Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease caused by abnormal synchronous discharge of the brain, which is characterized by recurrent and transient neurological abnormalities, mainly manifested as loss of consciousness and limb convulsions, and can occur in people of all ages. At present, anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are still the main means of treatment, but their efficacy is limited by the problem of drug resistance, and long-term use can cause serious side effects, such as cognitive dysfunction and vital organ damage. Although surgical resection of epileptic lesions has achieved certain results in some patients, the high cost and potential risk of neurological damage limit its scope of application. Therefore, the development of safe, accurate and personalized non-invasive treatment strategies has become one of the key directions of epilepsy research. In recent years, photobiomodulation (PBM) has gained significant attention as a promising non-invasive therapeutic approach. PBM uses light of specific wavelengths to penetrate tissues and interact with photosensitive molecules within cells, thereby modulating cellular metabolic processes. Research has shown that PBM can enhance mitochondrial function, promote ATP production, improve meningeal lymphatic drainage, reduce neuroinflammation, and stimulate the growth of neurons and synapses. These biological effects suggest that PBM not only holds the potential to reduce the frequency of seizures but also to improve the metabolic state and network function of neurons, providing a novel therapeutic avenue for epilepsy treatment. Compared to traditional treatment methods, PBM is non-invasive and avoids the risks associated with surgical interventions. Its low risk of significant side effects makes it particularly suitable for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, offering new therapeutic options for those who have not responded to conventional treatments. Furthermore, PBM’s multi-target mechanism enables it to address a variety of complex etiologies of epilepsy, demonstrating its potential in precision medicine. In contrast to therapies targeting a single pathological mechanism, PBM’s multifaceted approach makes it highly adaptable to different types of epilepsy, positioning it as a promising supplementary or alternative treatment. Although animal studies and preliminary clinical trials have shown positive outcomes with PBM, its clinical application remains in the exploratory phase. Future research should aim to elucidate the precise mechanisms of PBM, optimize light parameters, such as wavelength, dose, and frequency, and investigate potential synergistic effects with other therapeutic modalities. These efforts will be crucial for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of PBM and ensuring its safety and consistency in clinical settings. This review summarizes the types of epilepsy, diagnostic biomarkers, the advantages of PBM, and its mechanisms and potential applications in epilepsy treatment. The unique value of PBM lies not only in its multi-target therapeutic effects but also in its adaptability to the diverse etiologies of epilepsy. The combination of PBM with traditional treatments, such as pharmacotherapy and neuroregulatory techniques, holds promise for developing a more comprehensive and multidimensional treatment strategy, ultimately alleviating the treatment burden on patients. PBM has also shown beneficial effects on neural network plasticity in various neurodegenerative diseases. The dynamic remodeling of neural networks plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and treatment of epilepsy, and PBM’s multi-target mechanism may promote brain function recovery by facilitating neural network remodeling. In this context, optimizing optical parameters remains a key area of research. By adjusting parameters such as wavelength, dose, and frequency, researchers aim to further enhance the therapeutic effects of PBM while maintaining its safety and stability. Looking forward, interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in the fields of neuroscience, optical engineering, and clinical medicine, will drive the development of PBM technology and facilitate its transition from laboratory research to clinical application. With the advancement of portable devices, PBM is expected to provide safer and more effective treatments for epilepsy patients and make a significant contribution to personalized medicine, positioning it as a critical component of precision therapeutic strategies.

