Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss undermines the physical and mental health of women. Recent randomized controlled trials have reported some effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); however, whether various TCM methods have different effectiveness remains unclear. Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of TCM for patients with RPL and to explore whether various TCM methods have different effectiveness. Methods: Ten databases were searched up to May 27, 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool. Pairwise and network analyses were conducted using Stata 18.0. Results: A total of 47 randomized controlled trials enrolling 6678 women with RPL were included. Pairwise analysis showed that use of TCM had a significantly lower miscarriage rate (RR 0.50 [95% CI 0.45, 0.55]), lower preterm birth rate (RR 0.81 [95% CI 0.67, 0.98), and lower adverse event rate (RR 0.46 [95% CI 0.37, 0.58]). Moreover, use of TCM was associated with a higher alive-fetus rate (RR 1.21 [95% CI 1.15, 1.26]), live-birth rate (RR 1.20 [95% CI 1.15, 1.25]), and full-term rate (RR 1.37 [95% CI 1.23, 1.53]) compared with nonuse of TCM. Network analysis demonstrated that Bushenshugan combined with conventional Western medicine was ranked the best for the reduction of miscarriage rate. Discussion: Use of TCM is more likely to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce adverse events compared with nonuse of TCM in patients with RPL. Different TCM methods have differences in reducing the miscarriage rate. The Bushenshugan method might be a potential optimal TCM therapy, but more high-quality evidence is needed to further validate and evaluate the efficacy and safety.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB） comorbid with metabolically associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） and analyze their correlation with clinical characteristics and the progression of liver fibrosis. MethodsA cross-sectional study method was employed， and 506 patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD who attended the Hepatology Outpatient Department of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from June 2024 to December 2024 were enrolled. General information， traditional Chinese medicine syndromes information， laboratory indicators， and imaging examination results were collected using case report forms （CRF）. Tongue images of patients were acquired using a tongue diagnosis instrument， and tongue feature parameters were extracted using computer image processing technology. Frequency analysis， factor analysis， and cluster analysis， and other methods were used to explore syndrome categories and distribution patterns. Non-parametric tests were used to compare the differences in clinical characteristics among different syndromes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and the progression of liver fibrosis. ResultsThe main traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD were mainly dominated by damp-heat accumulation syndrome， liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome， and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome， with damp-heat accumulation syndrome accounting for the highest proportion （41.89%）. Compared with those without damp-heat accumulation syndrome， patients with damp-heat accumulation syndrome had significantly lower tongue proper H value， tongue coating H value， and tongue coating a^* value （P<0.05）， significantly higher tongue coating b^* value （P<0.05）， significantly increased levels of white blood cell （WBC）， red blood cell （RBC）， hemoglobin （HGB）， and glucose （GLU）， increased CAP values （P<0.05）， a higher proportion of males （P<0.05）， and a younger age （P<0.05）. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses show that age， hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg）， diabetes， and damp-heat accumulation syndrome are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis （P<0.05）， and that damp-heat accumulation syndrome is predominantly distributed in liver fibrosis stage F0-F1. ConclusionDamp-heat accumulation syndrome is a typical syndrome in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD， which is significantly associated with enhanced inflammatory response， metabolic disorders， and early liver fibrosis， and is a key link in disease progression. Clinical attention and early intervention are needed.

