Stasis-heat is a pathological factor associated with numerous exogenous and internal injuries, representing a pivotal mechanism in disease progression. Its primary cause is fire-heat toxicity. Based on the theory of qi and the holistic perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, this concept emphasizes that the biochemistry of all natural phenomena relies on the dynamic movement of qi ascending, descending, exiting, and entering. Within six qi, "fire" includes sovereign and ministerial fires. While physiological ministerial fire is the source power of life, pathological ministerial fire manifests as violent, intense energy that readily interacts with blood, leading to the formation of stasis-heat. Therefore, this article examines the formation and treatment of stasis-heat resulting from ministerial fire dysfunction. From the perspectives of ministerial fire gasification, the shape and quality of meridians, and the elevation of ministerial fire, it elucidates why the "pericardium-sanjiao-gallbladder" axis is regarded as pivotal. Furthermore, when the "pericardium-sanjiao-gallbladder" ministerial fire axis is unfavorable, and the stagnation of ministerial fire elevation and blockage is crucial to stasis-heat formation. Additionally, the depletion of essence and blood in the liver and kidneys, preventing the proper storage of ministerial fire, forms the pathological foundation. Drawing upon The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor, this article explores therapeutic principles based on the rules of odor treatment: "when fires in the interior, the treatment of salty and cold, accompanied by bitter and pungent, acid to astringe, bitter to disperse." These principles are applied to achieve specific therapeutic goals: tempering the excess of ministerial fire to cool the nutritive level and transform stasis; adjusting the imbalance of elevation and depression to vent heat and unblock stasis; and restoring the misplaced fire by nourishing blood to expel stasis. Through these approaches, the article aims to reestablish the proper circulation of ministerial fire, dissipate blood stasis, and ultimately eliminate stasis-heat, thereby offering an integrated perspective on its pathogenesis and treatment.

BACKGROUND:Nobiletin has been found to improve lipopolysaccharide-induced abnormal activation of microglia,excessive release of inflammatory factors and redox imbalance.However,the specific mechanism is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the molecular mechanism by which nobiletin can inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in BV2 microglia. METHODS:Passage 3 BV2 microglia were divided into three groups:control group was cultured for 24 hours(without any treatment).Lipopolysaccharide group was treated with 10 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours.Lipopolysaccharide+nobiletin group was treated with 20 μmol/L nobiletin for 6 hours and then 10 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours.After the processing,cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species was detected by fluorescent probe.The mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor κB p65,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin-1β were detected by qRT-PCR.The protein expression levels of nuclear factor κB p65,p-nuclear factor κB p65,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin-1β were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the proliferation activity of lipopolysaccharide group was decreased(P<0.001).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the cell proliferation activity of lipopolysaccharide+nobiletin group was increased(P<0.001).(2)Compared with the control group,the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species was increased in the lipopolysaccharide group(P<0.001).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species was decreased in the lipopolysaccharide+nobiletin group(P<0.01).(3)Compared with the control group,the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-1β were increased in the lipopolysaccharide group(P<0.001,P<0.01).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-1β were decreased in the lipopolysaccharide+nobiletin group(P<0.01,P<0.05).(4)Compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of p-nuclear factor κB p65,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin-1β in were increased the lipopolysaccharide group(P<0.001).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the expression of p-nuclear factor κB p65,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin-1β was decreased in the lipopolysaccharide+nobiletin group(P<0.001).(5)These findings suggest that nobiletin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in BV2 microglia by suppressing nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Traditional Chinese medicine has rich experience and unique advantages in the empirical treatment of phlegm-heat and Fu-organs excess syndrome of ischemic stroke.In order to further explore the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine for this disease,it is crucial to establish a stable and reliable animal model of phlegm-heat and Fu-organs excess syndrome combined with empirical symptoms of ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE:To explore the establishment method and evaluation system of the rat model of ischemic stroke with phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome. METHODS:Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:blank control group(n=12),ischemic stroke group(n=18),disease+syndrome group(n=18),phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome group(n=12),all of which were given high-fat diet for 25 days.On the 26th day,the rats in the blank control group and ischemic stroke group were intragastrically given normal saline and high fat diet,while those in the other two groups were intragastrically given autologous feces suspension and high fat diet for 3 continuous days.After gavage,ischemic stroke models were established using the suture method in the ischemic stroke group and disease+syndrome group.The changes in diet,water intake,body mass,body temperature,fecal traits,nasal secretions,sputum in the throat,and tongue image were recorded.Neurological deficits,tongue image,blood lipid levels,morphological changes of brain tissue and carotid artery,and the serum levels of motilin and somatostatin were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the rats in the disease+syndrome group had shortness of breath,listlessness,irritability,bradykinesia,a large number of secretions around the nose,audible and heavy sputum in the throat,decreased diet and water intake,increased body mass,body temperature,and slingual vein score,decreased fecal pellet count,Bristol score and fecal moisture content,increased serum total cholesterol,triglyceride,low-density lipoprotein and somatostatin levels,decreased motilin level,increased neurological deficit score,significant pathological changes of the carotid artery,and significant morphological changes of the brain tissue.The ischemic stroke group only showed pathological changes of ischemic brain tissue,without the characteristics of phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome.The phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome group could present with the typical characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes,without the pathological changes of brain tissue with ischemic stroke.To conclude,the compound modeling method of high-fat induction combined with suture method and autologous feces gavage can establish an animal model of ischemic stroke with phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome.

