OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of zedoarondiol on neovascularization of atherosclerotic (AS) plaque by exosomes experiment. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish AS model and treated with high- and low-dose (10, 5 mg/kg daily) of zedoarondiol, respectively. After 14 weeks, the expressions of anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS-1) and its receptor CD36 in plaques, as well as platelet activation rate and exosome-derived miR-let-7a were detected. Then, zedoarondiol was used to intervene in platelets in vitro, and miR-let-7a was detected in platelet-derived exosomes (Pexo). Finally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-let-7a mimics and treated with Pexo to observe the effect of miR-let-7a in Pexo on tube formation. RESULTS: Animal experiments showed that after treating with zedoarondiol, the neovascularization density in plaques of AS mice was significantly reduced, THBS-1 and CD36 increased, the platelet activation rate was markedly reduced, and the miR-let-7a level in Pexo was reduced (P<0.01). In vitro experiments, the platelet activation rate and miR-let-7a levels in Pexo were significantly reduced after zedoarondiol's intervention. Cell experiments showed that after Pexo's intervention, the tube length increased, and the transfection of miR-let-7a minics further increased the tube length of cells, while reducing the expressions of THBS-1 and CD36. CONCLUSION Zedoarondiol has the effect of inhibiting neovascularization within plaque in AS mice, and its mechanism may be potentially related to inhibiting platelet activation and reducing the Pexo-derived miRNA-let-7a level.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Exosomes/drug effects* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Blood Platelets/drug effects* ; Apolipoproteins E/deficiency* ; Thrombospondin 1/metabolism* ; CD36 Antigens/metabolism* ; Platelet Activation/drug effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Glutamine provides carbon and nitrogen to support the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the precise reason why cancer cells are particularly dependent on glutamine remains unclear. In this study, we report that glutamine modulates the tumor suppressor F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) to promote cancer cell proliferation and survival. Specifically, lysine 604 (K604) in the sixth of the 7 substrate-recruiting WD repeats of FBW7 undergoes glutaminylation (Gln-K604) by glutaminyl tRNA synthetase. Gln-K604 inhibits SCFFBW7-mediated degradation of c-Myc and Mcl-1, enhances glutamine utilization, and stimulates nucleotide and DNA biosynthesis through the activation of c-Myc. Additionally, Gln-K604 promotes resistance to apoptosis by activating Mcl-1. In contrast, SIRT1 deglutaminylates Gln-K604, thereby reversing its effects. Cancer cells lacking Gln-K604 exhibit overexpression of c-Myc and Mcl-1 and display resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Silencing both c-MYC and MCL-1 in these cells sensitizes them to chemotherapy. These findings indicate that the glutamine-mediated signal via Gln-K604 is a key driver of cancer progression and suggest potential strategies for targeted cancer therapies based on varying Gln-K604 status.
Glutamine/metabolism* ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/genetics* ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7/genetics* ; Cell Survival ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis

Dysregulated RNA splicing is a well-recognized characteristic of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its intricacies remain obscure, partly due to challenges in profiling full-length transcript variants at the single-cell level. Here, we employ high-depth long-read scRNA-seq to define the full-length transcriptome of colorectal epithelial cells in 12 CRC patients, revealing extensive isoform diversities and splicing alterations. Cancer cells exhibited increased transcript complexity, with widespread 3'-UTR shortening and reduced intron retention. Distinct splicing regulation patterns were observed between intrinsic-consensus molecular subtypes (iCMS), with iCMS3 displaying even higher splicing factor activities and more pronounced 3'-UTR shortening. Furthermore, we revealed substantial shifts in isoform usage that result in alterations of protein sequences from the same gene with distinct carcinogenic effects during tumorigenesis of CRC. Allele-specific expression analysis revealed dominant mutant allele expression in key oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Moreover, mutated PPIG was linked to widespread splicing dysregulation, and functional validation experiments confirmed its critical role in modulating RNA splicing and tumor-associated processes. Our findings highlight the transcriptomic plasticity in CRC and suggest novel candidate targets for splicing-based therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; RNA Isoforms/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; RNA Splicing ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism* ; Transcriptome

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a well-accepted therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines integrating TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of AD, limiting the clinical application of such combined approaches. Therefore, the China Association of Chinese Medicine initiated the development of the current guideline, focusing on key issues related to the use of TCM in the treatment of AD. This guideline was developed in accordance with the principles of the guideline formulation manual published by the World Health Organization. A comprehensive review of the literature on the combined use of TCM and Western medicine to treat AD was conducted. The findings were extensively discussed by experts in dermatology and pharmacy with expertise in both TCM and Western medicine. This guideline comprises 23 recommendations across seven major areas, including TCM syndrome differentiation and classification of AD, principles and application scenarios of TCM combined with Western medicine for treating AD, outcome indicators for evaluating clinical efficacy of AD treatment, integration of TCM pattern classification and Western medicine across disease stages, daily management of AD, the use of internal TCM therapies and proprietary Chinese medicines, and TCM external treatments. Please cite this article as: Du XR, Wu MY, Tao MC, Lin Y, Gu CY, Wu MF, Cao Y, Chen DC, Li W, Wang HW, Wang Y, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Liu X, Su XF, Li FL. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):641-653.
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Integrative Medicine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism. METHODS: Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. RESULTS: Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Signal Transduction ; Imiquimod ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Male ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

