Objective: To investigate the mechanism of in alleviating colonic mucosal inflammation in ten-eleven translocation (TET) protein 2 gene knockout (TET2-/-) mice with ulcerative colitis (UC) by regulating DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and DNA hydroxymethylase. Methods: Male specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice (n = 8) and TET2-/- mice (n = 20) were used to establish UC models by freely drinking 3% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 7 d. After UC model validation through histopathological examination in two mice from each type, the remaining mice were divided into four groups (n = 6 in each group): WT model (WT + UC), TET2-/- model (TET2-/- + UC), TET2-/- mild moxibustion (TET2-/- + MM), and TET2-/- electroacupuncture (TET2-/- + EA) groups. TET2-/- + MM group received mild moxibustion on Tianshu (ST25) and Qihai (CV6) for 10 min daily for 7 d. The TET2-/- + EA group also applied electroacupuncture (1 mA, 2/100 Hz) at the same acupoints for 10 min daily for 7 d. The disease activity index (DAI) scores of each group of mice were accessed daily. The colon lengths of mice in groups were measured following intervention. The pathological changes in the colon tissues were observed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, C-C motif chemokine 17 (CCL17), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of DNMT proteins (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) in the colon tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), and DNA hydroxymethylase family proteins (TET 1 and TET3) was detected using immunofluorescence, which also determined the co-localization of TET1 and IL-6 protein. Results: Compared with WT + UC group, TET2-/- + UC group exhibited significantly higher DAI scores and shorter colon lengths (P < 0.01). Both mild moxibustion and electroacupuncture significantly decreased DAI scores and ameliorated colon shortening in TET2-/- mice (P < 0.001). Histopathological scores of TET2-/- + UC mice were significantly higher than those of WT + UC group (P < 0.001) and were significantly reduced after both mild moxibustion and electroacupuncture interventions (P < 0.001). Serum levels of IL-6, CCL17, and CXCL10 were significantly elevated in TET2-/- + UC group compared with WT + UC group (P < 0.001). Mild moxibustion significantly reduced IL-6, CCL17, and CXCL10 levels (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.01, respectively), while electroacupuncture also significantly reduced IL-6, CCL17, and CXCL10 levels (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively). TET2-/- + UC mice showed increased expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3A , DNMT3B, and 5-mC (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively), with decreased expression levels of TET1, TET3, 5-hmC, and HDAC2 (P < 0.001). Mild moxibustion significantly reduced DNMT1, DNMT3B, and 5-mC levels (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001, respectively), while increasing expression levels of TET1, TET3, 5-hmC, and HDAC2 (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively). Electroacupuncture significantly decreased 5-mC and DNMT3B levels (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) and increased 5-hmC and HDAC2 levels (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively), but did not significantly affect TET1 and TET3 expression (P > 0.05). Compared with TET2-/- + MM group, TET2-/- + EA group showed significantly higher 5-mC expression (P < 0.001). TET2-/- + UC group exhibited markedly increased IL-6 expression and higher co-localization of TET1 and IL-6 in mucosal epithelium, whereas minimal IL-6 expression was observed in the other groups. Conclusion Mild moxibustion and electroacupuncture significantly ameliorate colonic inflammation exacerbated by TET2 deficiency in UC mice via epigenetic modulation. Distinct mechanisms exist between the two interventions: mild moxibustion regulates both DNMT and hydroxymethylase, whereas electroacupuncture primarily affects DNMT.

