There are different views on the theory of “spleen governs time”， which is still a hot spot in the study of Zangxiang （藏象） theory. Based on Zangxiang time-space view， it is found that the thinking mode of the spleen governing time theory follows space-time logic. It is believed that the different time views of the spleen governing time are all formed based on the space view that the spleen belongs to earth and resides in the center， and the zang time theory is developed with the unified time and space logic. Guided by Zangxiang time-space view， the origin of the spleen belonging to earth and residing in the center is traced， and the theoretical connotation and its clinical application of spleen governing time under different time-space logic are explored with reference to the four season and five zang theory， five season and five zang theory， six season and six zang theory， and eight season and eight zang theory.

The seventy-two grid palm technique is an important theoretical source of traditional Chinese medicine hand diagnosis. Starting from the ecological medical model， we analyse the seventy-two grid palm technique， and believe that its diagnosis of human body integrates biological， ecological， psychological， social and other factors， and each factor is based on physiological and pathological theories， and its external social interpretation of the nature of the human body is inseparable from health state. It is proposed that the seventy-two grid palm technique should be integrated with the ecological and natural viewpoints based on the biomedical models or bio-psycho-social medical models， and the research should be conducted from the perspective of the ecological medical model， in order to promote the development of hand diagnosis.

This paper systematically analyzed the understanding of qi from the perspectives of matter， energy， information and relationship reality， introduced the original holistic principle of systematic traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， and considered the latest research results of qi （three-layer material theory）， trying to optimize the structure framework of the qi theoretical system and exhibit the occurrence and development rules of original qi. It emphasizes the hierarchical order of qi transformation following the original holistic principle， and takes this to guide the clinical understanding of “qi diseases”， helping doctors grasp the basic pathogenesis of the disease， that is abnormal qi movement， and helping them establish the awareness of providing systematic TCM treatment to patients by taking qi regulation as the key. At the same time， it discusses people within the structure of time and space， and points out that the treatment of diseases must comply with the principle of “the harmony of heaven， earth， and human beings”.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to non-coding RNA longer than 200 nt, with one or more short open reading frames (sORF), which encode functional micro-peptides. These functional micro-peptides often play key roles in various biological processes, such as Ca²⁺ transport, mitochondrial metabolism, myocyte fusion, cellular senescence and others. At the same time, these biological processes play a key role in the regulation of body homeostasis, diseases and cancers development and progression, embryonic development and other important physiological processes. Therefore, studying the potential regulatory mechanisms of micro-peptides encoded by lncRNA in organisms will help to further elucidate the potential regulatory processes in organisms. Furthermore, it will provide a new theoretical basis for the subsequent targeted treatment of diseases and improvement of animal growth performance. This review summarizes the latest research progress in the field of lncRNA-encoded micro-peptides, as well as the progress in the fields of muscle physiological regulation, inflammation and immunity, common human cancers, and embryonic development. Finally, the challenges of lncRNA-encoded micro-peptides are briefly described, with the aim to facilitate subsequent in-depth research on micro-peptides.
Animals ; Humans ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Open Reading Frames ; Peptides/chemistry* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*

Background:Based on the effect of seasonal changes on human visceral function,this study investigated the impact of seasonal photoperiod of the pineal body on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-hippo-campal-receptor in rats,aiming to reveal the mechanism by which pineal gland melatonin regulates the seasonal secretion of hippocampal neurotransmitters.Methods:Vernal equinox,summer solstice,autumn equinox,and winter solstice were selected as four experimental time points,and rats were randomly divided into normal control group,sham operation group,and pinealectomized group.The seasonal changes in corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),corticosterone,hypothalamic melatonin receptor(MTR),and hippocampal corticosterone receptor(CORTR)were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Comparing the same group between different seasons,we showed that in the normal control group,CRH,ACTH,corticosterone,and MTR were higher,while CORTR was lower in autumn and winter than in spring(all P＜.05).Compared with the normal control group,the pinealectomized group showed higher levels of corticosterone(P=.01),MTR(P=.01),and CORTR(P=.03)during spring;reduced levels of MTR and CORTR(both P＜.001)during summer;higher levels of ACTH(P=.001)and MTR(P＜.001),and lower levels of CRH(P=.001),corticosterone(P＜.001),and CORTR(P=.003)during autumn;and lower levels of CRH(P＜.001)and MTR(P=.004),and higher level of ACTH(P＜.001)in winter.Conclusions:Seasonal photoperiod acts on the pineal gland to secrete different levels of melatonin,resulting in seasonal changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-hippocampal-receptor,which may be the pathophysiological basis for the onset of seasonal affective disorder.

