Based on the close structural and functional associations of the Shaoyang （少阳） channel and related zang-fu （脏腑） organs with the brain and the pharynx， this paper proposes that the pathogenesis of post-stroke dysphagia involves constraint and stagnation of the pivot mechanism， binding of phlegm and stasis， frenetic stirring of ministerial fire， and incoordination of the spirit mechanism， ultimately leading to loss of pharyngeal function. An acupuncture therapy centered on regulating the pivot and unblocking the orifice is established. Acupoints of the Shaoyang channel， including Fengchi （GB 20）， Wangu （GB 12）， Yifeng （SJ 17）， and Waiguan （SJ 5）， are selected to regulate the pivot and treat the root； acupoints of the Du （督） and Ren （任） channels， including Fengfu （GV 16）， Lianquan （CV 23）， and Tiantu （CV 22）， are used to unblock the orifice and treat the branch. In addition， staged treatment can be applied according to syndrome differentiation. In the acute stage with predominant phlegm turbidity， Fenglong （ST 40）， Yinlingquan （SP 9）， Jinjin （EX-HN 12）， and Yuye （EX-HN 13） are added to resolve phlegm and facilitate orifice function. During the recovery stage with excess ministerial fire scorching the pharynx， Zulinqi （GB 41） and Zhaohai （KI 6） are added to drain fire and nourish yin； when ministerial fire disturbs the spirit， Tongli （HT 5） and Neiguan （PC 6） are added to calm the spirit and the heart. During the chronic stage with blood deficiency and collateral stasis， Zusanli （ST 36） and Sanyinjiao （SP 6） are added to nourish blood and unblock collaterals. In clinical practice， the angle and depth of needling are adjusted based on the stage of dysphagia， with the combination of elongated needles and medicinal moxibustion are used to enhance the therapeutic effect.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment(CRCI)refers to cognitive dysfunction that occurs during or after chemotherapy in patients with cancer.However,the pathogenesis of CRCI remains unclear,and effective treatments are lacking in clinical practice.Based on the"toxin damaging brain collaterals"theory,this study systematically explores the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)etiology,pathogenesis,and treatment strategies of CRCI.In TCM,CRCI is attributed to a"deficiency of brain collaterals"in patients with cancer.Chemotherapy drugs,as exogenous pathogens,invade the brain when the body is weakened and interact with endogenous phlegm,blood stasis,and turbid toxins.This creates a vicious cycle of"toxin,blood stasis,phlegm,deficiency"ultimately leading to the malnourishment of the sea of marrow and the dysfunction of the spiritual mechanism.Modern biological research aligns with this TCM perspective,as neurotoxicity,oxidative stress,and inflammatory responses associated with CRCI correspond to the TCM concepts of"toxin damaging brain collaterals."Pathological changes such as increased microvascular permeability and neuronal network disruption are similar to the TCM pathogenesis characteristics of"toxin and blood stasis blocking the collaterals"and"emptiness of the sea of marrow."Given the progressive nature of CRCI pathogenesis,TCM therapeutic principles focus on strengthening healthy qi,enhancing cognitive function,eliminating toxins,and unblocking collaterals.Acupuncture,moxibustion,and Daoyin serve as supplementary external treatments,forming a comprehensive treatment approach of"treating the viscera through the collaterals and regulating the body to nourish the spirit."This framework provides novel insights for TCM diagnosis and CRCI treatment.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment(CRCI)refers to cognitive dysfunction that occurs during or after chemotherapy in patients with cancer.However,the pathogenesis of CRCI remains unclear,and effective treatments are lacking in clinical practice.Based on the"toxin damaging brain collaterals"theory,this study systematically explores the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)etiology,pathogenesis,and treatment strategies of CRCI.In TCM,CRCI is attributed to a"deficiency of brain collaterals"in patients with cancer.Chemotherapy drugs,as exogenous pathogens,invade the brain when the body is weakened and interact with endogenous phlegm,blood stasis,and turbid toxins.This creates a vicious cycle of"toxin,blood stasis,phlegm,deficiency"ultimately leading to the malnourishment of the sea of marrow and the dysfunction of the spiritual mechanism.Modern biological research aligns with this TCM perspective,as neurotoxicity,oxidative stress,and inflammatory responses associated with CRCI correspond to the TCM concepts of"toxin damaging brain collaterals."Pathological changes such as increased microvascular permeability and neuronal network disruption are similar to the TCM pathogenesis characteristics of"toxin and blood stasis blocking the collaterals"and"emptiness of the sea of marrow."Given the progressive nature of CRCI pathogenesis,TCM therapeutic principles focus on strengthening healthy qi,enhancing cognitive function,eliminating toxins,and unblocking collaterals.Acupuncture,moxibustion,and Daoyin serve as supplementary external treatments,forming a comprehensive treatment approach of"treating the viscera through the collaterals and regulating the body to nourish the spirit."This framework provides novel insights for TCM diagnosis and CRCI treatment.