Aerobic glycolysis(AEG),as the main pathway of energy metabolism of various malignant tumor cells,is involved in the whole process of the occurrence and development of lung cancer,and plays a key role in inducing tumor proliferation,invasion and metastasis.Traditional Chinese medicine monomers and compounds can regulate the expression of related signaling pathways and key proteases and genes by interfering with AEG pathway,promote the apoptosis of lung cancer cells,inhibit the AEG process and the proliferation and growth of lung cancer cells,and thus play an anti-tumor role.Based on this,this paper summarized the biological function of AEG,the mechanism of regulating lung cancer and the intervention mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine,in order to provide new ideas and scientific basis for the development of clinical drugs for lung cancer.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Objective To assess the screening efficacy of a novel esophageal cell collector and esophageal exfoliated cell cytology examination for esophageal cancer and investigate risk factors associated with cytological examination results in the Han and Mongolian ethnic groups.Methods ①A total of 1196 high-risk individuals with esophageal cancer were selected for treatment at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College.Esophageal cells were collected,and endoscopic examination and mucosal biopsy of the esophagus were performed.The pathological examination of the digestive tract endoscopic biopsy tissue was used as the gold standard to verify the diagnostic efficacy of cytological examination.① In this study,9256 Han and 572 Mongolian individuals who participated in esophageal cancer screening in the Baotou area were selected as the research subjects.General information,dietary habits,lifestyle habits,and other information of the subjects were collected through a questionnaire survey.Esophageal cells were collected using a new type of esophageal cell collector,and logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for positive cytology in Han and Mongolian populations.Results ① The novel esophageal cell collector and esophageal exfoliated cell cytology examination demonstrated excellent screening capabilities for esophageal cancer,with sensitivity(92.86％),specificity(99.58％),positive predictive value(PPV)of 72.22％,negative predictive value(NPV)of 99.92％,positive likelihood ratio(PLR)of 221.10,negative likelihood ratio(NLR)of 0.07,Youden index of 0.92,and an area under the ROC curve of 0.961(0.923-1.0).The optimal cutoff value was 2.50,yielding a sensitivity of 92.90％and specificity of 88.20％.②The cytological positivity rate among the Mongolian population(2.27％)was higher than that among the Han population(1.12％).The proportion of alcohol drinkers,those with a preference for hot and spicy foods,and those consuming pickled foods was higher in the Mongolian population than in the Han population.Logistic regression analysis revealed risk factors for the Han population:gender(OR=0.381,95％CI:0.256-0.568),age(OR=1.091,95％CI:1.067-1.116),alcohol consumption(OR=1.693,95％CI:1.150-2.492),and smoking(OR=2.127,95％CI:1.439-3.143).Risk factors for the Mongolian population were gender(OR=0.174,95％CI:0.047-0.638),age(OR=1.124,95％CI:1.052-1.200),and alcohol consumption(OR=3.945,95％CI:1.074-14.489).Conclusion ①The novel type of esophageal cell collector-esophageal exfoliative cytology examination has good screening efficacy for esophageal cancer.② Gender,age,alcohol consumption,and hot eating habits are the main risk factors for positive cytological diagnosis in the Mongolian population,while gender,age,alcohol consumption,and smoking are the main risk factors for positive cytological diagnosis in the Han population.

This study primarily concentrated on scientific problems of poor taste caused by unclear critical quality attributes of oral preparations manufactured by Chinese materia medica, successfully established an identification method for taste critical quality attribute and a taste improvement method combining electronic tongue with human senses, and determined the optimal taste formula, to improve patients' oral medication compliance. The study received ethical approval from the Review Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The results showed that the proportion of bitterness of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule was 61.8%, and its bitterness grade was 3.70, it was determined that bitterness is the critical quality attribute that caused the poor taste of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule. Additionally, the optimal taste formula per milliliter of Xiaoer Qingrening sugar-free intermediate was determined with allowable daily intake, solubility, and sweetness as the limiting conditions, which was 40 mg hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin, 180 mg trehalose, and 1.5 mg acesulfame potassium. Compared with the Xiaoer Qingrening Granule, the sensory evaluation score of the optimal taste formula was increased by 37.5 points. In conclusion, this study achieved the taste improvement of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule and formed a set of taste improvement strategies including the identification of taste critical quality attribute, the selection of the type and dosage of corrigent, and the optimization of taste formula, which provided a thought reference for the taste improvement of other oral preparations and a new perspective for quality control of intelligent manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicines.

Headache is a common clinical complication of ischemic stroke. As a precursor of stroke, headache occurs repeatedly in the convalescent period of ischemic stroke, leading to secondary stroke and seriously hindering patients' rehabilitation. Currently, it is believed that the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke-related headache is associated with the abnormal release of vasoactive substances, high platelet aggregation, and stimulation of intracranial pain-sensitive structures. The active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicines(TCM) with the effects of activating blood to resolve stasis and clearing heat to release exterior can protect brain tissue and relieve headache by reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines, alleviating antioxidant stress, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and so on. This paper introduces the research progress in the potential mechanism and TCM treatment of ischemic stroke-related headache, aiming to provide reference for further research and drug development of this complication.
Humans ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Brain Ischemia/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Headache/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*