Endometriosis is a prevalent disease in gynecology. The symptoms of endometriosis are challenging to treat,affect various organs,and persist in the body,adversely impacting patients' quality of life. Endometriosis-related fibrosis is a primary cause of dysmenorrhea,infertility,and chronic pelvic pain,which represents the main pathological feature of endometriosis. Traditional Chinese medicine identifies blood stasis as the primary pathological basis of endometriosis,emphasizing the use of treatments to promote blood circulation and resolve stasis. The traditional Chinese medicine theory,"coldness produces turbid yin",suggests that coldness plays a crucial role in the formation of blood stasis and damp phlegm. Coldness is harmful to yang qi,leading to the accumulation of blood stasis and damp phlegm in the body,which can cause endometriosis. Based on this theory,the etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis were discussed in stages. "Strong coldness coagulation is blood stasis,turbidity generating abdominal masses" is the first etiological factor. The progress stage is "yang qi deficiency is difficult to resolve cold blood stasis,and fibrosis is formed over a long period". According to the pathogenesis characteristics at different stages,the treatment concept for endometriosis is warming yang to resolve turbidity and blood stasis. During the initial stage of disease treatment,the treatment principle is primarily based on dispersing cold,activating blood circulation,and removing damp phlegm and blood stasis. The primary treatment is to improve yang qi to dissipate turbidity and circulate blood,and eliminate stasis to reduce abdominal masses if endometriosis is challenging to treat over a long period. In conclusion,endometriosis can be treated when blood stasis and damp phlegm are dissipated,and endometriosis-related fibrosis can be treated to clear abdominal masses when yang qi is filling the body.

Normal human blood pressure has a certain circadian rhythm,which is high during the day and low at night,and two peaks and one valley of the arytenoid change. The theory of opening-closing-pivot is an essential part of the yin and yang theory in traditional Chinese medicine,which reflects the law of qi movement changes of the three yin and three yang. According to "time to heal six channels" in Shanghan Lun,the opening-closing-pivot of three yin and three yang have their own time. Following certain time laws,the ascending,descending,exiting,and entering of the yin and yang qi movement conform to the circadian rhythm,which is the basis for maintaining the normal circadian rhythm of human blood pressure. Jueyin closing and shaoyang pivot mainly regulate morning blood pressure,whereas yangming closing,taiyin opening,and shaoyin pivot mainly regulate night blood pressure. The opening-closing-pivot of three yin and three yang coordinate and influence each other to maintain the stability of the circadian rhythm of blood pressure. The abnormal opening-closing-pivot can lead to the disturbance of the circadian rhythm of blood pressure,which primarily manifests as early morning hypertension caused by jueyin closing and shaoyang pivot failure,and night hypertension caused by yangming closing,taiyin opening and shaoyin pivot failure. By adjusting the movement of opening-closing-pivot of three yin and three yang,the blood pressure of corresponding period can be regulated. Combined with Western medical research,a new idea and method of regulating the circadian rhythm of blood pressure with traditional Chinese medicine is put forward.

