This paper explores the therapeutic approach for glaucoma based on the concept of "jueyin （厥阴） as the closing phase" from the perspectives of time and space. In traditional Chinese medicine， jueyin governs inward， converging aspect of qi， representing the crucial turning point between the end of yin and the emergence of yang， as well as the transformation between yin and yang. When the closing and descending function of jueyin operates smoothly， it promotes the inward convergence and smooth descent of qi， enabling the internal retention of blood， spirit， and emotions， which nourishes the internal organs and moistens the meridian-sinews. Conversely， dysfunction of this "closing" mechanism results in a disturbance of yin and yang， a mixture of cold and heat， and disharmony of qi and blood. It is proposed that "failure of jueyin to properly close and descend" is a core pathomechanism of glaucoma. From the perspective of spatiotemporal theory， clinical treatment should focus on "regulating the closing function of jueyin and harmonizing yin and yang". The modified Wumei Pill （乌梅丸） is recommended to adjust the ascending-descending and entering-exiting dynamics of jueyin qi transformation， thereby restoring its free flow， achieving yin and yang balance， and ensuring nourishment to the ocular system.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with constipation. METHODS: A total of 80 PD patients with constipation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Additionally, 40 healthy individuals were recruited as a healthy control group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment for PD combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG), once daily for eight weeks. The observation group received additional ACE treatment at bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37), once every two weeks for eight weeks. The healthy control group received no intervention. The spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week and patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed at baseline and after treatment in the two groups. Fecal samples were collected at the end of treatment for the observation and the control groups and at baseline for the healthy control group. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed using 16S rRNA method, and SCFA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the observation group showed a significant increase in SBMs (P<0.01), and PAC-QOL scores including physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern, and total score were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment; the control group also showed a reduction in PAC-QOL total score after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group had significantly more SBMs (P<0.01), and lower PAC-QOL physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern scores, and total score (P<0.01), and higher PAC-QOL satisfaction score (P<0.01) than the control group. Compared with the healthy control group, the control group showed decreased Chao1 and Ace indices (P<0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Roseburia was increased (P<0.05), while that of Enterobacter and Ruminococcus torques (six species in total) was decreased (P<0.05) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the observation group had increased relative abundance of Dialister, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus torques (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Prevotella and Eubacterium ruminantium (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the control group had increased fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05); compared with the control group, the observation group had reduced fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were elevated in the control group (P<0.05); compared with the control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were decreased in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION ACE could increase spontaneous bowel movements and improve the quality of life in PD patients with constipation, which may be related to the regulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels.
Humans ; Constipation/metabolism* ; Male ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease/complications* ; Aged ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Catgut ; Feces/microbiology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Adult

Retinopathy caused by myopia is the first cause of irreversible blinding eye disease in China.The TCM methods to prevent and control myopia mainly include Chinese materia medica and TCM appropriate techniques,which have the advantages of good efficacy,simple operation,and few adverse reactions.This paper believed that internal and external pathogenic factors act on the brain and eyes,breaking their homeostasis,leading to rhythmic disorders,and imbalance of essence,qi and blood is the main pathogenesis of myopia.Based on the idea of"nature and human in the same rhythm"and"the same treatment for common diseases",targeting the above pathogenesis,the method of"brain-eye synchronization"was proposed to restore the homeostasis of the brain and eyes to prevent and control myopia in children and adolescents,and the treatment rules were to regulate the rhythms of the time,harmonize the qi and blood,nourish the blood to soften the tendons,and replenish the essence and blood,so as to achieve the effect of brain-eye synchronization and the treatment of the spirit and the body together.This article summarized the theoretical basis of"brain-eye synchronization"and its clinical application in traditional Chinese and Western medicine,with a view to providing new ideas for the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents.

