OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects of 3，5，6，7，8，3′，4′-heptamethoxyflavone （HMF） of Fructus Aurantii on rats with damp blockage of the middle energizer. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， positive control group （Raceanisodamine tablet， 1 mg/kg）， HMF low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （0.3， 0.6， 0.9 mg/kg）， with 7 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， the other groups were modeled by internal and external composite factors. After successful modeling， the rats in each group were given the corresponding drug or normal saline， once a day， for 14 days. The general behavioral states such as dietary intake， water intake and mental state of the rats were observed， and the fecal water content rate and saliva flow rate were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological and morphology in gastric and small intestinal tissues of rats. The plasma content of aldosterone was detected， and the expression of aquaporins （AQP3） in the gastric tissue of rats was determined. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the dietary intake and water intake of the model group rats were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）， the fecal water content rate， salivary flow rate， plasma content of aldosterone and the expression of AQP3 in gastric tissue were increased significantly （P＜0.01）. Gastric tissue injury invaded the mucosal muscle layer， resulting in mucosal muscle layer rupture； pathological and morphological changes such as small intestinal villous erosion and glandular structure destruction were observed in the small intestine. Compared with the model group， the dietary intake and water intake of rats were increased in HMF groups； fecal water content rate， salivary flow rate， plasma content of aldosterone， the expression of AQP3 in gastric tissue were decreased， most of the above differences were statistically significant （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The pathological and morphological changes in the gastric and small intestine tissues of rats had been improved to varying degrees. CONCLUSIONS HMF of Fructus Aurantii with dry property HMF could improve the symptoms of rats with damp blockage of middle energizer， the mechanism of which may be associated with reducing the content of plasma aldosterone and down-regulating the expression of gastric AQP3.

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion at Feishu(BL13)on inflammatory responses and intestinal short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in rats with asthma. Methods:Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group(16 rats)and a modeling group(40 rats).Rats in the modeling group were subjected to establishing asthma models using ovalbumin(OVA).Model evaluation was conducted using 4 rats from each group.The remaining rats that successfully developed asthma were then randomly divided into a model group,an acupuncture group,and a moxibustion group,with 12 rats in each group.Rats in the acupuncture group received acupuncture treatments,and those in the moxibustion group received moxibustion treatments,both at Feishu(BL13)for 30 min.Following the treatments,the rats were exposed to atomization excitation with a 1%OVA solution for 20 min daily for 14 consecutive days.At the end of the experiment,inflammatory markers in the rats'peripheral blood were analyzed using a biochemical method.In addition,inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were counted using Wright-Giemsa staining.The lung tissue of rats was examined under a light microscope after staining with hematoxylin-eosin to observe morphological or pathological changes.Furthermore,real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was utilized to measure the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the lung tissue.Lastly,the concentration of SCFAs in the rat's feces was determined using gas chromatography-hydrogen flame ionization. Results:The levels of eosinophils(Eos),neutrophils(Neu),and lymphocytes(Lym)in the peripheral blood,as well as Eos and Neu in the BALF,and the expression of interleukin(IL)-4,IL-5,IL-13,IL-33,and thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP)mRNAs in the lung tissue were all found to be significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);the lung tissue structure displayed severe injuries;the levels of acetic acid,propionic acid,isobutyric acid,butyric acid,and valeric acid in the feces decreased significantly in the model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the peripheral blood levels of Eos,Neu,and Lym,as well as Eos in the BALF,and the mRNA expression levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in the lung tissue decreased significantly in both the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).This reduction was accompanied by alleviated pathological damage in the lung tissue.Additionally,there were significant increases in the levels of acetic acid,propionic acid,isobutyric acid,and butyric acid in the feces in both the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In the acupuncture group,the expression levels of Lym in the BALF and IL-13 mRNA in the lung tissue decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In the moxibustion group,the mRNA expression levels of IL-33 and TSLP in the lung tissue also reduced significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Furthermore,the level of valeric acid in the feces increased notably in the moxibustion group(P<0.01).Compared with the acupuncture group,it was found that the mRNA levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in the lung tissue,as well as the acetic acid level in the feces,were significantly higher in the moxibustion group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Both acupuncture and moxibustion were effective in reducing abnormal inflammation and regulating intestinal SCFAs in asthma model rats.Acupuncture demonstrated superiority in inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors,particularly IL-5 and IL-13,while moxibustion exhibited better regulation on intestinal metabolites SCFAs,especially acetic acid.