Qiaomai is one of the eight extraordinary meridians,and its theory has long been marginalized in academic research on meridians.So its academic and practical value has not received sufficient attention.This article is based on the theory in Huangdi Neijing,combined with unearthed literature from the Pre-Qin period and the fusion of various medical schools reflected in the meridian theory system,to explore qiaomai's name and essence.Our team believes that the formation of qiaomai is the result of the long-term exploration and application of somatic twisting daoyin in Central Plains medicine.The formation of qiaomai coincides with the practical process and therapeutic thinking of somatic twisting daoyin,which has gone through a transformation from directly treating sick tendons to treating sick qi by adjusting tendons.The name of qiaomai may originate from the meanings of various movements such as limb touching,stretching,and swinging in the somatic twisting technique.The primitive physiological function of qiaomai is to dominate human movement,and its physiological level should be located in the tendons of the human body.Qiaomai constantly intersected and was confused with the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang and the kidney meridian of foot-shaoyin after the integration of meridian theory and visceral medicine during the period of Huangdi Neijing,and the positioning and function of qiaomai gradually became blurred.This cognitive confusion has become the fundamental reason why the academic exploration and clinical application of qiaomai has been hindered for a long time.This also suggests that when studying various Pre-Qin medical theoretical systems in Huangdi Neijing,sufficient screening,analysis,and restoration should be carried out to ensure that theories from different sources are authentic.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one common type of glomerulonephritis caused by a deposition of immune complexes in mesangium and partial capillary loops. It is also an important risk factor for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidney transplantation (KT) has been an ultimate treatment for IgAN patients progressing into ESRD. However, there is still a high risk of recurrence after transplantation. Currently no effective treatment is available for recurrent IgAN. This review summarized the latest researches of managing IgAN recurrence after KT, such as optimal treatment, immunosuppression, complement therapy and surgery.

Age-related hearing loss(ARHL)is a common chronic disease that poses a serious threat to the physical and mental health of the elderly in an aging society.It is a sensorineural hearing loss characterized by the loss of auditory hair cells,stria vascularis lesions,apoptosis of spiral ganglia,and degeneration of the audi-tory central nervous system,reducing the quality of life of the patients.This article reviews the research progress in the relationship of ARHL with Alzheimer's disease,depression,and frailty,as well as the daily intervention in ARHL.This review aims to improve people's awareness and attention to the health hazards of ARHL and to delay the occurrence and development of ARHL by implementing daily intervention measures to form a healthy lifestyle.

Objective:To study the effect of trefoil factor family (TFF) 3 on the expression of tight junctions (TJs) in the nasal mucosa epithelium of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (eCRS) and its mechanism.Methods:From September to December 2020, eligible patients from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were recruited, including 11 control patients and 37 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), from whom nasal mucosa and nasal polyp tissue samples were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the localization and expression intensity of TFFs (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3) and TJs (occudin, claudin-1 and ZO-1) in nasal mucosa. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot (WB) were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression. A cell model of tight junction injury in human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) through stimulation with interleukin (IL)-13 was also established. The optimal modeling concentration and time for HNECs were determined, which were subsequently treated with TFF3 and/or a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-specific inhibitor (LY294002). Finally, RT-qPCR and WB were used to assess the effects of TFF3 on tight junctions and the PI3K/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway. Data were analyzed statistically using GraphPad Prism 7 software.Results:IHC results showed that the expression of TFF1 and TFF3 in nasal mucosa of eCRS group was significantly higher than that of control group ( t=4.62, P=0.002; t=5.89, P<0.001), respectively, mainly expressed in goblet cell. The expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 in the nasal mucosa of the eCRS group was lower than that of the control group (occludin t=3.98, P=0.019; claudin-1 t=5.15, P=0.002; ZO-1 t=5.42, P=0.001), respectively. WB results showed that the expression of TFF3 in non-eosinophilic chronic sinusitis (Non-eCRS) group and eCRS group was higher than that in the control group ( t=3.62, P=0.036; t=5.93, P<0.001). The expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 