Traditional Chinese medicine upholds the unity of nature and humanity as its fundamental principle,asserting that man is in harmony with heaven and earth and corresponds to the sun and moon.Human life processes align with the circadian rhythms of nature,exhibiting periodic temporal changes-concepts that Western medicine defines as biological rhythms.The"opening-closing-pivot"of the three yin and three yang meridians represents the primary mode of interaction between nature and humanity.This mechanism regulates the transformation of yin and yang to qi within the body,ensuring synchronization with the circadian rhythm.Building upon this foundation,the concept of"the harmony of rhythms and states"was proposed to explain human growth and aging."Rhythms"encompass not only circadian cycles but also the movement of qi and blood,as well as the contraction rhythm of muscle fascia,among other physiological processes."States"refer to the dynamic evolution and transformation of qi during the"opening-closing-pivot"stages in both time and space."Harmony"pertains not only to the individual physiological balance of"rhythms"or"states"but also to their coherent interaction.The fundamental cause of myopia is"the disharmony of rhythms and states",considering that rhythm disorders,qi and blood disorders,and fascia imbalances contribute to this disease.Based on this understanding,myopia prevention and treatment should center on"regulating rhythms and states",with adjusting the pivot to brighten the eyes as the core therapeutic principle throughout the entire cycle of myopia.Treatment should be tailored to different disease stages and supplemented with methods such as time-based regulation,qi and blood harmonization,tendon relaxation and collateral dredging,and essence and blood nourishment to prevent and manage myopia effectively.

Objective:To systematically identify and summarize the best available evidence on feeding management during the peridischarge period for very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), providing a reference for clinical nursing practice.Methods:Evidence on feeding management for VLBWI/ELBWI during the peridischarge period was retrieved from decision support systems, guideline repositories, major databases, and relevant professional organizations' websites. Sources included clinical decisions, guidelines, evidence summaries, systematic reviews, expert consensus documents and so on. The search spanned from database inception to April 2024. Guidelines were reviewed by four researchers, while other documents were screened and appraised by two researchers.Results:A total of 24 documents were included: six clinical decision tools, four guidelines, three systematic reviews, three evidence summaries, and eight expert consensus statements. A total of three primary themes, 10 secondary themes, and 49 best evidence items were synthesized. These covered: pre-discharge feeding management (establishing a peridischarge feeding team, parental feeding education, assessing feeding status of VLBWI/ELBWI, evaluating parental feeding competence, preparing feeding materials/environment and assessing community resources) ; discharge feeding management (providing feeding-related medical records and developing individualized feeding plans) ; post-discharge feeding management (setting growth and development goals, conducting follow-up and growth monitoring, and supplementing necessary nutrients) .Conclusions:The summarized best evidence provides a practical reference for healthcare professionals to effectively implement feeding management for VLBWI/ELBWI during the peridischarge period. Evidence-based strategies should be selectively applied in clinical practice based on individual conditions to ensure a successful transition to home feeding and support healthy growth and development of VLBWI/ELBWI.

Objective To investigate the effects of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on levels of memory T (Tm) cells and their subsets in lymph nodes of mice at different stages of infection, so as to provide new insights into immunotherapy for alveolarechinococcosis. MethodsTwenty-four C57BL/6J mice aged 6 to 9 weeks were randomly divided into the infection group and the control group, of 12 mice in each group. Mice in the infection group were administered with 3 000 E. multilocularis protoscoleces via portal venous injection, while animals in the control group were administered with an equal volume of physiological saline. Three mice from each group were sacrificed 4, 12 weeks and 24 weeks post-infection, and lymph nodes were sampled and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to investigate the histopathological changes of mouse lymph nodes in the infection group. The expression and localization of T lymphocyte surface markers CD3, CD4, and CD8 were observed in mouse lymph nodes using immunohistochemical staining. In addition, lymphocyte suspensions were prepared from mouse lymph nodes in both groups at different time points post-infection, and the levels of Tm cell subsets and their secreted cytokines were detected using flow cytometry. Results HE staining showed diffuse structural alterations in the subcapsular cortical and paracortical regions of mouse lymph nodes in the infection group 4 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis. Immunohistochemical staining detected CD3, CD4 and CD8 expression in mouse lymph nodes in both groups. Flow cytometry revealed higher proportions of CD4⁺ Tm cells [(55.3 ± 4.8)% vs. (38.8 ± 6.1)%; t = -4.259, P < 0.05] and CD4⁺ tissue-resident Tm (Trm) cells [(57.7 ± 3.7)% vs. (34.1 ± 11.2)%; t = -3.990, P < 0.05] in mouse lymph nodes in the infection group than in the control group 4 weeks post-infection, and higher proportions of CD4⁺ Tm cells [(34.6 ± 3.2)% vs. (23.3 ± 7.5)%; t = -2.764, P < 0.05] and CD4⁺ Trm cells [(44.0 ± 1.9)% vs. (31.2 ± 1.5)%; t = -4.039, P < 0.05] in mouse lymph nodes in the infection group than in the control group 24 weeks post-infection. The proportions of CD8⁺ Tm cells were higher in the infection group than in the control group 4 weeks [(56.8 ± 2.7)% vs. (43.9 ± 5.2)%; t = -4.416, P < 0.01] and 12 weeks post-infection [(25.4 ± 2.7)% vs. (12.0 ± 2.6)%; t = -2.552, P < 0.05], while the proportions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α⁺ CD4⁺ T cells [(15.7 ± 5.0)% vs. (49.4 ± 6.4)%; t = 7.150, P < 0.01], TNF-α⁺CD8⁺ T cells [(20.7 ± 5.5)% vs. (57.5 ± 8.4)%; t = -6.694, P < 0.01], and TNF-α⁺ CD8⁺ Tm cells [7.0% (1.0%) vs. 31.0% (11.0%); Z = -2.236, P < 0.05] were lower in the infection group than in the control group 24 weeks post-infection. Conclusions Tm cells levels are consistently increased in lymph nodes of mice at different stages of E. multilocularis infection, with Trm cells as the predominantly elevated subset. The impaired capacity of CD8⁺ Tm cells to secrete the effector molecule TNF-α in mouse lymph nodes at the late-stage infection may facilitate chronic parasitism of E. multilocularis.

