OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), tissue morphology, and the expression of Fc epsilon RI (FcεRI) pathway proteins spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and membrane spanning 4-domain A2 (MS4A2) in rat model of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and to explore the potential mechanism by which this therapy alleviates pain sensitization. METHODS: Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, and a moxibustion group, with 13 rats in each group. The PHN model was established in the model and moxibustion groups by intraperitoneal injection of resiniferatoxin. In the moxibustion group, bilateral L₄-L₆ "Jiaji" (EX-B2) points were treated with point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread from day 7 post-modeling, with two cones per acupoint per session, every other day for a total of 10 sessions. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before modeling and on days 1, 4, 7, 13, 19, and 25 after modeling. After intervention, HE staining was used to observe DRG morphology. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze DEGs in DRG and conduct bioinformatics analysis. The expression of Syk and MS4A2 mRNA and proteins in the FcεRI pathway in DRG was detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited decreased MWT (P<0.05) and increased TWL (P<0.05); histopathological analysis revealed neuronal atrophy, nuclear displacement, and intracellular vacuoles, with a slightly loose arrangement; the RNA-Seq identified 3,207 DEGs (1,997 upregulated and 1,210 downregulated); the mRNA and protein expression levels of Syk and MS4A2 were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed increased MWT (P<0.05) and decreased TWL (P<0.05), with relatively normal neuronal morphology; the RNA-Seq identified 426 DEGs (250 upregulated and 176 downregulated); the mRNA and protein expression levels of Syk and MS4A2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Venn diagram analysis identified 156 DEGs that showed a reversal in expression trends after treatment, including Syk and MS4A2, which are associated with pain sensitization. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these DEGs were primarily enriched in the FcεRI pathway. CONCLUSION Point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread could alleviate pain sensitization in PHN rats, possibly by inhibiting the FcεRI signaling pathway and downregulating the expression of Syk and MS4A2.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Moxibustion ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic/physiopathology* ; Syk Kinase/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Shenkang injection in delaying diabetic kidney disease by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and attenuating podocyte apoptosis through the Glucose regulated protein 78 （ GRP78 ） / transcription factor C / EBP homologous protein （ CHOP ） signaling pathway （GRP78/CHOP） signaling pathway. MethodsFor the animal experiment， 10 12-week-old db/m mice were selected as a normal group， and 30 12-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into a model group， a Shenkang injection group （15.6 mL·kg^-1）， and a dapagliflozin group （1.6 mg·kg^-1）. To observe the general condition of mice， fasting blood glucose， urinary albumin/urine creatinine （ACR）， and 24 h urine protein quantification were detected in each group before drug administration. After 12 weeks of drug treatment， mice were tested for fasting blood glucose， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density cholesterol （LDL）， ACR， 24 h urine protein quantification， blood creatinine （SCr）， and blood urea （UREA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the pathologic morphology in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of nephroprotective marker protein （Nephrin）， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in renal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， Bax， and Nephrin proteins， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect the expressions of Nephrin， GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， and Bax mRNAs in renal tissue. ResultsBefore drug administration， compared with those in the normal group， the body mass of db/db mice was significantly increased， and blood glucose， 24 h urine protein quantification， and ACR were significantly elevated in the Shenkang injection group and Dapagliflozin group （P<0.01）. After 12 weeks of administration， compared with those in the model group， the general state of mice in the Shenkang injection group was significantly improved， and the body mass was decreased. The blood glucose was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and blood lipids TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The 24 h urine protein quantification and ACR were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and SCr and UREA were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the pathologic results of the Shenkang injection group showed that proliferation of mesangial cells， reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration， and alleviation of renal tubular vacuolization and podocyte damage were observed in renal tissue of mice. Electron microscopy showed that fusion of the pedicle protruding and thickening of the basement membrane were reduced. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly increased （P<0.01） in renal tissue of the Shenkang injection group. Western blot results showed that the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 in the Shenkang injection group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax mRNAs were down regulated in the Shenkang injection group （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 mRNAs were up regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionShenkang injection inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress response and podocyte apoptosis by regulating the GRP78/CHOP signaling pathway， which in turn ensures the integrity of glomerular filtration barrier， reduces the occurrence of proteinuria， improves renal function， and thus delays the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Shenkang injection in delaying diabetic kidney disease by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and attenuating podocyte apoptosis