ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Gandouling decoction combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation （NMES） in the treatment of dysphagia in Wilson disease （WD） with combined phlegm and stasis. MethodsA total of 80 WD patients with dysphagia due to combined phlegm and stasis treated in the Department of Encephalopathy， the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were randomized into a control group and an observation group， with 40 patients in each group. In addition， 40 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal group. The control group was treated with basic copper drainage combined with NMES. The observation group was treated with Gandouling Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. Each course of treatment lasted for 8 days， and the patients were treated for a total of 4 courses. All subjects underwent video fluoroscopic swallowing study （VFSS） before and after treatment. During the examination， contrast agents with 4 different characters were used for the swallowing action， and the passing time was recorded. The TCM syndrome score， water swallow test score， standard swallowing assessment （SSA） score， and 24-h urinary copper level before and after treatment were analyzed. ResultsWhen performing VFSS， the passing time of contrast agents of different characters in the oral stage was longer in the WD group than in the normal group （P<0.01）， while it had no significant difference in the pharyngeal stage. After treatment， the passing time in the oral stage shortened in the control and observation groups （P<0.01）， and the observation group outperformed the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， both the control and observation groups showed declines in TCM syndrome score and SSA score （P<0.01） and an increase in water swallow test score （P<0.01）， and the changes were more obvious in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. In addition， the treatment in the control and observation groups elevated the 24-h urinary copper level （P<0.01）， and the elevation in the observation group was more obvious than that in the control group （P<0.01）. Neither group showed obvious adverse reaction. ConclusionGandouling decoction combined with NMES can significantly ameliorate dysphagia in WD patients with the syndrome of combined phlegm and stasis regarding the TCM syndrome score， water swallow test score， and SSA score， demonstrating definite clinical efficacy and high safety.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation with cognitive function based on a new Kayser-Fleischer ring （K-F ring） grading method in Wilson’s disease （WD）. MethodsA total of 136 WD patients who were hospitalized in Encephalopathy Center， The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine， from April 2022 to October 2023 were enrolled. All subjects underwent slit lamp examination， and the grade of K-F ring was determined according to the shape and extent of copper deposition in the cornea， whether it formed a ring or not， and whether there was a sunflower-like cloudy change in the lens. The patients were instructed to complete UWDRS， MoCA， and MMSE scale assessments， and these indicators were compared between patients with different K-F ring grades. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test （homogeneity of variance） or the Dunnett’s T3 test （heterogeneity of variance） was used for further multiple comparisons； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of K-F ring grade with UWDRS， MoCA， and MMSE scores. ResultsAmong the 136 patients with WD， there were 40 patients with grade 4 K-F ring， accounting for the highest proportion of 29.4%， and 14 patients with grade 0 K-F ring， accounting for the lowest proportion of 10.3%， and there were 22 patients with grade 1 K-F ring （16.2%）， 19 with grade 2 K-F ring （14%）， 25 with grade 3 K-F ring （18.4%）， and 16 with grade 5 K-F ring （11.7%）. According to the different grades of K-F ring， there was a significant increase in UWDRS score （F=22.61， P<0.001） and significant reductions in MoCA and MMSE scores （F=16.40 and 13.80， both P<0.001）. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that K-F ring grade was positively correlated with UWDRS score （r=0.67， P<0.01） and was negatively correlated with MoCA and MMSE scores in WD patients （r=-0.59 and -0.57， both P<0.01）. ConclusionThe new K-F ring grading method can determine disease severity in WD patients to a certain degree and partially reflect cognitive function and activities of daily living in such patients.

Starting from the intrinsic relationship between the glymphatic system and the core pathogenesis of vascular cognitive impairment （VCI）， including internal dampness， phlegm turbidity， and blood stasis， this paper explores clinical approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of VCI. Dysfunction of the kidney's role in governing water leads to the accumulation of dampness， phlegm turbidity， and blood stasis， which are key pathological mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of VCI. The glymphatic system participates in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the central nervous system， and its impairment can result in reduced clearance of soluble metabolic waste products in the brain， a crucial factor contributing to VCI. It is proposed that the "kidney governing water" function is related to the glymphatic system， and that the cerebral collaterals correspond structurally to the glymphatic pathways. Clinically， therapies aimed at tonifying the kidney， resolving phlegm， activating blood circulation， and unblocking collaterals， such as modified Kaixin Powder （开心散）， which eliminates dampness and turbidity， transforms phlegm， restores consciousness， enhances cognition， and strengthens the brain， are commonly employed. These treatments may improve VCI prognosis by regulating glymphatic system function， providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of VCI with traditional Chinese medicine.

