Objective To explore the model of decreased ovarian reserve(DOR)induced by experimental autoimmune thyroiditis(EAT)in mice and investigate the protective mechanism of Jiexu Zichong Granules(ZCWS).Methods Ninety-six Kunming female mice were randomly divided into the J control group,BIW control group,J model group,and BIW model group.The mice were immunized with antigen(0.1 mg,once or twice per week)combined with high iodine water(0.64 g/L)for 7-19 weeks to validate the model.Subsequently,30 mice were randomly divided into the ZCWS group,model group,and control group.The DOR model was established by immunization with the antigen(0.2 mg per week)combined with high iodine water feeding for 13 weeks.The ZCWS group received oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine suspension(0.64 g/mL),while the remaining groups received an equivalent volume of physiological saline for 7 weeks.Thyroid and ovarian tissue morphology and related indicators were detected using HE staining,ELISA,IHC,and Western blot.Results Antigen immunization for 13 weeks(0.1-0.2 mg per week)combined with high iodine water feeding stably constructed the EAT DOR model.ZCWS reduced thyroid lymphocyte infiltration,follicular structure destruction,and serum TPOAb and TGAb levels(P<0.01).It inhibited MDA activity(P<0.01),increased GSH-Px and SOD activities(P<0.05),increased primordial,primary,and secondary follicles(P<0.05),and reduced atretic follicles(P<0.01).ZCWS upregulated AMH and downregulated FSH(P<0.01),regulated the expression of Bcl-2,Bax,and Caspase-3 proteins in ovarian tissue,downregulated Keap1 protein(P<0.01),and upregulated Nrf2(P<0.01),HO-1,and LONP1 proteins(P<0.05).It upregulated Bcl-2 protein(P<0.05),downregulated Bax(P<0.01),and Caspase-3(P<0.05)proteins,downregulated Keap1 protein(P<0.01),and upregulated Nrf2(P<0.01),HO-1,and LONP1 proteins(P<0.05)in ovarian tissue.Conclusion ZCWS improves ovarian reserve function in EAT mice by activating the Nrf2 pathway,inhibiting oxidative stress,and reducing follicular atresia.

Heart failure (HF) is the terminal stage of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key factor in the development of HF. Yang deficiency and water stagnation is the core TCM pathogenesis of HF. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to energy deficiency, produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and accelerates cardiomyocyte injury, which is similar to the pathogenesis of "yang deficiency" in TCM; mitochondrial dysfunction leads to water and sodium retention and edema, which is consistent with the TCM pathogenesis of "water stagnation". Mitochondrial dysfunction may explain the syndrome of "yang deficiency and water stagnation" in HF at the micro level, while the method of warming yang and diuresis or regulating mitochondrial function through multiple targets can improve HF. This provides a new research idea and theoretical basis for the treatment of HF with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of gentle moxibustion at different temperatures in treating people with diarrhea-predominant bowel syndrome(IBS-D)due to spleen deficiency.Methods:A total of 108 IBS-D patients were divided into two groups using the random number table method,with 54 participants in each group.Moxibustion group 1 received gentle moxibustion at(43±1)℃at bilateral Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36),lasting 30 min each session;moxibustion group 2 received gentle moxibustion at(37±1)℃at the same points.Both groups received the intervention 3 times weekly for a total of 18 sessions.Abdominal pain intensity,stool form,pattern-based efficacy,quality of life,and mental health assessments were performed at weeks 0,3,6,and 8.Results:The total effective rate for abdominal pain intensity was 87.8%in moxibustion group 1 versus 51.1%in moxibustion group 2,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).When the treatment finished,abdominal pain intensity,the Bristol score,IBS-symptom severity scale(IBS-SSS)score,self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)score,and self-rating depression scale(SDS)score dropped significantly in both groups(P<0.05),and the IBS-quality of life(IBS-QOL)score increased markedly(P<0.05).Between-group comparisons demonstrated that abdominal pain intensity,the Bristol general score,IBS-SSS score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pattern score,and SDS score were significantly lower in moxibustion group 1 than in moxibustion group 2 at treatment week 6(P<0.05),and the IBS-QOL score was notably higher in moxibustion group 1(P<0.05).Conclusion:Whether at 43℃or 37℃,gentle moxibustion at Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36)can improve abdominal pain,stool form,and quality of life,reduce disease severity,and mitigate TCM pattern in IBS-D patients;43℃gentle moxibustion performs better than 37℃gentle moxibustion in improving abdominal pain,stool form,disease severity,TCM pattern,quality of life,anxiety,and depression in IBS-D.

