Objective To study the correlation between Periostin, interleukin-33 (IL-33), and chronic cough after thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with lung cancer. Methods A total of 102 lung cancer and coronary heart disease patients at Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were prospectively enrolled, and they were divided into a chronic cough group (n=42) and a non-chronic cough group (n=60) based on whether chronic cough occurred after surgery. Serum levels of Periostin and IL-33 were measured on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days post-lobectomy. The Pearson method was employed to analyze the correlation between Periostin and IL-33 levels and the severity of cough. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing the occurrence of chronic cough. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to assess the potential value of serum Periostin and IL-33 levels in predicting postoperative chronic cough. Results In patients with chronic cough, the peripheral blood Periostin and IL-33 levels measured on days 7 and 14 were significantly higher than those in patients with non-chronic cough, and the interactions between the two groups and at different time points were significant (P<0.001). The degree of cough was positively correlated with the levels of Periostin and IL-33 on days 7 and 14 (P<0.05), but had no significant correlation with the levels on day 1 (P>0.05). In patients with lung cancer, after thoracoscopic lobectomy, Periostin [OR=1.619, 95%CI (1.295, 2.025)] and IL-33 [OR=1.831, 95%CI (1.216, 2.758)] on day 7 and Periostin [OR=1.952, 95%CI (1.306, 2.918)] and IL-33 [OR=1.742, 95%CI (1.166, 2.603)] on day 14 were identified as risk factors for chronic cough. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of Periostin on day 7 was 69.05%, the specificity was 71.67%, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.756 [95%CI (0.616, 0.893)]. The sensitivity of Periostin on day 14 increased to 71.43% and the specificity was 76.67%, AUC was 0.762 [95%CI (0.633, 0.898)]. At the same time, the critical value of IL-33 on day 7 was 45.03 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were both 83.33%, the AUC was 0.884 [95%CI (0.789, 0.980)], and the critical value of IL-33 on day 14 was 56.01 pg/mL, the sensitivity was 85.71%, the specificity was 80.00%, and the AUC was 0.899 [95%CI (0.799, 0.999)]. Joint logistic regression analysis of Periostin and IL-33 levels on days 7 and 14 showed showed that the sensitivity was 95.24%, the specificity was 95.00%, and the AUC reached 0.993 [95%CI (0.979, 1.000)]. Conclusion Periostin and IL-33 levels, measured at various time points, are abnormally elevated following thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with combined CABG and lung cancer. These levels significantly correlate with cough severity. Given their predictive potential for chronic cough, these markers are deemed valuable biomarkers.

Central memory T (Tcm) cells are a crucial subset in T cell development, playing an important role in long-term immune responses. Tcm cells exhibit strong proliferative capacity, long-term survival characteristics, and re-activation potential, enabling them to rapidly differentiate into effector T cells (Teff) upon antigen re-exposure, thus providing robust immune protection. The function of Tcm cells is regulated by various factors, including antigen exposure, cytokines, and metabolic conditions. A deeper understanding of their metabolic and epigenetic mechanisms under different pathological conditions will contribute to the development of more precise and effective immunotherapeutic strategies. This review elaborates on the origin and characteristics of Tcm cells, as well as their roles in antiviral responses, tumor immunity, and immunotherapy.
