Chinese medicine therapy for removing gallstones is one of the methods for the treatment of cholelithiasis.In the view of Professor Liu Fengbin,attacking of external pathogens,improper diet and emotional disorders contribute to the main causes of cholelithiasis,and the pathogenesis of cholelithiasis is due to qi stagnation of both liver and gallbladder,and internal obstruction of damp-heat.The occurrence of cholelithiasis is closely related to deficiency of spleen and stomach,and is correlated with the pathological factors of turbid phlegm and blood stasis.For the Chinese medicine treatment of cholelithiasis,Professor Liu follows the principle of"treatment in accordance with three categories of etiological factors"(i.e,seasons,environment and body constitution).He advocates the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine,and is good at utilizing Lingnan herbs and distinctive herbs that can dissolve stones and remove stones.The treatment for cholelithiasis is mainly through the therapies of soothing liver and alleviating depression,clearing heat and removing dampness,and normalizing gallbladder function to remove stones,and is also supplemented by the therapies of invigorating spleen and replenishing qi,regulating qi to resolve phlegm,and activiting qi movement and blood circulation.Modified Da Chaihu Decoction plus Sijin Decoction is often used as a basic formula for treating cholelithiasis,which is mainly composed of Desmodii Styracifolii Herba,Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum,Bupleuri Radix,Curcumae Radix,Scutellariae Radix,Aucklandiae Radix,Aurantii Fructus Immaturus stir-fried with bran,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Linderae Radix,and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

Professor Liu Fengbin,a renowned traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)expert in Guangdong Province,specializes in treating digestive system disorders of hepatobiliary and splenic diseases with Chinese herbal medicine,and has accumulated extensive experience in intervening viral hepatitis type B and hepatitis B-related liver fibrosis.Professor Liu proposes that dampness,heat,stasis,toxin,and deficiency are the primary pathogenic factors of hepatitis B-related liver fibrosis.The disease is rooted in the liver,and is also closely related to the spleen and kidney and involves the gallbladder,stomach,and triple energizer.Based on TCM dialectical thinking and years of clinical practice,Professor Liu summarized the"eight methods for treating liver diseases"for intervening hepatitis B-related liver fibrosis with Chinese medicine,i.e.,method of activating the spleen and stomach,method of clearing heat and dispelling dampness,method of dispelling dampness and resolving turbidity,method of enriching yin and subduing fire,method of warming yang and tonifying the kidney,method of softening the liver and nourishing blood,method of activating blood circulation and softening hardness,and method of calming the mind and improving sleep.In clinical practice,these methods are flexibly combined based on patients'syndrome types and manifestations.Moreover,Professor Liu is skilled in using herbal groups having Lingnan medicinal characteristics,such as herbal group for clearing heat and removing toxin,and draining dampness to relieve jaundice which is composed of Mallotus Apelta Radix et Rhizoma,Abri Herba and Phyllanthi Urinariae Herba,herbal group for promoting digestion to remove food retention which is composed of Fermentum Rubrum,Crataegi Fructus and Hordei Fructus Germinatus,herbal group for removing blood and eliminating mass group which is composed of vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma,vinegar-processed Trionycis Carapax and Eupolyphaga Steleophaga,and herbal group for protecting liver and lowering enzyme which is composed of Hoveniae Semen and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus.Professor Liu's medication experience for intervening hepatitis B-related liver fibrosis will provide valuable references for TCM clinical practice in the management of liver diseases.

ObjectiveTo explore the suitability of four qualitative research methods in the development of TCM scale. MethodsTaking the development of "Seven Emotions Scale" as an example， we conducted semi-structured interviews with 31 patients of emotional disorders and 10 healthy people by objective sampling， and collected psychological feelings and emotional cognition data related to seven emotions according to the interview outline. Two qualitative methods， descriptive qualitative research and descriptive phenomenology， were used to analyze the data and construct the item library of the scale. The conceptual framework of the scale was constructed by using commonly used grounded theory and frame analysis. ResultsDuring data analysis， it is found that the themes extracted from descriptive phenomenology were not easily understood by the interviewees， and it is difficult for the researchers to truly achieve the "suspension" required by phenomenology. Considering the feasibility and convenience of the researchers' actual operation， as well as whether the initial purpose of the scale research can be intuitively included in the interviewees' views and feelings， descriptive phenomenology is not suitable for the formation of scale items. Using descriptive qualitative research method to analyze the interview data of healthy people and patients with emotional disorders， 306 and 476 scale items were obtained respectively. Through grounded theory， five selective codes were obtained： physical symptoms， external manifestations， psychological feelings， behaviors and emotional control. Using frame analysis， four themes including physical symptoms， psychological feelings， behavior and emotional cognition were constructed. Both methods can be used to construct the conceptual frame of scale， but the framework analysis is more convenient and can better ensure the transparency of the research. ConclusionDescriptive qualitative research methods can be used to form the item library of TCM scales. Framework analysis is more suitable for the construction of the conceptual framework of the scale than grounded theory， while descriptive phenomenology is not suitable for the development of TCM scales.

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders,of which diarrhea-predominant IBS(IBS-D)accounts for the largest proportion.The pathogenesis of IBS-D is complicated and diverse,and there is currently a lack of clinically effective drugs.The establishment of animal models is an essential tool for further studies of the disease mechanisms,evaluation of clinical efficacy,and drug development,and the preparation and evaluation standards of models are important factors affecting the quality of the research.Based on the currently accepted pathogenesis of IBS-D and the previous modeling experience of our research group,this review systematically summarizes the evaluation method used in animal models of IBS-D in terms of diarrhea observation,visceral sensitivity tests,and intestinal motility tests,to provide a reference for future studies.

Objective:To explore the medication law of wind drugs in Pi Wei Lun; To provide reference for the clinical application of wind drugs in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Methods:Through searching the prescriptions with wind drugs in Pi Wei Lun, wind drugs and the dosages were extracted. SPSS 25.0 software was used for descriptive statistics of wind drugs data. Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Calculation Platform V3.0 was used for frequency statistics, dosage statistics and association rule analysis of Chinese materia medica. Results:Totally 40 prescriptions were included (40/61, 65.57%), involving 14 kinds of Chinese materia medica, mainly including Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Bupleuri Radix, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens and so on. The ancient dosage of wind drugs was 0.68 g to 4.00 g, and the maximum was 8 g and the minimum was 0.09 g. However,the modern dosage was 3-10 g. The dosage ratio of commonly used of wind drugs was 3%-60%, and its efficacy varied. Through the analysis of association rules algorithm, the study gained 25 medicinal pairs, and the group Cimicifugae Rhizoma-Bupleuri Radix acquired the highest supporting degree. Under the conditions of a confidence level of 75% and support levels of 10%, 15%, and 20%, there were 14, 7, and 3 drug association rules, respectively. The efficacy of commonly used wind drugs varied depending on their ratio.Conclusion:Li Dongyuan attached great importance to develop and ascend the yang of spleen so that he used wind drugs more often for ascending yang, supplementing the original qi, dispelling wind, dispelling dampness, dissipating heat, resolving depression, purging the liver, relaxing the bowels, unblock the orifices and directing meridians.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become an increasingly important health challenge, with a substantial rise linked to changing lifestyles and global obesity. Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has been explored for its potential therapeutic effects. Given its multifunctional bioactive properties, this research further revealed the pharmacological mechanisms of ursolic acid on MASLD. Methods: Drug target chips and bioinformatics analysis were combined in this study to explore the potential therapeutic effects of ursolic acid on MASLD. Molecular docking simulations, surface plasmon resonance analyses, pull-down experiments, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to verify the direct interactions. Gene knockdown mice were generated, and high-fat diets were used to validate drug efficacy. Furthermore, initial CD4+ T cells were isolated and stimulated to demonstrate our findings. Results: In this study, the multifunctional extracellular matrix phosphorylated glycoprotein secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) was investigated, highlighting its capability to induce Th17 cell differentiation, amplifying inflammatory cascades, and subsequently promoting the evolution of MASLD. In addition, this study revealed that in addition to the canonical TGF-β/IL-6 cytokine pathway, SPP1 can directly interact with ITGB1 and CD44, orchestrating Th17 cell differentiation via their joint downstream ERK signaling pathway. Remarkably, ursolic acid intervention notably suppressed the protein activity of SPP1, suggesting a promising avenue for ameliorating the immunoinflammatory trajectory in MASLD progression. Conclusions Ursolic acid could improve immune inflammation in MASLD by modulating SPP1-mediated Th17 cell differentiation via the ERK signaling pathway, which is orchestrated jointly by ITGB1 and CD44, emerging as a linchpin in this molecular cascade.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of ultrapulse fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-Gel) transplantation in the treatment of scars.Methods:Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of patients with scars treated at the General Hospital of Jilin Chemical Industry Group from January 2018 to January 2022. Application of ultrapulse fractional carbon dioxide laser for treatment: Scaar FX mode treatment for hypertrophic scars, micro FX energy: 80-150 mJ, frequency: 250 Hz, density: 3%. Deep FX mode treatment for superficial scars and atrophic scars, micro FX energy: 30-50 mJ, frequency: 300 Hz, density: 5%. Manual fractional technology(MFT) mode treatment for hyperplastic scars, atrophic scars with scar contracture site, energy: 150-175 mJ, frequency: 40 Hz, distance between holes: 4-5 mm, treatment time 2-3 s. Superficial scar and atrophic scar were treated 2 times, hypertrophic scar was treated 3 times, and the time interval was 2 months. Transplantation of SVF-Gel for scar treatment around 30 days after the first laser treatment. Thigh fatty tissue was extracted to prepare SVF-Gel. The SVF-Gel was injected into the basal layer and deep layer of inside the scar by multi-point and multi-tunnel injection. All patients were followed up for 6 months to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Assess the Vancouver scar scale (VSS) score and the difference of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) between scar skin and adjacent normal skin was measured after treatment, compared with before treatment. The data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0, data in Mean±SD represents. Paired t-test was used to compare the difference between the VSS score and TEWL before and after treatment. P<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Results:A total of 30 patients were enrolled, including 17 males and 13 females, aged (32.7 ± 11.2) years old. Among the 30 patients, 10 patients were superficial scars, 10 patients were hypertrophic scars, 10 patients were atrophic scars. The scars’ formation time was (17.5 ± 4.5) months. (1) The VSS score of superficial scars after treatment was 1.8±0.7, which was lower than 4.7±0.8 before treatment( t=9.26, P=0.001). The difference in TEWL after treatment was (2.48±0.61) g·m -2·h -1, which was lower than (6.85±1.17) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment( t=13.28, P<0.001). (2) The VSS score of hyperplastic scars after treatment was 3.9±1.1, which was lower than 10.6±1.7 before treatment( t=9.37, P=0.001). The difference in TEWL after treatment was (4.91±0.87) g·m -2·h -1, which was lower than (9.92±0.75) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment( t=18.22, P<0.001). (3) The VSS score of atrophic scars after treatment was 3.5±1.2, lower than 7.7±2.3 before treatment ( t=5.81, P=0.005). The difference in TEWL after treatment was (3.73±1.22) g·m -2·h -1, lower than (6.52±1.51) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment ( t=9.52, P=0.001). Conclusion:Ultrapulse fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with SVF-Gel transplantation is effective in the treatment of scars. It can improve the color, thickness, vascular distribution, softness, and skin barrier function of scars.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of ultrapulse fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-Gel) transplantation in the treatment of scars.Methods:Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of patients with scars treated at the General Hospital of Jilin Chemical Industry Group from January 2018 to January 2022. Application of ultrapulse fractional carbon dioxide laser for treatment: Scaar FX mode treatment for hypertrophic scars, micro FX energy: 80-150 mJ, frequency: 250 Hz, density: 3%. Deep FX mode treatment for superficial scars and atrophic scars, micro FX energy: 30-50 mJ, frequency: 300 Hz, density: 5%. Manual fractional technology(MFT) mode treatment for hyperplastic scars, atrophic scars with scar contracture site, energy: 150-175 mJ, frequency: 40 Hz, distance between holes: 4-5 mm, treatment time 2-3 s. Superficial scar and atrophic scar were treated 2 times, hypertrophic scar was treated 3 times, and the time interval was 2 months. Transplantation of SVF-Gel for scar treatment around 30 days after the first laser treatment. Thigh fatty tissue was extracted to prepare SVF-Gel. The SVF-Gel was injected into the basal layer and deep layer of inside the scar by multi-point and multi-tunnel injection. All patients were followed up for 6 months to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Assess the Vancouver scar scale (VSS) score and the difference of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) between scar skin and adjacent normal skin was measured after treatment, compared with before treatment. The data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0, data in Mean±SD represents. Paired t-test was used to compare the difference between the VSS score and TEWL before and after treatment. P<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Results:A total of 30 patients were enrolled, including 17 males and 13 females, aged (32.7 ± 11.2) years old. Among the 30 patients, 10 patients were superficial scars, 10 patients were hypertrophic scars, 10 patients were atrophic scars. The scars’ formation time was (17.5 ± 4.5) months. (1) The VSS score of superficial scars after treatment was 1.8±0.7, which was lower than 4.7±0.8 before treatment( t=9.26, P=0.001). The difference in TEWL after treatment was (2.48±0.61) g·m -2·h -1, which was lower than (6.85±1.17) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment( t=13.28, P<0.001). (2) The VSS score of hyperplastic scars after treatment was 3.9±1.1, which was lower than 10.6±1.7 before treatment( t=9.37, P=0.001). The difference in TEWL after treatment was (4.91±0.87) g·m -2·h -1, which was lower than (9.92±0.75) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment( t=18.22, P<0.001). (3) The VSS score of atrophic scars after treatment was 3.5±1.2, lower than 7.7±2.3 before treatment ( t=5.81, P=0.005). The difference in TEWL after treatment was (3.73±1.22) g·m -2·h -1, lower than (6.52±1.51) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment ( t=9.52, P=0.001). Conclusion:Ultrapulse fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with SVF-Gel transplantation is effective in the treatment of scars. It can improve the color, thickness, vascular distribution, softness, and skin barrier function of scars.

Objective:To study the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of scar skin in patients with superficial scars, hypertrophic scars, and atrophic scars, and to explore the correlation between TEWL and scar severity.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From February 2017 to February 2019, 120 scar patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the General Hospital of Jilin Chemical Industry Group, including 78 males and 42 females, aged (35±14) years. According to the diagnosis on admission, there were 40 cases of superficial scar patients, 40 cases of hypertrophic scar patients, and 40 cases of atrophic scar patients. On admission, the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to score the scar of each patient; the TEWL of scar skin and normal skin 1 cm from the edge of scar or the same site of the healthy side (hereinafter referred to as normal skin) of each patient was measured by water loss tester, and the difference value of TEWL between scar skin and normal skin (hereinafter referred to as the TEWL difference) was calculated. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, paired sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, and Dunnett- t test for comparison, and the correlation between the difference value of TEWL and scar VSS score was analyzed with univariate linear regression analysis. Results:On admission, the scar VSS score of superficial scar patients was significantly lower than that of hypertrophic scar or atrophic scar patients ( t=4.403, 4.768, P<0.01), and the scar VSS score of atrophic scar patients was significantly lower than that of hypertrophic scar patients ( t=4.185, P<0.01). On admission, the TEWL of scar skin of superficial scar, hypertrophic scar, and atrophic scar patients were (18±4), (20±4), and (20±5) g·m -2·h -1 respectively, significantly higher than (12±3), (12±3), and (14±4) g·m -2·h -1 of normal skin ( t=6.889, 10.221, 5.870, P<0.01). The difference values of TEWL of superficial scar, hypertrophic scar, and atrophic scar patients were (5.9±1.7), (8.1±1.7), and (6.4±2.1) g·m -2·h -1 respectively. In comparison among different types of scar patients, only the TEWL difference of hypertrophic scar patients was significantly higher than that of superficial scar patients ( t=6.975, P<0.05). The TEWL difference and the scar VSS score in patients with superficial scars, hypertrophic scars, and atrophic scars were significantly positively correlated ( r=0.805, 0.872, 0.826, P<0.01). Conclusions:The TEWL of scar skin in patients with superficial scars, hypertrophic scars, and atrophic scars is increased compared with normal skin, and the degree of increase was positively correlated with the severity of scars.