Objective Under the theory guidance of the Fuxingjue and the Tang-Ye-Jing-Fa map,this study aims to explore the common patterns and unique characteristics of five-flavor combinations in formulas for treating different syndromes of cough.Methods Chinese herbal formulas for cough treatment were collected from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)clinical practice guidelines,consensuses,and textbooks,and their flavor combinations and distribution were clarified.Based on the theory of the Tang-Ye-Jing-Fa map regarding the five flavors for lung diseases(sour for tonifying,salty for purging,and pungent for transforming),the dominant flavors in each formula were statistically analyzed.Further classification was conducted according to the cold-heat properties and the amount of phlegm,and the characteristics and five-flavor combination patterns of formulas for different syndromes were analyzed.Results A total of 21 formulas for treating different syndromes of cough were statistically analyzed,among which 85.7%of the formulas had dominant flavors of"sour,salty,and pungent".For hot cough(9 formulas),sour was mainly used to tonify the lung and bitter to purge the heart(e.g.,Sangxing Tang and Qingjin Huatan Tang);for cold cough(4 formulas),pungent was mainly used to tonify the liver and warm yang(e.g.,San'ao Tang combined with Zhike San and Xiaoqinglong Tang);for cough with abundant phlegm(7 formulas),the focus was on using pungent to purge the spleen and eliminate dampness(e.g.,Erchen Tang combined with Sanzi Yangqin Tang);for cough with little or no phlegm(6 formulas),sour was used as the core to tonify the lung and nourish yin(e.g.,Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang).Conclusion From the perspective of the Tang-Ye-Jing-Fa map,the flavors of"sour,salty,and pungent"play an important role in the composition of formulas for treating cough.Although the five-flavor combinations of formulas for different syndromes of cough vary,they share common characteristics when classified according to cold-heat properties and phlegm amount.These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the combination of Chinese herbal formulas for cough treatment by adjusting the proportion of the five flavors in clinical practice.

Objective Under the guidance of the Social Ecosystems Theory(SET)framework,this study explores the experience of social isolation among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),providing a basis for the development of targeted clinical interventions.Methods This study employed purposeful sampling methods.Semi-structured interviews were conducted from April to July 2024 with patients diagnosed with COPD at a tertiary hospital in Shanxi Province,China,who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis method and NVivo 12.0 software.Results This study involved in-depth interviews with 15 patients suffering from COPD,totaling approximately 405 minutes of interview time and yielding over 40,000 words in transcribed text.Totally 3 main themes and 9 sub-themes were distilled,among which the microsystem level reflects the intricate interplay of individual experiences(physical functional limitations,severe negative emotions,heightened emotional imbalance,and weakened social roles);the mesosystem level pertains to the support and challenges from family and social networks(intense need for familial emotional support,widening social gaps in interactions with friends and relatives,and pronounced interpersonal communication barriers);the macrosystem level involves the integrated influence of societal and policy environments(restricted living conditions and urgent demands for policy support and service accessibility).Conclusion The social isolation experienced by patients with COPD manifests in multiple dimensions of experience.It is necessary to develop interdisciplinary and multi-level comprehensive intervention strategies for the future,to create more social opportunities and emotional connections for patients,thereby improving their quality of life.

Osteoporosis is highly prevalent and a leading cause of disability and death in the elderly. Bone metabolism homeostasis is maintained through the coupling of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. While current treatments can reduce bone loss, they may cause side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort. Neuroboneology has gained attention as the nervous system, both directly and indirectly, influences bone metabolism, remodeling, and formation. Studies have also highlighted the role of peripheral nerves and blood vessels in bone health. Neuropeptides, small signaling molecules produced by neurons, regulate vascular function and bone homeostasis. These neuropeptides may offer new insights into the "peripheral nerve-angiogenesis-bone homeostasis" regulation theory. This study explores the impact of peripheral nerves on osteoporosis through neuropeptides.

Objective Under the theory guidance of the Fuxingjue and the Tang-Ye-Jing-Fa map,this study aims to explore the common patterns and unique characteristics of five-flavor combinations in formulas for treating different syndromes of cough.Methods Chinese herbal formulas for cough treatment were collected from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)clinical practice guidelines,consensuses,and textbooks,and their flavor combinations and distribution were clarified.Based on the theory of the Tang-Ye-Jing-Fa map regarding the five flavors for lung diseases(sour for tonifying,salty for purging,and pungent for transforming),the dominant flavors in each formula were statistically analyzed.Further classification was conducted according to the cold-heat properties and the amount of phlegm,and the characteristics and five-flavor combination patterns of formulas for different syndromes were analyzed.Results A total of 21 formulas for treating different syndromes of cough were statistically analyzed,among which 85.7%of the formulas had dominant flavors of"sour,salty,and pungent".For hot cough(9 formulas),sour was mainly used to tonify the lung and bitter to purge the heart(e.g.,Sangxing Tang and Qingjin Huatan Tang);for cold cough(4 formulas),pungent was mainly used to tonify the liver and warm yang(e.g.,San'ao Tang combined with Zhike San and Xiaoqinglong Tang);for cough with abundant phlegm(7 formulas),the focus was on using pungent to purge the spleen and eliminate dampness(e.g.,Erchen Tang combined with Sanzi Yangqin Tang);for cough with little or no phlegm(6 formulas),sour was used as the core to tonify the lung and nourish yin(e.g.,Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang).Conclusion From the perspective of the Tang-Ye-Jing-Fa map,the flavors of"sour,salty,and pungent"play an important role in the composition of formulas for treating cough.Although the five-flavor combinations of formulas for different syndromes of cough vary,they share common characteristics when classified according to cold-heat properties and phlegm amount.These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the combination of Chinese herbal formulas for cough treatment by adjusting the proportion of the five flavors in clinical practice.

A 36-year-old male developed unconsciousness and no response to voice stimuli after taking approximately 2 050 mg felodipine (the specific time was unknown). Two hours later, he was sent to the department of emergency by his family and admitted to the hospital. His vital signs showed body temperature 35.1 ℃, pulse 148 times/min, respiration 32 times/min, and blood pressure 65/34 mmHg. Acute drug poisoning, acute toxic cardiomyopathy, acute toxic shock, acute type Ⅱ respiratory failure, acute toxic encephalopathy, and acute renal failure were diagnosed based on the patient′s clinical manifestations combined with laboratory tests results, cardiac ultrasound, chest and abdominal CT scans. Endotracheal intubation connected to a ventilator for invasive assisted ventilation, pressure boosting, and fluid resuscitation were given. At the same time, repeated gastric lavage and enema were performed to remove toxins. Blood perfusion was intermittently and repeatedly administered, and continuous renal replacement therapy was used. The blood concentration of felodipine was 1 298 μg/L at 2 hours after admission, and cardiac arrest occurred at 4 hours. Venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) treatment was administered immediately. After 48 hours of ECMO operation, sedatives were discontinued and the patient′s consciousness was improved after 4 hours. On the 5th day of ECMO treatment, his heart rate was 72 beats per minute, and blood pressure was 127/65 mmHg. The blood concentration of felodipine decreased to 2 μg/L. The patient′s vital signs were significantly improved and ECMO supportive treatment was withdrawn. After 26 days of hospitalization, the patient recovered and was discharged.

Osteoporosis is highly prevalent and a leading cause of disability and death in the elderly. Bone metabolism homeostasis is maintained through the coupling of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. While current treatments can reduce bone loss, they may cause side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort. Neuroboneology has gained attention as the nervous system, both directly and indirectly, influences bone metabolism, remodeling, and formation. Studies have also highlighted the role of peripheral nerves and blood vessels in bone health. Neuropeptides, small signaling molecules produced by neurons, regulate vascular function and bone homeostasis. These neuropeptides may offer new insights into the "peripheral nerve-angiogenesis-bone homeostasis" regulation theory. This study explores the impact of peripheral nerves on osteoporosis through neuropeptides.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Siegesbeckiae Herba water decoction （SWD） at different doses on atherosclerosis （AS） in a mouse model induced by a high-fat diet and analyze its potential mechanism of action. MethodsThirty-six male ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into six groups： blank control group， model group， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose SWD groups， and positive control group. Firstly， the AS mouse model was created by feeding mice a high-fat diet. After successful modeling， the low-， medium-， and high-dose SWD groups were intragastrically administered with SWD at 0.65， 1.3， 2.6 g·kg^-1， respectively. The positive control group was intragastrically administered with 30 mg·kg^-1 of atorvastatin calcium aqueous solution， while the blank and model groups received an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution via oral gavage， all administered for 12 weeks. During the administration period， the general condition of the mice was observed and recorded daily. Before sampling， color Doppler ultrasound was performed to observe the pathological changes in atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic wall of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in aortic tissue in mice， and oil red O staining was used to detect the atherosclerotic plaque area in the aorta. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the serum lipid indices and the levels of interleukins （IL-1β， IL-4， IL-6， and IL-10） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in mice. Protein expression levels of IKKα， IKKβ， and NF-κB p65 in mouse aortic tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group showed a significant increase in body weight. The results of color Doppler ultrasound showed enhanced vascular wall echo， suggesting the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. HE staining showed foam cell aggregation， fibrous connective tissue proliferation， and vascular intima injury in the aortic tissue. Oil red O staining showed a significant increase in the plaque area in the aortic tissue （P<0.01）. ELISA results indicated significantly elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL） in mouse serum （P<0.01）， as well as significantly decreased levels of IL-4， IL-10， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL） （P<0.01）. Western blot results showed that the expression of IKKα， IKKβ， and NF-κB p65 in mouse aortic tissue increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， mice in the middle- and high-dose SWD groups showed significant weight loss. In the high-dose group， the aortic vascular wall echoes were weakened， and the atherosclerotic plaques were reduced. The aortic lesions of mice in the medium- and high-dose SWD groups were significantly alleviated. The plaque area percentage showed an inverse correlation with the administered dose in all groups treated with SWD （P<0.05）. In the medium-dose SWD group， serum levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while those of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. In the high-dose SWD group， levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while IL-4， IL-10， and HDL were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The IKKα and IKKβ expression was significantly decreased in the low-dose SWD group （P<0.05）， and IKKα， IKKβ， and NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased in the medium- and high-dose SWD groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSWD may exert therapeutic effects on AS by regulating the expression of related inflammatory factors through the NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby reducing inflammation， plaque area， and lipid content in the body.

