Currently, researchers are exploring the possibility of using statins to prevent such events.

There are three major complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): ① stent thrombosis. ② arterial stenosis. ③ contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) refers to a 25% increase in serum creatinine within 2–7 days after PCI, or an absolute value exceeding 444 μmol/L.

Currently, researchers are exploring the possibility of using statins to prevent such events.

2012.2.17 Qili Powder

Qili Powder originates from Qing Daiyue's "Collection of Excellent Prescriptions." Its composition includes: cinnabar 30g, dragon's blood 60g, catechu 100g, processed frankincense and myrrh each 100g, saffron 60g, musk 3g, and borneol 1g. Grind into powder, sieve, take 5g each time, and apply externally to wounds.

Catechu is a dried decoction made from the peeled branches and trunks of the leguminous plant catechu, taken internally at 1–3g each time, with effects of clearing heat, draining fire, reducing swelling and relieving pain, and astringing to stop bleeding.

Qili Powder can be used to treat injuries from falls and cuts causing bleeding.

2012.2.19 Re-discussion on Chicken Gizzard Membrane

Chicken gizzard membrane is a product that aids digestion and grinds grains; besides aiding digestion, it can also treat dry blood and menstrual stagnation. When combined with leeches, chicken gizzard membrane is primarily used to treat women with dry blood who cannot menstruate and suffer from abdominal pain; when combined with raw coix seeds and turtle shell, it treats various tumors and masses.

2012.2.20 Pollen and Trichosanthes Root

Pollen refers to the pollen of rapeseed flowers, which is the sperm of plants, containing abundant vitamins and trace elements, known as a natural nutrient reservoir, beneficial for beauty, and useful in treating prostatitis and chronic renal failure. Trichosanthes root, on the other hand, is the root of the melon vine, with effects of reducing swelling and draining pus, as well as generating body fluids and quenching thirst. In the formulas "Immortal Life Drink" and "Regulating Qi Soup," trichosanthes root is used specifically to reduce swelling and drain pus.

2012.2.20 Nail Disorders

Experts point out that viral diseases, autoimmune diseases, fungal infections, blood disorders, and other conditions often cause corresponding changes on the nails.

① Bulging: oxygen deficiency, emphysema. ② Collapse: eczema, skin disease. ③ Discoloration: fungal infection. ④ White spots, longitudinal stripes, transverse stripes: calcium deficiency, vitamin deficiency. ⑤ Pale color: anemia. ⑥ Red color: hypertension.

2012.2.23 Coronary Heart Disease and Male Y Chromosome Genes

Coronary heart disease occurs more frequently in men than in women. For a long time, people have attributed this to the protective effect of female sex hormones on the cardiovascular system. However, recently Professor Huang Zheyong from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University pointed out that the Y chromosome is clearly correlated with the onset of coronary heart disease. The Y chromosome is associated with testicular development, the occurrence of hypertension, and elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein.

2012.2.26 Explanation of the Term "Lanshang"

The term "lanshang" frequently appears in ancient Chinese medical texts, such as "heat is the lanshang of fire" and "qi is the lanshang of yang." Here, "lanshang" means the beginning or origin of something.

Literally, "lan" means overflow or abuse, while "shang" means wine cup or vessel; together, they signify "beginning." This interpretation is often puzzling, as the original meaning of "lanshang" was actually indulgence in excessive drinking. In the "Waterways Commentary" by Li Daoyuan of the Northern Wei Dynasty, it is written: "The source water of rivers is very small, only enough to float a wine cup." This means that the source water of rivers is so small that it can only support a single wine cup. Later, the meaning of "lanshang" gradually evolved to denote the first river, the pioneer, the initiator, the leader, and the commander.

2012.2.26 Activated Transcription Factor 2 (ATF2)—A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer and Anti-Cancer Efforts

Humans have double-edged swords, and biological activators also have dual natures. ATF2 is an activated transcription factor that exhibits oncogene-like behavior in melanoma but anti-tumor effects in non-skin malignancies.

2012.2.27 Thrombophlebitis and Malignant Tumors

Malignant tumors are often accompanied by venous thrombotic events. On February 16, 2012, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article about selecting a large sample of 3,212 cancer cases and conducting a randomized, double-blind, multi-center controlled trial, which found that ultra-low molecular weight heparin could reduce the incidence of venous thromboembolic events. This naturally leads one to wonder whether preventive treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin should be considered a standard treatment for advanced-stage cancer.

Heparin's antithrombotic effects are well known, but whether these effects can be extended to the field of cancer prevention remains to be explored.

2012.2.27 A Brief Discussion on the Classification of Malignant Lymphoma

Malignant lymphoma is divided into Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The former is further subdivided into four types: lymphocyte-rich, lymphocyte-depleted, nodular sclerosis, and mixed cell types. The latter is divided into B-cell and T-cell types. The former can be further classified according to clinical characteristics into indolent lymphoma, aggressive lymphoma, and highly aggressive lymphoma.