The theory of "yang transforming qi and yin shaping up body" comes from Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor),which describes the basic form of human metabolism dominated by "yang transforming qi":the effect of " yang transforming qi" leads the energy metabolism of human body,while the effect of "yin shaping up body" leads the material metabolism. Metabolic syndrome is a clinical syndrome with metabolic disorders of protein,fat and carbohydrate. The theory of "yang transforming qi and yin shaping up body" has a strong guiding value for the pathogenesis analysis and clinical differentiation and treatment of metabolic syndrome. Yin and yang represent the two basic trends of the change and development of things,and the functions of "transforming qi" and "shaping up body" are the main manifestations of them in metabolism. From this perspective,this paper suggests that the key pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome should be "insufficiency of yang transforming qi and impairment of yin shaping up body" based on the mutual assistance of yin and yang. On this basis we take "coordinating yin-yang and promoting the reproduction of them" as the main directions of therapy,which provides a new idea for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Previous research on traditional Chinese medicine tongue inspection has mainly focused on its development,clinical application,and objectification,ignoring the fundamental question of "why tongue inspection is important in traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis" and neglecting the dominant role of traditional Chinese medicine brain thinking activities during diagnosis. Therefore,applying modern cognitive neuroscience technology to explore the impact of tongue inspection information on traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic thinking from an empirical research perspective may open up a new path for future tongue inspection research. This article proposes the combined application of eye tracking and event-related potential technology,drawing on the experimental paradigm of text reading inference correction in cognitive psychology,to collect eye movement and electroencephalogram data of participants induced by changes in tongue information during the reading process of traditional Chinese medicine medical records. This method can achieve synchronous observation of the focus areas and electroencephalogram signals of the subjects during the reading process,and provide cognitive scientific evidence for "why tongue inspection is important in traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis" through statistical data analysis. This research approach integrates the theories,techniques,and methods of traditional Chinese medicine and cognitive science,and is of great significance for developing cognitive thinking research in traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long-standing understanding of the brain;however,the theoretical foundation and treatment approach for diseases related to the brain have not been systematically organized and studied. The three treasures of essence,qi,and spirit are closely associated with the brain in humans. Based on this theory,this study explored the relationship between essence,qi,spirit,and the brain,with the intention that "the brain is the official position of gathering essence,qi,spirit,and in charge of mental activity". It investigated the theoretical implications of the brain,stating that "essence" forms the material basis of the brain's structure,"qi" is fundamental for brain function,and the "conscious spirit" corresponds to the state of the brain,residing in the heart,serving as the external manifestation of the brain,governing aspects like thoughts,consciousness,and emotions. The "primordial spirit" is the axis of the brain,which is rooted in the brain and serves as the internal core of the brain,thereby governing and regulating the central activities of human life. Essence,qi,mental activity,and primordial spirit mutually support and depend on each other,collectively maintaining the function of the brain governing the mental activity. The primordial spirit,which the brain governs,regulating and controlling the essence,qi,and couscious spirit is a specific manifestation of physiological and psychological activities in the human body. This study provides treatment strategies for clinical brainrelated disorders under the theoretical guidance that "the brain is the official position for gathering essence,qi,and spirit,and is in charge of mental activity". These strategies include " nourishing essence and marrow,supplementing qi to ascend clear,and nurturing nourishment and enriching the spirit". This study aims to contribute to the innovation and development of traditional Chinese medicine theories.

The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is related to the imbalance of viscera,qi,blood,and yin and yang. Some Parkinson's symptoms show opposite characteristics and abnormal constraints because of the influence of its complex pathogenesis. At the qi transformation level,static tremor and muscular rigidity exhibit two opposite states of yang qi:dispersion and contraction. At the spirit level,the sleep disorder of rapid eye movement is caused by the abnormal constraint of the soul on the corporeal soul. The liver is in charge of ascending,whereas the lung is in charge of descending. The liver prefers to disperse,whereas the lung prefers to converge;the lung restrains the liver,and metal (representing the lungs) overcomes wood (representing the liver). Therefore,the liver and lung also possess opposing and mutually restraining characteristics. This study explored the correlation between the liver and lung of patients with Parkinson's disease at the three levels of spirit,qi transformation,and viscera based on the theory of "restraining excessiveness to acquire harmony". It established the connection between motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease through the interaction of these three factors. The study elaborated on the generation of symptoms and treatment options for both motor and non-motor symptoms. Under physiological conditions,the liver and lung maintain a dynamic equilibrium of " restraining excessiveness from acquiring harmony" through restraint without suppression,promoting coexistence and harmony. However,under pathological conditions,the functions of the spirit,qi transformation,and viscera of the liver and lung may exhibit abnormalities,and they could mutually influence each other. This study investigated the "restraining excessiveness to achieve harmony" relationship between the liver and lung,focusing on spirit,qi transformation,and viscera levels. The aim of this study was to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and to offer novel insights into its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The concept of "holism of body and spirit" originated in the pre-Qin period as a philosophical idea to understand the world,and later became an important theory adopted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Acupuncture,as a traditional TCM treatment modality,can be guided by the theory of "holism of body and spirit" in the clinical treatment of psychosomatic disorders. However,there is no clear and standardized operational model based on this theory currently. The combination of theory and practice is essential for the effective application and development of TCM. Currently,there are numerous schools and methods of acupuncture treatment for psychosomatic disorders,and the analytical perspectives on psychosomatic disorders vary,which leads to the complexity of integrating theory and practice and makes it difficult to conclude and summarize the standardized process. Given that TCM is a classical and time-honored medical science,tracing its historical origins and summarizing the diagnostic and treatment plans of different representative physicians might help in advancing acupuncture treatment for psychosomatic disorders. This paper analyzes and discusses the connection between philosophical ideas and medical theories,the application of theories into practice,and the analysis and summary of medical case literature,and puts forward the specific mode of acupuncture treatment of psychosomatic disorders,so as to provide new ideas and references for clinical practice.

