"Dietary inquiry" is a core component of the diagnostic system in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， which can be divided into three aspects including appetite， eating capacity， and food preference. Abnormalities in appetite are mainly attributed to dysfunction of the mind and impaired regulatory mechanisms. Clinical inquiry should focus on hunger sensation and the willingness to eat voluntarily. Treatment should aim to soothe the liver， regulate the spleen， nourish and calm the mind. Abnormalities in eating capacity are related to disorders of qi movement and structural dysfunction， for which inquiry should focus on whether food descends smoothly and on postprandial reactions， and the corresponding treatment is descending qi， relieving fullness， and promoting bowel movement and digestion. Abnormalities in food preference arise from damage caused by the five flavors and imbalance of visceral qi， for which inquiry should focus on dietary preferences and whether eating brings comfort. It is important to distinguish between "stomach preference" and "oral preference"， and treatment should carefully differentiate flavor tendencies and correct imbalances through appropriate dietary flavors. By refining the content of dietary inquiry， this study explores how different dimensions of eating status reflect the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation-based treatment in TCM， providing a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of spleen and stomach diseases and related disorders.

"Dietary inquiry" is a core component of the diagnostic system in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， which can be divided into three aspects including appetite， eating capacity， and food preference. Abnormalities in appetite are mainly attributed to dysfunction of the mind and impaired regulatory mechanisms. Clinical inquiry should focus on hunger sensation and the willingness to eat voluntarily. Treatment should aim to soothe the liver， regulate the spleen， nourish and calm the mind. Abnormalities in eating capacity are related to disorders of qi movement and structural dysfunction， for which inquiry should focus on whether food descends smoothly and on postprandial reactions， and the corresponding treatment is descending qi， relieving fullness， and promoting bowel movement and digestion. Abnormalities in food preference arise from damage caused by the five flavors and imbalance of visceral qi， for which inquiry should focus on dietary preferences and whether eating brings comfort. It is important to distinguish between "stomach preference" and "oral preference"， and treatment should carefully differentiate flavor tendencies and correct imbalances through appropriate dietary flavors. By refining the content of dietary inquiry， this study explores how different dimensions of eating status reflect the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation-based treatment in TCM， providing a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of spleen and stomach diseases and related disorders.

Gouty arthritis （GA） is caused by monosodium urate（MSU） deposition due to purine metabolism disorders. In traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， it falls under the category of "dampness-heat Bi syndrome"， with core pathogenesis involving dampness-heat accumulation and dysfunction of the spleen and kidney. The dampness-heat syndrome is the most common and the primary syndrome type during acute attacks. In Western medicine， GA is associated with purine metabolism imbalance and inflammation triggered by MSU crystals， involving pathways such as NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome activation and Toll-like receptor 2/4 （TLR2/4） signaling. Clinically， colchicine and similar drugs are commonly used to treat GA， although long-term use carries potential side effects. Ermiao Formula analogs originate from ancient prescriptions， including Ermiao， Sanmiao， and Simiao compound formulas. All contain Atractylodis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex. Ermiaowan follow a 1∶1 formulation ratio. Sanmiaowan add Cyathulae Radix. Simiaowan further incorporate Coicis Semen. These formulas are rich in active ingredients， including alkaloids， terpenoids， flavonoids， and sterols， and treat GA through multi-component， multi-pathway， and multi-target mechanisms. Ermiaosan primarily exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pathways such as TLR4/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） or regulating immune responses to reduce the release of inflammatory mediators， while also suppressing xanthine dehydrogenase （XDH） and xanthine oxidase （XO） activity to decrease uric acid production. Sanmiaowan enhance uric acid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects through the guiding herb Cyathulae Radix， while also protecting cartilage from damage. Simiaowan utilizes Coicis Semen to regulate intestinal flora， alleviate dampness-heat symptoms， and exert multi-pathway anti-inflammatory and uric acid-lowering effects. The active ingredients contribute differently to uric acid metabolism regulation， anti-inflammation， antioxidant activity， and bone repair， resulting in varying therapeutic effects due to differences in formula composition. In summary， formulas derived from Ermiaosan demonstrate significant efficacy in treating dampness-heat type GA. This review summarizes their research progress and mechanisms， providing a reference for clinical application， new drug development， and further studies.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Guizhi Fulingwan （GFW） against hepatic fibrosis， focusing on elucidating the regulatory effect of GFW on the mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA）/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）/gasdermin D （GSDMD） signaling pathway. MethodsForty-two male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly allocated into six groups （n=7）： control， model， low/medium/high-dose （0.14， 0.28， 0.56 g·kg^-1·d^-1） GFW （GFW-L， GFW-M， GFW-H）， and Dahuang Zhechong pills （DZW， 1.