OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan" (PC6) on mitochondrial autophagy in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) at different phases (ischemia and reperfusion phases), and to explore the bidirectional regulatory effects of EA at "Neiguan" (PC6) and its potential mechanism. METHODS: Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method, namely, sham-operation group (n=9), model-A group (n=6), model-B group (n=9), EA-A1 group (n=6), EA-B1 group (n=6), and EA-B2 group (n=9). Except the rats in the sham-operation group, the MIRI model was established in the other groups with the physical ligation and tube pushing method. In the model-A group, the samples were collected directly after ligation, and in the model-B group, the samples were collected after ligation and reperfusion. In the EA-A1 group, EA was delivered while the ligation was performed, and afterwards, the samples were collected. In the EA-B1 group, while the ligation was performed, EA was operated at the same time, and after reperfusion, the samples were collected. In the EA-B2 group, during ligation and the opening of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery, EA was delivered, and after reperfusion, the samples were collected. EA was performed at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6), with a disperse-dense wave, a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz, a current of 1 mA, and a duration of 30 min. HE staining was employed to observe the morphology of cardiomyocytes, TUNEL was adopted to detect the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, transcriptome sequencing was to detect the differentially expressed genes in the left ventricle, JC-1 flow cytometry was to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of cardiomyocytes, Western blot was to detect the protein expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1 (Pink1), Parkin and p62 in the left ventricle of rats, and ELISA was to detect the levels of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) in the rats. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the cardiomyocytes of rats in the model-B group were severely damaged, with disordered arrangement, unclear boundaries, broken muscle fibers, edema and loose distribution; and the cardiomyocytes in the EA-B2 group were slightly damaged, the cell structure was partially unclear, the cells were arranged more regularly, and the intact cardiomyocytes were visible. Compared with the sham-operation group, the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes increased in the model-B group (P<0.001); and when compared with the model-B group, the apoptosis alleviated in the EA-B2 group (P<0.001). The differentially expressed genes among the EA-B2 group, the sham-operation group and the model-B group were closely related to cell autophagy and mitochondrial autophagy. Compared with the sham-operation group, MMP of cardiomyocytes was reduced (P<0.001), the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I were elevated in the model B group (P<0.001). In comparison with model-A group, the MMP of cardiomyocytes and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I were reduced (P<0.001, P<0.05), and the protein expression of Pink1 in the left ventricle rose in the EA-A1 group (P<0.01). Compared with the model-B group, MMP of cardiomyocytes increased (P<0.001), the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle, and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I decreased (P<0.001) in the EA-B1 group and the EA-B2 group. When compared with the EA-A1 group, MMP of cardiomyocytes increased (P<0.001), and the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle, and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I decreased in the EA-B1 group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION EA at "Neiguan" (PC6) can ameliorate MIRI in rats, which may be achieved through the Pink1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy pathway. EA can alleviate myocardial injury by enhancing mitochondrial autophagy at the ischemia phase, and it can reduce reperfusion injury by weakening mitochondrial autophagy at the reperfusion phase.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Acupuncture Points ; Autophagy ; Humans ; Mitochondria/genetics*

Circadian rhythm is an endogenous biological clock mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to the earth’s alternation of day and night. It plays a fundamental role in regulating physiological functions and behavioral patterns, such as sleep, feeding, hormone levels and body temperature. By aligning these processes with environmental changes, circadian rhythm plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and promoting optimal health. However, modern lifestyles, characterized by irregular work schedules and pervasive exposure to artificial light, have disrupted these rhythms for many individuals. Such disruptions have been linked to a variety of health problems, including sleep disorders, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and immune dysfunction, underscoring the critical role of circadian rhythm in human health. Among the numerous systems influenced by circadian rhythm, the skin—a multifunctional organ and the largest by surface area—is particularly noteworthy. As the body’s first line of defense against environmental insults such as UV radiation, pollutants, and pathogens, the skin is highly affected by changes in circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm regulates multiple skin-related processes, including cyclic changes in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as DNA repair mechanisms and antioxidant defenses. For instance, studies have shown that keratinocyte proliferation peaks during the night, coinciding with reduced environmental stress, while DNA repair mechanisms are most active during the day to counteract UV-induced damage. This temporal coordination highlights the critical role of circadian rhythms in preserving skin integrity and function. Beyond maintaining homeostasis, circadian rhythm is also pivotal in the skin’s repair and regeneration processes following injury. Skin regeneration is a complex, multi-stage process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, all of which are influenced by circadian regulation. Key cellular activities, such as fibroblast migration, keratinocyte activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling, are modulated by the circadian clock, ensuring that repair processes occur with optimal efficiency. Additionally, circadian rhythm regulates the secretion of cytokines and growth factors, which are critical for coordinating cellular communication and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Disruptions to these rhythms can impair the repair process, leading to delayed wound healing, increased scarring, or chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesize recent information on the interactions between circadian rhythms and skin physiology, with a particular focus on skin tissue repair and regeneration. Molecular mechanisms of circadian regulation in skin cells, including the role of core clock genes such as Clock, Bmal1, Per and Cry. These genes control the expression of downstream effectors involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, oxidative stress response and inflammatory pathways. By understanding how these mechanisms operate in healthy and diseased states, we can discover new insights into the temporal dynamics of skin regeneration. In addition, by exploring the therapeutic potential of circadian biology in enhancing skin repair and regeneration, strategies such as topical medications that can be applied in a time-limited manner, phototherapy that is synchronized with circadian rhythms, and pharmacological modulation of clock genes are expected to optimize clinical outcomes. Interventions based on the skin’s natural rhythms can provide a personalized and efficient approach to promote skin regeneration and recovery. This review not only introduces the important role of circadian rhythms in skin biology, but also provides a new idea for future innovative therapies and regenerative medicine based on circadian rhythms.

