ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules （XPC） in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free （SPF）-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling， SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group， a pinaverium bromide group （1.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose XPC groups （0.135 and 0.54 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage， while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day， and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier， intestinal motility， and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate， diarrhea grade， and Bristol score （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group， with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier， shedding and disappearance of microvilli， and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated （P<0.01）. The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 （ROCK2） in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain （MLC₂₀） were upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea， diarrhea-associated symptoms， and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically， high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea， promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure， significantly reduced congestion and edema， upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 （P<0.01）， decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction， and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.

Objective: To investigate the potential protective effect of Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills (STDP) on ischemia-reperfusion injury and its underlying mechanisms in improving endothelial cell function in coronary microvascular disease (CMVD). Methods: A rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury with CMVD was established using ligation and reperfusion of the left anterior descending artery. The effect of STDP (21.6 mg/kg) on cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Evans blue staining. The effects of STDP on the microvascular endothelial barrier were assessed based on nitric oxide production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, structural variety of tight junctions (TJs), and the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-5, occludin, and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin proteins. The mechanisms of STDP (50 and 100 ng/mL) were evaluated by examining the expression of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), Ras Homolog family member A (RhoA), and Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) proteins and the distribution of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin proteins in an oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation model. Results: The administration of STDP on CMVD rat model significantly improved cardiac and microvascular endothelial cell barrier functions (all P < .05). STDP enhanced the structural integrity of coronary microvascular positioning and distribution by clarifying and completing TJs and increasing the expression of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, and VE-cadherin in vivo (all P < .05). The S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway was inhibited by STDP in vitro, leading to the regulation of endothelial cell TJs, adhesion junctions, and cytoskeletal morphology. Conclusion STDP showed protective effects on cardiac impairment and microvascular endothelial barrier injury in CMVD model rats induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through the modulation of the S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway.

This study aims to explore the effects of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction(BYD) on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING) signaling pathway in the mouse model of autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT) and the mechanism of BYD in alleviating the immune injury. Forty-eight NOD.H-2~(h4) mice were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose BYD, and selenium yeast tablets groups(n=8). Mice of 8 weeks old were treated with 0.05% sodium iodide solution for 8 weeks for the modeling of AIT and then administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks before sampling. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the astragaloside Ⅳ content in BYD. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the mouse thyroid tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ). Flow cytometry was employed to detect the distribution of T cell subsets in the spleen. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3). Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of markers related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the thyroid tissue. The results showed that the content of astragaloside Ⅳ in BYD was(7.06±0.08) mg·mL~(-1). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed disrupted structures of thyroid follicular epithelial cells, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, and elevated levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed intact epithelial cells, reduced lymphocyte infiltration, and lowered levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells, a decrease in the proportion of Th2 cells, and an increase in the IFN-γ level. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups presented decreased proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells and lowered levels of IFN-γ, and the medium-dose BYD group showed an increase in the proportion of Th2 cells. Compared with the normal group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3 and the protein levels of cGAS, p-STING, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed reduced levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3-positive products, down-regulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, and TBK1, and down-regulated protein levels of cGAS and p-STING. The high-dose BYD group showed down-regulations in the mRNA level of IRF3 and the protein levels of p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. The above results indicate that BYD can repair the imbalance of T cell subsets, alleviate immune injury, and reduce thyroid lymphocyte infiltration in AIT mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/metabolism* ; Mice ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Humans ; Female ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal

In order to compare the differences in growth and secondary metabolite accumulation of Panax quinquefolius between understory and field planting, growth indexes, photosynthetic characteristics, soil enzyme activities, secondary metabolite contents, and antioxidant activities of P. quinquefolius under different planting modes were examined and compared, and One-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) and correlation analyses were carried out by using the software SPSS 25.0 and GraphPad Prism 9.5. The Origin 2021 software was used for plotting. The results showed that compared with those under field planting, the plant height, leaf length, leaf width, photosynthetic rate, and chlorophyll content of P. quinquefolius under understory planting were significantly reduced, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) infestation rate and infestation intensity, ginsenoside content, and antioxidant activity were significantly increased. The activities of inter-root soil urease, sucrase, and catalase increased, while the activities of non-inter-root soil urease and alkaline phosphatase increased. Correlation analyses showed that the plant height and leaf length of P. quinquefolius plant were significantly positively correlated with net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, and electron transfer rate(P<0.05), while ginsenoside content was significantly negatively correlated with net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and electron transfer rate(P<0.05) and significantly positively correlated with AMF infestation rate and infestation intensity(P<0.05). In addition, ginsenoside content was significantly positively correlated with the activities of inter-root soil sucrase, urease, and catalase(P<0.05). This study provides basic data for revealing the mechanism of secondary metabolite accumulation in P. quinquefolius under understory planting and for exploring and practicing the ecological mode of P. quinquefolius under understory planting.
Panax/microbiology* ; China ; Secondary Metabolism ; Soil/chemistry* ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves/metabolism* ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Mycorrhizae