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. General conditions of the rats were observed. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels were measured. Liver histopathology and collagen deposition were observed through hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was employed to observe structural alterations and damage of cellular ultrastructures including mitochondria. Mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP， ΔΨ_m） was detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA levels of mtDNA and NLRP3 in the liver tissue were quantified by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein levels of key molecules in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway in the liver tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a decrease in body weight （P<0.01）， an increase in liver index （P<0.01）， elevations in serum ALT and AST levels （P<0.01）， and typical fibrotic features such as disorganized hepatocytes， inflammatory infiltration， and increased collagen deposition in the liver tissue. TEM revealed significant karyotheca degeneration， mitochondrial swelling， endoplasmic reticulum expansion， and organelle efflux in the model group. In addition， the model group showed decreased ΔΨ_m （P<0.01）， up-regulated mRNA levels of mtDNA and NLRP3 （P<0.01） and protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD （P<0.01） in the liver tissue， and increased serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the model group， the body weight increased in GFW-L， GFW-M， and DZW groups （P<0.05） and markedly increased in the GFW-H group （P<0.01）. The liver index decreased in the GFW groups and DZW group （P<0.01）. The serum ALT level declined in the GFW-L group （P<0.05）， and the serum ALT and AST levels decreased in the GFW-M， GFW-H， and DZW groups （P<0.01）. Histopathological damage and fibrosis were alleviated to varying degrees， and TEM revealed mitigated ultrastructural injuries including mitophagy， mitochondrial swelling， and endoplasmic reticulum expansion in the drug intervention groups. The ΔΨ_m increased in GFW groups without statistical significance. The mRNA level of mtDNA in the liver tissue was down-regulated in the GFW-M （P<0.05）， GFW-H （P<0.01）， and DZW （P<0.01） groups. The mRNA level of NLRP3 was down-regulated in GFW-M， GFW-H， and DZW groups （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis showed significantly down-regulated protein level of NLRP3 in all the GFW groups and the DZW group （P<0.01）. The protein level of GSDMD-N was down-regulated in GFW-H and DZW groups （P<0.01）. The protein level of cleaved Caspase-1 was down-regulated in GFW-M （P<0.05）， GFW-H （P<0.01）， and DZW （P<0.01） groups. In addition， the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 declined in GFW-H and DZW groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionGFW can suppress pyroptosis to ameliorate CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis， potentially through mitigating mitochondrial damage， inhibiting inflammasome assembly and activation， and blocking pro-inflammatory cytokine release.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the molecular mechanism of Tiaozhong huashi decoction in improving gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） by regulating endoplasmic reticulum autophagy in rat esophageal interstitial cells of Cajal （ICC） through p62 signaling pathway.METHODS After establishing a rat GERD model via the weak acid intragastric administration and irregular diet， the rats were randomly divided into model group， western medicine group [1.56 mg/（kg·d） of mosapride， 3.125 mg/（kg·d） of lansoprazole] and low-， medium- and high-dose Tiaozhong huashi decoction [4.713， 9.425， 18.85 g/（kg·d）] groups. A blank group was also set up， with 8 rats in each group. The rats in each group were intragastrically administered with corresponding liquid or normal saline twice a day for 14 days. During the intervention period， the general conditions of rats’ hair， spirit， diet and defecation were observed. After the last gavage， the pathological changes of esophageal tissue and the ultrastructure of ICC were observed. The relative expression and positive expression levels of p62， autophagy-related protein 8 （ATG8）， 200 kDa FAK family kinase-interacting protein （FIP200） and Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 （ULK1） in esophageal tissue were detected.RESULTS Compared with the blank group， rats in the model group exhibited listlessness； thickening of the esophageal basal layer， elongation of lamina propria papillae with inflammatory cell infiltration； markedly dilated endoplasmic reticulum appearing as round vacuolar cisternae with ribosome detachment； and a small number of accumulated autophagosomes. The relative expression and positive expression levels of p62， ATG8， FIP200， and ULK1 were significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the above pathological injuries in the medium- and high-dose Tiaozhong huashi decoction groups had all improved to varying degrees； the damaged endoplasmic reticulum structure was repaired， and no autophagosome accumulation was observed. In particular， the relative expression levels and positive expression levels of p62， ATG8， FIP200， and ULK1 in esophageal tissue of rats in the medium-dose Tiaozhong huashi decoction group were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS Tiaozhong huashi decoction ameliorated esophageal mucosal injury in GERD rats， and its mechanism was possibly associated with activation of the p62 signaling pathway and restoration of the endoplasmic reticulum structure， morphology， and autophagic capacity of ICC.