Background and Aims:Obstructive jaundice(OJ)caused by common bile duct stones(CBDS)is a major risk factor for acute cholangitis(AC).Early identification of high-risk patients is essential for improving prognosis.Soluble CD163(sCD163)and milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8(MFG-E8)are associated with inflammatory diseases,but their predictive value for AC in CBDS-related OJ remains unclear.This study aimed to evaluate the predictive significance of serum sCD163 and MFG-E8 levels for AC in patients with CBDS-OJ.Methods:A total of 142 patients with CBDS-OJ admitted from January 2022 to June 2024 were included as the observation group,and 145 healthy individuals undergoing physical examination served as controls.Serum sCD163 and MFG-E8 levels were measured using ELISA.Based on the occurrence of AC within 24 hours after admission,patients with CBDS-OJ were divided into an AC group(n=48)and a non-AC group(n=94).Clinical variables and serological indicators were compared between groups.Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent factors associated with AC.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to assess the predictive performance of sCD163,MFG-E8,and their combination.Results:Compared with the control group,patients with CBDS-OJ showed significantly elevated serum sCD163 levels and decreased MFG-E8 levels(both P<0.05).Within the observation group,the AC group had higher AST,ALT and sCD163 levels and lower MFG-E8 levels than the non-AC group(all P<0.05).Logistic regression identified elevated sCD163 as an independent risk factor(OR=3.478,P<0.001)and reduced MFG-E8 as a protective factor(OR=0.526,P=0.020)for AC.ROC analysis showed AUC values of 0.759 for sCD163,0.787 for MFG-E8,and 0.920 for their combined detection,with the combined model outperforming either marker alone(P<0.001).Conclusion:Serum sCD163 elevation and MFG-E8 reduction are closely associated with the development of AC in patients with CBDS-OJ.Combined detection of sCD163 and MFG-E8 provides superior predictive value and may serve as a useful tool for early risk stratification in clinical practice.