Wilson's disease （WD） is a copper metabolism disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene， with diverse phenotypes and complex pathogenesis. It is one of the few rare diseases that can achieve good clinical efficacy through standardized treatment. Since there are few systematic reviews of this disease， we summarize the pathogenesis and treatment methods of WD from traditional Chinese and western medicine by reviewing the literature related to WD. In western medicine， ATP7B gene mutation is considered as the root cause of WD， which affects copper transport and causes copper metabolism disorders. The excessive copper deposited in the body will result in oxidative stress， defects in mitochondrial function， and cell death. Western medicine treatment of WD relies mainly on drugs， and copper antagonists are the first choice in clinical practice， which are often combined with hepatoprotective and antioxidant therapy. Surgery is a common therapy for the patients with end-stage WD， and gene therapy provides an option for WD patients. According to the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory， WD is rooted in constitutional deficiency and copper accumulation and triggered by dampness-heat accumulation or phlegm combined with stasis. The patient syndrome varies in different stages of the disease， and thus the treatment should be based on syndrome differentiation. The TCM treatment method of nourishing the liver and kidneys and warming the spleen and kidneys can address the root cause. The methods of clearing heat and drying dampness， resolving phlegm and dispelling stasis， and soothing liver and regulating qi movement can be adopted to treat symptoms. On the basis of syndrome differentiation， special prescriptions for the treatment of WD have been formulated， such as Gandou decoction， Gandouling， and Gandou Fumu decoction， which have been widely used in clinical practice. TCM and western medicine have their own advantages and shortcomings. The integrated Chinese and western medicine complementing with each other demonstrates great therapeutic potential. This paper summarizes the pathogenesis and treatment of WD with integrated Chinese and western medicine， aiming to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Objective We aimed to establish and evaluate a rat model of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS)with the pattern of liver depression and spleen deficiency coupled with dampness.Methods First,200 rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the infection group,the infection+stress group,the infection+stress+external dampness group,and the acetic acid+stress group(n=40 rats per group)for eight weeks.The rats were treated with Trichinella spiralis infection,chronic restraint stress,an artificial high-humidity climate,and/or acetic acid enema.Weight growth rate,24-hour food intake and water intake,and the fecal moisture percentage were recorded.The open field test and the sucrose consumption test were used to determine the behavioral characteristics of rats in each group.The abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)test was used to determine visceral sensitivity.The contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and aquaporin 4(AQP4)in colon tissue were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the normal group,the weight growth rate of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group and the acetic acid+stress group was lower from Week 1 to Week 8 of modeling.The 24-hour food intake of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group and the infection+stress group was lower than that in the normal group from Week 2 to Week 8 of modeling.At the end of week 2 of modeling,the 24-hour water intake of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group,the acetic acid+stress group,and the infection+stress group was lower than that in the normal group.The fecal moisture percentage of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group was higher than that in the normal group at the end of Week 1,6,and 8(P＜0.05).At the end of Week 4 of modeling,the total distance in the open field test in the infection+stress+external dampness group and the acetic acid+stress group was shorter than that in the normal group.The sugar preference rate in the infection+stress+external dampness group was lower than that in the normal group at the end of 1,4,and 8 weeks and lower than that in the acetic acid+stress group at the end of Week 4 and 8(P＜0.05).The AWR scores of rats in the infection+stress+external dampness group were higher than those in the normal group after week 1 at 60 and 80 mmHg(1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa),after Week 4 at 40,60,and 80 mmHg,and after Week 6 and 8 at 20,40,and 80 mmHg(P＜0.05).At the end of Week 2 and 4,a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the colonic mucosa of the intervention groups,and the inflammation score was higher than that of the normal group(P＜0.05).At the end of weeks 6 and 8,the inflammatory cell infiltration in the intestinal mucosa of the intervention groups was not obvious,and the colonic mucosa returned to normal.At the end of weeks 6 and 8,the 5-HT content was higher in the infection+stress group,the infection+stress+external dampness group,and the acetic acid+stress group than in the normal group(P＜0.05).After Week 4,the AQP4 content was lower in the infection+stress+external dampness group and the acetic acid+stress group than that in the normal group(P＜0.05).After week 6,compared to the normal group,the AQP4 content was lower in all groups except for the acetic acid+stress group,and the AQP4 content in the infection+stress+external dampness group was lower than that in the acetic acid+stress group.After week 8,only in the infection+stress+external dampness group the AQP4 content was lower than in the normal group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of Trichinella spiralis infection,chronic restraint stress,and an artificial high-humidity climate can be used to prepare a relatively stable and reliable rat model of PI-IBS with the pattern of liver depression and spleen deficiency with dampness.