Objective:To investigate the function changes in neurovascular coupling (NVC) in patients with white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and its correlation with cognitive impairment.Methods:Thirty patients with moderate to severe WMHs admitted to the First People's Hospital of Changzhou from April 2023 to June 2024 (as case group), and 30 subjects with no or mild WMH matched by age, gender and educational level (as the control group) were included prospectively. The general clinical information was collected and cognitive assessment was conducted. Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected to quantify cerebral blood flow (CBF) and functional connectivity strength (FCS). NVC function was evaluated through voxel-wise CBF-FCS correlation analysis. The CBF-FCS coefficients between groups were compared, the correlation between NVC and cognitive function was explored using partial correlation analysis, controlling for the false discovery rate (FDR).Results:The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in moderate to severe WMHs group was significantly higher than that in the no or mild WMH group (all P<0.05), while the overall cognitive function, executive function and episodic memory function were significantly lower than those in the no or mild WMH group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the CBF-FCS coefficients of the whole brain gray matter between the moderate to severe WMHs group and the no or mild WMHs group. The CBF-FCS coefficients of the bilateral orbital frontal gyrus, right anterior cingulate gyrus, and bilateral hippocampus in the moderate to severe WMHs group were significantly lower than those in the no or mild WMHs group, while the CBF-FCS coefficients of the bilateral parietal gyrus and caudate nucleus were significantly higher than those in the no or mild WMHs group (all q<0.05 after FDR adjustment). Partial correlation analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, and education level, the CBF-FCS coefficients of the right anterior and lateral cingulate gyrus were negatively correlated with the executive function completion time in the moderate to severe WMHs group ( r=-0.55, q=0.04 after FDR adjustment), and the CBF-FCS coefficients of the right hippocampus were significantly positively correlated with the episodic memory scores ( r=0.59, q=0.03 after FDR adjustment). These correlations were not statistically significant in the no or mild WMHs group. Conclusion:Patients with moderate to severe WMHs exhibit NVC abnormalities in specific brain regions, which are closely associated with executive function and episodic memory impairment, suggesting that NVC dysfunction may be an important mechanism for WMHs-related cognitive impairment.

Objective : To investigate the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on the composition of 15 intestinal-derived estrogens and their metabolites (EMs) and its correlation with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) . Methods: Thirty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into a normal control group (Control) , a high- sugar high-fat diet combined with low-dose CCl4 -induced NAFLD model group ( Model) , and a group of model mice treated with fecal microbiota from normal female mice (FMT) . After 17 weeks of modeling , liver pathology in each group was observed using HE staining , biochemical methods were used to measure serum alanine aminotrans- ferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels , as well as hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total choles- terol (TC) levels. and the content of 15 EMs in portal vein serum was detected using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) . The correlation between disease phenotype and intesti- nal EMs was analyzed using Pearson ′s method. Results: The NAFLD model was successfully established , and the FMT group showed improved liver structure and morphology , with significant decreases in liver function and hepatic lipids compared to the Model group. In NAFLD mice , the contents of E1 , E2 , and their 2- and 4-position metabo- lites in portal vein blood serum was reduced compared to normal mice , while the content of most 16- and 17-posi- tion metabolites ( except 16α-OHE1) increased compared to normal mice. Correlation analysis showed that ALT was strongly positively correlated with E3 and 17-epiE3 , and strongly negatively correlated with E1 , E2 , 4- MeOE1 , and 16α-OHE1 . The TC was strongly positively correlated with 17-epiE3 and strongly negatively correla- ted with E1 , 4-MeOE1 , and 16α-OHE1 . Conclusion FMT restores the disrupted composition of intestinal EMs and improves NAFLD.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)exerts integrative effects on complex diseases owing to the char-acteristics of multiple components with multiple targets.However,the syndrome-based system of diagnosis and treatment in TCM can easily lead to bias because of varying medication preferences among physicians,which has been a major challenge in the global acceptance and application of TCM.Therefore,a standardized TCM prescription system needs to be explored to promote its clinical application.In this study,we first developed a gradient weighted disease-target-herbal ingredient-herb network to aid TCM formulation.We tested its efficacy against intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).First,the top 100 ICH targets in the GeneCards database were screened according to their relevance scores.Then,SymMap and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology(TCMSP)databases were applied to find out the target-related ingredients and ingredient-containing herbs,respectively.The relevance of the resulting ingredients and herbs to ICH was determined by adding the relevance scores of the corresponding targets.The top five ICH therapeutic herbs were combined to form a tailored TCM prescriptions.The absorbed components in the serum were detected.In a mouse model of ICH,the new prescription exerted multifaceted effects,including improved neurological function,as well as attenuated neuronal damage,cell apoptosis,vascular leakage,and neuroinflammation.These effects matched well with the core pathological changes in ICH.The multi-targets-directed gradient-weighting strategy presents a promising avenue for tailoring precise,multipronged,unbiased,and standardized TCM prescriptions for complex diseases.This study provides a paradigm for advanced achievements-driven modern innovation in TCM concepts.