PURPOSE: To investigate the regulatory role of nerve injury-induced protein 1 (NINJ1) in the anti-inflammatory function of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) co-stimulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). METHODS: hUC-MSCs were expanded in vitro using standard protocols, with stem cell characteristics confirmed by flow cytometry and multilineage differentiation assays. The immunomodulatory properties and cellular activity of cytokine-co-pretreated hUC-MSCs were systematically evaluated via quantitative reverse transcription RT-qPCR, lymphocyte proliferation suppression assays, and Cell Counting Kit-8 viability tests. Transcriptome sequencing, Western blotting and small interfering RNA interference were integrated to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of NINJ1 expression. Functional roles of NINJ1 in pretreated hUC-MSCs were elucidated through gene silencing combined with lactate dehydrogenase release assays, Annexin V/Propidium Iodide apoptosis analysis, macrophage co-culture models, and cytokine Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Therapeutic efficacy was validated in a cecal ligation and puncture-induced septic mouse model: 80 mice were randomly allocated into 4 experimental groups (n=20/group): sham group (laparotomy without cecal ligation); phosphate-buffered saline-treated group (cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) + 0.1 mL phosphate-buffered saline); hUC-MSCs (small interfering RNA (siRNA)-interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha co-stimulation (IT))-treated group (CLP + hUC-MSCs transfected with scrambled siRNA); and hUC-MSCs (siNINJ1-IT)-treated group (CLP + hUC-MSCs with NINJ1-targeting siRNA). RESULTS: hUC-MSCs demonstrated compliance with International Society for Cellular Therapy criteria, confirming their stem cell identity. IFN-γ/TNF-α co-pretreatment enhanced the immunosuppressive capacity of hUC-MSCs, accompanied by the reduction of cellular viability, while concurrently upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β. This co-stimulation significantly elevated NINJ1 expression in hUC-MSCs, whereas genetic silencing of NINJ1 effectively suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production and attenuated damage-associated molecular patterns release through inhibition of programmed plasma membrane rupture. Furthermore, the NINJ1 interference potentiated the ability of cytokine-pretreated hUC-MSCs to suppress LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages. In cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis model, NINJ1-silenced hUC-MSCs exhibited enhanced therapeutic efficacy, manifested by reduced systemic inflammation and multi-organ damage. CONCLUSION Our findings shed new light on the immunomodulatory functions of cytokine-primed MSCs, offering groundbreaking insights for developing MSC-based therapies against inflammatory diseases via interfering the expression of NINJ1.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Animals ; Interferon-gamma/pharmacology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Mice ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Apoptosis ; Male

Anxiety/epidemiology* ; Depression/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Sleep ; Sleep Quality ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universities

Obvious epigenetic differentiation occurred on Lycium barbarum in different cultivation areas in China. To investigate the difference and change rule of DNA methylation level and pattern of L. barbarum from different cultivation areas in China, the present study employed fluorescence-assisted methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism(MSAP) to analyze the methylation level and polymorphism of 53 genomic DNA samples from Yinchuan Plain in Ningxia, Bayannur city in Inner Mongolia, Jingyuan county and Yumen city in Gansu, Delingha city in Qinghai, and Jinghe county in Xinjiang. The MSAP technical system suitable for the methylation analysis of L. barbarum genomic DNA was established and ten pairs of selective primers were selected. Among amplified 5'-CCGG-3' methylated sites, there were 35.85% full-methylated sites and 39.88% hemi-methylated sites, showing a high degree of epigenetic differentiation. Stoichiometric analysis showed that the ecological environment was the main factor affecting the epigenetic characteristics of L. barbarum, followed by cultivated varieties. Precipitation, air temperature, and soil pH were the main ecological factors affecting DNA methylation in different areas. This study provided a theoretical basis for the analysis of the epigenetic mechanism of L. barbarum to adapt to the diffe-rent ecological environments and research ideas for the introduction, cultivation, and germplasm traceability of L. barbarum.
China ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Primers ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Lycium/genetics*

In order to evaluate the composition and distribution characteristics of inorganic elements in Laminaria japonica, this study employed inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) to detect the inorganic elements and used high performance liquid chromatography tandem ICP-MS(HPLC-ICP-MS) to determine the content of different arsenic species in L. japonica from diffe-rent origins. Micro X-ray fluorescence(Micro-XRF) was used to determine micro-area distribution of inorganic elements in L. japonica. The results showed that the average content of Mn, Fe, Sr, and Al was high, and that of As and Cr exceeded the limits of the national food safety standard. According to the results of HPLC-ICP-MS, arsenobetaine(AsB) was the main species of As contained in L. japonica. The more toxic inorganic arsenic accounts for a small proportion, whereas its content was 1-4 times of the limit in the national food safety standard. The results of Micro-XRF showed that As, Pb, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Ni were mainly distributed on the surface of L. japonica. Among them, As and Pb had a clear tendency to diffuse from the surface to the inside. The results of the study can provide a basis for the processing as well as the medicinal and edible safety evaluation of L. japonica.
Arsenic/analysis* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Laminaria ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Spectrum Analysis ; Trace Elements/analysis*

