Narrative medicine focuses on empathy， relevance， and emotion， precisely aligning with the elements of “clown doctor” such as compassion， interaction， and pain relief. From the perspective of narrative medicine， the practice of “clown doctors” not only focuses on the emotional changes of patients but also enhances their sense of belonging by recreating their experiences. The key element for the success of “clown doctors” lies in establishing a multi-dimensional trust relationship among medical workers， patients， colleagues， and society， while ensuring their practice adheres to medical ethics norms. “Clown doctors” should concentrate on dimensions such as concept dissemination， clinical application， social recognition， and ethical practice of narrative medicine. They should also constantly optimize narrative techniques， deepen the understanding of patients’ stories， and intervene in the medical process in a more delicate and comprehensive way， thereby fostering in-depth communication and understanding between doctors and patients.

OBJECTIVE To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of postauricular versus intratympanic dexamethasone injection in the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss （SSNHL） with all frequency loss. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on 150 patients with SSNHL with all frequency loss who were treated at the Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Chinese Medicine between June 1， 2020， and May 31， 2025. According to different injection routes， the patients were divided into the intratympanic group （intratympanic injection， n ＝78） and the postauricular group （postauricular injection， n ＝72）. The differences in hearing threshold indicators and auditory outcomes before and after treatment， tinnitus/vertigo indicators， coagulation function indicators before and after treatment， as well as adverse reactions during treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS After treatment， both groups demonstrated significant reductions in the mean speech-frequency threshold and the mean hearing threshold compared with baseline （ P ＜0.05）， whereas no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups （ P ＞0.05）. Therapeutic outcomes varied significantly across different degrees of hearing loss in each group （intratympanic group： P ＝0.005； postauricular group： P ＜0.001）. Moreover， a significant linear trend relationship was observed between the degree of hearing loss and treatment efficacy grades （ P ＜0.001）， indicating that the more severe the hearing loss， the poorer the treatment outcome （ P ＜0.05）. Notably， the intratympanic group demonstrated superior efficacy compared with the postauricular group in patients with severe and profound hearing loss （ P ＜0.05）. Among patients presenting with vertigo prior to treatment， the postauricular group exhibited a significantly higher response rate than the intratympanic group （ P ＜0.05）， while no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in patients with tinnitus （ P ＞0.05）. Regarding coagulation parameters， fibrinogen （FIB） levels and activated partial thromboplastin time decreased or shortened significantly follo wing therapy （ P ＜0.05）， whereas thrombin time （TT） and prothrombin time were significantly prolonged （ P ＜0.05）. Moreover， the postauricular group showed lower FIB levels and longer TT values compared with the intratympanic group （ P ＜0.05）. No significant differences were identified between the two groups in the incidence of gastrointestinal reactions， bleeding manifestations， hepatic or renal dysfunction， or allergic reactions （ P ＞0.05）； however， vestibular adverse reactions occurred more frequently in the intratympanic group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with intratympanic injection， postauricular dexamethasone injection combined with conventional treatment regimens achieved comparable efficacy in overall hearing improvement in SSNHL patients with all frequency loss. However， the postauricular injection shows potential advantages in vertigo relief， enhancing treatment response in patients with varying degrees of hearing loss， regulating of coagulation function， and declucing of vestibular adverse reactions， while the intratympanic injection may be more suitable for patients with severe hearing loss.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Zuogui Wan （ZGW） in improving ovarian inflammatory microenvironment and stemness of ovarian germline stem cells （OSCs） for treating ovarian aging via the cyclic guanosine monophosphate/adenosine monophosphate synthase （cGAS）/stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathway. MethodsForty C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a low-dose ZGW group （2.7 g·kg^-1）， a high-dose ZGW group （5.4 g·kg^-1）， and an estradiol valerate group （0.15 mg·kg^-1）， with 8 mice in each group. Except the blank group， all other groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide at 120 mg·kg^-1 to establish an ovarian aging mouse model. After successful modeling， each group was continuously administered for 4 weeks， once daily. The physiological status of the mice was observed， and the ovarian index was calculated. The estrus cycle of the mice was monitored. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe pathological changes in ovarian tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum sex hormone levels. Serum inflammatory factors interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and mouse interleukin-6 （IL-6） levels were detected using kits. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of ovarian cGAS， STING， p-STING， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， p-TBK1， interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 （Fragilis）， and Vasa homolog protein （MVH）. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in ovarian tissue. Immunofluorescence double labeling was performed to locate OSCs in ovarian tissues， and fluorescence intensities of OSCs markers MVH and octamer binding transcription factor 4 （Oct4） were calculated. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed reduced body weight， ovarian wet weight， and ovarian index （P<0.01） and a disordered estrus cycle （P<0.01）. In addition， the levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were increased （P<0.01）， while anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH） and estradiol （E₂） levels were decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression of cGAS， p-STING/STING， and p-TBK1/TBK1 in ovarian tissue was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while that of OSCs stemness factors MVH and Fragilis was reduced （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence indicated a reduction in MVH and Oct4 expression in OSCs （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in ovarian tissue was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups exhibited improved body weight， ovarian wet weight， and ovarian index （P<0.05） and a reduced rate of estrus cycle disorder （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum FSH， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while AMH and E₂ levels were increased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of cGAS， p-STING/STING， and p-TBK1/TBK1 in ovarian tissue were decreased （P<0.05）， while the protein expression of MVH and Fragilis was increased （P<0.05）， and the fluorescence intensities of MVH and Oct4 were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in ovarian tissue was decreased （P<0.05）. ConclusionZGW alleviate ovarian inflammatory response， regulate ovarian microenvironment homeostasis， and maintain stemness of OSCs in ovarian aging mice probably by modulating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway， thereby improving ovarian function and delaying ovarian aging.