Objective:To investigate the semen characteristics of male patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) complicated by infertility and the impact of PKD1 mutations on their reproductive outcomes following preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases (PGT-M). Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of ADPKD patients in the Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2015 to December 2023. The study included two groups: observation group consisting of male infertility patients with ADPKD aged 20-45 years ( n=78), and control group comprising ADPKD patients with PKD1 mutations who demonstrated normal semen parameters ( n=5). According to the type of mutation, the patients were further divided into the PKD1 truncated mutation group and the non-truncated mutation group. Baseline data, ovulation induction outcomes and PGT-M clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effects of age, family history, mutation type and mutation position on semen quality and live birth rates. Results:In the observation group, there were 28 cases of asthenozoospermia, 38 cases of oligoasthenozoospermia, and 12 cases of azoospermia. The total sperm count and forward motility ratio of patients with asthenozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, and azoospermia in the observation group were significantly different from those in control group (all P<0.001). Genetic diagnosis revealed PKD1 mutations in 70 cases, PKD2 mutation in 1 case, and no known pathogenic mutations were identified in 7 cases. Among the 70 ADPKD patients with PKD1 mutations, 52 couples underwent PGT-M assisted reproduction. The blastocyst formation rate was significantly lower in the non-truncating mutation group [44.74% (51/114)] than in the truncating mutation group [58.76% (161/274), P=0.011]. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in other parameters including age of both partners, semen parameters, number of oocytes retrieved, two pronuclei (2PN) rate, number of available embryos, high-quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate (all P>0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that neither PKD1 mutation type nor PKD1 mutation site was an independent factor affecting semen parameters and live birth rate in ADPKD patients (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Asthenospermia and oligoasthenospermia are the most common semen phenotypes in ADPKD-associated male infertility. The PKD1 mutation type and location are not associated with abnormal semen parameters in ADPKD-associated infertility patients. PKD1 mutation types do not affect the outcomes of PGT-M in infertile patients with ADPKD.

Objective To explore and construct the clinical questions and outcome indicators of the Clinical Practice Guideline of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome;To provide a basis for the subsequent preparation of this guide to form recommendations.Methods First,by searching the databases of seven major Chinese and English journals,including CNKI,the preliminary list of clinical problems and outcome indicators in the Clinical Practice Guideline of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome were sorted out,and then the clinical questions and outcome indicators that formed the recommendations of the guide were finally determined based on the modified Delphi method in the form of three rounds of online.The first two rounds were conducted in the form of online questionnaires filled out by experts,and the importance ratings of clinical issues and outcome indicators were imported into the SPSS 27.0 software for statistical analysis.The first and second rounds of clinical questions and outcome indicators were rated as the average score≥4,full score frequency≥30%,and the coefficient of variation≤25%,respectively;the inclusion criteria for entering the second round of evaluation were an average score of≥7 and an average score of≤25%.The third round would be further discussed and voted on by experts in an online consensus meeting,with a voting rate of≥80%as the standard to determine the final items to be included in the guidelines.Results A total of 109 questionnaires were distributed nationwide in the first round of inquiry,and 107 were collected;a total of 20 questionnaires were distributed for the second round of expert research,and 20 were collected.The positive coefficients of the first and second rounds of experts were 98.17%and 100%;the Cronbach coefficients of clinical questions were 0.937 and 0.943,respectively;the Cronbach coefficients of the outcome indicators were 0.970 and 0.940,respectively.In the third round,a total of 22 experts participated in the meeting and all voted,resulting in a positive coefficient of 100%and an authority coefficient of 0.88.13 clinical questions and 17 outcome indicators were finally included in Clinical Practice Guideline of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Conclusion According to the results of the above three rounds of modified Delphi method,it indicates that the questionnaire survey in the process of formulating the guidelines is highly reliable,which can provide a reliable basis for the writing of this guide,and to provide a reference for the development of acupuncture guidelines in related fields.