Retinopathy caused by myopia is the first cause of irreversible blinding eye disease in China.The TCM methods to prevent and control myopia mainly include Chinese materia medica and TCM appropriate techniques,which have the advantages of good efficacy,simple operation,and few adverse reactions.This paper believed that internal and external pathogenic factors act on the brain and eyes,breaking their homeostasis,leading to rhythmic disorders,and imbalance of essence,qi and blood is the main pathogenesis of myopia.Based on the idea of"nature and human in the same rhythm"and"the same treatment for common diseases",targeting the above pathogenesis,the method of"brain-eye synchronization"was proposed to restore the homeostasis of the brain and eyes to prevent and control myopia in children and adolescents,and the treatment rules were to regulate the rhythms of the time,harmonize the qi and blood,nourish the blood to soften the tendons,and replenish the essence and blood,so as to achieve the effect of brain-eye synchronization and the treatment of the spirit and the body together.This article summarized the theoretical basis of"brain-eye synchronization"and its clinical application in traditional Chinese and Western medicine,with a view to providing new ideas for the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To study incident and clinical characteristics of the coronary microcirculation dysfunction (CMD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and to explore the predictive value of CMD for in-hospital acute heart failure event. METHODS: One hundred and forty five patients with AMI who had received PCI and completed MCE during hospitalization in Peking University People' s Hospital from November 2015 to July 2021 were enrolled in our study. The patients were divided into CMD group and normal group according to the coronary microcirculation status detected by MCE. Clinical data and MCE data of the two groups were collected and analyzed. The acute heart failure event during hospitalization was described. A multivariate Logistic regression model was built to analyze the risk of acute heart failure in patients with CMD. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the value of CMD in predicting acute heart failure event. RESULTS: CMD detected by MCE occurred in 87 patients (60%). Compared with normal group, patients with CMD had higher troponin I (TnI) peak level [52.8 (8.1, 84.0) μg/L vs. 18.9 (5.7, 56.1) μg/L, P=0.005], poorer Killip grade on admission (P=0.030), different culprit vessel (P < 0.001) and more patients had thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow pre-PCI less than grade 3 in culprit vessel (65.1% vs. 43.1%, P=0.025). Meanwhile, patients with CMD had poorer left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) [52% (43%, 58%) vs. 61% (54%, 66%)], poorer global longitudinal strain (GLS) [-11.2% (-8.7%, -14.0%) vs.-13.9% (-10.8%, -17.0%)] and worse wall motion score index (WMSI) (1.58±0.36 vs. 1.25± 0.24) (P all < 0.001). Acute left heart failure happened in 13.8% of the CMD patients, which were significant higher than that in the patients with normal coronary microcirculation perfusion (1.7%, P=0.013). After correcting for the culprit vessel, the TIMI flow pre-PCI in the culprit vessel and the peak TnI value, the risk of acute left heart failure in the patients with CMD was still high (OR=9.120, 95%CI: 1.152-72.192, P=0.036). The area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.677 (95%CI: 0.551-0.804, P=0.035). CONCLUSION The incidence of CMD detected by MCE in patients with AMI post-PCI was 60%. Patients with CMD have a higher risk of acute left heart failure during hospitalization.
Humans ; Heart Failure/physiopathology* ; Microcirculation ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/adverse effects* ; Myocardial Infarction/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Echocardiography ; Coronary Circulation ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Troponin I/blood*

Traditional Chinese medicine upholds the unity of nature and humanity as its fundamental principle,asserting that man is in harmony with heaven and earth and corresponds to the sun and moon.Human life processes align with the circadian rhythms of nature,exhibiting periodic temporal changes-concepts that Western medicine defines as biological rhythms.The"opening-closing-pivot"of the three yin and three yang meridians represents the primary mode of interaction between nature and humanity.This mechanism regulates the transformation of yin and yang to qi within the body,ensuring synchronization with the circadian rhythm.Building upon this foundation,the concept of"the harmony of rhythms and states"was proposed to explain human growth and aging."Rhythms"encompass not only circadian cycles but also the movement of qi and blood,as well as the contraction rhythm of muscle fascia,among other physiological processes."States"refer to the dynamic evolution and transformation of qi during the"opening-closing-pivot"stages in both time and space."Harmony"pertains not only to the individual physiological balance of"rhythms"or"states"but also to their coherent interaction.The fundamental cause of myopia is"the disharmony of rhythms and states",considering that rhythm disorders,qi and blood disorders,and fascia imbalances contribute to this disease.Based on this understanding,myopia prevention and treatment should center on"regulating rhythms and states",with adjusting the pivot to brighten the eyes as the core therapeutic principle throughout the entire cycle of myopia.Treatment should be tailored to different disease stages and supplemented with methods such as time-based regulation,qi and blood harmonization,tendon relaxation and collateral dredging,and essence and blood nourishment to prevent and manage myopia effectively.