Objective:To introduce a new TIANJI robot assisted targeted puncture technique, and discuss the feasibility and clinical effect of transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (tPELD) using this technique.Methods:The first 14 consecutive cases of single level lumbar disc herniation who underwent robot assisted tPELD procedure were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age was 46.3±16.0 years old (ranged from 16-72). After data transferred from C-arm to robot system and automatic registration, surgeons made plans of the trajectory on robot system based on intraoperative 3-dimensional images of lumbar spine. Move robotic arm to planned position, guide an accurate puncture pathway and establish working cannula. 25 consecutive patients who underwent conventional C-arm assisted tPELD surgery during the same period of time were assessed as the controlled group. The mean age was 45.5±13.7 years old (ranged from 16-68). All patients were followed up for 12 months. Clinical effect was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Modified Macnab criteria. Intraoperative parameters and surgery-related complications were recorded.Results:The baseline data of age, surgical level, types of herniation, preoperative VAS scores and ODI had no significant difference between two groups ( P>0.05). In robot group, one case was converted to open microdiscectomy during operation due to technical failure. The other thirteen cases had successful robot assisted tPELD surgeries and were assessed accordingly. The new technique had good clinical outcomes. The immediate post-operative VAS score 2.85±1.79 and the last follow-up VAS score 1.50±1.04 were both significantly decreased than that before surgery 7.62±0.92 ( F=69.747, P<0.01); the last follow-up ODI 18.89%±12.16% was significantly reduced from the pre-operative ODI 71.19%±12.12% ( t=15.430, P<0.01). Between two groups, the immediate post-operative VAS score ( t=0.568, P=0.574), the last follow-up VAS score ( t=0.713, P=0.481), and last follow-up ODI had no significant difference ( t=0.171, P=0.865). The excellent or good rate of modified Macnab criteria at the last follow-up was 92.30% in robot group, comparing to 84.0% in controlled group. The fluoroscopic times during surgery of robot group 8.8±5.5 was significantly lowered the in controlled group 21.3±8.3 ( P<0.01). One case in robot group and two cases in controlled group had recurrence during follow-up period (recurrence rate 7.7% vs. 8.3%). However, there was no significant complications such as nerve root injury, dura injury or increased intracranial pressure in both groups. Conclusion:This study confirmed the feasibility of this new technique. Preliminary results indicated that TIANJI robot could help to build an easy, accurate and safe procedure of tPELD surgery.

Mume Flos is a traditional Chinese medicinal material，with the effects of soothing the liver，resolving phlegm and dispelling stagnation. It was mainly used to treat globus hystericus，liver and stomach pain，loss of appetite，dizziness and scrofula. Mume Flos is native to China，with a long history of cultivation and application and complex and diverse varieties. There are hundreds varieties of Mume Flos，including fruiting Mei and flowering Mei. However，there was no ancient literature on which color of Mume Flos is the best traditional Chinese medicinal material among those with different colors，as well as relevant study report on the correlation between medicinal Mume Flos group and plant systematics. In order to define the origin，the author conducted the textual research on the changes in the origin，quality and producing areas of the Mume Flos in the past dynasties. According to the findings， traditional medicinal Mume Flos were mainly green calyx Mume Flos and white Mume Flos，and derived from flowering Mei of the true Mume branch. Among them， green calyx Mume Flos belonged to the green calyx group， while medicinal white Mume Flos belonged to the albo-plena group and the single-lobe group. The producing area of Mume Flos was first recorded in Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic，where now in southern Shaanxi province. After the Song dynasty，due to climate，social and economic factors，the producing areas of Mume Flos had continued to move southward from Shaanxi province to the Yangtze River and Dongting Lake basins. Till the Ming and Qing dynasties，the distribution of Mume Flos was also reported in Guangdong province and Hainan province. In modern times，due to the comprehensive impact of natural climate conditions and urbanization，the producing areas of medicinal Mume Flos had gradually changed from Sichuan province，Jiangsu province and Zhejiang province to southern Anhui province at present. In this paper，the textual research is conducted to define the origin and systematically summarize the changes in the producing areas of Mume Flos，so as to provide reference for defining the origin of Mume Flos and the groups of medicinal Mume Flos and making further development and utilization of resources.