To address the challenges of capturing micro-strains in detecting esophageal motility disorders and the limitations of existing high-resolution manometry and functional intraluminal imaging probes in directly measuring esophageal tissue electrical impedance, this study proposes a novel flexible balloon sensor structure that integrates a piezoelectric film assembly with a distributed impedance electrode array. Using the electrical analysis module in the finite element analysis (FEA) software, simulations of the forward problem for esophageal impedance detection were conducted to optimize the excitation source parameters, and a physical prototype was fabricated. Under a relative excitation mode with a voltage sensitivity of 2.059%, the voltage output characteristics of the impedance electrode array were analyzed during linear changes in the balloon filling volume. Based on the performance variation of the piezoelectric film assembly, 80% was selected as the optimal filling volume. Force-electric coupling tests were conducted on the balloon sensor using a pressure testing platform, revealing that both the piezoelectric film assembly inside the balloon and the impedance electrodes outside the balloon exhibited significant load differentiation characteristics as the force application point shifted. In summary, this balloon sensor facilitates the localization of force application while simultaneously analyzing esophageal tissue properties, offering a novel diagnostic approach and objective tool for esophageal disease detection.
Esophagus/physiology* ; Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Manometry/methods* ; Electrodes ; Esophageal Motility Disorders/physiopathology* ; Equipment Design

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a well-accepted therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines integrating TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of AD, limiting the clinical application of such combined approaches. Therefore, the China Association of Chinese Medicine initiated the development of the current guideline, focusing on key issues related to the use of TCM in the treatment of AD. This guideline was developed in accordance with the principles of the guideline formulation manual published by the World Health Organization. A comprehensive review of the literature on the combined use of TCM and Western medicine to treat AD was conducted. The findings were extensively discussed by experts in dermatology and pharmacy with expertise in both TCM and Western medicine. This guideline comprises 23 recommendations across seven major areas, including TCM syndrome differentiation and classification of AD, principles and application scenarios of TCM combined with Western medicine for treating AD, outcome indicators for evaluating clinical efficacy of AD treatment, integration of TCM pattern classification and Western medicine across disease stages, daily management of AD, the use of internal TCM therapies and proprietary Chinese medicines, and TCM external treatments. Please cite this article as: Du XR, Wu MY, Tao MC, Lin Y, Gu CY, Wu MF, Cao Y, Chen DC, Li W, Wang HW, Wang Y, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Liu X, Su XF, Li FL. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):641-653.
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Integrative Medicine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Objective To evaluate the clinical benefit of caffeine treatment regimen determined based on oxygen discontinuation as target orientation for oxygen-dependent preterm infants.Methods A total of 219 preterm infants admitted to the neonatal department of this hospital from October 2021 to September 2023 were selected and divided into the intervention group (caffeine treatment targeting weaning oxygen,n=108) and the control group (routine caffeine treatment,n=111).The differences in the apnea recurrence,reuse of caffeine,time of caffeine discontinuation,duration of using oxygen and hospitalization duration were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the control group,the correcting fetal age by stopping caffe-ine in the intervention group was greater[(35.9±1.7)weeks vs.(34.4±1.5)weeks],hospitalization dura-tion was longer[(64.62±20.60)d vs.(57.96±17.68)d],and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).The apnea recurrence rate,reuse rate of caffeine,duration of oxygen use,incidence rate of moder-ate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia,mechanical ventilation use rate,hospitalization expenses,≥grade Ⅱ necrotizing enterocolitis,feeding intolerance,tachycardia incidence rate and body weight increase velocity had no statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Determining the caffeine treatment course regimen by oxygen discontinuation as target orientation could not reduce the recurrent risk of preterm infants apnea recurrence risk,which could prolong the hospitalization duration.

Objective To evaluates the impact of early application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)on muscle strength,clinical outcomes,and long-term quality of life improvements in patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods A total of 75 patients diagnosed with SAP and ARDS admitted in Department of Critical Care Medicine of our hospital from September 2022 to August 2023 were recruited and then randomly divided into NMES group(n=37)and control group(n=38).After 16 patients were excluded,including 8 died during treatment,3 discharged and 5 received palliative care,there were finally 29 patients in the NMES group and 30 in the control group.Within 48 h after ICU admission,the NMES group received NMES 1 h per day,for 7 d in addition to standard rehabilitation intervention.While,the control group were given conventional interventions for rehabilitation.Assessments at baseline and post-treatment included the incidence of ICU-acquired weakness(ICU-AW),Medical Research Council(MRC)score,duration of mechanical ventilation,lengths of ICU and total hospital stays,and activity,thickness and thickening fraction of the diaphragm.Mortality rates and Barthel index(BI)for self-care ability in 1,3 and 6 months after discharge were recorded for follow-up assessments.Results The NMES group had significantly lower incidence of ICU-AW(P＜0.05),higher upper and lower limb MRC scores and overall MRC score at ICU discharge(P＜0.05),shorter durations of mechanical ventilation,ICU stay,and total hospital stay when compared with the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistical difference in the BI at 1 month post-discharge between the 2 groups,but the indexes at 3 and 6 months were notably higher in the NMES group than the control group(P＜0.05).No obvious differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of diaphragm activity,thickness,or thickening scores at enrollment,ICU discharge,or hospital discharge,nor in mortality rates at 1,3,and 6 months after discharge.Conclusion Combined NMES and early rehabilitation therapy can improve muscle strength and reduce length of hospital stay in SAP patients complicated with ARDS,and may enhance long-term quality of life.However,it does not significantly affect diaphragm function or mortality rates.

