ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treatment of simple obesity patients and its effects on the metabolism-inflammation network. MethodsSeventy-two patients with simple obesity were randomly divided into a electroacupuncture group and a sham electroacupuncture group， with 36 patients in each group. In the electroacupuncture group， conventional acupuncture was applied at Zhongwan （CV 12）， bilateral Tianshu （ST 25）， bilateral Daheng （SP15）， Qihai （CV 6）， Guanyuan （CV 4）， bilateral Zusanli （ST 36） and Fenglong （ST 40）. The sham electroacupuncture group used placebo needle at same acupoints as the electroacupuncture group. Both groups were given sparse-dense waves with a frequency of 2/10 Hz， 30 minutes per session， 3 times a week， for a total of 8 weeks of treatment. The changes of human body parameters including body weight， body mass index （BMI）， waist circumference， and body fat percentage （BFP）， metabolic factors including serum fasting blood glucose （FBG）， triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high density lipoprotein （HDL）， low density lipoprotein （LDL）， leptin， and ghrelin， and inflammatory factors including interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） were compared before and after treatment. Correlations between changes in leptin， ghrelin and inflammatory factors were further analyzed. ResultsWaist circumference was significantly reduced after treatment in both groups compared with baseline （P＜0.05）， and the post-treatment waist circumference was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the sham electroacupuncture group （P＜0.05）； body weight， BMI and BFP decreased significantly after treatment compared to pretreatment levels in the electroacupuncture group （P＜0.05）. Serum leptin， IL-6 and TNF-α declined significantly after treatment in both groups versus baseline （P＜0.05）； the electroacupuncture group had lower post-treatment levels of leptin， IL-6 and TNF-α as well as larger pre-post changes than the sham group （P＜0.05）； ghrelin increased markedly after treatment in both groups （P＜0.05）， with higher post-treatment ghrelin and greater pre-post variation observed in the electroacupuncture group （P＜0.05）. In the electroacupuncture group， changes in ghrelin were negatively correlated with IL-6 and positively correlated with TNF-α （P＜0.01）； in the sham electroacupuncture group， ghrelin changes were negatively correlated with both IL-6 and TNF-α， whereas leptin changes were positively correlated with the two inflammatory markers （P＜0.01）. ConclusionElectroacupuncture can effectively improve clinical manifestations， as well as regulate serum metabolic and pro-inflammatory factors in patients with simple obesity， and discrepant correlation patterns of metabolism-inflammation are observed between the two groups.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tianmeng Lingjiao Formula（天礞羚角方， TLF） as an adjunctive therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation （PAF） with phlegm-heat harassing the interior syndrome. MethodsNinety patients with PAF and phlegm-heat harassing the interior syndrome were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 2∶1 ratio to test group （60 cases） and control group （30 cases）. The control group received conventional western medicine， while the test group received TLF in addition to the conventional treatment， with one dose administered daily. The treatment course for both groups was 4 weeks. The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome and the rate of atrial fibrillation （AF） conversion were compared between groups. Assessments included AF burden， frequency and duration of AF episodes， TCM syndrome scores， and European Heart Rhythm Association （EHRA） AF symptom classification before and after treatment. Safety indicators such as blood routine， urine routine， stool routine， liver function， kidney function， and electrolytes were also monitored. Adverse events were recorded. ResultsA total of 82 patients completed the study （54 in the test group and 28 in the control group）. After treatment， AF burden， the frequency and duration of AF episodes， and TCM syndrome scores were significantly reduced in both groups， and the test group showed lower indicators than the control group （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. The AF conversion rate was 25.93% （14/54） in the test group， significantly higher than 3.57% （1/28） in the control group （P＜0.05）. The total effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy was 83.33% （45/54） in the test group， which was significantly higher than 67.86% （19/28） in the control group （P＜0.05）. After treatment， the EHRA atrial fibrillation symptom severity in the test group showed significant improvement， and the improvement in atrial fibrillation symptoms was superior to that in the control group （P＜0.01or P＜0.05）. No significant abnormalities were observed in safety indicators， and no adverse events occurred during the trial. ConclusionTLF as an adjunctive therapy can reduce AF burden， enhance the conversion rate of AF， decrease the frequency and duration of episodes， and improve clinical symptoms in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation presenting with phlegm-heat harassing the interior syndrome， with a favorable safety profile.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of schisanlactone E in ameliorating neuroinflammation and synaptic injury in APP/PS1 mice and to elucidate whether its mechanism is related to the regulation of helper T cell 17 （Th17）/regulatory T cell （Treg） immune balance. MethodsAPP/PS1 transgenic mice were assigned into model， low- and high-dose （2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and 4 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） schisanlactone E， and donepezil （1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） groups. C57BL/6J mice were used as the control group. Each group received the corresponding drug by gavage for 30 days. Learning and memory abilities were assessed by the Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests. The percentages of Th17 and Treg cells in the peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt （RORγt）， interleukin （IL）-17A， forkhead box protein 3 （FoxP3）， and IL-4 in the hippocampus were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The synaptic ultrastructure in the hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein levels of synapsin Ⅰ and postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95） in the hippocampus were measured by Western blot. Aβ aggregation and microglial activation in the hippocampus were observed by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in the hippocampus were determined by Real-time PCR. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed prolonged escape latency （P<0.05）， decreased time spent in the target quadrant， platform crossings， novel object exploration time， and percentage of novel object contact frequency （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased Aβ aggregation in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.01）， an increased proportion of Th17 cells （P<0.05）， a decreased proportion of Treg cells （P<0.05）， and an increased Th17/Treg ratio （P<0.01） in the peripheral blood. Furthermore， the hippocampal tissue in the model group exhibited upregulated mRNA levels of RORγt and IL-17A （P<0.05， P<0.01）， downregulated mRNA levels of FoxP3 and IL-4 （P<0.01）， decreased synapses （P<0.05）， decreased PSD density， synaptic interface curvature， and active zone length （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased synaptic cleft width （P<0.05）， downregulated protein levels of Synapsin Ⅰ and PSD95 （P<0.01）， increased microglial activation （P<0.01）， and upregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose schisanlactone E group and the donepezil group exhibited shortened escape latency and increased time in the target quadrant and platform crossings （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The schisanlactone E groups and the donepezil group showed increased novel object exploration time （P<0.05， P<0.01） and percentage of novel object contact frequency （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced hippocampal Aβ aggregation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The schisanlactone E groups showed a decreased proportion of Th17 cells （P<0.05） and an increased proportion of Treg cells （P<0.05） in the peripheral blood， and all treatment groups showed a decreased Th17/Treg ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose schisanlactone E group showed a downregulated mRNA level of RORγt in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.05）， and all treatment groups showed a downregulated mRNA level of IL-17A （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated mRNA levels of FoxP3 and IL-4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The schisanlactone E groups and the donepezil group showed increased synapses， active zone length， synaptic interface curvature， and PSD density， decreased synaptic cleft width （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated protein levels of synapsin Ⅰ and PSD95 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose schisanlactone E group and the donepezil group showed decreased microglial activation in the hippocampus （P<0.01）. The schisanlactone E groups and the donepezil group showed downregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSchisanlactone E significantly improves the cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice by regulating the Th17/Treg immune balance， inhibiting neuroinflammation， and ameliorating synaptic injury.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of aspirin curcumin ester （CA） on the activation and glucose metabolism reprogramming of the mouse microglia （BV2） model of inflammation induced by high glucose/β-amyloid （Aβ）_1-42， and to explore the potential mechanism of CA in reducing neuroinflammatory response in the brain. MethodsThe BV2 activation model was constructed by high glucose combined with Aβ_1-42 oligomers. BV2 cells were treated with Aβ_1-42 oligomers （10 μmol·L^-1） in a high glucose （50 mmol·L^-1） environment and allocated into normal， high glucose， Aβ， and high glucose + Aβ groups. The cell morphology of each group was observed under a bright field. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was adopted to assess the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） as well as glycolysis-related glucose transporter type 1 （GLUT1）， hexokinase 2 （HK2）， phospofructokinase-2/fructose-2，6-bisphosphatase 3 （PFKFB3）， and pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2）. To reveal the effects of CA on inflammatory response and glucose metabolism in BV2 cells exposed to high glucose/Aβ_1-42， this study established the BV2 cell model of inflammatory activation by high glucose and Aβ_1-42 oligomer intervention. The cells were allocated into normal， model （50 mmol·L^-1 glucose + 10 μmol·L^-1 Aβ_1-42）， CA （10 μmol·L^-1）， 2DG （0.2 mmol·L^-1）， and DADA （1 mmol·L^-1） groups. Cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to detect cell survival rate. The cell morphology of each group was observed under a bright field. The expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β and glycolysis-related key enzymes GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 at the mRNA level in each group was measured by real-time PCR. The protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 were determined by Western blot. The glycolysis rate in each group was measured by seahorse. LC-MS was employed to identify the glucose metabolism intermediates. The morphology of mitochondria in cells was observed by electron microscopy. ResultsConstruction of the BV2 cell model： Compared with the normal group， the Aβ group and the high glucose + Aβ group showed more amoeboid-shaped cells and cell aggregation. The high glucose + Aβ group exhibited increased the mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， as well as those of key glycolytic enzymes GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.01）. The Aβ group also showed significantly increased mRNA levels of PKM2 and PFKFB3 （P<0.01）. Effects of CA on the inflammatory response and glucose metabolism in BV2 cells exposed to high glucose/Aβ_1-42： Compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited amoeboid-shaped cells and cell aggregation， upregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， iNOS， GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.01） and protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， and PFKFB3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， an increased basal glycolysis rate （P<0.01）， a decreased compensatory