Stasis-heat is a pathological factor associated with numerous exogenous and internal injuries, representing a pivotal mechanism in disease progression. Its primary cause is fire-heat toxicity. Based on the theory of qi and the holistic perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, this concept emphasizes that the biochemistry of all natural phenomena relies on the dynamic movement of qi ascending, descending, exiting, and entering. Within six qi, "fire" includes sovereign and ministerial fires. While physiological ministerial fire is the source power of life, pathological ministerial fire manifests as violent, intense energy that readily interacts with blood, leading to the formation of stasis-heat. Therefore, this article examines the formation and treatment of stasis-heat resulting from ministerial fire dysfunction. From the perspectives of ministerial fire gasification, the shape and quality of meridians, and the elevation of ministerial fire, it elucidates why the "pericardium-sanjiao-gallbladder" axis is regarded as pivotal. Furthermore, when the "pericardium-sanjiao-gallbladder" ministerial fire axis is unfavorable, and the stagnation of ministerial fire elevation and blockage is crucial to stasis-heat formation. Additionally, the depletion of essence and blood in the liver and kidneys, preventing the proper storage of ministerial fire, forms the pathological foundation. Drawing upon The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor, this article explores therapeutic principles based on the rules of odor treatment: "when fires in the interior, the treatment of salty and cold, accompanied by bitter and pungent, acid to astringe, bitter to disperse." These principles are applied to achieve specific therapeutic goals: tempering the excess of ministerial fire to cool the nutritive level and transform stasis; adjusting the imbalance of elevation and depression to vent heat and unblock stasis; and restoring the misplaced fire by nourishing blood to expel stasis. Through these approaches, the article aims to reestablish the proper circulation of ministerial fire, dissipate blood stasis, and ultimately eliminate stasis-heat, thereby offering an integrated perspective on its pathogenesis and treatment.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Prunella vulgaris and Scutellaria barbata herb pair against breast cancer based on network pharmacology and in vitro cell experiments.Methods The effective components and targets of Prunella vulgaris and Scutellaria barbata herb pair were screened.GeneCards and OMIM databases were used to find breast cancer targets,and then drug-active ingredient-key target network and protein-protein inter-action(PPI)were constructed.R language was used to perform GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analy-sis and survival analysis.Then the screened active components and core targets were verified by molecular docking.Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay.EdU and flow cytometry were used to detect cell proliferation and apop-tosis.The protein expression levels of p-AKT1,AKT1,β-catenin and c-MYC were detected by Western blot.Results Through databases analysis,a total of 36 active components and 105 intersection targets were screened out,the core components were quercetin,luteolin,kaempferol,wogonin and baicalein.Through PPI and survival analysis,the key targets were AKT1,ESR1,CASP3 and MYC.GO analysis contained 4 303 enrichment results,KEGG analysis contained 232 pathways.Molecular docking showed that the core components had strong binding ability with the key targets.Cell experiments showed that the core active ingredient quercetin could inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells and promote their apoptosis(P＜0.05),and down-regulate the expression levels of p-AKT1,β-catenin and c-MYC proteins(P＜0.05).Conclusion The active components quercetin in Prunella vulgaris and Scutel-laria barbata herb pair may play a role through AKT1/β-catenin signaling pathway,which provides a scientific refer-ence for the study of its mechanism of action in the treatment of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of the water extract of Morinda officinalis on the expressions of sex hormones and receptors in bisphenol A （BPA）-contaminated mice. METHODS Totally 60 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into control group， model group， and low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups of M. officinalis water extract （20， 40， 60 mg/kg）， with 12 mice in each group. The model group and M. officinalis water extract groups were given BPA intragastrically [50 mg/（kg·d）， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks] to establish the BPA-contamination model of mice. After modeling， each drug group was gavaged with the corresponding drug solution， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， the body weight and testicular weight of the mice in each group were weighed， the histopathological changes in the testis were observed， and the serum sex hormones [luteinizing hormone （LH）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）] contents and the mRNA and protein expressions of LH receptor （LHR） and FSH receptor （FSHR） in the testicular tissues were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the testicular tissues of mice in the model group had structural degeneration， loose connections between spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells， obvious lacunae and reduced number of spermatogenic cells； the mRNA and protein expressions of LHR and FSHR in testicular tissues were significantly down-regulated （P＜0.01）， but there were no significant changes in their body weights， testicular weights， and serum contents of LH and FSH （P＞0.05）. Compared with the model group， the histopathological changes of testicular tissues of mice in each dose group of M. officinalis water extract were improved to different degrees， and the mRNA and protein expressions of LHR and FSHR in testicular tissues were up-regulated to different degrees （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）， and some indicator levels were similar to those of the control group （P＞0.05）. However， there were no significant changes in their body weights， testicular weights， and serum contents of LH and FSH （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The water extract of M. officinalis has a certain improvement effect on testicular injury in BPA-contaminated mice， which might be related to its increase in the mRNA and protein expressions of LHR and FSHR.

Objective To investigate whether cisplatin induces tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)secretion in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)cells to trigger RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-dependent necroptosis of the cells.Methods HNSCC cell lines HN4 and SCC4 treated with cisplatin(CDDP)or the combined treatment with CDDP and z-VAD-fmk(a caspase inhibitor)or Nec-1(a necroptosis inhibitor)for 24 h were examined for changes in cell viability using CCK8 assay and expressions of caspase-8 and necroptosis pathway proteins(RIP1/RIP3/MLKL)using Western blotting.The changes in migration of the cells were assessed with cell scratch assay,and the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)marker proteins N-cadherin,vimentin,and E-cadherin as well as the expressions of NF-κB(p65)and TNF-α were detected with Western blotting.Results The IC50 of cisplatin was 10 μg/mL in HN4 cells and 15 μg/mL in SCC4 cells.Cisplatin treatment significantly decreased the expressions of caspase-8,N-cadherin and vimentin and increased the expressions of E-cadherin,the necroptosis pathway proteins(RIP1/RIP3/MLKL),TNF-α,and NF-κB(p65),and these changes were obviously inhibited by treatment with Nec-1.Cisplatin stimulation also significantly lowered migration of the cells,and this inhibitory effect was strongly attenuated by Nec-1 treatment.Conclusion Cisplatin activates nuclear factor-κB signaling in HNSCCs to promote TNF-α autocrine and induce RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-dependent necroptosis,thus leading to inhibition of cell proliferation.

Objective To investigate whether cisplatin induces tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)secretion in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)cells to trigger RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-dependent necroptosis of the cells.Methods HNSCC cell lines HN4 and SCC4 treated with cisplatin(CDDP)or the combined treatment with CDDP and z-VAD-fmk(a caspase inhibitor)or Nec-1(a necroptosis inhibitor)for 24 h were examined for changes in cell viability using CCK8 assay and expressions of caspase-8 and necroptosis pathway proteins(RIP1/RIP3/MLKL)using Western blotting.The changes in migration of the cells were assessed with cell scratch assay,and the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)marker proteins N-cadherin,vimentin,and E-cadherin as well as the expressions of NF-κB(p65)and TNF-α were detected with Western blotting.Results The IC50 of cisplatin was 10 μg/mL in HN4 cells and 15 μg/mL in SCC4 cells.Cisplatin treatment significantly decreased the expressions of caspase-8,N-cadherin and vimentin and increased the expressions of E-cadherin,the necroptosis pathway proteins(RIP1/RIP3/MLKL),TNF-α,and NF-κB(p65),and these changes were obviously inhibited by treatment with Nec-1.Cisplatin stimulation also significantly lowered migration of the cells,and this inhibitory effect was strongly attenuated by Nec-1 treatment.Conclusion Cisplatin activates nuclear factor-κB signaling in HNSCCs to promote TNF-α autocrine and induce RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-dependent necroptosis,thus leading to inhibition of cell proliferation.

Objective:To explore the application of a scenario-based onsite first-aid skills station in objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).Methods:Based on common scenarios and cases in medical practice, an evaluation framework of the OSCE onsite first-aid skills station—containing assessment indicators, exam room setting, examiner training, and assessment process—was designed to evaluate the onsite first-aid competencies of medical graduates of the five-year program for three consecutive years. SPSS 24.0 was used to perform the Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson correlation analysis to calculate the correlation between course examination scores and OSCE onsite first-aid skills station assessment scores. Excel was used to calculate the difficulty index and discrimination index of test items.Results:The graduates' OSCE onsite first-aid skills station assessment scores were improved year by year, with a mean score of about 80 points. The station assessment items showed a moderate difficulty level (0.7-0.8), a good discrimination level (>0.4), and good internal consistency (Cronbach's α>0.7). The examiners and examinees had a high recognition of the design and effectiveness of this station assessment method. There was a positive correlation between the OSCE scores and corresponding course scores (2016, r=0.245, P=0.001; 2017, r=0.108, P=0.026; 2018, r=0.198, P=0.006). Conclusions:Through scientific scoring and strict examination management, the OSCE scenario-based onsite first-aid skills station can effectively evaluate examinees' injury treatment competencies in different situations, which can provide a reference for course teaching.