Currently, there are some disagreements regarding the classification of T-cell lymphoma, mainly due to differing understandings of morphological, immunological, and genetic characteristics among different biological subtypes. In terms of treatment, except for anaplastic large cell lymphoma, which is sensitive to doxorubicin-based chemotherapy regimens, almost all NK/T-cell lymphomas, especially extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, are resistant to chemotherapy.

2012.3.5 Common Medications for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

1. Short-acting β2 receptor agonists ① Fenoterol aerosol, 0.5% solution, adults 0.4mg each time, every 4 hours; children 0.2mg each time, 3–4 times daily. ② Salbutamol tablets, 5mg each time, 3 times daily. ③ Terbutaline tablets, 2.5mg each time, 3 times daily.

2. Long-acting β2 receptor agonists Formoterol, arformoterol, salmeterol, and tulobuterol all have a duration of action between 12 and 24 hours.

3. Short-acting anticholinergic drugs Ipratropium bromide and oxitropium bromide are both inhalers, administered every 6–8 hours.

4. Long-acting anticholinergic drugs Tiotropium bromide, an inhaler, administered once daily.

5. Inhaled corticosteroids Beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone.

2012.3.6 Individualized Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer

In 2011, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) identified 10 driver genes for lung adenocarcinoma, marking the beginning of individualized treatment for lung cancer. Currently, individualized treatment for lung cancer mainly focuses on three molecular markers: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), KRAS gene, and EML4-ALK fusion gene.

2012.3.9 Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis (CP)

It has now been confirmed that CT, MRI, and PCT are not suitable for evaluating CP, whereas ERCP, MRCP, and intraductal ultrasound have greatly improved the accuracy of diagnosing this disease. Endoscopic ultrasound of the pancreatic duct (EUS) is currently the most reliable method for diagnosing CP.

2012.3.10 Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Purple gromwell 30g, gentian 15g, prunella 15g, strychnos seed 1 (fried), salvia 20g, trichosanthes 10g, peach kernel 10g, sophora 20g, sophora root 20g, tussilago 10g, scrophularia 10g, pangolin 20g, raw rehmannia 12g, cornelian cherry 30g, ginseng root 15g, prince ginseng 15g, northern ginseng 15g. Take one dose daily, decocted in water.

During the first month of the year of the Dragon, a CML patient’s indicators all returned to normal after Western medical treatment, but basophilic granulocytes remained above 6%. After using the above prescription, basophilic granulocytes dropped to 4%.

2012.3.11 A Brief Discussion on the Evolution of "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine"

The name "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" first appeared in Ban Gu's "Han Book·Catalogue of Arts and Literature." During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing mentioned "Suwen" and "Nine Volumes" in the preface to "Shanghan Zabing Lun." During the Western Jin Dynasty, Huangfu Mi spoke of "Suwen·Acupuncture Classics." In the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, Quan Yuanqi also talked about "Suwen" and "Nine Volumes," but the seventh volume of "Suwen" was lost thereafter. Yang Shangshan's edition during the Sui Dynasty also did not include the seventh volume. Wang Bing's greatest contribution during the Tang Dynasty was to fill in the missing seventh volume that had been lost for three hundred years. After that, frequent wars in the Central Plains caused the "Nine Volumes" to be scattered everywhere. The Central Plains never saw the book again. Fifty years later, in the eighth year of the Yuanyou era, Korean envoys presented the complete "Nine Volumes" to Emperor Zhezong of Song. At that time, the Jin army invaded southward, leading to the Jingkang Incident, and the book was lost again without being published. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhu Song took the lost "Nine Volumes" out of his home and revised them, renaming them "Spiritual Pivot." Thus, "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" officially came into existence in its current form—the "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine Suwen" and "Spiritual Pivot" each consisting of 24 volumes, circulating in the world today.

2012.3.13 New Advances in Rheumatoid Arthritis Research

Recent research on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has found that the blockade of the JAK pathway is the fundamental cause of RA development. The JAK pathway is the tyrosine kinase pathway. In the 1990s, people discovered this pathway while studying IFN. JAK transmits inflammatory signals to the joints through the STAT transcription factor, causing joint pain and, over time, deformity. Therefore, JAK-STAT inhibitors are considered the rising stars in the field of RA treatment.

2012.3.15 Three Standards for Hypertension Control (3G)

The "Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension" issued in May 2011 stipulate that the three standards for hypertension control (3G) include: ① smooth control. ② morning control. ③ long-term control.

2012.3.17 Turtle Shell Decoction Pills

Turtle Shell Decoction Pills: honeycomb, dung beetle, turtle shell, pill bug, earthworm, fritillary, shepherd's purse, stone fern, trumpet vine, donkey-hide gelatin, belamcanda, rhubarb, mirabilite, peach kernel, moutan bark, magnolia bark, bupleurum, huangqin, banxia, dangshen, guizhi, white peony, dried ginger, jujube.

This formula is a special prescription from "Jin Gui Yao Lue" for treating malaria mothers, and in modern times it is used to treat decompensated cirrhosis. Using this formula to treat chronic myeloid leukemia can reduce splenomegaly.