With the rising incidence of diabetes， diabetic kidney disease （DKD） has become a significant global health burden. Although current prevention and treatment strategies can partially delay the progression of DKD， the risk of patients advancing to end-stage renal disease remains high. Since the concept of the "gut-kidney axis" was first introduced at the International Congress on Dialysis in 2011， research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of DKD has received increasing attention. This review summarizes the current research on gut microbiota， explores the mechanisms through which it contributes to DKD development， and outlines clinical approaches for DKD prevention and treatment based on the "gut-kidney axis" theory. Evidence indicates that dietary interventions， intake of probiotics or prebiotics， use of metformin and novel antidiabetic drugs， and application of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compound formulas can effectively improve gut microbiota composition， influence metabolite production， and restore the intestinal mucosal barrier. These interventions can further regulate intestinal innate immunity and inflammatory responses， thereby modulating the progression of DKD. Despite challenges posed by the traditional oral administration of water-decocted TCM compound formulas and the complexity of their ingredients， increasing evidence suggests that TCM may indirectly affect the occurrence and development of DKD by modulating gut microbiota. This finding provides a new perspective on the potential mechanisms of TCM in DKD treatment and may offer novel strategies for DKD prevention and therapy.

ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently， the gene family members were subject to analysis， including gene structure， chromosomal localization， cis-acting elements， gene synteny， and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR， the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally， correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca， unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies， with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes， 12 bHLH genes （such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74） were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem， while 9 bHLH genes （such as PIL13， UNE12， and bHLH130） were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca， the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata， and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes， 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems， flowers， and fruits. Specifically， bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata， thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally， GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.

Tourette syndrome （TS） is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children， clinically characterized primarily by motor and/or vocal tics. Its pathogenesis is associated with hyperactivity of the dopaminergic system in the basal ganglia， and current medical treatments are limited by adverse reactions and unsatisfactory efficacy. In traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， TS is classified under categories such as "liver wind" and "convulsions"， and is considered to be closely related to liver dysregulation. Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis （URCU） is a commonly used wind-dispelling herb. URCU has a clearly defined origin and a rich chemical composition， with alkaloids as its major active constituents， including rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. Its plasma components include multiple prototype alkaloids， which exhibit metabolic differences and phenomena such as enterohepatic circulation. Its brain-entering components possess blood-brain barrier permeability， and their distribution is associated with pharmacological effects. In recent years， increasing numbers of studies have focused on the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of the active components of URCU in the treatment of TS. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms by which URCU and its main active constituents exert therapeutic effects on TS from the following aspects： regulation of monoamine and amino acid neurotransmitters to improve neurotransmitter system imbalance， neuroprotection and intervention in neuroinflammation-related pathways； antioxidant effects through activation of antioxidant signaling pathways， and immunomodulatory functions influencing immune cells and the gut microbiota. In addition， the clinical application of compound formulas containing URCU in the treatment of TS is summarized， with the aim of providing new perspectives for further research on the pharmacological mechanisms of URCU and the treatment of TS.

ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently， the gene family members were subject to analysis， including gene structure， chromosomal localization， cis-acting elements， gene synteny， and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR， the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally， correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca， unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies， with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes， 12 bHLH genes （such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74） were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem， while 9 bHLH genes （such as PIL13， UNE12， and bHLH130） were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca， the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata， and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes， 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems， flowers， and fruits. Specifically， bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata， thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally， GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.

Tourette syndrome （TS） is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children， clinically characterized primarily by motor and/or vocal tics. Its pathogenesis is associated with hyperactivity of the dopaminergic system in the basal ganglia， and current medical treatments are limited by adverse reactions and unsatisfactory efficacy. In traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， TS is classified under categories such as "liver wind" and "convulsions"， and is considered to be closely related to liver dysregulation. Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis （URCU） is a commonly used wind-dispelling herb. URCU has a clearly defined origin and a rich chemical composition， with alkaloids as its major active constituents， including rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. Its plasma components include multiple prototype alkaloids， which exhibit metabolic differences and phenomena such as enterohepatic circulation. Its brain-entering components possess blood-brain barrier permeability， and their distribution is associated with pharmacological effects. In recent years， increasing numbers of studies have focused on the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of the active components of URCU in the treatment of TS. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms by which URCU and its main active constituents exert therapeutic effects on TS from the following aspects： regulation of monoamine and amino acid neurotransmitters to improve neurotransmitter system imbalance， neuroprotection and intervention in neuroinflammation-related pathways； antioxidant effects through activation of antioxidant signaling pathways， and immunomodulatory functions influencing immune cells and the gut microbiota. In addition， the clinical application of compound formulas containing URCU in the treatment of TS is summarized， with the aim of providing new perspectives for further research on the pharmacological mechanisms of URCU and the treatment of TS.

Patients with Takayasu arteritis combined with aortic valve disease often have a poor prognosis following surgical valve replacement, frequently encountering complications such as perivalvular leakage, valve detachment, and anastomotic aneurysm. This article presents a high-risk case wherein severe aortic valve insufficiency associated with Takayasu arteritis was successfully managed through transcatheter aortic valve implantation via the transapical approach. The patient had satisfactory valve function with no complications observed during the six-month postoperative follow-up. This case provides a minimally invasive and feasible alternative for the clinical management of such high-risk patients.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among left behind and non left behind primary and secondary school students in the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NIPRCES) areas of central and western China, so as to provide evidence for improving the nutritional status of children and adolescents. Methods: A survey was conducted among 123 782 students selected by random cluster sampling method in grades 3-9 from NIPRCES in central (Hebei, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, Hunan, Hubei, and Hainan) and western (Gansu, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Tibet, Shaanxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Xinjiang, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Yunnan, Qinghai, and Chongqing) China in 2023. Anthropometric measurements and questionnaires were used to assess nutritional and dietary status. The prevalence of undernutrition was compared between left behind and non left behind students by Chi square test, and associated factors were analyzed by three level Logistic mixed effects model. Results: The prevalence of undernutrition was 8.5% (4 326) in left behind students and 8.1% (5 905) in non left behind students. Three level Logistic mixed effect model analysis showed that whether left behind or non left behind, the undernutrition rates of primary and secondary students in western regions were higher than those of students in central regions [ OR (95% CI )=1.72(1.57-1.87),2.25(2.07- 2.43 )]; the undernutrition risk was lower for those whose fathers had a cultural level of high school or above [ OR (95% CI )=0.69(0.62-0.77),0.90(0.82-0.98)] or junior high school [ OR (95% CI )=0.72(0.66-0.79),0.92(0.85-0.99)] compared to those with primary school or below; picky eating or selective eating increased the risk of undernutrition [ OR (95% CI )=2.36(2.07-2.68),2.28(2.04-2.55)], and primary and secondary school students without nutritional content in health education classes had higher rates of undernutrition [ OR (95% CI )=1.12(1.03-1.23),1.09(1.01-1.17)](all P <0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of undernutrition is slightly higher in left behind primary and secondary students than in non left behind primary and secondary students in central and western NIPRCES areas, with variations across different characteristics.