Objective To investigate the role and related mechanisms of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). Methods Human umbilical cord-derived MSCs were isolated and cultured for the extraction and identification of exosomes. Eighteen male SD rats were randomly divided into Control group, RILI group and RILI + exosomes group (EXO group), with 6 rats in each group. Except for Control group, the other groups received a single X-ray dose of 30 Gy to the right lung. Immediately after irradiation, the EXO group was administered 2 × 10⁹ exosomes/kg via tail vein injection. Control group and RILI group were given the same volume of normal saline. Eight weeks post-irradiation, the rats were sacrificed, lung tissue and peripheral venous blood were collected. HE and Masson staining were employed to observe the pathological and fibrotic changes of lung tissue. The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. RT-qPCR was used to assess the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, Cdh1, and Col1a1 in lung tissue. The expression levels of Vimentin and TGF-β1 in lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemical staining. The expression levels of AMPK, p-AMPK, and TGF-β1 in lung tissue were detected by Western blot. Results MSC-derived exosomes were successfully extracted and identified. Compared with RILI group, EXO group showed significantly reduced pathological changes of lung inflammation and collagen deposition. The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-6, INF-γ, and TNF-α were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and Col1a1 in lung tissue were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the mRNA level of Cdh1 was significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The levels of Vimentin and TGF-β1 in lung tissue were significantly reduced, while p-AMPK level was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). Conclusion Exosomes derived from MSCs may alleviate RILI by inhibiting inflammatory responses and regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediated by AMPK/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of parthenolide （PLT） on systemic inflammation and intestinal injury in rats with acute pancreatitis （AP） by regulating the Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 （Keap1）/nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） signaling pathway. METHODS AP rat model was established by injecting 3.5% sodium taurine cholate solution （1 mL/kg） into the biliary pancreatic duct， and modeled rats were divided into AP group， PLT （300 µg/kg） group， dexamethasone （2 mg/kg） group， inhibitor （11 mg/kg Nrf2 inhibitor ML385） group， and PLT+inhibitor group （300 µg/kg PLT+11 mg/kg ML385）， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 rats were taken as a sham operation group. Each group was given relevant medicine or normal saline via tail vein/intraperitoneal injection once. After 24 h， serum lipase and amylase levels， the levels of oxidative stress index [superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA）] and inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）] were detected. The histopathological changes in colon mucosa and pancreas were observed， and Chiu and Schmidt scores were performed. The cell apoptosis in colon mucosa and the protein expressions of Keap1， Nrf2 and HO-1 were detected. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， there was obvious inflammatory cell infiltration in colon mucosa and pancreatic tissue， cell shedding or tissue necrosis and severe bleeding； serum levels of lipase， amylase， MDA， IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α， Chiu and Schmidt scores， apoptotic rate and protein expression of Keap1 in colonic mucosa were significantly increased or up-regulated， while SOD level and protein expressions of Nrf2 20230993） and HO-1 were decreased or down-regulated significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the AP group， the above indexes in the PLT group and dexamethasone group were significantly improved， while those in the inhibitor group further deteriorated （P＜0.05）. Inhibitor could significantly reverse the improvement effect of PLT on the above indexes in AP rats （P＜ 0.05）. CONCLUSIONS PLT inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress in AP rats， alleviates intestinal damage， and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting protein expression of Keap1 and activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveWith the development of society and the increasing demand for pregnancy at an advanced age， diminished ovarian reserve （DOR） has attracted wider attention. This disease affects the normal menstruation of women and poses a threat to their mental health. Current research on DOR is still in the initial stage， and advancing research progress in DOR necessitates the construction of effective and clinically relevant animal models. Building on existing literature and integrating the diagnosis criteria of DOR in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and Western medicine， this study summarized， analyzed， and evaluated existing models， providing a reference for optimizing DOR animal models. MethodsA retrospective analysis of literature on DOR-related animal models was conducted， and the diagnostic criteria of DOR in TCM and Western medicine were sorted out. By means of evaluation methods of animal models， the clinical relevance of each model to TCM and Western medicine was assessed. ResultsDOR animal models included those based on natural factors， iatrogenic factors， immune factors， metabolic factors， and environmental factors. Among them， the model based on iatrogenic factors， especially models induced by Tripterygium wilfordii preparations， cyclophosphamide， and cisplatin， had a high degree of relevance to both Western medical diseases and TCM syndromes and was confirmed as the optimal modeling method for studying DOR at present. ConclusionThe existing DOR modeling methods mostly have a high degree of clinical relevance to Western medical diseases， while the number of DOR animal models with clear TCM syndromes is very limited. TCM plays an indispensable role in exploring DOR treatment methods. Therefore， the development of DOR animal models related to TCM syndromes should be strengthened， further exploring the potential of TCM and providing strong theoretical support for the application of TCM in DOR treatment.