Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance， while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition， demonstrating eight distinct advantages， including systematic theoretical foundation， diversified therapeutic approaches， definite therapeutic efficacy， high safety profile， good patient compliance， comprehensive intervention strategies， emphasis on prevention， and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally， TCM is characterized by six distinctive features： the use of natural medicinal substances， non-invasive external therapies， integration of medicinal dietetics， simple exercise regimens， precise syndrome differentiation， and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments， TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation， demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators， regulating constitutional imbalance， and promoting healthy behaviors. However， challenges remain， such as inconsistent operational standards， insufficient high-quality clinical evidence， and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment， conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials， and fostering interdisciplinary integration， so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

Sangjuyin， as a pungent and cooling agent with precise therapeutic effect， is a classic pungent formula for cooling relief of the epidermis， which is highly respected by medical practitioners. This formula is from the Wenbing Tiaobian written by WU Jutong in the Qing dynasty， on the basis of which subsequent medical practitioners have made additions and subtractions to apply it. The authors used the bibliometric method to systematically organize the medical books from the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China and modern literature to analyze the composition， concoction， decoction， efficacy， and previous and modern application of Sangjuyin. After examination， the drug base of this formula is basically clear. Armeniacae Semen Amarum is the dried mature seeds of Armeniaca vulgaris， family Rosaceae. Forsythiae Fructus is the dried fruit of Forsythia suspensa， family Mulleinaceae. Menthae Haplocalycis Herba is the dried above-ground part of Mentha haplocalyx， family Labiatae. Mori Folium is the dried leaves of Morus alba， family Moraceae. Chrysanthemi Flos is the dried head of Chrysanthemum morifolium， family Asteraceae. Platycodonis Radix is the dried root of Eryngium grandiflorum， family Eryngium. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis of the Leguminosae family， and Phragmitis Rhizoma is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis of the Gramineae family. It is recommended that the eight drugs be used in raw form as medicine. The dosage and method of decoction were converted into a modern single dosage of 7.46 g Armeniacae Semen Amarum， 5.60 g Forsythiae Fructus， 2.98 g Menthae Haplocalycis Herba， 9.33 g Mori Folium， 3.73 g Chrysanthemi Flos， 7.46 g Platycodonis Radix， 2.98 g Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and 11.19 g Phragmitis Rhizoma， with 400 mL water added， and the solution was boiled to obtain 200 mL， taken twice a day. Sangjuyin has the efficacy of dispersing wind and clearing heat， promoting lung and relieving cough， and it is used for treating the initial onset of wind-warmth and the evidence of evil spirits in the lungs and collaterals. Modern research has shown that Sangjuyin is often used in the treatment of cough， pneumonia， rhinitis， and other respiratory diseases， and the results of this study provide a reference for the later development of Sangjuyin.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.

Objective To explore the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transesophageal endoscopic surgery for mediastinal tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 17 patients who underwent transesophageal endoscopic resection for benign mediastinal tumors at the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2024. Epidemiological characteristics, surgical parameters, adverse events, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed. Results Among the 17 patients, there were 9 males and 8 females, with an average age of (42.4±14.5) years and an average tumor size of (2.6±1.6) cm. Pathological types included esophageal duplication cysts (6 cases, 35.3%), bronchogenic cysts (5 cases, 29.4%), gastroenteric cysts (3 cases, 17.6%), schwannomas (2 cases, 11.8%), and lymphangioma (1 case, 5.9%). Fourteen patients (82.4%) underwent submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER), 3 patients (17.6%) underwent natural orifice transluminal endoscopic mediastinal surgery. All surgeries were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. En bloc resection was achieved in 11 patients (64.7%), with an average operative time of (60.9±32.6) min. No intraoperative bleeding or mucosal injury occurred, and 4 patients (23.5%) experienced minor complications (pneumothorax, fever, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury), all of which resolved with conservative treatment. The average postoperative hospital stay was (3.2±1.5) days, and no recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions Transesophageal endoscopic resection of benign mediastinal tumors is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment method. Further validation of its efficacy and safety through large-scale prospective studies is warranted.

Objective To explore the mediating role of activities of daily living (ADL) in pain and depressive symptoms in the elderly in China. Methods Utilizing the data from 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 4403 Chinese elderly individuals aged ≥ 60 years old were selected as the research subjects. Depression Scale (CES-D 10) of the Center for Epidemiological Survey and ADL scale were used in the study. The PROCESS4.1 macro was used to test the mediating effect of daily living activities between pain and depressive symptoms, and the Bootstrap method was applied for verification of the mediating variables. Results A total of 2368 cases of depressive symptoms were detected in the elderly in China, with a detection rate of 53.78%. Pain was positively correlated with depressive symptoms (r=0.27, P<0.01), and activities of daily living were negatively correlated with pain and depressive symptoms (r=-0.27, -0.337, P<0.01). The results showed that the total effect value of pain on depressive symptoms was 0.33, the direct effect value was 0.24, and the mediating effect value of daily living activities was 0.09, accounting for 27.27%. Conclusion Pain and activities of daily living are important factors influencing depressive symptoms in the elderly, and activities of daily living play a partial mediating role in the relationship between pain and depressive symptoms in the elderly.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.