This study explored the mechanism of Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction(XSLJZD) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia(FD) based on inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1)/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) pathway-mediated autophagy in interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC). Forty-eight SPF-grade male SD suckling rats were randomly divided into a blank group and a modeling group, and the integrated modeling method(iodoacetamide gavage + disturbance of hunger and satiety + swimming exhaustion) was used to replicate the FD rat model. After the model replications were successfully completed, the rats were divided into a model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of XSLJZD(12, 6, and 3 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a positive drug group(mosapride of 1.35 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and the intervention lasted for 14 days. The gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate of rats in each group were measured. The histopathological changes in the gastric sinus tissue of rats in each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The ultrastructure of ICC was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The immunofluorescence double staining technique was used to detect the protein expression of phospho-IRE1(p-IRE1), TNF receptor associated factors 2(TRAF2), phospho-ASK1(p-ASK1), phospho-JNK(p-JNK), p62, and Beclin1 in ICC of gastric sinus tissue of rats in each group. Western blot was used to detect the related protein expression of gastric sinus tissue of rats in each group. Compared with those in the blank group, the rats in the model group showed decreased body weight, gastric emptying rate, and intestinal propulsion rate, and transmission electron microscopy revealed damage to the endoplasmic reticulum structure and increased autophagosomes in ICC. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the ICC of gastric sinus tissue showed a significant elevation of p-IRE1, TRAF2, p-ASK1, p-JNK, and Beclin1 proteins and a significant reduction of p62 protein. Western blot revealed that the expression levels of relevant proteins in gastric sinus tissue were consistent with those of proteins in ICC. Compared with the model group, the body weight of rats in the high-dose and medium-dose groups of XSLJZD was increased, and the gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate were increased. Transmission electron microscopy observed amelioration of structural damage to the endoplasmic reticulum of ICC and reduction of autophagosomes, and the p-IRE1, TRAF2, p-ASK1, p-JNK, and Beclin1 proteins in the ICC of gastric sinus tissue were significantly decreased. The p62 protein was significantly increased. Western blot revealed that the expression levels of relevant proteins in gastric sinus tissue were consistent with those of proteins in ICC. XSLJZD can effectively treat FD, and its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the expression of molecules related to the endoplasmic reticulum stress IRE1/ASK1/JNK pathway in ICC and the improvement of autophagy to promote gastric motility in ICC.
