This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD）. Studies demonstrate that TCM， based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach， exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes， promoting mucosal repair， regulating emotions， and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy， strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions， promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory， human experience and clinical trial evidence， and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.

ObjectiveTo collate and compare the characteristics and differences in the methods for constructing animal models of different subtypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） based on literature， providing a reference for researchers in this field regarding animal model construction. MethodsExperimental studies related to GERD including reflux esophagitis （RE）， nonerosive reflux disease （NERD） and Barrett's esophagus （BE） model construction from January 1， 2014 to January 27， 2024， were retrieved from databases such as CNKI， Wanfang， VIP， Web of Science， and Pubmed. Information on animal strains， genders， modeling methods including disease-syndrome combination models， modeling cycles were extracted； for studies with model evaluation， the methods of model evaluation were also extracted； then analyzing all those information. ResultsA total of 182 articles were included. SD rats were most frequently selected when inducing animal models of RE （88/148， 59.46%） and NERD （9/14， 64.29%）. For BE， C57BL/6 mice were most commonly used （11/20， 55.00%）. Male animals （RE： 111/135， 82.22%； NERD： 11/14， 78.57%； BE： 10/12， 83.33%） were the most common gender among the three subtypes. The key to constructing RE animal models lies in structural damage to the esophageal mucosal layer， gastric content reflux， or mixed reflux， among which forestomach ligation + incomplete pylorus ligation （42/158， 26.58%） was the most common modeling method； the key to constructing NERD animal models lies in micro-inflammation of the esophageal mucosa， visceral hypersensitivity， and emotional problems， and intraperitoneal injection of a mixed suspension of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide combined with acid perfusion in the lower esophagus （8/14， 57.14%） was the most common modeling method； the key to constructing BE animal models lies in long-term inflammatory stimulation of the esophageal mucosa and bile acid reflux， and constructing interleukin 2-interleukin 1β transgenic mice （7/25， 28.00%） was the most common modeling method. Adverse psychological stress was the most common method for inducing liver depression. ConclusionsThe construction key principles and methodologies for RE， NERD， and BE animal models exhibit significant differences. Researchers should select appropriate models based on subtype characteristics （e.g.， RE focusing on structural damage， NERD emphasizing visceral hypersensitivity）. Current studies show insufficient exploration of traditional Chinese medicine disease-syndrome combination models. Future research needs to optimize syndrome modeling approaches （e.g.， composite etiology simulation） and establish integrated Chinese-Western medicine evaluation systems to better support mechanistic investigations of traditional Chinese medicine.

The iridoid glycosides from Veronica anagallis-aquatica L. alleviate heart failure by modulating the gut microbiota and influencing the production of two metabolites with potential antihypertrophic effects, HVA and 2OH-VA.Image 1.

Growth arrest DNA damage-inducible protein 45 β (GADD45B) has been reported to be a regulatory factor for active DNA demethylation and is implicated in the modulation of synaptic plasticity and chronic stress-related psychopathological processes. However, its precise role and mechanism of action in stress susceptibility remain elusive. In this study, we found a significant reduction in GADD45B expression specifically in the ventral, but not the dorsal hippocampal CA1 (dCA1) of stress-susceptible mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GADD45B negatively regulates susceptibility to social stress and NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) in the ventral hippocampal CA1 (vCA1). Importantly, through pharmacological inhibition using the NMDA receptor antagonist MK801, we provided further evidence supporting the hypothesis that GADD45B potentially modulates susceptibility to social stress by influencing NMDA receptor-mediated LTP. Collectively, these results suggested that modulation of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity is a pivotal mechanism underlying the regulation of susceptibility to social stress by GADD45B.
