Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity， and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity， this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） herbs that strengthen the spleen， regulate qi， and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation， promoting water-damp metabolism， and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness， internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity， this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the differences in chemical components of Gardenia jasminoides before and after processing with ginger， and to evaluate the quality differences among different producing areas. METHODS Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze the compositional differences of G. jasminoides before and after processing with ginger. The water content， total ash， and ethanol-soluble extract content of ginger- processed G. jasminoides were determined according to the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. High performance liquid chromatography was adopted to determine the contents of genipin gentiobioside， geniposide， crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ in ginger- processed G. jasminoides. RESULTS A total of 49 chemical components were identified from raw G. jasminoides and ginger- processed G. jasminoides， including 14 flavonoids， 15 iridoids， 10 organic acids， 2 alkaloids and 8 other compounds. Among them， 42 components were detected in raw G. jasminoides， 28 in ginger-processed G. jasminoides， and 21 components were common to both. After processing with ginger， raw G. jasminoides lost 21 components （including iridoids， flavonoids， alkaloids， and others）， while 7 chemical components were added （including coumarins， organic acids， organic acid esters， and flavonoids）. For the 15 batches of ginger-processed G. jasminoides， the water content ranged from 5.64% to 7.11%， total ash from 2.92% to 4.87%， and ethanol-soluble extract from 40.61% to 58.02%. The average contents of genipin gentiobioside， geniposide， crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ were 0.108 7， 0.542 2， 0.565 0， and 0.012 5 mg/g， respectively. CONCLUSIONS After processing with ginger， G. jasminoides loses 21 components， while 7 new components are added. Differences are observed in the water content， total ash， ethanol-soluble extract， and the contents of genipin gentiobioside， geniposide， crocin Ⅰ， and crocin Ⅱ of ginger-processed G. jasminoides from different producing areas. Notably， samples from Fujian exhibit high contents of genipin gentiobioside and ethanol-soluble extract， while samples from Jiangxi have a high content of crocin Ⅰ.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a girl with primary microcephaly and growth retardation. METHODS: A girl who was admitted to Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the child and her parents. Trio whole exome sequencing was carried out, and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. This study was approved by the Medical Ethnics Committee of Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Ethics No. 202201278). RESULTS: DNA sequencing revealed that the child has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the WDR62 gene, including a frameshifting c.2963delC (p.Pro988Argfs*80) variant in exon 24 which was inherited from the unaffected father, and a nonsense c.3163G>T (p.Glu1055*) variant in exon 26, which was inherited from her unaffected mother. Both variants were predicted to affect the reading frame of the WDR62 gene. CONCLUSION Based on the clinical manifestations, results of genetic testing and pedigree analysis, the compound heterozygous variants were predicted to underlay the pathogenesis of microcephaly and growth retardation in this child. Above discovery has expanded the mutational spectrum for WDR62-associated Primary microcephaly type 2, and facilitated genetic counseling for the family.
Female ; Humans ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; Heterozygote ; Microcephaly/genetics* ; Mutation ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for the detection of low-level mosaicisms in amniotic fluid samples, and to retrospectively analyze the rare cases of mosaicisms. METHODS: Chromosomal karyotype of the fetus was determined by G-banding analysis of cultured amniotic fluid cells. CMA was used to detect copy number variation of fetal chromosomes, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine the proportion of fetal chromosomal mosaicisms in uncultured amniotic fluid cells. RESULTS: Among 825 prenatal samples, 4 cases of true fetal mosaicisms were detected, which yielded an incidence of 0.48%. Two cases were sex chromosomal mosaicisms, and two were autosomal mosaicisms, which involved chromosomes 8 and 9, respectively. All cases were verified by G-banding analysis of cultured amniotic fluid cells, CMA, and/or FISH. CONCLUSION CMA has a great value for detecting low-level mosaicisms in amniotic fluid samples, though the positive results need to be verified by other techniques and should be interpreted with caution. The review of rare cases can provide a basis for prenatal genetic counseling.