Probiotics have shown excellent application prospects in preventing and treating many diseases. However, their sensitivity to the harsh environment in vivo always leads to a massive loss of viability and insufficient therapeutic effect. Fortunately, modified probiotics have emerged and provide multiple possibilities for their use in various diseases. Modification not only endows probiotics with extra capacity to resist severe environments but also gives them exogenous characteristics, such as prolonged retention time and improved therapeutic effects. Modified probiotics could combine with other therapies, which has opened up new avenues to enhance the efficacy of probiotic-based therapy. In this review, we have summarized the current physicochemical and biological modification strategies of probiotics. In addition, the progress of research on probiotic-based combination therapy has also been extensively reviewed, which contributes to the enhanced delivery of probiotics or other active constituents and provides new ideas for disease treatment, bioimaging, and diagnosis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and its pathogenesis is largely modulated by abnormal angiogenesis. Previous research has indicated that AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), an important demethylase affecting N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification, plays a role in regulating angiogenesis in cardiovascular and eye diseases. Our present study found that ALKBH5 was upregulated and co-localized with cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) in the skin of IMQ group compared with control group. ALKBH5-deficient mice decreased IMQ-induced psoriatic dermatitis and exhibited histological improvements, including decreased epidermal thickness, hyperkeratosis, numbers of dermal capillary vessels and inflammatory cell infiltration. ALKBH5-KO mice alleviated angiogenesis in psoriatic lesions by downregulating the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Additionally, the expression of ALKBH5 was significantly upregulated in IL-17A-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which further promoted the expression of angiogenesis-related cytokines and endothelial cell proliferation. Cell proliferation and angiogenesis were suppressed in ALKBH5 knockdown group, whereas ALKBH5 overexpression promoted these processes. The regulation of angiogenesis in HUVECs by ALKBH5 was facilitated through the AKT-mTOR pathway. Collectively, ALKBH5 plays a pivotal role in psoriatic dermatitis and angiogenesis, which may offer a new potential targets for treating psoriasis.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Models, Animal ; Signal Transduction ; Male ; Skin/blood supply* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Angiogenesis

Objective To explore the efficacy of Ludangshen oral liquid combined with piperacillin tazobactam in the treatment of severe pneumonia and its influence on inflammatory factors and immune function.Methods A total of 80 patients with severe pneumonia who were treated in Jiangxi Chest Hospital from January 2024 to March 2025 were selected and randomly divided into control group and observation group,with 40 cases in each group.The control group was treated with intravenous infusion of piperacillin tazobactam,while the observation group was additionally given Ludangshen oral liquid on the basis of the treatment given to control group.The therapeutic effects,inflammatory indicators[interleukin-6(IL-6),procalcitonin(PCT),C-reactive protein(CRP)],immune function indicators[immunoglobulin(Ig)G,IgA,IgM],blood gas indicators[arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2),pH,fraction of inspired oxygen(FiO2)],pulmonary function indicators[forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC),FEV1/FVC]and the occurrence of drug-related adverse events of two groups of patients were compared.Results The total effective rate of treatment in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,IL-6,PCT,CRP,PaCO2 and FiO2 in both groups of patients were significantly lower than those before treatment,while IgG,IgA,IgM,PaO2,pH,FEV1,FVC and FEV1/FVC were significantly higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The IL-6,PCT,CRP,PaCO2 and FiO2 in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group,while IgG,IgA,IgM,PaO2,pH,FEV1,FVC and FEV1/FVC were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.05).During the treatment period,there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of drug-related adverse events between two groups of patients(P＞0.05).Conclusion The combination of Ludangshen oral liquid and piperacillin tazobactam for the treatment of severe pneumonia has a good efficacy,can enhance pulmonary function,and has a good safety.