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" （PC6） and "Zhongwan" （RN12） in the treatment of functional dyspepsia （FD）. MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into model group， Neiguan （PC6） group， Zhongwan （RN12） group， and Neiguan-Zhongwan （PC6-RN12） group， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， the other groups of rats were cogavaged with 0.1% sucrose iodoacetamide solution combined with small platform standing training to establish FD rat models. After successful modeling， the rats in the normal group and model group were tied up for 30 min/d for 7 days； the Neiguan group， Zhongwan group， and Neiguan-Zhongwan group were treated with electroacupuncture intervention at "Neiguan" （PC6）， "Zhongwan" （RN12）， and "Neiguan" - "Zhongwan" （PC6-RN12） acupoints， respectively， using continuous wave， frequency of 2 Hz， current intensity of 1 mA， 30 min/d， and continuous intervention for 7 days. The general condition of rats in each group was observed. After treatment， the body weight and food intake of rats were measured， and the gastric emptying rate was calculated； HE staining was performed on the gastric antrum tissue of rats to observe the histopathologic changes； the expressions of calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） and Ghrelin protein in gastric antrum were detected by Western Blot； the metabolites in gastric antrum tissues were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry （LC-MS）， and differential metabolites were screened by correlation analysis， then Metabo Analyst 5.0 and KEGG databases were used for metabolic pathway analysis. ResultsUnder light microscope， the gastric antrum structure was complete and the glands were abundant. No obvious inflammation and edema were found in gastric mucosa. Compared with the normal group， the body weight， food intake， and gastric emptie rate of rats in model group decreased， the expression of Ghrelin protein decreased and the expression of CGRP protein increased in gastric antrum tissue （P＜0.01）. Compared with model group， the body weight， food intake， and gastric emptance rate of rats in Neiguan group， Zhongwan group and Neiguan-Zhongwan group all increased， CGRP protein expression decreased in Neiguan group， and Ghrelin protein expression increased and CGRP protein expression decreased in Zhongwan group and Neiguan-Zhongwan group （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. Compared with Neiguan-Zhongwan group， Ghrelin protein expression decreased and CGRP protein expression increased in Neiguan group and Zhongwan group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Metabolomics results showed that compared with normal group， the content of metabolites adenosine diphosphate ribose， adenosine monophosphate and adenosine diphosphate in gastric antrum tissue of model group decreased； compared with model group， the contents of adenosine diphosphate， adenosine diphosphate and citicoline in Neiguan group increased， the contents of nicotine adenine dinucleotide， cytidine diphosphate ethanolamine and citicoline in Zhongwan group increased， and the contents of adenosine diphosphate， cytidine diphosphate and citicoline in Neiguan-Zhongwan group increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with model group， the main metabolic pathways of different metabolites in PC6-RN12 group were glycerophospholipid metabolism， taurine and hypotaurine metabolism， purine metabolism， starch and sucrose metabolism. ConclusionElectroacupuncture at “Neiguan” and “Zhongwan” acupoints can effectively regulate gastrointestinal motility and improve FD symptoms in FD rats， and the effect is better than that of "Neiguan" or "Zhongwan" acupoints alone. The mechanism may be related to the influence of related metabolites on energy metabolism， glucose metabolism and nucleotide metabolism， thereby regulating gastrointestinal motility hormones.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion at "Feishu （BL13）" and "Tianshu （ST25）" in treatment of bronchial asthma. MethodsA total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （n=12） and modeling group （n=36）. The bronchial asthma rat model was established by sensitization with ovalbumin （OVA） injection and aerosol provocation. Thirty-two successfully modeled rats were further randomly divided into four groups including model group， Feishu group， Tianshu group， and Feishu-Tianshu group， with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were tied and fixed without intervention， while those in the Feishu group received moxibustion at bilateral of "Feishu （BL13）" for 30 minutes； rats in the Tianshu group received moxibustion at bilateral "Tianshu （ST25）" for 30 minutes， and those in the Feishu-Tianshu group received moxibustion at both "Feishu （BL13）" and "Tianshu （ST25）" bilaterally for 15 minutes each. One hour after the intervention， 1% OVA solution was aerosolized for 20 minutes in all groups except the normal group， which was given the same volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution instead of OVA solution for aerosol stimulation. The above interventions were performed once daily for 14 days. Behavioral observations were performed after modeling and during the interventions. The samples were collected 24h after the last intervention. HE and Masson staining were used to observe pathological morphological changes of lung tissues， and the