Humans ; Memory T Cells/cytology* ; Animals ; Immunologic Memory ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Immunotherapy

Objective:To explore the effect of preoperative intensive functional training on the balance and functional recovery of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:Sixty KOA patients were randomly divided into an outpatient group, a home-based group and a control group, each of 20. Before their TKAs, both the outpatient and home-based groups underwent intensive functional training for 4 weeks, while the control group did nothing special. After the TKA, all received 4 weeks of standardized postoperative rehabilitation training. Before any training, after the 4 weeks of preoperative training and 4 weeks after the TKAs, all of the subjects performed the timed up and go test (TUGT), and their joint range of motion (ROM) was recorded. They also completed the 30-second chair stand strength test (30sCST), and the 6-minute walk exercise endurance test (6MWT). KOA osteoarthritis indices (WOMACs) were also recorded.Results:After the 4 weeks of preoperative training, significant differences were observed in the trajectory length, elliptical area and TUGT times of both the outpatient and home-based groups. Four weeks after the TKAs, significant differences were observed in all of the measurements in all three groups, but the results of the outpatient and home-based groups were significantly better than those of the control group, on average. After the 4 weeks of postoperative training, there were significant differences between the outpatient and home-based groups in terms of the average knee flexion angle, knee extension angle, 30sCST and 6MWT results. There were significant differences among the 3 groups in all of the measurements 4 weeks after the TKAs, with those of the two training groups showing significantly better results than the control group. The pain scores, stiffness scores, function scores and total WOMAC scores had improved significantly compared with the control group, but the average function and total WOMAC scores of the outpatient group (24.25±2.38) and (35.41±3.02) were then significantly superior to the home-based group′s averages.Conclusions:Intensive preoperative functional training conducted in an outpatient clinic or at home can significantly improve the balance, lower limb strength, exercise endurance and symptoms of KOA patients after TKA.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sintilimab combined with bevacizumab in the second-line treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma(MPM).Methods:This was a longitudinal study. Patients with MPM who had progressed after first-line treatment and were admitted to the Day-Care Outpatient Department of Medical Oncology, Ningguo People′s Hospital from February 2019 to February 2022 were included. General clinical data of the patients were collected at baseline. The patients were treated with the second-line treatment regimen of sintilimab (200 mg)+bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) on a 21-day cycle. Enhanced CT scans were performed every 3 cycles to evaluate the efficacy until tumor progression or death. Follow-up period ended in December 2023. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Efficacy was evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), and the best response of each patient was recorded. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were calculated. Adverse reactions were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), ranging from grade Ⅰto Ⅳ. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze PFS and OS, and survival times were expressed as median values.Results:A total of 23 MPM patients were included, with the mean age of (55.04±13.27)years, 15 males, 8 females, 19 cases of epithelial type and 4 cases of non-epithelial type. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scores were 0-1 in 12 patients and 2 in 11 patients. There were 17 smokers and 6 non-smokers, 12 cases with PD-L1 positive and 11 cases with PD-L1 negative, and 6 cases with anti-angiogenic drugs and 17 cases without using anti-angiogenic drugs in the first-line treatment. Of the 23 patients, 1 achieved complete response (CR), 9 achieved partial response (PR), 7 had stable disease (SD), and 6 had progressive disease (PD). The ORR and DCR of the enrolled patients were 43.5% (10/23) and 73.9% (17/23), respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the PFS of the enrolled patients was 7.50 (95% CI: 5.47-9.54) months, and the OS was 12.50 (95% CI: 1.07-23.93) months. The most common adverse reactions related to the treatment of sintilimab combined with bevacizumab were hypertension (14 cases (60.9%)), fatigue (10 cases (43.5%)), decreased appetite (8 cases (34.8%)), proteinuria (6 cases (26.1%)), pruritus (5 cases (21.7%)), constipation (4 cases (17.4%)) and nausea (3 cases (13.0%)), etc. Only 9 patients had grade Ⅲ adverse reactions (8 cases of hypertension and 1 case of nausea), and only 1 patient had grade Ⅳ adverse reaction (hypertension). Conclusion:Sintilimab combined with bevacizumab has some therapeutic effects on progressive MPM, and the adverse reactions are relatively mild.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as conversion therapy for initially unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:This retrospective case series study analyzed clinical and pathological data of 32 patients with initially unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, from June 2020 to December 2024. The cohort included 27 males and 5 females, with an age ( M(IQR)) of 61(9)years (range:46 to 73 years). Five patients were diagnosed with stage Ⅲ, 27 with stage ⅣA. All patients received PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab combined with nedaplatin and albumin-bound paclitaxel. Radiological evaluations were performed every two cycles, the multidisciplinary team evaluation was conducted to determine conversion to resectable status, and patients with successful conversion underwent radical esophagectomy. Follow-up was conducted via telephone or outpatient visits every 3 to 6 months after the last treatment. The primary endpoint was R0 resection rate, secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), pathological complete response (pCR) rate, major pathological response (MPR) rate, event-free survival (EFS), disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with R0 resection, overall survival (OS) and safety. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves and estimate median EFS, DFS, OS rates and their 95% CI. The 95% CI for ORR, pCR rate, MPR rate, and downstaging rate were calculated using the Clopper-Pearson method. Results:The median treatment cycle of 2(1) (range:2 to 8). As of June 2025, the median follow-up was 32.5(13.5)months (range:6.4 to 59.1 months). Among the 32 patients, 9 experienced progression or recurrence, including 2 with liver and lymph node metastases, 2 with lung metastases, 2 with thoracic vertebral metastases, and 3 with mediastinal lymph node metastases. After conversion therapy, 29 patients underwent surgery, achieving an R0 resection rate of 84.4% (95% CI:67.2% to 94.7%), a pCR rate of 27.6% (95% CI:12.7% to 47.2%), and an MPR rate of 55.2% (95% CI:35.7% to 73.6%). Grade 3 or higher surgical complications occurred in 6.9%(2/29) of patients, and grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events were observed in 15.6%(5/29). Among the 32 patients, the ORR was 56.3% (95% CI:37.7% to 73.6%),the 3-year EFS rate and OS rate was 59.4% (95% CI:40.8% to 86.4%) and 59.7% (95% CI:40.0% to 89.0%) respectively. Conclusion:Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy demonstrates high conversion rates and favorable safety in the conversion therapy of initially unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, representing a promising treatment strategy.

BACKGROUND:Preliminary clinical observations found that Jiawei Chunze Decoction is an effective formula for clinical treatment of urinary retention after spinal cord injury.Animal experiments have found that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway is closely related to the degree of bladder dysfunction. OBJECTIVE:To further investigate the effects of Jiawei Chunze Decoction on bladder function and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in rats with urinary retention. METHODS:Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Jiawei Chunze Decoction low-dose group,Jiawei Chunze Decoction high-dose group and agonist group.In the sham operation group,the spinal cord was exposed but not transected.In the other groups,the modified Hassan Shaker spinal cord transection method was used to prepare the model of sacral medullary injury.At 24 hours after modeling,the sham operation group and model group were intragastrically given equal volume of normal saline,Jiawei Chunze Decoction low-dose and high-dose groups were given Jiawei Chunze Decoction granules containing 14.4 and 28.8 g/kg,respectively,via intragastric administration for 4 weeks,and the agonist group was treated with an intraperitoneal injection of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway agonist 740Y-P at a dose of 0.02 mg/kg.After 4 weeks of treatment,the maximum bladder capacity,leakage point pressure and bladder compliance of rats in each group were detected by urine flow dynamics.The minimum bladder contraction tension and frequency of rats in each group were detected by detrusor pull test.The pathological changes of the rat bladder in each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The concentrations of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 in serum were detected by ELISA,and the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 in bladder tissues were detected by RT-PCR and western blot,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the sham operation group,the maximum bladder volume,bladder compliance and minimum systolic tension of rats in the model group were increased(P<0.05),and the leakage point pressure and bladder contraction frequency were decreased(P<0.05);serum GRP78,CHOP,and Caspase-12 levels were also increased(P<0.05).The arrangement of bladder epithelial cells in the model group was disordered,and there was monocyte infiltration between cells,tissue edema,and detrusor tract atrophy.The mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and Akt in bladder tissues were significantly decreased in the model group compared with the sham operation group,while those of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the maximum bladder volume,bladder compliance and minimum systolic tension of rats were decreased in the Jiawei Chunze Decoction low-dose,high-dose and agonist groups after 4 weeks of intervention(P<0.05),while the leakage point pressure and bladder contraction frequency were increased(P<0.05);serum GRP78,CHOP,Caspase-12 levels were decreased(P<0.05).The bladder epithelial cells in the three intervention groups were distributed evenly,arranged neatly,with less inflammatory cell infiltration and fuller detrusor muscle bundle.Compared with the model group,the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and Akt were increased in the three intervention groups,while those of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 were decreased(P<0.05).The Jiawei Chunze Decoction high-dose group was better than the Jiawei Chunze Decoction low-dose group and shared the similar results with the agonist group.To conclude,Jiawei Chunze Decoction can improve the bladder function of rats with urinary retention after spinal cord injury,and the mechanism may be related to reducing the occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum stress in bladder tissue through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,and then alleviating apoptosis.