Animals ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/antagonists & inhibitors* ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal/drug effects* ; Male ; Stress, Psychological/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects* ; Long-Term Potentiation/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Antigens, Differentiation/metabolism* ; Dizocilpine Maleate/pharmacology* ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/pharmacology* ; GADD45 Proteins

Objective To explore TCM syndrome distribution law in patients with overlapping non-erosive reflux disease(NERD)and epigastric pain syndrome(EPS)gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods A multi-center,cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the general information of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms in four hospitals,such as gender,age,body mass index(BMI)and four diagnostic information of TCM.Descriptive frequency analysis,factor analysis and clustering analysis were used to summarize the TCM syndrome types and distribution characteristics.Results The average age of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms was(44.50±14.43)years old,the average BMI was(23.17±4.80)kg/m2,and the male to female ratio was 3:5.Frequency of 95 TCM symptoms/signs≥20%.18 common factor variables were obtained based on factor analysis,and the cumulative contribution rate was 67.11%.The first three syndrome elements of disease location were liver,stomach and spleen,and the disease nature syndrome elements were qi stagnation,qi deficiency and yin deficiency.Based on the clustering analysis of 18 common factor variables,combined with expert discussion,four main TCM syndrome types were obtained,which were liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome(213 cases,26.63%),spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome(209 cases,26.13%),spleen-stomach deficiency and cold qi stagnation syndrome(190 cases,23.75%)and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome(188 cases,23.50%).There was no significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndrome types among patients with different genders,ages and BMI values(P>0.05).Patients with a course of disease≥2 years and those residing long-term north of the Qinling-Huaihe Line showed a significantly higher prevalence of spleen-stomach dampness-heat syndrome(P<0.05).Conclusion The syndrome elements of disease location of overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms are mainly liver,stomach and spleen.The TCM syndrome types are liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome,spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome,spleen-stomach deficiency cold qi stagnation syndrome and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome.The course of disease and the regional differences between north and south may be the influencing factors of the distribution of syndrome types.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of the brain functional networks in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) while at rest and to correlate them with motor functioning.Methods:Thirty-six children with SCP were enrolled as the SCP group, while thirty-four age-matched healthy children were recruited as the control group (the HC group). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to detect changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the children′s cerebral cortex while at rest. The left prefrontal cortex (LPFC), right prefrontal cortex (RPFC), left motor cortex (LMC), and right motor cortex (RMC) were selected as regions of interest. Phase locking values (PLVs) were used to evaluate the strength of functional connectivity (FC) among these brain regions, and graph theory methods were applied to analyze the topological properties of the brain networks. Motor functioning was assessed using the gross motor function measure (GMFM).Results:The analyses of FC strength revealed that the SCP group had significantly weaker FC among all of the regions of interest while at rest compared to the HC group. Their PLVs for LPFC-RPFC, LPFC-RMC, RPFC-RMC and LMC-RMC connectivity were all significantly smaller. Graph theory analysis showed that the SCP group had significantly lower global efficiency (GE) and smaller clustering coefficients (CCs) and network density (D), while their characteristic path lengths were significantly longer. According to the correlation analysis, the PLVs for LMC-RMC connections in the SCP group were positively correlated with their scores on dimensions D and E of the GMFM ( r=0.496 and r=0.579 respectively). GE ( r=0.587 and r=0.642) and CC ( r=0.318 and r=0.759) showed similar significant positive correlations with GMFM dimensions D and E. Conclusions:At rest, the functional networks in the brains of children with SCP exhibit abnormalities closely associated with their motor dysfunction.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for severe hallux valgus deformity using absorbable screw fixation.Methods:This retrospective study included 35 patients with severe hallux valgus deformities treated with third-generation minimally invasive Chevron and Akin osteotomies (MICA) using absorbable screws at the Foot and Ankle Surgery Department of Guangzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023. The cohort consisted of 2 males and 33 females, with an average age of 56.75±13.27 years (ranging from 20 to 72 years).There were 18 cases of left foot and 17 of right. Preoperative and 12-month postoperative radiographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Radiographic evaluations included measurements of the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) on weight-bearing foot X-ray films. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. All complications during follow-up were recorded to comprehensively assess surgical outcomes and safety.Results:All the 35 cases successfully underwent the surgery, with a surgery time of 61.5±3.2 minutes and intraoperative blood loss of 5.4±1.2 ml. No patients lost follow-up, with a mean follow-up of 15.65±2.48 months (ranging from12 to 19 months). At the final follow-up, the AOFAS score significantly improved from 39.8±4.7 preoperatively to 92.3±4.1 postoperatively ( P<0.05), and the VAS significantly decreased from 8.7±1.2 to 1.8±0.8 ( P<0.05). The HVA decreased from 42.5°±4.1° to 12.5°±3.7° ( P<0.05), and the IMA decreased from 18.5°±2.8° to 7.3°±2.1° ( P<0.05). Radiographic follow-up demonstrated complete osseous union at the osteotomy sites in all cases, with no complications of nonunion or displacement. 7 patients with concurrent gastrocnemius tightness underwent gastrocnemius release, and 11 patients with associated transfer metatarsalgia were treated with Weil osteotomy ( n=8) or metatarsal head recontouring ( n=3), achieving satisfactory outcomes for all cases. Complications were minimal, with 2 cases of localized numbness around the surgical incision observed on postoperative day 3; the symptoms were gone spontaneously 3 months postoperatively. No other major complications, such as infection, hematoma, or neurovascular injury, were observed. Conclusion:Minimally invasive surgery using absorbable screw fixation effectively improves clinical function and symptoms in patients with severe hallux valgus deformities without any major complications, suggesting that it is a safe and effective treatment option.

Objective:To compare suture-button, absorbable screws (AS), and metal screws (MS) in the fixation of ankle fracture complicated with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 71 patients with ankle fracture and distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury who had been treated at Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Guangzhou Orthopedics Hospital from February 2020 to February 2023. There were 27 males and 44 females with an age of (49.6±10.3) years. The patients were assigned into 3 groups according to different treatment methods: a suture-button group in which 32 cases were treated with suture-button, an AS group in which 24 cases were treated with AS, and a MS group in which 15 cases were treated with MS to be removed at 8 to 12 weeks after operation. The 3 groups were compared in terms of intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and ankle range of motion, tibiofibular clear space (TFCS), and tibio-fibular overlap (TFOL) at the last follow-up, as well as American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 3 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, operation time, ankle range of motion, TFCS or TFOL between the 3 groups ( P>0.05). TFCS and TFOL at the last follow-up in all patients were significantly improved compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores and VAS pain scores in the suture-button group and the AS group at 3 months after operation were significantly better than those in the MS group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score or VAS pain score between the 3 groups at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). In all patients, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and VAS pain score at the last follow-up were significantly better than those at 3 months after operation which were significantly better than those before operation ( P<0.05). Conclusions:In the fixation of ankle fracture complicated with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, suture-button, AS and MS can all achieve definite clinical efficacy. As fixation with MS requires secondary surgical removal, its early functional score and pain score may be relatively poorer.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between serum inflammatory factor level and renal function injury in patients with sepsis.Methods:A total of 102 patients with sepsis diagnosed and treated in Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital from May 2021 to May 2022 were retrospectively selected as the study objects. According to whether renal function injury occurred, they were divided into renal function injury group (37 cases) and no renal function injury group (65 cases). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of renal function injury in patients with sepsis, and Pearson test was used to analyze the correlation between inflammatory factor and renal function injury in patients with sepsis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients with sepsis.Results:The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Score System Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, PCT, CRP, IL-6, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24 h urinary protein and serum creatinine (Scr) were risk factors for renal function injury in patients with sepsis ( P<0.05). The results of Pearson test showed that PCT, CRP and IL-6 were positively correlated with BUN, 24 h urinary protein and Scr of patients with sepsis ( r = 0.614, 0.622, 0.597, 0.672, 0.634, 0.611, 0.628, 0.589, 0.602, P<0.05). The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of PCT, CRP and IL-6 combined detection in patients diagnosed with sepsis was 0.879, and was higher than any single index ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The levels of PCT, CRP and IL-6 are increased in patients with sepsis, which has a certain impact on renal function, and has an important reference value for the evaluation of renal function injury in patients with sepsis.