ObjectiveTo analyze the differences in color， odor and volatile components of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium（CRP） before and after being stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum， and to explore the material basis of enhancing the effect of strengthening spleen after processing and the scientific connotation of decoction pieces processed with Halloysitum Rubrum as the auxiliary material. MethodsThe volatile components of the samples before and after processing were identified and relatively quantified by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-GC-MS）， and the volatile components were analyzed by principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA）. According to the principle of variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1.5， volatile differential components before and after processing were screened. And combined with intelligent sensory technologies such as colorimeter and electronic nose， the chroma and odor information of CRP before and after being stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum were identified. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between volatile differential components and chroma values. ResultsA total of 112 volatile components were identified from CRP and CRP stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum， of which 84 were from CRP and 97 were from CRP stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum. And 7 differential components were selected， including α-pinene， β-myrcene， linalool， sabinene， ocimene isomer mixture， A-ocimene， and δ-elemene. After being processed with Halloysitum Rubrum， the brightness value（L^*）， yellow-blue value（b^*） and total chromatic value（E^*_ab） of CRP were decreased（P<0.01）， and red-green value（a^*） was increased（P<0.01）， the response values of S4， S5， S10 and S13 sensors were significantly increased（P<0.05）， and the response values of S3 and S8 sensors were significantly decreased（P<0.05）. Correlation analysis showed that α-pinene and β-myrcene were negatively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab， but positively correlated with a^*. Sabinene was positively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab. Linalool was positively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab， and negatively correlated with a^*. The ocimene isomer mixture was positively correlated with the L^*. ConclusionAfter being processed with Halloysitum Rubrum， the appearance color， odor and volatile components of CRP change significantly， and α-pinene， β-myrcene， sabinene， linalool and A-ocimene are the characteristic volatile components before and after processing， which can provide references for the quality evaluation and clinical application of CRP and its processed products.