This study explored the potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of Danggui Shaoyao San(DSS) in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease(AD) through transcriptomics and metabolomics, combined with animal experiments. Fifty male C57BL/6J mice, aged seven weeks, were randomly divided into the following five groups: control, model, positive drug, low-dose DSS, and high-dose DSS groups. After the intervention, the Morris water maze was used to assess learning and memory abilities of mice, and Nissl staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining were performed to observe pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were employed to sequence brain tissue and identify differential metabolites, analyzing key genes and metabolites related to disease progression. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) was employed to validate the expression of key genes. The Morris water maze results indicated that DSS significantly improved learning and cognitive function in scopolamine(SCOP)-induced model mice, with the high-dose DSS group showing the best results. Pathological staining showed that DSS effectively reduced hippocampal neuronal damage, increased Nissl body numbers, and reduced nuclear pyknosis and neuronal loss. Transcriptomics identified seven key genes, including neurexin 1(Nrxn1) and sodium voltage-gated channel α subunit 1(Scn1a), and metabolomics revealed 113 differential metabolites, all of which were closely associated with synaptic function, oxidative stress, and metabolic regulation. RT-qPCR experiments confirmed that the expression of these seven key genes was consistent with the transcriptomics results. This study suggests that DSS significantly improves learning and memory in SCOP model mice and alleviates hippocampal neuronal pathological damage. The mechanisms likely involve the modulation of synaptic function, reduction of oxidative stress, and metabolic balance, with these seven key genes serving as important targets for DSS in the treatment of AD.
Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Metabolomics ; Transcriptome/drug effects* ; Maze Learning/drug effects* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Memory/drug effects*

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) capable of clearing heat and removing toxin is most commonly used in clinical practice and has the effect of removing fire-heat and toxin. Studies have shown that most of the Ilex plants have the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin, among which the varieties of I. cornuta, I. pubescens, I. rotunda, I. latifolia, and I. chinensis are most widely used. These plants generally contain triterpenoids and their glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and other chemical components, especially pentacyclic triterpenoids. According to their skeletons, pentacyclic triterpenoids can be divided into the oleanane type, the ursane type, the lupinane type, etc. Among them, ursane-type components are the most abundant, and 136 species have been found so far. These components have been proved to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypolipidemic, anti-thrombosis, cardiomyocyte-protective, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the domestic and foreign literature on Ilex plants with a focus on the research progress on pentacyclic triterpenoids and their pharmacological activities, aiming to provide reference for the development of TCM resources with the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin.
Ilex/chemistry* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals

To elucidate the mechanism by which steaming affects the quality of Curcuma kwangsiensis root tubers, methods such as LSCM, RVA, dual-wavelength spectrophotometry, LF-NMR, and LC-MS were employed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect changes in starch gelatinization characteristics, water distribution, and material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers under different steaming durations. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, the correlation between differences in gelatinization parameters, water distribution, and terpenoid material composition was investigated. The results indicate that steaming affects both starch gelatinization and water distribution in C. kwangsiensis. During the steaming process, transformations occur between amylose and amylopectin, as well as between semi-bound water and free water. After 60 min of steaming, starch gelatinization and water distribution reached an equilibrium state. The content of amylopectin, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, and parameters such as gelatinization temperature, viscosity, breakdown value, and setback value were significantly correlated(P≤0.05). Additionally, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio was significantly correlated with total free water and total water content(P≤0.05). Steaming induced differences in the material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers. Clustering of primary metabolites in the OPLS-DA model was distinct, while secondary metabolites were classified into 9 clusters using the K-means clustering algorithm. Differential terpenoid metabolites such as(-)-α-curcumene were significantly correlated with zerumbone, retinal, and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Curcumenol was significantly correlated with isoalantolactone and ursolic acid(P<0.05), while all-trans-retinoic acid was significantly correlated with both zerumbone and retinal(P<0.05). Alpha-tocotrienol exhibited a significant correlation with retinal and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Amylose was extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and α-tocotrienol(P<0.05). Amylopectin was significantly correlated with zerumbone(P<0.05) and extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and 9-cis-retinoic acid(P<0.01). The results provide scientific evidence for elucidating the mechanism of quality formation of steamed C. kwangsiensis root tubers as a medicinal material.
Curcuma/chemistry* ; Starch/chemistry* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Water/chemistry* ; Terpenes/analysis* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Plant Tubers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*

As a new type of production factor that can empower the development of new quality productivity, the data element is an important engine to promote the high quality development of the industry. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) dispensing is the most basic work of TCM clinical pharmacy, and its quality directly affects the clinical efficacy of TCM. The integration of data elements and TCM dispensing can stimulate the innovation and vitality of the TCM dispensing industry and promote the high-quality and sustainable development of the industry. A large-scale, detailed, and systematic study on TCM dispensing was conducted. The innovative practice path of data fusion construction in the whole process of TCM dispensing was investigated by integrating the digital resources "nine full activities" of TCM dispensing, creating the digital dictionary of "TCM clinical information data elements", and exploring innovative applications of TCM dispensing driven by data and technology, so as to promote the standardized, digital, and intelligent development of TCM dispensing in medical health services. The research content of this project was successfully selected as the second batch of "Data element×" typical cases of National Data Administration in 2024, which is the only selected case in the field of TCM.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans