Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has historically played a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of warm diseases, establishing a comprehensive theoretical framework that underpins its practices. The distinctive and indispensable contributions of aromatic Chinese herbs in dispelling harmful influences and mitigating the spread of these diseases are well recognized; however, further investigation is warranted to elucidate their systematic properties and regularities, and the theory of aromatic Chinese herbs in preventing and treating warm diseases still needs to be comprehensively summarized. This study employs the principles rooted in TCM, with particular emphasis on the framework for warm diseases. An analysis of the disease mechanisms, transmission dynamics, and preventive strategies is conducted during the early stage of infection, throughout the course of the disease, and in the post-illness phase. Furthermore, the characteristics and applications of aromatic Chinese herbs are integrated with insights drawn from modern pharmacological research to explore their specific roles in the prevention and management of warm diseases. The utilization of aromatic Chinese herbs manifests in a variety of therapeutic effects: aromatic medicinals purging filth and dispelling pathogens for preventing epidemic disease, aromatic medicinals regulation for relieving superficies syndrome and dispersing evils, aromatic medicinals ventilation the lung to relieve cough and asthma, aromatic medicinals resolving the dampness to awaken the spleen and stomach, aromatic medicinals opening the orifices to restore consciousness, aromatic and pungent medicinals to regulate qi, aromatic medicinals dredging the vessels to activate blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis, and aromatic medicinals clearing latent heat from the yin level. These properties facilitate tailored approaches to address the diverse manifestations of warm diseases and their associated symptoms, providing clear guidance for clinical application to achieve pre-disease prevention, active disease treatment, complication prevention, and post-recovery relapse avoidance. The use of aromatic Chinese herbs in preventing and treating warm diseases demonstrates theoretical, practical, systematic, and regular characteristics. The theory of the properties of aromatic Chinese herbs has been expanded and sublimated in clinical practice, and its scientific connotation has been expounded in modern research. Under the guidance of the theory of treatment based on syndrome differentiation, and by taking into account the distinct stages and pathologies of warm diseases, the rational selection of aromatic Chinese herbs can improve the clinical efficacy.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the molecular characteristics and prognostic value of ammonia death-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:Consensus unsupervised clustering was used to identify ammonia death-related molecular subtypes in HCC samples.Weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)was applied to identify gene modules associated with ammonia death.Support vector machine(SVM)and LASSO algorithms were used to screen four hub genes,and a risk score system was constructed based on a LASSO-Cox regression model.The association between the risk model and patient survival,tumor microenvironment,and re-sponse to immunotherapy was further analyzed.Results:Consensus clustering identified two distinct ammonia death-related molecular subtypes(P<0.05).The constructed risk score model showed good predictive performance for overall survival in HCC patients and was closely associated with immune infiltration characteristics of the tumor microenviron-ment and immunotherapy responsiveness(P<0.05).Conclusion:The ammonia death-related risk score model may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for HCC and provide potential guidance for immunotherapy strategies.

Streptococcus equinus is a zoonotic disease that can cause illness in various animals under specific environmental condi-tions.No reports have described isolation of this bacterium from the liver in affected sheep.This study successfully isolated and identi-fied a strain of Streptococcus equinus through bacterial isolation and culture,Gram staining,drug sensitivity testing,mouse sensitivity testing,bacterial biochemical testing,and whole genome sequencing.The strain was found to have pathogenicity toward Kunming white mice,and to be sensitive to four antibiotics(penicillin,ampicillin,ceftiofur sodium,and ceftriaxone sodium)but resistant to four antibiotics(streptomycin,amoxicillin,tetracycline,and gentamicin).On the basis of drug sensitivity testing,targeted treatment of the affected sheep flock with ceftiofur sodium effectively controlled the disease within 2 days,and no new cases occurred.This study provides a reference for biological characterization of ovine Streptococcus equinus;public health;and the investigation of disease pre-vention,control,and epidemiology.

