V30 Gy and left and right femur V30 Gy lower than those of the SCO group,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).The SCO group had less monitor units and shorter beam-on time when compared with the MCO group,with the differences being statistically siginificant(P<0.05).Conclusion When compared with the SCO mode-based VMAT plans,the MCO mode-based VMAT plans significantly decrease the exposure doses and volume to rectum,bladder and small intestine and raise the PTV homogeneity,while lower the treatment efficiency to some extent by increased monitor units and prolonged beam-on time.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):39-44]

Purpose To investigate the value of oxaliplatin-induced sinusoidal injury based on 3D CT image segmentation technology,and to analyze its variation.Materials and Methods A total of 24 patients with uneven hypoperfusion of liver parenchyma in the portal vein phase of enhanced CT after receiving oxaliplatin regimen chemotherapy from November 2019 to July 2021 in the Second Affiliated Hospital,Jiangxi Medical College,Nanchang University were analyzed,retrospectively.The imaging data of patients with epigastric CT enhancement before chemotherapy,early chemotherapy(1-3 cycles)and late chemotherapy(≥4 cycles)were collected.Two doctors used 3D Slicer software to segment and measure the liver volume and spleen volume at each stage on the CT image,as well as the hepatic hypoperfusion volume(HHV)of the liver in the portal vein phase after chemotherapy,and calculated the HHV ratio(HHVR),liver volume hepatomegaly rate and spleen volume splenomegaly rate,and performed statistical analysis.Results The ICC for HHV,liver volume and spleen volume measured by two doctors were 0.997(P=0.000),0.905(P=0.000)and 0.998(P=0.000),respectively.Reddish-brown could be used to represent normal liver parenchyma,and blue could be used to render the HHV area to achieve HHV visualization.There was a statistically significant increase in HHVR in the late stage of chemotherapy compared with the early stage of chemotherapy[(74.35±30.56)%vs.(57.15±30.53)%;t=3.226,P=0.004].In the early and late stages of chemotherapy,the liver volume and spleen volume increased statistically significantly compared with those before chemotherapy(all P<0.05),and the spleen volume splenomegaly rate value in the late stage of chemotherapy increased statistically compared with the early stage of chemotherapy[25.75(7.40,70.66)%vs.17.86(4.44,63.59)%;Z=2.229,P=0.026].The Pearson correlation coefficient between liver volume hepatomegaly rate and HHVR was 0.377(P=0.008),and the Spearman correlation coefficient between spleen volume splenomegaly rate and HHVR was 0.296(P=0.041).Conclusion The application of 3D CT image segmentation technology to measure the HHV caused by oxaliplatin has good consistency,and can realize the visual display of HHV.With the increase of chemotherapy cycle,the extent of oxaliplatin-induced sinusoidal injury shows an increasing trend,and is positively correlated with hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.