ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults.Methods:A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test.Results:A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95% CI: 2.23-3.88) points ( P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95% CI: 4.03-5.37) points ( P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement ( P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions:This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.

Objective To study the effect of curcumin on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs)in high glucose condition and its mechanism.Methods The cultured hBMSCs were divided into the normal group,high glucose group,and high glucose+curcumin group.The early osteogenic differentiation level of the cells in each group was assessed by detecting alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity.Alizarin red staining was used to evaluate the formation of mineralized nodules in the late stage of osteo-genic differentiation.The expression of osteogenic-related genes,including Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2),osteocalcin(OCN),and type Ⅰ collagen(COL-1),was detected by RT-PCR after 21 days of osteogenic induction.Western blot was used to detect the expression of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in each group.Furthermore,an HO-1 small interfering RNA(siRNA)model was constructed and its interference efficiency was assessed.The expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins(Runx2,OCN,and COL-1)between the high glucose+curcumin group and high glucose+curcumin+siHO-1 group were compared.Results Compared with the normal group,the high glucose group showed decreased ALP activity,reduced formation of mineralized nodules,decreased expression of osteogenic-related genes(Runx2,OCN,and COL-1),and inhibited expression of HO-1(P＜0.05).Compared with the empty vector group,the siHO-1 group showed significantly reduced expression of HO-1 in cells,indicating successful siRNA interference(P＜0.01).Compared with the high glucose+curcumin group,the expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins(OCN,COL-1,and Runx2)were all decreased in the high glucose+curcumin+siHO-1 group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can promote osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs under high glucose environment,which is related to the expression of HO-1.

Objective To explore the risk factors related to afterload mismatch(AM)after transcatheter mitral valve repair(MitraClip).Methods This was a retrospective cohort study.48 patients hospitalized in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine,the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2021 to December 2023,who underwent MitraClip due to severe mitral regurgitation(MR)were included.Preoperative clinical data,laboratory tests,and preoperative and postoperative color Doppler echocardiographic examination results of surgical patients were collected.AM was defined as the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)decreased by 15％or more after surgery compared with the one before(dLVEF≤-15％).Patients were divided into AM group and non-AM group according to whether afterload mismatch occurred.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of postoperative AM.Results Among 48 patients who underwent MitraClip,14 of them(29.2％)developed afterload-mismatched.For those without AM,their overall LVEF was improved after the operation;for patients in both AM group and non-AM group,their overall left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter volume index(LVEDVi)was reduced compared with the preoperative ones.Univariate regression analysis showed that C-reactive protein levels(OR 1.98,95％CI 1.02-3.83),platelets(OR 2.22,95％CI 1.08-4.53),systemic immune inflammation index(OR 1.96,95％CI 1.03-3.71)were associated with an increased risk of AM in patients undergoing MitraClip(all P＜0.05),while those with larger right atrial diameter(OR 0.35,95％CI 0.13-0.93)or moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation(OR 0.19,95％CI 0.05-0.81)were less likely to develop into AM(both P＜0.05),which is still satisfied after adjustment.Conclusions For patients who underwent MitraClip,C-reactive protein levels,platelets and systemic immune inflammation index(SII)are associated with an increased risk of afterload mismatched,while those with larger right atrial diameter or moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation were less likely to develop into AM.