Humans ; Female ; Amniotic Fluid/metabolism* ; Pregnancy ; Mosaicism/embryology* ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Adult ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Microarray Analysis/methods* ; Karyotyping ; Retrospective Studies ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion for abdominal obesity and its effect on blood lipid, lipid accumulation product (LAP) and cardiometabolic index (CMI). METHODS: A total of 150 patients with abdominal obesity were randomly divided into an observation group (75 cases, 5 cases dropped out) and a control group (75 cases, 6 cases dropped out). The control group received lifestyle guidance. The observation group received "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36) on the basis of the control group, 20 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, the waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, body mass index (BMI) were observed, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured, and the LAP and CMI were calculated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the waist circumference, weight and BMI were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), the changes of the above indexes in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the hip circumference, TC level, TG level, LAP and CMI in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), the HDL-C level was increased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05)；the changes of the TC level, TG level, LAP, CMI and HDL-C level in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion can reduce the degree of obesity in patients with abdominal obesity, and improve blood lipid and reduce lipid accumulation.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal/blood* ; Adult ; Lipids/blood* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding for overweight and obese young adults with phlegm-dampness constitution. METHODS: A total of 66 young adults with overweight and obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution were randomly divided into an observation group (33 cases, 2 cases dropped out, 1 case was discontinued) and a control group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped out). Health education guidance was adopted in the control group. On the basis of the intervention in the control group, acupoint thread-embedding was applied in the observation group, two groups of acupoints were used alternately, i.e. bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Daheng (SP15), Daimai (GB26), Shuidao (ST28), Huaroumen (ST24), Fenglong (ST40) and bilateral Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Weiwanxiashu (EX-B3), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25), once a week. Treatment of 8 weeks was required in the two groups. Before treatment, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, the body weight, body fat rate, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated in the two groups; before and after treatment, the phlegm-dampness constitution score and the heart rate variability (HRV) related indexes (total power [TP], low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], LF/HF, standard deviation of the normal to normal inter beat intervals [SDNN], root mean square of the successive differences [RMSSD], percentage of normal RR intervals with duration [PNN50]) were observed, and the clinical efficacy and constitution improvement rate were compared in the two groups. Six months after the treatment completion, the body weight of patients with effective clinical efficacy was observed, and the body weight rebound rate was compared in the two groups. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, the body weight, BMI, body fat rate, waist circumference and hip circumference were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); after 8 weeks of treatment, the body weight, BMI, body fat rate, waist circumference and hip circumference were decreased compared with those before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment in the observation group (P<0.05), and the body weight was decreased compared with that before treatment in the control group (P<0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, the body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and phlegm-dampness constitution score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The differences in the body weight, BMI, body fat rate, waist circumference and hip circumference between before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment, as well as after 4 weeks of treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the TP, LF, HF, SDNN and RMSSD in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate was 90.0% (27/30) in the observation group, which was higher than 46.7% (14/30) in the control group (P<0.05); the improvement rate of phlegm-dampness constitution was 90.0% (27/30) in the observation group, which was higher than 50.0% (15/30) in the control group (P<0.05). Six months after treatment completion, the weight rebound rate was 37.0% (10/27) in the observation group, which was lower than 71.4% (10/14) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupoint thread-embedding can effectively reduce the body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and improve the phlegm-dampness constitution in overweight and obese young adults with phlegm-dampness constitution, regulate autonomic nerve disorders and improve vagus nerve activity, and has a certain long-term effect.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Obesity/physiopathology* ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Overweight/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Yisui Yangxin moxibustion (moxibustion for benefiting the marrow and nourishing the heart) in sequential trial on blood pressure (BP), perimenopausal symptoms, cardiovascular function and heart rate variability (HRV) in prehypertension in perimenopausal women. METHODS: The eligible female patients of prehypertension of perimenopausal period were collected according to the inclusion criteria. Based on the requirements of open two-way qualitative response sequential trial, the sample size was not set in advance, and the matched pair design was used for random division into a moxibustion group and a health education group. The patients of the two groups were treated in pairs, and the analysis was immediately performed after the end of treatment for each pair, and the sequential trial analysis (STA) was diagrammed. The health education group provided the health education for prehypertension to the patients according to 2018 Revised Chinese Hypertension Prevention and Treatment Guidelines. In the moxibustion group, beside the health education for prehypertension, the non-suppurative moxibustion was delivered at Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4) and bilateral Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36), once every two days, 3 treatments per week and for 4 consecutive weeks. Before treatment, in 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, as well as in 1-month follow-up after treatment, BP was measured in each group, separately. Before treatment and in 4 weeks of treatment, the observation was performed in the score of the modified Kupperman scale, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score, the indexes of cardiovascular function (stroke volume [SV], cardiac output per minute [CO], stroke index [SI], cardiac index [CI], left ventricular effective pumping force [VPE], left ventricular energy efficiency [EWK], arterial compliance [AC], left ventricular ejection resistance [VER], blood viscosity (N), and microcirculation half update rate [MHR]), and heart rate variability (HRV) indexes (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], LF/HF, standard deviation of NN interval [SDNN], root mean square of successive differences in adjacent NN intervals [RMSSD]). RESULTS: Based on sequential test line, when the trial was performed to the 17th pair, and the test line touched the upper limit U, meaning the results of the moxibustion group was superior to the health education group, thus, the trial stopped immediately. In 2 and 4 weeks of treatment and in follow-up, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were lower when compared with those before treatment in the moxibustion group (P<0.05); SBP at each time point and DBP in 2 and 4 weeks of treatment in the moxibustion group were lower than those of the health education group (P<0.05). After treatment, the score of the modified Kupperman scale was reduced when compared with that before treatment in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). The score of the modified Kupperman scale and PSQI in the moxibustion group were lower than those of the health education group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, SV, CO, SI, CI and EWK were increased in comparison with the indexes before treatment in the moxibustion group (P<0.05), and VER and N were dropped (P<0.05). After treatment, SV, CO, SI, CI and EWK in the moxibustion group were higher than those of the health education group (P<0.05), and VER and N were lower (P<0.05). After treatment, in the moxibustion group, LF, HF, SDNN and RMSSD were increased in comparison with those before treatment (P<0.05), and LF/HF was declined (P<0.05). In the health education group, after treatment, LF, HF, SDNN and RMSSD decreased when compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, LF, HF, SDNN and RMSSD in the moxibustion group were higher than those of the health education group (P<0.05), and LF/HF was lower (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 94.1% (16/17) in the moxibustion group, higher than that (41.2%, 7/17) in the health education group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion can reduce SBP and DBP in prehypertension of perimenopausal women, alleviate perimenopausal symptoms, improve cardiac function and adjust the overall balance of cardiac autonomic nerves.
Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Perimenopause ; Blood Pressure ; Prehypertension/prevention & control* ; Heart Rate ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult

Objective:To explore inhibitory effect of Tianzhi granule on neuroinflammation in vascular dementia(VD)rats.Methods:Sixty rats were randomly divided into Sham group,VD group,TZG-L group and TZG-H group,with 15 rats in each group.Bilateral common carotid artery occlusion was used to construct VD rats model,Sham group was not ligated.Rats in TZG-L group and TZG-H group were gavaged with Tianzhi granule 5 g/kg,20 g/kg every day,while rats in Sham group and VD group were gavaged with same amount of normal saline for 8 weeks.Y-maze test was used to detect cognitive ability of rats;Nissl staining and FJC staining were used to assess neuronal damage;TUNEL staining was used to detect neuronal apoptosis;immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to detect Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-18,TNF-α,Iba-1,GFAP,MPO,Nrf2,HO-1 protein levels in temporal cortex tissue.PC12 cells was divided into Control group,Glutamate group,TZG-L group and TZG-H group.Glutamate(20 μmol/L)was used to construct neuron injury model.TZG-L group and TZG-H group were added with Tianzhi granule 1 mg/ml,4 mg/ml.Neurons in each group were incubated for 48 h.CCK8 method and TUNEL staining were used to detect activity and apoptosis of neurons;immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to detect Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3,Nrf2,HO-1 protein levels in cells.Results:Compared with Sham group,cognitive ability of rats in VD group were decreased,TUNEL positive neurons ratio was increased,Bcl-2 level was decreased,Bax,Caspase-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-18,TNF-α,Iba-1,GFAP,MPO,Nrf2,HO-1 levels were increased(all P<0.05).Compared with VD group,cognitive ability of rats in TZG-L group and TZG-H group were increased,TUNEL positive neurons ratio was decreased,Bcl-2,Nrf2,HO-1 levels were increased,Bax,Caspase-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-18,TNF-α,Iba-1,GFAP,MPO levels were decreased(all P<0.05).Morphology of neurons in control group were normal;compared with control group,neurons in Glutamate group were swollen,activity of neurons was decreased,apoptosis rate was increased,Bcl-2 level was decreased,Bax,Caspase-3,Nrf2,HO-1 levels were increased(all P<0.05);compared with Glutamate group,cell damage in TZG-L group and TZG-H group were reduced,activity of neurons was increased and apoptosis rate was decreased,Bcl-2,Nrf2,HO-1 levels were increased,Bax,Caspase-3 levels were decreased(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Tianzhi granule can inhibit neuronal apoptosis and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in VD rats,inhibit activa-tion of microglia/astrocytes and neutrophil infiltration,improve neuroinflammation of VD,which may play a role by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in neurons.

Objective To integrate multi-source heterogeneous literature data from China Na-tional Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang,VIP,and Web of Science(WoS)databases u-sing bibliometric methods,and to comparatively analyze the differences in knowledge structure charac-teristics and evolutionary pathways of organoid research between China and foreign countries.Meth-ods CiteSpace software was employed to conduct a visual atlas analysis of the publication volume,countries,institutions,authors,and keywords of 1,118 Chinese literatures and 10,871 English lit-eratures.Results China ranked the second globally in terms of publication volume(accounting for 22.09％),but exhibited low centrality in international collaboration networks.The density of the do-mestic institutional collaboration network was 0.003,indicating a relatively loose structure,with Fudan University leading domestic output with 15 Chinese papers.Keyword emergence analysis revealed that"organ-on-a-chip"and"biomechanics"have emerged as new hotspots since 2024.Conclusion It is recommended to establish an interdisciplinary collaborative innovation alliance to focus on break-throughs in the translational directions of organ-on-a-chip and biomechanics,thereby addressing the imbalance between"scale and quality"in China's organoid research.