ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Xu's Shenqiyizhu （SQYZ） decoction combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue （CRF） of stagnated-toxin spleen deficiency type after gastric cancer surgery and explore its possible mechanism. MethodsFifty postoperative gastric cancer patients with CRF of stagnated-toxin spleen deficiency type were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group by using a random number table，with 25 cases in each group. The control group was treated with FLOT chemotherapy （50 mg·m^-2 docetaxel （iv drip on day 1） + 85 mg·m^-2 oxaliplatin （iv drip on day 1） + 200 mg·m^-2 calcium folinate （iv drip on day 1） + 2 600 mg·m^-2 fluorouracil （iv drip for 24 h on day 1），once every three weeks） and basic and symptomatic supportive treatment. The experimental group was treated with Xu's SQYZ decoction （decocted twice，200 mL taken orally twice a day） in addition to the treatment of the control group. One course of treatment lasted for three weeks，with a total of four courses conducted. Observation was performed on the piper fatigue scale （PFS） scores，karnofsky performance status （KPS） scores，European Organization for Research and Treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire （EORTC QLQ-C30） scores，traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores，and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α），interferon-γ （IFN-γ），and interleukin-6 （IL-6）detected via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） before and after treatment in the two groups. The safety test results before and after treatment for the two groups of patients，as well as the occurrence of adverse events during treatment， were recorded. Transcriptome sequencing data of peripheral blood samples from gastric adenocarcinoma patients and normal individuals were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus （GEO） database，and differentially expressed genes between the tumor and normal groups were identified. Differential gene enrichment analysis was made based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） and Gene Ontology （GO）. The CRF relevance scores of genes were retrieved from the GeneCards database. Results① Compared with that before treatment，the total PFS score in the experimental group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment，the experimental group showed significantly reduced total PFS score （P<0.05）. ② Compared with that before treatment，the KPS score in the experimental group decreased significantly （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment，the experimental group exhibited a significantly decreased KPS score （P<0.05）. The experimental group demonstrated significantly increased functional scores （physical function，role function，emotional function，social function，and overall health） （P<0.05） and significantly reduced symptom scores （fatigue，shortness of breath，loss of appetite，constipation，and diarrhea） of the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale after treatment compared with before treatment. Compared with the control group after treatment，the experimental group presented significantly increased functional scores （physical function，emotional function，social function，and overall health） （P<0.05） and significantly reduced symptom scores （fatigue，nausea and vomiting，shortness of breath，loss of appetite，and diarrhea） of the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale （P<0.05）. Compared with those before treatment，the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores （eating too little and poor digestion，fatigue and weakness，postprandial bloating，abnormal bowel movements，lassitude and weakness，and total score） in the experimental group were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment，the experimental group had significantly reduced traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores （eating too little and poor digestion，fatigue and weakness，nausea and vomiting，and sallow complexion） （P<0.05）， which indicated better efficacy in the experimental group than in the control group （χ²=7.996，P<0.05）. The serum levels of TNF-α，IL-6，and IFN-γ were significantly correlated with each other （P<0.01）. Compared with those before treatment，the levels of serum cytokines TNF-α，IL-6，and IFN-γ in the experimental group were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment，the experimental group showed significantly reduced serum levels of cytokines TNF-α，IL-6，and IFN-γ （P<0.05）. ③ There were no significant intra-group and inter-group differences in the safety test results of the two groups before and after treatment. During the treatment period，there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups of patients. ④ Compared with the normal group，the tumor group exhibited a total of 328 significantly up-regulated genes in the peripheral blood （P<0.05），and KEGG and GO analyses showed that they were significantly enriched in signaling pathways such as TNF （P<0.05）. ⑤ TNF，IL6，IFNG， and other cytokine encoding genes may be key pathogenic genes for CRF. ConclusionXu's SQYZ decoction can alleviate symptoms such as fatigue in postoperative chemotherapy patients with gastric cancer and improve their functional status and quality of life. Its mechanism may be related to improving cytokine imbalance.