Mytilus is one of bivalves with great economic and ecological values.The innate immune de-fense of Mytilus shows great significance in the study of marine biological immunology.Hemolymph is the main immune tissue for Mytilus.The Nanopore full-length transcriptome of Mytilus coruscus hemocytes,and the serum differential proteomics based on SDS-PAGE analysis were performed to identify key pro-teins involving in the immune response of Mytilus hemolymph in response of different bacteria and fungi stresses.A total of 44 proteins were identified in the serum induced by different microorganisms.Among them,26 proteins showed significant differential expression level in response to different microbial stres-ses,and their functions were involved in protein folding protection,cell autophagy and apoptosis regula-tion,reactive oxygen species production,energy metabolism regulation,cell detoxification,and immune regulation.The changes in expression levels of these proteins varied in response to different bacterial and fungal stresses,suggesting that Mytilus has different immune response strategies to different bacterial and fungal stresses.The results provide a new scientific basis for understanding the differential immune mech-anism of Mytilus innate immune system in response to different types of microbial invasion,as well as the screening of specific biomarker proteins for microbial infection,and provide ideas for the healthy develop-ment and disease prevention of shellfish aquaculture.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, cytogenetics, molecular biology, treatment, and prognosis of patients with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (t-MDS/AML) secondary to malignancies. Methods: The clinical data of 86 patients with t-MDS/AML in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2010 and April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics, primary tumor types, and tumor-related therapies were analyzed. Results: The study enrolled a total of 86 patients with t-MDS/AML, including 67 patients with t-AML, including 1 patient with M(0), 6 with M(1), 27 with M(2), 9 with M(3), 12 with M(4), 10 with M(5), 1 with M(6), and 1 with M(7). Sixty-two patients could be genetically stratified, with a median overall survival (OS) of 36 (95% CI 22-52) months for 20 (29.9%) patients in the low-risk group and 6 (95% CI 3-9) months for 10 (14.9%) in the intermediate-risk group. The median OS time was 8 (95% CI 1-15) months in 32 (47.8%) patients in the high-risk group. For patients with non-acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and AML, the median OS of the low-risk group was 27 (95% CI 18-36) months, which was significantly longer than that of the non-low-risk group (χ(2)=5.534, P=0.019). All 9 APL cases were treated according to the initial treatment, and the median OS was not reached, and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 100.0%, (75.0±6.2) %, and (75.0±6.2) % respectively. Of the 58 patients with non-APL t-AML (89.7%), 52 received chemotherapy, and 16 achieved complete remission (30.8%) after the first induction chemotherapy. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates of the non-APL t-AML group were (42.0 ± 6.6) %, (22.9±5.7) %, and (13.4±4.7) %, respectively. The median OS of patients who achieved remission was 24 (95% CI 18-30) months, and the median OS of those who did not achieve remission was 6 (95% CI 3-9) months (χ(2)=10.170, P=0.001). Bone marrow CR was achieved in 7 (53.8%) of 13 patients treated with vineclar-containing chemotherapy, with a median OS of 12 (95% CI 9-15) months, which was not significantly different from that of vineclar-containing chemotherapy (χ(2)=0.600, P=0.437). In 19 patients with t-MDS, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were (46.8±11.6) %, (17.5±9.1) %, and (11.7±9.1) % with a median OS of 12 (95% CI 7-17) months, which was not significantly different from that in t-AML (χ(2)=0.232, P=0.630) . Conclusions: Breast cancer, bowel cancer, and other primary tumors are common in patients with t-MDS/AML, which have a higher risk of adverse genetics. Patients with APL had a high induction remission rate and a good long-term prognosis, whereas patients without APL had a low remission rate and a poor long-term prognosis.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/therapy* ; Prognosis ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/drug therapy* ; Neoplasms, Second Primary/drug therapy* ; Remission Induction ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*

Aim To study the anti-inflammatory activ¬ity of diterpenes from Tripterygium wilfordii on lipopo- lysaccharide ( LPS)-induced macrophage and its mech¬anism. Methods MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of compounds. The Griess method was used to detect the NO on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. ELISA was applied to determine the contents of inter- leukin 6 (IL-6) , tumor necrosis factor a ( TNF-a ) , interleukin lp (IL-lfj) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) in cell culture supernatant. Western blot was used to de¬tect IkBcx, .INK, ERK, p38, STAT3 and their phos-phorylation in LPS-induced RAW264.7, as well as the effect on COX-2, iNOS, NLRP3, caspase-1 , cleaved- caspase-1. Flow cytometry was employed to detect the effects of compounds on the phagocytosis of RAW 264. 7 cells. Results Hypoglicin II (1) and ent-pimara-8 (14) , 15-diene-19-ol (6) , two diterpenoid compounds from Tripterygium wilfordii could effectively inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators ( COX-2 and iN- OS) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-lp, IL- 18) in LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. Further re¬search found that the phosphorylation of IkBcx , JNK, ERK, P38, STAT3 and NLRP3 was all inhibited; however, there was no significant effect on the expres¬sion of IkBcx, JNK, ERK, P38 and STAT3. At the same time, they also inhibited the phagocytosis of mac-rophages. Conclusions The anti-inflammatory mecha¬nism of Tripterygium wilfordii diterpenoids 1 and 6 might be through inhibiting the production of NLRP3 inflammatory bodies, inflammatory mediators (COX-2 and iNOS) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-lp and IL-18) , which is closely related to inhibiting the activation of MAPK, NF-kB and STAT3 pathway.

Numerous randomised controlled trials have suggested the positive effects of acupuncture on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture for COPD have not been clearly summarized yet. Inflammation is central to the development of COPD. In this review, we elucidate the effects and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture from an anti-inflammatory perspective based on animal studies. Cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide is often used to establish animal models of COPD. Electroacupuncture can be an effective intervention to improve inflammation in COPD, and Feishu (BL13) and Zusanli (ST36) can be used as basic acupoints in COPD animal models. Different acupuncture types can regulate different types of inflammatory cytokines; meanwhile, different acupuncture types and acupoint options have similar effects on modulating the level of inflammatory cytokines. In particular, acupuncture exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the release of inflammatory cells, inflammasomes and inflammatory cytokines. The main underlying mechanism through which acupuncture improves inflammation in COPD is the modulation of relevant signalling pathways: nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) (e.g., myeloid differentiation primary response 88/NF-κB, toll-like receptor-4/NF-κB, silent information regulator transcript-1/NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase), cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, and dopamine D2 receptor pathway. The current synthesis will be beneficial for further research on the effect of acupuncture on COPD inflammation. Please cite this article as: Jiang LH, Li PJ, Wang YQ, Jiang ML, Han XY, Bao YD, Deng XL, Wu WB, Liu XD. Anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(6): 518-527.
Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cytokines ; Disease Models, Animal ; Inflammation/therapy*