glycolysis rate （P<0.01）， increased glycolytic intermediates and reduced TCA cycle intermediates. In addition， the mitochondria in the model group exhibited a decreased number （P<0.05）， impaired crista integrity （P<0.01）， an increased proportion of vacuolization （P<0.01）， and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Compared with those in the model group， the number of amoeboid-shaped BV2 cells reduced in the CA and 2DG groups， while most BV2 cells in the DADA group became elongated spindle-shaped. All the three treatment groups showed downregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， downregulated protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， and PFKFB3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and slow compensatory glycolysis and basal glycolysis （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Glycolytic intermediates were decreased and TCA cycle intermediates were increased in the CA and 2DG groups. Mitochondrial morphology largely returned to the normal level in all the three treatment groups， with an increase in mitochondrial number （P<0.05）， improved crista integrity （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a decreased proportion of vacuolization （P<0.05）. ConclusionAβ_1-42 oligomers can activate BV2 cells and enhance glycolytic activity in the high glucose environment. CA can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors and inhibit the activation of BV2 cells by regulating the glucose metabolism reprogramming in BV2 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of paeoniflorin （PF） on neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in the rat model of Alzheimer's disease （AD） and to clarify whether its mechanism is associated with regulation of the Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway. MethodsGlycosides related to AD-associated neuroinflammation were screened through bibliometric analysis， and the potential targets of PF were predicted through network pharmacology and molecular docking. A rat model of AD was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose （100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Rats were assigned into a control group， a model group， a PF （200 mg·kg^-1） group， and a donepezil （0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and drugs were administered by gavage for 21 days. The learning and memory abilities were evaluated by the Morris water maze （MWM）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were performed to observe hippocampal neuronal morphology. The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein levels of molecules in the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed prolonged escape latency and decreased platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.05， P<0.01）， accompanied by increased expression of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， as well as elevated ratios of phosphorylated （p）-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PF group and donepezil group exhibited shortened escape latency and increased platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α， upregulated mRNA levels of interleukin-4 （IL-4） and interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and reduced ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionPaeoniflorin can alleviate cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation in the rat model of AD by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH)is one of the common target organ damage of hypertension."Yang leading to qi and yin leading to formation"is the basic form of human material and energy metabolism and disease development.The pathogenesis of hypertension LVH is inseparable from the imbalance of yin and yang.The deficiency of"yang leading to qi"leads to the decline of zang-fu function,deficiency of qi and blood,and the excess of"yin leading to formation"leads to the accumulation of pathological products such as phlegm and fluid,both of which are important pathogenesis of hypertensive LVH.Hypertensive LVH can be seen at the beginning of yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity,liver hyperactivity and wind movement,qi and blood deficiency,and later yin and yang deficiency,phlegm and blood stasis interjunction and other symptoms.In the treatment of hypertensive LVH,the early stage should be based on nourishing yin and extinguishing wind,regulating qi and blood,and the later stage should be based on supplementing yin and yang,expelling phlegm and promoting blood,so as to improve the clinical efficacy of TCM treatment of this disease.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and genetic sequencing results of a patient with Kallmann syndrome(KS) carrying digenic mutations who initially presented with osteoporosis, and to enhance awareness of this disease phenotype.Methods:Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood DNA was extracted for whole-exome sequencing. Relevant literature was reviewed to summarize phenotypes associated with digenic/oligogenic variants involving CHD7.Results:The patient exhibited back pain, delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics, and hyposmia. Laboratory tests revealed reduced sex hormones and gonadotropin levels, while pituitary imaging was unremarkable. Bone mineral density imaging confirmed osteoporosis, and thoracolumbar X-rays showed multiple vertebral compression fractures. Genetic analysis identified a heterozygous splice-site mutation in CHD7(c.2698-1G>T) and a heterozygous missense mutation in WDR11(c.439G>A: p.D147N). According to ACMG criteria, the CHD7 mutation was classified as pathogenic, while the WDR11 variant was defined as a variant of uncertain significance(VUS). Literature review indicated that 40% of KS patients with digenic/oligogenic variants involving CHD7 presented with hearing or ocular abnormalities.Conclusion:This study reports a novel CHD7 mutation and a previously undescribed digenic combination of CHD7 and WDR11 variants in a KS patient. CHD7 variants may be implicated in auditory or ocular involvement in KS cases with digenic/oligogenic inheritances. KS patients may also manifest skeletal abnormalities in addition to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Tailored management of sex hormones and osteoporosis therapies across life stages is essential for optimizing bone health in KS.

