This paper interprets the disease name related to bi （痹） disease in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） from the perspective of micropathological phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. By systematically reviewing classical TCM literature on the pathogenesis and clinical features of different subtypes such as damp-retention bi， bone bi， and tendon bi， and integrating these with current research on pathological subtypes of KOA including the synovitis type， cartilage-meniscus type， and subchondral bone type， the study explores the correlation between traditional disease terms and modern micropathological phenotypes. The author proposes subtype classifications of damp-retention bi corresponding to synovial inflammation， bone bi related to abnormal subchondral bone remodeling， and tendon bi representing cartilage and meniscus degeneration. This approach provides a microscopic biological explanation for TCM syndrome differentiation and offers new perspectives for advancing integrative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in both Chinese and western medicine.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is an immune system disease with an unclear etiology. Guided by the yang-reinforcing method， it is believed that the fundamental pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis lies in the disharmony between water and fire and the reckless movement of the ministerial fire. The failure of the spleen and stomach to maintain warmth， leading to the production of phlegm and blood stasis， is an important pathogenesis. The invasion of external pathogenic toxins， deeply penetrating into the interior， is considered a triggering factor for the disease. The treatment focuses on supplementing the yang， consolidating the kidney， drawing fire back to its source， warming the yang， benefiting the kidney， and nourishing the spleen to generate metal. It also emphasizes unblocking the yang， transforming turbidity， and eliminating phlegm and blood stasis.

Neural oscillatory changes play a critical role in pain and analgesia research. Previous studies on pain-related neural oscillations have primarily utilized electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectral analysis, revealing a strong correlation between alpha ( α) power and subjective pain perception. However, alpha power may be influenced by the baseline of the power spectrum, making it difficult to accurately capture the true changes in alpha oscillations. This study employed power spectral analysis and further applied a power spectral parameterization method, which decomposed the power spectrum into periodic and aperiodic components, to compare EEG α power in 50 primiparous women who underwent severe pain during the first stage of labor before and after epidural analgesia. The results indicated no significant differences in α power between pre- and post-analgesia conditions. However, following power spectral parameterization, the aperiodic component of the EEG significantly decreased after analgesia, whereas the periodic component of α power showed a significant increase. This study not only validates the effectiveness and validity of the power spectral parameterization method in analgesia research but also uncovers the differential regulatory mechanism by which analgesia modulates the periodic and aperiodic components of α oscillations.
Humans ; Electroencephalography/methods* ; Female ; Adult ; Alpha Rhythm ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult ; Analgesia, Epidural

Allergen-specific immunotherapy（AIT） remains the only therapeutic approach with the potential to modify the natural course of allergic rhinitis（AR）. Nevertheless, considerable inter-individual variability exists in patients'responses to AIT. To facilitate more reliable assessment of treatment efficacy, the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group（CRRCG） convened young and middle-aged nasal experts in China to formulate the present consensus. The recommended subjective outcome measures for AIT comprise symptom scores, medication scores, combined symptom and medication scores, quality-of-life assessments, evaluation of disease control, and assessment of comorbidities. Objective indicators may supplement these measures. Currently available objective approaches include skin prick testing, nasal provocation testing, and allergen exposure chambers. However, these methods remain constrained by practical limitations and are not yet appropriate for routine implementation in clinical efficacy evaluation. In addition, several biomarkers, including sIgE and the sIgE/tIgE ratio, sIgG4, serum IgE-blocking activity, IgA, cytokines and chemokines, as well as immune cell surface molecules and their functional activity, have been shown to have associations with AIT outcomes. While these biomarkers may complement subjective assessments, they are subject to significant limitations. Consequently, large-scale multicenter trials and real-world evidence are required to strengthen the evidence base. The present consensus underscores the necessity of integrating patients'subjective experiences with objective testing throughout the treatment process, thereby providing a more comprehensive and accurate framework for efficacy evaluation. Looking forward, future investigations should prioritize the incorporation of multi-omics data and artificial intelligence methodologies, which hold promise for overcoming current limitations in assessment strategies and for advancing both the standardization and personalization of AIT.
Humans ; Allergens/immunology* ; China ; Consensus ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Immunoglobulin E ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; East Asian People