Objective To observe the effect of wrist-hand orthosis combined with modified constraint-induced movement therapy(mCIMT)on upper limb and hand function in patients with stroke. Methods From February,2022 to December,2023,32 patients after stroke in Huashan Hospital,Fudan University were randomly assigned to control group(n=16)and experimental group(n=16).Both groups underwent routine re-habilitation,and wore constraint glove almost four hours a day.The experimenal group wore dynamic wrist-hand orthosis four hours everyday,additionally;five days every week,for three weeks.They were evaluated with Wolf Motor Function Test(WMFT),Action Reach Arm Test(ARAT),the strength of gripping,Amount of Use(AOU)and Quality of Movement(QOM)of Motor Activity Log(MAL),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)and Hamil-ton Depression Scale(HAMD)before and after treatment,while root mean square ratio of affected/healthy exten-sor muscle of wrist was measured with surface electromyography Results After treatment,the scores of WMFT,ARAT,MAL-QOM,HAMA and the root mean square ratio of affected/healthy extensor muscle of wrist improved in both groups(|t|＞2.179,P＜0.05),and the improvement of WMFT score and the strength of gripping was greater in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|＞2.343,P＜0.05);the strength of gripping,the scores of MAL-AOU and HAMD improved in the experimental group(|t|＞2.819,P＜0.05). Conclusion mCIMT assisted with dynamic wrist-hand orthosis could improve upper limb and hand function in stroke pa-tients.

Objective To investigate the effect of mirror therapy on upper limb function and cortical activity in patients with type I complex regional pain syndrome(CRPS)after stroke. Methods A total of 72 post-stroke patients with type I CRPS were recruited at the Third Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliat-ed to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October,2017 to February,2022.They were ran-domly divided into control group(n=36)and mirror therapy group(n=36).The control group received conven-tional rehabilitation training,while the mirror therapy group received mirror therapy in addition.Before treat-ment,as well as at three and six weeks after treatment,they were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS)for pain,modified Barthel Index(MBI),edema volume and Brunnstrom stage.Resting-state data were collected for 440 seconds using a 32-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)system. Results After treatment,VAS scores significantly improved in each group,showing better after six weeks than after three weeks(P<0.01).The mirror therapy group was better than the control group after six weeks(P<0.05).MBI scores also significantly improved in each group,showing better after six weeks than after three weeks(P<0.001).Edema volume significantly decreased in each group(Z>30.113,P<0.001),while the mirror therapy group was better than the control group after six weeks(Z=-3.347,P=0.001).Edema volume in the mirror therapy group significantly reduced at both three and six weeks(Z<-0.667,P<0.01),with a stronger effect ob-served after six weeks(Z=-0.667,P=0.005).Brunnstrom stages improved significantly in each group(Z>29.714,P<0.001),while the mirror therapy group was better than the control group after six weeks(Z=-2.046,P=0.041).After treatment,the control group showed strong connectivity between right M1 and right primary so-matosensory cortex,while the mirror therapy group demonstrated stronger connectivity between left M1 and right M1,right primary somatosensory cortex,right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex.Connectivity be-tween left and right primary somatosensory cortex increased in mirror therapy group,as well as the connectivity between left pre-motor-supplementary motor cortex and right M1,right pre-motor-supplementary motor cortex and left primary somatosensory cortex,left M1 and left primary somatosensory cortex,and left primary somato-sensory cortex and right M1(∣t∣>3.402,P<0.01). Conclusion Mirror therapy may relieve pain and edema,and improve upper limb motor function in post-stroke patients with type I CRPS,which may associate with stonger connectivity between sensory regions on the unaffected side and sensory-motor regions on the affected side,promoting sensorimotor cortical reorganization.