Objectives:To compare the efficiacy of retro-auricular single-site endoscopic thyroidectomy (RASSET) and that of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA).Methods:In Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 10 patients underwent RASSET from June 2021 to August 2021, and 21 patients underwent TOETVA from January 2016 to August 2021. All the 21 patients′ clinical data was analyzed retrospectively. There were 2 males and 8 females in the RASSET group, aging (48.2±13.9) years (range: 28 to 67 years). There were 5 males and 16 females in the TOETVA group, aging (31.3±8.2) years (range: 21 to 49 years). All patients underwent thyroid lobectomy. A 3 cm in length incision was cut on single auricula posterior sulci to creat the approach in the RASSET group. Then a Trocar made with of a glove was inserted. Retaining the omohyoid, the sternocleidomastoid muscle and anterior cervical muscle were pulled apart, exposing a single lobe of the thyroid gland and lymphatic tissue of zone Ⅵ, for en-bloc resection. The clinical data of the two groups were collected and analyzed by t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher exact test or χ 2 test. Clinical data and postoperative efficacy indexes such as operation time, postoperative C reactive protein level, and postoperative complications were recorded. Results:Compared with the TOETVA group, the operation time was longer in the RASSET group ((256.8±77.0) minutes vs. (201.2±54.9) minutes, t=2.31, P=0.028), and increase of postoperative C reaction protein (24 hours postoperative vs. preoperative) was lower in the RASSET group (8.58(13.24) mg/L vs. 46.24(48.88) mg/L, Z=-4.311, P<0.01). But there was no significant difference between the RASSET group and TOETVA group in the number of lymph nodes dissection (2(5) vs. 2(3), Z=-0.326, P=0.759). Besides, there were no complications in the RASSET group. Conclusion:Retro-auricular single-site endoscopic thyroid loectomy is easy to achieve the en-bloc resection of tumors with a well-concealed scar and less traumatic dissection.

Objectives:To compare the efficiacy of retro-auricular single-site endoscopic thyroidectomy (RASSET) and that of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA).Methods:In Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 10 patients underwent RASSET from June 2021 to August 2021, and 21 patients underwent TOETVA from January 2016 to August 2021. All the 21 patients′ clinical data was analyzed retrospectively. There were 2 males and 8 females in the RASSET group, aging (48.2±13.9) years (range: 28 to 67 years). There were 5 males and 16 females in the TOETVA group, aging (31.3±8.2) years (range: 21 to 49 years). All patients underwent thyroid lobectomy. A 3 cm in length incision was cut on single auricula posterior sulci to creat the approach in the RASSET group. Then a Trocar made with of a glove was inserted. Retaining the omohyoid, the sternocleidomastoid muscle and anterior cervical muscle were pulled apart, exposing a single lobe of the thyroid gland and lymphatic tissue of zone Ⅵ, for en-bloc resection. The clinical data of the two groups were collected and analyzed by t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher exact test or χ 2 test. Clinical data and postoperative efficacy indexes such as operation time, postoperative C reactive protein level, and postoperative complications were recorded. Results:Compared with the TOETVA group, the operation time was longer in the RASSET group ((256.8±77.0) minutes vs. (201.2±54.9) minutes, t=2.31, P=0.028), and increase of postoperative C reaction protein (24 hours postoperative vs. preoperative) was lower in the RASSET group (8.58(13.24) mg/L vs. 46.24(48.88) mg/L, Z=-4.311, P<0.01). But there was no significant difference between the RASSET group and TOETVA group in the number of lymph nodes dissection (2(5) vs. 2(3), Z=-0.326, P=0.759). Besides, there were no complications in the RASSET group. Conclusion:Retro-auricular single-site endoscopic thyroid loectomy is easy to achieve the en-bloc resection of tumors with a well-concealed scar and less traumatic dissection.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common pediatric cancer. The second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) in long-term survivors of pediatric ALL are relatively rare. Herein we report a 10-year-old girl who was diagnosed as primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) 5 years after the initial diagnosis of ALL with radiotherapy-free treatment. PNET is an exceedingly rare neoplasm in SMNs of survivors of childhood ALL. It is predisposed to be misdiagnosed and the pathogenesis is unclear. The outcome is poor. Long-term follow-up is necessary for the survival children of ALL.