Objective To explore the effects and possible mechanisms of ophthalmic acupuncture combined with tail moxibustion on the behavior and hippocampus in rats with post-stroke cognitive impairment.Methods Seventy-five male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group (15 rats) and the modeling group (60 rats) using the random number table method. A modified suture-occluded method was used to replicate the occlusion model of the middle cerebral artery in the modeling group,whereas only the right carotid artery was exposed in the sham operation group. After modeling,48 rats with post-stroke cognitive impairment were selected using the Morris water maze experiment,and were randomly divided into the model group,the ophthalmic acupuncture group,the tail moxibustion group and the ophthalmic acupuncture+tail moxibustion group using the random number table method,with 12 rats per group. The sham operation group and the model group were bound with no intervention;the ophthalmic acupuncture group was needled once a day in the bilateral "liver area","kidney area","heart area",and "spleen area",leaving the needle for 30 min;the tail moxibustion group was given mild-warm moxibustion on the area between "Changqiang" (GV1) and the tip of the tail for 20 min,once a day;the ophthalmic acupuncture+tail moxibustion group was given the above-mentioned ophthalmic acupuncture and tail moxibustion interventions simultaneously. After 7 days of intervention,the behavior of the rats was detected. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampus;the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the hippocampus were detected by colorimetric method;Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (KEAP1),phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (PGAM5),apoptosis-inducing factor mitochondria associated 1 (AIFM1),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the hippocampus of rats;and real-time fluorogenic quantitative PCR was used to determine the mRNA expressions of KEAP1,PGAM5,AIFM1,Nrf2,and HO-1 in the hippocampus. Results Compared with the sham operation group,the escape latency in the model group was prolonged,and the crossing platform number was decreased (P<0.05);the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area was significantly decreased,with a disordered arrangement and irregular morphology,and necrotic neurons were observed;the SOD activity in the hippocampus was decreased,while the MDA content was increased (P<0.05);the protein and mRNA expressions of KEAP1,PGAM5,and AIFM1 were increased,while the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group,the escape latency of rats in the ophthalmic acupuncture+tail moxibustion group was shortened,and the crossing platform number was increased (P<0.05);the loss of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area of the rat was significantly reduced,and the cell morphology was more plump;SOD activity in the hippocampus was increased,and MDA content was decreased (P<0.05);and the protein and mRNA expressions of KEAP1,PGAM5,and AIFM1 were decreased,while the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased (P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of ophthalmic acupuncture and tail moxibustion can be used to treat rats with post-stroke cognitive impairment,and its mechanism may be related to alleviating oxidative stress damage and oxeiptosis in the hippocampus,thereby improving the degree of hippocampal neuronal damage and enhancing the cognitive ability of rats after stroke.

This study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Xuebijing injection(XBJ)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory signals on EA.hy926 vascular endothelial cells and the underlying mechanism,and to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of sepsis with XBJ.WST-1 assay was used to detect the effects of XBJ on the cell viability;Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression levels of IκBα,p-p65,p-ERK,p-JNK,p-p38,p-AMAD17 in cell lysates and the content of sTLR4 fragment in the concentrated culture supernatants.ADAM17 sheddase activity in cells was detected by using a commercial available kit.Data showed that all of the TLR4-mediated inflammatory signals were significantly inhibited by the treatment of XBJ(P＜0.01).ADAM17 phosphorylation and shedding activity were induced by XBJ treatment,simultaneously the sTLR4 contents in the culture media were increased.XBJ-induced shedding of TLR4 was suppressed by the preteatment of 10 μmol/L TAPI-1(an ADAM17 inhibitor).Taken together,XBJ can induce the shedding of TLR4 from cell membrane by up-regulating ADAM17 shedding activity,thereby inhibiting the activation of TLR4-mediated intracellular inflammatory signals in EA.hy926 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of chitosan (CS) hydrogel loaded with tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs; hereinafter referred to as TDSCs/CS hydrogel) on tendon-to-bone healing after rotator cuff repair in rabbits. METHODS: TDSCs were isolated from the rotator cuff tissue of 3 adult New Zealand white rabbits by Henderson step-by-step enzymatic digestion method and identified by multidirectional differentiation and flow cytometry. The 3rd generation TDSCs were encapsulated in CS to construct TDSCs/CS hydrogel. The cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the proliferation of TDSCs in the hydrogel after 1-5 days of culture in vitro, and cell compatibility of TDSCs/CS hydrogel was evaluated by using TDSCs alone as control. Another 36 adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=12): rotator cuff repair group (control group), rotator cuff repair+CS hydrogel injection group (CS group), and rotator cuff repair+TDSCs/CS hydrogel injection group (TDSCs/CS group). After establishing the rotator cuff repair models, the corresponding hydrogel was injected into the tendon-to-bone interface in the CS group and TDSCs/CS group, and no other treatment was performed in the control group. The general condition of the animals was observed after operation. At 4 and 8 weeks, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the relative expressions of tendon forming related genes (tenomodulin, scleraxis), chondrogenesis related genes (aggrecan, sex determining region Y-related high mobility group-box gene 9), and osteogenesis related genes (alkaline phosphatase, Runt-related transcription factor 2) at the tendon-to-bone interface. At 8 weeks, HE and Masson staining were used to observe the histological changes, and the biomechanical test was used to evaluate the ultimate load and the failure site of the repaired rotator cuff to evaluate the tendon-to-bone healing and biomechanical properties. RESULTS: CCK-8 assay showed that the CS hydrogel could promote the proliferation of TDSCs ( P<0.05). qPCR results showed that the expressions of tendon-to-bone interface related genes were significantly higher in the TDSCs/CS group than in the CS group and control group at 4 and 8 weeks after operation ( P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of tendon-to-bone interface related genes at 8 weeks after operation were significantly higher than those at 4 weeks after operation in the TDSCs/CS group ( P<0.05). Histological staining showed the clear cartilage tissue and dense and orderly collagen formation at the tendon-to-bone interface in the TDSCs/CS group. The results of semi-quantitative analysis showed that compared with the control group, the number of cells, the proportion of collagen fiber orientation, and the histological score in the TDSCs/CS group increased, the vascularity decreased, showing significant differences ( P<0.05); compared with the CS group, the proportion of collagen fiber orientation and the histological score in the TDSCs/CS group significantly increased ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the number of cells and vascularity ( P>0.05). All samples in biomechanical testing failed at the repair site during the testing process. The ultimate load of the TDSCs/CS group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference compared to the CS group ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION TDSCs/CS hydrogel can induce cartilage regeneration to promote rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing.
Rabbits ; Animals ; Rotator Cuff/surgery* ; Chitosan ; Hydrogels ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/surgery* ; Wound Healing ; Tendons/surgery* ; Collagen ; Stem Cells ; Biomechanical Phenomena