through the Glucose regulated protein 78 （ GRP78 ） / transcription factor C / EBP homologous protein （ CHOP ） signaling pathway （GRP78/CHOP） signaling pathway. MethodsFor the animal experiment， 10 12-week-old db/m mice were selected as a normal group， and 30 12-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into a model group， a Shenkang injection group （15.6 mL·kg^-1）， and a dapagliflozin group （1.6 mg·kg^-1）. To observe the general condition of mice， fasting blood glucose， urinary albumin/urine creatinine （ACR）， and 24 h urine protein quantification were detected in each group before drug administration. After 12 weeks of drug treatment， mice were tested for fasting blood glucose， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density cholesterol （LDL）， ACR， 24 h urine protein quantification， blood creatinine （SCr）， and blood urea （UREA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the pathologic morphology in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of nephroprotective marker protein （Nephrin）， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in renal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， Bax， and Nephrin proteins， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect the expressions of Nephrin， GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， and Bax mRNAs in renal tissue. ResultsBefore drug administration， compared with those in the normal group， the body mass of db/db mice was significantly increased， and blood glucose， 24 h urine protein quantification， and ACR were significantly elevated in the Shenkang injection group and Dapagliflozin group （P<0.01）. After 12 weeks of administration， compared with those in the model group， the general state of mice in the Shenkang injection group was significantly improved， and the body mass was decreased. The blood glucose was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and blood lipids TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The 24 h urine protein quantification and ACR were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and SCr and UREA were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the pathologic results of the Shenkang injection group showed that proliferation of mesangial cells， reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration， and alleviation of renal tubular vacuolization and podocyte damage were observed in renal tissue of mice. Electron microscopy showed that fusion of the pedicle protruding and thickening of the basement membrane were reduced. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly increased （P<0.01） in renal tissue of the Shenkang injection group. Western blot results showed that the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 in the Shenkang injection group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax mRNAs were down regulated in the Shenkang injection group （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 mRNAs were up regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionShenkang injection inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress response and podocyte apoptosis by regulating the GRP78/CHOP signaling pathway， which in turn ensures the integrity of glomerular filtration barrier， reduces the occurrence of proteinuria， improves renal function， and thus delays the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Cardiac remodeling in microgravity exerts effects on astronauts'health and space mission efficiency.This paper analyzes the etiology,pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment of cardiac remodeling in microgravity based on the Trinity View of"Physique-Qi-Spirit"of traditional Chinese medicine.The microgravity environment disrupts the heaven-earth qi interaction law described in"Suwen Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun":"Earth qi ascends to form clouds through heavenly evaporation,while heaven qi descends as rain".This disruption causes upward reversal of human qi and cephalad fluid shift,consequently influencing the dynamic balance of the physique-qi-spirit system and inducing cardiac remodeling.The core pathogenesis initiates with qi upward reversal at the initial stage,advances through spiritual disturbance during progression,and culminates in physical impairment at the terminal stage.We therefore propose a holistic"physique-qi-spirit"co-regulation strategy implemented via three therapeutic principles:regulating qi,stabilizing spirit,and restoring physique.This approach aims to restore the dynamic balance of the"physique-qi-spirit"system in microgravity,apply the concept of"preventive treatment of diseases",holistically prevent or delay cardiac remodeling,and provide Traditional Chinese Medicine solutions for safeguarding astronauts'cardiovascular health.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Yishen Huashi granules in alleviating renal tubular epithelial cell injury and relieving diabetic kidney disease by regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway. MethodsThe db/db mice of 12 weeks old were randomly assigned into model ， dapagliflozin （1.6 mg·kg^-1）， and Yishen Huashi granules （4.7 g·kg^-1）， and db/m mice were used as the control group. The general conditions of mice were observed， and fasting blood glucose and 24-h urinary protein and albumin-to-creatinine ratio （ACR） were measured at weeks 0 and 12 of administration. After 12 weeks of treatment， the levels of serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea （UREA）， triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and low density lipoprotein （LDL） were measured. The pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， Mallory staining， and transmission electron microscopy. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 （MCP-1） and CC chemokine receptor-2 （CCR2） in the renal tissue of mice. The immunohistochemical assay was employed to examine the expression of p38， phospho-p38 （p-p38）， MCP-1， and CCR2 in the renal tissue of mice. Western blotting was employed to measure the protein levels of p-p38， p38， MCP-1， and CCR2 in the renal tissue of mice.HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were grouped as follows： negative control， high glucose（30 mmol·L^-1）， Yishen Huashi granule-containing serum， and SB203580. After 48 h of cell culture in each group， RNA were extracted and the levels of MCP-1， and CCR2 mRNA were determined by Real-time PCR，proteins were extracted and the levels of p38， p-p38， MCP-1， and CCR2 were determined by Western blot. ResultsThe in vivo experiments showed that before treatment， other groups had higher body weight， blood glucose level， 24 h urinary protein， and ACR than the control group （P<0.05，P<0.01）. After 12 weeks of treatment， compared with the model group， the Yishen Huashi granules group showed improved general conditions， a decreasing trend in body weight， lowered levels of blood glucose， 24-h urinary protein， and ACR （P<0.01）， reduced SCr and UREA （P<0.01）， and declined levels of TC， TG， and LDL （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yishen Huashi granules group showed alleviated damage and interstitial fibrosis in the renal tissue as well as reductions in glomerular foot process fusion and basement membrane thickening. Moreover， the Yishen Huashi granules group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of MCP-1 and CCR2 （P<0.01）， reduced positive expression of p-p38， MCP-1， and CCR2 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein levels of p-p38/p38， MCP-1， and CCR2 （P<0.05） in the renal tissue. The cell experiment showed that compared with the high glucose group， the Yishen Huashi granule-containing serum group showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of MCP-1 and CCR2 （P<0.01） and down-regulated protein levels of p-p38/p38， MCP-1， and CCR2（P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionYishen Huashi granules can regulate glucose-lipid metabolism， reduce 24 h urinary protein and ACR， improve the renal function， alleviate the renal tubule injury caused by high glucose， and protect renal tubule epithelial cells in db/db mice by reducing MCP-1/CCR2 activation via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo analyze the diversity and structural characteristics of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased Andrographis paniculata and to explore the interactions of soil， plants， and microorganisms during the occurrence of diseases. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A.paniculata were determined， and the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore， the correlations between physicochemical properties and microorganisms of the rhizosphere soil were explored. ResultsThe content of total nitrogen， total potassium， and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of diseased A. paniculata was significantly higher than that of healthy A. paniculata. The alpha diversity and richness （operational taxonomic units） of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants decreased compared with those of healthy plants. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata showed similar composition but different relative abundance. At the phylum level， the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chytridiomycota significantly increased， while that of Bacteroidota significantly decreased in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. At the genus level， the relative abundance of Sphingomonas， Pseudomonas， and Bryobacter significantly increased， while that of RB41 showed a significant decrease in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. The correlation analysis showed different correlations of microbial phyla with physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil between healthy and diseased plants. Organic matter， alkaline nitrogen， available phosphorus， and total potassium were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of healthy plants， while available nitrogen and total phosphorus were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. ConclusionThere are differences in the diversity and richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata. The physicochemical properties of soil may have an impact on the rhizosphere microorganisms of A. paniculata， leading to the development of diseases. The results provide a scientific basis for the prevention and ecological management of A. paniculata diseases.

ObjectiveTo analyze the diversity and structural characteristics of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased Andrographis paniculata and to explore the interactions of soil， plants， and microorganisms during the occurrence of diseases. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A.paniculata were determined， and the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore， the correlations between physicochemical properties and microorganisms of the rhizosphere soil were explored. ResultsThe content of total nitrogen， total potassium， and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of diseased A. paniculata was significantly higher than that of healthy A. paniculata. The alpha diversity and richness （operational taxonomic units） of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants decreased compared with those of healthy plants. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata showed similar composition but different relative abundance. At the phylum level， the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chytridiomycota significantly increased， while that of Bacteroidota significantly decreased in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. At the genus level， the relative abundance of Sphingomonas， Pseudomonas， and Bryobacter significantly increased， while that of RB41 showed a significant decrease in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. The correlation analysis showed different correlations of microbial phyla with physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil between healthy and diseased plants. Organic matter， alkaline nitrogen， available phosphorus， and total potassium were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of healthy plants， while available nitrogen and total phosphorus were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. ConclusionThere are differences in the diversity and richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata. The physicochemical properties of soil may have an impact on the rhizosphere microorganisms of A. paniculata， leading to the development of diseases. The results provide a scientific basis for the prevention and ecological management of A. paniculata diseases.