Objective:To explore the intervention effects of the skill training for parents with autism child (STPAC) on toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Methods:A multicenter non-randomized concurrent controlled study design was conducted. Thirty children with ASD aged 15-30 months, first diagnosed at the Children′s Hospital of Fudan University, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Chengdu Women′s and Children′s Central Hospital from 2019 to 2020, were enrolled in the STPAC group. Thirty children with ASD who visited the same hospitals during the same period but refused the STPAC intervention were selected as the control group. The STPAC group received an 8-week intervention (3 h/week) followed by quarterly follow-ups for 1 year, while the control group voluntarily chose community-based routine interventions. The Griffiths development scales-Chinese (GDS-C) was used to assess the developmental levels, and the communication and symbolic behavior scales developmental profile infant-toddler checklist (CSBS-DP-ITC) was completed by the primary caregivers to evaluate social, language and symbolic behavior. The independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, etc.was used for inter-group comparison. The paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, etc. was used for inter-group pre-post intervention comparison. Results:The STPAC group included 30 children (22 males and 8 females, aged (23.9±2.2) months), and the control group included 30 children (20 males and 10 females, aged (24.2±2.6) months). Before the intervention, there were no statistically differences in GDS-C development quotient (DQ) and CSBS-DP-ITC scores between groups (all P>0.05). After 1-year intervention, GDS-C DQ in personal-social, hearing-language, hand-eye coordination, performance domains of STPAC group and GDS-C DQ in personal-social, hearing-language domains of control group were all increased (all P<0.01). After 1-year intervention, CSBS-DP-ITC scores of both groups were all improved in socia, language, symbolic behavior, and total scores (all P<0.001). GDS-C DQ changes before and after 1 year of intervention in hearing-language, hand-eye coordination, performance domains of the STPAC group were all higher the those of control group (34(15, 48 vs. 10(-4, 39), 11±20 vs. -1±19, 23±25 vs. 8±22, all P<0.05). CSBS-DP-ITC scores changes before and after 1 year of intervention in social and total scores of the STPAC group were both higher the those of control group (10(5, 30) vs. 3(1, 7), 26±17 vs. 11±8, both P<0.001). Conclusion:Compared with the community routine interventions, the STPAC better improves the language, hand-eye coordination, visual-spatial, social communication, and play skills in ASD toddlers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impacts of sulforaphane (SPN) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in acute promyelogenous leukemia by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. METHODS: NB4 cells were divided into 5 μmol/L SPN group, 10 μmol/L SPN group, 20 μmol/L SPN group, 740 Y-P (10 μmol/L) group and 20 μmol/L SPN+740 Y-P group, and the untreated NB4 cells were used as the control group. CCK-8, Hoechst 33342 staining, flow cytometry and monodansulfonylpentanediamine (MDC) were used to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy, respectively. The expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, cyclin D1 and LC3B mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins in NB4 cells. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the proliferation rate, Bcl-2, cyclin D1 mRNA expressions, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR ratio were greatly increased in the 740 Y-P group (P < 0.05), the apoptosis rate, percentage of MDC positive, Bax and LC3B mRNA expression levels were greatly decreased (P < 0.05). The proliferation rate, Bcl-2, cyclin D1 mRNA expression levels, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR ratio were greatly decreased in the 5 μmol/L SPN group, 10 μmol/L SPN group, and 20 μmol/L SPN group (P < 0.05), the apoptosis rate, percentage of MDC positive,Bax and LC3B mRNA expression levels were greatly increased, there were differences among different SPN treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the 20 μmol/L SPN group, the proliferation rate, Bcl-2, cyclin D1 mRNA expression levels, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR ratio were greatly increased in the 20 μmol/L SPN+740 Y-P group(P < 0.05), the apoptosis rate, percentage of MDC positive, Bax and LC3B mRNA expression levels were greatly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the 740 Y-P group, the proliferation rate, Bcl-2, cyclin D1 mRNA expression levels, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR ratio in the 20 μmol/L SPN+740 Y-P group were greatly reduced (P < 0.05), the apoptosis rate, percentage of MDC positive, Bax and LC3B mRNA expression levels were greatly increased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION SPN reduces the proliferation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells and promotes cells apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Isothiocyanates/pharmacology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Sulfoxides ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*