ObjectiveTo analyze the differences in color， odor and volatile components of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium（CRP） before and after being stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum， and to explore the material basis of enhancing the effect of strengthening spleen after processing and the scientific connotation of decoction pieces processed with Halloysitum Rubrum as the auxiliary material. MethodsThe volatile components of the samples before and after processing were identified and relatively quantified by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-GC-MS）， and the volatile components were analyzed by principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA）. According to the principle of variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1.5， volatile differential components before and after processing were screened. And combined with intelligent sensory technologies such as colorimeter and electronic nose， the chroma and odor information of CRP before and after being stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum were identified. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between volatile differential components and chroma values. ResultsA total of 112 volatile components were identified from CRP and CRP stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum， of which 84 were from CRP and 97 were from CRP stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum. And 7 differential components were selected， including α-pinene， β-myrcene， linalool， sabinene， ocimene isomer mixture， A-ocimene， and δ-elemene. After being processed with Halloysitum Rubrum， the brightness value（L^*）， yellow-blue value（b^*） and total chromatic value（E^*_ab） of CRP were decreased（P<0.01）， and red-green value（a^*） was increased（P<0.01）， the response values of S4， S5， S10 and S13 sensors were significantly increased（P<0.05）， and the response values of S3 and S8 sensors were significantly decreased（P<0.05）. Correlation analysis showed that α-pinene and β-myrcene were negatively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab， but positively correlated with a^*. Sabinene was positively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab. Linalool was positively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab， and negatively correlated with a^*. The ocimene isomer mixture was positively correlated with the L^*. ConclusionAfter being processed with Halloysitum Rubrum， the appearance color， odor and volatile components of CRP change significantly， and α-pinene， β-myrcene， sabinene， linalool and A-ocimene are the characteristic volatile components before and after processing， which can provide references for the quality evaluation and clinical application of CRP and its processed products.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)throat opening and brightening method in treating unilateral vocal cord paralysis(UVCP).Methods Sixty patients with UVCP were prospectively collected and randomly assigned to two groups:the Chinese herbal medicine group(trea-ted with Buyang Huanwu Decoction,n=30)and the throat opening and brightening method group(treated with TCM throat opening and brightening method,n=30).The clinical studies that had utilized injection laryngoplasty for the treatment of UVCP(historical control group).Evaluation indicators included the voice handicap index-10(VHI-10),GRBAS-G,objective acoustic measurements of voice(vocal intensity,F0,shimmer,jitter,HNR),and aerodynamic measurements(maximum phonation time,MPT).Results Before treatment,no significant differences were observed between the two groups in all the evaluation indicators(P＞0.05).Post-treatment,the throat open-ing and brightening method group demonstrated significant improvements in VHI-10,GRBAS-G,shimmer,jitter,HNR,and MPT compared to pre-treatment values(P＜0.01),and these improvements were superior to those in the Chinese herbal medicine group.Pre-treatment VHI-10,GRBAS-G,and shimmer scores in the throat opening and brightening method group were significantly higher than those in the historical literature group(P＜0.01).Af-ter treatment,no significant differences were noted in any assessed parameters between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The TCM throat opening and brightening method significantly enhances phonatory function and quality of life in patients with UVCP,showing comparable efficacy to injection laryngoplasty.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Jianpi Bushen Jiedu Prescription combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy and targeted therapy for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer patients with liver and kidney yin deficiency combined with spleen deficiency pattern.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 72 hospitalized patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated at the Department of Oncology, Nanjing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to January 2024 were enrolled as study subjects. Using a random number table method, they were allocated into two groups, with 36 patients in each group. The control group received the mFOLFOX6/FOLFIRI combined with bevacizumab regimen, while the treatment group was administered additional oral Jianpi Bushen Jiedu Prescription on the basis of the control group. Two weeks was a cycle in both groups, with a total of 6 cycles of treatment. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), and carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) were detected using electrochemiluminescence; the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale was utilized to evaluate patients' functional status; vital signs were continuously monitored, and adverse reactions were recorded. The short-term efficacy and TCM syndrome efficacy of patients were evaluated.Results:The treatment group demonstrated higher objective response rate (ORR) [31.25% (10/32) vs. 21.88% (7/32), χ2=0.72] and disease control rate (DCR) [84.38% (27/32) vs. 71.88% (23/32), χ2=1.46] compared to the control group, without statistical significance ( P>0.05). Post-treatment levels of CEA [4.09 (3.31,8.57) μg/L vs. 10.07 (4.55,22.35) μg/L, Z=-2.10] and CA72-4 [4.54 (2.04,10.99) mU/L vs. 9.48 (4.34,18.95) mU/L, Z=-2.52] in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The total effective rate of TCM syndrome was significantly higher in the treatment group [78.13% (25/32)] compared with the control group [50.00% (16/32)], with statistical significance ( χ2=5.50, P=0.019). Post-treatment KPS scores in the treatment group [80.0 (80.0, 80.0) vs. 70.0 (62.5, 80.0), Z=-2.76] were significantly higher compared with the control group ( P<0.01). During the treatment period, the treatment group showed statistical significance compared with the control group in the incidence of hemoglobin decrease ( χ2=4.66), leukopenia decrease ( χ2=4.27), and peripheral neuropathy ( χ2=3.93), with statistical significance ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The addition of Jianpi Bushen Jiedu Prescription to 5-FU-based chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy demonstrates significant clinical benefits in advanced colorectal cancer patients, including reducing tumor marker levels, alleviating clinical symptoms, improving quality of life, and mitigating treatment-related toxicities, with a good safety.