Animals ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal/metabolism* ; Dyspepsia/physiopathology* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5/genetics* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Humans ; Endoribonucleases/genetics* ; Multienzyme Complexes

The tumor microenvironment is a crucial factor in tumor occurrence and progression. The hypoxic microenvironment is widely present in tumor tissue and is a key endogenous factor accelerating tumor deterioration. The "blood stasis toxin" theory, as an emerging perspective in tumor research, is regarded as the unique "soil" in tumor progression from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) due to its dynamic evolution mechanism, which closely resembles the formation of the hypoxic microenvironment. Scientifically integrating TCM theories with the biological characteristics of tumors and exploring precise syndrome differentiation and treatment strategies are key to achieving comprehensive tumor prevention and control. This article focused on the hypoxic microenvironment of the tumor, elucidating its formation mechanisms and evolutionary processes and carefully analyzing the internal relationship between the "blood stasis toxin" theory and the hypoxic microenvironment. Additionally, it explored the interaction among blood stasis, toxic pathogens, and hypoxic environment and proposed micro-level prevention and treatment strategies targeting the hypoxic microenvironment based on the "blood stasis toxin" theory, aiming to provide TCM-based theoretical support and therapeutic approaches for precise regulation of the hypoxic microenvironment.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF) channel technique combined with pedicle screw internal fixation in the treatment of single-segment lumbar intervertebral space/vertebral body infection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 23 patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbar infection from January 2021 to December 2022. The patients were divided into the OLIF channel group and the traditional open surgery group according to the surgical methods. There were 16 cases in the OLIF channel group, including 9 males and 7 females, with an average age of (68.5±12.1) years old;there were 7 cases in the traditional open surgery group, including 4 males and 3 females, with an average age of (75.0±3.2) years old. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, incision length, visual analogue scale(VAS), activities of daily living (ADL) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP) before and 1 week and 3 months after the operation, and the intervertebral fusion status on the last follow-up CT were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the open surgery group, the OLIF channel group had shorter operation time (209.87±31.5) min vs. (246.0±42.7) min, less intraoperative blood loss (225.625±91.1) ml vs. (364.2±74.8) ml, and shorter incision length (6.1±1.2) vs. (14.0±1.4) cm, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Before and 1 week and 3 months after the operation, the lumbar VAS in the OLIF group were (6.3±0.6), (2.8±0.7), (1.1±0.5), and those in the traditional open surgery group were (6.4±0.6), (3.4±0.5), (1.2±0.3);the ADL scores in the OLIF group were (45.0±4.5), (60.3±4.3), (94.1±4.2), and those in the open group were (46.4±5.6), (60.7±4.5), (92.9±4.9); the ODI scores in the OLIF group were (86.3±2.9)%, (69.5±4.1)%, (23.0±3.2)%, and those in the open group were (87.3±3.8)%, (69.8±4.2)%, (23.8±3.6)%, all of which showed significant improvement(P<0.05). Three months after the operation, CRP, PCT, and ESR were significantly lower than those before the operation, and CRP and PCT returned to normal, while ESR was still slightly elevated in some patients. The last follow-up CT showed that continuous trabecular bone formation was observed between the upper and lower endplates of the surgical segments in all patients, and the fusion time was (8.7±4.5) months. CONCLUSION The OLIF channel technique combined with posterior internal fixation is a minimally invasive and effective treatment method, which can effectively control infection, relieve pain, and improve the quality of life of patients. Compared with traditional open surgery, it has the advantages of minimally invasive, shorter operation time, and less intraoperative blood loss.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/microbiology* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Pedicle Screws ; Infections/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects of pomalidomide-based regimen in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). METHODS: 60 patients with RRMM in hematology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from November 2020 to January 2023 were selected. Among them, 15 cases were treated with PDD regimen (pomalidomide + daratumumab + dexamethasone), and 45 cases were treated with PCD regimen (pomalidomide + cyclophosphamide + dexamethasone). The clinical effects were evaluated. RESULTS: The median number of treatment cycles for the entire cohort was 5 (2-11), with an overall response rate (ORR) of 75.0%. The ORR of patients treated with PDD regimen was 73.3%, while the ORR of patients treated with PCD regimen was 75.6%. The ORR of 46 patients with non high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (non-HRCA) was 86.9%, significantly higher than the 35.7% of 14 patients with HRCA (χ² =15.031, P < 0.05). The median PFS for all patients was 8.0(95%CI : 6.8-9.1) months and the median OS was 14.0 (95%CI : 11.3-16.7) months. Among patients treated with PDD regimen, the PFS and OS of patients with non-HRCA were significantly higher than those of patients with HRCA [PFS: 7.0(95%CI : 4.6-9.3) months vs 4.0(95%CI : 3.1-4.8) months, χ² =5.120, P < 0.05; OS: not reached vs 6.0(95%CI : 1.1-10.9) months, χ² =9.870, P < 0.05]. Among patients treated with PCD regimen, the PFS and OS of patients with non-HRCA were significantly higher than those of patients with HRCA [PFS: 9.0(95%CI : 6.2-11.8) months vs 6.0(95%CI : 5.4-6.6) months, χ²=14.396, P < 0.05; OS: not reached vs 11.0(95%CI : 6.4-15.6) months, χ² =7.471, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION The pomalidomide-based regimen has a good clinical effect and safety in the treatment of RRMM.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Thalidomide/administration & dosage* ; Dexamethasone/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Aged ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Antibodies, Monoclonal