BACKGROUND:Targeted therapy based on nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway to explore neuroinflammation is increasingly worth exploring,and the advantages of Chinese medicine such as many targets,wide range,rich mechanisms,and few side effects have great potential in the treatment of various diseases. OBJECTIVE:Based on the nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway,this paper systematically expounded and summarized the research progress of kaempferol,safflower yellow,baicalin,and triptolide in the treatment of neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury. METHODS:Search terms"spinal cord injury,inflammation,anti-inflammatory,traditional Chinese medicine monomer,monomeric compound,NF-κB signaling pathway,flavonoids,glycosides,phenols,esters,alkaloids"were searched in CNKI and PubMed databases.Totally 67 articles were finally included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The role of nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway in the nervous system is complex and diverse,which can regulate neutrophils,microglia,astrocytes,and macrophages,and mediate the occurrence and development of inflammation after injury.(2)The effects of traditional Chinese medicine monomers such as baicalin on the degradation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B inhibitory protein,the inhibition of phosphorylation process by safflowerin on nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway,and the inhibition of kaempferol on nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway p65 nuclear translocation can reduce the impact of inflammatory response on the body,thereby promoting the recovery of neurological function.(3)The nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway can promote inflammation and immune cell migration and activation in the early stage of injury,and can promote the repair of injury site and the occurrence of fibrosis in the middle and late stages of injury.Appropriate activation of the nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway can promote the release of inflammatory factors,improve the antioxidant capacity of cells,and promote the activation of immune cells,but the over-activated nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway can easily lead to the occurrence and continuation of chronic inflammation and the inhibition of apoptosis.(4)Future research can further explore how to accurately regulate the activation level of nuclear transcription factor kappa B signaling pathway,how to achieve precise intervention for nervous system inflammation and injury,and can also focus on the preparation of traditional Chinese medicine monomers and the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine monomers on signaling pathways,in order to provide more effective treatment strategies for the rehabilitation and functional recovery of neurological diseases.