The paper reports a 32-year-old female acute myeloid leukemia patient who developed graft-versus-host disease after paternal hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which subsequently led to renal thrombotic microangiopathy. She subsequently required a kidney transplant from the same donor 5 years later due to renal failure. Considering that both the bone marrow and kidney were from the same donor and the recovery of renal function was favorable, immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued after a short course of anti-rejection treatment, with maintained stable kidney function. This case suggests that under the condition of high chimerism, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and kidney transplantation from the same donor can achieve immune tolerance, potentially improving solid organ transplantation success rate. The findings provide a novel therapeutic approach for solid organ transplantation following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND:During healing process of chronic wounds,excessive production of reactive oxygen species can impair the function of L929 fibroblasts,thereby delaying wound repair.Therefore,protecting fibroblasts from oxidative stress is important to promote wound healing. OBJECTIVE:To assess the protective effects of carboxymethyl chitosan-oxidized chondroitin sulfate/platelet-rich plasma(CMC-OCS/PRP)hydrogel on L929 cells under H2O2 stimulation. METHODS:CMC-OCS/PRP hydrogels were prepared,and the micromorphology,degradation performance,scavenging ability of H2O2 and hydroxyl radical and biocompatibility of the hydrogels were characterized.L929 cells with good growth state were taken and cultured in five groups.The control group was cultured conventionally.H2O2 was added to the H2O2 group.Carboxymethyl chitosan-oxidized chondroitin sulfate hydrogel extract+H2O2 was added to the CMC-OCS group.Platelet-rich plasma gel extract+H2O2 was added to the PRP group.The CMC-OCS/PRP group was treated with carboxymethyl chitosan-oxidized chondroitin sulfate/platelet-rich plasma hydrogel extract+H2O2.Each group was treated with hydrogel extract for 6 hours,and then H2O2 for 24 hours.After culture,the levels of active oxygen and malondialdehyde,apoptosis and expression of collagen fiber I protein were detected.In the presence of H2O2,the above hydrogel extracts were directly or indirectly co-cultured with L929 fibroblasts for 36 hours,respectively.Migration ability of the cells was detected by scratch test and Transwell chamber test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)CMC-OCS/PRP hydrogels had uniform and interrelated porous structure and good degradation ability,could effectively remove H2O2 and hydroxyl radicals in vitro,and had good biocompatibility.(2)Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate,reactive oxygen species,and malondialdehyde levels were increased(P<0.05);the spread area of cells was decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of collagen fiber I protein had no significant changes(P>0.05)in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,reactive oxygen species level was decreased in the CMC-OCS group(P<0.05),malondialdehyde level was decreased(P<0.05),and cell spread area was increased(P<0.05)in the PRP group,CMC-OCS group,and CMC-OCS/PRP group;apoptosis rate was decreased in the CMC-OCS/PRP group(P<0.05),and collagen fiber I protein expression was increased in the PRP group,CMC-OCS group,and CMC-OCS/PRP group(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the control group,the number of cell migration was decreased(P<0.05),and the migration area had no significant change(P>0.05)in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the number and area of cell migration were increased in the PRP group,CMC-OCS group,and CMC-OCS/PRP group(P<0.05),and the increase was most significant in the CMC-OCS/PRP group.(4)Under oxidative stress,CMC-OCS/PRP hydrogel can improve the migration ability of fibroblasts,resist cell apoptosis,and preserve cell extension function.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the decoction and dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions and to provide a reference basis for the clinical use of rhubarb root and rhizome. By collating the relevant classical prescriptions of rhubarb root and rhizome in Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolüe, the relationship between its decoction and dosing methods and the syndrome was analyzed. The decoction of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions can be divided into three categories: simultaneous decoction, decoction later, and other methods (impregnation in Mafei decoction, decoction with water from the well spring first taken in the morning, and pills). If it enters the blood level or wants to slow down, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted at the same time with other drugs. If it enters the qi level and wants to speed up, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted later. If it wants to upwardly move, rhubarb root and rhizome should be immersed in Mafei decoction. If it wants to suppress liver yang, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted with water from the well spring first taken in the morning. If the disease is prolonged, rhubarb root and rhizome should be taken in pill form. The dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome can be divided into five categories: draught, twice, three times, before meals, and unspecified. For acute and serious illnesses with excess of pathogenic qi and adequate vital qi, we choose draught. For gastrointestinal diseases, we choose to take the medicine twice. For achieving a moderate and long-lasting effect, we choose to take the medicine three times. If the disease is located in the lower part of the heart and abdomen, we choose to take it before meals. The use of rhubarb root and rhizome in clinical practice requires the selection of the appropriate decoction and dosing methods according to the location of the disease, the severity of the disease, the patient′s constitution, and the condition after taking the medicine.

