Irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） is a functional bowel disorder characterized primarily by abdominal pain and altered defecation habits. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has made progress in multiple aspects of IBS research and treatment， including syndrome distribution， development of TCM formulas， clinical efficacy evaluation， external therapies， and psychosocial regulation. However， it still faces challenges such as over-reliance on symptomatic manifestations rather than biomarkers for diagnostic criteria， and the lack of high-quality evidence-based data supporting the efficacy of TCM formulas in treating IBS. This paper proposed that TCM diagnosis and treatment of IBS should adhere to the strategy of integrating the holistic concept with syndrome differentiation and treatment， combining TCM external therapies such as acupuncture， moxibustion and acupoint application）， and emphasizing individualized diagnosis and treatment for psychosomatic abnormalities. Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies， artificial intelligence and other methods to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBS and the mechanisms of TCM formulas， so as to promote the standardization and internationalization of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBS.

BACKGROUND:Synthetic polymers,such as polypropylene and polyester,used for the treatment of abdominal wall defects not only lack biodegradability and bioactivity but also fail to meet the demands of complex and irregular wounds.Therefore,finding bioactive materials with low immunogenicity and good histocompatibility has become a hot spot in the repair of abdominal wall defects. OBJECTIVE:To prepare methacryloyl modified dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel and explore its potential application in abdominal wall defect. METHODS:(1)The porcine dermis was acellular with 0.25%trypsin and 1%Triton X-100 in turn to obtain the dermal extracellular matrix.After pepsin digestion and methacrylic anhydride modification,the methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel was formed by photocrosslinking.The microscopic morphology of the hydrogel was observed by scanning electron microscope,and its rheological properties,swelling properties and other physical and chemical properties were tested.(2)Mice fibroblasts(L929)were inoculated into methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel to detect the cell compatibility.(3)Totally 12 SD rats were randomly divided into two groups(n=6)to create abdominal wall defect model with peritoneum preserved.The defect site of the polypropylene group was filled with polypropylene material,and the hydrogel group was filled with methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel.The wound skin of both groups was covered with polypropylene material.The wound healing was observed and histological analysis was carried out. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Enzymatic hydrolysis had a good decellularization effect on porcine dermis after decellularization,and the original glycosaminoglycans and collagen were well retained.Scanning electron microscope observation revealed that the dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel presented loose and porous structure.The aperture was between 70 and 120 μm.The swelling ratio was(16.88±3.24)%and the water absorption was(94.24±1.11)%.The rheological property test showed that the methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel was stable and had shear thinning characteristics,with injectability.(2)CCK-8 assay and live/dead staining showed that methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel had good cell compatibility.(3)The results of animal experiments showed that the skin wound healing rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at 7,10,and 14 days after operation(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining of skin and muscle tissue exhibited that compared with the polypropylene group,the skin wound epithelialization,hair follicle formation,collagen fiber arrangement,and neovascularization were better in the hydrogel group 14 days after surgery.The skin wound new tissue structure was similar to the normal tissue at 28 days after surgery,and scar hyperplasia was less.A small amount of muscle regeneration was observed on day 28 after operation.(4)The results show that the methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel can promote wound skin healing and muscle tissue regeneration in rats with abdominal wall defect.

Liver diseases are a group of complex clinical conditions caused by various factors and can lead to hepatocyte damage and liver dysfunction， posing a serious threat to human health. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase （cGAS）-stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathway plays a key regulatory role in the course of liver diseases and is involved in the development， progression， and treatment of various diseases such as viral hepatitis， nonalcoholic fatty liver disease， liver fibrosis， and liver cancer. This article reviews the regulatory mechanisms of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in processes such as inflammation， autophagy， antiviral response， and oxidative stress， analyzes its molecular function in liver diseases， and explores its application prospect as a potential target for the treatment of liver diseases， in order to provide a theoretical basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies for liver diseases.

ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma （ASR-PR） herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking， and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）. Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase （PharmGKB）， and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network， and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology （GO） analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR （2.06 g·kg^-1）， PR （2.06 g·kg^-1）， or ASR-PR （4.11 g·kg^-1） for 10 weeks， while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period， the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 （Siberian glycoside A_qt）， MOL003889 （methyl protodioscin_qt）， MOL009766 （resveratrol）， MOL006331 （4′，5-dihydroxyflavone）， and MOL004941 （baicalin）， thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significantly increased body weight， body fat weight， and serum levels of TG， TC， TNF-α， IL-6， and leptin （P<0.01）. EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated （P<0.05）， while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group， with pronounced lipid vacuoles， cytoplasmic loosening， lipid accumulation， and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue （WAT） and brown adipose tissue （BAT） of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters， reduced cell counts per unit area， and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group， the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight， body fat weight， serum TC， IL-6， TNF-α， leptin levels， and EGFR mRNA expression （P<0.01）. TG levels were also significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased， and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components， modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways， repair damaged liver and adipose tissues， and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.

ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma （ASR-PR） herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking， and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）. Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase （PharmGKB）， and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network， and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology （GO） analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR （2.06 g·kg^-1）， PR （2.06 g·kg^-1）， or ASR-PR （4.11 g·kg^-1） for 10 weeks， while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period， the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 （Siberian glycoside A_qt）， MOL003889 （methyl protodioscin_qt）， MOL009766 （resveratrol）， MOL006331 （4′，5-dihydroxyflavone）， and MOL004941 （baicalin）， thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significantly increased body weight， body fat weight， and serum levels of TG， TC， TNF-α， IL-6， and leptin （P<0.01）. EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated （P<0.05）， while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group， with pronounced lipid vacuoles， cytoplasmic loosening， lipid accumulation， and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue （WAT） and brown adipose tissue （BAT） of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters， reduced cell counts per unit area， and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group， the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight， body fat weight， serum TC， IL-6， TNF-α， leptin levels， and EGFR mRNA expression （P<0.01）. TG levels were also significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased， and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components， modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways， repair damaged liver and adipose tissues， and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of full-time full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (FELIF) using a bladed retractor fusion channel (BRFC) system with reversed-mounting designed instruments compared to a tubular fusion channel (TFC).Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 101 cases of uniportal coaxial endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion performed between June 2018 and April 2023. Based on the type of fusion channel utilized, patients were divided into the TFC group (59 cases) and the BRFC group (42 cases). The BRFC technique involved neurological decompression, endplate preparation, and interbody fusion performed under full-time endoscopic monitoring with reversed-mounting designed instruments. Key parameters, including surgery duration, intraoperative estimated blood loss (IEBL), complication incidence, and interbody fusion rate (assessed by Bridwell criteria), were compared between the two groups. Clinical outcomes, including visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), were recorded preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. Additionally, disc height at the fusion level was measured at one week postoperatively.Results:The mean follow-up duration was 42.9±12.1 months in the TFC group and 20.9±4.9 months in the BRFC group. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of surgery duration, IEBL, complication incidence, or interbody fusion rate (Grade 1 or 2 by Bridwell criteria) ( P>0.05). For single-level cases, the TFC group showed significantly better short-term clinical outcomes than the BRFC group at one week postoperatively, with JOA scores of 23(20, 25) versus 20(18, 23) ( Z=3.020, P=0.003) and ODI scores of 16%(11%, 21%) versus 28%(21%, 41%) ( Z=4.740, P<0.001). For double-level cases, the JOA score in the TFC group [23(20, 25)] was also significantly better than that in the BRFC group [20(18, 21)] ( Z=2.054, P=0.040) at one week postoperatively. However, at the final follow-up, all clinical indicators showed no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05). The disc height at the fusion level significantly increased at one week postoperatively compared to preoperative measurements in both groups ( P<0.05). However, the BRFC group demonstrated a significantly more recovery of disc height at one week postoperatively [(1.46±0.28) cm] compared to the TFC group [(1.17±0.20) cm] ( t=5.947, P<0.001). Conclusion:Full-time FELIF using the BRFC system and reversed-mounting designed instruments is a feasible, safe, and effective approach. However, its short-term clinical outcomes appear inferior to traditional FELIF using the TFC system.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of micro-flaps carrying sensory nerve in treatment of high-pressure injection injuries of the digit (HPIID).Methods:From January 2022 to June 2024, retrospective analysis of 7 patients who had HPIID were admitted to the Department of Hand Surgery Division 1, Norinco General Hospital. The patients were 5 males and 2 females with ages from 25 to 59 years. The digital injuries were: 3 index fingers, 2 middle fingers and 2 thumbs. All patients received debridement under microscope in primary surgery, with the defects at 1.5 cm×2.4 cm - 2.5 cm×5.5 cm in size after debridement. In stage Ⅱ surgery, 5 patients received the treatment of free fibular great toe flap carrying peroneal nerve of the great toe, with the flap size at 1.8 cm× 2.0 cm - 2.7 cm×4.0 cm. Two patients received the treatment of transfer of free fibular medial plantar flap carrying medial plantar nerve, with flap size at 1.9 cm×2.6 cm - 4.5 cm×5.7 cm. Donor sites were directly sutured in 5 patients, and 2 patients received skin grafting. Five patients received postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic, 1 patient via telephone interview and 1 via WeChat review.Results:All 7 flaps survived and all wounds had primary healing. All donor and recipient sites and skin grafting sites healed primarily. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 4 to 9 months, with an average of 6.4 months. All the affected digits had satisfactory appearance and function, except 1 which was slightly slimmer than the healthy side. Range of motion of the affected digits was evaluated according to total active movement (TAM): 5 were in excellent and 2 in good. Sensory recovery of the digits was evaluated according to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC): 1 digit was at S 2, 2 at S 3 and 4 at S 4. One patient had two-point discrimination (TPD) at 9.0-15.0 mm, 2 at 6.0-10.0 mm, and 4 at 3.0-6.0 mm. Conclusion:For HPIID with a defect, surgical treatment with transfer of micro-flap carrying sensory nerve should be a preferred treatment option.