in eCRS group was lower than that in the control group (occludin t=5.14, P=0.002; claudin-1 t=6.35, P<0.001; ZO-1 t=6.64, P<0.001), respectively. The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the control group, the levels of TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were increased in the nasal mucosal epithelium of the Non-eCRS and eCRS groups (TFF1 t=3.98, P=0.046, t=4.89, P=0.002; TFF3 t=3.50, P=0.044, t=6.78, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in TFF2 mRNA levels between the Non-eCRS and eCRS groups ( t=1.34, P=0.061; t=3.37, P=0.055). Compared with the control group, Non-eCRS and eCRS groups showed a decrease in the mRNA levels of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 (occludin t=4.27, P=0.011, t=5.61, P=0.007; claudin-1 t=3.62, P=0.036, t=6.80, P<0.001; ZO-1 t=3.47, P=0.047, t=7.86, P<0.001). The mRNA levels of TFF3 and TJs in eCRS nasal mucosa tissue showed a moderate positive correlation (occludin r=0.661, claudin-1 r=0.614, ZO-1 r=0.548, all P<0.001); TFF1 showed a low degree of positive correlation with the expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 (occludin r=0.467, P=0.040; claudin-1 r=0.362, P=0.012; ZO-1 r=0.425, P=0.025). The establishment of cell models showed that compared with normal HNECs, the mRNA expression of TFF3 was most significantly increased at a concentration of 50 ng/ml stimulated by IL-13 ( t=3.72, P=0.013); The mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 decreased (occludin t=3.18, P=0.031; claudin-1 t=3.86, P=0.010; ZO-1 t=5.16, P=0.002). The expression of TFF3 mRNA increased most significantly after 15 hours of IL-13 stimulation ( t=3.14, P=0.034); The mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 decreased (occludin t=3.97, P=0.010; claudin-1 t=4.78, P=0.004; ZO-1 t=5.16, P=0.004). TJs damage model could be established by treating HNECs with 50 ng/ml IL-13 for 15 hours. Intervention experiments showed that compared with the IL-13 group, the IL-13+TFF3 group showed an increase in TJs mRNA expression (occludin t=6.10, P=0.009; claudin-1 t=5.90, P=0.013; ZO-1 t=9.44, P=0.007). Compared with the IL-13 group, the expression of TJs protein in the IL-13+TFF3 group increased (occludin t=3.23, P=0.013; claudin-1 t=9.40, P=0.017; ZO-1 t=2.23, P=0.032); The expression of TJs protein decreased in the IL-13+TFF3+LY294002 group (occludin t=4.73, claudin-1 t=8.77, ZO-1 t=3.51, all P<0.001). Compared with the IL-13+TFF3 group, the IL-3+TFF3+LY294002 group showed a decrease in PI3K and p-Akt/Akt protein expression (PI3K t=13.29, p-Akt/Akt t=10.30, all P<0.001). The increased mRNA and protein expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 induced by TFF3 were also inhibited by LY294002. Conclusion:TFF3 can up-regulate the expression of occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 through PI3K/Akt pathway, and has a certain protective effect on the nasal mucosal epithelial barrier, providing a new idea for treating eCRS.

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the crucial pathway in chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to the end-stage renal failure. However, the underlying mechanism of Shen Qi Wan (SQW) on RIF is not fully understood. In the current study, we investigated the role of Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in SQW on tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). A RIF mouse model induced by adenine and a TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cell model were etablished to explore the involvement of AQP 1 in the protective effect of SQW on EMT in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, the molecular mechanism of SQW on EMT was explored in HK-2 cells with AQP1 knockdown. The results indicated that SQW alleviated kidney injury and renal collagen deposition in the kidneys of mice induced by adenine, increased the protein expression of E-cadherin and AQP1 expression, and decreased the expression of vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Similarly, treatmement with SQW-containing serum significantly halted EMT process in TGF-β1 stimulated HK-2 cells. The expression of snail and slug was significantly upregulated in HK-2 cells after knockdown of AQP1. AQP1 knockdown also increased the mRNA expression of vimentin and α-SMA, and decreased the expression of E-cadherin. The protein expression of vimentin increased, while the expression of E-cadherin and CK-18 significantly decreased after AQP1 knockdown in HK-2 cells. These results revealed that AQP1 knockdown promoted EMT. Furthermore, AQP1 knockdown abolished the protective effect of SQW-containing serum on EMT in HK-2 cells. In sum, SQW attentuates EMT process in RIF through upregulation of the expression of AQP1.