Objective To explore the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of high fat diet(HFD)on in-testinal barrier damage and inflammatory reaction in mice with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)induced by sodium dextran sulfate(DSS).Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups(n=6):Normal group,DSS group(1.5％DSS solution for one week),HFD+DSS group,and HFD+DSS+WY14643 group(intraperitone-ally injected daily with PPARα agonist WY14643 6 mg/kg).The body weight and liver weight of mice were measured.Colon pathology was observed by HE staining.The protein expression of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin was detected by immunohistochemistry.The mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-β(IL-1β),and interleukin-17(IL-17)were determined by qRT-PCR.PPARα protein expression was determined by Western blot.Results The body weight and liver weight of mice in the HFD+DSS group were significantly higher than those in the DSS group(P＜0.001).HE staining showed normal colonic tissue structure in Normal group,while other three groups exhibited varying degrees of mucosal damage with a small amount of in-flammatory cell infiltration and epithelial cell shedding.Among these,the HFD+DSS group displayed the most se-vere intestinal mucosal damage and inflammatory infiltration.Compared with the DSS group,the HFD+DSS group showed decreased ZO-1 and Occludin protein expression(P＜0.001),elevated TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-17 mRNA levels(all P＜0.001),and downregulated PPARα protein expression(P＜0.01).Compared with the HFD+DSS group,mice in HFD+DSS+WY14643 group showed improvement in intestinal mucosal damage and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells.The protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin in colon of mice in the HFD+DSS+WY14643 was increased(all P＜0.05),while the expression of TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-17 mRNA was downregulated(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05),and the protein expression of PPAR α was upregulated(P＜0.05).Conclusions HFD-induced obesity aggravates intestinal mucosal damage,intestinal barrier destruction and in-flammatory response in IBS mice,and its molecular mechanism is potentially related to downregulation of PPARαexpression in intestinal tissues.

We report the clinical course from birth to adolescence of a patient carrying a compound heterozygous variation in the ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 1(ENPP1) gene. The patient was diagnosed with generalized arterial calcification of infancy shortly after birth, and subsequently with autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 2 at the age of 11 years. Following effective blood pressure control, treatment with neutral phosphate, calcitriol, and vitamin D was initiated. During follow-up, no progression of vascular calcification was observed. Through this case report and a review of relevant literature, we aim to enhance clinicians′ understanding of this rare condition.

Objective:To compare the outcomes of simple hysterectomy(SH)and radical hysterectomy(RH)in elderly patients with cervical cancer.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 633 elderly patients with cervical cancer who underwent surgical treatment at Shangqiu First People's Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020.Among them, 247 patients underwent SH, and 215 patients underwent RH.Propensity score matching was applied, resulting in two groups: 125 patients in the SH group and 124 patients in the RH group.The primary outcome was the pelvic recurrence rate at 2 years of follow-up.Secondary outcomes included the incidence of urinary incontinence and urinary retention.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the recurrence rates between the two groups, and a Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing recurrence rates.Results:After matching, the baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar and comparable(all P>0.05).Kaplan-Meier results showed that, although the pelvic recurrence rate in the SH group was higher than that in the RH group before matching(4.5% vs.2.3%, P<0.05), the pelvic recurrence rates were similar between the two groups after matching(3.2% vs.2.4%, P>0.05).The SH group had significantly lower postoperative complications, including urinary retention(1.6% vs.8.1%, P<0.05), compared to the RH group, while there was no significant difference in the incidence of urinary incontinence(4.0% vs.9.7%)and the risk of cervical cancer-related death(1.6% vs.0.8%)between the two groups( P>0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age( HR=1.254), tumor grade( HR=1.315), and FIGO stage( HR=1.203)were important factors influencing pelvic tumor recurrence during follow-up(all P<0.05). Conclusions:elderly patients with low-risk cervical cancer, the 2-year pelvic recurrence rates for SH and RH are similar.However, SH is associated with a lower risk of urinary incontinence and urinary retention.

Objective:To observe macular vascular density and structural characteristics in children with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From October 2022 to December 2023, 29 TDT children (58 eyes) diagnosed and examined at the Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University were included in the TDT group, along with 29 age- and gender-matched healthy children (58 eyes) as the control group. All participants underwent optical coherence tomography and angiography. Measurements included central macular thickness (CMT), subretinal choroidal thickness (SFCT), choroidal thickness (ChT), choroidal vascularity index, blood flow density in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), choriocapillaris layer (CC), and choroidal layer of the macular region, as well as the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area of the SCP and DCP. A generalized estimating equation was used to compare differences in the above parameters between the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationships between fundus structural parameters, blood flow density, and blood indices.Results:Compared with the control group, the TDT group showed significantly thinner CMT ( χ2=6.044) and ChT at 3.0 mm nasal ( χ2=4.451) and temporal ( χ2=4.767) to the fovea ( P<0.05). The TDT group also demonstrated reduced blood flow density in the inferior DCP ( χ2=5.254), whole CC ( χ2=3.996), and superior CC ( χ2=5.094), as well as enlarged FAZ area in DCP ( χ2=4.286) ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between SFCT and disease duration ( r=?0.357, P=0.006). Conclusions:In children with TDT, CMT and ChT become thinner and the area of FAZ expands. The blood flow densities of DCP and CC in the macular area decreased.