Pathological vascular remodeling is a hallmark of various vascular diseases. Previous research has established the significance of andrographolide in maintaining gastric vascular homeostasis and its pivotal role in modulating endothelial barrier dysfunction, which leads to pathological vascular remodeling. Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate (PDA), a derivative of andrographolide, has been clinically utilized in the treatment of inflammatory diseases precipitated by viral infections. This study investigates the potential of PDA in regulating pathological vascular remodeling. The effect of PDA on vascular remodeling was assessed through the complete ligation of the carotid artery in C57BL/6 mice. Experimental approaches, including rat aortic primary smooth muscle cell culture, flow cytometry, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, Boyden chamber cell migration assay, spheroid sprouting assay, and Matrigel-based tube formation assay, were employed to evaluate the influence of PDA on the proliferation and motility of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Molecular docking simulations and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine protein interactions. The results revealed that PDA exacerbates vascular injury-induced pathological remodeling, as evidenced by enhanced neointima formation. PDA treatment significantly increased the proliferation and migration of SMCs. Further mechanistic studies disclosed that PDA upregulated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression in SMCs and interacted with T-cadherin (CDH13). This interaction augmented proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, culminating in pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings underscore the critical role of PDA in the regulation of pathological vascular remodeling, mediated through the MyD88/CDH13 signaling pathway.
Mice ; Rats ; Animals ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Vascular Remodeling ; Cell Proliferation ; Vascular System Injuries/pathology* ; Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Cell Movement ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Potassium/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; Cadherins

Objective To summarize the effect of the timing of lung transplantation and related treatment measures on clinical prognosis of patients with paraquat poisoning. Methods Clinical data of a patient with paraquat poisoning undergoing bilateral lung transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, diagnosis and treatment of this patient were summarized and analyzed. Results A 17-year-old adolescent was admitted to hospital due to nausea, vomiting, cough and systemic fatigue after oral intake of 20-30 mL of 25% paraquat. After symptomatic support treatment, the oxygen saturation was not improved, and pulmonary fibrosis continued to progress. Therefore, sequential bilateral lung transplantation was performed under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). After postoperative rehabilitation and active prevention and treatment for postoperative complications, the patient was discharged at postoperative 50 d. Conclusions The timing of lung transplantation after paraquat poisoning may be selected when the liver and kidney function start to recover. Active and targeted prevention of potential pathogen infection in perioperative period and early rehabilitation training contribute to improving clinical prognosis of lung transplant recipients.