Objective:To investigate the safety of minimally invasive liver resection for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated with portal hypertension.Methods:The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 807 patients with resectable HCC who underwent minimally invasive liver resection in 8 medical centers, including Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Affiliated with the Zhejiang University School of Medicine et al, from June 2011 to November 2022 were collected. There were 670 males and 137 females, aged 58(50,66)years. Of the 807 patients, 173 cases with portal hypertension were divided into the portal hypertension group, and 634 cases without portal hypertension were divided into the non-portal hypertension group. Observation indicators: (1) propensity score matching and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching; (2) intraoperative and post-operative situations; (3) subgroup analysis. Propensity score matching was done by the 1:1 nearest neighbor matching method, with the caliper setting as 0.001. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was constructed using the non-parameter rank sun test. Results:(1) Propensity score matching and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching. Of the 807 patients, 268 cases were successfully matched, including 134 cases in the portal hypertension group and 134 cases in the non-portal hypertension group. The elimination of the tumor diameter and robot-assisted surgery confounding bias ensured comparability between the two groups after propensity score matching. (2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations. The occlusion time of porta hepatis, cases with intraoperative blood transfusion, cases with postoperative complication, cases with complication >Ⅱ grade of Clavien-Dindo classification, cases of Clavien-Dindo classification as Ⅰ grade, Ⅱ grade, Ⅲ grade, Ⅳ grade, cases with liver related complication were 27.0(15.0,43.0)minutes, 33, 55, 15, 13, 29, 14, 1, 37 in the portal hypertension group, versus 35.0(22.0,60.0)minutes, 17, 25, 5, 14, 9, 4, 1, 13 in the non-portal hypertension group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-2.15, χ2=6.30, 16.39, 4.38, 20.72, 14.16, P<0.05). (3) Subgroup analysis. Results of subgroups analysis showed that in cases with major live resection, the operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay were 243.5(174.6,296.3)minutes, 200.0(150.0,600.0)mL, 7.5(6.0,13.0)days in the portal hypertension group, versus 270.0(180.0,314.5)minutes, 200.0 (75.0,450.0)mL, 7.0(5.5,10.0)days in the non-portal hypertension group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-0.54, -1.73, -0.92, P>0.05). In cases with non-major live resection, the operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay were 170.0(120.0,227.5)minutes, 100.0(50.0,200.0)mL, 8.0(5.0,10.0)days in the portal hypertension group, versus 170.0(120.0,227.5)minutes, 100.0(50.0,200.0)mL, 7.0(5.5,9.0)days in the non-portal hypertension group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-1.39, -0.10, 1.05, P>0.05). In cases with anatomical liver resection, the operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay were 210.0(150.0,285.0)minutes, 150.0(50.0,200.0)mL, 8.0(6.0,9.3)days in the portal hypertension group, versus 225.5(146.3,306.8)minutes, 100.0(50.0,250.0)mL, 7.0(6.0,9.0)days in the non-portal hypertension group, showing no significant difference in the above indica-tors between the two groups ( Z=-0.75, -0.26, -0.91, P>0.05). In cases with non-anatomical liver resection, the operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay were 173.5(120.0,231.5)minutes, 175.0(50.0,300.0)mL, 7.0(5.0,11.0)days in the portal hyper-tension group, versus 186.0(123.0,262.5)minutes, 100.0(50.0,200.0)mL, 7.0(5.0,9.5)days in the non-portal hypertension group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-0.97, -1.12, -0.98, P>0.05). Conclusion:Minimally invasive liver resection or even major liver resection is safe and feasible for screened HCC patients complicated with portal hyper-tension, but attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment of aggressive NK-cell leukemia (ANKL), and provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease. METHODS: The clinical data of 7 patients with ANKL admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from March 2014 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and their clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging results, treatment and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 7 patients, 5 were males and 2 were females, with a median age of 47 (33-69) years old. The morphology of bone marrow cells in 7 patients showed similar large granular lymphocytes. Immunophenotyping revealed abnormal NK cells in 5 cases. By the end of follow-up, 6 cases died and 1 case survived, with a median survival time of 76.9 (4-347) days. CONCLUSION ANKL is a rare disease with short course and poor prognosis. If combined with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), the prognosis is even worse. There is no unified treatment method at present, and the use of PD-1 inhibitors may prolong the survival in some patients.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Leukemia, Large Granular Lymphocytic ; Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, T-Cell ; Prognosis ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic