Mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease is an inevitable pathological stage in the early development of Alzheimer′s disease, which can be classified as "microlumps in the brain collaterals" in traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the theory of latent toxin blocking collaterals, this article discusses the etiology and pathogenesis, clinical sequelae, and traditional Chinese medicine intervention strategies for mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease. The onset of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease is very similar to the latent pathogen theory, which states that "the latent pathogen is latent and then develops, the poison is deep and difficult to cure, and the development can be recognized but the latent pathogen cannot be detected." Combining clinical experience, our team believes that the basic nature of the disease is a slight deficiency and a slight excess of symptoms. A slight deficiency of the five zang viscera and six fu viscera as root and a latent toxin colling collaterals of qi, fire, phlegm, and blood stasis as manifestaion. These usually start from the qi depression and develop into phlegm coagulation and blood stasis, then end up in latent toxin and gradually become the healthy qi deficiency. Therefore, the deficiency of vital qi and incubation of evil, latent toxin blocking collaterals the pathogenesis of early intervention of this disease should be carried out, upholding the idea that "the upper workman treats the disease before it is diagnosed." The principle of strengthening vital qi to eliminate pathogenic factors, slowing down and promoting pathogenic factors elimination, establishing the method of supporting correctness and wisdom, simultaneously detoxifying and clearing the blood stasis, pattern differentiation as the main and the disease differentiation as the first, combining the disease and pattern, and adjusting the macroscopic and microscopic, focusing simultaneously on eliminating and replenishing, dispel phlegm and remove blood stasis, achieve a strong vital qi and the elimination of evil, and enhance intelligence, delay or even block the progression of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease, improve patients′ quality of life, and provide a theoretical basis for the early clinical prevention and treatment of Alzheimer′s disease.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of thread-embedding at the combined lower he-sea and front-mu points for functional constipation with intestinal excess heat. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with functional constipation of intestinal excess heat were randomly divided into a thread-embedding group (40 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a Chinese patent medication group (40 cases, 1 case dropped out). Based on the theory of combined lower he-sea and front-mu points for diseases of fu organs, Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Tianshu (ST25), Xiajuxu (ST39) were selected and thread-embedding therapy was delivered in the thread-embedding group, once a week. Maren Runchang pill was given orally in the Chinese patent medication group, 6-12 g each time, twice a day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of constipation assessment scale (CAS), Bristol stool form scale (BSFS), patient-assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) and TCM syndrome were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the CAS scores and the TCM syndrome scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), while the BSFS scores were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups; the total scores, as well as the physical discomfort and psychosocial discomfort scores of PAC-QOL were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups, the worry and anxiety, and the satisfaction scores of PAC-QOL were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the thread-embedding group. After treatment, the CAS score, the total score and item-scores of PAC-QOL, as well as the TCM syndrome score in the thread-embedding group were lower than those in the Chinese patent medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 78.9% (30/38) in the thread-embedding group, which was higher than 56.4% (22/39) in the Chinese patent medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Thread-embedding at the combined lower he-sea and front-mu points can effectively treat functional constipation with intestinal excess heat and improve quality of life.
Humans ; Constipation/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; Intestines/physiopathology* ; Quality of Life

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is marked by early-onset neurodevelopmental anomalies, yet the temporal dynamics of genetic contributions to these processes remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the Shank3 gene, known to be associated with monogenic causes of autism, in early developmental processes to inform the timing and mechanisms for potential interventions for ASD. Utilizing the Shank3B knockout (KO) mouse model, we examined Shank3 expression and its impact on neuronal maturation through Golgi staining for dendritic morphology and electrophysiological recordings to measure synaptic function in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) across different postnatal stages. Our longitudinal analysis revealed that, while Shank3B KO mice displayed normal neuronal morphology at one week postnatal, significant impairments in dendritic growth and synaptic activity emerged by two to three weeks. These findings highlight the critical developmental window during which Shank3 is essential for neuronal and synaptic maturation in the ACC.
Animals ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Dendrites/metabolism* ; Mice ; Synapses/metabolism* ; Gyrus Cinguli/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics* ; Microfilament Proteins

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GLIl-altered mesenchymal tumors are a relatively rare type of mesenchymal tumor that is common in the head and neck.It is a newly added tumor type in the World Health Organization Tumor Classification of Head and Neck(5th edition).This article reports a case of GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor occurring at the left tongue and reviews the relevant literature to summarize the pathological morphological characteristics,immunophenotype,molecular changes,clinical manifestations,and prognosis of the disease.

Objective:To build a nursing care plan decision-making support system based on the hospital's nursing information system and evaluate its effects in newly hired nurses.Methods:This study adopted a non-synchronous pre-post control design. Totally 181 newly hired nurses recruited by Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, were selected by convenience sampling. The control group consisted of 85 new nurses hired in August 2021, while the intervention group consisted of 96 new nurses hired in August 2022. The control group received traditional training methods, while the intervention group received training through the nursing care plan decision-making support system in addition to the traditional methods. The nursing decision-making ability and the quality of specialty nursing care were compared between the two groups.Results:Finally, 81 nurses were included in the control group, and 93 nurses were included in the intervention group. The nursing decision-making ability score in the intervention group was (80.15±4.59), which was significantly higher than the (78.62±5.13) in the control group ( t=-2.080, P=0.039). The intervention group also had a significantly higher qualified rate of specialty nursing care compared to the control group (χ 2=6.626, P=0.036) . Conclusions:The application of the nursing care plan decision-making support system in the standardized training of newly hired nurses can improve their nursing decision-making abilities and the quality of specialty nursing care.