Peri-implant diseases are characterized by the resorption of hard tissue and the inflammation of soft tissue. Epigenetics refers to alterations in the expression of genes that are not encoded in the DNA sequence, influencing diverse physiological activities, including immune response, inflammation, and bone metabolism. Epigenetic modifications can lead to tissue-specific gene expression variations among individuals and may initiate or exacerbate inflammation and disease predisposition. However, the impact of these factors on peri-implantitis remains inconclusive. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive review to investigate the associations between epigenetic mechanisms and peri-implantitis, specifically focusing on DNA methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). We searched for relevant literature on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar with keywords including "epigenetics," "peri-implantitis," "DNA methylation," and "microRNA." DNA methylation and miRNAs present a dynamic epigenetic mechanism operating around implants. Epigenetic modifications of genes related to inflammation and osteogenesis provide a new perspective for understanding how local and environmental factors influence the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis. In addition, we assessed the potential application of DNA methylation and miRNAs in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of peri-implantitis, aiming to provide a foundation for future studies to explore potential therapeutic targets and develop more effective management strategies for this condition. These findings also have broader implications for understanding the pathogenesis of other inflammation-related oral diseases like periodontitis.
Peri-Implantitis/genetics* ; Humans ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; DNA Methylation ; MicroRNAs/genetics*

Objective To investigate the relationship and potential pathways between metal(loid)exposure and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in women of childbearing age. Methods This case-control study included 200 patients with PCOS(cases)and 896 non-PCOS controls with the age of 25-37 years.The concentrations of 29 metal(loid)s in the follicular fluid(FF)and clinical indicators in the serum were measured in all participants.Logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis were conducted to evaluate the associations between metal(loid)exposure and PCOS risk and investigate the possible roles of clinical indicators,respectively. Results Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between high copper levels in FF and increased PCOS risk(highest vs.lowest quartile:adjusted odds ratio=2.94,95%confidence interval:1.83-4.72).A high luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio and elevated levels of testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)were strongly associated with increased PCOS risk induced by high copper exposure.The mediation analysis indicated a mediating effect of AMH in the association between copper exposure and PCOS risk. Conclusion Copper may affect PCOS risk through the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis,mediated by AMH.Copper exposure and internal AMH levels are important indicators for early warning of PCOS development.

ObjectiveBy starting with the combination of Os Draconis， Bupleuri Radix， and Ostreae Concha， the role of mineral medicine Os Draconis in the combination of the Bupleuri Radix-containing tri-herbal medicines was preliminarily explored from the perspective of supramolecular system formation. Method① The appearance and Tyndall phenomenon of single decoction of Os Draconis， Bupleuri Radix， and Ostreae Concha， as well as co-decoction of Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis， Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha， and Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha were observed， and the average particle size， dispersion coefficient， and Zeta potential of suspension particles in each decoction were determined. The micromorphology of supramolecular structures was observed by scanning electron microscope （SEM）. ② The pH of different compatibility systems， liquid viscosity coefficient， liquid surface tension， freeze-dried powder yield rate， and other physical properties were determined， and the interaction of different compatibility systems was detected by infrared absorption spectroscopy （FTIR） and UV-visible spectrophotometry （UV-Vis）. ③ The composition and content difference of different compatible systems were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）. ResultCompared with the single decoction， the co-decoction had more obvious turbidity and Tyndall phenomenon. The particles in the co-decoction suspension were smaller and more evenly distributed， and the Zeta potential was reduced， indicating a more stable system. Under SEM， Bupleuri Radix was irregularly lamellar， and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha were mainly spherical nanoparticles. Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha was irregularly lamellar， with a small number of spherical nanoparticles. The pH of the single decoction of Bupleuri Radix and co-decoction increased， and the viscosity coefficient increased. The liquid surface tension decreased. The freeze-dried powder yield rate of the Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis co-decoction was the highest， followed by Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha decoction and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha decoction， and the yield rate of Bupleuri Radix single decoction was the lowest. The main change of FTIR was the stretching vibration of -OH， and the co-decoction moved to the low-frequency direction obviously. UV-Vis showed that the maximum absorption occurred at 295.8 nm for all groups， and the absorption intensity was different （Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis>Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha>Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha>Bupleuri Radix）. The components of Bupleuri Radix were used as the indexes， and the content of methanol extract determined by HPLC was higher than that of water extract， and the components of Bupleuri Radix single decoction were mainly saikosaponin a （SSa） and saikosaponin c （SSc）， which were slightly higher after co-decoction compatibility. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS could identify 37 compounds in both single decoction and co-decoction. ConclusionThe combination of Bupleuri Radix， Os Draconis， and Ostreae Concha can form a smaller， more uniform， and stable nano-sized supramolecular system， which is conducive to the dissolution of the main components of Bupleuri Radix， and the Os Draconis contributes the most in this process.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of modified Xiaoyao powder for postpartum depression (PPD) by conducting a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: The Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Databases (CNKI), the Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Wanfang, Google Scholar, the SinoMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PubMed databases were searched from their inception to April 25, 2023. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the quality of the trials. We applied the risk ratio to present dichotomous data and the mean difference to present continuous data. Data with similar characteristics were pooled for meta-analysis and heterogeneity was assessed using I2. Results: This review included 35 trials involving 2848 participants. The quality of the included studies was low (unclear randomization processes and insufficient reporting of blinding). Participants treated with modified Xiaoyao powder plus Western medicine showed lower Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) depression score than those who used Western medicine alone (mean difference = −2.15; 95% confidence interval:−2.52 to 1.78; P < .00001), and higher effective rate (relative risk = 1.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 1.24; P < .00001), When comparing modified Xiaoyao alone with Western medicine, the HAMD depression score remained low, however, the efficacy rate was higher in the modified Xiaoyao group. Regarding adverse events, the modified Xiaoyao group reported weight gain, nausea, and diarrhea, but no severe adverse events were reported. Conclusion Modified Xiaoyao may help relieve depression in PPD when used alone or in combination with Western medicine, with minor side effects. Therefore, future high-quality, large-sample size RCTs are warranted.

Colorectal cancer （CRC）， a most common malignant tumor of the digestive tract， is often manifested by abdominal pain， changes in stool quality， blood in the stool， and weight loss， with rising morbidity and mortality year by year. The onset and development of CRC involve a variety of mechanisms， in which tumor microenvironment （TME） and tumor-associated macrophages （TAMs） have received increasing attention. TAMs influence the tumor development via immune escape and angiogenesis promotion and are associated with the prognosis of tumors. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has been widely researched and applied in the treatment of cancers. Studies have discovered that TCM mainly exerts the therapeutic effects on CRC by inhibiting the proliferation， metastasis， and angiogenesis， promoting the apoptosis， and inducing autophagy of tumor cells and boosting the immune function. TCM as an effective treatment approach can regulate TAMs to inhibit tumor growth. Moreover， the active components and targets of TCM can be taken as new research directions of immunotherapy. This review describes TAMs and their roles in CRC progression and summarizes the molecular targets and mechanisms of different active components， compound prescriptions， and novel preparations of TCM against CRC， aiming to provide a mechanism reference for the clinical treatment of CRC with TCM and give new insights into the in-depth research on the prevention and treatment of CRC-related diseases with TCM.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic-assisted liposuction in the treatment of gynecomastia.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 115 male breast development patients from January 2021 to May 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University and Shaoguan Hospital of Southern Medical University. The patients were divided into two groups based on surgical methods: the laparoscopic combined liposuction technique group (observation group) and the traditional areola incision group (control group). The control group consisted of 59 cases, aged between 18 and 52 years (26.2±5.2); There were 56 cases in the observation group, aged between 18 and 55 years (26.5±5.2). The differences in surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, drainage tube removal time, incidence of surgical complications, postoperative drainage volume, pain visual analog scale (VAS), and patient satisfaction were compared between two groups of patients.Results:The intraoperative bleeding volume, drainage tube removal time, and postoperative drainage volume in the observation group were 12.25±2.23, 2.85±0.53, and 80.52±7.53, respectively, all of which were lower than those in the control group (26.53±2.35, 4.22±0.59, 81.25±8.54, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).The incidence of sensory abnormalities in the nipple areola area of the observation group was 1.8% (1/56), which was lower than the 10.2% (6/59) of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05).The postoperative breast shape, nipple shape, and incision score of the observation group were 81.15±18.52, 77.85±22.15, and 72.58±10.56 points, respectively, all higher than the control group's 69.34±18.48, 78.12±21.75, and 60.35±9.35 points, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Laparoscopic combined with liposuction technology for the treatment of gynecomastia can reduce intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage volume and shorten the time for removing drainage tubes with better safety.

Objective To investigate dynamic shifts in the oral microbiota and their association with the progression and aggravation of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis(RIOM)in patients with head and neck malignancies undergoing radiotherapy.Methods Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing,dynamic changes of oral microbiota in patients was analyzed.Results Firmicutes,Bacteroidetes,and Actinobacteria consistently constituted the predominant bacteria in the oral cavity.While there were no significant changes in the abso-lute abundance of microbiota,there were notable alterations in their relative richness and evenness.Analyses including CCA/RDA and Kruskal-Wallis indicated a significant increase in the proportions of Streptococcus and Lactobacillus genera in the later stages post-radio-therapy,showing statistically meaningful differences.Conclusion RIOM is associated with dysbiosis of oral microbiota.Microbial dys-biosis may aggravate the severity of RIOM.Streptococcus and Lactobacillus could be closely related to the progression of RIOM,pending further validation through animal experiments.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of renal oxidative stress injuries in rats with high-voltage electric burns and the intervention effects of breviscapine.Methods:This study was an experimental study. One hundred and sixty 8-10-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into sham injury group, electric burn group, saline group, low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group, with 60 rats in each of the sham injury group and electric burn group, 10 rats in each of the other 4 groups, respectively. The rats in sham injury group and electric burn group were divided into 10 rats at each time point, including post injury hour (PIH) 0 (immediately), 8, 24, 48, and 72, and post injury week (PIW) 1. The rats in sham injury group were not conducted with electrical current to cause sham injury. The rats in the other 5 groups were caused high-voltage electric burns. The rats in sham injury group and electric burn group were not treated after injury. The rats in saline group, low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mL/kg normal saline or 0.4, 1.6, and 4.0 g/L breviscapine, repeated every 24 h until PIH 72. After the model was successfully made, 14 rats died, including 1, 2, 2, and 1 rat (s) at PIH 24, 48, and 72 and PIW 1 in electric burn group, 4, 1, 2, and 1 rat (s) at PIH 72 in saline group, low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group, respectively. The kidney tissue collected from rats in the 6 groups was weighed and the kidney/body weight ratio was calculated. The left upper pole tissue of kidney was collected from each 4 rats in sham injury group, and in electric burn group at PIH 8, 24, 48, and 72 and PIW 1, and in saline group, low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group at PIH 72. The renal tubular and renal interstitial injury was evaluated by a semi-quantitative histological scoring system after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The inferior vena cava blood samples were collected from rats in the 6 groups to measure the serum creatinine levels via sarcosine oxidase method, and serum urea nitrogen levels via urease method. The right renal cortices were collected from rats in the 6 groups to measure the catalase (CAT) activity in the supernatant of renal tissue via molybdic acid method, and the levels of advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) and Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:At PIH 8, 48, and 72 and PIW 1, the kidney/body weight ratios of rats in electric burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (with t values of -0.52, -3.75, -4.05, and -2.25, respectively, P<0.05). At PIH 72, compared with those in electric burn group, saline group, low breviscapine group, and middle breviscapine group, the kidney/body weight ratio of rats in high breviscapine group was significantly decreased (with P values all <0.05). Compared with those in sham injury group, the renal tubular and renal interstitial injury scores of rats in electric burn group at PIH 48 and 72 and PIW 1 were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with those in electric burn group at PIH 8 and 24, the renal tubular and renal interstitial injury score of rats in electric burn group at PIW 1 was significantly increased (with P values all <0.05). At PIH 72, the renal tubular and renal interstitial injury scores of rats in the 5 groups of rats with electric burns were similar ( P>0.05). At PIH 8, 24, 48, and 72 and PIW 1, the levels of serum creatinine and serum urea nitrogen of rats in electric burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (with Z values of -2.00, -2.37, -2.62, -2.67, -3.67, -2.34, -3.11, -3.43, -3.11, and -3.51, respectively, P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 0, the levels of serum creatinine of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 8, the levels of serum creatinine of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 24, the level of serum creatinine of rats in electric burn group at PIW 1 was significantly increased ( P<0.05). At PIH 72, the levels of serum creatinine of rats in the 5 groups of rats with electric burns were similar ( P>0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group, the levels of serum urea nitrogen of rats in low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in saline group, the levels of serum urea nitrogen in middle breviscapine group and high breviscapine group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). At PIH 48 and 72 and PIW 1, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group were significantly lower than those in sham injury group (with Z values of -2.22, -2.13, and -3.51, respectively, P<0.05). At PIH 8, 24, 48, and 72 and PIW 1, the levels of AOPP in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (with Z values of -2.00, -3.15, -2.71, -2.04, and -2.33, respectively, P<0.05). At PIH 0-PIW 1, the levels of Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in sham injury group and electric burn group were all similar ( P>0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 0, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 and the levels of Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 48 and 72 and PIW 1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 8, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 and the levels of Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 48 and 72 and PIW 1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 24, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 48, the CAT activity in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIW 1 was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). At PIH 72, the levels of Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in the 5 groups of rats with electric burns were similar ( P<0.05). Compared with 14.6 (12.6, 23.6) U/mgprot in electric burn group, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in low breviscapine group (20.5 (18.0, 39.8) U/mgprot), middle breviscapine group (24.9 (14.7, 28.9) U/mgprot), and high breviscapine group (28.0 (21.9, 39.1) U/mgprot) were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with 15.7 (13.7, 25.6) U/mgprot in saline group, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in middle breviscapine group and high breviscapine group were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in low breviscapine group, the CAT activity in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in high breviscapine group was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with those in electric burn group and saline group, the levels of AOPP in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in middle breviscapine group and high breviscapine group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusions:After high-voltage electric burns, oxidative stress injury occur in the kidneys of rats, which is aggravated with time extension. Breviscapine can alleviate oxidative stress injuries in the kidneys of rats with high-voltage electric burns.

Objective To explore the effect of sling exercise with Tuina therapy on kinesiophobia in old patients with lumbar disc herniation,and analyze the mechanism based on brain-bone axis. Methods A total of 56 old patients with chronic lumbar disc herniation and kinesiophobia were selected from the Reha-bilitation Hospital of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September,2022 to December,2023;and randomly divided into control group(n=28)and experimental group(n=28).The control group accepted conventional exercise therapy,while the experimental group accepted sling exercise with Tuina therapy,for four weeks.They were assessed with simplified Chinese version of Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia(TSK),Japanese Orthopaedic Association score(JOA)and Visual Analogue Scale for pain(VAS)before and after treatment,while the bone mineral density(BMD)was tested,the levels of osteoprote-gerin(OPG),norepinephrine(NE)and corticosteroids(Cor)in serum were measured,and the median frequency(MF)of weak-link erector spinae was detected with surface electromyography. Results Two cases dropped off in the control group,and one in the experimental group.The scores of all the assessment improved in both groups after treatment(|t|>14.168,P<0.001),as well as the serum levels of OPG,NE and Cor(|t|>2.103,P<0.05),BMD(|t|>2.726,P<0.05),and MF of erector spinae(|t|>14.736,P<0.001);all of them were better in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|>2.154,P<0.05). Conclusion Sling exercise with Tuina therapy can improve the pain and kinesiophobia of lumbar disc herniation in the old adults,which may promote the recovery of physical and mental function through regulating the levels of hor-mones and neurotransmitters related to the brain-bone axis.