percentage of collagen fiber deposition area was counted. The levels of leukocyte differentiation antigen11b （CD11b）， leukocyte differentiation antigen 40 （CD40）， leukocyte differentiation antigen 86 （CD86）， and programmed death ligand 2 （PD-L2） in serum， as well as the expression of interleukin-8 （IL-8）， interleukin-11 （IL-11）， interleukin-27 （IL-27） in lung tissue， were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was used to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）， matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 （TIMP-1） and transforming growth factor β （TGF-β） proteins in lung tissue. The content of six short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs） including acetic acid， propionic acid， isobutyric acid， butyric acid， valeric acid， and hexanoic acid in feces was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. ResultsCompared to the normal group， the rats in the model group gradually showed mental depression or restlessness， dull hair， slow activity， reduced food intake， unformed stool， accompanied by symptoms of shortness of breath and wheezing. The pathological results showed severe abnormalities in lung tissue structure in the model group， including extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells around the bronchi， thickening of the airway smooth muscle layer， and substantial deposition of collagen fibers. Significant increases were observed in the levels of serum CD11b， CD40， CD86， and PD-L2， levels of IL-8， IL-11， and IL-27 in the lung tissue， as well as protein expression levels of MMP-9， TGF-β， and TIMP-1 in lung tissue， while the fecal levels of acetic acid， propionic acid， isobutyric acid， butyric acid， valeric acid， and n-caproic acid significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to those in the model group， the spirit， hair， activity， drinking and eating condition， shortness of breath， and wheezing symptoms of rats in the Feishu group， Tianshu group， and Feishu-Tianshu group were improved； the stool was basically formed， and the pathological morphology of lung tissue were improved； the levels of serum CD11b， CD40， CD86 and PD-L2， the levels of IL-8 and IL-27 in the lung tissue， the percentage of collagen fiber deposition area， and the TGF-β protein expression notably decreased； content of IL-11 and MMP-9 in the lung tissue and protein expression of T1MP-1 in Feishu group and Feishu-tianshu group significantly decreased； content of six SCFAs in the Feishu-Tianshu group increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to those in the Feishu group， the percentage of collagen fiber deposition area and TIMP-1 protein expression in lung tissue in the Feishu-Tianshu group significantly decreased， while the fecal levels of acetic acid and butyric acid notably increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to those in the Tianshu group， the serum level of CD40 in the Feishu-Tianshu group was significantly reduced， and the percentage of collagen fiber deposition area， the content of IL-11， and the protein expressions of MMP-9， TGF-β and TIMP-1 in the lung tissue notably decreased， while the fecal levels of acetic acid， propionic acid， and butyric acid significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionMoxibustion at "Feishu （BL13）" and "Tianshu （ST25）" exhibits a favorable therapeutic effect on airway remodeling in bronchial asthma rats， and the combined application of "Feishu （BL13）" and "Tianshu （ST25）" acupoints demonstrates a synergistic effect. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of intestinal SCFAs content， influencing the differentiation of immune cells， and reducing airway inflammation.

Objective　To explore the characteristics of toxic heavy metal pollution in atmospheric PM2.5 (Particulate matter 2.5) during winter in Nanning City and to evaluate the health risks for the population. Methods　Atmospheric PM2.5 samples were continuously collected in the urban areas of Nanning from January to February 2019. The concentrations of seven toxic heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and manganese (Mn) in atmospheric PM2.5 were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The pollution characteristics of toxic heavy metals were studied by geo-accumulation index and enrichment factor methods, and their health risks to children and adults were assessed using the health risk assessment model of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results　The mass concentration of atmospheric PM2.5 in Nanning in winter 2019 was (44±29) μg/m3, which was generally at a low level. Different degrees of pollution were found for Hg, Cd, As, Cr, and Pb in PM2.5, with Hg and Cd being more seriously polluted. Hg and Cd were highly enriched in PM2.5, followed by Pb with moderate enrichment. These three elements mainly originated from man-made pollution. As, Cr and Ni were mildly enriched and affected by both natural and anthropogenic sources. The non-carcinogenic risks were in the order of As>Pb>Hg>Cr>Cd>Mn>Ni. The total non-carcinogenic risks for the three populations were all less than 1, which is within acceptable limits. The carcinogenic risks were ranked as Cr>As>Cd>Ni, with Cr, As, and Cd posing carcinogenic risks to children and adults ranging from 1×10-6 to 1×10-4. Moreover, the total carcinogenic risks of heavy metals (Cr, As, Cd, and Ni) were higher than 1×10-4 for children, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk. Conclusions　The mass concentration of PM2.5 and heavy metal elements in Nanning City during the winter of 2019 was relatively low, but the pollution of heavy metals still exists. The non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals is within an acceptable range, but the carcinogenic risk poses a potential danger to children.