BACKGROUND:Traditional surgery for lumbar disc herniation involves extensive excision of tissue surrounding the nerve for decompression and removal of protruding lumbar intervertebral discs,which poses various risks and complications such as nerve damage causing paralysis,lumbar instability,herniation recurrence,intervertebral space infection,and adjacent vertebral diseases. OBJECTIVE:To propose the symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous technique for lumbar spine symmetrically decompression,showing the induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous phenomenon and early clinical efficacy,and then analyze its decompression mechanism. METHODS:214 patients with lumbar disc herniation at Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled in this study.Among them,81 patients received conservative treatment as the control group,and 133 patients received symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous treatment as the trial group.Before surgery,immediately after surgery(7-14 days),and early after surgery(over 1 year),MRI images were used to measure the volume changes of lumbar disc herniation.CT images were used to measure the posterior displacement distance of the lumbar spinous process ligament complex,as well as the width and height of the lateral recess.Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were used to evaluate the patient's neurological function recovery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Control group:81 patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated conservatively,with a total of 171 herniated lumbar discs.The average follow-up time was(22.7±23.1)months.The first and second MRI measurements of 171 herniated lumbar discs showed herniated lumbar disc volumes of(551.6±257.9)mm3 and(792.2±330.4)mm3,respectively,with an average volume increase rate of(53.2±44.4)%,showing statistically significant differences(P<0.001).Out of 171 herniated lumbar discs,4 experienced natural shrinkage,with an absorption ratio of 2.3%(4/171)and an absorption rate of(24.5±9.9)%.(2)Trial group:133 patients with lumbar disc herniation had a total of 285 herniated lumbar discs.(1)Immediately after surgery:All patients were followed up immediately after surgery.229 out of 285 herniated lumbar discs experienced retraction,with an absorption ratio of 80.3%(229/285)and an average absorption rate of(21.5±20.9)%,with significant and complete absorption accounting for 6.5%.There were a total of 70 herniated lumbar discs in the upper lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 85.7%(60/70),an average absorption rate of(23.1±19.5)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 86.6%.There were 215 herniated lumbar discs in the lower lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 78.6%(169/215),an average absorption rate of(21.0±21.3)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 83.2%.Significant and complete absorption of the upper and lower lumbar vertebrae accounted for 5.7%and 6.5%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The average distance of posterior displacement of the spinous process ligament complex immediately after surgery was(5.2±2.8)mm.There were no significant differences in the width and height of the left and right lateral recess before and immediately after surgery(P>0.05).The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score immediately after surgery increased from(10.1±3.4)before surgery to(17.0±4.8),and the immediate effective rate after surgery reached 95.6%.(2)Early postoperative period:Among them,46 patients completed the early postoperative follow-up.There were 101 herniated lumbar discs,with an absorption ratio of 94%(95/101)and an average absorption rate of(36.9±23.7)%.Significant and complete absorption accounted for 30.6%,with a maximum absorption rate of 100%.Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 remained unchanged in volume,with a volume invariance rate of 2.97%(3/101).Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 had an increased volume of herniated lumbar discs,with an increase ratio of 2.97%(3/101)and an increase rate of(18.5±18.4)%.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased from preoperative(9.3±5.1)to(23.5±4.0),with an excellent and good rate of 93.4%.(3)The early postoperative lumbar disc herniation absorption ratios of the control group and trial group were 2.3%and 85.9%,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).(4)Complications:There were two cases of incision exudation and delayed healing in the trial group.After conservative treatment such as dressing change,no nerve injury or death occurred in the incision healing,and no cases underwent a second surgery.(5)It is concluded that symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous is a new method for treating lumbar disc herniation that can avoid extensive excision of the"ring"nerve and achieve satisfactory early clinical efficacy.It does not damage the lumbar facet joints or alter the basic anatomical structure of the lateral recess,fully preserves the herniated lumbar discs,and can induce significant or even complete induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous.Symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous provides a new basis and method for the clinical treatment of lumbar disc herniation.