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Cell Line ; Rats ; Kidney/physiology* ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Adenine ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Aquaporin 1/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the pregnancy outcome of mosaic embryo transfer in next-generation sequencing (NGS) based-preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and the effect of different mosaic ratios and types on the pregnancy outcome.Methods:This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study of 308 mosaic embryo transfer cycles (named mosaic group) and 904 euploid embryo transfer cycles (named euploid group) from January 2018 to December 2021 at Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine. Pregnancy outcomes, including biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, early miscarriage, live birth and pregnancy complication rate, were compared between the mosaic and euploid groups. The mosaic group was further divided into low- and high-level mosaicism subgroups according to mosaic ratio, and fragmental deletion/duplication, chromosomal monosomy/trisomy and complex mosaicism subgroups according to the chimerism type, in order to analyze the effects of different mosaic ratios and types on the transfer outcome of mosaic embryos.Results:Compared with euploid group, the rates of ongoing pregnancy [49.35% (152/308) vs. 58.19% (526/904), P=0.020, OR=0.924] and live birth [48.38% (149/308) vs. 55.75% (504/904), P=0.031, OR=0.930] were significantly lower in mosaic group, but there was no significant difference in the risk of pregnancy complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). The high-level mosaic subgroup had a significantly lower live birth rate [35.00% (14/40)] compared with low-level mosaic subgroup [50.37% (135/268), P=0.028, OR=0.840]. The biochemical pregnancy rate [58.49% (62/106) vs. 70.91% (641/904), P=0.020, OR=0.891], the clinical pregnancy rate [49.06% (52/106) vs. 64.82% (586/904), P=0.003, OR=0.864], the ongoing pregnancy rate [43.40% (46/106) vs. 58.19% (526/904), P=0.003, OR=0.864] and the live birth rate [43.40% (46/106) vs. 55.75% (504/904), P=0.008, OR=0.868] of chromosomal monosomy/trisomy mosaic subgroup were significantly lower than those of euploid group. The biochemical pregnancy rate [64.47% (49/76) vs. 84.13% (53/63), P=0.002, OR=0.793], the clinical pregnancy rate [57.89% (44/76) vs. 77.78% (49/63), P=0.006, OR=0.814], the ongoing pregnancy rate [47.37% (36/76) vs. 68.25% (43/69), P=0.017, OR=0.829] and the live birth rate [46.05% (35/76) vs. 65.08% (41/63), P=0.042, OR=0.850] of fragmental deletion mosaic embryos were significantly lower than those of fragmental duplication mosaic embryos. Conclusion:Partial mosaic embryo transfer can also achieve healthy live births, and different mosaic ratios and types affect the pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, patients with no available euploid embryos could be counseled about the possibility of transferring a mosaic embryo, taking into consideration the different mosaic ratios and types.

Objective:To investigate the pregnancy outcome of mosaic embryo transfer in next-generation sequencing (NGS) based-preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and the effect of different mosaic ratios and types on the pregnancy outcome.Methods:This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study of 308 mosaic embryo transfer cycles (named mosaic group) and 904 euploid embryo transfer cycles (named euploid group) from January 2018 to December 2021 at Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine. Pregnancy outcomes, including biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, early miscarriage, live birth and pregnancy complication rate, were compared between the mosaic and euploid groups. The mosaic group was further divided into low- and high-level mosaicism subgroups according to mosaic ratio, and fragmental deletion/duplication, chromosomal monosomy/trisomy and complex mosaicism subgroups according to the chimerism type, in order to analyze the effects of different mosaic ratios and types on the transfer outcome of mosaic embryos.Results:Compared with euploid group, the rates of ongoing pregnancy [49.35% (152/308) vs. 58.19% (526/904), P=0.020, OR=0.924] and live birth [48.38% (149/308) vs. 55.75% (504/904), P=0.031, OR=0.930] were significantly lower in mosaic group, but there was no significant difference in the risk of pregnancy complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). The high-level mosaic subgroup had a significantly lower live birth rate [35.00% (14/40)] compared with low-level mosaic subgroup [50.37% (135/268), P=0.028, OR=0.840]. The biochemical pregnancy rate [58.49% (62/106) vs. 70.91% (641/904), P=0.020, OR=0.891], the clinical pregnancy rate [49.06% (52/106) vs. 64.82% (586/904), P=0.003, OR=0.864], the ongoing pregnancy rate [43.40% (46/106) vs. 58.19% (526/904), P=0.003, OR=0.864] and the live birth rate [43.40% (46/106) vs. 55.75% (504/904), P=0.008, OR=0.868] of chromosomal monosomy/trisomy mosaic subgroup were significantly lower than those of euploid group. The biochemical pregnancy rate [64.47% (49/76) vs. 84.13% (53/63), P=0.002, OR=0.793], the clinical pregnancy rate [57.89% (44/76) vs. 77.78% (49/63), P=0.006, OR=0.814], the ongoing pregnancy rate [47.37% (36/76) vs. 68.25% (43/69), P=0.017, OR=0.829] and the live birth rate [46.05% (35/76) vs. 65.08% (41/63), P=0.042, OR=0.850] of fragmental deletion mosaic embryos were significantly lower than those of fragmental duplication mosaic embryos. Conclusion:Partial mosaic embryo transfer can also achieve healthy live births, and different mosaic ratios and types affect the pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, patients with no available euploid embryos could be counseled about the possibility of transferring a mosaic embryo, taking into consideration the different mosaic ratios and types.