BACKGROUND:Research has demonstrated a close association between ferroptosis and vascular dementia.Tongmai Kaiqiao Pill has a certain effect on improving the cognitive function of vascular dementia patients,but its mechanism is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the interventional effects and molecular mechanisms of Tongmai Kaiqiao Pill for vascular dementia based on the regulation of ferroptosis by the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)signaling pathway. METHODS:Among eighty-four SD male rats,12 rats were used as the sham-operated group,and the rest of them were prepared as a model of vascular dementia by the modified 2-VO method,and then randomly divided into the model group,the Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills high-,moderate-,and low-dosage(27.6,13.8,and 6.9 g/kg)groups,the combined group(Tongmai Kaiqiao Pill high-dosage+ML385,20 mg/kg),and the donepezil hydrochloride group(0.45 mg/kg).The drug was given once a day by intragastric administration.The combined group was also intraperitoneally injected Nrf2 inhibitor ML385,once a day,for 4 weeks.Morris water maze was used to detect the learning memory ability of rats.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the hippocampus of rats in each group.Colorimetric assay was used to detect the content of reduced glutathione,ferrous ion(Fe2+),and malondialdehyde in the serum of rats.Prussian blue staining was used to detect the iron deposition in the hippocampal tissue of rats.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural changes of mitochondria in rat hippocampal tissues.Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1,GPX4,XCT,and ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1)in rat hippocampal tissues. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In comparison to the sham operation,rats in the model group exhibited a significantly prolonged latency period(P<0.05)and a reduced number of platform crossings(P<0.05).Additionally,the hippocampal tissues of these rats displayed loosely organized structure,deeply stained cell nuclei,and solidified or lysed chromatin.Ferri ions aggregated in CA1 region.There were atrophied mitochondria with dissolved cristae and thickened mitochondrial membranes.Fe2+,malondialdehyde,and reduced glutathione levels in rat serum were found to be elevated(P<0.05).A significant reduction in the expression of GPX4,HO-1,XCT,Nrf2,and FTH1 proteins was detected in the hippocampus(P<0.05).(2)Compared to the model group,the average escape latency of the rats was significantly reduced following intervention with Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills and donepezil hydrochloride(P<0.05),with an increased number of platform crossings(P<0.05).Hippocampal neurons showed significant recovery.Notably,iron aggregation in the CA1 region was significantly reduced,and mitochondrial structure and function were improved.There were significant reductions in Fe2+and malondialdehyde levels,while the levels of GPX4,HO-1,XCT,Nrf2,and FTH1 in rat hippocampal tissues,and reduced glutathione in serum were significantly increased(P<0.05).(3)The high-dose Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills exhibited a treatment effect comparable to that of donepezil hydrochloride(P>0.05),with a significant prolongation of water maze escape latency(P<0.05),a reduced number of platform crossings(P<0.05),and insignificant neuronal pathological changes in the CA1 area.However,the combined group showed increased iron deposition,elevated malondialdehyde and Fe2+levels in blood serum(P<0.05),reduced glutathione content(P<0.05),hippocampal tissue mitochondrial atrophy,and reduced expression of Nrf2,XCT,HO-1,GPX4,and FTH1 proteins(P<0.05).Within a certain range,higher doses of Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills demonstrated a more pronounced effect,comparable to the efficacy of high-dose donepezil hydrochloride.(4)It is concluded that Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills have been shown to mitigate histopathological changes in the rat hippocampus and enhance cognitive function in rats with vascular dementia.The mechanism of action is likely associated with the suppression of ferroptosis through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of modified Chunzetang on bladder fibrosis and detrusor function in rats with neurogenic bladder urinary retention induced by spinal cord injury. MethodsIn this study， an improved Hassan Shaker spinal cord transection method was used to establish a model of neurogenic bladder urinary retention induced by spinal cord injury， and rats with a spinal cord injury behavior score of 0 were selected for follow-up experiments. The selected rats were randomly divided into a model group （normal saline gavage）， low-dose traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） group （gavage of 14.4 g·kg^-1 modified Chunzetang）， high-dose TCM group （gavage of 28.8 g·kg^-1 modified Chunzetang）， positive drug group ［intraperitoneal injection of 0.05 g·kg^-1 nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB） inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate （PDTC）］， and combination group （intraperitoneal injection of 0.05 g·kg^-1 PDTC + gavage of 28.8 g·kg^-1 modified Chunzetang）. The rats in these groups were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for four weeks. The BL-420s biofunction acquisition system was used in the experiment to calculate the urodynamic indexes， and