Objective To explore the model of decreased ovarian reserve(DOR)induced by experimental autoimmune thyroiditis(EAT)in mice and investigate the protective mechanism of Jiexu Zichong Granules(ZCWS).Methods Ninety-six Kunming female mice were randomly divided into the J control group,BIW control group,J model group,and BIW model group.The mice were immunized with antigen(0.1 mg,once or twice per week)combined with high iodine water(0.64 g/L)for 7-19 weeks to validate the model.Subsequently,30 mice were randomly divided into the ZCWS group,model group,and control group.The DOR model was established by immunization with the antigen(0.2 mg per week)combined with high iodine water feeding for 13 weeks.The ZCWS group received oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine suspension(0.64 g/mL),while the remaining groups received an equivalent volume of physiological saline for 7 weeks.Thyroid and ovarian tissue morphology and related indicators were detected using HE staining,ELISA,IHC,and Western blot.Results Antigen immunization for 13 weeks(0.1-0.2 mg per week)combined with high iodine water feeding stably constructed the EAT DOR model.ZCWS reduced thyroid lymphocyte infiltration,follicular structure destruction,and serum TPOAb and TGAb levels(P<0.01).It inhibited MDA activity(P<0.01),increased GSH-Px and SOD activities(P<0.05),increased primordial,primary,and secondary follicles(P<0.05),and reduced atretic follicles(P<0.01).ZCWS upregulated AMH and downregulated FSH(P<0.01),regulated the expression of Bcl-2,Bax,and Caspase-3 proteins in ovarian tissue,downregulated Keap1 protein(P<0.01),and upregulated Nrf2(P<0.01),HO-1,and LONP1 proteins(P<0.05).It upregulated Bcl-2 protein(P<0.05),downregulated Bax(P<0.01),and Caspase-3(P<0.05)proteins,downregulated Keap1 protein(P<0.01),and upregulated Nrf2(P<0.01),HO-1,and LONP1 proteins(P<0.05)in ovarian tissue.Conclusion ZCWS improves ovarian reserve function in EAT mice by activating the Nrf2 pathway,inhibiting oxidative stress,and reducing follicular atresia.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of gentle moxibustion at different temperatures in treating people with diarrhea-predominant bowel syndrome(IBS-D)due to spleen deficiency.Methods:A total of 108 IBS-D patients were divided into two groups using the random number table method,with 54 participants in each group.Moxibustion group 1 received gentle moxibustion at(43±1)℃at bilateral Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36),lasting 30 min each session;moxibustion group 2 received gentle moxibustion at(37±1)℃at the same points.Both groups received the intervention 3 times weekly for a total of 18 sessions.Abdominal pain intensity,stool form,pattern-based efficacy,quality of life,and mental health assessments were performed at weeks 0,3,6,and 8.Results:The total effective rate for abdominal pain intensity was 87.8%in moxibustion group 1 versus 51.1%in moxibustion group 2,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).When the treatment finished,abdominal pain intensity,the Bristol score,IBS-symptom severity scale(IBS-SSS)score,self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)score,and self-rating depression scale(SDS)score dropped significantly in both groups(P<0.05),and the IBS-quality of life(IBS-QOL)score increased markedly(P<0.05).Between-group comparisons demonstrated that abdominal pain intensity,the Bristol general score,IBS-SSS score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pattern score,and SDS score were significantly lower in moxibustion group 1 than in moxibustion group 2 at treatment week 6(P<0.05),and the IBS-QOL score was notably higher in moxibustion group 1(P<0.05).Conclusion:Whether at 43℃or 37℃,gentle moxibustion at Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36)can improve abdominal pain,stool form,and quality of life,reduce disease severity,and mitigate TCM pattern in IBS-D patients;43℃gentle moxibustion performs better than 37℃gentle moxibustion in improving abdominal pain,stool form,disease severity,TCM pattern,quality of life,anxiety,and depression in IBS-D.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of the Scarf osteotomy in treating adolescents with metatarsus adductus-type hallux valgus.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients (30 feet) treated with the Scarf osteotomy for metatarsus adductus-type hallux valgus at the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, from July 2022 to August 2023. This group included 10 patients with bilateral conditions and 10 with unilateral, comprising 4 males and 16 females, with an average of 16.2±2.4 years (range, 14-19 years). The procedure involved the release of the lateral capsule, sesamoid ligaments, and adductor hallucis before osteotomy. After osteotomy, shortening and wedge resection were performed, along with translation and rotation of the distal osteotomy to reposition the first metatarsal beside the second and thereby reduce metatarsus adductus. The outcomes included preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow-up angles: hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), metatarsal adduction angle (MAA), and the angle between the second to fifth metatarsals.Results:All 20 patients successfully underwent surgery with good wound healing and no infections; the average clinical healing time of osteotomy site was 5.1±0.7 weeks (range, 4.1-6.6 weeks). Follow-up lasted for 12.0±5.4 months (range, 2-18 months). Significant differences were observed in HVA, which was from 35.40°±5.45° preoperatively to 6.93°±3.60° immediately postoperatively, and 9.83°±2.65° at final follow-up; IMA, which was from 11.50°(9.75°, 14.00°) preoperatively to 1.50°(0.00°, 2.00°) immediately postoperatively, and at final follow-up; MAA, which was from 22.80°±2.60° preoperatively to 20.63°±2.27° immediately postoperatively, and 20.67°±2.20° at final follow-up; the angle between the second to fifth metatarsals,which was from 19.03°±1.85° preoperatively to 15.37°±1.33° immediately postoperatively, and 16.03°±1.73° at final follow-up. Visual analogue scale (VAS) also significantly decreased from 2.60±1.64 preoperatively to 1.30±0.92 at 6-8 weeks postoperatively. No cases of transfer metatarsalgia or recurrence of hallux valgus were reported.Conclusion:The Scarf osteotomy for metatarsus adductus-type hallux valgus effectively corrects the first metatarsal adduction and improves the adduction state of the remaining metatarsals to various degrees.