AIM: To explore retinal microvascular changes in migraine patients using meta-analysis.METHODS: The National Library of Medicine PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched to find relevant studies, and the search period was from the creation of database to June 2023. Two investigators independently screened the literatures, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of included studies using the NOS scale. STATA15.0 was used for Meta-analysis and publication bias evaluation, sensitivity analysis was performed for results with large heterogeneity, and the funnel plot and Egger were used to assess the publication bias of the literature.RESULTS:A total of 12 studies, including 217 patients(252 eyes)with migraine with aura(MA), 283 patients(388 eyes)with migraine without aura(MO), and 374 healthy individuals(479 eyes), were included in this Meta-analysis. Several optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)indicators, including foveal avascular zone(FAZ)macular or optic disc perfusion density were compared and analyzed. The Meta-analysis results showed that compared with healthy controls, patients with MA had a significant increase in FAZ area and perimeter, a significant decrease in perfusion density of the macular deep capillary plexus(mDCP)except for the fovea, and a significant decrease in perfusion density of the radial peripapillary capillaries(RPC)around the optic disc; the FAZ parameters were significantly increased in MO, while the differences in perfusion density of the macular superficial capillary plexus(mSCP), mDCP and RPC were not statistically significant, except for the perfusion density in the parafovea mDCP.CONCLUSIONS: Both MA and MO patients had an enlarged FAZ area, patients with MA had a significant decrease in mDCP perfusion density, and migraine patients had some degree of retinal ischemia.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Huqi Zhengxiao Formula （槲芪癥消方） on the survival rate and quality of life of patients with stage Ⅲ hepatitis B-associated primary liver cancer （PLC） with syndrome of healthy qi deficiency and toxic stasis accumulation after transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation （TACE） treatment. MethodsOne hundred and twenty-six patients with stage Ⅲ hepatitis B-associated PLC who were identified as syndrome of healthy qi deficiency and toxic stasis accumulation after TACE treatment were selected， and were randomly assigned to 63 cases each of the treatment group and the control group in a ratio of 1∶1 by using the random number table method； the control group was given symptomatic supportive treatments with western internal medicine， and the treatment group was given the addition of Huqi Zhengxiao Formula on the basis of the control group. All patients were treated for a period of 48 weeks， and were followed up at weeks 4， 8， 12， 24， 36， and 48 of the treatment process. The primary effectiveness index was the 1-year survival rate， and the secondary effectiveness index was the Karnofsky score and the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-meier method， and Log-rank test was used to compare the differences between the survival curves of each group. ResultsSix withdrawals in the treatment group and seven withdrawals in the control group， and finally 57 patients in the test group and 56 patients in the control group were included in the statistical analysis. The 1-year survival rate of patients in the treatment group was 56.1% （32/57）， which was higher than that of 33.9% （19/56） in the control group （P = 0.033）. The mean survival time was （275.30±15.50） days in the treatment group， higher than （227.16±17.11） days in the control group （P = 0.039）. Thirty-two patients in the treatment group and 19 patients in the control group completed the Karnofsky score and TCM symptom score at each time point. At weeks 4， 8， 12 and 36， the difference in the Karnofsky score between the two groups was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）； at weeks 24 and 48， the Karnofsky score in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group at the same time point （P＜0.05）； analysis of variance of repeated measurements found that the downward trend of the Karnofsky score in the treatment group was slower than that in the control group （F = 4.47， P = 0.037）. The difference between the TCM symptom scores of the two groups at each follow-up observation point was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）； there was a tendency for the TCM symptom scores of the two groups to increase， but the ANOVA of repeated measurements found that the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant either （F = 0.31， P = 0.58）. Concusion The oral administration of Huqi Zhengxiao Formula can improve the survival rate， prolong the survival time， and improve the quality of life of patients with stage Ⅲ hepatitis B-associated PLC with syndrome of healthy qi deficiency and toxic stasis accumulations after TACE treatment.