the isolated bladder was quickly weighed. The detrusor traction experiment was used to record the minimum bladder contraction tension and frequency in each group. The pathological morphology and tissue fibrosis of detrusor in each group observed by Hematoxycin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were compared. The expression level of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） was detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of NF-κB p65， nuclear transcription factor-κB suppressor protein α （IκBα）， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， type Ⅰ collagen （ColⅠ）， and type Ⅲ collagen （ColⅢ） in bladder tissue of rats in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the changes in serum levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α. ResultsCompared with that in the sham operation group， the pressure at the urinary leakage point in the model group decreased （P<0.01）， and the bladder mass， bladder contractile tension， maximum bladder capacity， and bladder compliance increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. HE staining showed that the arrangement of bladder epithelial cells was disordered， and the pathological manifestations such as mucosa and myometria neutrophil infiltration were obvious. The lamina propria structure was destroyed， and the muscle fiber arrangement was disordered. The interstitial widening and tissue edema were obvious. Masson staining showed that the bladder wall of the model group had more collagen fiber deposition， and the degree of detrusor fibrosis was more severe. The content of detrusor in the visual field was reduced. At the same time， the protein expressions of NF-κB p65， TGF-β₁， IκBα， ColⅠ， and ColⅢ in bladder tissue of rats in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with that in the model group， the pressure at the urinary leakage point in the modified Chunzetang and positive drug groups was increased （P<0.05）， and the wet bladder weight， minimum bladder contractile tension， maximum bladder capacity， and bladder compliance were restored （P<0.05， P<0.01）. HE and Masson showed that the bladder epithelial cells were relatively neatly arranged， and the structure of the bladder lamina propria was relatively stable. The detrusor bundles were arranged in an orderly manner， and the interstitium was narrow. The degree of tissue edema was relatively low， and the degree of bladder detrusor fibrosis in the modified Chunzetang and positive drug groups was reduced， while the degree of bladder detrusor fibrosis in the positive drug group and combination groups was not obvious. The results of Western blot showed that the expression of NF-κB p65， IκBα， TGF-β₁， ColⅠ， and ColⅢ in bladder tissue， as well as the serum levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in modified Chunzetang and positive drug groups were significantly lower， and the expression of bladder tissue-related proteins and the serum levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the TCM groups decreased significantly with the increase in dose （P<0.05）. The results of immunohistochemistry suggested that modified Chunzetang could fully affect the expression of α-SMA in bladder tissue. ConclusionModified Chunzetang can inhibit collagen deposition in bladder tissue of rats with urinary retention induced by spinal cord injury， delay the occurrence and development of bladder fibrosis， and protect the normal contractile function of bladder detrusor， and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the NF-κB/TGF-β₁ signaling pathway， reducing the production of NF-κB p65， IκBα， TGF-β₁， ColⅠ， ColⅢ， and other related proteins， and protecting the muscle strength of detrusor.

This study summarizes Professor Qin Zhenhua's clinical experience in treating cutaneous pruritus using a modified self-prescribed formula,Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction.Following the viewpoints from the classical Chinese medical literature and after years of clinical practice,Professor Qin proposes that the onset of cutaneous pruritus is often associated with the attack of exogenous pathogens,disharmony of qi and blood,or debility due to prolonged illness.The disease primarily involves the skin,with the fundamental pathogenesis of pathogens stagnating in the muscular superficies.Clinically,the treatment is frequently conducted from the perspective of fire-heat syndrome,and the therapeutic methods of clearing heat and removing toxins,releasing muscles and dispersing pathogens from the superficies,and dispelling wind to relieve itching are utilized.The approaches aim to cool heat in the blood,expel pathogens from the muscular layer,eliminate heat for stopping itching,and extinguish wind for calming the skin.The basic prescription,Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction(composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Forsythiae Fructus,Armeniacae Semen Amarum,Arnebiae Radix,Tribuli Fructus,Dictamni Cortex,Kochiae Fructus,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),is used by modification depending on the predominance of pathogenic factors of wind,heat,dryness,or dampness-toxins,and according to the various syndromes like blood-heat,yin deficiency,or qi-blood deficiency.Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction is applicable to cutaneous pruritus with the most of clinical common syndrome types,but it is unsuitable for cases caused by yang deficiency or qi stagnation with blood stasis.