ObjectiveTo develop traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formulae for the treatment of nonsevere coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） and to explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism. MethodsThe dysregulated signaling pathways were determined in macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of COVID-19 patients and in lung epithelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in vitro based on transcriptome analysis. A total of 102 TCM formulae for the clinical treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 were collected through literature. The pathway-reversing rates of these formulae in macrophages and lung epithelial cells were evaluated based on signature signaling pathways， and the basic formula was determined in conjunction with TCM theory. The commonly used Chinese materia medica for nonsevere COVID-19 were summarized from the 102 TCM formulae as abovementioned. And together with the screening results from the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China， a “Chinese materia medica pool” was esta-blished for the development of TCM formulae for COVID-19. The regulatory effects of each herb on signaling pathways were obtained based on targeted transcriptome analysis. Oriented at reversing dysregulated signaling pathways of COVID-19， the calculation was carried out， and the artificial intelligent methods for compositing formulae， that are exhaustive method and parallel computing， were used to obtain candidate compound formulas. Finally， with reference to professional experience， an innovative formula for the treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 was developed. The ethanol extract of the formula was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effects by detecting the mRNA expression of interleukin 1b （Il1b）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （Cxcl2）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 （Cxcl10）， C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （Ccl2）， nitric oxide synthase 2 （Nos2）， and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （Ptgs2） using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR） in RAW264.7 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. ResultsIn macrophages and lung epithelial cells， 34 dysregulated signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 were identified respectively. The effects of the 102 formulae for clinical treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 were evaluated based on the dysregulated signaling pathways and targeted transcriptome， and the result showed that Yinqiao Powder and Pingwei Powder （银翘散合平胃散， YQPWP） ranked first， reversing 91.18% of the dysregulated signaling pathways in macrophages and 100% of the dysregulated signaling pathways in lung epithelial cells. Additionally， YQPWP had the function of scattering wind and clearing heat， resolving toxins and removing dampness in accordance with the pathogenesis of wind-heat with dampness in COVID-19. It was selected as the basic formula， and was further modified and optimized to develop an innovative fomula Qiaobang Zhupi Yin （翘蒡术皮饮， QBZPY） based on expert experience and artificial intelligence in composing formulae. QBZPY can reverse all the dysregulated signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 in macrophages and lung epithelial cells， with the reversing rates of 100%. The chief medicinal of QBZPY， including Lianqiao （Fructus Forsythiae）， Xixiancao （Herba Siegesbeckiae） and Niubangzi （Fructus Arctii）， can down-regulate multiple signaling pathways related with virus infection， immune response， and epithelial damage. RT-qPCR results indicated that compared with the model group， the QBZPY group down-regulated the mRNA expression of Il1b， tumor necrosis factor （Tnf）， Cxcl2， Cxcl10， Ccl2， Nos2 and Ptgs2 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionBased on targeted transcriptome analysis， expert experience in TCM and artificial intelligence， QBZPY has been developed for the treatment of nonsevere COVID-19. The ethanol extract of QBZPY has been found to inhibit mRNA expression of several pro-inflammatory genes in a cellular inflammation model.

During the occurrence and development of various heart diseases,continuous deterioration of myocardial fibrosis leads to remodeling and dysfunction of the cardiac structure.As a newly discovered mechanically sensitive ion channel,Piezo1 has opened up a new field of research on cellular mechanical transduction.Piezo1 combines a fine force transducer with Ca2+ influx and participates in the regulation of cellular mechanical transduction,thereby regulating cellular biological functions.Recent studies have shown that the biomechanical changes induced by myocardial injury regulate the expression of Piezo1 in cardiomyocytes and cause an imbalance in calcium homeostasis,which plays an important role in the positive feedback loop of myocardial fibrosis.This review summarizes the theoretical basis and related studies of Piezo1 in regulating cardiac fibrosis and suggests that the Piezo1 channel may become a new target for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis,thereby providing a new research horizon for the prevention and treatment of cardiac fibrosis.

The development of acute liver injury can result in liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer, yet there is currently no effective therapy for it. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect and therapeutic mechanism of Lyciumbarbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). To create a model of acute liver injury, experimental canines received an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL/kg of CCl₄ solution. The experimental canines in the therapy group were then fed LBPs (20 mg/kg). CCl₄-induced liver structural damage, excessive fibrosis, and reduced mitochondrial density were all improved by LBPs, according to microstructure data. By suppressing Kelch-like epichlorohydrin (ECH)-associated protein 1 (Keap1), promoting the production of sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1)/p62, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and phase II detoxification genes and proteins downstream of Nrf2, and restoring the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), LBPs can restore and increase the antioxidant capacity of liver. To lessen mitochondrial damage, LBPs can also enhance mitochondrial respiration, raise tissue adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and reactivate the respiratory chain complexes I‒V. According to serum metabolomics, the therapeutic impact of LBPs on acute liver damage is accomplished mostly by controlling the pathways to lipid metabolism. 9-Hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9-HODE), lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC/LPC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) may be potential indicators of acute liver injury. This study confirmed that LBPs, an effective hepatoprotective drug, may cure acute liver injury by lowering oxidative stress, repairing mitochondrial damage, and regulating metabolic pathways.
Animals ; Dogs ; Antioxidants/metabolism* ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy* ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism* ; Liver ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Lycium/chemistry*