Graphene,as a new type of two-dimensional nanomaterial,has unique physical and chemical properties,which make it characterized by low resistivity,large specific surface area,good biocompatibility,and high chemical stability.It is expected to develop into an ideal material for highly sensitive electrochemical sensors.With the development of electrochemical sensor technology,graphene based electrochemical sensors with high sensitivity,specificity,speed,and convenience can be used to detect various infectious disease patho-gens.This article summarizes the application of electrochemical sensor detection technology based on graphene nanomaterials in the detection of respiratory pathogens,mosquito borne infectious disease pathogens,intestinal infectious disease pathogens,and other infectious disease pathogens,providing new ideas for achieving rapid detection technology and methods for early detection and diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Objective To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes and related risk factors in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP).Methods The clinical data of 420 children with MPP admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine were collected.The clinical data included gender,age,history of respiratory tract diseases,TCM syndromes,MPP classification,cough duration,fever duration,fever peak value,laboratory indicators of C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and the complication of infection.SPSS 26.0 software was used for data statistics,and then the distribution of TCM syndromes in children with MPP and its correlation with various clinical data,as well as the related risk factors of MPP with different classification and various TCM syndromes were explored.Results(1)Among the 420 children with MPP,there were 283 cases(67.4％)of mild MPP,76 cases(18.1％)of refractory MPP,and 61 cases(14.5％)of severe MPP.For the distribution of TCM syndromes,there were 152 cases(36.2％)of wind-heat obstructing the lung syndrome,141 cases(33.6％)of phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome,77 cases(18.3％)of damp-heat obstructing the lung syndrome,25 cases(6.0％)of toxin-heat obstructing the lung syndrome,16 cases(3.8％)of lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome,and 9 cases(2.1％)of yin deficiency and lung heat syndrome.For the classification of infection,there were 295 cases(70.2％)of simple mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)infection and 125 cases(29.8％)of mixed infection.(2)There were statistically significant differences in age stratification and visit season among MPP children with different TCM syndromes(P＜0.01),while no significant differences were shown in the gender,history of respiratory tract diseases,and the complication of infection(P＞0.05).(3)There were statistically significant differences in the visit season,history of respiratory tract diseases,and the complication of infection among the children with various MPP types(P＜0.05),while no significant differences were shown in the gender and age stratification(P＞0.05).(4)There were statistically significant differences in laboratory indicators of CRP and PCT and in the symptoms of cough duration,fever duration and fever peak among MPP children with different TCM syndromes(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(5)Significant differences were presented in laboratory indicators of PCT and LDH and in the symptoms of cough duration,fever duration and fever peak value among the children with different MPP types(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(6)Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CRP level ≥10.5 mg/L and wind-heat obstructing the lung syndrome were the independent risk factors for mild MPP(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);fever duration≥7 days,cough duration ≥ 12 days and phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome were the independent risk factors for refractory MPP(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);cough duration ≥ 12 days,mixed infection and toxin-heat obstructing the lung syndrome were the independent risk factors for severe MPP(P＜0.01).Conclusion The results indicated that the classification MPP in children is predominated by mild MPP,and their TCM syndrome types is predominated by wind-heat obstructing the lung syndrome.The proportions of refractory MPP and damp-heat obstructing the lung syndrome increase significantly in autumn,which may be related to the characteristics of regional environment and circuit qi.The increase of CRP level and fever peak may be related to phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome and toxin-heat obstructing the lung syndrome.In clinic,attention should be paid to the early use of heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving drugs or heat-clearing and toxin-removing drugs;children with the history of respiratory tract diseases and mixed infections are more likely to develop into severe MPP,and the physicians should be alert clinically.Wind-heat obstructing the lung syndrome,phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome and toxin-heat obstructing the lung syndrome are the independent risk factor separately for mild MPP,refractory MPP and severe MPP,which requires timely intervention to prevent mild MPP from developing into refractory MPP or severe MPP in clinic.