Extracellular vesicles(EVs)are secreted by various cells and carry information such as parent cell-derived RNA,DNA,proteins,and lipids.They mediate information exchange between cells and organs,playing a crucial role in disease occurrence and development,diagnosis,treatment,and targeted drug delivery.EVs are also closely associated with traditional Chinese medicine theories and treatments.The qi-blood-fluid and visceral outward manifestation theories are the fundamental theories of traditional Chinese medicine.EVs belong to the fluid category and can reach other viscera through the blood vessels.They regulate the relationship between the viscera or cause imbalances between the viscera,resulting in disease.Chinese materia medica,which primarily includes traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations,and Chinese herbal medicine,can help regulate the quantity and content of endogenous EVs in the body to improve pathological conditions.Additionally,EV-like particles derived from herbal medicines are a major form of pharmacologically active substances that contribute to the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicine in treating diseases.Furthermore,EVs can also be used as carriers to deliver drugs for targeted therapy.Therefore,exploring the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine and EVs will elucidate the modern scientific connotation of traditional Chinese medicine theories and reveal the mechanism of Chinese materia medica.The development of engineered EVs based on Chinese materia medica will provide novel strategies for clinical treatment.

The risk of colorectal cancer is substantially higher in patients with long-term colorectal inflammation than in the general population.Prolonged inflammation is an essential factor that triggers colorectal cancer.The dynamic pathological evolution process of the classic"inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis"in the colorectum is proctocolitis→dysplasia→cancer.Traditional Chinese medicine lacks a systematic consensus on the pathogenesis of colorectal"inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis".This article proposes the theory of"pathogenic factors lurk intestinal collaterals"to explain the development law of pathogenesis in the dynamic evolution of colorectal"inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis".Internal and external factors can trigger the movement of the latent pathogenic factors,thereby damaging the intestinal tissues,when latent pathogenic factors are hidden in the intestinal collaterals,and the healthy qi is unable to expel them.The prolonged course of the disease further weakens the healthy qi,allowing the latent pathogenic factors to accumulate in the intestinal collaterals,intertwine with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis,accelerate accumulation,and lead to cancer."Latent pathogens trapped in the intestinal collaterals"is the core pathogenesis during inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis.Thus,to prevent colorectal inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis,consideration should be given to the principle of driving away pathogenic factors and dredging the collaterals in clinical practice.The theory regarding"latent pathogens trapped in the intestinal collaterals"can provide a theoretical reference for syndrome differentiation and treating colorectal inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis and offer novel ideas for clinical treatment.

As essential concepts of the traditional Chinese medicine theory,"deficiency"and"toxin"have been enriched and developed continuously since Huangdi Neijing.By tracing back and combing"deficiency"and"toxin",this paper sums up their relationship,analyzes and explains their basic connotation,and discusses their extension.The"deficiency-toxin"theory has two meanings:it covers the pathological state of the human body with deficiency of vital qi and excess of pathogenic toxin,and it also refers to the pathological evolutionary process in which"deficiency"and"toxin"promote each other.Based on the connotation and dynamic pathogenesis of the"deficiency-toxin"theory,it is pointed out that this theory can be applied to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and chronic debilitating diseases,including the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of inflammatory bowel disease.Taking inflammatory bowel disease as an example and combining its Western medical background,this paper expounds on the pathogenesis and treatment of the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of inflammatory bowel disease,and provides a paradigm of"deficiency-toxin"theory guiding clinical research.