AIM: To explore the potential mechanism of action of Pingxiao capsule in the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: TCMSP, TCM-ID, GeneCards and other databases were used to screen the related targets of Pingxiao capsule and breast can-

ObjectiveTo compare the differences in clinical characteristics between kidney deficiency and stasis obstruction syndrome and damp-heat stasis obstruction syndrome in patients with ankylosing spondylitis （AS）， thereby providing reference for clinical differentiation and treatment. MethodsThe clinical data of 2339 patients with AS were collected， including 1075 cases of kidney deficiency and stasis obstruction syndrome and 1264 cases of damp-heat stasis obstruction syndrome. The basic information including age， gender， course of disease， history of ophthalmia， family history and human leukocyte antigen B27 （HLA-B27） positive history， Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index （BASDAI） score， Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index （BASFI） score， Bath ankylosing spondylitis measurement index （BASMI） score， Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 （DASS-21） score， single symptom score in terms of spinal pain， peripheral joint pain， tendon tenderness， morning stiffness degree and morning stiffness time， patient-reported outcomes including patient global assessment （PGA） score， chronic disease therapy function-fatigue scale （FACIT-F） score and night pain visual analog scale （VAS） score， laboratory indicators including serum C-reactive protein （CRP） and erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）， and CT grading of sacroiliitis were measured and compared between groups. ResultsPatients with kidney deficiency and stasis obstruction syndrome were older and had a longer course of disease （P＜0.01）. The BASDAI， BASFI and BASMI scores of the patients with kidney deficiency and stasis obstruction syndrome were 3.84±1.79， 2.78±2.00 and 3.42±2.36， respectively， while those in patients with damp-heat stasis obstruction syndrome were 4.30±1.99， 3.43±2.12， and 2.92±1.76. The BASDAI score， BASFI score， PGA score， FACIT-F score， spinal pain score， peripheral arthralgia score， tendon tenderness score， morning stiffness degree score， depression score， anxiety score， and stress score in patients with damp-heat stasis obstruction syndrome were all higher than those with kidney deficiency and stasis obstruction syndrome， with longer duration of morning stiffness and higher CRP （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. BASMI score and night pain VAS score were more higher in patients with kidney deficiency and stasis obstruction syndrome （P＜0.01）. There was no significant difference in the ESR level and CT grading of the sacroiliac joint between the two groups （P＞0.05）. ConclusionAS patients with kidney deficiency and stasis obstruction syndrome have poorer spinal mobility， while those with damp-heat stasis obstruction syndrome have higher disease activity， poorer physical function， and are more prone to adverse psychological reactions.

Objective The aim of this study is to combine Raman spectroscopy and machine learning techniques to distinguish subgin-gival plaques among three groups of subjects,including patients with chronic periodontitis(CP)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),patients with CP alone,and healthy controls.Methods The Raman spectra of the subgingival plaques from 20 patients with CP and T2DM(group A),23 patients with CP alone(group B),and 23 healthy controls(group C)were obtained using a portable Raman spec-trometer.Eight common machine learning algorithms were applied to build models to distinguish the Raman spectra of the three types of subgingival plaques.Results The model identified as optimal for distinguishing the three types of subgingival plaques was linear discri-minant analysis(LDA).The optimal model to distinguish groups A and B is LDA,groups A and C is extra trees(ET),and groups B and C group is LDA.Conclusion The proposed classification model based on Raman spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms can dis-tinguish subgingival plaques among patients with CP and T2DM,with CP alone,and healthy controls.This technique can be used in future clinical practice as a screening or diagnostic tool.