Objective:To investigate effects of picroside Ⅱ(PⅡ)on proliferation,apoptosis and immune escape of lung cancer cells by regulating C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2)/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2(CCR2)signaling axis.Methods:Human lung cancer cells NCI-H292 were cultured and treated with 0,5,10,20,40 and 80 μmol/L PⅡ,MTT method was applied to detect cell viability.Experiment was separated into control group,low,medium and high concentrations PⅡ groups(PⅡ-L,PⅡ-M,PⅡ-H,10,20 and 40 μmol/L PⅡ),high concentration PⅡ+CCL2 overexpression negative control group(PⅡ-H+pcDNA-NC,40 μmol/L PⅡ+pcDNA-NC)and high concentration PⅡ+CCL2 overexpression group(PⅡ-H+CCL2,40 μmol/L PⅡ+pcDNA-CCL2).EdU method was applied to measure cell proliferation;flow cytometry was applied to measure cell apoptosis;immunoblotting was applied to determine expressions of CCL2,CCR2,B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax).Lung can-cer cells in each group were co-cultured with CD8+T cells,Trypan blue staining was applied to measure CD8+T cell viability;ELISA was applied to determine levels of programmed death receptor-ligand 1(PD-L1),IL-10,IFN-γ and TGF-β.Results:Compared with 0 μmol/L,cell viability treated with 10,20,40 and 80 μmol/L PⅡ were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and 10,20 and 40 μmol/L PⅡ were selected for subsequent experiments.Compared with control group,positive rate of EdU and expressions of Bcl-2,CCL2 and CCR2 in PⅡ-L group,PⅡ-M group and PⅡ-H group were decreased sequentially(P<0.05),while apoptosis rate and expression of Bax were increased sequentially(P<0.05).Compared with PⅡ-H+pcDNA-NC group,positive rate of EdU and expressions of Bcl-2,CCL2 and CCR2 in PⅡ-H+CCL2 group were increased obviously(P<0.05),while apoptosis rate and expression of Bax were de-creased significantly(P<0.05).After co-culturing with CD8+T cells,compared with control group,levels of IL-10,TGF-β and PD-L1 in PⅡ-L group,PⅡ-M group and PⅡ-H group were decreased sequentially(P<0.05),while CD8+T cell viability and level of IFN-γ were increased sequentially(P<0.05).Compared with PⅡ-H+pcDNA-NC group,levels of IL-10,TGF-β and PD-L1 in PⅡ-H+CCL2 group were increased obviously(P<0.05),while CD8+T cell viability and level of IFN-γ were reduced significantly(P<0.05).Conclu-sion:PⅡ may inhibit proliferation and immune escape of lung cancer cells,and promote cell apoptosis by inhibiting CCL2-CCR2 sig-naling axis.

Objective:To explore the potential causal relationships between major depressive disorder(MDD),anxiety disorder(AD)and various highly prevalent cancers from the genetic perspective.Methods:Sum-mary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies(GW AS)were analyzed using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach.The inverse variance weighting method(IVW)was usedas the main analytical approach.The intercept term of MR-Egger regression and the MR-PRESSO method were adopted for the pleiotropy test.Results:The IVW analysis revealed potential causal relationships between MDD and breast cancer[OR(95％CI):1.11(1.01-1.22),P＜0.05],AD and lung cancer[OR(95％CI):1.30(1.02-1.65),P＜0.05],and between colon cancer and MDD[OR(95％CI):1.05(1.00-1.11),P＜0.05].The results of the pleiotropy test showed that the intercept terms of the MR-Egger regression were not statistically significant,indica-ting the absence of pleiotropy.The MR-PRESSO method detected outliers only in the relationship between MDD and breast cancer.The association between MDD and breast cancer remained significant after correction for outliers[OR(95％CI):1.10(1.03-1.17),P＜0.05].Conclusion:The study suggests that MDD may be a risk factor for breast cancer,AD may increase the risk factor for lung cancer,and colon cancer may elevate the risk factor of MDD.Moreover,the possibility of reverse causal relationships has been excluded in all these cases.