Several types of arthritis share the common feature that the generation of inflammatory mediators leads to joint cartilage degradation. However, the shared mechanism is largely unknown. H2BK120ub1 was reportedly involved in various inflammatory diseases but its role in the shared mechanism in inflammatory joint conditions remains elusive. The present study demonstrated that levels of cartilage degradation, H2BK120ub1, and its regulator WW domain-containing adapter protein with coiled-coil (WAC) were increased in cartilage in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients as well as in experimental RA and OA mice. By regulating H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3, WAC regulated the secretion of inflammatory and cartilage-degrading factors. WAC influenced the level of H3K27me3 by regulating nuclear entry of the H3K27 demethylase KDM6B, and acted as a key factor of the crosstalk between H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3. The cartilage-specific knockout of WAC demonstrated the ability to alleviate cartilage degradation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) mice. Through molecular docking and dynamic simulation, doxercalciferol was found to inhibit WAC and the development of cartilage degradation in the CIA and CIOA models. Our study demonstrated that WAC is a key factor of cartilage degradation in arthritis, and targeting WAC by doxercalciferol could be a viable therapeutic strategy for treating cartilage destruction in several types of arthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis(KOA)is a common chronic degenerative bone and joint disease characterized by degeneration and wear of knee cartilage.It is commonly found in middle-aged and elderly people and seriously impacts on their lower limb activity and quality of life.At present,the treatment of early and middle stage KOA mainly relies on the conservative methods such as oral medication,joint injection,topical patches and traditional Chinese medicine.Platelet rich plasma(PRP),as an autologous platelet concentrate,is rich in various growth factors and has no risk of immune rejection.In recent years,it has been widely used in the repair of bone,joint,and soft tissue injuries.However,the short biological half-life of growth factors in PRP and the fluidity of injection sites can result in insufficient binding force,short action time,poor target therapy efficacy,and the need for repeated injections in the joint cavity,which will increase the risk of iatrogenic infections.Hydrogels are cross-linked polymer networks containing water,and their high histocompatibility and drug release have attracted much attention.The slow and continuous release of drug is achieved by loading PRP onto hydrogel.Its unique adhesion reduces the flow of drug in the joint,thus extending the local action time of PRP and reducing the need for repeated injection.This article reviews the biological characteristics of PRP and hydrogel,the mechanism of action and clinical application of PRP loaded hydrogel in the treatment of KOA,and analyzes the existing problems and challenges,aiming to provide more effective treatment options for KOA patients through the in-depth discussion of this new treatment method.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and depression/anxiety/sleep disturbances (D/A/S) in patients with chronic pain.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at 13 tertiary hospitals across China, enrolling patients who experienced chronic pain between November 2023 and May 2024. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and TCM constitution categories were used to assess the patients. The association between the TCM constitution and the D/A/S ratio was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsA total of 1107 patients (63.2% women) were analyzed. Compared with those with a balanced constitution, patients who had qi-deficiency and yin-deficiency were at a higher risk of depression. Qi-deficiency and yin-deficiency were associated with anxiety. Sleep disturbances were common in patients with qi-deficiency constitution (odds ratio [OR]: 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42–3.81), yang-deficiency constitution (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.26–2.98), yin-deficiency constitution (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.24–3.32), blood stasis constitution (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.01–4.22), and qi-stagnation constitution (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.35–5.25).ConclusionIn patients with chronic pain, specific TCM constitutions may be associated with D/A/S. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the potential causal relationships between TCM constitution types and these conditions.