Background: Based on the theory of"five Zang-organs corresponding to the seasons"in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), physiological functions including emotions vary with the seasons. We aimed to investigate the seasonal photoperiod effects of melatonin (MT) released from the pineal gland on the MT receptor (MTR)-Gs/Gi-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA)-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in the hippocampus.Methods: Rats were divided into three groups: control, operation (surgery with pineal gland removal), and pseudo-operation groups (same surgery as operation group but without removing pineal gland), and fed at specific time across the four seasons. The levels of MTR, adenylate cyclase (AC), cAMP, PKA, and CREB in the hippocampus were analyzed using ELISA. The concentrations of Gs and Gi were analyzed using Western blot. The expression of CREB mRNA was detected by PCR. Results: For intragroup comparisons, compared with spring, the levels of Gs/Gi in the control group were higher in summer, autumn, and winter (P=.009 in summer;P<.001 in autumn and winter);the levels of MTR, cAMP, PKA, and CREB in the control group were significantly higher in autumn and winter than in spring (all P<.001). The levels of MTR, cAMP, PKA, and CREB in each season were significantly lower in the operation group than in the control group (all P < .05). Significant differences were noted in Gs/Gi levels between the operation group and control group in spring, autumn, and winter (all P<.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MTR-Gs/Gi-cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway is involved in the seasonal photoperiod effects of the pineal gland on the hippocampus and may underpin seasonal changes in emotions. It can support the prevention and treatment of the seasonal onset of mental dis-orders, and enrich the theory of"five Zang-organs corresponding to the seasons".

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of seasonal variation on neurotransmitter release in the hippocampus of normal rats and rats with pineal excision. Methods: Two time points, the summer and winter solstice, which are the longest and shortest days of the year, respectively, were selected. Male Sprague-Dawley rats that underwent a sham operation without pineal excision were included as a control group. The concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were determined by radioimmunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. Results: In the winter, the 5-HT and GABA levels in normal rats exhibited a significant difference compared with those in the operation group (P < .01). A difference was also noted in GABA levels be-tween the normal group and the sham operation group (P<.05). The concentrations of 5-HT and GABA in the hippocampal tissues of the normal group exhibited a seasonal rhythm consisting of elevation during the summer and reduction during the winter (P < .01), while the GABA levels in the sham operation group exhibited a significant difference, with elevation during the summer and reduction during the winter (P<.01). In the operation group, GABA showed the same trend (P<.01). Conclusion: The seasonal rhythm of neurotransmitter secretion by the hippocampus (5-HT and GABA) consisted of elevation during the summer and reduction during the winter. During the winter, the pineal gland exhibited a reverse regulatory effect on the secretion of 5-HT and GABA in the hippocampus, and it exhibited seasonal selectivity with regard to the regulation of 5-HT.

Objective: In this study,we examined the effects of Shizhenqing granule(SZQG)on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis and serum inflammatory factors in a rat model of chronic eczema,in or-der to explore the mechanism of action of SZQG in treatment of this disease.Methods: Sixty Sprague—Dawley male rats were randomly divided into six groups(with 10 rats per group): blank group; model group; positive control group(prednisone); and the low-,medium-,and high-dose SZQG groups.Except for the blank group,rats in all other groups were treated with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene to induce chronic eczema.These rats were administered prednisone or SZQG for 7 consecutive days after successful establishment of the chronic eczema model,and samples were collected 12 h after the last administration.The degree of skin lesions and the changes in serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),cortisol(CORT),inter-leukin(IL)-4,interferon(IFN)-γ,IL-25,and IL-31 among the groups were compared.Results: SZQG effectively increased the levels of CRH,ACTH,and CORT,which decreased in the serum of rats with chronic eczema,stimulated the function of the HPA axis,and promoted the expression of glucocorticoids.SZQG reduced the serum levels of inflammatory factors including IL-4,IL-25 and IL-31,which were overexpressed in rats with chronic eczema,and increased those of anti-inflammatory factor IFN-γ,thereby alleviating the inflammatory symptoms and itching,and ameliorating the clinical symptoms of chronic eczema.Conclusion: SZQG effectively alleviates skin lesions in the chronic eczema rat model by stimulating the function of the HPA axis.

This study was aimed to explore the influence of extreme environment changes on the lung immune function in rats. Artificial climate system was used to simulate six extreme weathers, which were the sudden temperature increase (ZS), sudden temperature drop (ZJ), continuous high temperature (CG), continuous low temperature (CD), high temperature and high humidity (GWGS), normal temperature and high humidity (CWGS). And then, the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to detect bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and related immune substances in lung tissues. The results showed there was significant difference of ZJ on IL-10 (P<0.05). There were significant differences of CG, CD, GWGS, and CWGS on IL-6, INF-γ and sIgA (P<0.05). Contents of the GWGS group and CWGS group were higher than that of the CG group and CD group. There was very significant difference on IL-10 in the CD group (P<0.01). It was concluded that the extreme environment changes had different influence on body’s immune. And different intervention factors cause the body’s immune factors to response accordingly.

By reviewing its experimental studies as well as clinical investigations,experiences and proven cases,this paper presented the main directions and methods in the study of Guo-Min (GM) decoction.It proved that GM decoction had identified anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.Its effect may be through blocking H1 receptors,and lowering IgE in serum of type I allergic reaction to achieve.It showed that the clinical observation on multi-center,large sample randomized double-blinded controlled trials combined with compatibility laws of Chinese herbs and prescriptions by chemomics will be the future study direction of GM decoction.It played significant role in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.