2012.3.25 Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

This disease is a general term encompassing chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, cor pulmonale, and heart failure. In the 1950s, it was believed that emphysema was the core pathogenesis of this disease; after the 1980s, pulmonary hypertension was considered the core pathogenesis. Western medical treatment of this disease mainly focuses on suppressing inflammation in the lungs. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of this disease prioritizes Xingsu San, Maxing Shigan Tang, Suzi Jiangqi Wan, and Sanzi Yangqin Tang as the preferred prescriptions.

Recently, I have been using amethyst, agarwood, cinnamon, chicken gizzard membrane, citrullus, platycodon, trichosanthes, allium, and pinellia in treating this disease. These herbs are indeed effective in treating chest tightness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. In addition, green peel, aged peel, mulberry bark, and big belly peel are also effective in eliminating pulmonary edema.

2012.3.25 Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Clearing Pills for Acne Treatment

Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Clearing Pills (decoction) are effective in treating facial acne. This formula contains Zengye Tang, zhebei mu, and platycodon. My preferred prescription for treating acne is: raw gypsum, gardenia fruit, mulberry bark, cypress leaves, white snake tongue grass, half branch lotus, raw rehmannia, scrophularia, ophiopogon, rhubarb, coptis, and huangqin. This formula also includes Zengye Tang. From this, we can see that raw rehmannia, scrophularia, and ophiopogon are essential medicines for treating acne; while the "three yellows," raw gypsum, gardenia fruit, white snake tongue grass, and half branch lotus are clearing heat, draining fire, and detoxifying agents, similar to platycodon and zhebei mu.

In summary, acne treatment should focus on nourishing yin, draining fire, clearing heat, and detoxifying. The last three are symptomatic treatments, while the first is the root cause. The formation of acne is due to relatively high levels of male hormones; specifically: endocrine disorder → increased male hormones → increased sebum secretion → blocked hair follicles → oxygen deprivation inside the follicles → proliferation of anaerobic bacteria → purulent infection → comedones, pustules, papules, etc.

Therefore, the increase in male hormone secretion is the root cause of acne. Can raw rehmannia, scrophularia, and ophiopogon, which treat the root cause, also inhibit the rise in male hormones? This is a research topic for the future.

2012.3.27 Commemorating Koch, Discussing Tuberculosis

It has been 130 years since German scientist Koch discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 130 years ago, tuberculosis swept the globe, becoming an infectious disease that humanity could not overcome. Only after Koch's discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was this disease effectively contained. In 1905, Koch won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this achievement.

WHO has issued "Guidelines for the Treatment of Tuberculosis," and China has also formulated corresponding guidelines. The guidelines stipulate that for initial treatment patients, isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol can be used in combination for 2 months; then isoniazid and rifampicin are used in combination for another 4 months as intensive treatment. For recurrent patients, during the intensive phase, one injectable drug is selected from isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, streptomycin, ethambutol, kanamycin, amikacin, capreomycin, and quinolones, along with 2–3 oral medications for 3 months; then 2–3 oral medications are chosen for 6–12 months.

Surgical treatment indications: patients who have failed medical treatment and have complications (non-healing cavities, persistent caseous exudation, tuberculoma, tuberculous bronchiectasis with hemoptysis).

2012.4.5 Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)

This disease refers to a group of conditions characterized by acute onset, primarily manifested as limb movement disorders accompanied by muscle flaccidity (soft paralysis), including: ① polio in children. ② Guillain-Barré syndrome. ③ infectious radiculitis. ④ hyperkalemia or hypokalemia-related paralysis. ⑤ peripheral neuritis. This is a diagnostic term specific to children, so only patients under 15 years old can be diagnosed with it; adults cannot be diagnosed with it.

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2012.4.6 A Case of Thyroid Cancer

Patients with thyroid cancer may develop cervical lymphadenopathy. In the spring of the Year of Renchen, a patient with enlarged cervical lymph nodes was admitted to the ward. Initially, I considered cervical lymph node tuberculosis; later, Hodgkin's lymphoma; finally, CT examination revealed a thyroid mass, and subsequent tumor marker tests confirmed the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.

2012.4.7 Dahuang Zhechong Wan

Dahuang Zhechong Wan: Dahuang, Zhechong, Qicai, Shui Zhi, Wang Chong, Gan Qi, Tao Ren, Xing Ren, Dang Gui, Huang Qin, Gan Cao, Sheng Di Huang.

This formula can be made into water pills or honey pills. The "Jin Gui Yao Lue · Blood Stasis and Deficiency Diseases Pulse Diagnosis and Treatment" states: "When the five types of labor-induced deficiency lead to extreme emaciation, abdominal distension, inability to eat, damage from food, worry, drink, sexual activity, hunger, overwork, injury to the meridians, blood stasis inside, skin and nails becoming rough, and dark circles under the eyes, the Dahuang Zhechong Wan is used to tonify deficiency and moderate the condition." The formula mainly consists of insect-based herbs, all of which promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, making it suitable for conditions with internal blood stasis. This includes chronic hematopoietic disorders in Western medicine, such as multiple myeloma, chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, polycythemia vera, and thrombocythemia, among others.

2012.4.10 Renal Tubular Acidosis