Objective To explore the relationship between sarcopenia and related indicators and quality of life in the elderly hypertensive population.Methods A total of 104 elderly patients with hypertension who were hospitalized in the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from January to December 2024 were selected as research subjects.The general information,biochemical indicators,blood pressure variability,skeletal muscle mass index,grip strength and walking speed of patients were collected,and the quality of life was evaluated by World Health Organization quality of life-brief version(WHOQOL-BREF).Patients were divided into non-sarcopenia group(n=46)and sarcopenia group(n=58)based on the presence or absence of sarcopenia.The clinical data and quality of life of patients in two groups were compared.Results There were statistically significant differences in gender,age,body mass index,serum albumin,24-hour systolic blood pressure coefficient of vatiation(SCV),24-hour diastolic blood pressure coefficient of vatiation(DCV)and WHOQOL-BREF score between two groups of patients(P＜0.05).Sarcopenia was negatively correlated with the quality of life in the physical and psychological domains(P＜0.05),but not correlated with the quality of life in the social relationship and environmental domains(P＞0.05).Both 24-hour SCV and 24-hour DCV were risk factors for quality of life in the physiological and psychological domains,while serum albumin was a protective factor for the quality of life in the physiological and psychological domains(P＜0.05).Conclusion Sarcopenia,serum albumin,24-hour SCV and 24-hour DCV in elderly hypertensive population are all correlated with the quality of life in the physiological and psychological domains.Attention should be paid to the physical function training of such people,ensuring adequate nutritional intake,actively detecting and reducing blood pressure variability to improve the overall quality of life.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Xuanbi Decoction as an adjuvant therapy for rheumatoid arthritis(RA)with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome,and its impacts on the interleu-kin-23(IL-23)/helper T cell 17(Th 17)inflammatory axis,as well as the levels of matrix metallo-proteinase-3(MMP-3)and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1).Methods A total of 95 RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome were selected as the study subjects,and randomly divided into control group(48 cases)and observation group(47 cases).The control group received western medicine treatment,while the observation group received Xuanbi Decoction treat-ment based on the control group.The clinical efficacy,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syn-drome scores,imaging assessment results,disease activity,indicators of the IL-23/Th17 inflammatory axis,MMP-3,TIMP-1 and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate in the observation group was 95.74％,which was significantly higher than 81.25％in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores(joint pain,joint swell-ing,yellow and greasy tongue coating as well as slippery and rapid pulse)in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the DAS28 and Sharp scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of IL-23,Th17,IL-17 and MMP-3 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the TIMP-1 level was significantly higher(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Xuanbi Decoction as an adjuvant therapy for RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome demonstrates significant efficacy and high safety.

Autism spectrum disorder(ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and social impairment was one of the core symptoms of ASD, which can seriously affects the social life of patients.The pathogenesis of social impairment in ASD is unclear and it may involves many brain abnormalities.The related theories and hypotheses are numerous and there is no unified conclusion. Studies have shown that the cerebellum has extensive connections with brain networks and is involved in the regulation of social cognition, but its role in ASD has not been fully emphasized.The structural and functional abnormalities of the cerebellar-cortex (CC) loop in ASD patients can lead to language communication disorders, empathy disorders, difficulties in interpreting social cues, abnormal social reward processing and emotional regulation disorders, which are closely related to ASD social impairment. Noninvasive brain stimulation of the superficial cerebellum can improve the abnormal CC circuit in ASD patients, and the cerebellum can be considered as a target for the treatment of social disorders in ASD in the future.Based on the clinical and basic researches on social impairment in ASD in recent years, this article reviews the relevant manifestations of disorders which cerebellar and CC circuit involved, aiming to promote the development of related research in the future.