Objective To characterize working memory performance in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS)and spleen-deficiency syndrome and to examine its associations with clinical symptoms by Sternberg working memory task(SWMT).Methods 31 CFS patients meeting both CDC-1994 criteria and consensus criteria for spleen-deficiency pattern were recruited from outpatient clinics and universities from September 2022 and June 2025.31 healthy controls were also recruited based on age,sex,and education.All subjects completed the SWMT.Group differences were analyzed.Within the CFS cohort,reaction time(RT)was correlated with scores on the checklist individual strength(CIS),36-item short-form health survey(sf-36),and fatigue scale-14(FS-14).Mediation was examined.Results RT lengthened with increasing memory load in both groups.CFS patients displayed slower RTs than controls in the baseline and 6-digit set(P<0.05).The 3-digit RT difference,though not significant(P>0.05),yielded a medium effect size(r=0.36).Accuracy did not differ between two groups.Among CFS patients,3-digit RT correlated positively with CIS total and the 4 sub-scale scores.6-digit RT correlated with the SF-36 health-transition dimension(r=0.396,P=0.027).CIS and FS-14 scores directly impaired SF-36 social functioning without working-memory mediating.Conclusion CFS patients with spleen-deficiency exhibit slowed processing speed rather than capacity loss.The close link between working-memory slowing and fatigue suggests a distinct neural basis.These results support the traditional concept"the spleen stores Yi"and integrate TCM pattern differentiation with modern cognitive neuroscience in CFS.

Objective·To establish Downs cephalometric norms for the Han Chinese aged 18-25 with harmonious faces,and to analyze gender and regional characteristics.Methods·A stratified sampling approach was used to recruit participants from seven geographic regions across China.Over 30 000 volunteers were screened,and 883 participants with harmonious faces were ultimately included.Basic demographic data were collected,and lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken.Hard tissue measurements were performed with Downs analysis(using anatomical porion).The data were then statistically analyzed to compare gender and regional differences in dentofacial structures.Results·The gender differences in the four hard tissue measurements,the angle of convexity,A-B plane angle,mandibular plane angle,and occlusal plane angle,were statistically significant(P＜0.001).Females showed larger values for the angle of convexity,mandibular plane angle,and occlusal plane angle,but smaller values for the A-B plane angle,compared to males.The gender differences in the interincisal angle,L1 to occlusal plane,L1 to mandibular plane,and U1 to AP plane were not statistically significant.There were regional differences in all 10 measurements of Downs analysis,though some regions shared common features.Specifically,the northeastern,eastern,and southern coastal regions exhibited a smaller facial angle,and larger mandibular plane angle,angle of convexity,occlusal plane angle,and U1 to AP plane.It suggested that,compared to inland regions,individuals from coastal regions tended to have more retrusive chins,steeper mandibular planes,more prominent upper incisors,and more convex hard tissue profiles.Conclusion·Gender differences exist in the dentofacial hard tissue structures of Han Chinese adults with harmonious faces,primarily in skeletal measurements.Each region has its unique dentofacial characteristics,along with some common features.These differences should be taken into account in clinical diagnosis and treatment for the development of personalized and precise therapeutic strategies.

Objective To characterize working memory performance in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS)and spleen-deficiency syndrome and to examine its associations with clinical symptoms by Sternberg working memory task(SWMT).Methods 31 CFS patients meeting both CDC-1994 criteria and consensus criteria for spleen-deficiency pattern were recruited from outpatient clinics and universities from September 2022 and June 2025.31 healthy controls were also recruited based on age,sex,and education.All subjects completed the SWMT.Group differences were analyzed.Within the CFS cohort,reaction time(RT)was correlated with scores on the checklist individual strength(CIS),36-item short-form health survey(sf-36),and fatigue scale-14(FS-14).Mediation was examined.Results RT lengthened with increasing memory load in both groups.CFS patients displayed slower RTs than controls in the baseline and 6-digit set(P<0.05).The 3-digit RT difference,though not significant(P>0.05),yielded a medium effect size(r=0.36).Accuracy did not differ between two groups.Among CFS patients,3-digit RT correlated positively with CIS total and the 4 sub-scale scores.6-digit RT correlated with the SF-36 health-transition dimension(r=0.396,P=0.027).CIS and FS-14 scores directly impaired SF-36 social functioning without working-memory mediating.Conclusion CFS patients with spleen-deficiency exhibit slowed processing speed rather than capacity loss.The close link between working-memory slowing and fatigue suggests a distinct neural basis.These results support the traditional concept"the spleen stores Yi"and integrate TCM pattern differentiation with modern cognitive neuroscience in CFS.