Objective:To study the relationship and the role of leptin in children with biliary atresia and hepatic fibrosis to provide a treatment basis for these patients.Methods:The clinical data of children with biliary atresia or congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of General Surgery of Tianjin Children's Hospital from August 2019 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 31 children included in this study, there were 14 males and 17 females, with age of 60 (30, 63) d. Children with biliary atresia served as the study group ( n=26) and children with CBD served as the control group ( n=5). Leptin protein, α-smooth muscleactin (α-SMA) and phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in liver tissues were detectd by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expression level of leptin mRNA in liver tissues were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results:The average optical density values of leptin protein, α-SMA protein and p-ERK1/2 protein in the liver tissues of children in the study group were significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.05). The expression levels of leptin, α-SMA and p-ERK1/2 in liver tissues of children with biliary atresia significantly increased with increase in fibrosis degree ( P<0.05). The expression level of leptin in liver tissues of children with biliary atresia was positively correlated with the liver fibrosis grade ( rs=0.876), α-SMA ( r=0.723) and p-ERK1/2 ( r=0.725) ( P<0.01). The results of qRT-PCR showed that the content of leptin mRNA in liver tissues of children with biliary atresia was significantly higher than that of children with CBD ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Expressions of leptin increased with aggravation of degrees of hepatic fibrosis in biliary atresia. Leptin may be involved in activation of HSCs through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in the process of hepatic fibrosis due to biliary atresia.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, but none of the current treatments for PD can halt the progress of the disease due to the limited understanding of the pathogenesis. In PD development, the communication between the brain and the gastrointestinal system influenced by gut microbiota is known as microbiota-gut-brain axis. However, the explicit mechanisms of microbiota dysbiosis in PD development have not been well elucidated yet. FLZ, a novel squamosamide derivative, has been proved to be effective in many PD models and is undergoing the phase I clinical trial to treat PD in China. Moreover, our previous pharmacokinetic study revealed that gut microbiota could regulate the absorption of FLZ

Objective To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of harpagide and harpagoside content in Scrophularia ningpoensis (SN). Methods An Eclipse C₁₈ column was used for determination of methanol extract of S. ningpoensis with a HPLC-PDA method and mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.03% phosphate solution in a gradient elution manner. The flow rate of mobile phase was 1.0 ml/min, and the detection wavelengths were 210 nm and 280 nm. Results Harpagide and harpagoside contents in SN showed good linear relationships within 0.1020-0.5100 mg/ml (r=0.9999) and 0.0340-0.1700 mg/ml (r=0.9999). Their average recovery rates were 97.44% and 97.08%.The RSDs were 0.93% and 1.24%.. There were significant differences in the contents of harpagide and harpagoside in SN from 15 origins (P<0.01). The content of harpagoside in Sichuan Long-dong, Zhejiang Lin-an, Zhejiang Pan-an and Henan Nan-feng is higher. Conclusion This method is stable, accurate and reproducible and can be used for the quality control of SN.

Objective:To rapidly evaluate the level of healthcare resource demand for laboratory testing and prevention and control of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different epidemic situation, and prepare for the capacity planning, stockpile distribution, and funding raising for infectious disease epidemic response.Methods:An susceptible, exposed, infectious, removed infectious disease dynamics model with confirmed asymptomatic infection cases and symptomatic hospitalized patients was introduced to simulate different COVID-19 epidemic situation and predict the numbers of hospitalized or isolated patients, and based on the current COVID-19 prevention and control measures in China, the demands of resources for laboratory testing and prevention and control of COVID-19 were evaluated.Results:When community or local transmission or outbreaks occur and total population nucleic acid testing is implemented, the need for human resources is 3.3-89.1 times higher than the reserved, and the current resources of medical personal protective equipment and instruments can meet the need. The surge in asymptomatic infections can also increase the human resource demand for laboratory testing and pose challenge to the prevention and control of the disease. When vaccine protection coverage reach ≥50%, appropriate adjustment of the prevention and control measures can reduce the need for laboratory and human resources.Conclusions:There is a great need in our country to reserve the human resources for laboratory testing and disease prevention and control for the response of the possible epidemic of COVID-19. Challenges to human resources resulted from total population nucleic acid testing and its necessity need to be considered. Conducting non-pharmaceutical interventions and encouraging more people to be vaccinated can mitigate the shock on healthcare resource demand in COVID-19 prevention and control.