Objective:To explore the role of tripartite motif-containing protein 21(TRIM21)in chronic apical periodontitis(CAP)and its potential mechanism.Methods:Human CAP tissue and normal periodontal tissue were collected.The expression of inflamma-tory factors(IL-1 β,IL-6,TNF-a,TGF-β1),osteoclast related genes(TRAP,RANKL,CTSK),macrophage polarization related genes(CD86,iNOS,CD206,Arg1)and TRIM21 were detected by RT-qPCR.TRIM21 protein was detected by immunohistochemical staining,and the osteoclasts was detected by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining.The inflammation cell model was es-tablished by stimulating Raw264.7 cells with lipoteichoic acid(LTA)or lipopolysaccharide(LPS),and the expression of the above factors was detected.The bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)extracted from wild-type and TRIM21-/-mice stimulated by LPS were used to verify the expression of the above factors by RT-qPCR,the osteoclasts were detected by TRAP staining,and the po-larization of macrophages was detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results:In CAP tissue the expression of inflammatory factors,osteoclast related genes,CD86,iNOS and TRIM21 increased,while CD206 and Arg1 decreased,and osteoclasts were more than that in normal tissue.The stimulation of LTA/LPS promoted the proliferation of Raw264.7 cells,and the expression of these factors in cells was consistent with that in tissues.After LPS stimulation,BMDMs of TRIM21-/-mice had lighter inflammation,lower expression of os-teoclast specific genes,fewer osteoclasts and lower M1 polarization than those of wild type mice.Conclusion:TRIM21 might promote the progress of CAP by promoting M1 polarization of macrophages.

Objective To investigate the effect of different premolar extraction patterns on Bolton index and occlusal relationship of skeletal Class Ⅱmalocclusion.Methods The plaster models of 62 patients with skeletal ClassⅡmalocclusion were selected and con-verted into digital models by iTeroElement scanner.Each model was simulated by the four premolar extraction pattrens,and tooth ar-rangement test was performed after tooth extraction.The Bolton index before and after tooth extraction was calculated,and the occlusal relationship after tooth arrangement was evaluated to explore its law.Results All the four premolar extraction patterns resulted in a significant decrease in the Bolton index over-all ratio in skeletal ClassⅡpatients,and compared with the extraction patterns of 4/4 and 4/5,the patterns of 5/4 and 5/5 resulted in a greater decrease in the Bolton index over-all ratio(P＜0.001).For skeletal classⅡmal-occlusion,the tooth arrangement test was conducted on the basis of establishing the neutral relationship of first molar.The average value of anterior teeth over-jet obtained by patterns of 4/4 and 4/5 was within the normal range(＜3 mm).The average value obtained by pat-terns of 5/4 and 5/5 was greater than the normal range(＞3 mm),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.001).Conclu-sion The premolar extraction patterns of 4/4 and 4/5 are more conducive to normalizing the Bolton index over-all ratio and establis-hing the better occlusal relationship for skeletal Class Ⅱ malocclusion.

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a non-enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the family Picornaviridae and the genus Cardiovirus. EMCV has the ability to infect various mammals, such as mice, pigs, and cattle. In addition, humans are susceptible to EMCV infection, and the seropositivity rate of relevant antibodies in healthy populations is steadily increasing, which poses a potential risk of epidemics. The initial step of viral infection in cells involves recognition and attachment to cell surface receptors, followed by endocytosis into the cells. Subsequently, viral proteins interact with host proteins within the cells to promote their own replication. With the progress made in protein-protein interaction studies and the development of high-throughput sequencing technologies, multiple host proteins that interact with EMCV have been identified. This article summarizes the host proteins that interact with EMCV during infection, explores the mechanisms by which these proteins facilitate or inhibit viral invasion, discusses the latest progress in EMCV-induced endocytosis and intracellular signaling, hoping to provide reference for better elucidating EMCV receptor proteins, understanding viral infection and replication mechanisms, studying virus-host interactions and tissue tropism, and developing novel targeted antiviral drugs and prevention strategies.