Background::Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a fatal cardiovascular disease, the pathogenesis of which has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to identify and validate the diagnostic markers of TAA to provide a strong theoretical basis for developing new methods to prevent and treat this disease.Methods::Gene expression profiles of the GSE9106, GSE26155, and GSE155468 datasets were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the "limma" package in R. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), random forest, and binary logistic regression analyses were used to screen the diagnostic marker genes. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to estimate immune cell infiltration in TAA.Results::A total of 16 DEGs were identified. The enrichment and functional correlation analyses showed that DEGs were mainly associated with inflammatory response pathways and collagen-related diseases. Collagen type I alpha 1 chain ( COL1A1) and synaptotagmin like 2 ( SYTL2) were identified as diagnostic marker genes with a high diagnostic value for TAA. The expression of COL1A1 and SYTL2 was considerably higher in TAA vascular wall tissues than in the corresponding normal tissues, and there were significant differences in the infiltration of immune cells between TAA and normal vascular wall tissues. Additionally, COL1A1 and SYTL2 expression were associated with the infiltration of immune cells in the vascular wall tissue. Single-cell analysis showed that COL1A1 in TAA was mainly derived from fibroblasts and SYTL2 mainly from cluster of differentiation (CD)8 + T cells. In addition, single-cell analysis indicated that fibroblasts and CD8 + T cells in TAA were significantly higher than those in normal arterial wall tissue. Conclusions::COL1A1 and SYTL2 may serve as diagnostic marker genes for TAA. The upregulation of SYTL2 and COL1A1 may be involved in the inflammatory infiltration of the vessel wall and poor extracellular matrix remodeling, promoting the progression of TAA.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with rare type heart disease. METHODS: A pedigree identified at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University on July 9, 2021 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data were collected. Trio-whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the proband and his parents. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing of his family members and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: The proband, a 5-month-old male, was found to have Barth syndrome (dilated myocardiopathy and left ventricular non-compaction). Trio-WES revealed that he has harbored a hemizygous c.542G>A (p.G181A) variant of the TAZ gene, which was inherited from his mother. In addition, his mother, aunt and maternal grandmother were also found to harbor a c.557G>A (p.R186Q) variant of the TNNI3 gene. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c.542G>A (p.G181A) variant of the TAZ gene was classified as likely pathogenic (PS2_Strong+PM2_Supporting+PP3), whilst the c.557G>A (p.R186Q) variant of the TNNI3 gene was classified as pathogenic (PP1_Strong+PS4_Strong+PP3+PP4+PM2_Supporting). CONCLUSION The c.542G>A (p.G181A) variant of the TAZ gene probably underlay the Barth syndrome in the proband, and the c.557G>A (p.R186Q) variant of the TNNI3 gene may be responsible for the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in his mother, aunt and maternal grandmother. Above finding has expanded the mutational spectrum of the TAZ gene and facilitated the diagnosis of this pedigree.
Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Barth Syndrome ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; East Asian People ; Heart Diseases ; Pedigree

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is an avenue for the promotion of atherosclerosis (AS) and this effect is mediated partly via the circulating microbial metabolites. More microbial metabolites related to AS vascular inflammation, and the mechanisms involved need to be clarified urgently. Paeonol (Pae) is an active compound isolated from Paeonia suffruticoas Andr. with anti-AS inflammation effect. However, considering the low oral bioavailability of Pae, it is worth exploring the mechanism by which Pae reduces the harmful metabolites of the gut microbiota to alleviate AS. In this study, ApoE^-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish an AS model. AS mice were administrated with Pae (200 or 400 mg·kg^-1) by oral gavage and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to investigate the composition of the gut microbiota, while metabolomics analysis was used to identify the metabolites in serum and cecal contents. The results indicated that Pae significantly improved AS by regulating gut microbiota composition and microbiota metabolic profile in AS mice. We also identified α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) as a harmful microbial metabolite reduced by Pae. HIBA supplementation in drinking water promoted AS inflammation in AS mice. Furthermore, vascular endothelial cells (VECs) were cultured and stimulated by HIBA. We verified that HIBA stimulation increased intracellular ROS levels, thereby inducing VEC inflammation via the TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway. In sum, Pae reduces the production of the microbial metabolite HIBA, thus alleviating the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway-mediated endothelial inflammation in AS. Our study innovatively confirms the mechanism by which Pae reduces the harmful metabolites of gut microbiota to alleviate AS and proposes HIBA as a potential biomarker for AS clinical judgment.
Animals ; Mice ; Atherosclerosis/drug therapy* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Endothelial Cells ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species