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) exerts its analgesic effects through regulating brain function in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients by utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: From September 2021 to September 2023, we enrolled LDH patients (LDH group, n=31) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n=28). LDH group underwent rs-fMRI at 2 distinct time points (TPs): prior to the initiation of SMT (TP1) and subsequent to the completion of the SMT sessions (TP2). SMT was administered once every other day for 30 min per session, totally 14 treatment sessions over a span of 4 weeks. HCs did not receive SMT treatment and underwent only one fMRI scan. Additionally, participants in LDH group completed clinical questionnaires on pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, whereas HCs did not undergo clinical scale assessments. The effects on the brain were jointly characterized using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Correlation analyses were conducted between specific brain regions and clinical scales. RESULTS: Following SMT treatment, pain symptoms in LDH patients were notably alleviated and accompanied by evident activation of effects in the brain. In comparison to TP1, TP2 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Sup_R and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Paracentral_Lobule_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Additionally, the most substantial enhancement in ReHo values was observed for the Cuneus_R, while the most prominent reduction was noted for the Olfactory_R (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Moreover, a comparative analysis revealed that, in contrast to HCs, LDH patients at TP1 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Pole_Sup_L and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Frontal_Mid_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Furthermore, the most significant enhancement in ReHo values was observed for Postcentral_L, while the most prominent reduction was identified for ParaHippocampal_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Notably, correlation analysis with clinical scales revealed a robust positive correlation between the Cuneus_R score and the rate of change in the VAS score (r=0.9333, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Long-term chronic lower back pain in patients with LDH manifests significant activation of the "AUN-DMN-S1-SAN" neural circuitry. The visual network, represented by the Cuneus_R, is highly likely to be a key brain network in which the analgesic efficacy of SMT becomes effective in treating LDH patients. (Trial registration No. NCT06277739).
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Manipulation, Spinal/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management ; Rest ; Case-Control Studies

Objective:To explore the surgical intervention strategy for metastatic cervical lymph nodes surrounding the carotid artery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:A total of 62 patients with advanced head and neck tumors and carotid wrap by disease treated in Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between June 2019 and December 2023 were reviewed, of whom 9 patients presented with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes of unknown primary or with no recurrence of primary lesion and all the 9 patients were males, aged from 48 to 79 years old, with≤level 2 of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status (ECOG-PS). Radiographically common carotid artery (CCA) and/or internal carotid artery (ICA) were surrounded by≥270° with tumor. All the 9 patients received implantation of covered stent in carotid artery and radical resection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes. The success rate, complications, surgery-related complications, local recurrence rate, quality of life (QOL) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. The QOL of patients was compared by paired rank sum test, and P<0.05 indicated statistically significant difference. The OS was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier. Results:The success rate of stent implantation was 100%, with no implantation-related complications. R0 resection was performed in 8 cases and R1 resection in 1 case. The QOL of patients after surgery was improved, and the improvements in "pain", "mood" and "anxiety" were statistically significant( Z values were -2.236, -2.460 and -2.200, respectively, and all P values were<0.05). Follow-up was 1-18 months, with a median of 7 months, and 1 case was lost to follow-up. Local recurrence occurred in 3 patients with an incidence of 37.5% (3/8). OS was 59.9% at 12 months after surgery. Conclusion:Implantation of covered stent in carotid artery combined with radical resection is an effective method for the treatment of cervical lymph node metastasis.

Objective VATER/VACTERL-like association is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.Genetic evidence of this disorder is sporadic.In this study,we aimed to provide genetic insights to improve the diagnosis of VACTERL. Methods We have described a Chinese family in which four members were affected by renal defects or agenesis,anal atresia,and anovaginal fistula,which is consistent with the diagnosis of a VACTERL-like association.Pedigree and genetic analyses were conducted using genome and exome sequencing. Results Segregation analysis revealed the presence of a recessive X-linked microdeletion in two living affected individuals,harboring a 196-380 kb microdeletion on Xq27.1,which was identified by familial exome sequencing.Genome sequencing was performed on the affected male,confirming a-196 kb microdeletion in Xq27.1,which included a 28%loss of the CDR-1 gene.Four family members were included in the co-segregation analysis,and only VACTERL-like cases with microdeletions were reported in X27.1. Conclusion These results suggest that the 196-380 kb microdeletion in Xq27.1 could be a possible cause of the VATER/VACTERL-like association.However,further genetic and functional analyses are required to confirm or rule out genetic background as the definitive cause of the VACTERL association.